Layers(40)

Who? I search my memory for whether Daniel mentioned meeting anyone but I’m quite positive he didn’t.

“So, would you like anything to drink?” she asks again.

“No thanks, I’m good,” I mutter, baffled. Next I knock on Daniel’s door and let myself in, only to find an older lady standing beside an empty chair by Daniel’s desk. A big black leather bag sits next to her. What the hell?

“Hello Miss Grace,” she greets me.

“Hi.” Suspicion saturates my answer.

“Would you like to start?” she asks next.

“Start what?” I can’t hide my dismay.

“The blood test,” comes her velvety response. I look at her, completely surprised. “Blood test?”

“The HIV blood test,” she says in an even softer voice, trying not to look directly at me as she does so. Oh my god, he arranged for me to be tested at his office? Is he seriously insane? I feel my face heating up as I stare at her, utterly embarrassed, hoping my thoughts aren’t too obvious. Did you ever think to share this info with me, Mr. Stark? Give me a heads up; perhaps ask if I was okay with this? Demented nutcase …

“Miss Grace, you may sit here, and please place your right hand on the table.”

I watch her as she ties the rubber string above my elbow and runs a cool alcohol-soaked cotton ball over my slightly visible veins. As I play a pleasing stream of murder scenes in my head, I’m distracted by Daniel entering the room, talking on his mobile. He looks so delicious in his casual, long-sleeved, white button-down shirt, and jeans. I frown at him as I catch his eyes. He smiles at me, then his eyebrows knit for a brief moment and he shrugs. Do you really have no clue as to why I might be frowning? He walks my way and bends to kiss my head. Disregarding my scowl, he continues to pace the room while talking. Business as usual. As if having a surprise HIV-test party is just another day at the office.

“So I’m going to insert the needle now, Miss Grace. It will sting a little,” says the woman at my side.

“No, Chris,” Daniel says in a clipped tone.

I shift to look his way; his back is to the room as he stares out the window. He turns to face me slowly, his stare fixated on mine as he leans on the window frame.

“Which part of no did you not understand?” he asks, annoyed. It amuses me.

Could he be any less impatient?

He listens, looking exasperated, and then replies, “I am not letting anyone f**k me at their own will and appointed time.” Saying that, he points his index finger at me and mouths, “You,” then bobs his head in approval, mouthing “can.” A wicked smirk appears on his handsome face.

Oh, I can f**k you at my own will and appointed time, Daniel? I blush, looking under my lashes at the lady next to me, hoping she didn’t notice Daniel’s “romantic gesture.” She bites her lips awkwardly and looks as if she’s trying to refrain from smiling. I blush deeper. Way to go, D, super, you’re on fire today. Daniel holds the phone between his head and shoulder and starts folding his right sleeve up above the elbow.

“That will be all, Miss Grace.”

“Thank you.” I smile at the woman. When I stand up, Daniel takes my place in the chair. He’s having the test too? Right now? I turn to walk, looking to stand by the window, but Daniel’s grip stops me. He says to the phone, “Hold on for a sec,” and tilts his head up to face me.

“Stay next to me, I’m scared,” he murmurs, smirking, and then snaps to the phone, “I’m back.”

I stand next to him, highly amused, shaking my head, and then sigh. As Miss Gladys inserts the needle through his skin, he puts his free hand on my butt and starts caressing it, all the while talking on the phone he holds between his ear and shoulder.

“My work here is done,” says Miss Gladys to both of us, though her stare is directed Daniel’s way. A thought of what she might be thinking of this unusual “delivery service” crosses my mind and I try to push it away as it makes me feel nothing but unease.

“Thank you. It is much appreciated, especially on such short notice,” Daniel responds. “And I should expect the results via email this evening?”

“Sure, Mr. Stark, as you’ve agreed with the clinic. If that’s all, I’ll let you get back to work.” She eyes the two of us, not so discreetly twisting her mouth.

Daniel nods and adds, “Thank you.”

As soon as Miss Gladys leaves the room, I confront him. “Did you for one second think to run this by me?”

His eyebrows lower above squinted eyes. “Run what by you?” He reviews something on the screen at his desk. Are you for real?

“Telling me that I’m coming in for an HIV test, for starters.” I pout. My voice clearly conveys my growing irritation.

“You are so hot like that, angry and flushed,” he says, unbuttoning the upper buttons of his shirt. He steps my way, choosing to pay no attention to what I’ve just said. Which does a great job heightening my annoyance.




I look at him, upset. “Well? You didn’t answer my question. And what the in the name of f …” I almost choke, “are you doing?” His expression morphs into pure sin, a wicked side smile sent my way as he presses a button on his desk phone. “Anne, cancel my next appointment and hold my calls.”