Page 30 of Beautiful Broken Obsession

A stiff nod makes me wonder if he didn’t like Sergei’s father or something. “Yes, his father and I have done business in the past. He’s a nice enough young man. Although he should have kept a better eye on you—”

“It wasn’t his fault. The poor guy has the flu. He’s the sweetest. He’ll feel awful enough for the both of us. I’m so grateful for Sergei. That reminds me, I really should check on him. I hope he’s okay.” I wonder where my phone is.

“He was feeling better when he called to check on you. Do not be concerned for him. It is yourself you should focus on,” Milos commands.

“I’m feeling better too. In fact I’m feeling so much better I’m starting to stress about all the studying I’m missing without having my books and everything.” I sigh.

“Your things are here. You will get everything back at the end of next week. Once you’re healed.”

I’m shaking my head. “I can’t stay here that long. I’m feeling better.”

“Allow the doctor to take another look at you and we’ll see what he says.” The words are short.

It isn’t easy not to sigh. “Milos, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m really feeling better. In fact, I could even go back tonight. I hate being a bother to you.”

An eyebrow goes up. “You are not bothering me. You are here because you need to be. You should care more for yourself. We’ll see what the doctor says tomorrow. The discussion is closed. Eat your carrots.”

The urge to argue is high, but I can’t bring myself to. Because darn it, I’m already getting tired. I stab a baby carrot with my fork and chew. Something hits me. “Is your mom okay with me here?”

He chuckles. “My mother is out of town for the week, visiting my brothers in Philadelphia. Mainly my nephew, her only grandchild. She will spoil my nephew and badger my brothers until they take her to New York for a few shows. Ensuring they take time off they never would without her pushing them to.”

“That’s great that she leaves the house and everything. My mom never leaves except to go to Carlo’s. Carlo’s only real taking her out thing is to the movies and for lunch or dinner at his restaurant. Even though when he goes to events to do the handshaking thing, he always takes his girlfriend.” I’m not hungry anymore. I push my plate away.

“If you finish your carrots I will allow you to have a very large piece of the tiramisu Chef made,” he offers.

“How did you know my favorite dessert is tiramisu?” I’m shocked.

One large shoulder lifts. “Your roommate told me. He babbled on about your likes, dislikes and needs.”

I laugh. “Sergei tends to babble. I think it’s what I like about him most. We both babble and neither one of us gets annoyed with the other that we do it.”

A woman brings in the two plates of tiramisu then removes our dinner plates.

We spend dessert talking about favorite movies. Milos hasn’t watched many of the newer ones—his mother was a lover of classic movies she watched to learn English. He shrugged, he preferred to read with what little free time he had. I find out he reads mysteries and thrillers—several I have as well. We even share a favorite author who has had several of his books made into movies.

“Oh, I really want to watch the latest. I’m dying to see how they turned it into a movie. Usually the movie ruins the book for me, but somehow the movies of his books have been really good.”

“Tomorrow, if you are good, I will order it for you to watch,” he offers.

I’m wary of his definition of good. “What would being good include?”

Laughter pours out of him so rich it leaves me smiling to hear it. “Getting plenty of rest tonight, eating your breakfast and if the doctor says you need more rest, you do it here where I can take care of you.”

“Okay, but only if you watch it with me.” Then I realize how that sounds. “I mean, if you have time or—”

That barely there smile twists me up inside. “I would like very much to watch it with you. Now, I’d better leave you so you can get some sleep. You appear to be wilting as we speak.”

I allow the yawn I’ve been holding in to escape. “I am more tired than I thought I would be. I’ll try not to fall asleep in the bath. Is there by any chance another of these nightgowns I could use?”

Yellow eyes run over me as he shakes his head. “I only bought the one for you. I will call the nurse who has been watching over you to help you.”

“I don’t need the nurse. I’m not fussy. If you could loan me one of your shirts, I’d be happy with that.”

An eyebrow goes up. “You will have the nurse in case you need help, you could easily fall and hurt yourself. In exchange for one of my shirts you allow the nurse to assist you.”

I pout, I don’t want someone helping me bathe and seeing how fat I am. “Fine.” Because I can’t not take a bath now that I’ve thought of it.

“Good girl.” The murmured words are low and husky and glide over my tummy, leaving heat where only Milos can. “I will go get your shirt.”

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