“You’re okay,” he said, and she gave a small nod. Then he lifted her up to his chest, holding her close to him. “I’m so sorry. I should have never used my powers on you, should have never said those horrible things to you. You’re innocent and pure, and I haven’t given you the respect you deserve.”
Gemma tried to smile, tried to show that she understood, but once again, she felt frustration. If she could only speak to him, perhaps she could explain her feelings. And the danger they were in.
“Is she okay?” Gemma turned her head. Charlie stood in the doorway, her face full of anxiety.
“She’s doing better now,” Cal replied.
“I was so terrified she’d done permanent damage to herself.” Her friend was wiping away tears.
“You and me both.” This was the cold voice. She turned to find Dr. Grimm standing behind her friend. “Now, if you’ll turn my patient over to me, I’ll make sure—”
“No!” She couldn’t say much, but she managed to get that word out.
“With all due respect, doctor, I don’t think she wants to go with you.” Cal’s tone was even, with no hint of the animosity she’d heard earlier in the hallway.
She looked deeply into his eyes but she saw no fear there toward Grimm. Just annoyance. Strange.
“With all due respect, Mr. Fleming, I think I know how better to serve my patients than you do. I am a licensed doctor. You’re a—what was it? Carpet salesman?”
“Indigenous artisan-crafted throw rugs,” Cal corrected.
Dr. Grimm shrugged. “In any event, I believe I have the training required by this situation. Please release the patient.”
“Do you want to go with the doctor?” Cal asked, his voice low.
Because of the restriction, she couldn’t answer with words, so she shook her head violently. “Seems like that’s a no to me.”
Grimm started forward, clearly interested in arguing the matter further, but Charlie stepped up behind him, tugging on his arm. “Please, G, don’t. Let them have a moment. What just happened was really scary. Let Gemma’s boyfriend comfort her a little, okay?”
Gemma could see the play of emotions cross the doctor’s face. “Fine,” he said shortly. “I’ll give you a little time. But don’t expect the respite to last.” He stalked from the room and Charlie followed.
“I’ll give you as much time as I can,” she said.
“Thanks,” Cal said as she left, then returned his attention to Gemma. “Are you certain you’re okay?”
Now I am. As long as I’m in your arms, staring into your eyes, nothing bad can happen. Unfortunately, all she could do was nod.
“So about the boyfriend comment…”
Gemma smiled, then leaned up to kiss him on his lips.
He stared at her hard, his expression taking on a sad cast. “You want me to be your boyfriend?”
Gemma nodded, taking his hand and putting it over her heart. She hoped he could feel how it beat only for him.
“Look, darling, I understand how things might be. You’re inexperienced, and I’m attractive, and well, people develop crushes. But with your condition, it wouldn’t be prudent for us to—”
A kiss shut him up, a deep kiss into which she poured all of her desire, all of her warmth, all of her feeling for him.
“Wow,” he murmured when she broke the kiss to breathe.
She giggled, then dragged her thumb over his bottom lip.
“Gemmaline,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t feel this attraction to you but I do. I’ve been fighting it, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold out against it.”
He gently set her down, then stood up. “You’re beautiful, but you’re so innocent. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to take this relationship to its logical conclusion. Even what happened during the blackout was a step too far.”
Gemma shook her head, hoping he would understand.
