---- Chapter 3 Erin Calhoun POV: Back then, | had dismissed it. In his eyes, | was just a body, a collection of symptoms on a chart. During those examinations, | had felt a humiliating flicker of arousal, a warmth spreading through my lower belly that had nothing to do with medical science. | saw the way his jaw would tighten, the slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his hand as he withdrew it. "Carl, | need to pee," Brande' s voice broke through my thoughts. "Can we pull over?" | tried to shift my leg, to reclaim my space, but Harvey's hand tightened, holding me in place. A jolt went through me, sharp and electric. | froze. The SUV slowed and pulled over to the shoulder of the deserted mountain road. "It's so dark out here," Brande whined. "Will you come with me? |' m scared." Carlton looked back at me, his expression a mixture of exasperation and apology. It was a look | knew well. It was the look that preceded him choosing her over me. ---- Before | could say anything, a low voice spoke from beside me. "She's asleep." It was Harvey. His eyes were closed, his voice a low rumble. Carlton' s face cleared with relief. "Oh. Okay. We' Il be right back." "Mmm," Harvey replied, not opening his eyes. The car doors opened and closed, plunging the interior into a profound silence, broken only by the chirping of crickets outside. The darkness felt intimate, private. "Erin." His voice, so close to my ear, made me jump. He opened his eyes and looked down at me, his gaze intense. He slowly lifted the blanket, his eyes moving to the faint sheen of sweat on my forehead. "You' re overheating." | looked away, grabbing my water bottle and bringing it to my lips to hide my flaming cheeks. "I' m fine." He plucked the bottle from my hand. "Don' t drink cold water. It' s bad for your condition." My head snapped back toward him, a spark of defiance igniting within me. "Are you sure you' re a good doctor, Harvey? Because | don' t think your treatments are working." ---- His dark eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?" "The pain," | said, my voice gaining strength. "It's still here. It' s never really gone away." His frown deepened, a crease forming between his brows. "In fact," | pressed on, my voice dropping to a seductive whisper, "it's hurting right now. Maybe you should... check on me." My gaze drifted out the window. In the moonlight, | could see Carlton and Brande near a cluster of trees. He had his arms wrapped around her, and she was laughing, her head thrown back. The sight was a knife in my gut, twisting and turning. All the suppressed anger, the years of quiet humiliation, coalesced into a single, burning point of need. | needed an outlet. | needed to feel something other than this agonizing ache. | reached out and laid my hand on his. "You' re a doctor, Harvey. It' s your duty to help your patient, isn't it?" His hand flinched under my touch, but he didn' t pull away. Instead, he slowly turned his hand over, his fingers lacing with mine. Then, his other hand came up, not to touch me, but to cup the back of my neck, his thumb pressing into the sensitive spot just below my hairline. "Erin," he murmured, his voice thick as he drew me closer. "Don't play with fire." ---- "Who's playing?" | whispered, my eyes locked on his. "You' re the one who' s been derelict in your duties, Doctor." He let out a short, sharp breath. He took off his glasses, tossing them onto the empty seat, and then his mouth was on mine. His kiss tasted of mint and something uniquely him, a clean, sterile scent that clung to him like a second skin. It was nothing like Carlton' s sloppy, performative kisses. This was demanding. Consuming. | was so shocked, my first instinct was to push him away. But his hand at my neck held me fast, his thumb stroking, soothing, even as his mouth plundered mine. A soft gasp escaped me, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, claiming it as his own. My head swam. The world tilted on its axis, and the only solid thing was Harvey. My body went limp, all the fight draining out of me, replaced by a liquid heat that pooled low in my belly. He tightened his grip on my chin, angling my head for better access. My tongue felt numb, my lips bruised and swollen. My hands came up to fist in the front of his shirt, clinging to him as if he were my only anchor in a raging storm. We were both breathing heavily, ragged gasps in the enclosed space. | felt a tear slip from the corner of my eye. Just as suddenly as it began, he broke the kiss. ---- | stared at him, my eyes wide and dazed, my lips parted, silently begging for more. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. He reached up, his thumb gently wiping the moisture from my lips. "Patience, Erin." | was too breathless to form a coherent thought. He leaned in again, his lips brushing against mine, a feather- light touch that sent shivers down my spine. "When we get to the resort," he whispered, his forehead pressing against mine, "I will check every inch of you. Thoroughly." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!