Echoes in Eternity (The Pella Series Book 1) by Emine Fougner Page B

my fingers. Tips of my fingers manage to move.
    “You should better lay her down. I think she’s coming to her senses now, and my work here is done,” says the Doctor’s voice.
    “Are you sure Hen...” the dominant voice falters as he’s interrupted.
    “Absolutely sure. I examined her,” replies the doctor, sternly. I feel being laid on a leather surface. A soft moan escapes my lips.
    “Ellie, are you hurt?” asks his concern laden voice.
    “ Oww!” I manage to groan in a gruff voice, barely able to crack my eyes open, feeling like I had the biggest hangover ever. I know that, because my two best friends took me to Tijuana for my 18 th  birthday and the drinking binge we had together gave me the same pounding headache with a sick feeling, making me dizzy and light headed, with a dry, parched throat. I try to swing my leg down to sit up, but I immediately feel out of balance, my stomach aches, my heart races and my eyes burn,  giving me a headache when I try to open them, I instantly close them. Voices are amplified in my head. I feel feverish; especially my arms feel on fire.
    “You shouldn’t try to sit up Miss Duncan!” A voice orders, and I recognize it to be Alex’s... Mr. Pella’s voice.
    “Sorry.... I don’t know what came over me,” I murmur.
    “Rest assured, I will deal with the security guard for nearly hitting you and putting you into shock,” his voice murmurs in a low but clearly audible tone.
    “I’m equally guilty; I should have paid attention,” I reply. “I feel okay now, I should get going,” I add.
    “I don’t think you’re up to driving two hours Miss Duncan. I will have someone drive you to your home.”
    “Nooo!” I protest, but then my head betrays me as my own voice pounds my head like a club and I end up holding my head between my hands.
    “Just as I thought! I don’t want to be the cause of my new assistant’s injury before she starts working for me,” he counters in a caressing, sensual tone having recovered his equilibrium.
    “The assistant on trial...” I correct him with a low murmur with my eyes closed. Somehow I feel him smirk at me.
    “Anthony will drive you home, and he will also pick you up.”
    “But...” I protest, but he cuts me off.
    “I told you earlier Miss Duncan. If I intend to keep a good employee for a long time, then I do whatever is in my power to secure that employee’s well-being for his or her maximum productivity,” he says in his self-assured tone.
    “It’s kind of you,” I reply in an acerbic tone, my hand still holding my pounding head, my eyes are still closed. I think he’s smiling at my response, but I can’t see him. Even if I was blindfolded I would feel his magnetism. His pull. He must have moved closer to me because I feel his breath near my ear.
    “Do you wish to stay? The Doctor said that you need some rest. I can...” his voice trails off, “I can take you to my apartment in town, and make sure you get some care,” he says as each word is gentle, and soft. I turn my head in his direction slowly, finally managing to open my eyes. He’s sitting near me, but not crowding me. His gaze is laced with concern; he looks anxious. His hands are on his lap, splayed open.
    “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay with my prospective new boss,” I reply in a soft voice, though internally I kick myself. How can I desire a man I’ve just met so desperately, so voraciously?
    “I have a house... I can go there while you’re in my apartment. That way, you won’t feel crowded with my presence and I can have someone to provide care for you for the duration of the night. Please... You’ve just passed out in my building right after one of my security guards nearly hit you with my company car.”
    “Don’t worry Mr. Pella... I’m not planning to sue. Like I said, I’m equally guilty,” I reply turning my head back to look at my lap.
    “You’re wounding me, Miss Duncan. I didn’t mean to extend my courtesy