Page 22 of Healing the Leonid Doctor's Heart
“Tell me how the call goes, Marcus. This trial of candidates and surrogates—do you expect them to start soon?”
“It would be several cycles, even though I imagine this will receive a tremendous amount of push-through from the suits at the top. I’ll tell them that we can prepare quarters, expand the med bay, take on a grant for my assistants—” Marcus smirked.
Rupex shook his head, “All things I’m already paying for or am willing to pay for!”
“Ah, yes, but now I will ask for discretionary funds to run a clinic on the Comet Stalker and request a share of Dax and Skyla’s contracts, and all the costs for expanding the med bay, all the extra equipment—that won’t be out of your credit account. This could be a nice fat contract for us, Rupex. Freight and passengers...” Marcus raised his cup.
“Doesn’t matter what kind.” Rupex clinked his to it.
They parted company with chuckles and waves, but Marcus’ head was spinning.
He had to think clearly for this meeting—and all he wanted to do was to conduct a professional exam on his friend, the woman who had given him the most passion he’d experienced in seven lonely years, and the woman he wanted to bear his child.
If I’m falling in love with my potential surrogate, should I tell her not to go through with it?
The selfish part of him answered no at once.
You’ll deprive her of a child and a person to parent with. Others might not be right for her—others might be better for her.
The unselfish part of him gave a limp, “Maybe.”
His head went back to spinning.
Chapter Six
“Ibrought a portable exam table and some materials for the exam into my quarters. It’ll be more discreet there, and if anyone noticed me taking anything from the med bay, they wouldn’t have seen me bringing things into your room. Is it all right to meet in my quarters tonight?” Marcus murmured as they walked away from dinner, their arms bumping.
“That’s fine.”
Abigail’s scent intoxicated him. She was asking questions about his meeting—the hot topic of discussion in the dining hall, but he could barely answer.
In all of his years of medicine, he’d never been turned on by the thought of completing an exam.
“I guess I really don’t need to change. Shall we just head there now?” she whispered.
“Mmhm.”
He would give her his own robe to wear, set her on the table, and complete the physical exam. He had her blood tests. Infectious and communicable disease checks had been performed when she arrived, well within the window for annual medical exams.
“I know every surrogate must need this type of exam. Is there anything special tonight?” Her voice was calm, but it was a forced calm. Marcus could hear the little tremble under it as the silver door slid shut behind them.
“Are you sure you don’t want Skyla to do this?” he blurted.
Abi’s eyes widened. “Would it make you feel better?”
“No. Maybe. I... I don’t want you to think I’m unprofessional, but our lines are blurring, Abigail. Last night unlocked a new door for us, I think.”
Her smile was soft, fleeting, but still it dazzled him. It was something bashful, but still world-weary and wise. He wanted to kiss her right then, and wondered if that would make the exam better or worse?
“I think so, too. I don’t mind if our exam leads straight to practice, Marcus.”
“Well, I... The exam is functional, checking for basic structures and soundness. It should be quick. With anyone else, it would be nothing but clinical. You have to know that.”
Abi nodded. “And you have to know that with anyone else, I wouldn’t be wet at the thought of being pried open and poked at.”
Wet? His nostrils widened along with his eyes, and he decided—yes. A kiss before would make things better.
ABIGAIL RESTED ON THEexam table set up in Marcus’ bedroom area. The table unfolded and cradled her comfortably as Marcus settled herself between her legs. “All of the Felid equipment is much nicer than we have on Sapien-Three.”
