Free Getting the Edge: Betrayed Book 1 by Hope Welsh

she said, her breakfast forgotten.
    “Yeah, that makes two of us.”
    Well, what was she supposed to say to that? She sighed. They did need to talk. She had to convince him to go away. But now wasn’t the time. They would have to talk once she was out of this stupid hospital. God, she hated hospitals! “Brandon, please. Back me up when the doctor comes in. I really can’t be here anymore.”
    “Yeah, okay, Mandy. As long as it’s safe for you to leave, that’s fine with me.”
    “Thank you.”
    He shrugged. “I’m not real fond of seeing you here, either, Amanda. The last time, if you’ll recall, wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience.
    Mandy sighed. And there it was again. She’d known it was some kind of an act. “And he’s back.”
    “I wasn’t trying to get a dig in,” he said tiredly. “Hell, I was just remembering the last time I saw you in one of these places.”
    “It’s okay. Just please, don’t pretend to be nice to me. I can take anything but that.”
    Brandon sighed, but said nothing.
    “Really, I understand. I don’t expect you to ever forgive me.”
     
    Brandon didn’t reply for a long moment. That was the crux of the matter. While he’d finally admitted to himself that he didn’t hate her, and never could, it didn’t mean that he’d forgiven her. That was something he wasn’t sure he could ever do.
    He knew it hurt her. It was apparent by the resigned look on her face; but he couldn’t help that. Until they talked and he understood exactly what had happened, he honestly didn’t know what to think about a damn thing.
    “Amanda, I honestly don’t know what to say to you. We need to talk. And we really can’t do that here. So, for now, just try to eat your breakfast, and get some more rest. Remember, you lost a lot of blood and you look like you haven’t slept well in a month.”
    “I’m not really sleepy anymore. I wish the doctor would come back so we could go. I’m going to try to get him back in here.” She pressed the nurse call light.
    “Mandy, he’ll release you when he thinks you’re ready. It’s barely seven. I’m sure he’s going to want to get blood work to be sure your blood levels are okay.”
    “I don’t want my blood drawn. I don’t like needles.”
    “Please, don’t start that again. You’ll do what you’re damn well told. Enough!” he snapped.
    The nurse poked her head inside the room. “How may I help you?”
    “Can you please see if the doctor will release me?” Mandy asked before Brandon could say anything.
    “Oh, I’m sure he will be in a bit later. He’s doing his morning rounds. There is an order for you to have blood drawn. Have they been in yet?”
    “No,” she said, resigned. “They haven’t.”
    “Oh, well he won’t release you until then, I’m sure. I’ll go see why they haven’t come.” She turned and walked away.
    “Told you so,” Brandon said with a grin.
    “You’re irritating,” Mandy said with a pout.
    “And you’re cute when you’re a brat,” he retorted.
    Before she could stop him, he leaned over and gave her a hard kiss. He pulled away after a moment, and studied her shocked face. Before she could protest, he leaned in again and kissed her gently, then deeper. He groaned when she opened her lips. He didn’t ignore the invitation, and deepened the kiss hungrily. It had been so long since he’d tasted her.
    When he finally pulled away, his breathing was ragged. “God, I’d almost forgotten,” he said huskily.
    Mandy’s eyes were wide. “Why did you do that?”
    “I wanted to. And what’s more, you wanted me to.” His grin was cocky. He knew that look on her face. Beneath the shock, there was desire. He felt himself harden. Damned if he didn’t wish they were back at the cabin. “You’re right. We need to get you out of here. I’m going to go see what the nurse found out.”
    “Okay,” she whispered as she put her fingers to her slightly swollen lips.
    Brandon was grinning as he walked