Chapter 4

Sadie

I’d heard many things about Darek Dillon from a few friends who lived by his mantra ‘Dream it. Believe it. Live it.’ But after spending a few hours with the big baby, who did nothing but pout and complain about his walker, how bad his knee hurt, and how his medicine was making everything taste funny, I wondered what they’d think of the man if they knew who he really was.

Despite his complaining, he was insanely handsome, and it was very hard to keep from looking at him. I found myself gawking more times than I’d like to admit, and sadly he’d caught me more than once.

I got up the next morning and set out his medicine for him, and decided to make him something to eat. The antibiotics he was on had probably not been taken properly, and now his appetite was ruined. I heard him coming down the hall and then a loud thud.

Quick enough to surprise myself, I hurried around the corner to the hall where I found him propped against the wall, without his walker. His pinched expression told me how much pain he was in and to make matters worse; he punched the wall.

“Darek!” I ran to find his walker and slammed it down in front of him. “You have to use this!”

“Watch your tone,” he snapped.

“I will not watch my tone, and I will not stand by and let you hurt yourself even more because of your stupid pride! You hired me for a reason, Mr. Dillon, and I’m doing my job, like it or not, including being on your ass about this damned walker.”

He locked gazes with me, and I felt ballsy enough to give him a challenging look.

He put his hands on his walker and hobbled into the kitchen. “I need my meds.”

“They’re ready for you, but I refuse to let you take the antibiotic until you’ve got something in your stomach. I think that’s why you haven’t done well on it. You haven’t been eating right, have you?” I went to the fridge and opened the door. “How about some eggs and toast. That’s light enough and should be easy on your stomach and prove enough of a buffer for your meds.”

“That’s fine, I suppose. I want them scrambled, butter-fluffed, with no milk.” He walked to the table and lowered himself slowly.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try. Milk makes them fluffier, though.”

“No milk. It makes them scorch easier. Butter only will make them nice and fluffy.” His tone was a bit hard, and I felt like telling him he could stuff those eggs right up his ass and incubate them for a while, but I decided to do it his way.

He stared at his phone and pouted while I went to work. When they were done, they were a bit fluffier, but I wasn’t about to tell him he was right. “Here’s your eggs. Eat some before taking your medicine.”

He poked the fork into the fluffy, golden eggs and took a few bites. “They’re not too bad. I think you could have used a bit more butter.” After three bites, he dropped his fork. “I think I just want to order up an éclair from the café. I’m in the mood for something sweet.”

“You already killed that plate of brownies?” I looked over and saw there was one last brownie.

“I’m saving that for later.” He got on his phone and ordered the éclair and then handed me the not-so half-eaten breakfast.

I let out a sigh. I’d spent time cooking that I could have been studying. “You should have just said that, to begin with. It would have spared me the trouble.”

“Sorry, I thought I wanted them. Now I want an éclair.” He sounded like a spoiled rich kid, and I looked to see he still hadn’t taken his medicine.

“Take those pills. You’ve eaten enough. I’m sure your éclair will be plenty on your stomach when it finally arrives.” I rolled my eyes. “Make sure you eat it all.”

“Are you always this bossy? You’ve been busting my ass since I got up.”

“You mean when you used the wall as a punching bag? Yeah, I’m trying to keep you out of the hospital. Are you always such a baby?”

“I assure you, I’m no baby.” He tilted his head to look me up and down. My cheeks flared, and I turned around without a word and gathered the dishes into the sink. Things had to stay strictly professional, no matter how much he’d make me want him. It’s just a silly crush, and it’s only because he’s so freaking handsome. One freaking day, and your smitten, Sadie; get a grip. I’d never been attracted to him before, but this was a whole other side of Darek Dillon.

“I’m sorry I called you a baby.” I figured I’d be the bigger person and apologize, but then he let out a long groan.

“I’m sorry I'm a pain in the ass. It’s just I’m losing money. I hate the walker because it makes me feel helpless, and honestly, I’m not used to having downtime. It’s making me crazy.”

“You should enjoy it while you can. Once you heal, you’ll be back at it, and you’ll wish you had a day off.” I looked up to see him looking at me like I was nuts.

“No, I won’t. I’ve never wanted a day off in the past seven years, and I won’t want one when I’m healed. It’s not in my nature to take a break, and this forced one is torture.

“What do you do for fun?”

“Work. You’re a hard worker; surely you get it.”

“I am a hard worker, yes, but life is to be lived. You can’t live it working all the time.”

“Speak for yourself. I’m not wired that way.” He waved his hand dismissively and looked toward the door when the buzzer sounded. “That would be my éclair.”

I hurried into the front room to grab his stupid éclair, and after tipping the delivery guy, I brought it to him. “Here. Enjoy.” I handed him the container, and he grabbed my hand.

“Share it with me. I can’t eat it all.” I shook my head, but before I could speak, he gave me a sideward look with his gorgeous baby blues. “Please?”

“Fine.” I pulled up a chair, and my eyes widened as he opened the lid, and I laid my eyes on the pastry. My mouth watered just looking at it.

“Grab a fork, or we can share that too if you want. I don’t have cooties.” He dipped his fork into the soft pastry and then slowly brought it to my mouth. “I’ll even give you the first bite.”

“I can feed myself.” I smiled and shook my head, knowing he was just about to shove the cool, creamy bite into my mouth.

I took the bite and made a sound of pleasure.

“I know, right. It’s heaven. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better dessert.”

“The apple pie, a la mode at Oscar’s is the best I’ve ever had.”

“Their carrot cake is where it’s at. The cream cheese frosting. Mm. We should order some of that. As a matter of fact, we will tomorrow.” I wondered what it would be like to just want something and make it happen, and even though I knew he was used to that, he had hired me to do a job.

“I thought you hired me to cook for you. How can I do that if you keep ordering out?”

“I hired you to assist me. Which you’re doing. You’re making sure I don’t eat too much, and you’re providing entertainment.” He shoved an even bigger bite into my mouth and laughed. The cool cream coated my lips, and as I licked it off, I wished it were his tongue instead.

He was so much the temptation, and I knew that I had to keep things professional. He was not only my boss but my patient as well. Besides, I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d have me doing next.

A soft heat spread in my core as looked me in the eyes and brought the fork to his mouth. His eyes were saying kiss me, his lips were saying taste me, and before I knew what I was doing, I reached out and wiped the bit of cream from his lips and brought it to mine.