Page 44 of The Potter

I nod. “Yes, please.” No shame here. I don’t need my physician to sound educated right now.

“Fine.” His breath fans across my face. “I’ve seen pussy before, Ms. Belle. I assure you, I can remain professional.”

The way he says pussy, all gravelly and low, makes me now want to hear him say itunprofessionally.

However, I’d prefer that time to be more when I’m not sprawled out in pain, my hoo-hah shining brighter than the moon, on my employer’s living room floor. Yeah, I’d like a little more control of the situation and a lot less mortification.

“I appreciate the professionalism, Dr. Potter, but like I said, I’m fine.” I force a grin, still squeezing my eyes closed. Immature? Sure. But I think we can all agree I should get a pass.

“I won’t ask again,” is his response. His annoying, bossy response. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but I’m not.

I crack one eyelid open and find him staring down at me with a hard look on his face like he was ready to shake me. “Can you just find me a painkiller?” Seriously, maybe I can be a really bad girl and wash it down with alcohol, so I don’t lie awake all night reliving this clusterfuck of a night.

With a tilt of his head, not even anything that could be classified as a nod, Vance agrees. “After you tell me where it hurts.”

And he just can’t help but get his way. “Really, Vance?” I open both eyes so he can really see how annoyed I am with him right now. “Can you not just get me a fucking Tylenol?”

“Language,” he scolds, covering my mouth with his hand. “Now, let’s try this again. Where does it hurt?”

Maybe I was wrong about Dr. Potter. He’s annoying as a regular person, but when he’s in doctor mode, he’s unbearable. What was I thinking wanting him as my surgeon? We’ll kill each other before he finally gives me a surgery date.

He never moves his hand. It’s not until I release my grip on the shirt and move his hand myself does he rock back on his heels, ready to listen. “My hips, okay?” I give him this look that saysare you happy now?

“How much walking did you do today?” His gaze lingers at the hem of the shirt. I can tell he wants to look, but what could he possibly tell from examining my skin? It’s not like a bone is sticking out.

But then again, now that I really follow his gaze—which travels up to my chest—I think maybe he wants to examine more than just my hips.

Snapping my fingers, I pull his gaze back to my face. “I didn’t overdo it, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s the bed. It’s too soft, and you don’t have firm pillows to support the right angle I need.”

I realize a minute too late that my statement comes out sounding ungrateful. “Not that it’s your problem. I appreciate the bed. It’s the coziest one I’ve ever slept on. My body just hates me and likes for me to sleep on prison beds.”

Vance pauses, likely deciphering the rushed explanation. “I have more pillows.”

Okaaaay. “Great. If you can just help me off the floor and grab them, I will get out of your hair.”

And be alone, where I can smother myself into one of those new pillows you give me.

“Let’s finish stretching you out first.”

Dear God.

My bare cooch just clenched hard enough to take my breath. This man—theDr. Potter—just said a term I’ve heard said by multiple therapists a million times and never once did I get wet at them saying the words,Let’s get you stretched out.

Heaven help me, the first thing that came to my mind was him stretching something between my hips, not my hips themselves.

Oh, Halle. Girl, you’ve got to find yourself a vibrator… like, yesterday.The no sex since Shithead is finally catching up to you. It’s making you crazy.

“Halle?”

Vance’s baritone pulls me back to reality—which is getting so much worse by the minute. “Yeah, uh, no.” I shake my head. “I mean, no, thank you. It’s a sweet offer, but I think I’m good. Just a couple pillows and a pain reliever, and I’ll be on my way.”

He sighs hard, but I don’t let it bother me because I know how he likes to get his way.

But then he takes my calf in his hands…

Halle

“What are you doing?” I’m pretty sure I shouted the question.

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