Chapter 12

March 5th

Some words of wisdom. Always jump at an opportunity. Even if you might fall flat on your face. The risk is worth it.

Damn, but the man was hot. He escorted Paige to the private rooms. He gave his name to the man at the door who handed them a key. Paige tried not to hyperventilate as they walked down the hall with alternating black and red matte doors. Jeremy put the key in door number six and opened it. Paige stepped through and froze. There was the biggest bed she'd ever seen, made up with black silk sheets. Every wall in the room was filled with BDSM gear ranging from cuffs to floggers to a bench.

"What would please you the most?" Jeremy asked as he gestured to the room.

"Oh. A guy has never asked me that." Paige was at a loss to come up with anything.

Jeremy's eyes widened behind his mask. "May I speak freely, Mistress Reading?"

"Of course," Paige said, realizing Jeremy must be a submissive. He'd make sure she was pleased before thinking of himself.

"Then they aren't real men. Even doms live to please the subs they are with. Real men make sure their woman is well pleasured before seeking their own."

Paige sighed and sat on the bed. "I wish there were more men like you, Jeremy."

"And I wish more women were as real as you, Miss Reading. I heard what you told Miss Star. It would be an honor to show you what you've been missing. May I kiss you?"

Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap. This was real. It wasn't a dream. "Yes." The word managed to squeeze out of her tight throat.

Then Jeremy was there, kneeling in front of her, cupping her masked face with his hands. Electric shock went through her as his lips touched hers. It wasn't love. It was one hundred percent lust. The man kissed like he'd been born to do this.

"May I touch you?" he whispered as he peppered kisses over her cheek and down her neck.

"Yes," Paige said on an exhale as he kissed that magical little spot behind her ear.

His hands moved from her cheek to her neck, down her arms, and under the gauze like fabric. She felt the heat of his hands on her ribs, just below her breasts. Her body heated under his touch as he slowly peeled the gauzy dress off of her while looking her in the eyes. She'd heard the phrase eye fucking before. Now she knew what it meant. The second the dress was off, he buried his face in her breasts.

"Oh shit!" Jeremy cursed and jumped back so fast he fell on his ass.

"What?" Paige was still somewhat dazed from his kisses and didn't understand what was going on.

"Shit, is that contagious?" Jeremy jumped up and grabbed some hand sanitizer, squirting it all over his hands and even rubbing it against his lips.

"I don't think you should do th . . .," Paige didn't finish because she looked down at herself. "Oh shit! What is that?"

Paige's whole body was red and swollen. There were red welts on her chest and stomach, probably from where she'd been scratching.

"You need a doctor! I need a doctor." Jeremy pushed a button and within ten seconds the door was thrown open.

A muscled mountain of a man stood there, looking into the room as if he were ready to drag someone out. "What's the... oh shit, that doesn't look good."

"It's so itchy. It burns." Paige couldn't stop scratching her torso. It seemed to be swelling by the second. Her bra band felt as if it were cutting her in half.

"We have a doctor on staff," the muscle man muttered as he pulled out his phone. "Doc, yeah, I need you in guest room six. A woman is red and swelling and it doesn't look good."

"Jeremy, get this bra off. It's like I can't breathe."

Jeremy shook his head. "I don't want to catch anything. Doc will be here in a minute."

It took less than a minute, thank goodness, before the door opened and an old man with white hair under his mask and a medical bag walked in. "Oh, this isn't what I was expecting. Does it itch?" he asked her.

"What the hell do you think?" Paige snapped as she scratched all over.

"Is it contagious, doc?" Jeremy, that wimp, asked frantically.

"Contagious?" Doc laughed. "It's just an allergic reaction. But, little lady, we need to get you to the hospital. I don't like how much you're swelling or how quickly. Open your mouth for me."

Paige opened her mouth and the man grunted. "Yup, you get a trip to the hospital. Do you have someone who can take you?"

Paige didn't want to ruin her friends' night so she shook her head. "The bartender is really nice. Can he take me?"

Doc looked to muscle man who nodded. "I'll go get him."

