Page 12 of Dr. Danger

The hours tick by slowly, my eyes never straying from her as she sleeps. Her body twitches, her face contorting in discomfort. I lean forward, tension creeping into my shoulders as I monitor her every movement.

Suddenly, she gasps and her eyes fly open, panic etched across her features. “Are you still here?” she pants, her voice trembling. “Please, hold me.”

I hesitate, the rational part of my brain screaming that this is crossing a line. “I can’t. Doctors shouldn’t get into bed with their patients.”

“You’re s…supposed to do whatever it takes to get me better,” she whispers, her voice so soft and broken that it cracks something deep inside me.

I can’t resist. I cross the room in a few swift strides and sit on the edge of her bed. Slowly, almost tentatively, I lie down beside her, pulling her into my arms. Her body melts against mine, her head resting on my chest, and I can feel the frantic beating of her heart slowly calming. A part of me dies off-the unemotional, inhumane part and I didn’t know I’d be so relieved to feel it crumble.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, stroking her hair gently. “I’ll hold you.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “I can’t be alone,” she says softly. “Not right now.”

I tighten my hold on her, feeling her warmth seep into me. “You’re not,” I assure her. “You have me.”

We lie there in silence for a while, the darkness around us feeling like a protective shield. Slowly, the tension begins to ebb.

“Tell me something about yourself,” she says quietly, breaking the silence. “Something nobody knows.”

I hesitate, not used to opening up to anyone. “First time I saw you…,” I reply, my voice gruff. “I felt the world narrow in on me.”

“Did it hurt?” she asks, her fingers tracing circles on my chest.

“Yes, it did hurt,” I admit, surprised by my own honesty. “But to be honest it was the first time I’d felt something, anything at all in a long time.”

She nods, her eyes thoughtful. “It was a good pain, then.”

Her words strike a chord. ”You could say that.”

A shadow crosses her face, and she looks away. “I hurt a little bit too around you,” she admits. “You make me feel like there’s a pressure on my chest. Sometimes it feels like I’m suffocating.”

I cup her cheek, turning her face back to me. “I think that’s because you’re not well,” I say softly. “I don’t think it has anything to do with me.”

”You’re wrong.” Her eyes glisten with emotion. “It has everything to do with you,” she whispers, her voice breaking and I can’t control myself any longer.

I lean down and press my lips to hers, the kiss gentle at first, testing. But then she responds, her lips parting beneath mine, and I deepen the kiss, pouring all my restrained emotions into it.

Her hands greedily grip my shirt, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in the sensation of her warmth, her softness. The kiss is a blend of desperation and longing, a raw connection, stripping away all pretense.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other. “Darren,” she murmurs, her voice filled with a mix of wonder and worry.

I brush a strand of hair from her face, my thumb grazing her cheek. “I’m here,” I repeat, my voice hoarse. “I’m yours.”

6.

Avon

I wake up slowly. The morning light filters through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow. My head feels heavy, and it takes me a moment to remember where I am. As I become more aware, I realize someone’s in bed with me. Darren. He’s lying beside me, his arm still wrapped protectively around my waist, his fingers attempting to unbutton my nightgown even though he’s not conscious.

I shift slightly, turning my head to look at him. His face, usually so hard and unyielding, is softened in sleep. The lines of tension are smoothed out, making him look younger, more approachable. There’s an innocence in his expression that I’ve never seen before, and it tugs at something deep inside me.

For a moment, I’m content just to watch him. His chest rises and falls with each slow breath. I’ve never seen him like this, so peaceful, so… human. Who knew the stern doctor had this in him?

Tentatively, I reach out and let my fingers lightly trace the contours of his chest. His skin is warm and firm under my touch, and the sensation sends a shiver through me. I’m not sure what compels me to do it, but I can’t help myself. I want to memorize this moment, to hold onto the feeling of being close to him like this.

As I stroke his chest, Darren stirs. His breathing changes, becoming more shallow, and I realize he’s waking up. I should pull my hand back, but I can’t. I’m captivated by the way his eyes slowly open, the way his gaze finds mine.

For a second, neither of us moves. We just look at each other. There’s a raw heat in his eyes, a mix of intensity, desire, and something else I can’t quite decipher. It takes my breath away, leaving me feeling exposed and naked even though I’m clothed.

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