rtification. She couldn't bring herself to move

ith apparent calm, though his pulse wa

is voice steady but with an underlying

een them, loaded with meaning

s a doctor who'd see

d he had

just his clinical wa

positioned herself on the bed, bu

an said, his voice growing rougher despit

pered, her hands clutchi

m his body. His breathing had become slightly uneven, and when sh

he said softly. "F

ana squeezed her eyes shut and slowly

n saw her, his ja

swollen, clear evidence of th

tly, the words escaping b

body went rigid

tarily, including the inti

i-inflammatory cream from the nearby medical

the swelling," he mur

flesh, applying the cool cream with gentle circ

mortification, she felt herself responding-not

ite everything, despite the clinical setting, desp

smile tugged at the

while continuing his ministrations. "There are no other symptoms, no rashes

, his touch both clinical and intimate, watchi

nd removed his gloves, Alana q

he said, walking toward t

ts, desperate to escape the roo

out to flee, the door

, her expression shifting from mild an

doing here? When did yo

d. The woman's tone suggested fami

an replied casually, but there w

d between Stephan and Alana with growing alarm. "You exa

Alana like a

n't a

ver been

a finally found her voice, h

look at her, his g

aid I was

voice cracked with out

the real doctor-

u today. This is my son, and what he's done is

said, "I may not be a doctor, but I do have a

essly, "Stop talking nonsense! Tel

he looked at Alana. "Well, that would be q

tart fr

veal, immediately interrupted,

d. Even now, she was s

ately turned her

otect him. What exactly happen

face burning with embarrassment. "Could you please just give m

t the truth about what had happened between them, Alana wa

em suspiciously, clearly sensing un

y the way. Let me give you a th

nation, Stephan remained in the room, that in

rely too pleased with himself for someone who had j

er son, "you should wait outside while

ly, but as he headed for the door,

er was unmistakabl