Free Here I Am by Rochelle Alers

they?”
    â€œWhy do you wear your clothes so baggy?”
    Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “And what is the other question?”
    â€œHow do you maintain a normal love life when you sign up for an extended nursing assignment?”
    â€œThe second question is a lot easier to answer than the first. Right now I’m not seeing anyone.”
    â€œBut you do date?”
    â€œYes, I date, Brandt. Why are you asking?”
    He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe one of these days when I’m not in this chair I’d like to take you out for dinner to say thanks.”
    â€œYou want to date your nurse?”
    â€œBy that time you won’t be my nurse. And it really won’t be a date.”
    Ciara stared at him in surprise, recalling his former hostility. “It wasn’t that long ago that you ordered me out of your home and now you’re talking about taking me out.”
    â€œThat’s before I got to know you.”
    â€œKnow me or came to the realization that I’m not going anywhere?”
    â€œBoth.”
    â€œI’m sorry, but I can’t go out with you.”
    â€œCan’t or won’t?”
    â€œOkay, won’t. I’ve made it a practice not to date celebrities.”
    â€œHave you ever dated one?”
    She wanted to tell Brandt to let it go, that he shouldn’t take her response as a rejection. “Yes.”
    â€œWho is he?”
    â€œI can’t tell you.” Ciara was more than surprised that he’d asked her something so personal. She was certain if she’d answered his question Brandt would recognize the name.
    A slight frown creased Brandt’s forehead. His curiosity about Ciara had just escalated. “Are you running away from him?”
    â€œNo. Why would you say that?”
    â€œI…I don’t know. Forgive me for being intrusive?”
    Ciara flashed a sexy moue. “I’ll think about it.”
    â€œDon’t think too long, Nurse Dennison.”
    â€œI thought it was going to be Ciara and Brandt.”
    â€œOops. My bad.”
    She shook her head in amazement. “I’ll accept the ‘my bad,’ but you are much too big for anything resembling ‘oops’ to come out of your mouth.”
    Throwing back his head, Brandt laughed. The sound came from deep within his chest and bubbled up like rolling thunder. A moment later her laughter joined his, both laughing until tears rolled down their cheeks. Without warning, he sobered, staring at her.
    Ciara stopped laughing, and as their eyes met she felt a shiver run through her when Brandt rolled the chair close to where she felt the warmth of his breath on her face. “What are you doing?” The query was a breathless whisper.
    Resting an arm over the back of her chair, Brandt pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFor making me laugh.”
    Ciara felt his nearness stirring and disturbing. Brandt Wainwright was too large, too masculine and much too attractive a man to ignore completely. “I’m glad I can make you laugh.”
    Brandt came closer without moving. “And I’m glad you’re here.”
    â€œDoes this mean you’re going to do whatever I tell you to do?”
    He smiled. “It all depends.”
    â€œIt depends on what?” she asked.
    â€œIt depends on how I feel when I wake up. If I’m going to be in a bad mood, then I doubt I’ll be that cooperative. But if I wake up in a good mood then you can have your way with me.”
    â€œThe only one who will have their way with you will be your physical therapist,” Ciara countered.
    â€œDamn, you really know how to kill the mood.”
    â€œThe mood?” she responded.
    â€œI’d like to think it is. It’s been a long time since I’ve shared the rooftop with a woman—a woman who’s hiding behind a baggy top and an old-lady hairdo.”
    â€œYou forgot the