Page 74 of Doctor Hot Mess

"I have an idea. You need a break. Something that doesn’t involve thinking about attorneys or plea deals or anything heavy. How about this? Come back to my place. We’ll pick up some pizza on the way, and can eat on the sofa and watch a movie.”

His lips twitch into a faint smile. “Even if I pick something terrible, like a Nicolas Cage action flick?”

“Don’t ruin my illusion. Let me amend that. You pick the pizza, and I pick the movie.”

He chuckles. The sound is a little lighter this time. “Alright, Nurse Gray. Sounds like a plan.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Jonah

Harper’s Pool House

10:07 PM

I liebehind Harper on the sofa, holding her close as we watchA Family Affairwith Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron. Their chemistry crackles on screen. I'm hyper-aware of Harper's body pressed against mine, the subtle rise and fall of her breathing.

On screen, Oliver pins Katharine to the wall in a dimly lit room. He trails kisses down her neck, murmuring, "I can't resist you." I feel Harper's breath catch. Emboldened, I let my hand drift to her hip, then slide under her shirt to caress her smooth stomach.

The movie intensifies as Oliver lifts Katharine onto a table. Their movements are desperate, hungry. My fingers play at the waistband of Harper's jeans. She unzips them and guides my hand lower. As I slip beneath her panties, I'm struck by how wet she is already. My cock stiffens in response. Harper moans softly as I start to rub her, her hips moving in rhythm with my fingers. The gasps and growls from the TV mingle with Harper's soft cries.

Harper turns to face me, kissing me deeply as her fingers tangle in my hair. She straddles my lap and pulls off her shirt and bra. I cup her perfect breasts, brushing my thumbs over her hardened nipples. "You're so beautiful," I whisper reverently.

On screen, Oliver is undressing Katharine urgently. Harper mirrors the action, kissing down my chest and stomach as she unbuttons my pants. She pulls them off torturously slowly, running her tongue along my inner thighs. I groan as she finally takes me in her mouth, her tongue swirling around the head of my cock while her hand strokes the shaft. "Fuck, Harper," I moan, my hands tangling in her hair.

Just as I'm nearing the edge, Harper pulls away with a wicked smile. She stands to remove her jeans and panties, her body glowing in the TV's flickering light. As she straddles me again, she positions herself over my aching cock. Slowly, excruciatingly, she sinks onto me. We both gasp at the sensation of being fully joined.

Our movements sync with the movie's escalating tension. Oliver whispers something filthy to Katharine as he thrusts into her. Harper grins at me. "Trying to outdo Oliver, are we?"

I growl playfully, "Oliver doesn't stand a chance."

Harper takes control then, riding me with wild abandon. Her nails dig into my shoulders as she moans my name. I grip her hips, guiding her as I thrust up to meet her. On screen, Oliver carries Katharine to the bed. Their desperate movements mirror our frenzied rhythm.

As the movie characters reach their climax, Harper and I follow suit. Our cries of pleasure blend with the soundtrack as waves of ecstasy wash over us. Harper collapses onto my chest, both of us panting heavily as aftershocks pulse through our bodies.

I hold her close, brushing my lips against her temple. Harper laughs softly. "We're never going to watch this movie the same way again."

I smirk, kissing her shoulder. "Next time, I'll show you what really outdoing Oliver looks like."

Tuesday,March 10

UAB

9:41 AM

The patient’sarm trembles slightly as I stabilize it with one hand. “Just a little pinch,” I murmur, guiding the needle into the vein with practiced precision. The draw is smooth, textbook smooth. I click the safety lock on the needle, but the patient shifts and bumps my hand in the split second before the lock engages.

“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath as a sharp sting pierces my glove.

I pull back immediately, the needle now safely capped in my hand. A sharp sting radiates from the base of my thumb, and when I look down, I spot a tiny puncture in the glove—a mark that confirms what I already felt. My chest tightens as I force myself to stay calm.

“What happened?” a nurse asks, her head snapping up.

“Needle stick,” I reply tersely, discarding the needle and glove in the sharps container. I grab a fresh pair of gloves and flex my hand, inspecting the tiny puncture. “It’s fine.”

Her eyes widen slightly, and she glances at the patient. “Do you?—”

“I know,” I cut in, not wanting her to finish the thought. The chart said it clearly: HIV-positive. The patient’s viral load was undetectable, but that doesn’t matter right now. The protocol is the same.

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