Page 8 of Securing Jane

Or she could’ve just been delirious and it was actually pity.

Closing her eyes—because it still felt better than having them open—Jane put her head on the back of the chair she was sitting in and prayed the doctors would hurry up with her discharge papers.

The minutes inched by slowly. Her head hurt. All she wanted to do was go home and take another shower—she didn’t think she’d ever feel clean again—and sleep. She was exhausted and didn’t want to think about anything anymore.

Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. She’d attempt an apple or something when she got home, but truthfully, the thought of eating turned her stomach.

“Hey.”

The one word was said softly, but she still startled badly.

Eyes flying open, Jane stared at Admiral Storm North. He was leaning against the doorjamb of her room, staring at her. She had no idea how long he’d been standing there, but she had the feeling it had been a while.

“Hi,” she croaked. Her throat was scratchy from all the coughing, sounding funny to her own ears.

Storm frowned. “What are you still doing here?”

“I’m waiting to be discharged.”

He looked at his watch. “It’s eight-thirty.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. “I know.”

“Damn,” he muttered. “I’ll be right back.”

Too tired to care where he was going, Jane closed her eyes again and rested her head on the back of the chair once more.

It could’ve been five minutes or an hour when Storm returned. “The doctor should be here with your discharge papers in a minute or two.”

Jane opened her eyes and looked at him. “What’d you do, threaten to court-martial him?”

When Storm didn’t even crack a smile, Jane frowned. “You didn’t…did you?”

“No,” he said, coming toward her. He squatted in front of her chair and stared into her eyes. “How’re you feeling?” he asked quietly.

Jane shrugged. “I’m okay.”

He frowned at her answer. “How about you try that again…and be honest this time?”

Jane sighed. “I’m okay, Sir. A little tired, my head hurts, and my eyes still sting a bit, but I’ll be fine in the morning.”

“I told you to call me Storm,” he told her.

Jane licked her lips. She saw his eyes dart down to her mouth, then back up to meet her gaze once more. She couldn’t read the look in his eyes. “I’m not sure that’s appropriate.”

“You don’t work for me. You aren’t even in the Navy. And after what we went through today, I’d say it’s more than appropriate.”

Jane couldn’t argue that. “I haven’t thanked you, have I?” she asked.

Storm shook his head. “No need.”

She snorted. “I’d say there is.”

Then he shocked the shit out of her by bringing his hand up and palming the side of her neck. His thumb brushed against the underside of her jaw lightly as he said, “How have I known you for so long without ever really seeing you?”

The question was said softly, and Jane wasn’t sure if he really wanted her to answer or if he was talking to himself. Either way, goose bumps broke out on her arms.

“I’m glad I was there,” he went on. “When I heard something had happened in the mail room, I couldn’t even think about evacuating the building.”