Page 39 of Finding Lexie
“Don’t care,” Midas said immediately.
“You might when you can’t understand what I’m saying,” she warned.
“If I don’t understand, I’ll tell you. But you’re underestimating my ability. I’m a big bad SEAL, you know.”
She laughed as she lay back down once more.
“I’ve never felt this way before,” he admitted.
“What way?” she asked.
“Connected. Concerned. Excited to get to know someone better. Frustrated that I have to leave in a few hours. Worried about what’s next for you.”
Lexie didn’t immediately respond.
“Lex? Too much?” he asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I just… I feel the same, but I was just wondering if it was because of the circumstances. I mean, I told you I wasn’t a damsel in distress, but what if I am? What if I’m feeling so connected to you because you rescued me?”
Midas couldn’t help but feel disappointed at the idea. Though he understood. He did. “I can’t tell you how to feel,” he said. “But you have to understand that I’ve been involved in the rescue of more people than I can count. And I’ve never skipped a shower, a meal, and a nap to make sure they’re all right. I’ve always let the doctors do their thing and moved on.
“You’ve gotten under my skin, Lex. Maybe it’s because I knew you in high school. I don’t know. But I’m not willing to just let this go. I’ve never seen Mustang as happy or content as he is right now. And if it worked out for him and Elodie, why can’t it work out for me too?”
He’d probably said too much, but this was important, and he knew it. He had a feeling if he left without making sure Lexie understood this wasn’t casual for him, he’d never see her again.
“I have no idea what’s next for me,” she said softly. “Seriously, no clue what happens next. Where I’m going, how I’m getting back to the States, if I’m going back to the States. I need to talk to my boss at Food For All and see if I even have a job. I’m scared to death, and before you came in here, I was feeling sorry for myself and having a pity party. But I like you, Midas. I always have, even back when we were teenagers. And now that I know you a little better…yeah, I definitely want to keep in touch.”
“Good,” he said firmly. “I’ll give you my phone number, email, and address. Feel free to call me whenever you want, and write or text. And you’re gonna land on your feet, I know it. The authorities on the ship are working on figuring out how to get you somewhere safe, and they’ll help you get in touch with the Food For All people. Don’t worry about all that. You’re in good hands here on the ship.”
She nodded against him. “Okay. I’ll give you my email too.”
“Okay,” he echoed.
It felt as if a ton of bricks had been lifted off his shoulders. She wanted to stay in touch. It didn’t answer the question of where things would go for them, but it was a start.
His eyes began to get heavy as he lay with Lexie against him. He’d set his watch alarm so he knew he wouldn’t oversleep, and that, along with the woman in his arms being safe and the knowledge that they’d be communicating after he left, was enough to finally make him let down his guard.
Midas fell into a deep sleep, more restful than any he’d gotten since he’d learned that Lexie Greene, a girl he used to know, had been kidnapped.
* * *
Midas’s watch vibrated what seemed like minutes later, but had actually been three hours. Regretfully, he slipped out from under Lexie and headed for the small bathroom in the infirmary. He saw his duffle bag sitting inside the door to the room and smiled. Thank God for Mustang. He showered and changed into clean clothes before returning to Lexie’s side.
She’d turned onto her side after he left and was clutching the pillow to her chest. Midas covered her with the blanket that had slipped off her shoulders and couldn’t resist leaning in close and kissing her forehead.
Her eyes opened, and she stared at him for a second before turning onto her back. “It’s time?” she asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Be safe,” she told him.
“Always.”
“You showered,” she said.
“Yeah, I didn’t think the guys would appreciate my stinkiness on the long flights home. Not to mention everyone else.”
“You being clean makes me realize how dirty I am,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose.
