Page 21 of Vital Signs

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Yeah, maybe. I’m sore all over.

You're not gentle.

Desmond:

I’m sorry

I was under the impression you liked when someone talked you through it.

Even if it meant leaving some marks behind.

My breath hitched. Every nerve in my brain sang out, trying to tell me howwrongthis was. But my heart… my heart was threatening to beat out of my chest.

Anya

You’re very sure of yourself

Desmond:

Confidence is key.

However, I don’t need confidence with you, Doctor.

The way you whimpered underneath me was a guarantee of what you liked.

Anya:

Sounds like you’re assuming this is going to be more than what happened tonight?

Desmond:

Are you not?

Anya:

I don’t know, Doctor.

You’re the one that said “just once, just to get it out of our systems.”

Desmond:

I did.

But now you’re in my system and I’m not sure I’ll be satisfied with just once.

I smiled, starting the car, the thrill lingering like a promise of more forbidden nights ahead.

Chapter 13

Anya

We hadn't spoken since that night. No texts. No accidental run-ins. No excuses. Part of it was scheduling… but I couldn’t help but feel like the other part might have been intentional.

But two days later, I walked into the emergency room and found Desmond Vaughn already there.

He stood at the central workstation, sleeves rolled to his forearms, posture rigid in that way that meant he was bracing himself. His hair was damp, as if he'd just washed his hands and hadn't bothered to dry them properly. He didn't look up when I approached. Not even when I stopped beside him, leaning back against the worktop.

“Morning,” I said, carefully neutral. It took everything in me not to quirk a brow at him. “Or… evening, I guess.”

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