Chapter Twenty-Two
Transitions happened quickly. From the helicopter, Jane was bustled in and out of a military hospital for a speedy medical check—her sunburns and blisters were far worse than she’d thought—and then into a heavily guarded, private waiting room at a military airport.
Now alone, and with nothing to do but resist the urge to pick at her blistered skin, Jane let herself recall her conversation—likely the last conversation—with Chance at the hospital.
He’d told her that the Thane family had been evacuated, and Teddy was blissfully binging on cartoon videos.
Chance explained that arrangements had been made for her to meet the Thanes in Abu Dhabi.
She had been drowsy during their conversation, having slept fitfully whenever she could.
But, she also recalled Chance mentioning that his team was stationed in the same city.
Her foot tapped on the tile floor. Why had he mentioned he lived in Abu Dhabi? Why hadn’t she paid more attention to his tone? Hello, Jane. Catching up on sleep and water took precedence over reading between the lines with a man who was far, far out of her league.
She crossed her arms, and a wave of pain burned over her shoulders.
She clenched her fingers and took a slow breath, reminding herself that she’d refused painkillers.
Imagine how foggy her memory would have been if she had let the doctors numb her pain.
She wouldn’t have remembered Chance mentioning that he lived in Abu Dhabi.
“That doesn’t matter now,” Jane told the empty waiting room. She could endlessly analyze the reasons he’d mentioned Abu Dhabi, but his motivations simply didn’t matter. They made no plans to see each other again, and she’d been far too chicken to suggest it herself.
Why hadn’t she, though? An invitation to recount the horrors of their last few days didn’t exactly yell romance. He could show her around a city she’d likely never visit again. Jane had only needed to open her mouth and ask.
Or not. Alone in a waiting room, as clearheaded as she’d been in days, Jane couldn’t fathom an invitation beyond the musings of a horny cavewoman.
Me Jane. You hot.
Yeah, that wouldn’t work with Chance. She imagined that he regularly declined invitations from other damsels in distress—ugh! Did Jane just lump herself into a distressed damsel category? Not a chance—
“Hey, Mary Poppins.” Chance strode into the waiting room, clean-shaven and more handsome than he’d ever been. “I caught you.”
“Chance.” Jane jumped from her chair then faltered, clinging to the last thread of her dignity. She ignored the impulse to throw herself into his arms like she was the leader of the Distressed Damsels Society. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
“Turns out, we’re headed out now, too.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Some of the team is back there, but I knew where you were and had a minute.”
Why had he known where she was? Her heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed around the awkward knot in her chest. “I’m glad.”
He crossed the waiting room. “If I’d known we’d be airborne at the same time, you could’ve ridden back with us—” He grinned. “Turns out our jet’s nicer than what the billionaire could muster for you.”
“Next time.” She laughed as though the working-vacation from hell would ever happen again.
Jane expected him to leave, but he stepped closer.
Only two feet remained between them. She could extend her arm and touch his chest, and that thought made her nerves dance.
If her chair hadn’t been directly behind her, she would’ve backed away.
The air crackled and sizzled when he stood this close and taking a normal breath seemed impossible.
“You should know.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “You were a total badass out there.”
Jane choked and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
His head cocked to the side, and the corner of his deep blue eyes tightened. Chance met her gaze. “Don’t believe me?”
“No,” she whispered.
“Well, Jane.” He inched into her personal space, not letting her gaze drop. “You should.”
The pounding beat of her pulse thumped in her ears.
If he couldn’t hear her heartbeat, he was deaf.
He wasn’t. The man heard the steps of faraway enemies and the rotors on helicopters beyond where the eye could see.
Heat rose up Jane’s neck. Her cheeks flushed.
Damn him; he didn’t back away and knew his effect on her.
“Next time,” she managed.
The corners of his lips quirked. “Next time.”
This was her opportunity. She could ask him on a date. Fate had thrown them together one more time just in case she found the nerve.
After I shave my legs and triple wash my hair, would you be interested in another night alone with me?
Or not. Because they’d been there, done the private overnight, and she had the blisters to prove it.
He was just as capable of asking her out. More so, probably. But he didn’t. Meaning… he wasn’t interested. The man before her wasn’t the type to ignore what he wanted.
That was what she should ask him. What did he want? Standing that close, smelling that good, what the hell did he want—
“Midas,” a voice bellowed from outside the door.
Chance licked his bottom lip and pivoted toward the door.
Jane recognized Hagan’s voice when he called again, “Where you at, brother?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and hugged herself. “I guess it’s time for you to go.”
His jaw ticked. “Sounds like it.”
The waiting room door flew open. “Chance?” Hagan bound into the small space. “What the—hey, Jane.” His gaze quickly cut between them then he turned for the door, pausing long enough to add, “Waiting on you, bud. Whenever you’re ready.”
Hagan disappeared, and Jane couldn’t fill her lungs.
“Jane,” Chance said in a careful way that made her throat burn with unshed tears.
Embarrassed, she shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I hate goodbyes.” At least she did with him.
Chance extended his hand to her. She wasn’t sure if she could take his hand because this was their goodbye. She tried to reason with herself. The meaning she’d assigned to her rescuer was irrational. This wild rollercoaster of emotions was a byproduct of her trauma.
With that, she met his grip then forced her chin up.
His stormy eyes met her watery ones, and his tough, warm hand surrounded her trembling one. Her heartbeat raced like a lawless locomotive, and she couldn’t help it. Hot tears fell down her cheeks.
Chance swore and pulled her to his chest. His arms wrapped around her, hiding her distress until she could pull herself together.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered against his chest.
He rubbed her back and dropped his chin onto her head. “Don’t be. It happens.”
This is what his Damsels do. This was what always happened. Jane squeezed her eyes shut and hated how foolish she felt.
From outside the waiting room, someone other than Hagan called for Midas. Chance hugged Jane tight enough to make her sunburn scream. She’d take that pain again and again if he didn’t have to leave.
Chance kissed the top of her head and pulled away. “I have to go.” Then he left without looking over his shoulder.