Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Please change into the hospital wear provided.
You may leave all of your valuables in your locker.
The combination lock is pre-programmed to match your verification code.
Please choose from the selection of surgical masks provided.
You are required to keep your mask on at all times.
The clinic has been reserved for your appointment for 24 hours.
Please click Finish upon completion of your appointment.
I have the urge to laugh and cry at the same time, but I'm hyperventilating in the next second, and I find myself speed-dialing Andie's number.
I can't do this.
Andie answers my call after the third ring, and she isn't even done saying 'hello' when the whole story comes tumbling out.
"Oh, Lei."
The other girl sounds as distressed as I am by the time I'm done, and this makes me feel even shittier...until I hear her next words.
"I wish you had told me all about this before. 93% of our encounters have already been completed, and they were all a success."
Relief pours into me, but wait—-did she say 'ninety-freaking-three percent?
"If anything, having one unsuccessful encounter like yours can only make things look more legit. Not that we've cheated or anything, which we haven't," Andie takes care to stress. "But it's understandable that some people would be more leery if our success rate is 100%, so if you really want to back out, just say the word..."
My head is spinning.
I didn't expect it to be this easy to back out, and I should be happy about it.
So why aren't I?
Andie clears her throat. "But on the other hand..."
Phew.
There's the counterargument I need to hear.
"Is it possible you're suddenly having cold feet because of this seriously huge sister complex you have?"
Huh?
What does Io have to do with this?
"You've looked up to Io your entire life," Andie points out, "and all of a sudden this older perfect sister you idolized completely lost her head over Nik...and had her heart so ruthlessly broken after it. Is it possible you're subconsciously worried that you'll end up doing the same? That if someone as perfect as your sister can get her heart broken, then what chances do you have of avoiding it yourself?"
My lips part, but no words come out.
I wish I can say Andie's got it all wrong, but there's this part of me that feels like she's hit the nail on the head. Am I suddenly freaking out because I've realized far too late that Dr. Somebody can be my kryptonite, the way Nik once was for my sister?
"I know you, Lei," Andie says softly. "You wouldn't have stuck this long or made it this far if you haven't developed any feelings—-"
Words fail me, and all I can do is make a blustering sound of protest.
Me?
Really?
How can someone like me have feeling feelings for a guy I've only talked to but haven't met?
Oh, c'mon now!
Andie clears her throat. "Look. You're free to back out if you want, and you won't have to worry about paying any penalties. But can I just tell you something as your friend?"
No.
"I haven't seen you happier than you were the past few days, Lei, and if you push through with your encounter, then you'll have the chance to stay happy, too. Don't you think that's worth taking a risk for?"
Twelve
Adam straightened to his full height as soon as he heard the door slowly open. A girl stepped inside, and he couldn't help sucking his breath as he finally had his first glimpse of Temptation.
Ah.
He hadn't really allowed himself to imagine what she looked like, but what she turned out to be attracted him.
A lot.
Her hair was a silky shade of brown, long, and slightly wavy. The kind that would make it very easy for him to grip or stroke, depending on the kind of sex they were having.
Her eyes were big and dark, fringed with beautiful long lashes. They were the only thing that her mask didn't hide, but they were more than enough to let him know that Temptation was nervous...and aroused.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Have some fucking control, Adam Al-Masri.
But the warning did nothing to temper the lust that was already surging inside of him, and he could feel his muscles flexing involuntarily under his dark-colored scrubs as his gaze roamed over the rest of her.
She had a tall, slender body that appeared even more sylph-like under the loose fit of her hospital gown. And to say that it was loose was a vast understatement, with the way it dipped so damn low over her chest...it became all too evident she was wearing what seemed like a completely sheer bra underneath.
And then there was its length. Or rather the lack of it, since the hospital gown was so damn short it exposed virtually the entire length of her shapely legs.
If her hospital gown was meant to whet his appetite, it had certainly attained its objective. And whoever had designed such an outfit...was likely the same person responsible for giving Adam scrubs that were a tad size smaller.