a professional who probably made megabucks. He supposed women thought Broadhurst handsome, if they liked the scrawny, yuppie, clean-cut type. Jake had no idea why the thought irked him so much but it did. “Right. Sorry to intrude.”
Judging from the tension between her and the shrink, there still might be something between them. When Broadhurst returned from his trip, Hannah would probably wind up back in his arms, or in some other doctor’s, so Jake didn’t have to feel too guilty about being with her during the interim.
And with Broadhurst out of town, he’d have the perfect opportunity to cozy up to Hannah.
Chapter Six
Hannah helped Jake settle into the front seat of her Volvo, ignoring the little embarrassed chortle he’d emitted when she’d placed the foam doughnut in the seat. Being a patient definitely humbled a person, and she always made a conscious effort to help her patients maintain their dignity. She also avoided personal relationships with them.
Especially patients who worked with her father.
Why had Wiley been so stubborn earlier? Just because he’d made a good profit this month, he felt he owed her a tidy sum to help pay off her medical-school loans. But Hannah insisted on paying her own way, had never taken money from him and didn’t intend to now, at least not for herself. She’d simply put the money in a fund for a graduation party for Alison.
Determined to spend as little time as possible with her father’s employee, she maneuvered her car into the light afternoon traffic. “Where do you live, Mr. Tippins?”
“Call me Jake.”
Hannah’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel at the sound of his husky low voice. Somehow calling him by his first name seemed so…intimate. “All right, Jake. Where can I take you?”
“I’m renting one of those little duplexes on Ivy Street. Do you know where they are?”
“Sure. I’ll have you home in a jiffy.” Then I can get away from you.
“No hurry. I suppose I’ll be taking a couple of days off work.”
His tone implied he didn’t relish the idea of a forced vacation.
“Dad will definitely cover your salary, Jake, plus the hospital bills and any further treatment you need. After all, you were hurt on the job.”
“I’m not worried about the money,” he said tightly.
Hannah winced. Apparently she’d stepped on that abominable male pride again.
“Sorry, I just wanted you to be able to relax and take it easy.”
“Doctor’s orders?”
“Yes.” Out of the corner of her eye, Hannah caught him staring at her. Masculinity oozed from every pore of the man’s big long body. Dark stubble grazed his wide chin, his bronze skin giving him an even darker, more sensual look. His thick blunt fingers were wrapped around the envelope containing his wallet and keys, and his legs were so long they touched the dash. His brawny body and sexy gaze oozed with testosterone. And those eyes, darker than any chocolate she’d ever seen, were tinted with flecks of gold that made her think of snuggling by a fire on a cozy, dark night.
A lazy grin spread on his face as if he recognized the electricity humming between them and planned to stoke the fire. Well, she didn’t. She didn’t like this…this weird hot feeling that strummed through her body every time he looked at her or simply spoke her name. Her granny had been mistaken about him being her destiny. He was the exact opposite of what she wanted in a man—she wanted calm, safe, someone who didn’t rattle her.
“So, with Wiley’s connections, why aren’t you driving a Porsche or some sporty little convertible?”
“I happen to like my Volvo, Mr. Tippins.”
“Jake.”
“What?”
“You called me Mr. Tippins again. Mr. sounds too formal, especially considering…”
Heat rushed up Hannah’s neck, uncharacteristic of her. Their meeting hadn’t been personal, but professional. “All the more reason I should stick to formalities. You’re my patient, Mr.
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