Chapter 10
Feeling good, fresh as a daisy and sexy as ever, I’m perched on the edge of the exam table, fully dressed and impossibly anxious, swinging my crossed ankles back and forth in anticipation. I’d opted not to don the robe, mildly confident that the brilliant excuse I’ve concocted doesn’t call for it, but took care of all my pre-game prep, minus the douche, in case it does .
Unlike before, when he knocks lightly and sticks his head in today, I’m not trying to make myself as small as possible with my head down. Rather, my chin and chest are up and proud, my eyes meeting his dead-on.
“Hi, Dr. Reynolds,” I greet him first.
“Addison,” he draws out my name in a low, tantalizing hum and steps fully inside, shutting the door behind him. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
My guess would be that smile, voice, body and sexual prowess. But just a guess.
“The appointment sheet says you called over the weekend. Everything alright? Did you get your results? They were mailed the other day, all normal.” Eyes taking on concern, he steps closer.
“I got them, yes and I saw, perfect . Thank you.” I suck in my bottom lip, allowing the words to linger and speak for themselves.
With a hint of a blush, his unease disappears, replaced with a playful sparkle in his dazzling eyes. “You got my note then?”
Still chewing my bottom lip flirtatiously, I answer with a nod.
No mistaking it, he releases a low hiss, his eyes skating over me once. I uncross my legs and place my hands on each side of myself on the table, waiting for him to take the lead .
He clears his throat and steps back as if escaping a trance. “What can I help you with today?”
“I’d like to start some birth control.”
I’d googled “top reasons women go to the gyno” and this was the least unpleasant topic and can’t be disproven. Plus, if things in reality ever catch up to my dreams, I’ll need it. The ideal ploy.
“Oh?” Both his dark brows shoot to his matching hairline. “That was fast. You just adamantly declined needing it not too damn long ago.”
Did he just cuss?
He takes a seat on his stool. “What’s changed?”
I laugh and give him a questioning smirk of my own. You’d think the doctor in the room would understand precisely what change would make a woman suddenly need birth control, but I realize the hilarity could backfire and my laughter’s cut short. I don’t want him to think I’m unavailable. Shit! Curse fake plans and their unforeseen potholes.
“Nothing, yet. I just figured…” I shrug, glancing around the room with nonchalance. “Since I’m taking care of everything else, might as well be prepared there too. ”
He remains silent, regarding me with curious eyes a few moments before finally consulting the chart. “Did you have a particular method in mind?”
“Nope. Can you tell me the options?”
“The most common of course, is a daily birth control pill. Women your age, nonsmokers, have good results with it, and it’s the most affordable up front.”
“What if you forget to take it?” I question. “And don’t a lot of women gain weight from it?”
He nods, setting down the chart and making eye contact, apparently ready to have a natural conversation. “Those are both concerns I hear quite often. Another option is the Depo shot. It lasts for three months at a time, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.” He grins. “Except scheduling the next shot. I will warn you though, a lot of recipients experience months of bleeding initially, then none at all. And weight gain’s a common complaint with this one as well.”
“They should hire you for PR,” I jest. “Lemme think.” I tap my chin. “A pill I’ll probably forget or a needle, with month-long periods and extra weight. Hmmm, tempting, but I’ll pass, on both. ”
He chuckles and nods. “Okay, what about an IUD?”
“Which is?”
“Intrauterine Device. Let me show you one.” He stands and opens the door, asking a nurse to bring him a Mirena demo.
Meanwhile, I’m breaking down word parts to figure out what we’re talking about here.
Intra-in.
Uterine-my uterus.
Device-technical, scary word, especially when preceded by IN.MY.UTERUS.
My mouth’s open, fully prepared to bark “next,” when he shuts the door and sits down in front of me again.
“This is an IUD.” He holds up a small piece of T-shaped plastic. “It’s inserted into your uterus and you use the small threads to check its placement once a month. After inserted, neither you nor your partner should be able to feel it.” He gently takes my hand and places the device in my palm so I can familiarize myself.
“It can last as long as five years, or five days, you choose. The effective rate is over 99% and is completely reversible at any time. ”
I eye the tiny possibility I’m holding. “Does it hurt?”
“When it goes in, you’ll feel a brief pinch and there may be mild cramps or even bleeding for a few days after, but then you should be fine. Also, it’s unlikely, but if you were to become pregnant with the IUD in place, it will almost definitely cause an ectopic pregnancy.”
My head snaps up at that and a frown curves his lips at my bleak expression. Is there no flawless birth control out there?
“Sorry, just want you to have all the facts.”
“I understand.” Someday I’d love children but I’m not there yet. “Anything else?” I ask.
“Yes, and this is very important.” He rolls an inch closer, expression turning deadly serious. “An IUD isn’t recommended for women who aren’t monogamous. Are you planning on a relationship… is he ?”
“Wh—” I squeak, abhorred. I shove my body back, spine pin straight. “Can you ask that? He who? You…ugh,” I growl, flustered to the point of incoherency.
“Addison,” his voice is low and sinister as he places a firm hand on my knee and squeezes, “an IUD leaves you highly susceptible to infection. I can’t advise it in good faith and I’ll refuse to insert it unless you can assure me you fully understand the risk.”
