Chapter 3 - Anyone for McDonalds?

ADRIANO

I looked through the glass front of the McDonalds at the street urchin whose cart I was currently guarding like a museum treasure.

Her back was to me but now I had the chance to properly check her out.

A dull grey threadbare cardigan hung over a bulky cable knit sweater and faded jeans.

Everything looked a few sizes too big and drowned her small frame so they had to be donations and hand me downs.

Continuing my thorough perusal, I grimaced.

Was that a hole in the scruffy beatup Converses that should have been thrown away a few years ago?

I was still trying to figure out that weird buzz that had coursed through me at her touch, not to mention my visceral reaction everytime she said Sir.

What the fuck was that about???

I looked again and saw she was unzipping a moonbag strapped to her waist and took out a few crumpled dollars and some change and placed them on the counter.

She looked at the amount on the register and proceeded counting.

She shook her head and the skinny pimply faced teenager assisting her got an irritable look on his face as she made a change to her order before sliding the money over to him.

He grimaced and eyeing her suspiciously recounted before handing her the slip.

My expression must have darkened because an old man walking his dog stepped to the left and gave me a wide berth.

I found myself scowling, wanting to give that acne ridden brat a punch in the teeth for some reason.

The girl moved over to the waiting area and must have felt my gaze because she turned around and offered that sweet shy smile and a wave.

Without realising what I was doing, I waved back and her smile widened showing small white teeth and lighting up that heart shaped face.

Another slow blink. That strange tightening in my chest again.

What the fuck was I doing? I mentally face palmed myself.

Fucking waving like a sissy. Unfuckingbelievable!

I hazarded a guess that she had dark hair from her dark winged brows but wondered if that all covering hideous grey beanie hid long or short hair.

She shuffled selfconsciously in her spot as other customers looked over at her with cold sneering eyes.

I felt a twinge of unwelcome guilt…hadn’t I reacted the same way?

Judgemental assholes.

I cursed them all. I don’t know why that didn’t sit right with me and why I was actually affronted on her behalf.

They must have called her order because she walked to the counter and collected her items.

She came out walking towards me, arms balancing her precious cargo of a brown bag and another with two coldrinks, and a coffee.

“Thank you,” she said. “For watching my cart. And for… not letting anyone touch it.”

Another soft shy smile and I had to drag my eyes off those lush pillowy lips.

I groaned. She had a mouth made for sin.

Plump and pink. Perfect to wrap around my dick….oh for fucks sake Adriano…get a damn grip!

“Please hold this…” she said and handed over her goods.

Too surprised to refuse, I found myself taking hold of her stuff as she undid the rope of the tarp.

Wordlessly, she motioned for me to hand them over and my fingers brushed hers.

Yep, no mistake, that current zinged again.

Startled blue eyes flew to mine. Good…I wasn’t losing my mind.. she had felt it too.

She deposited the food and drinks into a crate wedged against the corner of the cart but removed the coffee and a small paper wrapped item.

With her hands full, she looked at me imploringly nodding towards the tarp.

Again, like a mindless zombie I obliged and secured it for her.

The low purr of an engine rolled up behind us.

The Bentley eased to the curb, sleek and gold and entirely out of place beside that rickety cart.

I looked to see her reaction, expecting awe or admiration.

Nothing.

I shrugged disappointed.

Maybe she just didn’t know cars and their worth.

However, a small mischievious smile touched her lips..

“Your chariot has arrived good Sir..” her eyes twinkled with humour “you are officially off cart guard duties” she teased.

My lips twitched at the corners and if I were an honest man, I would have to concede to a twitch in my boxers as well.

Sassy little brat.

.

Denton's window rolled down.. ”All set Mr Moretti???”

Í held up a finger signalling I needed a minute.

She held out the coffee and whatever was in the paper wrapped parcel. “To say thank you for watching over my cart.”

Soft colour washed her cheeks. “You did me a solid and I really appreciate it.”

My eyebrow arched in surprise.

She stepped closer. I took the offered items without thought, shocked at the gesture.

Again that fucking confusing tingling as our fingers brushed.

A sidelong look at Denton and that confirmed my unflappable driver had an open jaw.

I narrowed my eyes and glared in return before turning my head back her way…

“I ordered you my faves…I hope you like it” she said abashed, flushing prettily.

I loved how her every emotion showed on her face and eyes.

“What’s your name?” I blurted out realising for some unknown reason that I had to know.

Blue eyes snapped to mine, wide and startled. ”Liana..” she said softly “And yours????”

Still a bit dazed from her gesture and my uncharacteristic outburst I didn’t answer at once.

Seeing her still looking at me expectantly I responded “Adriano Moretti”.

I waited for recognition to set in but again nothing.

Did this girl live under a rock?

I didn’t know whether to laugh or be affronted that she didn’t know me.

Before I could think better of it, I reached into my jacket and handed her a card.

My personal card – not a business one.

Heavy expensive paper. Simple, understated, expensive. Just a name and a number.

“If you’re ever in trouble,” I told her, voice serious as a heart attack, “you call okay.”

She nodded, fingers curling around the card like it might disappear if she didn’t hold it tight.

“Thank you Sir, I mean Adriano.” Hot colour washed her cheeks.

Fuck fuck fuck…that word again.

My eyes widened and a sharp flicker of heat coursed through me that I didn’t try to hide this time.

I stepped back, opened the car door, then paused.

“Take care of yourself, Liana.”

“I will,” she said. “Well see you around Adriano Moretti…oh and enjoy.”

She smiled and turned towards the cart.

I watched her push the cart into the crowd.

I watched until the sidewalk swallowed her whole.

Only then did I get into the backseat of the Bentley, coffee balanced carefully in my hand.

As the car pulled away, my thoughts were all over the place.

I didn’t look at my phone. Didn’t speak to Denton. Couldn’t even tell you if there was music playing.

I turned and just watched the busy street hoping for some unknown reason for another glimpse of the young girl.

I wondered – is this how a genuine normal person is?

Her entire demeanour was foreign in my world?

Why would a girl with nothing just freely give me more than anyone had in years?

I thought back to the sound of my name from her lips.

I decided I liked it..scratch that..I fucking loved it…

Although the Sir would do nicely as well.

Wait what??? Yet again with these wayward thoughts about this girl.

“Liana….” I murmured it under my breath..savouring how the name rolled off my tongue.

I looked at my full hands and a smile lifted the corners of my mouth.

Unwrapping the little parcel I found a pastry. I eyed it suspiciously and then threw caution to the wind and took a small bite of the still warm snack.

Cinnamon and apple and flaky pastry flavours rivalled for attention on my tastebuds.

My eyes widened and I wolfed it down in two more bites…raising the coffee to my lips to wash it down. Hazelnut and cinnamon assailed my mouth…

”I ordered you my faves…I hope you like it…” her words replayed as I sipped appreciatively at the warm beverage.

I do like it Liana, but I think I like you more….

A sudden thought of her at the counter hit me…when she had changed her order as she didn’t have enough money.

She had had exact money and had to cut her order so she could buy me this.

A street person buying a billionaire food…that’s one for the books and that anomaly threw me.

The thank you treat sat heavier now…guilt my over riding emotion as I wondered if she had enough to eat.

.

Two drinks I recalled, …who was she buying food for???

And as the landscape of Manhatten skyscrapers went by in a blur and Denton negotiated the afternoon traffic towards my headquarters, I was still mulling over our strange encounter.

Even as my building came into sight, I was still unsettled, turning over in my brain why the thought of her buying food for someone else nagged at me.