Phones ruin everything.
He picks up the ringing phone and frowns at the screen. I catch a glimpse of the name before Dr. Blake quiets the ringer. The name is “Nina Blake.” For a split second, I’m terrified that Dr. Blake has a wife I didn’t know about. That would mean the buzz between us was all in my head. But under the name is a photo of a woman who looks a lot like my doctor, just a bit older. That’s not his wife; it’s his mom.
“You can answer it,” I offer. “I don’t mind waiting.”
Dr. Blake shakes his head. “I don’t need to. It’s fine.”
I bite my lip. Why is he screening calls from his mother? I do the same thing when my mom calls, but she doesn’t call very often. There must be a story here. I wish I knew this man well enough to ask, but that’s not something a patient needs to know about her doctor.
The last five minutes seem like a lifetime ago. That call changed the atmosphere completely. What can I do to get it back?
I’m not sure it’s possible. Dr. Blake is all business now. Was I imagining the chemistry between us? That’s not possible. I bet the receptionist could feel the buzzing coming from this room.
Dr. Blake shakes his head like he’s trying to reset himself.
“Sorry about the interruption. I usually put my phone on silent, but I had the ringer on while I was eating lunch. It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t worry about it. I really don’t mind. We’re all human.”
He laughs. “Well, thanks. Now, why don’t we get down to it?”
I bite my lip again. I wish what we were getting down to was dirty.
“Sure. What do you need from me?”
“I’d like to start our exam by looking at your skin under a bright light. It won’t hurt, but it might be a little warm from the bulb. The light has a magnifier on it, so I’ll be able to take a good, close look at how AJB-9 is working for you.”
I shrug. “That sounds simple enough. Do whatever you need to do, Doc.”
“You’re probably the easiest patient I’ve ever had. Most of the people who come to see me have crazy expectations.”
Those are probably the patients who left the negative reviews I read. I’m glad I’m not like them. My mother is more likely to be that kind of patient. I didn’t inherit that trait from her, thank goodness.
“I’m pretty low maintenance,” I tell him. “I just want to make sure I age well and haven’t permanently damaged my skin.”
“Let’s take a look, then.”
Dr. Blake wheels over a lamp that looks like the ones at beauty shops. These lights are meant to bring out every flaw in the skin.
My face is warm as soon as Dr. Blake starts to examine me. It’s not just the heat coming off the lamp that has my cheeks turning red, though. Being under Dr. Blake’s scrutiny is embarrassing.
“I feel like I’m being interrogated.”
“Do you have any confessions to make?”
I laugh. “No, but I feel like I should apologize. I bet that lamp is bringing out all of my blemishes.”
I hadn’t noticed how close we were again. Suddenly, it’s like the phone call never happened. We’re back in the same position, with heat passing between us like we’re in an oven.
“Oh, Amber,” Dr. Blake growls. “You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
I don’t know who leans in first. It could have been either of us. All I know is that one second, I’m staring into Dr. Blake’s deep, blue eyes, and the next, we’re kissing.
The kiss starts out soft, like a questioning peck. Dr. Blake pulls away with a silent question. I grab the front of his doctor coat and pull him flush against me. That must be enough of an answer for him because the next time our lips meet, there’s nothing soft about it.
My teeth nibble his bottom lip as his fingers tangle in my hair. I can’t get enough of this man. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, battling with mine.
“You’re perfect, Amber,” Dr. Blake moans.
His fingers slide beneath the hem of my shirt. They’re hot against my skin.
If a doctor says you’re perfect, it must be true. I stand up from my chair and straddle him on his stool.
“Oh, Dr. Blake…”
“Call me AJ,” he whispers. “That’s what I go by.”
“AJ,” I test it out.
I enjoy how the simple nickname feels on my lips before I reattach them to his.
We make out like teenagers who are afraid our parents are going to catch us at any moment. I haven’t been this frenzied in years. It’s exhilarating.
I don’t know how AJ manages to balance us both on the small, black stool. He must have excellent core strength. Whatever the case, I don’t care. I’d happily fall to the floor with this man.
