Page 61 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

I’m eating some leftover lasagna from last night during my lunch break in the empty break room. Since I’m the last one to leave the clinic today, I’m the only one eating lunch so late.

It’s quite peaceful.

I have my earbuds in, and I’m listening to a podcast about meditation and inner peace. I’m trying to find material for the next yoga session I teach. I can’t help but smile as I realize everything is perfect in my life. I have found true inner peace. And one man can be credited for a lot of it.

I’m so transfixed in my podcast that I don’t hear the door open. I don’t realize I’m not alone until two hands land on my shoulders and start rubbing them roughly.

I instinctively tense and glance up despite already knowing who it is.

Dr. Sanders leans over me with a grin that makes me uneasy.

“Cecilia, at the end of your shift, meet me in my office.” That smile makes me nauseous. He winks then leaves as though nothing happened.

I push away the rest of the lasagna, my appetite gone.

For some odd reason, I feel like I should let Roman know what’s going on. That I’m feeling uncomfortable. Then I roll my eyes at the ridiculous thought. What could he even do?

Dr. Sanders has been almost hostile to me since I appeared with my engagement ring. He makes inappropriate and derogatory comments. It’s making it impossible to have a good day at work. But I save the day with Roman every evening.

***

The rest of the day goes by too quickly, and before I know it, the office is cleared except Dr. Sanders and me.

I slowly make my way to his office. There’s a ringing in my ears. It’s not the first time I’ve had a doctor ask me to stay late, but it feels different this time. I can’t explain where the paranoia is coming from. Maybe Gracie rubbed off on me more than I realized.

I open the door and he’s smiling at me.

“Sit, Cecilia. We have some things to discuss,” he says, pointing at the chair next to him.

I sit silently, not knowing what to say.

“You’re getting married soon. Do you still plan on working for us now that you have a sugar daddy?” he asks, flicking his gaze to my obviously luxurious ring.

“Yes, I’m still going to work,” I murmur, looking away.

“He makes his slut work. Interesting. If it’s money you’re after, you could’ve come to me. I have a few things you could do on the side to earn a little cash.” He grabs his crotch while eyeing me up and down.

Tears well in my eyes, but I won’t let them shed. I won’t let him see that he’s getting to me.

I must stare in silent shock for too long because he just chuckles darkly.

“Well, the offer still stands. Think on it, doll.” With that, he waves his hand at me dismissively and turns back to his computer.

I run out of his office, out of the clinic, and onto the sidewalk.

I start hyperventilating.

I can’t seem to slow my breathing.

I can’t seem to slow my heart.

I can’t seem to do anything.

Then hands grip my cheeks, raising my head.

I flinch and jump back, fighting the contact. Not letting him touch me.

“Sunshine, it’s me. It’s your fiancé,” Roman soothes me.

I collapse into his arms, and he crushes me into his chest.

“Breathe with me. In, one… two… three… four. Hold, one… two… three… four. Out, one… two… three… four. Hold, one… two… three… four,” he guides me through multiple rounds of box breathing until I can breathe normally.

“Now, tell me what happened, Cecilia. What sent you into a panic attack?” His eyes search mine, begging for an answer.

“Dr. Sanders… he was horrible. He… he… grabbed my shoulders,” I collect my breathing as Roman’s grip on me tightens. I’ve never seen him look so upset, so murderous. “He said horrible things. Called me a slut. Offered to pay me for things outside the office,” I confess as tears well in my eyes.

“He did what?” Roman growls, and I swear if I didn’t need him now, he’d go inside and hurt Dr. Sanders.

Which is insane. Because my hero isn’t violent.

“He’s horrible. He’s always made me uncomfortable, but it’s never been this bad,” I confess. I never considered telling Roman about Dr. Sanders because what could he even do? But now I wonder if I should have.

“Did he touch you?” Roman says softly, but I can tell it’s eating him inside.

“Besides grabbing my shoulders, no. He’s never touched me,” I assure him. Some small part of me wonders if I just saved Dr. Sander’s life, then I shake off the thought. Roman may look like he could kill right now, but he never would.

“Good. But just because he didn’t hurt you doesn’t mean he hasn’t been harassing you. He’s making you uncomfortable. You have a right to be upset,” he tells me.

I hug him even tighter and inhale his lemony scent. I don’t know why he only smells like lemons occasionally, but the freshness always brings a smile to my face.

“Come on, sunshine. Let’s get you home. I’ll order some dinner while you take a hot bath, and if you want to tell me more about it, you can. If not, we can put on whatever movie you want and have a relaxing evening,” he tells me sweetly, and guides me down the sidewalk.

I lean into him on the walk home, knowing no matter what I face, my hero will always be by my side.