Possessive Doctor

“Brent!” She runs over, grinning. “I didn’t know. I just heard.”

Brent hugs her tight. He turns to me. “Amber, this is Lora. She’s the youngest of the clan.”

“And the best. Hi, nice to meet you.” Lora holds her hand out and I shake it. She’s pretty and only has a passing resemblance to Brent. Where he’s all tall and muscular and intense, she’s slight and willowy, barely taller than me, with a gorgeous figure.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

“Paris got boring so I came home. Mom and Dad are in a mood.”

He frowns. “Really?”

“Dad went hunting again and Mom got annoyed about it. He brought back all these dead birds, these pheasants. You should’ve seen the look on Mom’s face, like he brought the plague into our house.”

They laugh together and I just smile.

“Well look, do they know I’m here yet?”

“I doubt it.”

“Let us get settled before we do that, okay?”

“Sure. Need anything?”

He hesitates. “Actually, yes. Amber here needs some, uh, toiletries.”

I blush. “No, really, I’m fine. It’s okay.”

“I can take care of you.” Lora slaps an arm through mine. “What do you need? Don’t be embarrassed.”

“I just… I didn’t have time to pack.”

“I see. Brent picked up a stray?” She grins at her brother.

He glares at her. “No. It’s hard to explain. But she’s with me.”

Those words seem to hold some strange weight. Lora just shrugs and leans against me. “Don’t mind him. Brent can be very… protective.”

“Territorial,” he corrects. “And she needs protecting.”

Lora rolls her eyes. “Right. We’re so dangerous.” She laughs lightly and I like her already. “Come with me. I’ll get you sorted. You’ll like the supply closet. It sounds boring, but it’s actually impressive.”

I walk along with her, shooting a look back to Brent. He nods once and I’m led away with Lora. She takes some of my weight, almost naturally sensing that I need some help walking.

We move through a few hallways and rooms. I get barely a glimpse at each place, but it’s all immaculately furnished with gold-framed paintings and lavish rugs and wall-hangings. She takes me through a kitchen staffed with several young girls and an old fat man in a white apron that barks something in French that makes Lora laugh. She throws open a door and we step into what’s basically a huge room packed with supplies.

“I think the bathroom stuff’s in the back,” she says. “Toothbrushes and stuff like that. We used to get more visitors so there’d be more, but we’re a little low right now.”

I marvel at the assortment and sheer amount of stuff. It’s like a pharmacy. I find everything I need and a bag to put it all in: toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, face wash, moisturizer, and even some makeup. When I’m done, Lora cocks her head.

“Okay, so. What’s your deal and why did my brother bring you here? You know he’s never brought someone here before, right?”

I stand in the weird supply room and just shake my head. “I don’t… I have no clue.”

“You don’t know what your deal is? Or that he never brought someone here before?”

“The… second one.”

She nods a little. “I’m not surprised. He’s not big on sharing.”

I smile at that. “Likes to keep things to himself.”

“Exactly. It’s very dramatic. So what’s your deal then?”

“I… uh… he was my doctor.”

She laughs. “Oh my god. That’s perfect.”

“No, I mean, it’s not like that,” I say quickly. “We’re not… you know…”

“Oh, yes, you are. You’ve seen the way he looks at you, right?”

“I mean—”

“Look, he’s my brother and I find him utterly gross, but he looked at you back there like you were his new prize and he wanted to keep you forever. You have to realize that.”

“That can’t—”

“Come on,” she says, taking my arm. “Let’s go find him before he thinks I corrupted your morality.”

I blink and let her lead me on. I don’t know what she thinks is happening here and I’m honestly afraid to ask her about it. She takes me through the kitchen where we’re assaulted with more French that only makes her laugh. We move through different rooms and end up in a sunlit sitting area with big windows overlooking an incredible garden.

Brent’s sitting in a chair, his feet up on a table in front of him. He looks back as we approach then jumps up. “Got what you need?” he asks.

I hold up the little bag. “Got it.”

“Thank you,” he says to Lora. “Gave me a chance to check in.”

“Figured.”

He walks over. “What do you think so far?”

“I think I’m overwhelmed.”

“Yeah.” He laughs. “Doesn’t get easier though.”

I look at Lora and she just shrugs. “I’ll leave you two to it,” she says. “I was just about to crack open a bottle of wine and take a bath like a proper libertine. Wish me luck.” She waves and leaves the room in a flash.