Page 21 of Examining the Bond

“All I’m saying is don’t write her off and don’t miss your shot.” She stabs the fork into a mushroom and pops it into her mouth. “If you feel something, go for it.”

I mumble in agreement, eager to drop the conversation, even though I’m sure Lana’s right. She normally is.

If I get the opportunity, maybe I’ll tell Riann how I feel. Maybe I’ll offer to show her around Boston. Maybe I’ll ask her out to dinner.

And maybe she’ll think I’m a creep for coming on too strong.

I pay for the check and sign with the marshmallow-scented pen tucked into my breast pocket, breathing in the aroma as I consider Lana’s suggestion.

Sure, rejection would be embarrassing, but the regret of not saying anything would be even worse.

CHAPTER TEN

RIANN

I walk coolly into the hotel and stroll over to the elevator, receiving a nod from the man at the front desk. However, the second I reach the third floor, my chill demeanor evaporates. I sprint to my room like a madwoman, snapping the door closed behind me.

Sure, I'm eager to sink my teeth into the candy I bought—I even broke into the chocolates on my way back—but what I really want is a shower. I want to lather myself in the pine body wash. To close my eyes and imagine Dr. Morales is here. To imagine her soft hands exploring every inch of me in the shower…

This might be the craziest thing I’ve ever done.

But I can't find it in myself to care.

I pop another one of the chocolate candies into my mouth, moaning as it melts over my tongue. I strip out of my clothes,kicking my pajama pants into the corner and grabbing my new body wash.

For such a bland hotel, the bathroom is surprisingly modern. The shower is a tiled stall with a glass door instead of a tub with a curtain. Fluffy white towels are neatly folded on a shelf, along with washcloths; I grab one of each.

I turn on the shower and let the water warm before stepping inside, appreciating the firm pressure. The tension in my muscles I didn’t realize was there releases.

Maybe the clinic trip stressed me out more than I thought.

Or maybe something else has my whole body wound tight.

Popping the lid on the body wash, I bring it to my nose and inhale, the scent blooming through the steamy air. A whine tears from my lips, and images of Dr. Morales come rushing back.

I close my eyes as water runs down my body in streams, separating over my shoulders, spilling between my breasts, rolling down my ass. It falls into the V of my thighs before curling around my calves and pooling at my feet.

The warmth of the shower is enough to wash away the disappointment of not getting more alone time with her. I’d hoped to run into her again before I left, or at the very least steal another glance at her from down the hall, but I had no such luck.

Thoughts of Dr. Morales completely drown the other, less enjoyable memories from the clinic. All the poking and prodding. All the blood they drew…

I’m surprised I didn’t throw up.

Getting answers after the first set of tests had been a long shot—I held out hope that the other clinics simply screwed up and gave me inconclusive results—but Dr. Morales still couldn’t tell me what’s going on.

My fingers glide through my damp hair as I scold myself, yet again, for not trying harder to talk to her. I should have askedquestions. I should have asked her about herself.Would she have answered?

Anything at all would have been better than what I did, which was say nothing. I’d been too embarrassed and nervous to try.

Dr. Skylar Morales… she’s a fucking goddess. A ripped, statuesque goddess who’s hiding something beneath that professional exterior, I just know it. From the way she walked to the way she talked, everything was too goddamn sexy.

I groan as the water rains down on me, the heat intensifying the crazy need burning through me. The fact that I’m feeling this way at all—super horny for an alpha I just met, wanting her to pin me down and do delicious things that will leave me panting—is strange. I’m being silly, maybe even a little crazy, but it doesn’t matter.

What did that nurse say about side effects?Something about pheromones to stabilize me, but I’d been too distracted to pay attention.

Could the injection have something to do with this? Is it playing up my desire? Influencing it?

Or is Dr. Morales having this effect on me?