The Surgeon's Favorite Nurse by Teresa Southwick Page A

intense that made her shiver. “Can you say the same about your ride?”
    “It’s a rental.”
    “I sort of figured that out. What with the name of the leasing company on the back.”
    “You have no room to talk. At least it reliably gets me from where I hang my hat to work. That’s all I care about.”
    “Where do you live?”
    “The Residence Inn a couple of miles from the hospital.”
    “Are you working with a Realtor? If not, I can recommend someone—”
    She shook her head. “There’s no point. I accepted the assignment on a temporary basis, only until the new campus is up and running.”
    He looked puzzled. “Surely the job offer was permanent.”
    “It was. But those weren’t the terms I wanted. Human Resources was desperate and the agreement is for me to stay until they can find a long-term replacement.”
    Moving to the French doors, she stared outside at the lights until her vision blurred. Body heat and her Jake sensors made her hyperaware the instant he came up behind her.
    “I don’t understand. You’re not interested in putting down roots?” he asked.
    His breath stirred her hair and she shivered. Longing swelled through her, making her chest ache for what she would never have again. She’d put down roots once and they’d grown deep. When a senseless act of violence pulled them out, her heart came, too. It kept beating and maintained life, but that was all. The part that made her want to live and love had died.
    “No,” she finally said. “The job, car and housing are all temporary, which is just the way I want it.”
    Her attempt to keep her tone light and breezy must have failed because Jake touched her shoulders and turned her. His eyes were dark with questions.
    “What is it, Hope?”
    “Nothing. That’s just how I want my life to be.”
    “You’re not like most women, are you?” His gaze went from teasing to intense as it skimmed over her face.
    Before she could find the words to explain why temporary worked for her, he’d dipped his head and touched his mouth to hers, proving he’d missed the point. Temporary meant not doing this. Temporary meant no ties. It did not mean the sweet and sexy and soft feel of his lips on hers. Or making her forget what she’d been trying to say because her insides went liquid with longing.
    Then heat exploded through her.
    It felt as if an invisible switch flipped her mind off because suddenly their mouths were greedily devouring each other. Fumbling hands removed ties, blouse, shirt and pants. They stepped out of their shoes and Jake toed off socks before inching her toward the bed.
    When she felt the mattress behind her, he cupped her face in his hands and stared intensely into her eyes. “Hope—”
    She didn’t want to talk and touched a finger to his lips. He smiled and held her wrist still, then drew each of her fingers into his mouth, sucking until the throbbing between her thighs made her need in a way she’d never needed before.
    She settled her other hand on his bare chest and shuddered with desire at the way the dusting of hair tickled and teased. His heart pounded against her palm and it was as if she could hear the thundering sound. Then he pulled her close, reaching behind her to unhook the clasp on her bra. She backed away and kept her gaze on his as she stripped off the small scrap of chaste cotton. His eyes caught fire and turned to molten silver. His breathing was hard and heavy.
    She would never be sure whether she consciously sat on the bed or simply collapsed because her legs wouldn’t hold her any longer. But there she was with the cool sheets caressing her bare thighs. Jake took the hand she held outand slid beside her on the mattress, pulling her down with him.
    He cupped her left breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb across the nipple until it went as hard as a diamond chip. Catching her breath became a challenge when he replaced his hand with his mouth and stroked her with his tongue. She writhed beneath his