Chapter 42

The darkness was so comforting, Tara wanted to stay there forever, but something was pulling at her to wake up. Her body was so fatigued she struggled against the gradually lifting fog, wanting to snuggle back into the tranquil peace.

With a low moan, Tara finally forced her eyes open, looking around the unfamiliar room as she tried to figure out what had awoken her. An overwhelming panic washed over her before she remembered the events that led her to being in this strange place. With a sigh of relief, she closed her eyes, concentrating on slowing her raspy breathing as a dull ache spread through her chest.

Tara's eyes popped back open in alarm when she tried to raise her hand to brush her bangs from her forehead. She knew her one arm was still restricted by the splint she wore for her broken collarbone, but her other hand felt like it was tied to the bed.

Turning her head slightly on the pillow, Tara's face brightened with a broad smile when she saw the reason she couldn't move. A familiar blonde was asleep next to her, his head on the bed beside her while his hand gripped hers firmly.

Myles had obviously come down some time during the night and had fallen asleep in the chair next to her bed. He had blamed himself for not being there when her hospital room caught fire even though she and Shelby made it out okay. He'd barely let her out of his sight since it happened, so she'd been pleasantly surprised when he told her last night he was going upstairs to his room.

Tara was glad he didn't stay up there as she'd gotten used to him being with her. Though it had only been a few days at Annie's and another couple at the hospital, they'd spent almost all of that time together.

Unlike how he normally acted, Myles had taken such good care of her after the accident that Tara actually found herself feeling differently about the tall agent. Whenever he was around, she found her stomach doing flips and her heart racing.

Tara had tried to convince herself that it was just because of their reliance on each other and as soon as they got back to civilization, it would go back to normal. However, she still found herself looking forward to whenever he was around and dreading when he wasn't.

Myles murmured something in his sleep, drawing Tara's eyes to his lips. She felt a hot flush sweep through her body as she found herself wondering how it would feel if he kissed her. She'd thought about that several times since the accident, even thinking Myles was going to kiss her a couple of times when they were at Annie's farmhouse.

Tara wondered how Sue even concentrated having to watch Jack's lips all the time. The few times she'd allowed her eyes to drift to Myles' lips she'd totally missed what he was saying.

What's wrong with me? Tara wondered. This is Myles for crying out loud! However, the more she tried to convince herself otherwise, the more she found herself drawn to this aristocratic Bostonian.

As she watched him, Myles' eyes slowly opened, looking into her hazel eyes as soon as he realized she was awake. Tara could feel her pulse quicken as they gazed at each other even as a strong sense of belonging engulfed her. I am falling for him! she thought.

"Morning," he smiled lifting his head from the bed. "How'd you sleep?" he asked, not releasing her hand as he used his other hand to brush her bangs back from her eyes.

"Better than you, I'm sure," Tara grinned slightly, feeling the sparks between them as his fingers brushed her brow. With a strangled groan, she fought the urge to turn her cheek into his hand as he caressed her cheek.

"Are you in pain? Should I get Charles?" Myles questioned, concerned as he mistook her inner struggle with one of pain caused by her injuries.

"No, Myles, I'm fine," Tara insisted, tightening her grip on his hand when he moved to get up. "Sure, I'm still sore, but I'm tired of just sleeping all the time," she complained.

"But you need your sleep to get better," Myles told her, his hand returning to her face to stroke her blonde locks behind her ear.

"But I feel so out of it, Myles. I can't even go home because someone might be after us, and what am I doing to help?" Tara asked exasperated. "I might not be much, but if you get me a computer, I can at least see what I can find on Genn Kelly or any more of Webster's cohorts that we might not know about," she maintained, her eyes flashing as she dared him to deny her request.

"Okay," Myles sighed reluctantly shifting in the chair. "You are the best computer tech the Bureau has so if anyone can find something on this man, it would be you," he smiled as her eyes widen in amazement. "But you've got to promise me you won't overdo it. You still need to rest," he asserted firmly.

"Thank you," Tara muttered, growing uncomfortable at his attention. Why does he have to look at me that way? she wondered. It's not like there is any chance he sees me as anything more than a good agent and co-worker, she told herself sadly.

Her breath caught in her throat when Myles ran his fingers down her cheek. His gaze was so intense, Tara felt he could almost look into her very soul, but she couldn't turn away even if she wanted to.

"Okay, I'll go tell Michael we need him to pick you up a laptop from town," Myles stated finally. "Think you can tell him what you need so he can get you the right stuff?" he inquired with a raise of his eyebrows.

"Sure, I can write it down," Tara nodded slightly as he stood up.

"Okay, I'll be right back with some paper," Myles smiled, tightening the belt on his robe. Almost as an afterthought, he bent over and brushed his lips to her forehead. "Behave yourself while I'm gone," he teased, a twinkle in his eye before turning and striding to the door.

Shocked by his tenderness, Tara gaped after him as he disappeared through the doorway. Oh, girl, you've got it bad, she thought, her hand shaky as she ran it through her hair.