Strictly Professional (5 page)

Once the water ran hot, she slipped beneath the stream and sighed. “Good Lord, that feels heavenly. Now if I just had a gorgeous guy to wash my back...” Her eyes snapped open and she cussed when the water dripped into her eye. The image of Brandon Cooper swam in front of her before she shook her head, grabbed her shampoo, and started to vigorously scrub her hair. “The last thing I need is to get involved with him.”

When she finished her shower, and dried off, she got dressed and then headed back into her bedroom for her shoes. “I’m glad I packed before I went to sleep.” Savannah checked her watch, grabbed her bag and car keys, and headed for the door. “I’ve got just enough time to stop for a coffee.”

Several minutes later, she stood in line at Starbucks tapping her foot impatiently. The twenty-something young woman behind the counter was taking forever while she openly flirted with the guy in front. Savannah looked at the time and then shot an exasperated frown over the shoulder of the customer in front of her.

A small tap on her shoulder drew her attention. She sucked in a sharp breath when she met the startling blue eyes of Brandon Cooper.

“Hi. I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you were catching a plane to Texas.”

“I was—I mean, I am. Five hours of sleep doesn’t do a body good.”

He cocked an eyebrow and did a thorough once over before his gaze returned to her face. Heat flushed up her neck and splashed across her cheeks. “Mmm...you look pretty perky for five hours of sleep.”

“I’d be even perkier if I had some caffeine.” She shot a look over her shoulder, noticing the man in front had finally moved. “I’m kind of shocked you’re here, too. You couldn’t have gotten much more sleep than me.”

“Haven’t been to bed yet.”

“Ah.” She moved to the counter and ordered a venti mocha latte before she turned back around. “Do you live close by? I mean, I know this isn’t on the way to the hospital or anything.”

His lips lifted in a smile and she almost sighed when the dimple peeked out of his cheek. “Actually, yes, I do. I moved into a house not far from here.” He stepped toward the counter and ordered his coffee.

She picked up her drink and said, “Listen. I’d love to sit and chat, but I need to catch a plane. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“Sure. Have a good time in Texas.”

“Um...probably not.”

“Oh?”

She shook her head. “It’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell you someday, but not now. I don’t have time.” She smiled and pulled out her car keys. “See you later.”

“Yep. Be careful.”

Frown lines settled between her eyebrows for a moment before she nodded and headed for the door. Slipping inside her car, she stuck the key in the ignition and turned it. Nothing happened. She smacked her hand against the steering wheel. “Shit. I don’t need this right now!” Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the leather cover and sighed. “Just my damn luck.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

One eye peeled open and she turned her head. Brandon stood next to her car.

She grabbed the crank handle for the window and rolled it down.

“Need a hand?”

“Are you any good with cars?”

His nose wrinkled. “Some. What seems to be the problem?”

“I don’t know. It ran fine coming here, but now it won’t start.”

“Did you turn the key?”

Her lips pursed and she fought the urge to growl in frustration.

Stupid man.

“Of course I turned the key. When I did, nothing happened.”

“No noise or anything? It didn’t try to turn over at all?”

“Nope.”

“Mmm...pop the back and I’ll take a look.”

She pulled the release and after she heard it pop open, she opened the door and stepped out. Brandon had his head under the rear hood and she had the most luscious view of his ass in jeans.

Holy hot damn!

“Anything I can help with?”

“Nope.” He stepped back. “Sorry to tell you this, but it appears to be a cracked distributor cap. Simple fix, but requires a trip to a parts store.”

“I don’t have time for that. My flight leaves in like ninety minutes.”

He cocked his head to the side and the dimple peeked out again. “I’ll give you a ride to the airport and you can pick up your car when you get back.”

“You’d do that?”

“Of course. Why not?”

She shrugged and brushed a curl out of her eye. “Well, it’s kind of out of the way and I guess I didn’t expect it. That’s all. I mean, we just met.”

“I’m not doing anything at the moment and even though we haven’t known each other long, I can help you out. It doesn’t hurt to be a friend. I don’t have too many here in Tennessee yet.”

A friend? Friend with benefits? I need to get that thought right out of my head!

“I would appreciate the lift. I guess my car can stay here until I get back. Hopefully they won’t tow it.”

“Don’t worry about it. Leave me the key, I’ll fix it and take it to my place so it doesn’t get towed anywhere. I’ll pick you up at the airport when you get back into town.”

She shook her head. “Really, Brandon. It’s very sweet of you, but I...”

“You don’t have time to argue with me about it, Savannah. You need a lift to the airport so you don’t miss your plane and piss off your family.”

