“Alex?” Mia eventually filled the silence. Alex blinked into awareness again and found tears in Mia’s eyes as she went on. “For days, there was no one to talk to, and now, I have no idea what to talk about or even what to do with myself. I just need—”
“A distraction,” Alex said, totally understanding. She swallowed her emotions and her heart that rose in her throat. “Yes, I’m that Alex, and Rowan and I spent a glorious week together in Paris. What do you want to know about me?”
Mia’s hands still trembled as she settled back against her pillow, her eyes dark and haunted and far away from there, even as she said, “Tell me everything.”
CHAPTER 4
After Rowan placed a couple calls to ask for a favor and secured Mia’s release from the hospital, Rowan stood at the doorway to Mia’s room, frozen as Alex said, “Paris had an effect on me too.” Her voice was softer than Rowan had ever heard before. “Rowan had an effect on me. I’d never met anyone like him before.”
“What made him so different?” Mia asked.
Rowan realized then that Alex was indulging his sister, maybe giving her something else to think about instead of what had happened to her.
Alex paused for a long moment then said, “Everything about Rowan made him different, but most of all, it was how I felt with Rowan that was so different. I could always walk away from anyone. That’s just what I did. Rowan was the first guy that made me want to stay a little bit longer.”
“But not long enough to make something out of it?”
Alex chuckled. “That’s not my way, and it’s not Rowan’s either.”
“No, you’re right, being serious with anyone isn’t Rowan’s way, but you were very special to him,” Mia said, with sadness in her voice.
Rowan felt his body chill. His baby sister had been through so much, and he had no doubt that would put anyone’s life in perspective. She probably thought she’d die. Her abduction had changed him too. Made him realize how precious life was. Made him question his decision of walking away from Alex.
Feeling like an intruder in a conversation that wasn’t meant for him to hear, he turned away and moved to the door next to the stairwell. Alex never talked openly about her feelings, and Rowan knew why. Getting into her heart was hard. A thousand hurts along the way hardened her. And yet, she’d spoken easily to his sister. While Mia naturally had the ability to make people fall in love with her sweet and kind demeanor, Alex still hadn’t needed to share any of herself to help Mia. And yet she did.
A heady emotion that Rowan couldn’t place filled him as he waited by the stairwell, giving them the time they needed to finish their talk. He felt the exhaustion roll through him. The long days and nights they’d fought to get Mia back, and there she was. Safe. But Lewis was not behind bars or dead, and the position of power Lewis held meant he needed to be stopped. Rowan would be the one to do that, and he was only too happy Alex would be at his side while he did it.
In fact, he was only too glad they were going to San Francisco. The thought of seeing where Alex came from enticed him. Her house. Her life there. And more importantly, to discover if he could fit into her world.
A doctor entered the room, followed by a nurse a minute later, and then
Alex came out. Rowan whistled, and he caught Alex’s eye. Her smile tightened his gut and sent heat to his groin.
“The doctor wanted to have a final chat with Mia before we left,” she said to Rowan when she reached him. “I take it you got her released?”
Rowan nodded, unable to find the words to properly explain what Alex being there meant to him. What her helping get Mia back meant to him. Instead of finding impossible words, he grabbed her shirt in the same moment he backed up into the stairwell’s door. She squeaked in surprise as he yanked her up against him. This was something they did well. Very well. He spun her around, seeing the wide shock in her eyes, as he pressed her back against the wall in the stairwell.
She quickly caught up and grinned playfully. “I didn’t know hospitals are a turn-on for you, but hey, I’m all in if this floats your boat.”
He didn’t laugh. He pressed himself against her, watching the smile fade from her face. Probably at the intensity in his. “You are a turn-on for me, Alex.” He dropped his head into her neck, careful to stay away from the side that had stitches from the attempt that had been made on her life, and inhaled her fresh spring-like scent. “You never ask for anything, do you?” When he leaned away, those usually fiery eyes of hers were simmering with heat now. “You give all of yourself to whoever needs that piece of you. All because you know it’s the right thing to do.” Surprise began stealing the arousal, but he pressed on, needing her to hear all this. “You work yourself ragged to hunt criminals. You bare yourself to my sister, all to make her feel more comfortable.”
Color flamed in her cheeks. “You weren’t supposed to hear that conversation.”
“I didn’t hear all of it,” he said, sliding his hand over her hip, pinning her to the wall. “But I heard all I needed to.” He brushed his lips against hers, feeling her reach for more. “Five years ago, I couldn’t keep my hands off you.” He slid his tongue along the curve of her bottom lip and she moaned. “But the more I learn about you, McCoy, the more you drive me fucking wild from wanting you.”
She slowly opened her eyes, and their gazes held. “Then have me, Hawke.”
The strength of her. The way she teased with that sexy smile on her face. Rowan throbbed to possess her. He took her hand then and trotted down the stairs, with her following closely. He made it onto the next floor and exited the door, finding the floor quiet, obviously the patients were asleep. He passed the nurses’ station, hearing the laughter coming from there with the bright light spilling out into the hallway, and then he entered a room that had the door open. A quick look around revealed the room was empty. He didn’t pause, he yanked her inside and shut the door, pressing her up against it. “Mia is home because of you. Tell me you know that.”
She cupped his face. “Because of us, Rowan.”
He brushed his nose against hers. “I’m going to find a way to repay you for everything you’ve done for Mia…and for me.”
“You don’t have to repay me,” she whispered, her lips gently sliding across his. “I’m happy Mia’s home.”
He stared into the warmth of her eyes, realizing a truth he’d never noticed before. Alex worked to ensure no one lost their loved ones, like she lost hers. To never feel what she felt. Every step Alex took was to fix the pain she endured. But when did she get a taste of happiness?
He knew he could give it to her—the life she deserved.