How has this appointment taken such an ugly, drastic turn? I wanted to see him, and my safe excuse plan is backfiring like a rusty old truck. Did I not already tell him this was precautionary? There is no he , yet... and I’d wasted my time coming today since Dr. Reynolds is obviously under the assumption I’m ready to “cat around” with...someone who’s not him.
My embarrassment at how grossly I’d misread things, conjuring up this apparently non-existent, cockamamie connection that’s left me the fool, quickly morphs to anger.
“Never mind.” I shake my head, fighting back threatening, humiliated tears. I attempt to scramble down from the table as quickly and gracefully as possible. “I-I was just researching,” I mumble.
“Addison.” The hand on my arm, as stern as his gravelly voice, stalls my hasty, teary retreat.
“I’m fine. This was…I just…thought I’d play it safe but…” I blow out a sigh, ending my rambles.
“Sit back down, please.” His tone is soft, sweet, coercing; I settle again on the table, eyes downcast. “Take a breath. ”
Long, silent moments pass and I remain stoic in my tight-lipped avoidance, so he gently lifts my chin, forcing to me to look at him. “If you want the IUD, and can promise me that you’ll ask any guy you date to be tested before intercourse…then I’ll put it in.” His hand falls away. “I’m sorry if I upset you. That wasn’t my intention, I just…want you safe is all.”
“Thank you,” I say in a whisper. Rebuilding my confidence, I look him in the eyes and ask, “Can you put it in today?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I want the IUD…today…and I promise I’ll be safe.”
He says nothing, only offers a slow nod of understanding. “Go ahead and undress.” He pulls a robe from a drawer and hands it to me. “I’ll be back in a couple minutes.”
“Okay,” I echo my previous response.
He searches my eyes, where I’m sure he finds curiosity mixed with a hint of excitement, but no anxiety or fear. His lip quirks slightly before he seemingly comes to terms with my decision and turns to leave the room .
I undress and pull on the robe like the pro I’m becoming. By the time I’m back in place on the table, his knock sounds.
“Come in,” I call out and watch as the door opens and he steps in holding a tray.
I lie back and he rolls the stool to the end of the table and guides my feet into the stirrups. At this point it’s routine, no spoken directions, our movements syncing rhythmically.
“You ready?” he asks.
I tuck my arms behind my head to help prop me up a bit. “Yeah.”
There’s the familiar coolness of the speculum, his fingers spreading me as he slides it in. “Alright, here we go. You’re gonna feel a little stick when I place the IUD and that’s it.”
The stick is more like a shot to a place you really don’t want one. I suck in a deep hiss through gritted teeth at the stab, my entire body clenching. It’s quick though, and before I even completely open my tightly closed eyes, I feel the speculum sliding out.
“All done.” I hear the tool clank down on the tray followed by the pop of his gloves as he pulls them off. “You okay?”
I catch my breath. “It felt like a bee flew in there and stung me.”
He chuckles softly, still on his stool between my open legs. “Sorry. Wish there was something I could do.”
“Do you?” That just came out but I don’t wish it back. I leave it out there for him to decipher, which he does.
Highly attuned to the shift in the air, I feel a soft brush along my inner thigh, seconds before a warm stream of breath tickles my flesh, directed at my center. His breath? I peer down at him over my stomach but all I see is his hair. It’s unmistakable though. He’s blowing on me soothingly and then…I suck in a deep inhale when I feel his hands on my inner thighs, so close to where I ache for him.
Are we really doing this?
“Addison…” he rumbles, voice unsteady.
“Yes.” I arch upward, answering both of our unspoken questions, giving him permission.
His hand cups my sex, taking what he wants, his breathing staggered and echoing around us.
I wiggle in a pleading move and his hand brushes down over me, slowly parting my damp center. His finger caresses, flicking over my clit.
“Please,” I moan.
That’s all it takes to compel him further, a thick, strong finger slipping inside me, stroking with deliberate but gentle motions. His other hand grips my thigh, as though for support, as his thrusting grows faster, more urgent. I counter, slamming myself downward, riding now two fingers shamelessly, shocked but delighted that I feel no pain, only ecstasy.
It feels torturously right, everything I’d been craving, or so I thought… until his rough tongue wisps over my clit and I cry out, knowing “everything” just got so much better. That’s all it takes for me to come undone right there on the exam table and I’m lost, conscious of nothing but the wave of tingling bliss rolling its way through my entire body.
He slows his ministrations, lapping gently as I ease back down to Earth, then slides his fingers out as he rises to stand, towering over me. He holds me captive in his stare, chin and mouth still glistening of “me,” as unsure of what to say as I am. My ogle wanders over his broad chest to pants, drawn tight, perfectly outlining his massive erection. I sit up, ready to relieve him when he steps back and turns around.
“T-that shouldn’t have happened,” he stammers. “I’m sorry. I’ve never…with a patient… I-I’ve never—”
“I wanted you to. Blame me.”
He turns back to face me just as another knock interrupts us. I’m probably his longest appointment ever. I can only imagine what the other patients or worse, the nurses, think.
“I have to go,” he says, walking to the door.
“Of course.”
He gives a curt nod and opens the door when I say in a whisper, “Thank you.”