Blood Stained Collar BOOK 2 of The Collar Series #Wattys2017 ( BDSM )

CHAPTER 8

Melanie sat quietly in Dr Anderson's office biting down on her tongue. Her nerves were about to get the better of her and she didn't know if she wanted to scream or cry.

"Right Nurse Mckinney." He said towering above her. "Let me see what you have done before we decide what duties you can and can't do."

Melanie held out her bandaged wrist to him.

"I am sure you are capable of unwrapping that before I take a look, aren't you?"

She felt small and insignificant, like a child who was being scolded for spilling something on the floor. It was then that visions of her father came into her head and his disciplinary tone, when dealing with her, or even her mother, now that she thought about it. It sent a chill up her spine and she shivered when he took her hand and examined her wound. Unable to look him in the eye she stared at the folds of bandage on her lap.

Although his tone was harsh, Melanie was surprised at how gentle his touch was.

"A very nasty gash. Are you sure this was not intentional?"

"No." Melanie gasped. How could he possibly think that of her? "I slipped in the shower and caught my wrist on the tap when I tried to break my fall."

The tremor in her voice did not go unnoticed and he smiled. There was something about her innocence that held his attention.

"I suggest light duties until the stitches come out. You can accompany me on my rounds during the day, that way I can assess your abilities." He gave her back her hand. "What area are you hoping to work in once you are qualified?"

"E R." Melanie did not look up as she spoke but continued to fiddle with her bandage, wrapping her hand back up.

"Here, let me do that. You're all fingers and thumbs working with your left hand."

Before Melanie could respond he took the bandage from her and proceeded to wrap it around her wrist. "There, that's better. As it's almost lunch time I suggest you go and have yours and meet me back here afterwards and I will take you down to ER and you can see if it is where you want to eventually end up."

"Thank you Dr Anderson." When Melanie stood up to leave she never realised how close he was standing in front of her. Caught off guard at his closeness she stumbled backwards and would have fallen over the chair if he had not caught her. "Sorry, I'm ..."

"Well, Nurse Mckinney, I can see you are prone to falls. I wonder if the ER is the place for you."

Melanie felt awkward and uncomfortable and stammered when she spoke. "I...I'm ok... now...thank you. I'll ... be alright...really I will." His fingers felt hot and controlling as he held onto her arms. It brought back uncomfortable memories, but she didn't want to seem rude or ungrateful by pulling away.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine now, thank you Dr Anderson."

"Right, then I will see you after lunch and try be prompt Nurse Mckinney." He let her go, one hand at a time. "Try not have any more accidents today please."

Irritated by his last remark Melanie looked up straight into his face. She had to bite her tongue to stop herself saying something she would regret.

As she turned to leave he said, "Was there something you wanted to say?"

She stopped. Turned back to face him and was shocked to see he was standing a breath away from her. "No, nothing. May I be excused now?"

"Of course. I'm not doing anything to stop you. Not today."

Melanie had no idea how to respond to that and turned and walked out the door.

***

"Hi."

Melanie was so lost in thought she had not heard anyone approach her table. She had purposely chosen a small table with only one chair near the window onto the parking area. She was staring out the window when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Reece, hi... I did want to be on my own." She was annoyed that Reece took it upon himself to drag another chair across to her table and sit down.

"You don't look great Mel, are you okay? Is your wrist hurting."

"I'm fine. Will you please stop fussing? Dr Anderson already thinks I'm a helpless female."

"Why? What did he say?" Reece studied her face and reached out for her hand when he saw her teary eyes. "Did he say something to upset you?"

Melanie shook her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand. She tried to pull her hand out of his but he held onto it.

"Mel, if he has done anything to hurt you in any way."

"What Reece? What exactly can you possible do to Dr Anderson that won't get you fired and ruin your career. Will you stop trying to protect me. I can stand up for myself."

She ripped her hand out of his and stood up grating her chair along the floor. Everyone turned around when the chair hit the wall behind her.

Melanie ignored the stares and stormed out of the coffee shop with her head down hiding her tears.

"Uuuhhh!" She felt as though she had hit a brick wall and staggered, only to be caught by Dr Anderson, whom she had bolted into, in her escape from Reece.

"Nurse Mckinney, are you alright?"

"I just need some fresh air." She said as she pulled herself free from his hands.

"I think she means without you Mr Denver."

Melanie could not believe her eyes when she turned around and saw Reece right behind her. "Damn you." She muttered under her breath and stormed out.

She did not know how she found her way to the exit, but breathed a sigh of relief when the hot Australian air hit her in the face. "Ohh, what I wouldn't give for some alone time on the beach right now."

***

He watched from a distance as she sat on a bench in the sun. 'A lost lamb needing guidance.' He thought to himself as he sipped on his coffee. 'She'd make a perfect addition to my flock, but then again if she bends to obedience, I could be persuaded to give up all my sheep for her vulnerable innocence.' He was lost in thought when his pager buzzed. Checking the number, he took one more swallow of his coffee and threw the paper cup into the bin as he walked back inside, but not before looking back once more at Melanie, as she sat with her face catching the sunlight, loose strands of her hair blew across her face making her look almost angelic. An angel who wings he desired to claim...