Page 66 of Hostile Secret
Their faces instantly make me smile and, after a fleeting heartbeat of happiness, reality hits me all over again. He’s gone.
Every muscle in my body tightens and my lungs burn. The possessive hand on my back glides to my shoulder and I’m tugged closer to Giovanni’s side. I don’t question it or try to pull away, because the sensation of him next to me is a comfort, even when it shouldn’t be.
Together, we walk side by side into the clinic’s reception area and stop at the front desk.
“We have an appointment with Dr. Valderrama. We’re earlier than expected.” Giovanni announces, giving the receptionist a mild heart attack when he addresses her in that commanding, deep voice of his.
“Okay…” Her long lashes bat quickly as she stares up at him, and then glances at me. “And the name?”
“You’re new here, right?” She nods and I don’t miss her quick intake of air. “Dr. Valderrama is expecting me,” he says with his usual air of confidence. “The name is Giovanni.”
“Yes, sir.” She unintentionally bites her bottom lip and lifts the telephone receiver, not knowing where to look next.
I’m not surprised she’s flustered. His god-like demeanor sets off a chain reaction of goosebumps and her arms are covered in them.
“There’s a man called Giovanni in reception, he—” Her eyes widen a fraction. “Of course. I’ll bring him in right away.”
Once the call ends, he doesn’t wait for her to speak. Instead, he does a one-eighty with me pinned to his side and starts walking.
“Wait… I’ll show you to the room.” The receptionist calls after us.
“I know where I’m going.”
He ushers me along the corridor, passing numerous doors until he knocks on one and enters without waiting for an invitation.
“Doctor.” Giovanni holds out his hand. “Thanks for fitting us in. I appreciate your professionalism and discretion, as usual.”
Dr. Valderrama rises from behind her desk, flicks a loose curl of long molasses hair behind her shoulder, and struts towards us in a pair of patent stilettos.
“Giovanni.” The doctor smiles at him and lifts a manila folder from her desk.
She’s in her mid-thirties, all curves, obviously well-educated, and radiating confidence. Whereas I’m a high school student and embarrassingly inexperienced. The beautiful doctor is the caliber of woman men choose for a wife. Rather than a dispensable sex toy like me.
“Here’s your report. A clean bill of sexual health.”
He nods his head. “Thought so. I don’t need to see the report. You can shred it.”
“Consider it done, Giovanni.” My insides recoil when she plays with the pendant close to her cleavage. “And you must be India?” She smiles at me, her bright white teeth visible behind full putty-colored lips.
I nod once and try to shirk out from under his arm, but his hold on me only tightens. These two have a history together. I can feel it in my bones.
“Take a seat.” She waves a hand at the duo of chairs in front of her desk. Before Giovanni releases me, she adds, “India, I’ll need you to take a pregnancy test before we begin.”
I freeze. “Why… I’m not pregnant.”
“She’s a virgin.” Giovanni states matter-of-factly, his hand traveling from my shoulder to my ass and falling away, leaving me alone. “We can skip the test.”
Dr. Valderrama’s perfectly shaped brows rise. “Are you certain?”
“I’d bet your life on it, Doctor.”
“Fine.” She folds her arms and props her ass on the edge of the desk, eyeing me when I sit. “And you're otherwise healthy?”
“Yes.”
“When was your last period?”
“A few weeks ago. I don’t log the dates.”
