Page 13 of Doctor's Demands
With a nod, I say, “I do. Did this man specify what kind of things he wants to do? You see, I didn’t know what to put, as the list was so long. I don’t mind playing doctor in the traditional sense of it. But there are things I won’t do.”
“Okay, check off what you will do on this list here. I’ll enter that into the computer and then we’ll know if that man will actually bid for you or not.”
Looking it over, I find that I won’t do most of the things. I end up checking that I’ll let them check my blood pressure and some other easy things like that, but most go unchecked. I push the paper back to her after I sign it. “Those things I didn’t check, I want to be checked as hard limits. I won’t do any of them, ever.”
With a nod, she takes the paper and says, “Go back to your seat, please.”
She hurries off as I dally around the hallway a little, not in a rush to go back and sit down again. The sound of a door opening draws my attention and I look behind me, finding a tall, muscular man with dark waves that hang to his broad shoulders is looking at me with a smile on his face. He waves at me with the slightest movement of his hand as we stare at each other.
I wave back and smile at him too. He looks like a movie star in his black tuxedo. His face is tanned and handsome.So, damn handsome!
Now he’s the kind of man I fantasized about winning me. And Leticia acted as if no one like that even existed at this club. But he does exist. And he’s looking at me like he’s interested. He might be a bidder. He might be the man I get to spend the next three months with!
I wonder if I can talk to him, or ask him if he’s bidding on me. He’s not looking away or moving. I could walk up to him and just ask him that simple question.
Our eyes lock for only a moment, then my name is called and I have to go. He walks away and I watch him as he takes long strides. He seems so familiar.
Walking down the hallway to find out who’s won me, I think about why the man looks so familiar. Then it hits me. I’ve seen him on television before. On a reality show.
Beverly Hills something or other. It’s a show about plastic surgery and he’s one of the surgeons. God, what if he was the one who wanted the medical play and I’ve ruined it?
I didn’t want to do any of that stuff, but if he’s the one doing it then maybe I wouldn’t mind. I wonder if I can get Isabel to change my answers. But my name’s already been called and that means the deal is done.
Why didn’t I think about who might be asking such a thing?
That doctor is hot as hell and I’m an idiot for thinking too much about those things that were on that fucking piece of paper. Hell, he can examine me all he wants to!
Shit! Now who’ll get me?
The man’s name is eluding me as I go to the side entrance. His name is on the tip of my tongue. I can almost see it in my mind.
One of the trainers is waiting for me with his hand extended. “Here she is. Petra Bakari.”
Then the name comes to me and I whisper to myself, “Dr. Owen Cantrell!”
Owen
I didn’t expect to find Petra in the hallway, but when I came out of the men’s room and saw her standing there, I almost went straight over to her, which is frowned upon.
Somehow, I managed to stay right where I was and only look at her. Her smile was bright and she looked happy to see me. Not that she knows who I am.
I always let my hair grow out for the summer. On the shows, it’s kept short and I make them use a lot of makeup on me, so that I’m not recognized very easily when I come to Portland. And I don’t let the women I take see me either. Just to be completely safe about it.
When our eyes met, I felt more than a spark for her. If I get her, I don’t know what all I’ll do with her. I have a feeling I might stray from my usual patterns.
I heard her name announced and had to hurry to get back to the bidders’ box. Isabel must’ve gotten back with the results she said she’d need if mustache man bids on Petra, something I hope he won’t do. It’ll be much easier if it’s only the old guy and me. I’ve already placed a hefty bid in the envelope I gave Isabel. I doubt that man has as much money as I have to spare for such a thing.
It’s funny, but I’m glad she got to see my face. Once I have her, she’ll never see it again, but I’ll be able to watch her all I want to. The video system was installed and I’ll be able to monitor her with my cell when I’m out.
As I walk into the room, I see another man has decided to bid on Petra. Isabel is taking his envelope and my heart starts to pound. She looks at me with a smile. “Good. You’re back. We can announce the winner of Petra Bakari now.”
The old man looks at me with a grim expression. “I thought you weren’t bidding on her.”
With a shrug, I take a seat with the rest of them and wait to see what Isabel has to say. She looks at mustache man and says, “I’m afraid you won’t be able to bid on Miss Bakari. She’s marked all the things you asked for as hard limits. That leaves three bids on her.”
She opens my envelope first and looks at me. “Nice.”
I nod and find myself praying that the other two are lower. Looking out at Petra as she stands there, waiting to see who will get her, I can’t stand that she has to go through this. This doesn’t come naturally to her. She’s trying so damn hard, but her expression gives away the fear she’s having.
