Chapter 2
Andy closed her eyes and slipped lower into the warm, bubbly water that filled Sam's spa size tub. It felt like a blissful balm for her bruised and aching body.
Flashing vivid images of the powerful explosion darted through her mind. It had all been pretty routine as Tim buzzed her in to the evidence room. She had the goddam hard drive in her hands when suddenly lights flashed and a deafening boom shattered the air.
Shards of debris flew at her and her body was lifted effortless in the air before she was flung like a weightless Raggedy Anne doll to the other side of the room. It was all a black out after that, until she detected the barely audible sounds of someone calling her name. Her throat parched and dry from the dust and trauma, she had managed a feeble response.
Then Sam was pulling her upright with a desperate softness in his frantic hands and an honest haggard agony cascading from his stormy, moist, red eyes.
"Andy," his raspy voice broke into her thoughts now.
So he was still hovering then. He must have crept into the bathroom while her eyes were closed. How long had he been standing there?
She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Are you ready to get out now?" The undercurrent of concern hadn't yet dissipated from his voice. He wasn't one to break out into public hallelujahs; but she knew he was secretly giving silent prayers of thanks that Andy was spared again today.
He stood resolutely beside the bath tub looking down at her. The slippery clinging bubbles concealed every part of her from her shoulders down, but he appeared to see right through her.
The water had long since lost its steamy heat, but the inferno in his eyes was setting her body on fire. They penetrated her now with an extremely primitive gleam, causing her heart to beat like an age-old rhythmic drum.
God could he hear the thumping noise! He held her glare knowingly, his eyes flickering with desire.
He hardened his jaw and looked away for a moment. He was obviously distracted by her. Yet he showed deliberate restraint.
"How do you feel?" his smooth voice felt like the finest lace caressing her soul.
"Like I was in a room where a bomb exploded." She retorted.
"Well that happened," he chuckled.
"I have some bruises to prove it and my ears are still ringing," she responded, looking away to escape his burning eyes.
"Okay. Well the paramedic said that could last days," he stepped closer.
"I know, I know" she whispered lifting her hand and blowing some puffy bubbles away.
"So uh… do you need help? He continued, clearing his throat, his lips twisting up and his right eyebrow slightly raised.
"With what?" She challenged slipping lower into the cooling waters.
"Getting dressed," his eyes widened as he shrugged casually.
"Oh that's funny Sam. I could swear you've always been way more interested in helping me get undressed."
He emitted a playful chuckle.
"Well the two don't have to be mutually exclusive McNally." He teased looking straight into her eyes.
She pierced him with her sparkling amber eyes alive with messages of every kind.
"Maybe I will just go and make you some green tea instead." He offered.
"Maybe you should," she laughed in response, welcoming the fresh new signs of energized levity in him.