Page 38 of Lust

"Where am I?" I ask, afraid to hear the answer.

Matthias presses his finger to his lips, quieting me. "Just listen to the doctor and lie back. I'll answer all your questions when he's done."

"But—"

He rubs his forehead, looking tired. "Lie the fuck down, Clarissa. Before I make you." Something about the way he says it makes me obey, just as the doctor says, "Yes, please, Mrs. Masters—"

I rip my hand out of his hold, swing my legs off the side of the bed, and stand up.

Instantly, I'm on my back again on the bed, the room swirling around me, making me glad that I haven't eaten anything since... well, I don't remember since when.

"Mrs. Masters!" the doctor exclaims, grabbing my hand.

Matthias bites back a laugh that makes me wonder when I'm going to get to slap him again. "Yeah, you should probably stop calling her that. She's a 'Ms.' Doc, give me a hand."

The bed dips as he kneels onto it. Two hands cradle the back of my head and shoulders as two other hands swing my legs back onto the bed.

"Leave me alone, Titwaffle," I grumble, the pounding in my head making me even more irritable than I normally am.

"Well, at least we know her mouth works," the Titwaffle chuckles.

I would continue to argue, but I feel as though I used every ounce of my energy to stand up. And now, I couldn't walk out of this room if there were a suitcase with fifty million dollars and a residential suite plane ticket to Bora Bora waiting for me on the other side.

Matthias climbs off the bed, but I can still feel him standing there.

The doctor asks me some questions. Some I answer in the way I think will get me out of here faster, and some of them, I answer honestly because I can't think of a different response.

After about five minutes, and a thorough exam of my face and head, I hear the sound of a pen click. I peek out of my eye to see the doctor scribbling on the pad and Matthias moving closer. I clamp my eyes closed as soon as he comes into view.

"How is she doing, Jordan?"

"Mrs—er,Ms.Masters has some bruising on her cheek. It's lucky that the strikes didn't land directly on her temple, that could've had dire consequences. But with some rest"—he addresses me directly—"you should heal okay. But... Ms. Masters—"

"Clarissa, please."

He nods. "Clarissa.You are severely dehydrated, and I'm guessing it's been a while since you've had something to eat. '

"Sure I have."

"She's lying," Matthias says. "I've seen her at work, twice. She never drinks anything."

"I. Hey, you don't... know..." I argue, although every person in the room, including the one I just met five minutes ago, knows I'm lying.

"Well, Clarissa, you need to eat and you need to drink something, right away." He turns to Matthias. "Can you get something for her to drink?"

"Already done, Doc."

The doctor stands up and gives me a little smile. "Get some rest. I've written a prescription for some painkillers but you should get a more thorough workup, some blood work. You look a little pale." He glances at Matthias. "I'll come check in on her in a few days if that's okay."

"Wait, doctor." I clear my dry throat, embarrassed about what I have to say. "You don't have my insurance info." Probably because I don't currently have health insurance. A hot, humiliated flush creeps up my chest. It was just a luxury I didn't have the budget for.

He just smiles and shakes his head. "I'll see you in a few days," he says with a little wave and walks toward the door.

Matthias follows. "Give the prescription to Kevin, he'll take care of it," Matthias says in a lowered voice. "Thanks again, man. I owe you," he finishes and pats him on the back before closing the door behind him.

I feel my teeth grit as Matthias takes the seat that the doctor just vacated, eyes on me.

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

---