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whispered, Don t worry. I ll come back.
You d better.
Lexie managed to get out of the room before reacting to her swirling emotions. She
leaned against the corridor wall next to his room, closed her eyes and took in a few
deep breaths. The elevator doors whirred open and Jolie stepped off. She carried a vase
of daisies. She grinned when she saw Lexie, then the smile disappeared and was
replaced by a concerned expression.
What are you doing out in the hallway? Is everything okay in there?
Yes. He s fine. Some buddies of his are visiting and I needed to catch my breath.
You look pale. Are you okay?
Better now that I ve seen him and know he s going to be all right. You should have
seen me before when I was trying to get here from Kansas City in five minutes or less.
I heard. Bella called. She thought you might need me but when I tried your phone
I kept getting her voice mail.
I came straight here from the airport. I need to go home, shower and change, then
I ll be back.
Want me to come with you?
No, I ll be fine. But thanks. She gave her friend a hug and stepped toward the
elevators. Her stomach growled.
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Have a good visit and tell him I ll be back after dinner. I haven t eaten all day and
didn t notice it until now.
I ll be sure to tell him.
* * * * *
Lexie felt a hundred and ten percent better after she showered. She had found the
perfect outfit to wear when she returned to the hospital a red Ann Taylor dress with a
low neckline that draped nicely over her curves. And, of course, the red stilettos. On her
way to the hospital she stopped to buy a red rose.
He was gazing off in the direction of the windows but when her heels clicked on his
floor he whipped his head around and gave her an ear-to-ear grin.
Lexie! I was beginning to get worried.
You didn t believe me when I said I d be back?
Lexie came around to the other side of the bed and set the rose on his nightstand.
She reached for the rail. So how do I get this thing down?
I think there s a latch at the top.
Lexie found it and lowered the rail, then she jumped up and sat on the edge of the
bed so she could touch and stroke Tyler s hips with both of her hands. His hospital
gown turned into a tent.
Need a blanket?
Yeah, if that s the best you can do.
Lexie giggled and closed the door. When she returned to him, she slipped her hand
under the sheet and stroked his hard-on. I love you, Tyler Black. Don t ever get in the
way of another bullet, please.
I love you too and not just because you turn me on even when I m laid up.
She moved her hand under his hospital gown and stroked him harder. He moaned
with what sounded like pleasure and then winced in pain.
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Dear Sexy Lexie
She stopped and sighed. If I thought we wouldn t get caught and it wouldn t hurt
you, I d take care of you in some creative way.
When I get out of here, we ll find a way. He grinned.
She took his hand. You know, there s something else I need to talk to you about.
What s that?
She smiled. I got my job back.
That s great!
Yeah but I said I couldn t go on the road again.
Tyler nodded. That s good if you don t have to. I won t lie, I d sure enjoy the extra
time with you.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe you and I can spend a little quality time
together. Someone is going to have to look after you until you re fully recovered.
You d do that for me?
Absolutely.
Mmm. I m a lucky man.
You ll be getting lucky all right. As soon as the ecstasy outweighs the agony.
* * * * *
A few days later Tyler was discharged from the hospital and Lexie drove him to his
apartment.
As he unlocked and opened the door, she said, So I m finally going to see your
bedroom? I m sorry I didn t stay long enough for the tour last time I was here.
He laughed. There s not much to see I m afraid.
She walked in, turned took in the entire small but neat studio in one second and
said, Where s the rest of it?
Like I said&
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She gazed around in disbelief. Where s the big waterbed, the mirrored ceiling, the
trapeze?
He shook his head and chuckled, then pointed. It s all right there.
She stared at the sleeper sofa. I had no idea this is where you slept.
Then she glanced around at the rest of it. A chair, sound system, books and TV in a
media cabinet, a dresser, a tiny kitchen and a dining area smaller than hers. Her mouth
hung open. Just where do you plan to recover?
Where I sleep.
Lexie shook her head. Oh, no. No, no, no. That s a terrible idea. Besides, you ll go
stir crazy in here.
Not if you visit me a lot. He came up behind her and slipped his arms around her
waist. She whirled around and held onto him.
You re moving in with me. She said it more as a fact than an invitation.
He was speechless for a moment. What about the age difference and your boss?
When I apologized for my behavior a few days ago, she said that all people are
only human even me. She went so far as to say the age difference might be a good
thing. Love it or hate it, controversy sells newspapers. And if I m too squeaky clean,
some people will hold that against me too. Basically, you can t please everyone, so you
might as well live your life the way you want to. I m sure she ll understand. I can t
leave you here.
He shrugged. I d love to stay at your place but maybe you should talk to her first. I
can stay here tonight.
Lexie shook her head. Your stitches will be ruptured by morning.
He smiled and pulled her into a hug. You worry about me too much. I m a tough
guy, remember?
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Dear Sexy Lexie
Yeah. I m sure you looked real tough when you were bleeding to death. She
stepped back and pleaded. Seriously, Tyler. You wanted us to spend some quality time
together, right?
I still do.
Why don t we pack what you need and I ll talk to her before she leaves the office
this afternoon. She s a good person. She ll probably insist that you stay with me.
What can I say? As long as she doesn t give you a hard time, I d love to stay. He
walked over to his closet took out a duffle bag and looked over at Lexie. How much
should I pack?
How about a lot? She moved in front of him and slipped her arms around his
neck. He dropped the duffle bag and held her close. I love you, Tyler. I want you to
stay as long as it s working out for us.
He kissed her long and deep. When he pulled back enough to look in her eyes, he
whispered, Let s do this right. He dropped down on one knee. Shit! He held his
side and gasped a few times until he was able to speak. I shouldn t have moved like
that.
She was stunned and tears sprung to her eyes. Before she could respond, Tyler
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