Sheryl Lister - Giving My All To You

Faith’s eyes lit up. “Hi, and thank you. They’re beautiful.”

The smile she gave Brandon warmed him all over and made him glad that he had purchased them. “How are you feeling today?”

“My face still stings from all the cuts and being hit by the airbag, my shoulder hurts like crazy and my body is sore. But, it could’ve been worse so I’m grateful.”

His gaze roamed over her face. He hadn’t imagined her beauty. Even with the small abrasions, her ebony skin looked soft to the touch and he stifled the urge to stroke a finger down her cheek to find out. “Has the doctor said how long they’re keeping you?”

“She said I can go home tomorrow afternoon sometime.”

“You said you got into town on Tuesday. Where are you staying?”

“I booked a room at one of those extended stay hotels near the airport.”

“So that means you’ll be here for a little while.” He didn’t know why the prospect of her being around longer made him happy.

“Yes. I have some business to take care of and I don’t know how long it will take.”

“By the looks of your car, you’ll have to get another one.”

“It’s a rental, and that’s one more thing to add to my growing list. Weird things happen, I’m learning, so I plan to take it one step at a time.”

“How are you getting home tomorrow?”

Faith shrugged. “Probably take a cab.”

“I’ll pick you up,” Brandon said without thought. He’d never taken off work for a woman. Ever. But the moment the words left his mouth, they felt right.

“You don’t have to do that, Brandon. You’ve been very nice and I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I don’t want to impose on you.”

“It’s no trouble, Faith. You’re still healing and in a new city. You shouldn’t have to worry about trying to figure out transportation, as well.”

“I don’t want to disrupt your family time.”

“My family gets together about once a month at my parents’ house...on a Sunday. I don’t have any other commitments. To anyone.” Brandon held her gaze, wanting her to understand exactly what he meant. True, he wanted to make sure she got settled safely, but he also wanted to see her again and learn more about her. Aside from her beauty, he was drawn to her smile and positive attitude despite her current circumstances. He probably would have been as grouchy as a bear if their places were switched.

“Oh.”

He smiled. “I’ll be here around one in case they let you out earlier. Do you have a number where I can call you?”

“I have my cell.”

Brandon pulled out his phone and inputted the numbers she recited. “Let me give you mine in case you need something before I get here.” She opened her phone to the contacts, he added his name and number and handed it back. Their hands brushed and he felt the same spark he had the night before, which made him all the more curious. Sure he dated when it suited him but Brandon couldn’t explain this attraction. It was...different.

Faith lifted a brow. “Are you sure you can take off work? I don’t want to cause you problems with your job.”

He opened his mouth to tell her that technically he was the boss, but changed his mind. Not that he’d put Faith in the same category, but since he had been appointed director of the safety division three years ago, women tended to be more attracted to the money they thought he made than him. His last long-term relationship ended when his girlfriend became angry because Brandon refused to give her two brothers jobs in management with a hefty salary, despite the fact that neither man had a college degree or had ever worked in a company such as theirs. After that, he kept his job and title to himself. “It won’t be a problem. I have enough leave time accumulated to give every employee a week off.” That much was true. He rarely took days off, and his father forced him to take at least one week off for vacation yearly.

She laughed. “Must be nice.”

The warm sound of her laugh elicited a strange stirring in his gut. “It is.”

The nurse came in with Faith’s dinner, placed it on the tray and positioned it in front of her. When Faith said she didn’t need anything else, the woman departed with a smile.

Faith lifted the dome and wrinkled her nose. “Ugh. I’ll be glad to get out of here and get some real food.”

Brandon laughed. “When you’re better, maybe we can go out for dinner or something so you can get that real food. That is if it doesn’t interfere with your business.”

She gave him a shy smile. “I’d like that.”

He wanted to stay and talk to her, but knew she needed to rest. “You should eat your dinner before it gets cold.”

“Gee, thanks,” she said with a chuckle, glancing at the tray. “That dinner can’t come soon enough.”

Looking down at the plate filled with shriveled green beans, dry mashed potatoes and some kind of meat smothered in brown gravy, he agreed. “Yeah.”

“You’re welcome to join me.”

“I would, but I had a late lunch.” In reality, he’d barely stopped for lunch and was starving. But not enough to voluntarily eat hospital food.

“Coward.”

“You’ve got that right.”

Faith winced.

“Pain coming back?”

She closed her eyes for a moment. “Yep.”

“I didn’t mean to stay so long,” Brandon said with concern.

“You didn’t. You helped me forget about the pain for a few minutes,” she added softly.

Their eyes held for a lengthy moment. “Do you want me to get the nurse?”

“I have the call button right here.” She pressed it and moments later a nurse entered.

“What can I get for you?” the nurse asked.

“The pain is back with a vengeance,” Faith said.

“On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate it?”

“Nine and a half.”

Brandon stood off to the side while the nurse checked to see when Faith had medication last. She retrieved the pills from a locked cabinet, placed them in a small cup and handed them to Faith, along with some water.

“Thank you.”

The nurse took the cup, tossed it into the trash and departed.

“That’s my cue,” Brandon said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Unable to resist, he reached for her hand, wanting to touch her again, and placed a soft kiss on the back. Her gaze flew to his. Had she felt the same current flowing as he did?

She eased her hand back. “Good night, Brandon, and thanks for stopping by.”

“Good night.” Brandon told himself he wasn’t in the market for a relationship and he needed to put a tight rein on whatever was happening between them, regardless of their mutual attraction. Besides, Faith didn’t live in LA and long-distance relationships had never been on his list. However, he had agreed to take her to dinner, but that was it. One dinner. Nothing else.

Chapter 3

“Got a minute, Dad?” Brandon said, entering his father’s office Friday.

“Of course.” As usual, his shirtsleeves were still down and his tie tightened. The man seemed to never break a sweat.

He glanced around the space that would be his, hopefully soon, and took the chair on the other side of the large mahogany desk. “You mind if I take off for the rest of the day?”

His father checked his watch and lifted a brow. “You coming down with something?”

“No,” he answered with a chuckle.

“It’s noon, Brandon. I can’t remember one time that you’ve left this early. Actually, I don’t think you ever have. Most times I have to threaten to have security remove you.”

“That’s cold, Dad. Anyway, I promised to help a friend.”

His dad smiled. “Go ahead. You need to take some time off anyhow. And you know you don’t really have to ask, son.”