Sounds Like Obsession (Sounds Like 1)

I closed my eyes. “I tried…”

“He did fine. Take good care of him and I look forward to his post-op appointment.”

“Thank you, Dr. Wexler.”

I inhaled before walking into the room. If what Dr. Wexler said was true, AJ might not remember I wasn’t there when he needed me, but I would. I promised both of us right then and there I’d never do anything this stupid again.

AJ was sitting up when I walked in. There was a pile of pillows nestled under his back. His broad shoulders took up the bed.

“Hey, babe.” He grinned sleepily.

I ran to him and buried my face in his neck. He wrapped his good arm around me. “I’m so sorry you broke your arm. How do you feel?”

“Like I was hit by the entire team.” He leaned into the pillows.

“I heard it was you and one guy,” I teased.

“Is that all?”

“I’ll go along with any story you want.”

He smiled smugly. “Take me home?”

I nodded, wiping away a stray tear. I glanced at the sling on his arm. “I’m going to be an incredible nurse. I promise.”

“With the sexy nurse outfit?” He winked.

I laughed. “You just got out of surgery, and you want me to role play?”

He nodded. “I can’t go to work tomorrow. You have to wear the costume. What else am I going to do other than you?”

I blushed, feeling the heat creep along my neck. “All right. I’ll wear it,” I whispered. His eyes started to close.

“Just after my nap. Ok, tiger.”

“Tiger?” I stared at him. He’d never called me that before. But he was asleep. His face relaxed. His breathing steady.

Chapter Thirty-One

When I finally came to on the hangar floor I didn’t recognize any of the faces staring down at me. There was a bristly mustache. Someone else was bald. They each looked severe and concerned.

“AJ! Where’s AJ?” I tried to push off the ground, but the room started to spin and I thought I was going to be sick.

“Whoa. Whoa. Hang on there, Ms. Miller. You hit your head pretty hard. Just take it easy. Relax.” That had to be the most irritating word ever spoken in a stressful situation.

“Where is he?” There was a desperate plea in my voice. “Where is AJ?” I wasn’t going to be able to take another normal breath until I knew he was safe.

Had he been shot? Was he ok? Oh my God. Was he alive? The last thing I heard was the gun going off. It was in his hand or the kidnapper’s. I didn’t know which. It all happened so fast. The struggle. The attack. The blazing speed at which our lives were upended.

“I’m right here.”

AJ stepped into view and the agents crowding me moved out of his way. He knelt next to me.

“You’re ok.” I studied the crude butterfly bandage over his eye, keeping it from splitting any further. There was dried blood on the collar of his shirt.

“You sound surprised.” He grinned.

“What happened? I blacked out. I don’t remember anything after you went for the gun.”