Always (Time for Love Book 4) by Miranda P. Charles

mockingly, rolling his eyes. “She’s been here a day and she’s already organising me,” he muttered good-naturedly.
    “I have two weeks to get you out of your bad habit, Dr. Payne. And I take my job seriously,” she said, still frowning.
    “So how do you propose to make sure I have lunch at a decent time, when my schedule’s probably full for the next few weeks?”
    Ash’s breath hitched when Brenna’s face split into a wide smile. Not that she didn’t look beautiful when frowning, but knowing he could make her smile like that filled him with warmth. And heck, he wanted to climb over the counter and kiss her.
    “I’ll check your daily schedule and find a half-hour slot when you’re not seeing patients,” she answered. “I’ll go get your lunch for you and you can have it in your office if you need to continue to work. For the days when you’re not booked up yet, I’ll block out the time in your calendar. I suggest asking your receptionist to get your lunch. Otherwise, I’ll have to block out forty-five minutes if you’ll be getting your own lunch after I finish up here.”
    Disappointment stabbed him at the thought that Brenna would be gone in a couple of weeks. Lord, she’d only been here a day and he was already anticipating missing her when she finished up.  He had to watch himself around her or he might end up paying big for his foolishness down the track.
    “Well, it’s five o’clock,” he said, checking his watch. “I still have a few things to do before I finish up for today. Do you want to go home first, and I’ll pick you up at seven for dinner?”
    “Turning my computer off... now,” she answered, clicking away, then getting up from her seat. “I’m looking forward to tonight, Ash,” she added as she put her jacket on.
    “Me, too, Bren,” he said softly, excitement stirring within him. Seriously, where was his self-control? Hadn’t he committed to moving on from her?
    It’s not a date, Ash, he berated himself . Be careful, or you’ll get your heart all wounded again.

CHAPTER SIX
    B renna’s heart pounded when she heard the knock on her door. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she went to answer it. She rubbed her cold hands together, blowing on her palms, which were sweaty from nervous anticipation. Since she’d left his clinic, her mind had been busy imagining a flirtatious and romantic night with Ash.
    Rolling her eyes at herself, she turned the knob and opened the door.
    There he was, looking oh so hot. He must have gone home first, since he wasn’t wearing the same clothes he’d worn at work earlier today. Unless he had a change of gear stashed somewhere in his office.
    “Hi,” Ash said, his eyes sweeping her from head to toe. She blushed, hoping Ash liked her outfit. She’d deliberately worn one of her sexiest dresses and matched it with a pair of equally sexy high heels. She’d been looking forward to his reaction.
    His gaze went back to her face and he gave her a tight smile. “Ready?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.
    “Uh, sure. Let me grab my purse,” she replied, leaving Ash standing in the doorway as she retrieved her handbag.
    Well, she wasn’t expecting that response, was she? She’d imagined him telling her she looked great. Then she’d thought he’d kiss her hello—almost on the lips—while giving her a tight, lingering hug. Because wasn’t this what he’d been waiting for for so long?
    Yet he hadn’t done any of those things. In fact, he looked uncomfortable. Wasn’t he looking forward to a hot date with her? Doubts crept in, making her question the wisdom of her plans to flirt outrageously with him tonight.
    She exhaled gustily and walked back to him, smiling widely.
    “Do you have a particular place in mind for dinner?” Ash asked as they left her apartment.
    She swallowed her disappointment, keeping her smile in place. How silly of her to assume that Ash would arrange to take her somewhere romantic for their first