by Laney Powell
Casey glared at me in a way that was definitely not spacey. It was hot. Like, Let’s fight and make up kind of hot. Stop it, I told myself. She probably has a concussion. She doesn’t need you —
“Come on back, hon,” the nurse said, coming around from behind her desk.
I hesitated as she walked Casey to a door off to the left.
“Wait here,” the nurse said, and the two of them disappeared through the door.
I sat down in one of the worn fake leather chairs. Should I leave? I didn’t want to. The strength of my reaction to her was a little freaky. I’d been so closed off for so long that I didn’t have strong feelings like this. I’d trained them out of me, or so I liked to think.
The guys in my unit called me “Ice” for a reason. When someone was hurt in the field, you had to be icy. Otherwise you might break down and sob like a baby, and that didn’t help anyone. In all honesty, my reaction to Casey was anything but clinical. I wanted to scoop her up and carry her off to my castle where no one would ever hurt her again. Where she’d be safe. Preferably without clothes.
Perv. Stop it, I told myself again.
While I waited, I thought about the two guys who’d knocked her down. After Casey finished up here, I’d help her get home, and then I’d go to the campus cops. I hadn’t even thought of getting info from them or dragging them to the cop shop with me—all my thoughts had been on Casey.
Stupid. You’re getting soft, old man.
But if this was something they’d done before, they’d be lurking around at night again. The thought of running into them when I wasn’t worried about someone else made me smile for the first time since I’d seen her fall to the ground ahead of me.
The door opened suddenly, and the nurse’s head popped out. “You, what’s your name?”
I stood up. “Jax Denby, ma’am.”
She smiled at the honorific, and said, “I know you said you don’t know her, but we’re going to need to get her to the hospital. She’s not being cooperative. Can you give me a hand here since you’re her friend?”
OK. “Uh, sure. I guess. I’m not sure what help I’ll be, but I’m glad do.”
She waved me forward.
How difficult could one woman be?
Casey
I lay back looking at the ceiling above me. The nurse didn’t understand. I was fine. I needed to get back to my room. I still had homework to do, and I hadn’t even gotten a good run. I’d be up late tonight and—
My phone rang. I answered without looking. No one called me that didn’t know me. “Hello?”
“Are you all right?” It was Steph, who had the room next to me. “Lola said your alarm went off.”
Oh, damn it all to hell. “It did. I fell, and since I wasn’t moving, the alarm went off.”
“You fell? Are you OK?”
“I’m at the clinic. I might have hit my head, I don’t know. But I am going to have one hell of a bruise on my ass.”
“You want me to come get you?”
God! No one would let me get through this on my own, would they? I stifled a sigh. “No, I have—a friend saw me fall and brought me over here. I’ll be okay,” I added.
“Oh, thank God! OK, well, I won’t keep you on the phone, but call me back when you’re leaving.”
“All right. Thanks, Steph.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
“Call me.”
“I will.”
“Bye,” she said.
“Bye,” I answered, and ended the call.
At that moment, the door opened, and the nurse came back in with the guy—what was his name? Oh, that’s right. Jax.
The name fit him. He was tall, with dark hair, and his eyes were dark as well. But they were bright, like shiny pebbles. He had tanned skin, like he’d spent a lot of time outside, or in the sun, or both. He was older than I was. I could tell that by looking at him. His eyes were old.
But not that old. And he was totally fit. Like, one of those guys you saw on a calendar with no shirt kind of fit. Maybe with a puppy or something. You know, add to the appeal.
Stop it. No leering at the guy. Besides, it’s his fault you’re here, I told myself.
“Casey, Jax waited to make sure you’re all right.” She smiled.
“Well, you’ve seen me. I’m all in one piece,” I spread my arms. “Thank you again for helping me, Jax. Those guys were no good.”
“What guys?” The nurse looked from me to Jax and back to me.
Jax waved his hands. “Oh, just some jerks that bumped into Casey while she was running. They weren’t very polite.” He smiled brilliantly at the nurse.
It made me laugh a little that her cheeks pinked as she took in his smile. Did he have that affect on everyone? It changed his entire face, made him seem irresistible. The thought made me annoyed.
Who did he think he was?
The nurse gave her attention to me again, the pink fading from her cheeks. “Casey, I know you don’t want to, but you really need to get checked out at the hospital. Just a quick CAT scan, and you’re all done.”
I hated the way she was talking to me, like I was a little kid.
“I’m fine,” I insisted.
Jax didn’t move, but when he spoke, he commanded all the air in the room. “You feel fine because your body works to keep you going until you can relax, get out of the fight or flight mode. That’s why you need to get checked out now. Come on, I’ll take you over, and make sure they don’t toss you in a room and chain you to a bed.”
He sounded so reasonable, which irritated me even further. “I’m fine,” I said again.
“I can’t let you just leave, and not know that you’re OK. It goes against my take care of everyone code. Save me from myself, please.” The brilliant smile beamed at me.
For God’s sake. He wasn’t going to leave it alone until I agreed. The nurse was nodding along with him.
