Chapter 28
The pain surged with a vengeance as consciousness slowly returned. Groaning softly, Myles shifted uncomfortably on the bed, only to feel an unfamiliar weight pressing against his side.
His hazel eyes fluttered open, blinking quickly until he focused on the dark head of his co-worker lying on his shoulder. Relief replaced the momentary panic he felt as he realized Hannah was sleeping peacefully beside him. His brow furrowed into a frown as he tried to recall the previous night's events and came up blank.
Myles could remember fleeing the hospital with Hannah, and a quick glance around the room told him where they were. However, he couldn't come up with an explanation of how they'd ended up in the same bed.
Lifting his head slightly, Myles registered that, except for his shoes, he was fully dressed in the clothes he wore last night. On the other hand, Hannah was clad in a large grey shirt, almost oversized for her slight frame, and a pair of shorts, several sizes too big, and tied at the waist with a drawstring.
Those are my clothes, Myles gaped, his hand involuntarily caressing her back as he cradled her carefully in his arms. Mom must have gotten her something to wear to bed, he thought, the steady beat of her heart under his hand telling him she was still in a deep slumber.
Heavy with the plaster cast on his arm, Myles raised his other hand to brush a few strands of her brown hair from her face as he watched her sleep. The dark bruising around her eyes had faded only slightly, while the swelling had gone down significantly. Awkwardly, he traced his finger down her soft cheek, mesmerized with her tender features, something stirring inside him as he wondered why he'd never realized she was so beautiful.
His breath caught in his throat, and he quickly pulled his hand back as if it had been burnt. Turning his head away, Myles stared unseeingly at the wall, unable to believe he'd thought of her like that.
Well, that's something that has definitely changed, Myles thought as he remembered their first meeting not so long ago in Texas. A lazy smirk touched his face as images of her pinning him to the ground came flashing back. He was more embarrassed than anything by the time Tara and Bobby had come to his rescue, because someone had gotten the better of him.
Reluctantly, Myles had to admit that her ability to take him down that first day had made him admire her as an agent. However, her passion for her beliefs, which generally resulted in their most intense arguments, and the loyalty she had showed by not leaving him when they were trapped was what had him thinking of her all of the time.
Turning back slowly, Myles watched her sleep; her dark lashes fanned across her cheeks as she moaned contentedly, snuggling closer to him. Instinctively, he tightened his arm around her, fitting her to his side almost as if they were made for each other. Heaving a deep sigh, he knew that, despite their fights, he'd be lost without her.
Last thing I was looking for
When I first saw you that night
Was someone with that something I couldn't walk away from.
In the early morning light
Yeah, we stayed up all night just talking,
And I don't miss that itch to leave.
I ended up wrapped around your finger, baby,
But that was just fine with me.
I never had a chance.
I was swept away like sand.
You had me in the palm of your hand.
Baby, my heart was on the run.
I wasn't gonna fall in love,
But here I am.
I never had a chance.
I bet you knew what you were doing,
Cause, baby, you sure did do it well.
You made me want you like I've never ever wanted
Ever wanted anybody else.
Yeah, I admit I tried to fight it
And sometimes I fight it still.
I'm finding fast that I can't leave you,
Cause loving you is my hearts will.
I never had a chance.
I was swept away like sand.
You had me in the palm of your hand.
Baby, my heart was on the run.
I wasn't gonna fall in love,
But here I am.
I never had a chance.
Ooo, I never had a chance.
No, I never had a chance.
Myles snapped out of his reverie when he felt her stir in his arms. Almost holding his breath, he waited, expecting her to bolt as soon as she realized where she was.
Song by Andy Griggs