Page 8 of Bewitched

CHAPTER FOUR

Sunday, December 4

Paige sat in her hospital bed and zipped up her sweatshirt. She had just finished her first shower in five days and felt like a new person. After they had unhooked her IV, removed the catheter, and disconnected her from the machines, she had begged for a chance to get cleaned up. Having clean hair was going to do a lot more for her recovery than any of the meds she’d been on.

If she was lucky, the doctor would discharge her tomorrow. Four days in the hospital was two days too long. She’d been pumped full of antibiotics, scanned from head to toe a couple of times, and stitched up. As far as she could tell, there wasn’t much else that could be done.

Looking out the window, a wave of sadness swept over her as she admired the city she’d come to love. In less than two weeks, she was being sent home to Dallas for a mandatory vacation. She had no choice in the matter, and if she wanted another assignment, then she had to do as she was told.

Sighing, she touched the back of her head and felt a large lump as well as a nest of tangles that was going to take forever to get out. As she turned to look for her bag, she caught her reflection in the closet mirror. Running her hand down her face, she shook her head. Thank God Mama wasn’t here to see how banged up she’d gotten. Faye Bennett lost her ever-loving mind if any of her girls were hurt, and this would put her into overdrive and make her apoplectic.

“Thank you, Jesus, for small favors.” Pulling her small bag closer, she dug around for a brush. It was time to attack the tangle ball that was covering half her head. Just as she was about to get started, the door opened and in walked an enormous man in uniform. Her eyes flew to his and she sucked in a breath. Whenever someone like him showed up, it had to be bad news. “What’s happened, and who’s been hurt?”

“Paige, I’m Lieutenant Commander Blake Carmichael. My team pulled you and Amy out of Sakib the other day.”

Sitting back against the pillows, she rested her hand on her chest. “Oh, my goodness, I didn’t recognize you. I thought you were here to give me bad news. I never saw your face, and don’t have many memories from that night.” She scooted off the bed and stood. “Thank you for saving our lives.” Opening her arms, she took two steps forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she mumbled against his chest. Moving her arms, she tightened the hug and felt him stiffen.

Not everyone was comfortable with hugging, so she released her arms. Just as she was about to step away, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. She almost melted from the sweet gesture. The big, bad warrior was a hugger, after all.

“Anytime,” he said into her hair. “Anytime.”

When he released her, she stepped away and smiled. “Can’t believe we got SEALs sent in to rescue us. If I didn’t know better, I’d think my mama kicked up a fuss and insisted.”

“Can’t recall any mention of your mama calling the Pentagon. But I don’t always hear the finer points of why we get sent where we’re sent. For all I know, your mama did make a call.”

Paige laughed. “I wouldn’t put it past her, but I don’t think she was fully informed of the situation until after it was resolved. Which worked out for everyone, because if she had been, she would’ve been here in a flash and directed the rescue herself. ISIS wouldn’t have had a chance against Faye Bennett.”

“Well, it’s a good thing we were available and let your mama have the night off.” Crossing his arms, he studied her. “You look good, Paige. Last time I saw you, they were rolling you into the elevator, headed for surgery.”

Lifting her T-shirt, she showed her bandage. “No big deal, just some stitches.” Turning around, she pointed to the back of her head. “This rat’s nest is going to be the hard part. It’ll take me days to get it out.”

Blake turned her around and put his hand on her hair. “That’s a good one. Want me to give it a go?”

Running her eyes over his face, she gave him an incredulous look. “You know anything about women’s hair?”

“I grew up on a ranch and had horses. How different can it be?”

Patting his arm, she winked. “It’s different. I appreciate the offer, though.”

“Let me give it a shot.” He held out his hand and winked. “I can’t make it worse, that’s for sure.”

She put her hand in his and felt her face heat. “Thank you, Blake. I had no idea that SEALs provided such full service.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, and one side of his mouth lifted. Wow! Lt. Cmdr. Blake Carmichael was a hunk with his sexy smile. Who knew a warrior could be so alluring?

He led her over to the bed and gently lifted her up. The moment his hands were on her, she felt her heart swoop. When he let them linger, her stomach flipped over. What was going to happen next? Swooning? Covering his hand with hers, she noticed the contrast. His were large and scarred, the type of hands that seemed capable of saving a life, giving pleasure, or building a fence. Of course, the picture of his hands running over her skin was the one that stuck. Apparently, inappropriate sexual fantasies for the man that saved you was a side effect of getting your head banged around. Good to know.

Shivers ran over her skin as she looked up into his smile. Seemed Lieutenant Commander Blake Carmichael knew exactly the effect he was having on her. Maybe even hoped for it, if she had to guess. The look on his face wasn’t innocent. It was feral. As though he’d consume her if given half a chance. Normally that sort of thing turned her off, but not this time. This time, she welcomed it.

Clearing her throat, she tried to think of something appropriate to say. Something to break the spell he’d cast over her. Naked man fantasies were not a regular occurrence in her life. So, either her head injury was worse than everyone thought, or she was suffering a personality change. A change that involved dirty, sexy thoughts about a stranger. Maybe it was the meds she was on. “I should…find my brush.”

Slowly he let his hand drag over her skin as he released his hold. “Yeah, a brush would be good,” he said quietly as he stepped away.

Busying herself, she blindly dug in her bag. What the hell just happened? Why was she so turned on by something so innocent? His deep voice interrupted her mental swooning, and she pulled herself together. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?”

“Are they discharging you soon?” he asked again.

“Hope so.” Running her hands over her face, she felt the cuts and became self-conscious. “What are you still doing in Amman? I figured you would have been out of the city within hours.”

“Ends up, we still have some work to do in the area.”

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