“He’s right,” she said. “Where did you learn all that?” She asked Jax.
“I was a medic in the service,” he said.
Her smile widened.
The doctor came back in. He was writing on a clipboard and looked up as the door shut behind him. “You really need to have this checked out at the hospital, just to make sure.” He also smiled.
All of them and their smiles. “All right. Then let’s go.” I gave in. It was easier than fighting.
“I’ll send along our notes,” the nurse said, reaching over to help me off the table.
Jax beat her to it. “Here, let me help you.” He took my hand in his, and the warmth of his hand spread over me like a blanket. A hot, sexy blanket.
“I can walk,” I said.
“I know,” he said, not letting go of my hand.
I wouldn’t admit it, but I was glad he had hold of me. As we headed out the door of the clinic, I felt light-headed. I inhaled deeply, trying to get my bearings.
A slight squeeze of my hand brought my attention back to Jax.
“This won’t take long. That way, when you tell your parents, they won’t freak out,” he added.
Oh, God. I would have to let them know. He was right. The more I could reassure them, the better it would be. They’d be down here in three seconds flat if they thought their baby was in trouble.
“Let’s get this over with,” I said.
We walked together in silence. It should be weird, walking along and holding hands with some guy I’d just met, but it felt right. His hand around mine felt good. He’d move his fingers along my palm, and I wanted nothing more than to see him naked in front of me. I could feel the heat from the thought of it move up my neck. He looked like he would be completely built.
He was right. The nurse and doctor were right. I must have a concussion.
Jax
I was wrong when I didn’t think she would be difficult. I wasn’t sure she’d agree to go to the hospital, but she needed to. I couldn’t tell if Casey did have a concussion, but she was acting like it.
Although since I didn’t know her, I had no basis for comparison.
I was also seriously preoccupied with keeping my thoughts off how hot she was, and how everything, even her light floral scent and her scruffy hands, made me want to drag her off to the aforementioned castle.
Normally, I didn’t go in for the ogre move with women, but this woman was something else.
As I helped her into my car, she still wasn’t speaking. My hand felt cold and bereft after letting go of hers. When I got in the driver’s side, she was staring out the window.
“Do you want me to call someone for you?” I asked.
She shook her head, and I noted that she did so slowly. “No. I need to call my housemate at the hospital to let her know when I’m leaving.”
“Oh, is she the one who the app notified?”
She nodded, still moving slowly. “Yes. They all hate that I run at night.”
“I can understand that.”
She made a noise that discouraged any further talking. I grinned a little as I pulled out of the parking lot. Even when hurt, and not at one hundred percent, Casey was strong. I liked that.
I liked her a lot and I’d known her what? One hour? After she was better, I needed to figure out how to get to know her.
We pulled into the hospital parking lot, and as we headed into the ER, I took her hand. She let me. That was a good sign.
The staff made me wait for her, and after nearly two hours, Casey came back out with a nurse. The nurse smiled. “Are you her friend?” She asked me.
“I am. How is she?” I looked at Casey when I said this.
“I’m fine.”
“She is cleared for release. But come back if you notice any of the symptoms we talked about. Are you getting a ride home with your friend?”
Casey nodded, and I was glad to see that her movements weren’t as slow as before.
“Good,” the nurse said. “Take it easy. And don’t hesitate to call us if you have any concerns, okay?” She patted Casey’s hand, and then handed her a bunch of papers.
“Well, so you’ll live,” I said, feeling awkward.
“I knew that before,” she said in crisp tones. “Let’s get out of here.” She headed for the exit.
I hurried to catch back up with her.
“Can I do anything for you?” I asked. She was moving quickly, and I knew that trying to grab her hand now would be a mistake.
“Just drop me off at the house.”
“The house?”
“My sorority house. Mi Alpha Alpha?” She looked up.
I shook my head. “I don’t know it.”
“It’s in Greek Row. I’ll show you.”
The car was silent again, only it wasn’t the comfortable silence of before. This time, I could feel her wanting to get out of the car, get away from me.
Shit. I’d blown it before I’d even got started.
She gave me directions, and in what seemed like too short a time, I was pulling up in front of her house. It was a big, red house and there were lights on in every window.
“Thank you,” she said. Then she sighed and added, “I’m sorry I’m not great company. I’m annoyed this happened and annoyed I couldn’t manage those assholes by myself. Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”
“Do you still plan to run at night?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
She nodded. “Yeah, but I’m going to hear about it.” She didn’t say from who.
“Then let me come with you. I like to run at night, too.”
Her head was shaking even before I’d finished talking. “No, I don’t need company.”
I had a serious objection to the sense in that, but I kept it to myself. “Then will you at least give me your number, so I can make sure you’re OK? I’ll worry, otherwise.” I flashed my biggest smile at her, hoping it worked.
She just looked at me, and then sighed. “Yes. Let me have your phone.”
I handed it over, and she put her number into the contacts. “There. Thanks, Jax. I mean it—thank you for your help. I’ll be fine now.” Her hand reached up and cupped my face for a moment.
