Page 60 of Still Burning

“Anytime you need to climb on top of me and use my cock, it’s yours. Solely yours and at your disposal twenty-four/seven.”

She giggled, and that sound had never been sweeter.

24

Salem

“Try to relax,” Rome whispered huskily in my ear, making me think of things that weren’t appropriate at the moment.

I took a deep breath and nodded, unclenching my hands and laying them flat on the tops of my thighs, which were covered by the thin sheet and hospital robe I’d been given to change into. His hand ran up and down my back in a reassuring caress as he kissed my temple, cheek, and beneath my ear. I shivered, finding myself get distracted. If that was his plan, it was working.

The door to the room opened, and I sat up straight, but Rome didn’t move away as quickly as I’d have liked. I knew my face was flushed as I met the doctor’s eyes. Rome kept his hand on me, but at least he’d stopped kissing and nuzzling me.

“Sorry, that took longer than I expected. I wanted to go over the medical records your previous doctors had sent before we moved forward, seeing as that you are indeed pregnant.” Dr. Lang smiled.

I was sure, at that news, he was used to seeing happy responses from his patients.

He was a high-risk OB-GYN who was so sought after that Rome had asked Liam to see if Blaise Hughes could pull any strings to get me an appointment with him. There was a wait list, but hours after Rome had called Liam, we’d received a call from one of his nurses, asking if we could come in the next day at three.

I took a deep breath and smiled, but the fear was more powerful than the happiness. I was terrified to allow myself to feel joy about this. I knew how that ended.

“You were seen at Brigham the last two times,” he said. “That’s one of the best high-risk facilities in the country.”

My heart sank, and I tried to nod. I already knew that. If they couldn’t help me, how could he? That was what he meant, and I wanted to burst into tears at the unfairness of it.

“That being said, I have no doubts about the reports I have from your physician there, but I will still treat this as I would a pregnancy that is in fact high risk.”

My brows drew together as I frowned, replaying what he’d said, trying to make sense of it.

“Now”—he took the stool across from me and clapped his hands together once—“what makes you think you have cause for concern, other than your age? All your vitals and tests show that you’re in excellent health.”

I glanced at Rome, who looked confused and tense, then back at the doctor.

“Uh, well, I thought—I mean, I’ve had three miscarriages. I haven’t been able to keep a pregnancy past ten weeks.”

“That’s your only concern?” he asked.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Was there another concern I didn’t know about?”

“Ms. Gray,” he said, “women miscarry for no reason all the time, then go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies. I delivered a baby for a woman who had seven miscarriages in four years before she carried a baby full-term. You had a miscarriage at”—he glanced down at his paperwork—“nineteen, twenty-nine, and thirty-two. And it says you were actively trying to get pregnant after getting off birth control the last two times, but”—he lifted his gaze and looked at me questioningly—“I’m assuming the one at nineteen wasn’t planned.”

I didn’t look at Rome, but I felt his gaze on me. I shook my head.

“Didn’t think so.” He shrugged. “The doctors with your last two said you had no health issues and your uterus was fine. It just happens. But you didn’t try again?” he asked.

“No.”

He smiled. “Many circumstances beyond your control could have caused the miscarriages. But you are in a different place in life.” He glanced at Rome. “In a different relationship. I believe you have very good odds in your favor. Let’s get you started on some prenatal vitamins, and my nutritionist will come and go over diet and exercise requirements that are best for you and the baby.” He stood up, then shifted his focus to Rome. “Congratulations to both of you.” He glanced back at me. “And you have my emergency number, correct?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“I’ll get you scheduled for the ultrasound room down the hall within the hour,” he said, then turned and headed for the door.

When he closed it behind him, I let out a breath I’d been holding and stared straight ahead. I was afraid to believe him, but I wanted to—so badly. To be a mom…but I’d let that dream go.

Rome’s hand slid up my back and into my scalp to massage my head. “I know you’re scared,” he said simply.

I nodded.

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