Hell (Black Heart Romance)

“Probably not? I don’t know.”

She nods. “Your D levels could be low. You’d be surprised how many areas of our health are affected by the simplest things.” Right, and she’s completely bullshitting me right now. I’d never call her on it, like ever. I was taught to respect doctors.

Plus, she’s tied in with Lucian, which tells me she’s probably not the average doctor. Doctors don’t usually make house calls. God knows, I dealt with enough of them when Mom was sick.

After she takes the blood, the doctor has me lie back on the bed. A pap smear? But I’m supposed to believe this is all about my vitamin levels. As always, I close my eyes and wait for it to be over. At least she’s quick about it.

She asks me endless questions about my cycle and my last period, and finally, whether I’ve ever taken birth control.

“No, I never have.”

“I’m going to give you a shot today. Depo-Provera. Have you ever heard of it?”

Depo? “Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

“Lucian requested I give you the shot today, but I have to administer a pregnancy test first.” There’s no question in her voice, and I know without being told, she won’t take no for an answer. Because he won’t.

She hands me a cup, and I go to the bathroom to give her a sample. After that, I sit on the bed and watch her work for a few minutes until she finally announces, “You’re not pregnant, so I can give you the shot today.”

“Terrific.” I accept the shot and tell myself at least I know I won’t get pregnant.

She gives me the shot in my upper arm and sticks a small band-aid over it. Then packs up her tools. “We’re all finished.” And that’s it. She leaves me alone, naked, except for the sheet she gave me to cover myself with.

What now? Should I get up and dress? Or am I waiting for Lucian? I’m in his bedroom. It makes sense that he’d want something from me.

It’s a big room, with what looks like a huge bathroom attached. There’s another room next to it that looks like it might be a study or library, and one on the other side of the suite that might be a dressing room. I want to get up and explore—anything to give me a glimpse of who he is—but Lucian’s footfalls freeze me in place.

Probably for the best. He wouldn’t love it if he found me snooping around.

“You’re still undressed.” He looks me up and down, buttoning his suit jacket. He even wears suits at home. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No. I didn’t know…” I look down at my lap. He’s got to think I’m an idiot.

“Today doesn’t count.”

“It doesn’t?” Dammit. There’s a tight feeling in my throat all of a sudden. It’s a good thing, isn’t it? I should be crying in relief that my thighs won’t hurt again so soon.

“No.” A smile plays over his lips, but it’s over before I get a good look at it. “I won’t be fucking you today. Get yourself together and go. The car is waiting.”

Dumbfounded, I grab for my clothes and pull them on as he watches. The few glances I throw his way don’t tell me anything about what he’s thinking. He might as well be wearing a mask.

He doesn’t show me to the front door, but I find it on my own.

8

Lucian

I can’t remember the last time I spent a whole day away from the club. My business has become my life, and I rarely do things because I want to do them but because I have to do them. So today makes for a refreshing change.

I’ve been following Rowan around, watching her every move. She’s gone to three job interviews, which has me thoroughly surprised. I just transferred her ten grand, and her debt with me is paid. Most women who look like Rowan would go and blow that money on clothes and shoes, then find a rich asshole to keep buying her shit.

The only outfit Rowan bought is the one to wear to the job interviews. This woman has me more intrigued by the minute.

As soon as I got the test results back, letting me know that Rowan is clean, I knew I had to have her today, but I didn’t plan on stalking her for so long. I normally like to make it quick. I get bored easily, but there is nothing boring about Rowan. She makes even the most mundane things interesting.

Keeping at least two cars between, I follow the bus she takes to get back to her apartment complex. It’s a shit hole, which I was expecting, of course. What I wasn’t expecting is how much it would bother me to see the way she lives.

I don’t know why I care. All I know is that she doesn’t belong here. She should live in a better part of the city, or maybe not in the city at all. A small town with no crime would suit her better.