"What have you put on your body?" the doctor asked as he slathered on some cortisone cream.

"My friend had me put this bronzing powder on right before we came inside. It was supposed to make me glow."

"I'd advise never using it again. You're allergic to it. Your body is turning into one giant hive. Goodness, your face is swelling fast."

The door opened and the nice bartender appeared and then cringed. "Can you take Miss Reading to the hospital please? And hurry. She's having an allergic reaction. I don't have an epi pen with me so you need to drive fast," the doctor told him as he shoved two antihistamines in her mouth and ordered her to swallow while she could.

"Okay, little one." The bartender grabbed her up into his arms and rushed her out of the back of the club.

"Why couldn't you be the one to take my virginity instead of Jeremy?" Paige asked as he buckled her into his car.

"What? I can't understand you. Oh gosh, your face is really swollen."

Her tongue felt swollen too, which was probably why the bartender couldn't understand her. "What's your name?" she tried, but he was too focused on peeling out of the private parking lot out back to try to decipher her words.

"Don't worry. The hospital isn't too far away."

"Are you a race car driver?" Paige clutched the door as he sped in and out of traffic. Although, even to her ears it sounded like someone trying to talk while their whole fist was in their mouth.

Lights flashed behind them and a siren sounded. "Oh thuck," she muttered as the bartender cursed and quickly pulled over.

Paige also realized that the bartender didn't have his shirt on and she was in her bra and panties. This was thucking fantastic.

"Look, man," the cop said to the bartender who was calling out the window for the officer to hurry up. "I don't normally do traffic stops, but you're going to kill someone."

No thucking way. Paige tried to hide her face as the cop, or rather, detective came to the window.

"I gotta get her to the hospital or she'll die!"

"Why don't you have a shirt on? Why doesn't she have clothes? Paige?"

Paige turned and waved feebly as Max got a good look at her. "Oh shit. We got to get you to the hospital."

"Bro, that's what I'm saying," the bartender said.

"Are you her boyfriend?"

Bartender shook his head. "Just met her tonight at The Red Door."

Max looked back at her in disbelief and Paige shrugged two puffy shoulders. At least it wasn't prostitution—technically. "Okay, I'll take her. I know her."

Paige was shaking her head, but Max was already running around the side of the car. He yanked open the door and reached inside. He had her seatbelt unbuckled and her in his arms before Paige could blink.

"Oot hm ow." Ugh. That was supposed be put me down.

"Don't worry, Paige. I got you."

"Tell them it's her body bronzer she's allergic to. I'll send your things home with your cute friend. Feel better, little one!" the bartender called out.

"The Red Door? Really Paige?" Max snapped as he got her into the car and then ran for the driver's side.

She didn't bother replying beyond an unhappy grunt since he wouldn't be able to understand her. Instead, she hung on to the oh shit handle as Max made the bartender's driving seem timid and slow. The siren was a nice advantage. So was the ability to call ahead to the emergency room. Max hadn't even put his car in park before nurses were running out to meet them with a gurney.

"She's having an allergic reaction to body bronzer," Max said, following them inside as they rushed her to an ER room.

Paige shut her eyes so she wouldn't see all the people staring at the swollen strawberry woman in sexy lingerie being rushed by.

"What's her name?" a deep voice asked.

"Paige Turner," Max answered.

"Husband?" the deep voice asked Max.

"No. I'm a detective and she's a... friend."

"Okay. You can leave her with me and go wait in the lobby. Family only."

"Paige, I'll wait in the lobby. Send word when she's okay. I'll drive her home if you think she can leave tonight."

Paige wanted to argue, but it was futile. Breathing was becoming an issue.

"Miss Turner," the deep voice said again. "Can you open your mouth?"

Paige thought she did, but maybe not.

"We need epinephrine, stat," the deep voice who must be the doctor said.

"Here you go," a woman's voice answered.

Paige didn't have a warning before a needle was harpooned into her thigh. She gasped but the feeling of relief was almost instantaneous. She could feel more oxygen begin to fill her lungs.

