“She returned to Dubai. She had an event there before the accident, and you know she's busy as hell. Don't be that way,” Chris said.
I was infuriated. I felt lied to.
Chris explained that the only reason I had been released so soon was because they had set up home nursing care. He said it was important for me to receive supervised care and physiotherapy from the nurse if I was to heal properly, but I didn’t care. I could take care of myself.
“I hear what you’re saying, Chris, but I don’t think I need anyone taking care of me.”
“Well, at least go down and meet the nurse before you decide.”
Chris waited in my room, so he could assist me down the stairs. It wasn’t too long until Anderson announced the nurse had arrived.
Instead of welcoming the nurse, I had other plans. My intention was to go downstairs and reject this person who was intruding into my life. I would make him or her feel so uncomfortable that they would refuse to work with me. There was no way I’d allow anyone to babysit me in the name of nursing me back to good health.
“Ah, Brian, how kind of you to join us. I want you to meet Ariana Smithson,” Dad said, gesturing toward the most beautiful redhead I’d ever seen. “She'll be your nurse until your leg has fully healed.”
She had a curvy physique and hazel eyes, and her smileseemed to light up the entire room.
“Ariana is the nurse?” I asked as calmly as I could.
“Yes, Brian. Ariana is the nurse,” Chris responded.
“Hello, Mr. Rodericks.” Ariana smiled as she stretched her hand out for a handshake.
“Please, call me Brian,” I responded, my voice finding a level of calm that I in no way felt. When our hands touched, goosebumps ravaged my skin. Ariana stimulated me in a way that was completely different than any other woman I had met, and I'd met some of the most beautiful women in the world.
“So, are you ready to begin your journey to recovery?”
I gestured at the couch, indicating that Ariana should sit down. Chris stared at me in surprise, but I didn’t care.
Suddenly, I hoped it would take months to nurse me back to health.
Ariana
I sat down where my new patient had indicated. Brian Rodericks was not what I’d been expecting. He was no old man. In fact, he looked like someone who would grace the cover ofRolling StoneMagazine. His long black hair looked healthy and shiny, and I could tell his body had been sculpted from hours in the gym.
Damn, but Brian was fine as hell! His bright eyes pierced my soul, and his smile melted my heart. When we shook hands, I got goosebumps all over my body and an ache between my thighs that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I was terrified by the effect he had on me. It was so strong, and he was way, way out of my league.
“So, how do we begin? Where do we start? Do I have to take pills or is it just exercises? Do you need anything to begin?” Brian bombarded me with more questions than I could process. I was struggling to maintain my composure, and now I had to deal with a barrage of questions thrown my way.
“Brian Peterson Rodericks—one question at a time for the lady. She knows her job and will do it accordingly.” Mr. Coleman Rodericks had just saved me because I could not come up with a single answer for any of his questions. My brain was in a fog. I guess you could say that Brian enchanted me.
“Besides, I thought you hated the idea of a home nurse. I could have sworn I heard you argue with Chris about the very thought of someone looking after you.”
“Yes, Dad—” The one Mr. Coleman had referred to as Chris started to say, but he was quickly interrupted.
“Dad, that’s not what I said. I said that if the hospital couldn’tfind a good nurse, maybe Mom could do it, but that’s not a problem since they obviously found the perfect one.” Brian’s voice lowered when he said the last five words, and he shifted his gaze from his brother to me.
It was strange but exhilarating. We locked eyes, and the room grew silent. At that moment, I was certain I wasn’t the only one who felt enchanted. I was sure Brian felt the same way.
“Brian Peterson Rodericks!” Chris and his father said in unison. They sounded surprised, and I knew they’d caught Brian telling a blatant lie.
“It's fine. I'm here now, and we’re running out of time,” I said, trying to quell the confusion while reminding myself that I was there to work, not cause drama or stare into those dreamy eyes for hours. I had to get my head in the game, and I asked Brian to try to stand on his own.
Just when I thought I was learning to deal with his attractiveness, his muscles tightened as he strained to get up, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the Adonis before me. Watching his long hair fall over his face as he stood up was like watching a hair product commercial in slow motion.
“Argh! There. I did it,” Brian said proudly. You could tell it was difficult for him, but he made sure he did it to prove to himself that he could control the situation. What I’d gleaned from his attitude coincided with his appearance, and strangely, I loved it. Everything about him screamed alpha male.
“That's fantastic, Brian. Your upper body strength will help you greatly as you learn to maneuver on your own with the crutches,” I said. I asked for somewhere spacious to monitor his ambulation in the early stages of his recovery process.