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By leaving at five thirty, Brandon ended up right in the middle of rush-hour traffic. It took him more than an hour to get to the hospital, a drive that would have normally been twenty minutes. He parked in the lot and entered the lobby. Passing the gift shop, he saw several floral bouquets lining the window. On an impulse, he ducked inside and bought one, surprising himself. He usually steered clear of those types of sentiments because he didn’t want women to read anything into the gesture.
He took the elevator to her floor and poked his head in the door. Seeing that Faith was awake, he walked fully into the room. “Hi. These are for you.” He placed them on the small table.
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.
