Page 4 of Driven By Desire
Chuckling a little, Adi murmured, “I bet that didn’t go down too well in his current mood.”
“King of understatement, as always.” Grinning affectionately at him, Max contemplated the mess that was this evening. She hadn’t known Adi long, having met him only a week earlier when she signed up for guitar classes but they’d managed to bond over their love for street food. That and the fact that they were the only ones in class who were completely and totally tone deaf. Offering him a ride home after their last disastrous class had led to the even more disastrous events of the evening.
“I need to go call my other brother. The one who’s out of town. I’ll be back in a bit.” Pulling his mobile out of his jeans pocket, he loped off in the direction of the entrance doors. Giving those entrance doors and their promise of escape a longing look, Max settled back into her seat, waiting for the nurse or duty doctor to appear.
A squeal and a sudden commotion over by the ogre’s bed had her looking over in time to see a nurse exiting from behind the curtain in a huff. The ass probably tried to pinch her bum. Snickering a little, she stood to try and ease the stiffening of her leg muscles. As busy as the casualty ward was, this shouldn’t take forever. Scanning the ward for any sign of the nurse she’d spoken with, she found her eye drawn to the ogre’s curtain that was now shaking rather ominously. More rustling followed by the appearance of a long trouser clad leg. A leg that looked like it was escaping without doctor’s approval. Frowning, Max took a step forward before stopping at the sight of the other leg joiningits partner. If he wanted to behave like an idiot, let him. She’d tolerated as much abuse as she possibly could for the night. Lips firming, she was about to turn away when she heard a voice behind her.
“Ma’am?”
Turning, she found the squealing nurse behind her. “Yes?”
“You came in with the gentleman in that bed?” Gesturing towards the legs that were slipping on their shoes, she continued without waiting for an answer, “I need your help.”
“We came in together but we aren’t together.” The nurse’s incomprehension had her sighing, “What can I do to help?”
“He refuses to let me give him the injection the doctor prescribed. I’ve informed the doctor but he is busy with an emergency and will reach only in another fifteen minutes. I have to give him the test dose of the local anesthetic ma’am or he cannot get the stitches he needs. I haven’t met such a rude and arrogant man before. So difficult to manage.” Throwing her hands up, she muttered something more in Malayalam which didn’t sound very complimentary.
Stifling a smile, Max said, “Join the club. His brother will be back in a few minutes. He’s just making a call. I’ll ask him to talk and-“
“He is leaving now! Look!” The angry exclamation had Max turning towards the bed again and yes, he was on his feet now. Swaying but on his feet.
Resigning herself to the fact that the next few minutes were going to be unpleasant, Max made her way over to the tall,blood stained figure that looked like he would topple over at any minute.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Leaving. Something you should try.” The terse response bordered on a snarl. Unwilling to let it deter her, Max planted herself in his way.
“Move.”
“No.”
Fury darkened his eyes, making her swallow nervously.
“I said move!”
Fascinated, Max watched him get the words out through furiously gritted teeth. Starting to enjoy pissing him off now, she grinned, “Make me.”
“Excuse me?” Disbelief darkened every syllable.
“I said make me.” Her impish grin spread, lighting up her whole face.
“I could move you with one finger.”
“Normally, yes.” Lifting up her own index finger, Max said, “Let’s see what I can do with mine okay?” Making sure his eyes were tracking her finger, Max leaned in and pressed against the still raw and oozing wound on his forehead.
A yelp of pain followed by a stream of the most imaginative curses possible had her blinking. Smiling sweetly, she helped him topple back into his bed.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” Groaning, he shut his eyes before asking, “What the hell was that?”
“That was me making a point.” Waiting till his breathing evened out, she sat on the side of his bed and asked, “What was the pointyouwere trying to make by leaving without getting treated?”
“I hate hospitals.” Pain and fatigue had him lowering his guard. Keeping his eyes shut, he wondered if there was a part of his body that didn’t ache like it had been trampled by buffaloes at the moment.
“I doubt there is anyone who doesn’t. Well, except for maybe doctors and nurses.”
One eye opening disbelievingly at that statement, he took in the sight of her perched on his attender’s stool. She looked like she’d settled in for the long haul. God help him.
Chattily, she continued, “Think about it. They chose to spend the majority of their waking hours here. They would never have done that if they didn’t secretly adore the place. The white walls, the antiseptic smell, the stretchers and the wheelchairs. It’s probably what gets them off at night.”