"Blood pressure is going down," the woman in the room said.

"Can you open your eyes for me?" the doctor asked.

Paige realized her eyes weren't shut because she had wanted them closed, but because they'd swollen shut. It felt funny, but she forced them open. Everything was a little blurry and very bright. Then suddenly the brightness was gone. As her vision focused, she saw the most handsome doctor she'd ever laid swollen eyes on. This man could have walked right off the set of a Hollywood medical drama. He had to be in his mid-thirties. His hair was light brown with some natural blond highlights that curled slightly under his surgical cap. Then Paige noticed the dreamiest sky-blue eyes set into his angled face with a slight amount of scruff along his jaw, indicating he was probably at the tail end of a long shift.

"There you are. Hi. I'm Doctor Fraser Robertson. Do you know what you're allergic to?"

"Body bronzer. It itches a lot." Paige tried to ignore the fact that her voice was still slightly slurred and the fact that this sexy doctor was looking down at her red, splotchy, and very itchy body still clad in her lovely and very expensive lingerie.

His eyes trailed down her body and he smiled down at her. "I think a good shower will help. Nurse, can you take her to the showers and clean her off? The sooner Miss Turner gets clean, the sooner she'll really start feeling better. I'll come check on you shortly." His hand squeezed hers before opening the curtain and taking off down the hall.

"Here you go, Miss Turner. You might want to cover up down the hall." The nurse gave her a hospital sheet as she moved to unhook all these things Paige hadn't realized had been hooked onto her. "Do you think you can ride in a wheelchair or do you want to stay in bed?"

"Wheelchair, please."

The nurse nodded and stepped out of the room. A minute later she was back pushing a wheelchair. While Paige was feeling better, she was still a little woozy from the medication. But soon she was in the shower being decontaminated by a nurse with a handheld scrubber that looked more like something you'd wash car tires with than a body. However, by the time she was finished, her fancy lingerie was in a plastic bag and Paige was squeaky clean. She was also very naked under the new sheet she was given by the nurse to ensure no cross contamination.

"Doctor Robertson will be in shortly to see you," the nurse said as she hooked Paige back up to all the monitors. "Buzz me if you need anything."

Paige thanked her and closed her eyes. At least she got Lenora Hamilton to sign with her. That made up for the horrible rest of the night.

"You're looking much better."

Paige opened her eyes to see the doctor standing next to her. "I'm feeling better, Doctor Robertson. Thank you for rescuing me on literally the most embarrassing night of my life. Even almost being arrested for prostitution wasn't as bad as tonight."

"You're a prostitute?" Paige appreciated the lack of judgment or censure in his voice, even though she wasn't a prostitute.

"No. I'm a book editor. It was a mistaken-identity thing."

"Ah, is that how you met the cop out there?" Dr. Robertson asked.

"Yep. He busted me a while back for lack of a sex life." Paige laughed, but she could see the doctor was a little confused. However, she wasn't going to fill him in. She might not have much dignity left after tonight, but she was going to cling to that last shred with everything she had.

"You're funny, Miss Turner. What does publishing have to do with lingerie? Or was tonight about the lack of your sex life?"

Paige blushed, but laughed when he did. She was enjoying the conversation. Dr. Robertson didn't seem to be judging her at all. Instead, he seemed rather interested. "Tonight was supposed to be a once in a lifetime night out and instead I'm here with you, Dr. Robertson."

"Call me Fraser," he said as he used his fingers to palpate her throat to check for swelling. "Open."

Paige's legs wanted to open, but sadly he meant her mouth.

"You let all your patients call you by your first name?"

"Nope." He dropped his hands, but stayed close to her. "I'm going to give you some medicine to help with the itching. I guess this ruined your date."

"It wasn't a date. It was actually a night out with my friends that ended up with me being carried from a club by the bartender since I was so swollen I couldn't walk. Although, I do feel much better now."

"I'm glad. But I'm slightly insulted that you think meeting me wasn't better than a once in a lifetime night out." Fraser laughed and goodness, Paige, swollen, itchy, or not, was thinking about dropping the sheet and begging him to take her.

