Page 4 of Stranger Gifts

This wasn’t her first rodeo. And no doubt, it wouldn’t be her last. She tried to remember the events of the past few hours. The coffee. The coffee that had ruined her sweater, a sweater she loved. Then she saw Willy, and he let her through. Then, then it was the elevator. She remembered being at work and setting her things down. Then Mr. Lewis walked up to her cubicle.

Oh God! I cursed him out! I’m going to be unemployed.

“You won’t lose your job,” said the rich, velvety voice. Aislinn wondered if it was her imagination or real. She tried to open her eyes, but the heaviness prohibited even one eyelash from moving. “Don’t even try. The doctor said it would be a while before you could probably open your eyes.”

“I- who are you?” she asked in a cracking voice.

“We don’t really know each other. Although, I did lie and tell them I was your boyfriend,” he said, grinning. He knew it was stupid. She couldn’t see his grin, see the face that might make her turn away and scream in horror or laugh.

“Y-you told them. Why?” she asked again, her lashes fluttering with another attempt at opening them.

“They wouldn’t have let me in otherwise.” He said it so matter-of-factly she almost didn’t question him.

“But, I don’t know you,” she said quietly.

“How do you know? You haven’t opened your eyes yet,” he said, smiling down at her.

“I-I know. I know I would recognize your voice.”

He couldn’t argue with that logic. She most likely would have recognized his voice. It was definitely distinguishable from others. The raspy velvet undertones hadn’t always been there. His new voice was courtesy of a Taliban leader.

“I don’t mean to scare you,” he said apologetically. “I’m Kane Jackson. I was passing by your office building when they were taking you out. I’m not sure why I followed, but something told me I should. I promise I’m not a psycho or a stalker.”

“So, you just decided to come along for the ride?” she asked.

“Something like that,” he said quietly.

Aislinn felt the last of the pain slip away and knew it would be okay for her to open her eyes now.

“Is the light out?” she asked.

“Yes, I thought it might be easier for you,” he said quietly. His face was something most women needed to get used to gradually. He stepped back a few steps from the bed and watched as she carefully let her eyes flutter open. He knew that she was trying to focus, trying to see his image.

“Hello,” she said quietly in the sweetest voice he’d ever heard. His breath caught in his chest, and his stomach flipped.

“Hello.”

“Can you step closer for me?” she asked.

He was hesitant, wary, and she wanted to know why. He took a small step forward, and she saw his size more clearly. He was dressed in dark jeans and a sweatshirt. His hair was shoulder-length, rich shades of wavy brown tresses kissing the broad muscles tight beneath the sweatshirt.

“Closer.”

He took another tentative step closer. She looked directly at him, directly into his face, and he held his breath. Waiting with bated breath, he prepared himself for the inevitable gasp.

“Thank you. You said your name is Kane? Do we know one another?” she asked calmly. His eyes went wide with shock. She showed no reaction at all, no signs of disgust or fear.

“Y-yes, my name is Kane. No, we don’t know each another. As I said, I saw you coming out of that building and just felt like maybe you could use someone by your side.”

“I see. And you’re used to rescuing damsels in distress?” she said with a small grin.

“Not hardly.” His lips were tight, and he watched her face. She was joking with him, actually joking with him.

“Well, I do appreciate you being here,” she said, trying to sit up. She pushed the button on the bed and raised the head, her body now upright and woozy. She waited to gain her equilibrium. “I need to leave now.”

“You can’t leave,” he said calmly.

“Why not?”

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