Medical Fragrance

window blinds. His neck ached, his back screamed in protest-another night spent on the floor. Across the room, curled like a cat in the cen

tried to make sense of her. *Is there actually such a thing as a

ks like a little gremlin who

aring about her. The way her hair was a tousled halo of chaos, the way her chee

en she

ld, and blinked at Graham. "Hey... why are you staring at

then closed it again.

deniab

she asked, raising an eyebrow. "

aled. "Gra

ir

e blinked

.. Virgin... You look like

cracker. Marcus like... never mind. Can you *not* yell '

ver the bedframe. "So, serio

k. "If we're not counting last ni

f the rest of the blanket in the process-

ond, he forgot

n the morning light. The swell of her hips peeked out from under the shirt.

en he

id red dot on

"What the h

scrambled up and straddled the bed, pointing t

she asked, bl

He traced the crimson sp

s face

his voice rising with exci

... w

ckos and drip the blood on a girl's arm. It stays until she

. "Weird. I just thoug

d at her. "Y

hat if I'm still a virgin? What

onsense you spouted yesterday about 'replenishing y

"A girl's go

nd delivered a firm

ey! You brute! Y

tugging at the corners of his lips. "You conned me into sl

eatrically. "You're a big, b

me to survive, tricked me into thinking we-"

kissed

on his boots. "I can't afford to

burrito and blinked at him with wide, wa

from *

don't know anyone here. No home. No friends. My stepmother's

e, groaning. "God,

care* that a little girl l

und, arms folded.

ion," she said sweetly. "You leave me here, I'm ca

am s

ked. "T

e... i

re stuck

-

ollapsible table, a couple of plastic ch

Miracle Doctor. Cures all il

h guests would pay for novelty healing. Graham opened his old med

earby, practi

coughs, migraines, broken heart

What a joke. A miracle doctor? Kid looks

d. "But I'd definitel

Come say that to my fa

er back gently.

d fight

'd l

deal? Why come to Crestwood Falls? Was

rom the Rowan family. When I showed up to meet her, her parents lau

o blazing fireballs. "W

led at h

gonna enter that competition. Win t

her's name deserves better. If I let them humiliate m

lm demeanor. Beneath the quiet voice and patient tone lived

e got bite, Doctor

derly man in a tailored silk suit stepped out, followed by

ests all tur

ign they'd set up. "Uh

ooks pale. Trouble breathing. Weak legs

suddenly collapsed onto the s

screamed, "Mr.

rambled, shouting

as alrea

st a panicked crowd. Kneeling beside him, he plac

," Graham muttere

ant shoved him. "Back o

The guy who's going to keep him al

ide. "Trust him. He's

hesitated-th

les and aimed for pressure points on

whispered. "You'r