Page 7 of Hot Touch (Love To The Rescue #3)

FOUR

NATHAN

I woke up and saw nothing but pink hair. Well, pink hair, brightly colored eye make-up, and soft green eyes staring right at me. I didn’t like to assume, but I was going to guess this was the pink Tasmanian devil I’d been warned about. The little sister.

“Morning,” I muttered, clearing my scratchy throat, and fought from wincing. It wasn’t the first time I woke up like that after a call, and it wouldn’t be the last.

“Morning,” the girl muttered. Her lips twitched as her wide, curious eyes scoped me out.

I turned, shocked to see Alex still resting peacefully next to me.

“Liz told me you were hot,” she blurted.

My head popped towards her. “But damn,” she said without shame or filter.

It made me chuckle and shake my head. Before I could think of something to say, the soft body next to me stirred gently.

“Leave him alone, Jackie,” Alex sleepily mumbled next to me. I glanced down just in time for her to open her eyes and look at me.

“Morning, baby.” The words tumbled past my lips before I could think twice, and when that pretty, angelic gaze caught mine, it felt like my heart was about to burst right out of my chest, all to land right in her little hands.

Forgetting we had an audience, I lifted my hand and stroked her cheek. “How did you sleep?”

“Better once we…” She blushed. Fuck me, when was the last time I’d made a woman blush? Had I ever? Shit, I couldn’t remember anyone from my past. They didn’t matter. Only Alex did.

“Well… what am I, chopped liver!” Jackie, I assumed, said, breaking the moment.

I heard the scrape of her chair, and when I turned to look at her sister, she was waving me off the bed.

“My sister almost…” Her brows bunched together as she blinked away the tears that looked like they were going to flood her face. “You mind if I have a moment?”

“Not at all.” My lips twitched. As much as I hated slipping out of a bed that had Alex in it, I understood her little sister needed time with her. I kissed the top of Alex’s head before getting up. Jackie immediately took my place and hugged her sister.

“I can’t believe… ugh!” She squeezed Alex tighter, and my girl snuck a glance at me. I’m sorry, she mouthed. I shook my head.

“I should call the station and make sure everything’s good there,” I said and felt two pairs of eyes on me.

As they sat side by side, I could see a couple of similarities between the two sisters. But just like with the oldest I’d met last night, they were very different. I scratched the back of my neck, hating how wrong it felt not to be next to her.

“Would you like me to bring you ladies coffee?” I offered, hoping to gain a reason to return. To see her again.

My angel shook her head like I’d expected. There was something about her that told me she tried not to be a bother to others. Something I’d to work out with her because soon enough, Alex would learn that taking care of her was my new priority in life.

“I’d love that, but the nurse out there said this one should be discharged soon, but thanks,” Jackie said with a cheesy smile even as she wiped away her tears.

“Right, umm…” I didn’t know what to say, so I waved and turned.

Shit, she would be discharged soon.

I didn’t want to leave, but I forced myself to walk out anyhow. Every step I took felt wrong. Like I was leaving a huge part of me behind in the room. Half of me. She held my heart in her hands without even knowing it.