Page 66 of Alluring

Jack picked up his head. A short, heavyset nurse with close-cropped, black hair was speaking to him. "I'm not leaving her."

"Sir, she needs medical treatment. The longer we delay, the more damage being caused."

Jack felt Alexis squeeze his hand. He looked back down at her. Her lips were moving, and he leaned in close to hear what she was saying.

"It's okay, let them do their job." Her voice was raspy and weak.

"I don't want to leave you."

"I'll be okay."

"Promise me, Alexis. Promise you'll stay with me." He whispered in her ear.

"I promise," she whispered back.

He gave her a light kiss on the lips, let go of her hand, and stepped away. He watched as the nurses wheeled the gurney down the hall, disappearing behind a set of double doors.

Jack impatiently paced the waiting room. Becky, Stan, and Steph had arrived at some point. He wasn't sure who called whom and he really didn't care. All he cared about was news concerning Alexis.

Becky brought him a dry change of clothes, jeans, T-shirt and boots that he changed into, throwing his sodden suit in the trash. She also brought a change of clothes for Alexis for when she was ready to leave. And he had no doubts that she would leave. She had promised him.

"For Alexis Taft?"

Jack turned. Standing in the entrance to the waiting room was a good looking, thirty-something man in scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck. Jack felt his blood pressure rise at the thought of this man being Alexis's doctor. He pushed those feeling aside. He was really going to have to get a handle on his jealousy. Maybe in about twenty years, it'll wear off.

Jack raised a finger in the air as he walked toward the doctor. "Yes."

The doctor held out his hand. "I'm Dr. Kaplan."

Jack took the doctor's hand. "Jackson Cole."

He gave Jack a nod. "We were able to regulate Ms. Taft's body temperature. There doesn't seem to be any damage or malfunction of internal organs and all brain functions appear to be normal."

Jack closed his eyes and exhaled the breath he held while the doctor spoke. He opened his eyes and pinned them on the doctor. "When can I see her?"

"She's resting comfortably in the private room you ordered. She's stable enough to have visitors, but keep it to a maximum of two at a time."

Jack gave him a slight nod. "What room is she in?"

"Room 212, right down the hall."

Jack gave him another slight nod. "Thank you, doctor." He left the room, not caring if anyone followed. His primary goal was reaching Alexis.

* * * * *

Alexis slowly opened her eyes to a room filled with sunlight. She must have made a noise because Jack was instantly hovering above her, lightly caressing her face and smiling down at her.

"How are you feeling, love?" He lightly kissed her forehead.

"Thirsty." Her voice sounded like a family of frogs had taken up residence in her throat.

Jack held a cup with a flexible straw to her lips. "Sip it slow."

After a couple of sips, Alexis indicated she was done. Jack took the cup away and placed it on a side table. He sat on the edge of the bed, near her feet and held her hand.

"What time is it?"

"It's eight o'clock Sunday morning. You've slept through the night."

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