planted so many stories, played up the carefree womanizer angle. So they don’t know who matters to me.”
He turns to face me again. “But if word got out that I have a lover, and she’s carrying my child…Baily, it scares me to death to think that I wouldn’t be able to protect you. What they would do to you, because of me.”
Despite the water my throat is dry. My heart is pounding so heard I can hear the blood rushing in my ears. How does he manage this, to flip around everything inside my head until I’m a complete wreck? I don’t even know which way is up? He’s concerned for my safety, is willing to go toe to toe with me to ensure I’m not a target someone could hurt by proxy.
Is he paranoid? Or just smart?
“Keeping you is selfish, I realize that. But I don’t know how to let you go.”
The elevator dings open and two sets of footsteps sound behind us. Justin clears his throat and says, “Excuse me, but Doctor Trammel is here.”
“Please,” Connor begs me with his eyes, his mouth. His whole body is filled with yearning.
Rising to my feet, I move over to Connor’s side. “Alright, I’ll stay, but I need some answers. And I won’t wait much longer to get them.”
Chapter Eight
G imme an L! Gimme an O! Gimmie S, E, R! What’s that spell? YOU! Snarkarella has her pom poms out and is doing backflips off the inside of my skull as Justin leads Doctor Trammel and myself to what looks like a suite within Connor’s apartment. Galley kitchen, living area and bedroom overlooking the tree line of the park. The colors are neutral, beige walls, taupe carpeting, and white window treatments. The lack of personal items leads me to the conclusion that the space is unoccupied. Why would anyone need separate living quarters inside his own apartment? The answer forms right on the heels of the question and I flinch. How many mistresses has Connor kept here for easy access?
Snarkarella pauses between high kicks to sneer. And yet, you’re still here. Who should we blame for that, Baily?
As much as I detest her rotten attitude, she’s right more often than not. That’s probably why I loathe her. How can anyone truly like a smartass know-it-all who’s always right?
“You’ll have complete privacy here.” Justin steps back out into the main part of the apartment, shutting the door behind us.
Doctor Trammel is a small dark-skinned woman somewhere between forty five and fifty. She looks around a moment then sets her medical bag on the small oak table.
“So, Ms. Sinclair—”
This situation is so bizarre and I feel I owe her an apology. “I’m sorry we bothered you on a Sunday. I hope we didn’t take you away from anything important.”
She offers me a reassuring smile. “It’s quite alright. I’ve two children in college, so Mr. Edge’s financial incentive more than compensates me for the inconvenience. Would you care to sit?”
I like her reassuring bedside manner. It’s nice to have a friendly nonjudgmental face to talk to. I move to the couch and turn toward her. “I really just need a prescription for a morning after pill. Everything else can wait until I see my own doctor.”
Dr. Trammel nods. “If that’s what you want to do.”
What I really want to do is go home and sleep for a week. Or better yet, travel back in time to warn myself not to go anywhere near Connor Edge. “I know he probably told you to talk me into taking something else—”
The doctor waves her hand in a sharp slicing motion, cutting me off. “Ms. Sinclair…Baily. I’m here for you. You are my patient and Mr. Edge’s wishes are not a factor in how I treat you. He may pay the bill, but it’s your body and I’m not pushing anyone else’s agenda. Are we clear?”
My eyes sting, though I don’t know why. “Thank you for that.”
Perfectly sculpted eyebrows furrow. “I assume you and Mr. Edge are sexually involved?”
“We were….” I trail off, and stare at the floor. I