Midnight Toxicity

13.

Staying at the house during the day was dangerous for my health.

I wanted to speak to Aria, but she hid away while Derry lounged in the living room with his hairy chest on display.

I hadn't dropped out of high school by choice, hating the isolation as the week crept by without seeing my friends. Their lives ticked onward, devoid of my amazing persona. Not that I expected them to hunt me down and ask what my plans were. I already lied to Gina and Jack about a summer job, so their silence wasn't totally unexpected.

Marie finally called on Thursday, her crisp tone grating, as if she'd rather pull out her toenails than deal with me. I didn't understand. It was not as if I approached her boss of my own volition.

I listened as she explained I had to pop by the clinic for another visit with the good doctor. They wanted me on different birth control than the pill. I agreed without complaint, showing up at the creepy building that afternoon after my Mani-Pedi appointment.

Dr. Moray grinned at me when Dotty left us alone in the small exam room. The once bubbly woman was moody, pouting and slamming things around. I turned a blind eye, wanting to get this over with.

He told me to remove my clothing, forgoing the paper gown. I shied away when he patted the table for me to expose my coochie in the stirrups. There was no reason for me to undress since he said I was getting a shot.

This prevert! Men like him masturbated to menial acts, believing them more sensual than anyone else on the planet.

He swallowed, greedy eyes following my fingers as I unbuttoned my pale pink blouse. If the lighting were darker, it would be as though I was performing a show that he paid money to see. Did he hear how Andy Golding interviewed me at a strip club, assuming I worked there?

I feigned confusion after exposing my bra, looking pointedly at my arm. He shrugged when I perched on the platform without shedding more clothing. What did I know? I was just a foolish girl who obeyed her elders.

Or I had a penchant for flirting with danger.

"Have you had intercourse since our last visit?" he asked, gawking at my breasts.

I cleared my throat, his relaxed demeanor setting off alarm bells. "I try to abstain, but my kitty gets lonely."

His blush lent him a harmless appearance, but I wasn't in the mood to feed his ego. Something didn't add up. He's cute, but broadcast signs of being a weirdo after my initial physical when he commented that I came across as fun and bold.

Once more, I fumed over Jack and his accusations that I disregard my safety. He should realize by now I'm observant. The motto, work smarter, not harder, always appealed to me. When guys I considered innocuous turned into predators, I leaned on Jack, but he wasn't here and this pervy doctor stalked my every move like I was a super-sized snack. That left me with one option until Dotty returned or he grew bored.

I had to play along, satisfying him with a hand job if push came to shove. A gross prospect, but I was realistic and couldn't afford him stirring the pot with Golding. I had to stay under the radar as much as possible.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" he grunted, standing between my thighs.

I innocently widened my eyes. "No. Why are you cranky?"

Dr. Moray planted his tapered fingers on either side of the vinyl bench. He bent forward until his torso hovered between my legs. His bottom lip poked out as he stood there, staring at me with silent expectation. Dark lust swirled in his intense blues, although it did nothing for me.