Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,9
No one needs to know about my beautiful little devil. She’s mine.
Spending days in bed is one of those things that’s better in theory than reality. Honestly, it’s my worst nightmare. My brother is very talented but a nursemaid he is not.
Thinking of nurses reminds me of Ariana. It was quite a shock to see her wearing scrubs but the best kind. I imagine there have been plenty of men who would walk in front of a cab on purpose if it meant being taken care of by a woman like her.
When she’d appeared in the midst of my pain and confusion, it had seemed like fate intervening once again. But then she’d slipped away and I still have no way to contact her outside of stalking the hospital hoping to see her. If this is fate’s idea of pushing us together it’s doing a terrible job.
I’ll end up in a ditch instead of in her bed at this rate.
There’s a quick knock at the door and I groan. Andre must have put in some kind of standing order with room service because they’ve been delivering a steady stream of boring food for each meal.
It’s a struggle to stand after lazing around all day so it takes me a minute to get up. The man at the door makes quick work of wheeling the tray in and setting up the table. After signing the receipt, and including a healthy tip, I’m alone again.
I scowl down at the bowl of soup and the sleeve of crackers on the tray. If I never have to look at another bowl of soup or porridge again I’ll be content.
Getting hit by a car was no picnic but I’m not dying. This food is making me feel like I have one foot in the grave already.
That’s it. I’m going out. They told me that I should take it easy for a few days. They didn’t say anything about treating me like a grandfather or boring me to death.
“Where are you going? You’re supposed to be resting,” Andre asks in Italian, gesturing to the bed.
We usually speak Italian when we’re alone since he’s not concerned about practicing his English. The Italian accent simply adds to his mystique and of course, women love it. Funny how the same people who admire the accent in social situations assume it means you’re less competent in business negotiations.
I sigh. “I’m just going for a walk. I need to stretch my legs.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No!”
He looks a little hurt so I run a hand through my hair. It’s not my brother’s fault that his presence inevitably draws a crowd. But I can’t deal with that today.
“You have a lot to do getting ready for the marketing launch. You don’t need to babysit me. I’m just going to stretch my legs. Maybe find us some snacks. I’m sure there must be a shop or grocery close by.”
He looks dubious at the idea. Probably just the idea of buying your own groceries is what’s throwing him off. We are definitely spoiled by the lifestyle we grew up living.
“Okay, just be careful. Do you have your phone?”
“Yes, Mamma. Don’t worry so. I’m a big boy now.”
He scowls. “I would have thought so but then you walked in front of a taxi.”
“Sorry about that. Especially since I pulled you away from the beautiful Mya.”
“That wasn’t going to happen anyway. But going to the agency for marketing meetings should be interesting going forward.”
“You just had to hit on a woman working on the most important launch of our company’s history?”
He’s already walking away but he gives me the finger over his shoulder. I’m still chuckling by the time I change into a pair of jeans and a cashmere sweater from last year’s line. It fits perfectly and is long enough to cover the bandages on my sprained wrist. I need to get out of here before Andre notices I’m wearing something that’s out of season.
Once I’m out of the hotel, I use my phone to search out the closest grocery. Then I use the navigation to point me toward a place called Trader Joe’s. Whenever we plan to spend extended time in a city, I always investigate the best clubs and restaurants but I’ve never really thought about things like groceries before. Living out of a hotel means you don’t have to.
But today, I want to feel normal. I need to be around people and noise and life. As I walk, the chatter of the people