Free Reaching Hearts (Hearts Series) by Sabrina Lacey Page B

extended cup from my hands,
she blows on it, looking at me over it. “Well, I’ve been warned. Now what do
you want to do today?”
    “What’s
your last name, by the way?”
    “Wells.
Why?”
    “I’ve
got a thing about knowing names of the women I sleep with.” I take a drink of
the coffee, lick my lips. It’s good stuff. “Let’s go to Fisherman’s Warf. I’ll
introduce you to a sourdough bread bowl of clam chowder you’ve never dreamed
possible.”
    She
swings her legs a little again, smiling and looking very sexy as she pulls her
hair up into a bun. “Deal.”
    A
voice filters in from far away. Feminine, soft and caring. “Hey you. You have a coffee maker?”
    I
open my eyes halfway; see a hospital room coming into focus. It’s all I can
manage. “Rebecca,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.
    “I’m
here. You’re okay. It’s going to be okay.”
    I
strain to understand what’s happening, where I am, why I hurt so badly. Images
start flashing before my eyes. Annie’s face. Her eyes closing. My body collapsing into one of the best
orgasms I’ve ever felt. Holding her. Then the gunman. The yelling. The grabbing of our clothes. How he
pointed the gun at her while she went to register. How furious I was that I
didn’t know how to open it so I could get it myself and keep her safe. How I saw his arm tighten, about to pull
the trigger. I remember jumping in front of the bullet. Nothing
after that.
    Too
tired to move my head, I scan around me to find my body under a plain white
blanket, cords leading out to an I.V. drip and a heart monitor. I focus back on
Rebecca, the only soft thing in the room.
    She
smiles and touches my hand, picking it up and holding it in both of hers. “The
hospital called me last night when you came in. I drove here immediately.”
    “You drove all the way from Arizona?”
    “There
were no flights until morning. I couldn’t wait. See, I told you it was a good
idea to add me as an emergency contact. How are you feeling?”
    “Like
shit.” I close my eyes. “Thank you for coming.”
    “What
are friends for?” She rubs my hand, knowing we’re more than friends.
    These
drugs they’ve given me are hardcore. Where are my clothes? Where do they put
your clothes when they put you in these gowns? Am I paralyzed? I wiggle my
toes, relaxing with relief when I feel them move.
    “I
feel like someone ran over me,” I whisper, frowning at Rebecca and wincing from
the pain in my ribs.
    “You
were in surgery for over five hours. The bullet scraped your lung but they were
able to save it. It’s going to be some time before you’re well again.
    “That’s
not possible. I have work…”
    She
applies gentle pressure to my hand. “Shhh. Stay calm. You need to rest. Think
about all that later.”
    I
close my eyes. I feel so strange and foggy. An image drifts in from far away of
Annie kissing me and holding my head. Sirens. I remember sirens, too. I must be
remembering something from after I got shot. Cracking my eyes open again with
effort, I ask, “Where’s Annie?”

17
Annie
    Florescent
light: right above me. Cognizance: straining. My line of vision: filled with
doctors.
    ________
    “She’s
back,” one says to the other.
    “How’re
you feeling?” the other says.
    “Fine.
I think I just…”
    “You
fainted,” they say over me. I’m not even sure I spoke. I feel weird. Suddenly I
sit up, but they push me back down. “Now now.”
    “Where’s
Brendan?” I’m in a hospital hallway. People are walking by us, some sick, some
working. “Where is he? Is he alive?”
    The
one looks to the other and leaves her to it. She checks my pulse, blinking too
much.
    “He’s
in surgery. His lung was punctured.”
    I
drop my head onto the gurney. “Oh no.” I try to get up again. “I’m fine. I wasn’t shot. I have to go
see him.” I throw my legs off and am about to stand when she grabs me by the
arms.
    “You
need to rest.”
    It’s
obvious arguing isn’t going to do me any