Chapter One
Penny
I absolutely hate going to the gyno. Once a year I summon the courage to make the appointment because I know it’s for my health. But could there possibly be anything more cringeworthy than getting down there looked at by a stranger?
I’ve been going to the same one for the past three years, and I was just starting to get used to the idea that Dr. Sweet would be the only other person besides me to see all my business. Then I get a call this morning telling me Dr. Sweet has retired and she has someone new taking over her cases.
My stomach has been in knots since that call, but I keep telling myself to relax. It’s just a quick exam to make sure all my lady bits are in the right place, and then it’s over for another year.
When I pull into the parking lot I turn off my car and close my eyes. I let out one long breath and then straighten my shoulders. I can do this.
The office is nice and new with modern furnishings and large windows. There’s a water feature in the corner and serene music playing in the distance. Everything about this space is designed to make me calm, but I’m not even close.
The lady at the front desk beams at me as I go up to the counter. “Hey, Ms. Night,” she says, and I give her a tight smile. They are always so good about remembering me, and I try not to let my nerves get the best of me.
“Hey, Joanne. It’s good to see you again.”
“We’re actually running a little ahead so it’s good you’re here early.”
I’d come early to my appointment to try and acclimate, but as the nurse opens the side door I realize that I’m not going to have that luxury.
“Hi, Ms. Night, come on back,” she says as she holds the door open for me.
“Thanks,” I say, and even I can hear the tremble in my voice.
She takes me down the hallway, and I’m not really paying attention to what she’s saying until I get to the exam room.
“Dr. Maverick will see you in just a moment,” she says, then closes the exam room door and leaves me to it.
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell myself as I place my purse on the chair and begin to undress.
I hurry to take off my clothes and tuck my underwear inside my folded shorts. I don’t know why I’m so embarrassed about the doctor seeing my panties when they’re about to see my vagina.
Grabbing the gown off the bed, I slip it on with the opening in the front. I take the paper cover and hold on to it as I lie back on the exam table and drape it over my lap. I know they’re going to ask me to scoot my ass all the way down to the edge of the table where I’m practically falling off, but I’m not going to do that until they make me.
Listening to the second on the clock tick, I concentrate on breathing. It’s actually kind of relaxing, and I feel the tension in my body recede as I think happy thoughts.
Just when I think I’m about to drift off, the door to the exam room opens, and I bolt straight up.
“Did I wake you?” the doctor asks, and I blink slowly at him.
Oh. My. God.
It’s a guy. It’s a hot guy. It’s a very hot guy. He’s got broad shoulders and is thick all the way down. His hair is dark with a sprinkle of gray at the temples, and he’s wearing dark-rimmed glasses. His white doctor’s coat says Dr. Maverick, and I swallow hard.
“I’m Dr. Maverick. I’m taking over for Dr. Sweet since she retired.”
He looks down at his chart and then his brows furrow. He looks back up, and his eyes move down to my gown and bare legs. I feel shy under his gaze, because I’ve never seen a doctor this hot before and of course he’s going to look at my vagina.
“Why don’t you tell me your name?” he says as he places the chart behind him on the table and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Penny,” I say softly as I try not to fidget.
The way he’s standing isn’t exactly intimidating, it’s just that he takes up so much space. He’s big and wide, and my eyes travel down to his legs. His dress pants are stretched tight, and I can see just how thick his thighs are. I look away quickly, trying to get these dirty thoughts out of my head.
“And what can I do for you today, Penny?”
He says my name like a caress, and it feels like warm water rolling down my back. I hold back a shiver and swallow hard.
“I’m scheduled for my yearly exam.” I nod to the chart that he’s got on the table behind him.