"I think the night is starting to take a turn for the better. There's still hope for you yet."

Paige smiled at him and he smiled back. Then the moment was ruined when the curtain was shoved open and Max stood glaring at the doctor. "Is Paige okay?"

"She is. She's all cleaned up now and the pharmacy will be running up her medicine in a moment. I'll sign her discharge papers and she'll be all set." Fraser turned his back to Max and smiled down at her. "It's been a real pleasure meeting you, Paige. My number is on the discharge paperwork. Call if you need anything."

Paige wished she could say something to stop Fraser from leaving, but Max was still glaring at the doctor even as Fraser was walking away. Why? She had no idea except to think Max probably wanted to get home and Fraser possibly flirting with her was delaying getting back to his girlfriend.

"Are you really okay?" Max asked. Suddenly all his attention shifted to her.

"I am. But I need something to wear. My underwear is contaminated and I can't touch it until it's been washed."

Max shrugged out of his jacket and pulled off the navy blue NYPD hoodie he had on. He was left wearing a form-fitted T-shirt and Paige cursed her life. A hot cop, a hot doctor, and a hot boss—and here she was naked with not a single one of them available to her. At least Max wasn't trying to put her in jail anymore. That had to be a win for the night. And possibly a potential date with the doctor. She hadn't noticed a ring or even a tan line, so hopefully he didn't have a girlfriend like Max did.

"Thank you," Paige said as he handed the hoodie to her. She slid it on and then pulled the sheet out from under the warm sweatshirt. It smelled like sandalwood and Max. "I'm sorry I'm keeping you from your girlfriend when you're off duty. You really can go. I can catch a cab." Paige turned so her back was facing Max and somehow managed to rewrap the sheet around her waist like a skirt without mooning anyone.

"How can you pay for it when your purse is at the club?" Max asked, not commenting on being annoyed with missing quality girlfriend time.

"Oh. That's right."

"We can go back and get it if you want?" Max said to her.

"No. I'm too embarrassed. I'd love a ride. Thank you Max. My landlord can let me into my apartment and my friends will bring back my phone and purse. Although, if you don't mind, can you text my friend Leah to tell her to meet me at my apartment with my stuff?"

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He unlocked the screen and handed it to her. Instead of a picture of him and his girlfriend, he had a picture of a little girl who couldn't be more than three years old wearing a princess crown and fairy wings. "Is this your daughter?" Paige asked. The girl was adorable and had the same brown eyes as Max.

"No. She's my niece, Lexi. My sister and brother-in-law work long hours and so I take her whenever I have time off. It's actually why I was out tonight. I had just left her house and was driving home."

"And I derailed your night off. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It makes for an interesting story, doesn't it?"

Paige groaned. "As long as you change the names to protect the guilty."

Max laughed, but then stepped aside as the nurse came in with a paper bag of medication. "I'll get the car and meet you right out front."

"Thanks."

"Your boyfriend is real sweet," the nurse said.

"Oh, he's not my boyfriend."

"Does he know that? He was asking about you every five minutes." The nurse opened the bag after dropping that info bomb to go over Paige's medication.

Paige listened to her medication instructions as she was wheeled out to the car. Paige didn't know what she was feeling. Max was her dream man. Alpha but not an asshole. Sexy in a rugged blue-collar way. He was hard, but fair. And he'd come to her rescue tonight. Too bad he wasn't her white knight.

Paige glanced at the paperwork in her hands. Dr. Fraser Robertson was printed in bold, then underneath it he'd written his cellphone number. He was handsome and kind. She really enjoyed talking to him. While she was trying to get rid of her virginity, she didn't want to be thought of as just that. After meeting this way, she didn't know if Fraser only wanted a wham, bam, thank you ma'am, or something more. For her, Jeremy would have been an easy way to lose her virginity because they'd never have to have emotions tangled in it. With Fraser there would be wants and desires outside of the bedroom and Paige didn't know how she felt about that. Maybe tonight was a sign that she needed to put this adventure of a heroine aside for a bit.