Page 67 of Blind Attraction

She lowered her gaze and shook her head. “There’s no need. You made your position clear on the Daybreak breakfast show.” She raised her chin. “I’m nobody’s distraction, Mitchell. I think it’s best if you leave.”

* * *

Alana strode down the corridor to the first-aid room, shaking her hands to dislodge the hold Mitchell had on her. He was under her skin, in her heart, clouding her mind. It was suffocating, nauseating. It made her throat dry and her eyes burn.

Why show up out of the blue without even a phone call? She’d yearned to hear his voice, or even a text. In friendship or love, it wouldn’t have mattered. Now too many days had passed. She deserved a man who had time for her whether they were in or out of town. A man who would love her wholeheartedly and promise fidelity through weeks of separation. Not someone who would turn up when they had a few hours to spare.

She pasted on a smile and entered the small room where Patty had Blake cornered on a hospital gurney. He sat straight, naked from the waist up, the artwork of his body on full display. She admired the definition of finely sculpted muscles and concentrated on what images marked his skin. When her gaze reached his face, he was staring at her, his eyes wide with a silent plea.

“How’s the patient?”

Patty scoffed. “For a man covered in ink, he’s awfully skittish around needles.”

“If I thought your poking was going to leave a cool picture maybe I wouldn’t mind so much,” he mumbled.

“He declined my finest Scotch, too. Nancy-boy didn’t even want a shot of courage.”

Alana gave a fake gasp. “Patty! If mom found out you have liquor she would go ballistic.”

“Don’t you go blabbing on me, girl. It’s my own secret stash that I keep in a locked cabinet. No need to upset your momma any further. And I don’t remember you complaining when I gave you your first taste of alcohol as a teen.”

Alanatsk’d and shook her head before turning to the patient. “Need me to hold your hand, Blake?”

“I’m sure you could distract me with something better than handholding, sugar.” He winked, then winced and sucked in a breath. “Holy f-f-f-f-fire truck. I think you just stitched my kidney.”

“Sorry, my hand slipped.” Patty clipped out.

“Please be gentle with him.” Alana pulled the chair from the office table in the corner and dragged it to sit beside Patty. “Under the bravado, he’s a big softie.”

Blake fixed her with a sweet smile and reached for her hand. “Did you speak to Mitch?”

She shook her head and schooled her features, pretending the sound of Mitchell’s name didn’t clench her heart like a vice.

“Do you plan on speaking to him?”

“Blake,” she slumped her shoulders and pleaded with her eyes. She couldn’t talk about it. Maybe when the craziness settled she would be able to think straight again.

He took the hint and changed the subject, sticking to trivial topics like the weather. When Patty finished bandaging the wound, he grabbed his shirt from beside him and scooted off the gurney in a flash.

“Let’s blow this popsicle stand before your mom finds the knives.” He reached for her hand, placing it in the crook of his elbow, and led her from the room.

Alana sighed and braced herself for the two uncomfortable conversations she had to endure.

Easiest one first.

“Will you press charges?”

He peered down at her as they strolled down the hall. “Against your mom?” He shook his head with a frown. “No. I’m happy to blame Mitch for this one. If I would’ve known she warned him from driving onto the property in the first place, I would’ve waited on the highway.”

Alana paused, and he took another step before doing the same. Her hand fell from its place on his arm, slapping back to her side. “Mitch spoke to her before you arrived?”

“Yeah. He’s been trying to get in contact with you since last night. First we went to Kate’s house, but all she told him was that you were back in Colorado. He’s been calling in favors from everywhere to try and find you. Then before we drove onto the property, he spoke to your mom on the phone.”

“What did she say?”

“Something along the lines of ‘you aren’t welcome cause you broke my daughter’s heart. And if she wanted to speak to you she would’ve answered your calls’.”

“I didn’t leave his calls unanswered on purpose,” she mumbled. “My phone was on silent.” She glanced up at Blake and he pierced her with his deep brown eyes. “I probably wouldn’t have answered anyway.”

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