Chapter Five

The whispering grew louder. Scott opened his eyes and found two men in the room going through the closet. His body tried to react but he felt almost paralyzed.

“He’s awake, go get Lex,” one of the guys said. The other one disappeared out the door. Dark, distrustful eyes fell onto him.

Scott didn’t move, just stared back. Movement at the door caught his attention. It was Alexis. She wore a cream-colored, short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans that should have been declared illegal, they fit her so tightly. Even hurt and feeling like this his body reacted to her.

“Morning, Commander, I see you made it through the night.” Her eyes flashed with humor.

“You didn’t take me to a hospital,” he stated the obvious.

“Nope, you didn’t want me to and so, against my better judgment…I treated you here.” She moved to the bed and her scent filled the deep breath he took. Her hands were professional and steady as she checked the wound. “Gonna tell me how you got this, Commander?”

“Thank you,” he murmured as his hand reached for hers.

She froze at his touch. “For what?”

“Finding me.”

It was as if there were no one else in the room with them, the tension grew so thick. “About that wound, Commander,” she insisted, removing her hand from his. Her gaze was direct.

“We aren’t on the ship, Alexis; you can call me Scott,” he said.

“I’m afraid that doesn’t change who we are or protocol, sir.”

With an energy he didn’t know he had, Scott sat up in the bed, oblivious to the fact he was shirtless. His face got right into Alexis’s. “That is where you are wrong. It changes everything.” He dropped his voice even more, “Not that it would matter. I’m a SEAL, Alexis, and I do things my way.” And I want you, regulations be damned.

“Well, I’m not a SEAL, I’m a doctor and it would affect my career.” Her words were level and direct.

Nose to nose, they faced off, neither backing down. “Do you really think I would do something to hurt your career?” His hand cupped the side of her face. “I feel how you react to my touch, Alexis, and my body reacts the same way to you.”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t know you, except that you are an officer…a superior officer…and it is against regulations to have that kind of relationship with you.”

He clucked his disapproval. “We aren’t serving in the same place. We are both consenting adults and therefore there is no coercion on either part.”

“What makes you think that?” She barely breathed the question.

“I have known that since the first day we met.” His fingers moved again. “And each time after that. It was only a matter of time.” His voice just as low as hers, so although they were observed by the group of young men, their conversation was unheard.

“You seem mighty sure of yourself…Commander.”

He nodded slightly. “I am. Just like I know you are dying to say my name, to hear it rolling off your tongue, just like I am. I am very arrogant. I know that and so do you, but you love it.” His thumb moved over her lower lip. “You loved how I kissed you standing at the fantail on the Endeavor.”

She whimpered, her eyes fluttering as she swayed slightly towards him.

“Don’t worry. I will wait to hear you scream my name. That will be as I am sliding my thick, hard length deep inside your body.” As potent as liqueur, his voice poured over her. “Alexis, when we make love, it will be like nothing either of us has ever experienced. I can’t wait much longer.” He dropped his hand as he slumped back on the bed, exhausted. His eyes twinkled as he licked his firm lips, “Nice to know you want me.” That blue gaze fell to her chest, noticing her hardened nipples through the shirt.

A loud pounding on her screen door seemed to jolt her back to earth. “Excuse me, Commander.” She rose off the bed and walked past the boys who were standing there, watching the whole interaction avidly.

“You can run, my little healer, but be forewarned: there is no place for you to hide.” His words fol-lowed her out of the room and up the hall to where she looked out the door and found the police.

“Can I help you, Officers?” she asked, taking in the two who stood there on the other side of her screen door.

“We are looking for a man who was last seen in this area,” the larger of the two cops said.

“Sorry, Officer, you are going to need to be a bit more specific than that. There are a lot of men around here.”

His eyes narrowed at her quick retort, but he continued. “He may be injured.”

Years of keeping a bland expression on her face came in handy now as she merely said, “And?”

“Can we come in?” the other cop asked.

She shrugged and opened the door, inviting them in. “Can you give me a bit more information about this person you are looking for?”

“Well, he is reported to be tall, muscular, blond…” the officer trailed off as something caught his eye. Alexis followed his gaze and prayed for strength as she saw Scott enter the room chatting with the other boys like he belonged there. “And you are?” the officer asked, taking in the out-of-place white man in the house.

Alexis watched as Scott’s broad-shouldered body filled her living room. He wore his shirt, which she had washed and had sewn up the tear in last night so it looked no worse for wear the officers’ view. His body looked poured into his jeans and tennis shoes were on his feet. In no way did he resemble the man from whom she had removed two bullets. His blue eyes immediately moved to her as if assessing that she was okay. Touched by his concern, she nodded slightly.