Page 28 of Stirred Up

“I got them, yes and I saw,perfect. Thank you.” I suck in my bottom lip, allowing the words to linger and speak for themselves.

With a hint of a blush, his unease disappears, replaced with a playful sparkle in his dazzling eyes. “You got my note then?”

Still chewing my bottom lip flirtatiously, I answer with a nod.

No mistaking it, he releases a low hiss, his eyes skating over me once. I uncross my legs and place my hands on each side of myself on the table, waiting for him to take the lead.

He clears his throat and steps back as if escaping a trance. “What can I help you with today?”

“I’d like to start some birth control.”

I’d googled “top reasons women go to the gyno” and this was the least unpleasant topicandcan’t be disproven. Plus, if things in reality ever catch up to my dreams, I’ll need it. The ideal ploy.

“Oh?” Both his dark brows shoot to his matching hairline. “That was fast. You just adamantly declined needing it not too damn long ago.”

Did he just cuss?

He takes a seat on his stool. “What’s changed?”

I laugh and give him a questioning smirk of my own. You’d think the doctor in the room would understand precisely whatchangewould make a woman suddenly need birth control, but I realize the hilarity could backfire and my laughter’s cut short. I don’t want him to think I’m unavailable. Shit! Curse fake plans and their unforeseen potholes.

“Nothing, yet. I just figured…” I shrug, glancing around the room with nonchalance. “Since I’m taking care of everything else, might as well be prepared there too.”

He remains silent, regarding me with curious eyes a few moments before finally consulting the chart. “Did you have a particular method in mind?”

“Nope. Can you tell me the options?”

“The most common of course, is a daily birth control pill. Women your age, nonsmokers, have good results with it, and it’s the most affordable up front.”

“What if you forget to take it?” I question. “And don’t a lot of women gain weight from it?”

He nods, setting down the chart and making eye contact, apparently ready to have a natural conversation. “Those are both concerns I hear quite often. Another option is the Depo shot. It lasts for three months at a time, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.” He grins. “Except scheduling the next shot. I will warn you though, a lot of recipients experience months of bleeding initially, then none at all. And weight gain’s a common complaint with this one as well.”

“They should hire you for PR,” I jest. “Lemme think.” I tap my chin. “A pill I’ll probably forget or a needle, with month-long periods and extra weight. Hmmm, tempting, but I’ll pass, on both.”

He chuckles and nods. “Okay, what about an IUD?”

“Which is?”

“Intrauterine Device. Let me show you one.” He stands and opens the door, asking a nurse to bring him a Mirena demo.

Meanwhile, I’m breaking down word parts to figure out what we’re talking about here.

Intra-in.

Uterine-my uterus.

Device-technical, scary word, especially when preceded by IN.MY.UTERUS.

My mouth’s open, fully prepared to bark “next,” when he shuts the door and sits down in front of me again.

“This is an IUD.” He holds up a small piece of T-shaped plastic. “It’s inserted into your uterus and you use the small threads to check its placement once a month. After inserted, neither you nor your partner should be able to feel it.” He gently takes my hand and places the device in my palm so I can familiarize myself.

“It can last as long as five years, or five days, you choose. The effective rate is over 99% and is completely reversible at any time.”

I eye the tiny possibility I’m holding. “Does it hurt?”

“When it goes in, you’ll feel a brief pinch and there may be mild cramps or even bleeding for a few days after, but then you should be fine. Also, it’s unlikely, but if you were to become pregnant with the IUD in place, it will almost definitely cause an ectopic pregnancy.”

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