Page 9 of Secret Seduction
“Doctor Camden, Doctor Gallo had a family emergency, unfortunately.” He pulls his hand away from the dark charcoal fabric of his pants. I can see the small peek of tattoos that trail down to his wrist. The tablet in his hand is placed on the rolling cart, and I allow myself to continue my perusal.
Every inch of his body is sculpted with muscle; whether it’s from hours at the gym or working with his hands on his off time, I have no idea. All I know is I’d like a front row seat to the show he’d likely give for free. Broad shoulders taper into a lean waist, and the tone of his skin is a warm bronze; I’d see more of it if it weren’t for the damn doctor’s coat he’s wearing. It’s obstructing my view from every flex and pull as he moves. As it is, his shirt pulls taut across his chest. My eyes flicker downwards, firmly locking on his belt, along with a sizeable bulge. I should not be thinking about a man’s cock while in the hospital, especially since I’m out of commission for up to six weeks. Plus, who even knows if this man remotely thinks the same way I am? And who could blame him if he doesn’t?
In the state I’m in, hospital gown, no makeup, a swollen mess from pretty much head to toe, and feeling sorry for myself.
The clearing of his throat has me lifting my gaze upward. Apparently, finishing my perusal of the rest of his body will have to wait.
“Um, obviously, you know who I am already. Is there any chance the lab results came back?” I ask. This has been heavy on my mind since Doctor Gallo brought it up after surgery. At first, I was groggy, still coming out of it, but oncethe cogs cleared my brain, realization set in. He asked me a few questions, mostly about who he should tell. I told him no one. I’d handle the news first once I found out. My family has already been through enough, and I didn’t want them to worry unnecessarily.
“They haven’t. The rush order was pushed through, but nothing yet. You should have them by your follow-up with Doctor Gallo on Tuesday.” I deflate at the news. A few more days of sitting around and waiting, exactly what I wanted while being unable to keep my mind busy.
“Okay.” My voice sounds just as deflated, and I’m sure he can tell. “Is there any way I’ll be released soon, at least?” Ugh, I hate the way my voice has a whine to it. Things could be so much worse for me, and being down in the dumps is not the type of person I am.
“I’m hoping within the next hour or so. The nurses told me you went down to over-the-counter medicine, which I’m fine with, but I’d suggest a stronger pain reliever to get you home. I’ll also write a prescription for pain medicine just in case. I’d suggest filling it even if you don’t use it. The bloating will go down the more you move, so while you should rest, still get up every couple of hours and make a few laps around the house.” Well, shit, I haven’t been doing much of that today.
When he crosses his arms over his chest, the sleeves of his coat and the shirt beneath pull up, revealing ink traced along his wrists and forearms. My imagination runs wild, wondering how far they go. Do they climb up his arms into his shoulder only to travel down the length of his torso and run even further down his stomach? What I can see is thebold lines of the design standing out against his deep olive skin tone, drawing my eyes and daring them to linger.
“I can do that. No guarantees on me filling the prescription, though. But I will take you up on a pain pill before leaving.” I’m thinking to myself that Coralynn is driving me home. That could be dangerous. The girl never met a curb she didn’t like, not to mention speed bumps. I love my sister, but her driving is questionable. Maybe I should call Lyric back and ask for one of them to take me home.
“Good.” He goes to add something that sounds like a ‘g’ in the next word but holds himself back. Instead, I’m given a lazy smirk, one that curls up one corner of his mouth, like he’s holding back a secret. Luke doesn’t need to speak. The heat in his gaze and the way he’s carrying himself are telling me everything I need to know. The attraction isn’t one sided after all, and there’s a promise of more. The question is, will I be bold enough to make a move?
“Yeah.” My voice comes out in a husky tone, startling me since I’m not used to hearing myself this way. I pause, trying to regain a semblance of composure, which seems like an impossible task given the man standing in front of me. I clear my throat and sit up a bit, and, of course, the tie at the back of my hospital gown gets snagged between my arm and the side of my body. I’m busy trying to fix myself, one arm near my hip to adjust myself, the other trying to grab at the strings that barely hold the damn thing together, when I feel the fabric slide off my shoulder.
“Shit,” I hiss, realization hitting me that I’m damn close to having a nipple slip situation.
