Needing Him - Tory Baker Page 0,4
damn, what I wouldn’t give to have someone in my life to love and cherish.
Four
Giana
I can’t believe I’m doing this. Well, really, I can. When you’re twenty-five and up to your ears in debt, you do some crazy shit. Including work off the clock with your hospital’s administrator being okay with it for double the pay. Drake is going to need someone every day for the next six weeks, at least. I did the math. The total would knock out a huge chunk of my student loans. So, I leaped, and now I’m here knocking on Drake’s front door to a mammoth of a home, a door so big it’s double the height of myself, and this is after giving my name at the gate.
“Why would someone need a home this big with an eight-foot-high wrought iron fence, not to mention all of the foliage to hide everything? This guy must have issues,” I ramble to myself.
“The door is open, and yes, I probably do have some kind of issues.” Drake’s voice comes through what must be some kind of intercom.
“Shit.” I twist the doorknob. I’m already screwing this up left and right.
“Heard that too.” I just roll my eyes and step inside the foyer. It’s as grand as the outside stonework is. My eyes don’t know where to look first. There’s a staircase that’s wrapped in a striking dark walnut wood that matches the white walls beautifully, the floors being the same exact color as the treads of the stairs as well as the railings.
“I’m in the living room,” Drake says. I roll my eyes. Sure, his shoulder is hurt, but is it too much to stand up and open the door? I bet he’s going to be the biggest pain in the ass when it comes to every single thing.
“Coming,” I grouse. I walk past what looks like a library—every nook and cranny is full of books. What I wouldn’t give to further investigate it. Maybe I can do that when Drake isn’t in a mood. Past the stairs is where I find the patient. That’s how I’m going to refer to him if his attitude doesn’t change. Either that or I’ll end up putting him back in the hospital.
When I make it to the living room, it’s the most inviting room I’ve ever seen, and I’ve lived at my parents’ house for more years than I care to admit, even now at my age. I still live at home. It might seem like I should have moved out by now, but with school and being in debt, it’s smart to stay there and pay them rent to get out of debt before accruing even more bills.
The sectional is much like the rest of Drake’s house, huge. It’s a leather sectional with deep seating and pillows, and blankets are scattered everywhere. The rug looks luxurious to scrunch your toes in on a cold winter day, and the television is placed over the fireplace, tying it all in together.
If Drake weren’t acting like such an ass, it would make me want to climb in beside him and cuddle into his firm body. Too bad that when he opens his mouth, it’s usually with nothing I want to hear.
“Hey.” His voice has taken on a different tone, causing me to falter in my steps.
“Hey,” my voice croaks. I’m not wearing my normal scrubs like I do for work. Instead I’m in a slouchy-type long-sleeved shirt, ripped jeans, and flats. Getting cold is in my nature. Even in the dead of summer, my hands and feet are usually always like an iceberg.
“I didn’t mean to be a jerk. I’m assuming my friends put you up to this gig?”
“It’s okay. You’re more than likely in pain, and maybe your bedside manners could use some work?” I break the ice. If we’re going to be around each other the entire time, working together, we should at least get along.
He laughs. It’s rich, throaty, and is making my knees freaking weak. “Isn’t it usually the other way around?” His eyebrow arches up.
“Maybe, maybe not.” I shrug my shoulder.
“Anyways, can we call a truce? I wasn’t expecting you, and when you pulled up, it caught me off guard. Those knuckleheads took over everything, including getting me home like I was an invalid. Who knew four grown males could be so overbearing? They’re worse than my own mother.” He holds his pinky out. I tilt my head to the side before saying, “Isn’t that for promises?”
“Yeah,