One moment I was choking on saltwater and the next, I was staring up at Killian. Something hot, intense, twists in my stomach as I recall that moment. Staring up at his handsome face with his dirty blonde hair and intense green eyes as he waited for me to come back to life.
That hot twist in my gut is about more than being saved, more than surviving. It is coming out of the darkness to find Killian there, waiting for me. Wanting me to survive. Demanding me to breathe, to not give up.
Killian brought me back to life, so now I am going to live it.
Before I can ask for him, wondering why they kept him out of here even after I asked, he walks through the door. His wetsuit is gone now, but he still looks as if he belongs on the beach. Hisshoulder length hair is shaggy and damp, the front pulled back in a small bun. In a tank top and baggy shorts, his golden skin and arm of dark tattoos are on full display.
“There she is,” he whispers, the same thing he had earlier.
Smiling at him, I nod, reaching for his hand. Killian does not hesitate to take it, bringing it to his lips. Any unease, all the anxious energy that has vibrated inside of me since they brought me to the ER, is gone. I am at ease with him beside me, as if I know nothing wrong can happen.
“Can I go home now?” I whisper, throat aching from the saltwater still.
“Yes. He will be with you, won’t he? We want to monitor you for a....”
“Yes, I will be with her. I will take care of her, doc.”
Killian winks at the charming female doctor, seemingly oblivious to her response. He is the sort of man who naturally draws attention. Standing head and shoulders above all of us, his tousled surfer hair and ocean blue eyes captivate the entire room. With all that tan, tattooed skin showing in his surfer guy shorts and tank, none of us, not even the older doctor, can tear our eyes off him.
It is a shock to see his eyes stay focused on me. Even when the cute, tattooed young nurse comments on his tattoos, he barely acknowledges her. In fact, he dismisses both of them with a mere look and a jerk of his head once he finds I am being discharged.
“Come on, babe. Let me get you home,” he hums, helping me from the bed once I am free of wires and tubes.
“I uh...I cannot leave my bathing suit, Killian.”
“Course you can’t. That is entirely too hot for you to wear out of here,” he teases with a chuckle, lifting a bag up. “Got you something a little more demure.”
Opening the bag, I laugh. Inside there are white cottonshorts with the hospital logo, a matching hoodie, and a tank top with “save a life, give some blood” in bright glittering letters across the front. Laughing with me, he turns, waving his hand at me to tell me to get dressed.
“Do not look,” I warn him even as I realize I kind of want him to.
Turning his head to smirk at me just as I drop the hideous hospital gown, he waggles his brows. “I will do my best. Won’t make a promise I might not keep, babe,” he teases, winking at me as he lets his ocean blue eyes slide over me slowly.
Flushing, I turn away from his hungry gaze, unsure how to feel about it. I have no business being attracted to this man. He must be twenty or twenty-two. I am almost old enough to be his mother. Surely, he means nothing behind his flirting or sweet promises. Killian is just a good man who was there when I needed him.
“If I can just get a ride to my hotel,” my voice tremors as I pull on the shorts and slip on the tank top.
“No can do, babe,” Killian responds, spinning to face me as I pull the top over my breasts. His eyes darken as his gaze focuses there, my nipples budding up beneath his heated stare. Teeth nip at his full bottom lip before he drags his eyes back to mine. “Told that doctor I would keep an eye on you. I intend to keep my word. Taking you to my place tonight.”
“Uh...what? What? No, no, you do not need to do that. You have done plenty for me, Killian. I will be fine.”
Closing the distance between us, his big hand cups the back of my head. I am jolted by the press of his firm chest to mine, the warmth of his skin, the sweet coconut smell of him. His eyes hold mine as he smiles, the cutest dimples flashing as he shakes his head.
“Youwill befine. I am sure of it. Doesn’t mean I am letting you out of my sight, baby. I am taking you to my place. Noargument.”
“Y-you don’t even know me. I could be some serial killer.”
“What about me? Couldn’t I be a serial killer who wants another victim after he saved her life? Maybe that is my MO.”
Staring up at him, I can’t help it. I laugh again. It’s a giggle. Light, feathery, a silly-girl giggle. Because, lord, he is handsome, charming, and it turns out, funny too. Three strikes and I might be out of luck. Brushing a lock of hair out of his eye, I shrug my shoulders as I smile at him.
“Was I ever in real danger, or was I reeling you in for the kill? Is that my MO?”
“Touche. Come on, I need to feed you before we go to my torture dungeon,” he says with a cute smirk, taking my hand to lead me from the room.
Outside, he loads me up in a bright green jeep, taking time to buckle me in. I laugh at his fussing before he stares at me. That hot twist in my gut returns as his gaze drops to my mouth. I want him to kiss me. It’s been so long since someone kissed me. Even if it is just him taking care of me, being the good guy, I would give anything for him to kiss me right now.
“Kiera,” he husks, his voice suddenly hot. “Iwilltake care of you. I won’t hurt you. I have no MO,” his words are as hypnotic as his gaze.
