Free Strictly Professional by Sandy Sullivan

Molly?”
    “Yes. She’s off the vent and doing wonderfully. They did end up removing her spleen. She had a bleed.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Good catch, by the way.”
    “I’m glad she’s doing better.”
    He traced the water droplet on his glass before he looked at her again. “How close were you and her father? I mean, you said you went to high school together, but there seemed to be a little familiarity between you.”
    She took a deep breath before she said, “Tony and I were supposed to get married.”

Chapter Five

    “Married?”
    “Yes.” He waited for her to explain. She could tell by the look in his eyes. The waitress arrived with their meal and Savannah focused on the food on her plate so she wouldn’t have to see the question on his face.
    He cleared his throat and said, “Sorry. None of my business.”
    She laid her napkin on her lap before she raised her gaze to his. “Tony and I dated in high school. I was in love with him—or thought so, anyway. When he found out I had been accepted here for medical school, he wanted me to give up my dream and live in Houston with him.”
    Brandon frowned. “And how did he plan to support you?”
    “He didn’t.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “He didn’t plan on supporting me. He wanted to play football and let my parents support us until he could go pro.” She shrugged and peered at the tablecloth for a moment. With a small self-discriminating laugh, she added, “Of course, I understand he plays for the Tennessee Titans. I should have known he’d be around here somewhere, but I really wasn’t prepared to run into him like that.”
    “But you didn’t know it then. It might have been a very long time—if ever.”
    “I realize that. I told him forget it and left that fall to come here.”
    Brandon reached across the table and laced their fingers together. “I’m glad you did. Somehow I can’t see you letting any man take advantage of you.”
    She pulled her hand out of his grasp. “No. I won’t.”

    * * * *

    When they pulled into the driveway at his house, she whispered, “Wow! You live here?”
    He chuckled softly. “Yeah.”
    “Alone?”
    “Yes, Savannah, alone.” He walked around and opened her door. “Would you like to come in for a minute?”
    She chewed her bottom lip.
    “I don’t bite.” He bent toward her ear and whispered, “Not hard, anyway.”
    Her heart slammed against her ribs when her gaze met his and he smiled. He took her hand in his warm grasp and headed toward the front door. “You have property behind the house?”
    “Twenty acres. I needed somewhere to keep my horse.”
    She knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t seem to help it. The feelings he stirred with a simple touch or look had her body in overdrive. “You have horses?”
    He slipped the key into the front door and pushed it open. “There are five back there to be exact.”
    “Do you ride a lot?”
    He tossed the keys on the table near the door. “All the time if I could, but I usually don’t have that much time. I try to go at least once a week.”
    When he flipped on the lights, she stood in awe at the expansive entry way with its marble tile floor and wrought iron accents. “This is beautiful, Brandon.”
    “Thanks. I paid someone to decorate it. I’m terrible at matching colors and things like that.” He pulled her into the living room and turned on a light next to the couch. “How about something to drink?”
    “Mmm...water, milk, whatever is good,” she said, taking a seat on the suede couch. “This is really soft.”
    The kitchen sat off to her right with a large granite island, sparkling stainless steel appliances, and cherry wood cabinets. She could see him opening the refrigerator and taking out a pitcher before he grabbed a couple of glasses out of the cupboard to his left.
    “I know. I love that couch. You could sink into the cushions and never come out,” he answered from the kitchen.
    A couple of minutes later, he stood next to her