Page 158 of Irresistible Attraction

She waves to everybody as they say goodbye and leave the room. Once they're out, she lets out a big sigh and rests her head on the pillow while I wheel myself back at her side.

"God, I'm beat," she admits.

The nurse nods. "You're healing. You need rest. So, big guy, say bye. I'm bringing you back to your room."

Alisha grabs my hand. "No. I don't want to be alone," she says, biting her lips and fighting her tears. "Please, can he stay?" Alisha adds, squeezing my hand. "I won't sleep or rest when I'm alone; I need him."

The nurse's eyes fill with compassion. "You know what? This is a large space. What if I bring an extra bed for Mr. Walker? That way, you both can rest in the same room."

Alisha smiles. "Thank you. You're the best nurse in this hospital."

The brown eyes of the woman glitter as she chuckles. "I'll get the bed," she states as she walks out the door. I bend and relax my head on Alisha's leg while caressing my thumb over the back of her hand.

"Close your eyes," I say, glancing up at her. "Let's rest for a moment."

She closes her eyes, and I stare at her. After a few minutes, her facial features soften, and I shut my eyes, enjoying the warmth of her skin and within seconds, I drift off while repeating internally,we made it.

45

COLE

"Ah, shit... Goddammit."

"Need help, Alex?"

"No!"

I grin at the noise of heels tapping impatiently on the linoleum bathroom floor. A week has passed, but it's been an intense seven days. Thank God it’s over, and we’re on the road to recovery. And to help us heal emotionally, we’re going to trauma counseling sessions together. The day after Alisha's surgery, the police came by and took our statements. They explained to us how they investigated the warehouse and discovered cameras in the basement that recorded everything. Viewing the video footage, it was unquestionable: we were the victims of a psychopath. Another painful grunt accompanied by a flood of curse words makes me alert.

"Cole?"

"Yes."

"I'm stuck."

I step inside and chuckle at the comical sight. She's tangled up, with one of her arms trapped in a burgundy half-sleeve shirt and her head hidden in the fabric.

"For fuck's sake. Stop laughing and help me."

"Yes, madame. Let the rescue mission begin."

I pull on the fabric to give her extra moving space. "Fuck, these goddamn stitches are annoying." She grunts while moving her arm.

"You should have followed my suggestion and gone with a loose fitting outfit," I state. She mutters something under her breath. This morning, the doctor signed the discharge papers, and the moment he left, Alisha decided she was leaving the hospital in her usual attire. With her wound still being sore, getting into her form-fitting wardrobe is a task. When she gets her head and arm through the tight shirt openings, she pulls the material in place and throws me an ecstatic, beaming grin.

"I’m not a shabby outfit girl, Walker. I thought you’d know that by now."

She brushes her palms over the chestnut brown knee-length skirt. "Simple, yet effective," she states, grabbing her hair to put it in a ponytail.

"No, leave it loose," I say, closing the distance between our bodies and wrapping my arms around her. She smirks and purrs when I place my hands on her bum and massage it. "I can't wait to go home and have a long shower and lie in our king-size comfy bed."

Alisha roams her nails over my rib cage and presses herself onto her toes. "I agree."

My head drops to kiss those enticing lips, but we get interrupted by an obnoxiously loud chirp as our friend enters.

"Your ride has arrived." We tread out and find Brian standing in the middle of the room, lips set in a smirk.

"Where is Amanda? She said she was coming with you to pick us up. Don't tell me you pissed her off by saying something or acting stupid."

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