he tear tracked down her pale cheek, the ha

m under her knees and the other behind her back. He lift

sp white coat. Her face was pressed against his chest. Beneath the sterile smell of the clinic, she inhaled th

in a soft, heated blanket rather than the crinkly paper from be

ut a pre-filled syringe and a tourniquet. He pulled a rolling stool t

her bicep, his long fingers tapping th

orbin said, his voice entirely different now-low, soothing, almost a

s the needle pi

seconds," he murmured, his thumb gently stroking the sk

owed by a heavy, numbing warmth that spread directly to her lower back. The

ack against the pillow. The strong medication brought a

and taping it down. He disposed of the syringe, stripped off his gloves, and walked over to th

paper towel, tossed it in

emeanor vanished. Th

placed his hands flat on the mattress on either side of Hope's waist,

rmth of his breath ghosting over her lips. Her heart, previously calmed b

angerous rumble. "The pain is gone. Let

s, making it impossible to lie. She turned her head away, sta

fingers firm but gentle, forcing her face back to him. His thumb slowly stroked the sensi

st like acting like a vulgar, money-hu

he humiliation at work, the near-death pain, and now this

k with tears. "I hate that you saw me like that! I hate that I had to spread my legs for

oss treats me like garbage, my mother looks at me like an ATM machin

obbing uncontrollably, her shoulders s

her, watching her break down. The anger in his e

e used his thumbs to wipe the wetness from her cheeks. His touch

rbin said. His voice was absolute, carrying the w

eath hitching. The words pierced straight through

A sudden, reckless surge of adrenaline flooded h

reached into her purse on the side table and pulled out her phone. Her

silence, his eyes tr

e typed Franklin Finch. In the subject

thank him for the opportunity. She typed on

ne second. Then, she slammed h

osh sound echo

creen, her chest heaving. A massive, crushing weight lifted of

l clinging to her eyelashes, but a wild,

The air in the room suddenly grew thick, heavy with a

nst hers. "Good girl," he whispered, his vo

hroat as she stared into his darkening eyes, realizing she had jus