Page 9 of Securing Jane

“Why?” Jane whispered.

“Because I just knew you’d be down there, working to contain whatever happened, and that you might need help.”

“That wasn’t smart,” she scolded. “If that had been anthrax or something worse, you would’ve gotten hurt as well.”

“But it wasn’t, and you did need help,” he said easily. “And I couldn’t not go. I can’t explain it. I suddenly feel as if I’ve known you forever, but at the same time I know next to nothing. I had decided after our talk this morning to take things slow. Get to know you better. Maybe ask you out after a month or so. You’re funny. Beautiful. Smart. Independent. All traits that I admire and respect.

“What happened today feels like someone smacking me upside the back of my head and telling me to get my shit together. I, more than most, know how short life can be. I’m normally a go-after-what-I-want kind of guy, but I thought I should go slow with you. I mean, why would you think I was seriously interested if, after knowing you for so long, I suddenly asked you out? So I’d decided to wait. But…fuck that.”

Jane stared at Storm with huge eyes. Was he serious? He couldn’t be.

“Want to go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

“With you?” she blurted.

He chuckled. “Yeah. With me.”

She opened her mouth to say not only yes, but hell yes, when the doctor chose that moment to enter.

Storm stood but didn’t leave the room.

“Sorry about the delay. I’ve signed your papers and you can head home. If your eyes continue to burn after another eight hours, please come back, and we’ll check you out again. And I’m serious about that. Don’t think it’ll just go away. CS gas is caustic, and you took a direct hit to the face. You could lose your eyesight if you don’t take it seriously.”

Jane nodded at the doctor. “I will.”

“And you should rinse them out at least every three hours tonight. Set an alarm to get up and do it. Don’t go home and fall asleep and forget. It’s important, Ms. Hamilton. Do you have someone who can make sure you get home all right?”

Jane opened her mouth to tell the doctor that she was a grown-ass woman and could manage to get a taxi and get herself home, but Storm beat her to it.

“I’m taking her home.”

“Great.” The doctor turned to the admiral and handed over her discharge papers, explaining in detail what she should be watching for in the next twenty-four hours. “Any questions or concerns?”

The question was aimed at Storm, which annoyed her. To his credit, though, Storm looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She shook her head, just wanting to go home instead of getting into an argument about misogyny.

“Okay. Again, come back if you start feeling more pain or have other symptoms. I’m very glad you’re all right, Ms. Hamilton. People who send mail bombs are cowards, and it’s a relief no one got hurt worse.” And with that, the doctor, turned and left the room.

Jane scowled when the door shut behind him.

Storm held up a hand. “Before you rip me a new asshole, I had nothing to do with that. And I agree that it was sexist and annoying. He should’ve been talking to you, not me.”

Jane’s anger deflated instantly. “I hate that,” she said. “I mean, I’ve been working on this base for a very long time, you’d think I’d be used to being talked down to, but I’m not. I’m perfectly able to take care of myself, and it’s rude as hell for him to essentially pat me on the head and talk to you instead of me.”

“I agree. You ready to go?”

Jane took a deep breath. She could continue to rail at the sexism, not to mention unprofessionalism, of the doctor, but she couldn’t fault his expertise. He’d also been as gentle as possible when he’d cleaned out her eyes and examined her. “I’m ready,” she said. “But you don’t have to take me home, Storm. I’m a big girl, I can get there by myself.”

“I know, but your apartment’s on my way. It’s not a big deal.”

Jane stood, giving him side-eye. “How do you know where I live?”

She could’ve sworn she saw Storm blush. “I…uh…looked it up before I headed over here. If you were still here, I figured you might need a ride.”

Jane couldn’t help but smile. “Fine. You can take me home.”

As they walked out of the room, Storm said, “You’re a hard woman to do a favor for.”

Jane shrugged. “I’ve been on my own a long time. Had to do everything myself. Learned the hard way that relying on someone else brought me nothing but heartbreak.”