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At the end of her shift, Jillian took the elevators up to the fifth floor where the neuro intensive care unit was located. Her steps slowed as she approached Frank Albert’s room.
Sobbing family members surrounded him at the bedside.
Feeling sick, she found the nurse. “What happened with Frank Albert?”
“He's not doing well.” The nurse's eyes were suspiciously bright as if she'd shed a few tears with the family. “We're started the hypothermia protocol of course, but we've also prepared the family for the possibility brain death.”
Her heart sank. Brain death was a difficult concept for some people to understand. When blood stopped going to the brain a patient was legally dead. In young patients, like Frank the heart and lungs continued beating for up to a day or two until the rest of the body died. The only good part about a patient who was declared brain dead was the ability for that patient to donate his organs to those in need. If the patient had indicated that was his or her wish, and if the family allowed.
That was a conversation the neuro intensive care team would have with his family. She tried not to go there. There was always a chance Frank would pull through, he was young, and otherwise healthy. The hypothermia protocol could work.
“Did you need anything else?” The nurse asked.
She shook her head. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Turning on her heel, she returned back down to the emergency department, hoping more than anything that Alec had been able to stop by.
* * *
Alec finished his shift,feeling bone weary and heart sick. Yet just the thought of seeing Jillian had perked him up. He debated going home to change his clothes, but didn't want to miss seeing Jillian. He also wanted to know how Frank Albert was doing.
Besides, if he went home, he'd have to explain to Megan, Shannon’s babysitter, why he was changing his clothes and going back out. As if he didn't already feel guilty enough, sneaking over to see Jillian for a few minutes. It was silly to be worried, Shannon was sleeping and wouldn't miss him one little bit. Yet guilt nagged at him.
Throwing the gear shift into park he rested his forehead on the steering wheel. Was he crazy to have stopped by here? What if Jillian had to work late? How long would he stick around, waiting?
As long as it took to see her, he acknowledged grimly.
Man, he was in serious trouble. Considering the promise he'd made, he shouldn't be here. Yet that didn't stop him from sliding out from behind the wheel of his car to go inside. As he walked toward the entrance of the emergency department, he caught sight of Jillian walking out.
She had taken off her lab coat and had removed the band from her hair, so it flowed freely around her face. The moment he saw her, his heart skipped in his chest. Her gaze met his and he saw relief along with the shadow of grief, her lips trembling slightly as she tried to smile.
He quickened his pace as she continued walking toward him. She never hesitated when he hauled her close in a welcoming hug.
Neither of them spoke, yet they seemed to be connecting on a visceral level. He lowered his mouth to hers, and she eagerly met him more than halfway. Sizzling heat flared between them.
It seemed as if the past few weeks had been leading to this one particular moment. He kissed her as if he was starving, craving her in a way he hadn't wanted anyone else. When he managed to force himself to stop kissing her, he leaned his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. “Jillian.” His voice held a ragged edge he couldn't hide. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” She pulled away to look up into his eyes. The shadow of grief had returned and he instinctively braced himself for the worst. “I need to tell you that Frank Albert isn't doing very well. The bleeding in his brain is bad and there's a good chance he'll...” She didn't finish.
“I know.” He'd secretly known this might be the outcome. When Frank had thrown the percocets at him, he'd suspected he'd been suffering bleeding into his brain for hours maybe even a couple of days. “I'm sorry, Jillian.”
“Me, too.” She buried her face against his neck. “Please, hold me.”
“I will.” He cradled her against his chest, wishing they could stay like this forever. But of course, they couldn't. “For now,” he amended softly. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but when she stiffened in his arms, he knew he had.
He loosened his grip, letting her go. Jillian stepped back, avoiding his gaze.
He never should have come back here tonight, starting something he couldn't or wouldn't finish.
CHAPTERTEN
For now? Sharp disappointment stabbed deep. Until the moment Alec had caught her up in his arms, kissing her like there was no tomorrow, she hadn't realized just how much she needed this.
Needed him.
Because at this moment she didn't care about all the logical reasons she shouldn't be there with him. In the darkness it was too easy to imagine they were the only people on the face of the earth.
She had never been so attracted to a man before. Alec was the only one who had made her feel special. Desirable.
