Page 22 of Chasing Amber

She’s been mine for two years. I told her so last night. In less than twenty-four hours, we’ve gone from a fake cordial arrangement, to Amber insisting I could never be anything more than her bodyguard, to her experimenting with a lifestyle she has insisted on ignoring until today, to her submitting to me so deeply that I’m concerned.

I’m grateful they don’t make us sit in the waiting room, partly because Amber is bleeding and needs attention but also because she’s in Little space and doesn’t realize it.

As soon as the nurse leaves us in an exam room, I lift Amber to sit on the table and tip her head back so she’s forced to look me in the eye. “Baby, I need you to take some breaths for me. You’re shaking.”

She stares at me, breathing shallowly. She might be in shock. I’m not sure why. She’s not injured that badly.

“It’s just a cut, Amber. The doctor will fix it in a jiffy. I promise.”

She nods. She hasn’t spoken since we arrived. Her eyes are wide. She’s in Little space. How the hell am I going to explain this to the doctor if she doesn’t snap out of it?

When the door opens, I turn my head around to see the doctor step into the room. I don’t want to move too far from Amber for fear she might fall off the table, plus she’s clutching my hand.

The doctor smiles, and I suddenly realize I know him. I don’t just know him. I know him from Surrender. Thank fuck.

He recognizes me at the same time. “Isaac.”

“Jace. Good to see you.” I glance at his name tag. I don’t know his last name. He’s just Jace at the club. “Dr. Kemmer. I didn’t know you were a doctor.”

He nods. “Yep.” He shifts his attention to Amber. “I heard someone is in need of some stitches.”

She bites into her bottom lip and nods slightly.

I look back at Jace. “I’d say the universe is working in our favor right now because I was just trying to imagine how I was going to explain to a random doctor why Amber is out of sorts. She was in Little space when she fell, and she seems unable to snap out of it.”

“Ah.” Jace steps close as I move slightly to the side. He strokes the top of her head. “Good thing you got the right ER doc today, Little one.”

Her hair is a mess because I did a piss-poor job of removing her pigtails and gathering it into one ponytail while we were in the car. She’s squeezing my hand even tighter.

Jace uses a penlight to look into her eyes. “What did she hit her chin on?”

“The edge of a dresser.”

“So, she didn’t bonk her head anywhere else?”

“No.”

“Her eyes look good. I don’t see signs of a concussion. She could be slightly in shock. If she was deep in Little space when she hit her chin, the experience would be more traumatic than if she were in a grownup mindset. I suspect once we get her stitched up and get some ibuprofen in her, a nap will help her feel more like her normal self—unless Little space is her norm.”

I shake my head. “Today was the first time she’s given it a try. It’s not her norm.”

Jace nods. “Then she’ll most likely be back to herself after a nap. But don’t rush her. Let her ease back when she’s ready. There’s no harm in coping with the booboo in Little space.”

Jace turns his attention back to Amber. “How about if you lie down for me so I can get a better look at your chin.”

Damn, he’s good. I’m so grateful that of all the doctors in this urgent care, he’s the one who stepped through the door.

Amber whimpers as I round to the other side of the exam table and help guide her onto her back. She squeezes her eyes closed as Jace gently eases the cloth from her face.

Jace maintains a steady, calm expression as he prods the cut. The blood has slowed, but it’s still oozing. “It’s a simple, straight cut. I think three stitches will do it. In a few months, no one will be able to notice.” He smiles at her warmly. “I’ll be right back with supplies.”

While he’s gone, I stroke the top of her head. She’s trembling. I wish I had a jacket for her. It’s kind of chilly in here. She’s freaking me out a bit. Amber may spend a lot of time ignoring me and hiding from me, but she’s not this quiet ordinarily.

“You’re okay, baby,” I whisper.

She gives me a slight nod, holding my gaze. That’s a good sign.

When I grab her hand, she flips hers over and squeezes mine again.

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