Page 69 of Dubious Match
I have a feeling I’m going to need to find a way to help Katee block out the noise and stress in her head so she can have this baby.
“We’re doing fine,” I murmur. “Your brain and your body just need to align so you can feel safe enough to dilate, Katee. Keep breathing, and I’ll be here.”
“Hello,” a deep voice says, making me twist around to look at him.
The doctor’s scent hits me in the face and makes me inhale sharply. He has red floppy hair, hazel eyes, and has a pleasant face. Except, his raspberry chocolate scent is going to be a problem.
Mine.
Breathing deeper, I find that he’s still staring at me as if he’s waiting for me to say something. There’s not a hint that says he’s experiencing anything that I am. Huh. A part of me feels rejected, but I force it away.
I’m not here for long, I’m not interested in settling down because my parents are terrible humans, and I have a damn job to do.
“Am I in your way?” I ask bluntly.
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I have a feeling you shouldn’t move if Katee is this calm with you. Her blood pressure was through the roof while I was speaking with her. I’m Dr. Tyde Stewart, and it appears that she’s bleeding heavily due to her contractions. However, I’m glad she’s here because it’ll allow for more support if she needs it.”
Nodding slowly, I make myself focus on his nose instead of his eyes. I’m a professional, I will not moon over how much taller he is than me, or that fact that the area we’re in feels so much smaller just by his presence.
“Will we be able to move to a room?” I ask.
“Yes. You and your partner will move in the next few minutes,” he says, misunderstanding everything.
That’s cute. Whatever, as long as he gets things moving.
“What?” Katee asks. “Ohhhh.”
Giving the doctor my back, I talk her through the contraction. I continue to ignore him until he leaves and we’re moved a few minutes later. I tell myself it’s for the best. Dr. Stewart thinks I’m gay, and doesn’t recognize that I’m his scent match.
So, I’m going to ignore him back and tell myself that I don’t need him at all. Maybe I’ll even believe it.
HOLLIS
My lashes feel like they’re stuck together and I can’t open my eyes. Whimpering, I try to rub my eyes, but something is wrong. There’s something pulling at my hand.
“Hollis,” Malcolm says, gently taking my hand. “Your lashes are all crusty. Hold on, baby. Let me clear them for you. I’m right here.”
Letting go of my hand, I can feel the air almost shift as he moves. I’m hypersensitive to his presence, and I can hear him pick something up and the ice moves around as he puts it into something. Is that tissue or a washcloth in a glass?
Ugh, I hate that I can’t see.
“You’re fuming, Hollis. I’m going as fast as I can. Your heart beat is racing and you’re going to get me in trouble with the nurses,” he admonishes.
Malcolm sounds…normal. It’s almost like I can pretend I didn’t get my ass kicked, outside of how the pain of my brokenbody is flaring up. Something wet and cold moves over my eyelids, and he works slowly and methodically until my eye lashes begin to release. Blinking, I sigh slightly as I see him.
“All better,” he whispers. “Hollis…”
“I feel like shit, so I’m sure I look like it,” I moan.
I have an IV in my hand, and I can hear the monitors as they beep along, trying to make me insane. Have I mentioned that I’m a terrible patient?
“You scared the shit out of me,” he admits. “Your ribs are broken, you have a pretty severe concussion, and I had to ask the doctors to look the other way while I removed your weapons. Why aren’t you wearing your gun?”
“Good question,” I grumble. “I don’t think I would have used it on Aster even though she held me at gunpoint to keep me walking. And it’s hard to pull a weapon or defend yourself when you’re getting the snot kicked out of you.”
“Hollis?” Lars asks, popping his head into the room when he hears my voice. “Fuck, it’s good to see you’re awake.”
His eyes are filled with shadows and tears threaten to creep up on me.
