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“We’ll send the blood sample to the lab to find out what Nadia took, but I’m fairly certain from her fever, aches, and dizziness that she has the flu. She’s also dehydrated, so I’m adding some fluids to her system to make her feel better in a few hours. Her thighs contain no bruising, and her hymen is still intact. She hasn’t been assaulted.”
I winced.Can I disappear now?
“I suspect Nadia took an opioid that she assumed was aspirin given by a roommate and combined it with a glass of wine. Overall, she’s fine. Nothing a good bath and rest won’t cure.”
“Thank you, Agnes,” Paul told her.
“I can go now?” I asked in a scratchy voice.
“In another half hour,” Nurse Felicia told me, checking the IV bag.
Dr. Foster and Paul left the room together.
By the time I started feeling a little better, Dr. Foster came in to remove the IV. I went to the bathroom attached to the room and found a shirt and socks left for me. I splashed my face, rinsed my mouth, and walked out with my head down, holding my pumps and dress.
“Thank you, Doctor, Nurse Felicia. I’m so sorry that you were called out tonight. Thank you, Mr. Crane. I’m sure I can walk home from here.”
A taxi would cost too much, and I was sure he wanted to get rid of me.
I could see Paul’s dress shoes approach, and my pulse jumped. He stopped in front of me and lifted my chin. “You know I’m not going to allow you to walk home in socks and a T-shirt.”
Dr. Foster laughed. “Go easy on my patient, Paul.”
“Good night, Agnes, Felicia.”
He nodded, and Laurence came forward with a plastic bag and took my dress and shoes from my hands.
Paul took my hand and walked me back to the car.
Instead of the dorms, we pulled into the underground parking lot of a domed building. Inside was a grand loft, but I didn’t get a chance to stop walking. Instead, Paul kept my hand in his and marched me straight into a bathroom bigger than my dorm room. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, then went to the oval sunken bath and turned on the faucets, adding something to the water.
The rich lavender aroma filled the air as bubbles covered the top of the bath.
Paul turned back toward me. “This bath is for you. Take off your clothes.”
I fidgeted. “I don’t want you to see me naked.”
I wasn’t embarrassed about my body.But this was Paul Crane, for goodness’ sake!
A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. “I would have if I stayed in the exam room as you asked. I promise not to take advantage of you. Unlike the pimps you met tonight, I can control myself. I don’t take advantage of sick women or drug my bed partners.”
I narrowed my eyes and cleared my throat. “It’s not that…I’m sick, and I want a guy who gazes at me naked for the first time to stare with desire. I know my reason sounds dreamy and kind of pathetic, but it’s…it’s really bright in here….”
His face softened. “I’m sorry. You deserve self-respect and modesty. However, I can’t leavebecauseyou’re sick. How about you leave your underwear on, and when you’re ready to clean your intimate areas, I’ll face away. All right?”
I nodded, and he came forward and pulled the end of my T-shirt over my head, even though I could have done it myself. I kicked off my socks, and he immediately lifted me and placed me in the bath. He started to rinse me off with a shower attachment hose.
“Do you think my lingerie is pretty?”
“You told me not to look, so I don’t know how to answer that.” He cocked a brow, and a smile played on his lips.
My face went hot, and I picked up the sponge and started washing. “Do you find me attractive, Paul?”
“Not right now. You’re covered in vomit, and I’m still furious with you.”
“Because you thought I lost my virginity,” I whispered.
“Virginity is not an asset, Nadia. I needed to make sure you weren’t raped. That could’ve happened to you tonight.”
