AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, sir,” she said in a gruff voice. She couldn’t fault him for his grouchiness this time. Getting shot would put anyone in a foul mood. She threw her stuff on the second bed and glanced over at him.
“Noah, you’re bleeding again.” She went to the bathroom and wet a washcloth.
He didn’t say anything when she carefully took off his T-shirt, taking care not to raise the injured arm, and pushed him to sit on the bed. He looked dead on his feet. She removed the bloody gauze and tape, pressed the washcloth to the wound, and held tight.
“Please tell me you have some pain medicine in that monstrosity of a bag you carry,” he said.
“Of course. Hold this. I’ll get you some.” He took over the pressure, and she searched her purse for some Tylenol and a water bottle. “Sorry, the water’s warm, but I assume going out for ice isn’t in the cards.” She smiled.
“Thank you.” He swallowed the pills, laid down, and closed his eyes while she tended to him. Now that she had light, she could see that the first aid kit was better stocked than originally thought. Using equal parts ingenuity and tenacity, she bandaged him up MacGyver style.
When she returned from cleaning up the mess and taking a quick shower, he’d fallen asleep. She took advantage of the opportunity and studied him. The crease between his brows had relaxed, and he looked almost at peace. Almost. Apparently, whatever was haunting him couldn’t be kept at bay, even during sleep. Softly, she smoothed his hair and turned out the light.
After changing into pj’s and climbing into bed, she pulled out her notebook and jotted down a few thoughts about the long, emotion-filled day.
While being shot at was definitely on the list of newsworthy events, it was the Ferris wheel kiss she found herself lingering over.
Kissing him had been one of those impulsive things that often got her into trouble, but she didn’t regret it. There was no denying she hadn’t thought about it. Frankly, ever since his studly performance at the bank robbery, she’d had a tiny crush on him.
His words might be harsh, but his lips were soft. And when he’d kissed her back? Well, it was a good thing they’d been in a Ferris wheel bucket. Otherwise, who knows what she would have done. Mr. Surly Pants sure knew how to kiss a girl. And if his kiss was any indication, there was some pent-up passion she wouldn’t mind freeing.
It was rare for him to make eye contact, but each time she met those Caribbean Sea-green eyes, she wondered what caused the pain in them. While he didn’t seem like the type to overshare—or share at all, really—she sensed that the gruff exterior was shielding something painful. And that there was more to him than just that shield. It made her want to crash through and find out what was on the other side. She had a feeling it might be worth it.
Noah was right though. Now that they knew the danger was real, they had to keep things professional.
She finished journaling and tucked the notebook into her bag, then drifted off to sleep, thinking of Noah—his arms around her while they danced and his lips on hers while they kissed.
She woke to him groaning and mumbling. “Noah?” she said.
“Tucker! No!” he yelled.
Daisy clicked on the light. His eyes were closed and one arm reached out blindly, as if in the midst of a nightmare. Probably brought on by the shooting.
She put a hand on his uninjured shoulder and shook him. “Noah. Wake up,” she said sternly. “You’re having a nightmare.”
After coaxing him awake, his eyes finally fluttered open. He sat abruptly and searched the room frantically, head twisting right and left.
“It’s okay,” Daisy said. “It’s okay. It was only a dream.”
It took him a second to fully wake, and she watched as embarrassment crept across his face. “I’m…I’m sorry,” he said, still groggy.
“For what?” she said. “You were shot tonight. I’d worry about you if youdidn’thave a nightmare.”
“It’s not that.” He shook his head. “Never mind. Sorry I woke you. Go back to bed.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Okay.” She turned the light off and climbed into her bed. She longed to comfort him, but of course, he was too manly for that. It didn’t take him long to fall back asleep, and once he had, she allowed herself to sleep as well.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next morning, Daisy woke to Noah typing away on a laptop.
“Sorry if I woke you,” he said.
“What are you working on?”