A moment was all I needed. I put my hand over hers and leaned in to kiss her. Just a light kiss, nothing too intense.
She stilled as our lips met. Then she sighed. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard, or felt, that sigh against my lips. Her other hand curled up around my neck into my hair, pulling me closer to her.
Flame roared up within me as I cradled her to me, my tongue plunging in and out of her mouth. She was just as fierce in kissing me, and I could feel her teeth against my lips. It was so hot. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t do anything other than hold this woman, this amazing woman, and kiss her--
Then she pulled away from me, and I let go as she moved to the other side of the seat.
“Thank you, for…” she inhaled deeply. “Thank you for your help. Bye, Jax.”
Before I could respond, she was out of the car and hurrying up the walk to the front door. When it opened, I could see the outlines of a couple of other girls and then it closed, leaving me sitting in the dark.
I didn’t know what to do, which was part of the problem. I always knew what to do, but in this case, I was lost.
Well, I knew one thing to do. I headed for the campus police building. I’d report the incident. That way at least there would be a record of what happened. It would take my mind off what had just happened.
As much as I wanted to see her again, I didn’t impose when someone obviously didn’t want me around, kiss notwithstanding. She hadn’t said anything about a boyfriend, which was a plus, but it was the only one.
I’d wait a couple of days and call her.
Casey
As soon as the door closed, I leaned against it, my heart racing and my head spinning. I’d just meant to touch him, just once. Then he got close with that pine smell and kissed me, and I completely lost control. I wanted to keep on kissing him forever.
But Jax—or any other guy—wasn’t what I needed right now. I had to graduate. I had The Plan. That was going to be hard enough without adding a guy and amazing kissing to the mix.
“Casey! You didn’t call me! What’s going on?” Steph came down the stairs to me. “I thought you went to the hospital!” She gave me the once and the twice over.
I pushed myself off the door. “I did. They checked me out, even gave me a CAT scan. I’m fine. Just a bruised butt, like I told you.”
She looked me over some more. I felt my face getting hot under her scrutiny. Would the fact that some guy I’d just met kissed me senseless show?
“What else?” She asked finally.
I shrugged. “Nothing. It scared me. I don’t want to admit it, because you guys will freak out.”
“Wait,” Steph waved a hand. “What scared you? I thought you fell.”
Shit. I’d have to tell her the whole deal. “Let’s go upstairs. I want to change,” I said, heading for the stairs.
Steph was quiet as we walked back to my room. Once at my door, I walked in, and she followed, closing the door behind her.
“Okay, spill.” She flopped onto my bed.
So I told her. About the two horrible guys who bumped into me. I could feel the hair rising on my arms as I told her. They did scare me. And then Jax showing up, pretending he knew me, and taking me to the clinic and hospital. I hesitated.
Steph pounced like a lion on a warthog. “What else? Your face just went red!”
“Well, when he dropped me off, I reached up to touch his cheek, and then he kissed me,” I got out in a rush.
“What! You waited until just now to tell me that? Way to bury the lead!”
“I kind of thought the fact that I was all right after being mowed down by random guys was the lead,” I said, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice.
Steph laughed. “Of course, that’s the lead, but he kissed you? Did you want him to?”
I sat down at my desk, turning in the chair so I could face her. “Oh my God
, did I.”
“He was that good?”
“Steph, he was amazing.” I let myself remember his touch. His lips. I wanted to fall into bed with him right then.
“Okay, so what is the problem?”
“You know I don’t date. I’m—”
“Too busy,” she finished with me. “The Plan, The Plan. Yeah, you’ve been singing that song since I met you, which is crazy. Practically every guy who’s ever met you wants to go out with you. Makes it hard to be your friend,” she added dramatically.
“Yeah, until they realize I will blow them off to study, and I don’t go out and party.”
“Since none of them get to that point, it doesn’t matter. What year is he?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. He said he was in the Marines.”
“That means he’s older than usual college age. Maybe that’s what you need, Case. Someone older.”
“I don’t need anyone,” I said, feeling annoyed. I ignored my body’s response that called me a liar.
“Everyone needs someone.” Steph stood up.
“I have you guys.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not arguing with a sick person. What can I get you?”
“Ice pack for my butt?”
She laughed. “Okay. Are you going to bed?”
“No, I have to look at this Organic Chem again. As much as I don’t want to.”
She laughed again and left, coming back with an ice pack wrapped in a kitchen towel. I thanked her and settled in to try and get something done tonight.
But it didn’t work. I kept hearing Jax’s deep voice and feeling the warmth of his hand. His lips against mine. The way he smelled.
Damn it. After an hour, I got up and got ready for bed.
Which didn’t help either. I finally fell asleep, but not until after tossing and turning in my bed for what felt like hours. The sun woke me, and I rubbed my eyes, feeling the burn that meant I was still tired. I sat up, and felt the bruise on my butt, just as I’d predicted.
Great. This was going to be a fabulous day. I could feel it.