Chapter 4 #3
His husky tone shot straight to my core even though I had no business thinking naughty thoughts, it happened all the same.
“I will.” He moved the sheet lower, exposing my lower half.
Bram slowly inserted the scope into my back hole but as promised, it didn’t hurt.
Maybe it was from the tsunami of lubricant he’d squirted, but I barely felt it even when it went deeper.
I usually liked anal stimulation on a good day.
Something shifted and I winced. Since the plug had been inside me for so long, it left me sore. “Ugh. It’s uncomfortable now.”
“Did I hurt you, sweetheart?” Bram asked, one hand still on my hip.
“No, it’s just a really odd sensation.”
“I’m sorry for causing you discomfort. Is it bearable?”
“Yes,” I said quietly, still looking at the mural for the dolphin that probably didn’t exist.
“Keep breathing,” Bram said over my shoulder. “Just a little more, and we’ll be done.”
More? I focused on Everleigh who was rubbing my back. I was so thankful for her presence. “I don’t think Ms. Princess Dolphin is real,” I whined.
“I think you’re not looking hard enough,” she said, teasing gently.
Bram widened the scope and I groaned. “Oh!” My discomfort turned into triumph. “There she is.” I brightened immediately, pointing at the pretty dolphin as the sensation eased.
“Great job, Savvy! She’s covered in sparkles. By the way, Dr. Callahan and I can give you a ride home this afternoon if you’d like,” Everleigh mentioned as she rubbed my upper back.
“My house is pretty far out of your way.” I tossed an excuse to her.
I’d give anything for the chance to explain to Bram that my nerves had gotten to me.
Not that he’d offer to bring me home. He probably wouldn’t ever speak to me again.
But if he did? I’d tell him that I’d loved every minute that the two of us shared the night of the party.
Tell him that after he kissed me good-bye the next morning, I climbed back into bed and cried for hours.
I knew then that he could be everything I’d been seeking in a partner if I could get past my hang-ups. And it had been too much.
“No worries, we’ll help you figure out how to get home,” Everleigh said as if she was already in planning mode. It was another reason why she was such a great nurse. She cared deeply for her patients.
“All done, sweetheart. I don’t see anything concerning. No cuts or any indication of an issue.” Bram spoke as he carefully removed the scope and smoothed the sheet over my body.
“Thank you, Dr. Thorsen. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” I admitted.
“No worries.” He paused, looking down at me. His arms appeared even more muscular from this angle. “If you need a ride home, I’m happy to drop you off. My SUV is very accustomed to this weather.”
Everleigh clapped twice. “Oh! That’s so thoughtful of you. Will that be okay, Savvy? Dr. Thorsen lives close to you, it’s on the way.”
I sat up slowly while trying not to panic. That’s exactly what I’d hoped for a few minutes ago so why was I freaking out? Because then I really would have to talk to him. I reminded myself that I’d already been brave today, talking to Viking Daddy alone was easier than anything else I’d endured.
“Sure. Thank you for the offer. That’s very thoughtful.” I didn’t say anything else. No, there would be plenty of time to tell him everything that had been on my mind. Bram washed his hands and dried them.
“Would you like to borrow a pair of sweatpants? The temperature has dropped quite a bit.” He waited patiently for a reply.
“I’d really appreciate that. Thank you.” And I meant it. Though I hadn’t replied to his messages, I wanted very badly to take what we started and follow it through.
“Sounds good. Everleigh, will you come with me so I can get Savannah something warm for her legs? I have an extra pair in my locker though they’ll be big on her.” He smiled, one that reached all the way to his eyes.
“Sure, thing! I’ll be right there.” Everleigh patted my shoulder as she stepped around the table.
“Hey, Everleigh?”
She paused while Bram waved once and stepped outside the room giving us privacy.
“Did you need something, sweetie?” Everleigh glanced up and down the length of my body, ready to assist as always.
“I… ghosted Dr. Thorsen.”
“What?”
I was fairly certain she’d comprehended what I’d said, because her face paled. “The someone that I met at the holiday party? It was Bram. I didn’t know he worked here.”
“You… met Dr. Thorsen at your party?” Everleigh blinked.
“He drove me home, we had an absolutely amazing connection. He was kind, considerate, sweet, patient, and then I completely ghosted him.” I said all the things I’d told her already.
“Savannah. Why didn’t you say anything? Dr. Callahan could have examined you instead or I could have, I don’t know, held the plug steady with those tongs while we waited for him to arrive. Are you upset? Do we need to talk about safety?”
“No, it’s okay. Yes, I was embarrassed but he already saw all those… parts of me. I just wanted to explain to you why I was acting so odd. I really had no idea that he worked here,” I said again for her benefit more than mine.
“Right. I understand now. Dr. Thorsen started a few weeks ago but he’s been around the clinic for about a month,” she said, leaning against the wall. “Are you sure you want him to bring you home? If you were just being nice, we can find another arrangement.”
“I’m comfortable with him driving me home. It will give me a chance to explain why I was so dumb. And I really like him.” I fiddled with the edge of the sheet.
“You poor thing. No wonder you’re embarrassed. Would you like a hug?”
“Yes, please.”
She moved to my side and embraced me. Everleigh really needed an award for her bedside manner.
“Do you have my personal cell?”
“No, I don’t have it.”
“Let me give it to you. If you need anything, anything at all, even if it’s to talk about what happened or relationships, you text, call…. whatever. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks so much for being here with me through all that. I appreciate you.”
“Anytime, sweetie. I’ll get you those pants and be back in a few minutes.”
As she left I let out a long breath that I didn’t realize I’d been holding. She was so understanding, but everyone at the clinic was. It was like my home away from home. They treated me more like family than anyone else ever had.
Though the day had started with a stuck plug, maybe it was a dumb metaphor to remind me not to stay in my same routine. That change was good for me. Moving toward a relationship with Bram might be the best step I’d ever taken.