“Here, let me help you with that.” Doctor Camden, orLuke, as his friends call him, is near my side in an instant. I’m regretting not taking my sister up on bringing clothes of my own. The downside of that was shopping with her, and anyone who knows Coralynn is well aware that your outing will last for hours. It’s not my favorite cup of tea to begin with; add on being dragged around the whole day, starting with brunch before hitting the outdoor stores, stopping for coffee, and then moving to the mall, and then you’ll end up eating dinner out, too. No thank you. I’m more of an in-and-out type of girl. I get what I came for, then leave. Better yet, I’ll look for everything I need online, and as long as the website offers free returns, sign me up.
“Thank you.” The tips of his fingers graze the slope of my neck, moving my hand away when doing so. My hair being in a braid keeps it out of his way; it also does nothing to dull the sensations that blossom along my heated skin. It’s not just any touch, either, more like a caress, one that lingers long after he brings his other hand to help re-tie the strings together. It would seem quick and methodical to others if they happened upon us. Yet I can feel and hear the low groan he tries to muffle with a clearing of his throat.
He continues his ministrations, wreaking havoc on my insides. A shiver races down my spine in response to the slow drag of his fingers, moving an errant piece of hair that’s tumbled from my braid out of his way. The contrast between his warm touch to my cold body raises goose bumps. Time stands still, even when he’s done. Our eyes meet one another’s. He’s mesmerizing. My pulse quickens, and Luke doesn’t look away.
“Shaelynn.” He might as well be moaning my name withhow he mutters the two syllables. As his gaze explores every inch of my face, heat curls through me, causing my nipples to tighten into hard peaks. Luke’s eyes travel downward, and there’s no hiding my reaction to this man. My own do similar down the length of his body, noticing the bulge has only gotten bigger since he first entered the room.
“Knock, knock,” Coralynn’s voice breaks through our moment. Luke takes a step backward. No longer is he touching me. He’s trying his hardest to look anywhere else but at me.
“I’ll have Lucy write up your discharge papers, and you’ll have your results at your follow-up appointment. It was nice meeting you, Shaelynn.” He holds his hand out. I do the same, shaking it like we didn’t have a moment before my sister walked through the door.
“It was nice meeting you as well. Thank you.” The words are thick, tasting terrible coming out of my mouth and leaving me reeling at how he’s able to shut down his emotions so quickly.
“You as well.” He turns around, nods to my sister, grabs his tablet, which he didn’t even use, and makes his retreat through the open door.
“Did I miss something?” I shake my head in response.
“Well, what was that results speech about?” Coralynn presses on.
“More about the fibroids.” I cross my fingers beneath the blanket. It doesn’t count as lying if you use the same loophole your sister and you made up, right?
“Hmm, well, I heard the worddischarge, so we should be able to head out soon, at least.” She drops to the seat besideme, a puzzling look written all over her face. This isn’t going to end well for me. I count backwards fromfive, four, three, two, one.“Did you notice Doctor Gallo and the one who was in here are hot? What are they putting in the water, and where can I find one for me?”
“That’s Doctor Camden. He’s Gallo’s partner. I didn’t notice.”
“Bologna. The man practically eye fucked you, and you barely noticed me. That’s so unlike you. Tell me, did you at least exchange numbers?” This isn’t going to end well. She’s going to ask me four hundred questions, and if I don’t give the dog a bone, it’ll never end.
“We didn’t exchange phone numbers, weirdo. He’s essentially my doctor, a doctor who helped me tie my gown back together since I’m a klutz and almost gave him more of a show of my goodies than he probably wanted. Plus, the man is an obstetrician and gynecologist. If he’s seen one, he’s seen them all.” I lie on that last part. Not all women are created equal in any shape or form, but if it shuts my sister up, we’re going to call it good.
“Playing it that way, huh? I guess time will tell. Give me the gist of what we’re doing before I drop you off at home. Food, bar, shopping?” Coralynn is joking, though the shopping part could be serious.
“Home. Doctor Camden is sending me home with a prescription for pain medicine, just in case. After you take me home, can you drop it off at the pharmacy?” I can already feel the need to nap trying to take over. I’m going to hold off as long as I can. I’m more than ready to sleep, just at home.
