Page 13 of Blind Attraction

“Now, I’m going to turn the light off and take a look.”

He moved closer, making sure his footsteps were silent.

“Ouch. Yes, you have done a bit of damage, haven’t you?”

“What does that mean?”

“Oh, honey, it isn’t anything to be concerned about. There are scratches in both eyes, but none of them are deep enough to cause permanent damage.”

Mitch hovered at the side of the doorway.

“Are there any glass splinters in there? It feels horrible and I can’t keep my eyes open.”

His heart ached at her discomfort, and still, he had no idea why. Those fleeting moments where he peered down at her from the stage had crawled under his skin and settled uncomfortably in his chest. He wanted to help her. Comfort her. Make love to her. And his soul demanded he do it now.

“No, there’s no debris. The pain comes from moving your eyelids over the abrasions when you open and close your eyes. It’s temporary. Corneas heal rapidly.”

The light flicked on, and Mitch jerked back out of view.

“Now, I’m going to get you to wear some bandage contacts. They will cover the scratches so it doesn’t hurt to blink your eyes. They also speed up the recovery time and lessen the risk of infection.”

“All right.” Alana’s voice came soft and hesitant.

“Have you worn contacts before?”

Cupboards opened and closed, followed by the tear of cardboard and the squeak of ripped plastic.

“No. I’ve never had problems with my sight.”

“OK, rest your head back and try to keep both eyes open as long as you can…There, the first one is done…and…the second one too. You’re a pro.”

Alana chuckled. “That feels better already. Didn’t help with the sight though.”

“No it won’t help with that at all.” A chair creaked. “You’re going to need someone to take care of you for at least a day or two. Until the damage begins to heal and you can see again.”

Deafening silence filled the air. He peeked his head around the doorframe to take another look. Alana sat in the hydraulic chair, her forehead wrinkled in concern, her eyes open and staring straight ahead. He’d almost forgotten how gorgeous those light green irises were.

Louise stopped scribbling on a piece of paper at her desk and glanced over her shoulder. “Is everything all right, honey?”

Alana shook her head and raked her fingers through the loose strands of her hair. “I’m not from Richmond, and the friend I’m staying with is working tomorrow.” She lowered her voice. “I’m not sure how I’m going to cope on my own.”

Mitch pressed a clenched fist against his mouth to hold in his offer to help. For starters, he wasn’t meant to be hovering in the doorway.

“How about your boyfriend? I’m sure Mitch or one of his family members wouldn’t mind having you around for a while.”

A grin pulled at his lips when the tops of Alana’s cheeks darkened.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she whispered. “He’s...” She bit her bottom lip. “He can’t take care of me.”

Like hell he couldn’t.

“You can stay with me.” He stepped into the middle of the doorway and Louise turned to smile at him. Alana shook her head, and he now noticed the dark smudges of fatigue under her eyes.

“We can discuss it back at the hotel.” He reached for the piece of paper Louise held out and read the name of the eye drops he needed to organize the concierge to buy. “It’s already past three o’clock. We need sleep.”

Alana rubbed her eyelids and began to stand. “Thank you so much for seeing me in the middle of the night, Louise.”

Mitch rushed to grab her arm, steadying her while she stepped from the chairs platform.

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