Free The Surgeon's Favorite Nurse by Teresa Southwick Page A

officially end the relationship.
    “I’m okay with it,” he said.
    “Really?”
    “Really.” He met her gaze. “Are you upset?”
    “You’re a man. I was gone a long time.” She shrugged as if that made complete sense. Maybe it did in her world.
    The waiter showed up to take their orders—filet mignon medium rare for both of them. Salads with oil and vinegar. Garlic mashed potatoes. He didn’t plan on kissing her goodnight. And it was as if the “aha” light went on inside him. Cuisine compatibility wasn’t enough on which to base a deeper connection. Not that he wanted a deep connection, but there was no point in dragging on the little they had.
    When they were alone again, she reached over and rested her hand on his again. “Now that everything is out in the open, we can discuss Senator Gold’s fundraiser next month? It’s a very high-profile event. Mainstream media will be covering it and Daddy thinks it would be good for us to be seen there.”
    He shook his head. “This isn’t working, Blair.”
    “You mean us.”
    “Yes.”
    Again he waited for a reaction. Some show of genuine emotion. Something like Hope telling him he was the first man she’d been with since her husband died. And the tears glistening in her eyes when she’d said it. She’d cared deeply for the man she’d lost. He was jealous of a dead man, whichmade him pond scum. He’d wanted to hold Hope, just to offer comfort, but she’d looked as if she’d shatter at another touch, especially his.
    “That depends on what you mean by working.” Blair lifted one perfectly arched brow. “I think what we have is a mutually beneficial relationship. You have opportunities to meet politically powerful people. And I like being with a man who’s going places, a man other women want to be with.”
    To her he was just another Paolo. A fling. A Las Vegas thing. Blair was unfazed that he’d been with another woman. Unlike Hope. She’d made her feelings about his behavior pretty clear. She’d shown genuine, uninhibited, honest emotion. She’d been clearly upset that there was another woman. Maybe she was jealous. That wouldn’t upset him in the least.
    On the contrary, her reaction produced a spark of hope that she might be interested in him. Hell, she slept with him, which should be a clue. Now he was comparing Hope to Blair as if he needed more proof that it was in Blair’s best interest for him to break things off now. He would never deliberately hurt her and prolonging this had the potential to do that.
    He slid his hand from beneath hers. “You’re a wonderful woman, Blair. But I’m pretty sure that I’m not the right man for you.”
    “Daddy thinks you are.”
    “I have a great deal of respect for Congressman Havens, but a relationship between you and me is not his call to make.”
    “No, it’s mine. And I think we shouldn’t be too hasty about calling it quits.”
    “I don’t agree. And in my opinion letting things go on as if nothing’s wrong will hurt you in the long run.”
    “That’s your official diagnosis, Doctor?” There was amusement in her tone.
    He’d never claim to be an expert on touchy-feely stuff. But one thing he had in spades was street smarts. In his gut he knew he was doing the right thing. “As far as I’m concerned we shouldn’t see each other anymore.”
    “We don’t have to be exclusive.” She sipped the last of her wine. “And I don’t believe you and I are over, Jake.”
    They were definitely done, but there was no win in hammering home his point. He’d kept his promise to Hope about full disclosure with Blair. It was important that he end this complication even though he and Hope had agreed to a strictly professional association.
    So he’d really just cleared the air with Blair because it was the smart thing to do. Pursuing anything personal at this juncture was not part of his career plan.
    The problem was still Hope. He’d never met a woman who so completely tempted him to toss