Always(Time for Love Book 4)(13)

Ash shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, at least that’s progress,” Tracy said with an exaggerated sigh.

“Patience, Mum,” Ash said, rolling his eyes.

Brenna grew more despondent. This night wasn’t turning out the way she’d hoped it would... until she saw Ash’s eyes dart in her direction, then he hastily looked away when he saw her staring at him.

Hm. Was it her imagination or was there something in his glance? She couldn’t exactly describe what it was, and honestly, it could only be wishful thinking on her part. But she was happy to grasp at anything that indicated Ash was still affected by her, so she’d go with her guess that Ash was worried she’d heard the little conversation he had with his mother.

On the strength of that brief peep, she resolved to go ahead with her plans. Since she’d be helping out at his clinic, she’d have plenty of opportunities to put them in action, so there was no urgency tonight. It was perfect, actually, because she could flirt with Ash without his mother or her friends seeing it. And if his response was what she was hoping for, then she’d take the next step—seduction.





CHAPTER FIVE


Ash walked out of his fitness club, following his usual route to his clinic, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He read the text message and stopped in his tracks. Then he turned around and headed to Sydney’s Circular Quay train station. He got there just as Brenna was crossing the road.

“Bren!” he called, waving at her.

Brenna’s face split into a wide smile as she trotted towards him. She looked gorgeous in a light grey dress and black jacket—ready for her medical receptionist stint at the clinic.

“Hey, Ash!” she greeted, a little breathless as she reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

“What are you doing here so early? I thought we’d agreed you’d only work half-days from one o'clock.”

“I spoke with Dora on Friday and I asked if it would help if I arrived early. She said I don’t have to, but if I could spare the extra time it would be great since the morning temp could use the help. So here I am. I timed my arrival perfectly, didn’t I? I knew this was the time you usually finish at the gym, and I figured we could walk together to the clinic.”

He sighed, guilt tapping him for accepting Brenna’s offer to work during her leave. He knew she merely wanted to be helpful. That was her nature—to lend a hand whenever she could. Still, he felt this was stretching the friendship.

“Bren, why don’t you sit in a café, take your time having breakfast, maybe do a bit of shopping afterwards, then turn up at the clinic at midday?”

Brenna puffed, rolling her eyes. “Ash, you’ve already tried to talk me out of this a few times over the weekend and you’ve failed. Give up already. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to do this. Now come on. Let’s go to work,” she said impatiently, taking his hand and tugging him in the direction of the clinic.

He sucked in his breath at the zing that went through him as Brenna entwined her fingers with his. “I’ve never seen a temp get so excited about work that she’d turn up five hours early,” he said dryly, trying to sound unaffected.

“Excuse me,” she said with mock indignation. “I’m no ordinary temp. I’m Brenna Ward, Dr. Ashton Payne’s on-call person.”

“My on-call person?” he said, laughing. “What exactly does that mean?”

They stopped at a traffic light, and Brenna stood closer to him. “It means you can call me anytime you want me,” she breathed, her face inches from his.

He gulped, unable to break the eye contact. That sounded decidedly... flirtatious.

The moment was broken when he felt a jostle from behind him. The lights had turned green and pedestrians behind them were rushing to cross the road. They had to move too.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye as they walked to their destination. She couldn’t have been flirting with him back there, could she? And this hand-holding meant nothing more than a friendly gesture?

He bet there was nothing to all this. It was so unlike Brenna to come on to him. She was just a sweet, touchy-feely buddy, and she probably wasn’t even aware of what her actions were doing to him.

Yup, that would be it. That made sense more than any other explanation.

But his heart and cock were choosing not to respond to his rationalisation. They were jumping around in excitement, while his brain did its best to calm them down.

Damn it. This wasn’t helping him at all in his commitment to obliterate his feelings for her. And why the hell was he grasping her hand tightly?

Silly Ash. But he didn’t have the will to let go.

They were almost at the building where his clinic was located when he pulled her to a stop in front of a café they were passing. “Have you had breakfast?” he asked.

“I had a muesli bar on the train.”

He shook his head at her. “Let’s go in here.” He led her inside the almost-full coffee shop.

“We’re having breakfast first?” she asked.

“I’m not. You are.”

“Have you had breakfast?” she asked in a demanding tone.

“Not yet. But I’ll be fine.”

“You should have something, Ash.”