Page 7 of Taking Her Medicine

One knock rapped somewhere outside the room. Dr. Sexy Scrubs strolled in, pulling the door shut to ensure privacy. “It’s strep,” he announced as if it were the most obvious diagnosis in the world. “Typical treatment is ten days of antibiotics, but the pills are quite large.”

“I have a really hard time swallowing pills. Even small ones.”

“It’s too risky to send you home with a prescription you might not complete.”

“What’s my other option?”

“As long as you’re not allergic to anything, I can give you a shot of Bicillin L-A, which is a strong antibiotic.”

“I’m not allergic to anything, but can I drink the medication instead?” I tore little bits of paper off the covering, needing to keep my hands busy. “When I was younger there was this pink stuff I’d drink when I got sick. I think we kept it in the fridge.”

“Amoxicillin, but that’s a pediatric dosage. You need the big guns, Zoelle.” He leaned his back against the exam table and caught my gaze. “I promise I’m a good stick.”

“I bet you are.”

“The medication is thick. It needs to go in at a slow rate, which takes a bit longer to administer, but it works wonders or I wouldn’t suggest it.”

“Do you use a bigger needle?”

“Yes, but size doesn’t matter when you know what you’re doing.” He tapped my hip. “Roll onto your side, pull down your pants, and bring your knees up to your chest.”

Aaron had already prepared the damn injection before I agreed. I blinked up at him, buying time. “I don’t like needles.”

“Come on, be a good girl for me. The faster we do this, the faster you’ll feel better.”

My mouth fell open and closed like a fish out of water. The idea of becoming Aaron’s good girl paired with his gentle urging pushed me to get into the position he’d requested. He swiped an alcohol pad over a spot high on my ass.

“Take a deep breath and let it out, sweetheart. It’s a big pinch and a wicked sting.”

As I exhaled, the needle plunged into me, and it hurt worse than any other injection I remembered. Aaron had a skilled, steady hand, but it felt like he stuck me with a meat thermometer instead of a regular-sized needle. “Ouch!”

“Another deep breath, Zoelle.” He breathed in, which prompted me to follow his pattern. “Let it out slowly.”

I did my best not to cry.

“Breathe.” He pushed the plunger and a terrible burning pain lit into the muscle of my ass. “In and out.”

“Ow, ow!” I stayed as still as stone, but the burning intensified. “It hurts so much!”

“We’re almost done. Deep breath in.” His voice calmed and soothed as much as it could have, given the situation. “Let it out. Keep breathing. You’re going to feel like a million bucks.”

I sniffled, hating the pain, but I loved his attention. The medication continued to burn but I matched his breathing patterns and the pain lessened as he timed the medication around the exhale. Aaron treated me better than all the other doctors in my life, which helped me to relax. “It still hurts.”

“We’re done.” He withdrew the needle and pressed a cotton ball against the wound.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t hear that a lot,” he said, chuckling. “Your symptoms should improve within twenty-four hours. If they don’t—or you feel worse—you need to come in again.” He applied a bandage and moved away from the bed. “Stay like that another minute.”

“I’m really not used to other people taking care of me.” I reached behind me and tugged up my panties and pajama pants.

“I hope it’s something you’ll trust me with, unless my error has caused you to lose faith in my ability to do so.”

“No.” I flipped around into a sitting position, but it caused a terrible head rush and I pressed my hands to either side of my head. “Ow!”

“Lie down again.” Aaron helped me shift around and rolled something under my legs. “Elevating your feet will get blood back to your head and stop the pain.”

“How did you get so smart?”

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