Page 18 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Fine.” Her gorgeous eyes twinkled in amusement. “We’ll take it slow, but sort of fast sometimes, and then occasionally really fast.” Apparently her brain and mine went to the same place which made me a lot happier than it should have.

“Naughty little thing.” Laughing, I shook my head from the bold innuendo in her statement. So, our minds were on the same thing. I didn’t typically jump into a physical connection immediately, but something about the way we’d been dancing around each other increased the sexual tension, bringing it to a place I hadn’t experienced before. “I like to lead, Melody, however, I am always open to your ideas and opinions. Tonight, we’re going to take care of you.” I squeezed her hand, and slowly stood, keeping my eyes on her. “In any way that you need,” I added. Her gorgeous cheeks filled with color, and she licked her lips. It was getting harder not to claim her mouth with mine.

After a few moments of nothing but the two of us staring at each other, she finally answered, “Thank you. I really appreciate it more than I can express.”

“No worries, my little Powerpuff. Now let’s go see the doctor.”

I didn’t give her a chance to argue as I collected our things and scooped her back into my arms. Walking through the kitchen, I paused only long enough to pass Melody’s keyring to an employee, asking that she give them to Zio. I wanted to teach Melody the importance of keeping safe, but also didn’t want to strand Laney while we were gone. Once that was taken care of, I turned all my attention to my patient and headed out the door.

Chapter Eight

Melody

Bosco carried me into the clinic despite my repeated assurances of how well my feet worked, but everything from my knees down ached so I couldn’t help but be grateful for the way he was choosing to take care of me. The gesture also moved something deep within me. My heart soared, healing parts of me I didn’t even know needed healing. I adored being held against him, like being rescued in a fairy tale. On the other hand, it opened up a level of vulnerability I wasn’t sure I wanted to show him. Amanda met us at the door to the office since the clinic was already closed for the night.

Smiling warmly at me, she showed me the most adorable puppy in her arms. “I thought you could use another friend while you’re here.”

“Thanks, Amanda.” I accepted the sweet ball of fluff. “Sorry for making you and Seth come in so late.”

“It’s fine. We weren’t busy today.” Amanda gestured for us to follow her. “Let’s go to room four. There’s more light in there. Seth had to finish up a phone call but then he’ll join us.”

“Are you staying out of trouble,gioia?” Bosco asked as he strode behind Amanda. Glancing down at me, he smiled. “I call your friend ‘joy’ because she brings it to everyone in Hopevale.”

His nickname for my new friend was one of the sweetest things I’d ever heard.

“Thank you, Boz, but I don’t think I can answer your question honestly,” she mumbled. “I’ll say mostly.”

Bosco clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Understood,gioia.”

“Are you Little?” The question fell out of my mouth, directed at Amanda. “I’m sorta terrified of doctors. I’m feeling like that and you’re being so nice, and I didn’t mean to pry, and it just came out of my mouth, and you don’t have to tell me but—”

“Hey.” Amanda stopped in the entrance to the exam room. “It’s okay. Let’s breathe.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. I followed her pattern. The combination of deep breathing and petting the sweet puppy in my arms for a few rounds made my world stop spinning. “You’re a good breather,” I praised. “Thanks.”

“Thank you. I practice all the time.” Amanda grinned. “I do have a Little side, but not usually at work. You can trust Seth and me.”

I glanced up at Bosco. I’d inadvertently brought up a heavy topic, the one I’d started babbling about in my apartment. “I should have asked if you were also okay with all of this instead of just—”

“Shh.” He put his finger over my mouth. “You’re getting worked up again over nothing,dulcita. Try to relax.”

Nodding, I did my best to quiet my racing thoughts. Bosco set me down on an exam table and stayed next to me.

A handsome man in dark blue scrubs entered the room. “Hi, I’m Seth.” He kissed Amanda on the cheek before moving to the sink.

“I’m Melody.”

“I heard you took a tumble on the sidewalk. Does anything hurt?”

I promptly burst into tears again. “My wrist and my knees, and my head feels really heavy.”

“Can you get your friend an ice pack and a water bottle, please, Panda?”

“Yup. I’ll be right back.” Amanda waved as she left.

Seth quietly snapped on a pair of gloves. He glanced at the way I was holding my wrist, cradling it to me. “Can you rotate your wrist, honey?”

I did so, but it hurt a lot, so I only did one turn. “It hurts so much.”

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