“All right, all right.” He smiled and her heart skipped a beat. “Let me grab my bag.”

A few moments later, she sat next to him inside his truck, headed for the airport.

He glanced at her for a second before turning his attention back out the windshield. “How long are you going to be gone?”

“I’m flying back in on Monday afternoon.”

“Perfect. I’m not working either of those days, so I can pick you up at whatever time you fly back.”

Savannah pulled out her cell phone and said, “What’s your number so I can program it into my phone and call you when I land?”

Brandon rattled off the number and handed her his phone. “I don’t have any plans, so I should be available whatever time you get in. Can you put yours in my phone for me since I’m driving? That way I have it in case something else is wrong with your car. I’m not a mechanic, by any means.”

They continued to drive along in silence while odd thoughts zipped around in her head. Thoughts of what it might be like to kiss him, have him run those strong hands over her curves, his lips down her neck and suck...damn it!

She cleared her throat and squirmed on the leather seat, trying to relieve the pressure suddenly building between her thighs.

It’s been way too long since I’ve been with a man. That’s all. No big deal.

“So what’s this long story you talked about? The reason behind your trip home?”

Heat crawled up her neck and she dropped her gaze to the dashboard.

“You’re blushing.”

Savannah laid her hands on her cheeks and glanced his way. “I know.”

A crooked grin spilled across his lips and he said, “Why? It can’t be that bad.”

Savannah rolled her eyes and sighed. “Yes it is. I bet your parents don’t harass you every year about getting married and having children.”

Brandon chuckled and then broke into full-blown laughter. Her breath caught in her throat when the dimples peeked out of both cheeks. She’d seen the one, but with his full laughter, both cut serious dents into his face and his blue eyes sparkled with mirth.

“What?”

When he could finally catch his breath and wipe the tears from his face, he answered, “Yes they do.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Well maybe not every year, but almost every time I see them. Being thirty-five and not married tends to make parents a bit more...um...vocal about their wants.”

She chuckled softly. “Yeah. That’s what this trips all about, I’m sure. Our yearly taking to. My sisters and I are meeting there for the weekend at mom and dad’s request.”

“How many sisters do you have?”

“Three, but I’m the eldest at thirty and believe me, I hear about it all the time.”

He pulled the truck up to the curb at the airport and put it in park.

“Thanks for the lift.”

“You’re welcome.”

He stepped out and walked around to the passenger side to open her door, surprising her with his gentlemanly behavior.

Men don’t do that anymore. Well, he obviously does.

A moment later, she found herself in his arms looking up into his intense gaze.

Chapter Three

The scent of her shampoo wrapped itself around his senses and when she looked up, he had the insane urge to kiss her. The strawberry fragrance reminded him of visits to California when he was a kid with all the strawberry fields everywhere. Coming from her hair, it made him think of sunshine, picnics, long walks, and babies.

For a split second, he let his mouth drift toward hers. A loud honk interrupted his thoughts and a man yelled from his car. “Hey! Do that somewhere else, would ya? Some of us need to drop off passengers, too.”

He quickly released her and muttered, “Sorry.”

“It’s my fault. I caught my foot on the running board, I think.” She shifted to her left foot and moved away. “Thanks for catching me, though. I can’t imagine going to my parents with a big black eye.”

“Sure. I guess I’ll see you when you get back.” He let a smile drift across his mouth. “Have a good time.” Her nose wrinkled and he chuckled. “Okay maybe not, but at least you’ll get to see your sisters and your parents.”

A quick lift of her lips and his heart slammed against his ribs.

“I haven’t seen them for awhile, so visiting will be good.”

Another honk and he stepped up to shut the door. “I better move before someone decides to try to move it for me.”

“Yeah. Thanks again for the ride.”

“Bye, Savannah.”

“Bye, Brandon.”

* * * *

She shot one last glance over her shoulder and watched him drive away from the curb before she walked inside the terminal. The line for security wrapped around, back and forth and she sighed. She hated flying. Loathed it with a passion, but she didn’t have time to drive home this trip like she usually did. “My car couldn’t even make it to the airport,” she grumbled. A moment later, she captured her lower lip between her teeth when she thought about her savior. Brandon. “Well I guess I can’t complain. He does look mighty nice in jeans.”

The security guy cocked an eyebrow, took her identification and ticket, compared the two, and shot her a bored glance before he handed it back. “Have a good flight.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

The gate for her flight came into view as she made her way down the carpeted corridor. Several people had already taken seats around the area, so she found an empty corner, propped up her roller suitcase, and sat down to wait for boarding. Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket and she struggled for a moment to retrieve it.