Page 17 of Examining the Bond

I pop the top and bring it to my nose, goosebumps already rising. I inhale a lungful of the fresh aroma, and while it hardly compares to Dr. Morales’ sharp, smoky scent, it’s enough to make memories from the clinic come rushing back. I inhale deeply once, then again, drinking it in, trying to imbed it in my sinuses.

I close my eyes, imagining she’s standing in front of me while I breathe her in. I want to crawl all over her, sniffing my way up to her neck and licking my way down.

My eyes snap open again, and I toss the body wash into my basket without a second thought. Then I drag my phone back out of my pocket before heading to the register. I pay, eager to get back to the hotel and drown myself in the soap, excited for it to cling to my skin throughout the night while I sleep.

It might not be Dr. Morales’ exact scent, but it’s close enough. My imagination can fill in the gaps.

“Can I ask one more favor?” I pause by the front door of the store and poke my bottom lip out, batting my eyelashes at Ziel.

“You need more money, don’t you?” He hardly sounds amused, but I snort a laugh at his reply.

“No.” I flash him an innocent grin. “I need you to talk to me until I get back to the hotel.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

SKYLAR

The hundred lunges I did on my lunch break didn’t help get Riann off my mind. Neither did the jog through the nearby park, though it made my thighs scream after all the reps.

By the time I get ready to leave for the day, she’s still infiltrating my thoughts, distracting me from my work and—more importantly—the next steps I’ll take if the pheromone injection has no effect on her. I can’t focus on anything but her features as I mentally retrace them, mapping them like my life depends on it. I run through every detail I know about her, like dwelling on them will somehow bring us closer.

Obsessed. It’s the best way to describe how I feel, but even admitting it makes me feel insane. I shouldn’t feel this way about a woman I just met, especially not a patient who’s trusting me with their future.

I’m a doctor. I’m supposed to put my patient’s well-being above everything else, but all I can think about is the stunning little omega in her oversized hoodie and what she might look like wearing one of mine.

Fuck.

This feels so wrong.

Not to mention, she’s only nineteen—seven years younger than me.

Dios mío…

Collecting my things as I get ready to leave for the day, I walk down the hall toward the lobby. Gwin is already gone, her desk vacant, and there isn’t anyone lingering around, which is normal for the late afternoon. As I pass the sign-in desk, I catch a faint whiff of marshmallows and freeze, my heart shooting into my throat.

I whirl around, looking for Riann, even though I know she’s long gone. She might not be here, but that’s definitely her scent.

With a cautious look around for any passersby, I creep through the lobby with my nose in the air, following the elusive scent. I do a lap around the seating area feeling like a lunatic, wondering if I actually smell rich sugar or if I’m just losing my mind.

I’m almost convinced it’s the latter until I head back toward Gwin’s desk. The scent grows slightly stronger, causing my pulse to lurch.

I stop in front of the desk and inhale a breath, long and slow. My nose leads me to the little flower pot full of pens that people use to sign in and out of the clinic. One by one, I pick through them, bringing each to my nose until I find it.

Marshmallows dance through my sinuses as I clutch the pen, and the image of Riann comes rushing back.

What I wouldn’t give to bottle this aroma, so I could carry it around with me.

The perfect little gourmand perfume…

Taking another deep whiff of the pen, I move to put it back, but I stop myself a second later. I could leave the pen for someone else to take, or I could treasure it as my own little reminder of Riann.

The correct choice is obvious.

I should put it down and walk away.

I shouldn’t tease myself by clinging to the scent of a woman I can’t have, but I don’t fucking care.

With the pen still clutched in my hand like a lifeline, I turn on the spot and head for the door.