Dangerous Protector (Red Stone Security #14)(5)

Soon enough, she knew the police or a detective would be at the hospital to question her. Which meant all her past secrets were about to come spilling out. Just great. Aaron already seemed to judge her or dislike her for whatever reason—today’s behavior was an anomaly. He definitely wouldn’t like her once he heard all about her past.

*

Arms crossed over his chest, Aaron stood next to Tegan’s hospital bed as the doctor spoke quietly to her. She hadn’t lost consciousness during the explosion so that was a good sign. He’d been worried she had internal injuries but the doctor had more or less determined that she had a very mild concussion. Which wasn’t great, but considering the alternative, he was grateful how minor her injuries were. Other than that and the few scrapes on her palms, she was okay. Just shaken up. Not that he could blame her.

When his gaze strayed to her pale face, his gut tightened. She’d pulled her dark auburn hair up into a ponytail since arriving at the hospital, but a few strands had come loose, framing her bright blue eyes and sharp cheekbones. Freckles dotted across her nose and cheeks, making her look younger than he knew her to be.

He still couldn’t get the image of that explosion out of his head. Even when he closed his eyes. She could have been in that car. He scrubbed a hand over his face, wishing he could banish the horror that wanted to keep replaying in his head, over and over.

He’d seen his share of death and it wasn’t pretty. Some movies liked to romanticize war, but during his four tours in Afghanistan and Iraq he knew there was nothing glamorous about it, especially death. The sight and stench of burning bodies was something no one should have to experience.

“Mr. Fitzpatrick.”

His eyes snapped open at the doctor’s voice. “Yes?”

Dr. Morales nodded once at him. “I want to keep Miss O’Kelly here for another hour of observation. There’s a detective waiting to talk to her anyway so she might be here longer than that. I need to know if you’ll be able to drive her home—”

“That’s not necessary. I can call someone to get me.” Tegan’s brow furrowed and Aaron had the most ridiculous urge to smooth out the lines.

Whenever he was around her, he simply wanted to touch her, to see if her ivory skin was as soft as it looked. Nothing would ever come of his fantasies, but that didn’t seem to stop them. She was a combination of sassy and sensual. At maybe five foot two, she was petite and curvy with a bottom lip that always seemed to be pouty. He’d had way too many thoughts over the last eight months about what it would be like to take that lip between his teeth, to stroke his tongue between her lips…

Hell, he needed to focus. Tegan wasn’t for him. “I’ll take you, Tegan. Let me do it. Please.” Because he didn’t want to leave her side. He wasn’t sure what that was about either, but when he’d seen her fly back after that explosion, out of his line of vision when she tumbled behind that car, he’d lost years of his life as he raced to her. Right now he was feeling protective. Probably irrationally so. But he needed to make sure she was okay.

“Only because you said please,” she murmured, a smile ghosting her face.

God, he loved her smile.

“I’ve written her a prescription for a strong nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. But Tylenol or Advil will work, too. If she wants the prescription, you’ll need to pick it up before taking her home. Make sure she takes it.” The doctor glanced over at Tegan. “You can’t take anything with codeine or any sort of opiate in it. I don’t know that it’s necessary given the mildness of your concussion, but it wouldn’t hurt to have someone wake you up every few hours tonight. We want to make sure you’re not too sluggish.”

Before she could respond, Aaron cut in. “I’ll take care of her.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see she wanted to protest, but instead crossed her arms over her chest and settled back against the bed. She’d protested putting on the hospital gown, but had done it anyway. Now it gaped at her neckline, showing off all sorts of smooth, kissable skin. He felt like a bastard for even noticing.

“Good. I—”

A sharp knock sounded on the door, then it opened. Detective Carlito Duarte—a man Aaron had called in as a favor—stepped into the room, his expression grim. “You need more time?” he asked the doctor after a nod at Aaron.

“We’re done here.” He turned back to Tegan, his expression softening. “I’m going to write that prescription but if you need anything, buzz the nurses. You were very lucky.”

She nodded and for the first time since everything had happened, tears filled her eyes. “I will, and thanks.”

As the doctor left, Carlito stepped farther into the room. “How’re you feeling, Miss O’Kelly?”

“Good as can be expected. And just call me Tegan.”

“Okay…I need to ask you some questions,” he said, looking at Aaron now, his intent clear. He wanted Aaron to clear out.

Aaron took another step closer to her bed so that he was right next to her head. He wasn’t going anywhere unless Tegan asked him to. “I’m not leaving—I was a witness, too.”

“Can he stay, please?” Tegan’s quiet voice pulled both their attention to her.

Carlito nodded, though his expression was annoyed. Aaron didn’t care. He wasn’t leaving Tegan.