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He sits on my bed, casually bringing my pillow to his nose, as though it's perfectly normal to sniff people’s linens. "Let me know if you need company," he calls as I enter my bathroom.
Fat chance of that.
ChapterFifty-Two
I've never been to the Thorn Falls private clinic. In fact, the only time I visited any hospital at all before this week was the day I was born. I'm lucky enough not to have any chronic issues, unlike Willow and her asthma, and even when I had a flu so bad I thought I might die, I chose to suck it up at home, because we couldn't afford the bill.
Camden seems familiar enough with the high-tech handsome building. He greets the receptionist by name and doesn't bother signing in, heading straight to the elevator.
We get to the fourth and last floor, and Camden waves at the woman behind the reception desk. "Lucy."
"Mr. Hunt! Take a sit. Would you like anything to drink? The boss will be out shortly."
"I'm fine, thank you. Morgan?"
I shake my head. I could use a coffee, but I'm too stressed out to enjoy it now.
I tap my fingers against my leg self-consciously. I would much rather do this alone. Going to a birth control appointment with a guy is far too intimate. Whoever we're seeing is going to assume we're in a relationship—the serious, committed kind. Which couldn't be further from the truth.
He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips. "Calm down. My aunt doesn't bite."
His aunt?
"Did you call the head of the hospital again?" I admonish.
Just then,Annette Hargrove appears, poised and elegant as ever, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face. "This time it was logical for him to do so. This is my actual job, after all."She kisses Camden's cheek and smiles at me. "Morgan. How are your feet?"
"Much better, thank you." I'd completely forgotten about my feet, in all honesty. Staying off them for half of the week has probably helped as much as herointment. "You're an OB-GYN?"
She nods enthusiastically as she leads us to a large office with a view of the river. "I love babies. And mine is nineteen, so now I have to make do with other people’s."
My jaw falls. "Nineteen?"
She looks like she's in her early thirties at most.
She nods. "You’ve met my Roman, I believe? I think he mentioned seeing you last week."
I shake my head in wonder. "I can’t believe you’re Roman’smother."
His sister, I could see, but his mom? Whatever this woman's sacrificing to the gods in exchange for her youth, it's worth it.
"He did grow up rather fast," she sighs. "But yes, my specialty is high-risk pregnancies. I’m only head of the hospital because my brother-in-law owns it. Adrian likes people loyal to him at the head of his businesses."She invites me to take a comfortable suede chair andsits behind a desk and opens a thick file. "Now, Cam tells me you’re reluctant to be on the pill? Do you want to be pregnant soon?" She asks casually, like she doesn't mind if the answer is yes.
"Absolutely not." I'm categorical. I glance at Cam, who remains on his feet behind me, disregarding the chair at my side.
I feel like it's his way of letting me take control of this conversation. Though I'd prefer if he left altogether, I appreciate the effort.
"My doctor put me on the stuff to regulate my periods when I was younger," I tell Annette. "It made me sick."
"I can check your file, see what you were given." She pats the dossier on her desk. "But let’s talk. Cam offered to go on the birth control and we can discuss options. First," she says, eyes on her nephew, "I advise against a vasectomy in your case, Cam. I know you want kids. Contrary to popular belief, they are considered permanent for a reason—it’s not always possible to reserve them. And it is an operation with risks. You mightbothcome to regret it in the future if you can’t have children because of this decision now."
I flush, because she’s talking like she expects us to want kids together some day.
"If you’d like to be the one on birth control, I can prescribe you a male daily oral pill that’ll lower your testosterone level, and cut down sperm production. For all intents and purposes, you'll be at a castrated level of testosterone while on it. It's very efficient, and your levels will be back up within weeks after you stop taking them, when you're ready for fatherhood."
Camden nods. "Let’s do that then."
"It’s an option." Annette turns her golden eyes back to me. "You’ll have to be aware of the fact thatyouwon’t be on birth control, and you’re the one with the womb. Another man could get you pregnant, Morgan."
