Page 51 of Street

“Tell Razor,” she whispered to Street.

“Rosa has some trauma in her past. She doesn’t like being tucked tightly under the covers. Her stepfather used the bedclothes to secure her in bed at night. I hadn’t expected that restraints would cause the same panic,” Street shared. “Sorry, Dinorosa. I should have anticipated this. I bet you didn’t hear Razor explain the bands keep your heels from dislodging so you don’t bang your legs if your foot slips.”

“I owe you an apology, Rosa, for not asking the right questions. I apologize for frightening you,” Razor said. “Did your stepfather touch you in any other way?”

Rosa could hear the sadness in his voice. He definitely held himself responsible for frightening her. “No. If I didn’t cooperate, I didn’t get food the next day. You didn’t scare me on purpose. I’m so stupid for panicking.”

“You are definitely not stupid. Your stepfather’s abuse reflects only on him,” Razor said, holding her gaze so she could see the truth in his eyes.

“And her mother,” Street growled.

Razor shook his head. “Karma will be a bitch for them. Rosa, often the most intelligent people remember bad things so clearly that they react strongly whenever something triggers them. I think we should have your Daddy take you home, and you can return another day for the rest of the exam.”

“No!” Her loud voice scared her, and Rosa jumped. “I mean, I’m okay and would like to get this over with. I don’t want to worry about coming back.”

“You are brave, Rosa. Street, climb up behind Rosa. Let her rest while you hold her. That way you can support her legs, and she won’t have to use the stirrups.”

In a few seconds, Street held her cradled against him. His powerful hands cradled her thighs, holding them steady. “How’s that, Dinorosa?”

His heartbeat against her back reassured her. Street wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen. “Better,” she said, turning to smile at him. She faced Razor and announced, “I’m ready now.”

Without saying a word, Razor pulled on gloves and sat between her widely spread legs. He focused a light on her most private area as he explained what he was going to do. His calm voice erased any surprises. “Rosa, I’m going to run my fingers over your labia to make sure you are healthy. I’ll use some lubricant, so this may be cold.”

Rosa closed her eyes as his fingers smoothed over her pink folds. She stiffened, trying not to raise her hips toward his touch. Street pressed his lips to her neck.

“You’re okay, Little girl. Razor knows you are sensitive,” he whispered in her ear.

“Daddy!” she whispered.

“You’ll feel me insert a finger into your vagina, Rosa, to check your muscle tone and examine the inner walls,” Razor said. His professional tone reassured her. “Your Daddy is right, Rosa. Don’t worry if you have an orgasm. That only assures me you are healthy.”

Rosa closed her eyes and tried everything she could think of to distract herself—saying the alphabet in reverse order, reciting the states and capitals she’d memorized in fifth grade, listing all the places she’d worked in order. She still found pleasure in his touch. When his finger slid from her, she slumped against her Daddy in relief.

“This is the speculum, Rosa. With it, I can see your inner tissues.”

She gritted her teeth as the cool device slid inside her. Shivering a bit, Rosa gripped her Daddy’s hand harder.

“This will stretch you a bit.”

A low moan escaped her throat. Razor immediately asked, “Is this hurting you?”

“No,” she said. Her face heated with embarrassment that she’d shared her arousal with them.

“Good. You let me know if something is uncomfortable. A small poke here as I do your pap smear.”

As the speculum slid from her, Rosa relaxed. The exam was over. She tried to pull her legs together, but Street held her firmly in place. Razor stood from his stool. He squeezed lubricant onto two fingers as he stepped closer.

“One last step. You’ll feel my fingers in your rectum and vagina this time as I check you internally.”

What? She’d never had this happen at the free clinic she’d gone to. Rosa clenched her bottom, but his finger glided inside on a flood of slick goo. Another replaced the speculum. Razor held them deep as he pressed on her tummy in the middle and toward each side.

“Your uterus and ovaries are fine. Your anal passage has great muscle tone. Street, you’re finished with the antibiotics, right?”

“Yes. All done. She tolerated them well.”

“I’m going to run some blood work to find out what nutrients Rosa is low on. Come by on Wednesday to pick up vitamin suppositories for her. I’ll insert a generalized dose today until we can fine-tune the medicine to address Rosa’s needs exactly.”

“I don’t need anything,” Rosa protested.