Page 112 of No Mistake

“You need to focus on getting better.”

“Sophie, what’s going on? I’m going to be fine, you know that. None of what’s happened has changed how I feel about you.”

“It’s not you. It’s me.”

Oh man, was she really using that line? The painkillers were wearing off, leaving his head and body throbbing. He wanted to get up and pull her into his arms, but there was no way that was going to happen right now. Frustrated, he struggled to hide it in his response.

“Please stop bullshitting me. Tell me what’s bothering you? Everything was good.”

“That was before you nearly died!” she shouted and stepped further from the bed. “Don’t you get it? You almost died.”

Her words cut through him. It had really scared the hell out of her.

“I know. And I’m sorry if that scared you. But you know what I do. You know there are risks. You deal with injured sailors every day. I thought you understood.”

Sophie sighed. “I do. But knowing and actually experiencing it are two very different things. Patching up sailors at the hospital is my job. I’m not attached to them. But with you? I don’t think I can do this.”

“Do what?” Ryan swallowed, bracing himself for what was coming.

“Watch you leave, not knowing if you’re going to come back in one piece. I don’t think I can handle it.”

“How is it any different from Mark? He was in just as much danger.” Even though he was a complete asshole.

“Because I didn't see it.” She paused. “And I didn’t feel for him what I feel for you. I’m sorry, but what you do... it’s so dangerous. I’ll be forever waiting for the day you’re seriously hurt or worse. I can’t live like that,” As she finished, she sounded more scared than he’d ever heard, or believed she could be.

A knock on the door interrupted them and a nurse poked her head in.

“Dr. Summers? Chloe’s awake and asking for you. She had a nightmare.”

Sophie followed the nurse out without so much as a backward glance, leaving Ryan with a pain in his chest there was no medication for.

Chapter 19

Mira’s phone pinged. She’d left the hospital at the same time as the team and gone home to get a shower before going back to the Farm to hold down the fort. Glancing at her phone, her heart fluttered when she saw Tyler’s name.

Tyler: Hey sweetheart, sorry things got a little crazy and I didn’t get to see you before you left.

She smiled and texted him back.

Mira: Considering everything that happened, you’re forgiven. How’s Ryan?

Tyler: I just spoke to Dex. He’s good. Doc reckons he can go home tomorrow.

Mira: That’s great news

Should she say anything about what happened between them? Now that some time had passed, she was beginning to think it was a good thing they’d stopped when they did. A hot quickie with a team member? Not really her best idea. Christ, what was she thinking? It wasn’t like he was some guy in a bar she’d never see again. While she wasn’t looking for a serious relationship — who had time for that? — hooking up with Tyler when they worked together would just be plain awkward. Better they just let it go.

Tyler: I really want to kiss you.

Oh shit, he wasn’t letting it go.

Mira: Yeah, about that. I guess we got carried away.

Tyler: Not nearly as carried away as I wanted to. I want to kiss you so hard, feel your soft lips under mine.

Mira: Tyler, behave. It was a bit of fun.

Tyler: Don’t' you want me to kiss you? Don’t you want to feel my lips on your neck, my tongue against your skin?

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