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“Oh, I don't wear a uniform. A part of my deal here is that I get to dress comfortably. When workers dress comfortably, it increases productivity, and I want to be at my best,” Ariana said confidently as she got her stuff out of her bag.
“Does everyone at the hospital do that? Because I remember…”
Ariana interrupted me: “Oh, no. It's just me. It was one of the conditions I asked for when I took this job.” I loved her confidence and poise, which reminded me why I had been so enchanted with her. It also solidified that the sparks that had flown yesterday when we met had not been a one-time thing. Ariana was different.
However, I noticed that Ariana constantly avoided eye contact with me as she administered my treatment, and I didn’t understand why.
Ariana
When I left the house, I told myself that the relationship between Brian and I was professional, and I intended to keep it that way. I avoided eye contact and long conversations with him because I didn’t want to encourage him. I needed to get my head in the game, so I didn’t get my heart broken and ruin this nursing gig before I even got my first paycheck.
The decision I’d made at home was difficult to follow through once I saw him again—damn, but the man was gorgeous, and he’d left his long hair down. But I held my own. I had to be firm, and I ensured the responses I gave him showed confidence and grit. It was all a ruse to keep him on the other side of the wall that I was trying to build between us; and I needed him to stay on his side of the wall because it wasn’t strong in the first place, and I needed to keep him at a distance until I was immune to him.
When I attended to him that day, I think he noticed that I was trying to avoid him. Regardless of his ego, Brian Rodericks was a smart man, which only added to his attractiveness. Although he’d noticed my demeanor, he didn't ask about it. My fauxtoughness had held him back; at least, that’s what I told myself.
***
Two months after I’d started working at Rodericks Manor, I received two paychecks, and they both came with huge bonuses. When I say huge bonuses, I mean double the pay each time. Spending all that time with Brian didn't make me immune to him as I’d envisioned, and I wound up struggling around him as the attraction between us grew.
Oh, I knew he was drawn to me because he showed it and treated me accordingly. He’d have already asked me out on a date if I hadn’t kept avoiding situations that might prompt it.
Brian was admirable. He treated his house staff like family. His father and brothers didn't treat them badly, but the way Brian treated them was different. He’d do things for himself that they were meant to do for him, even while he was still struggling to walk.
At first, I thought he was trying to impress me, but he kept at it even when he didn’t know I was around. He was an amazing human being even though he had everything he needed to be an asshole. He was vain, but he cared about everyone else. He liked having the best, but he wouldn’t crucify you if you couldn’t deliver on it. My feelings grew stronger, but I continued to fight them. I had to keepour relationship professional.
It was the third month into his treatment, and Brian was almost fully recovered. He had already gotten rid of the crutches and was walking with a cane. Chris and the older Mr. Rodericks had gone to Spain for a business meeting, and after another successful daily session with Brian—also spent successfully evading his potential advances—I said my goodbyes and headed home.
“Miss Ariana! Mr. Rodericks is down!” Anderson screamed when I had almost reached my car.
“Down? What do you mean?” I asked, racing toward Anderson.
“He got into his bedroom and started screaming. He said his hamstring hurts. Come quickly!” Anderson sounded frantic. Brian had been making so much progress, and he’d certainly attain full recovery in no time. That day, he’d even walked down the stairs without his cane. It was insane. My mind tried to figure out what could be wrong as I raced toward the house.
The race seemed so long, but it was quite a large compound. I would have used a golf cart if I had access to one. “Where is he?” I asked once I finally reached Anderson. He’d already told me, but I was too distraught to remember. “His bedroom! His bedroom!” Anderson yelled.
I had never been in Brian's bedroom before, and I never thoughtI’d have occasion to ever go there. As a matter of fact, I had tried to avoid going in there. I swore that if I was ever invited there, I would turn it down, but how could I say no to a man who was grasping his hamstring in pain?
“Mr. Rodericks, what happened?” I said after pushing open the door.
“Here, it hurts so bad!” Brian yelled as he continued to grab his leg.
“Anderson, go get some ice!” I yelled as I moved toward Brian and massaged his leg, attempting to ease the pain. Anderson left, shutting the door behind him.
“Mr. Rodericks,” I said in shock.
Brian pulled me closer to him after Anderson closed the door. “Call me Brian,” he said softly, and he leaned back.
I fell forward, my hands on his chest. That’s when I realized that he wasn’t in pain at all. It had been a ruse to get me alone with him. “Why?” I asked. I wasn’t scared. Rather, I trusted Brian not to force me to do anything against my will.
“I wanted to confirm something,” Brian said softly as his pupils dilated. His body felt warm, and his gaze fixed on mine. I knew I should pull away from him with all my might, with all my will and strength, but I couldn't.
“Confirm what?” My lips quivered, and my more private areas shivered.
“This,” Brian said, and he gave me a passionate kiss. I started to pull away, but the longer he kissed me, the warmer I felt. The last time anyone had kissed me was at my senior high prom, my first and only boyfriend, Tommy, and I had not been kissed by a man since. Yes, you guessed it right; I was still a virgin. “You feel it, too?” Brian asked when he paused.
I took my time to respond because that heavenly kiss had left me on cloud nine.
Chapter Six
