Chapter 5 Who's With You Right Now

Gillian's whole body tensed as she tried to squeeze her legs shut. "What are you even doing in here? This isn't your place. The real doctor is supposed to show up any minute. How dare you!"

"And why wouldn't I dare?" Luke smirked, easily catching her wrist and letting his touch linger in her private part, only making her more anxious.

It turned out, Gillian's attempt at privacy had backfired. She had no idea the hospital belonged to Luke.

The moment she booked her surgery, he got the news straight from his staff.

Leaning closer, Luke's eyes glinted with mischief. "So, Dr. Brown, are you satisfied with my examination? Should I keep going?"

A wave of dread washed over Gillian, making her skin crawl.

"Just let me go." She fought to keep her voice from cracking. "I don't want this. Not here. Don't lay a finger on me!"

"Oh, you want a change of scenery?" Luke only grinned wider, tightening his hold on her waist before leaning in, his breath hot against her ear. "Tell me where and I'll take you there myself."

Fear and embarrassment left her shaking as she struggled to pull free, but she didn't dare to make too much noise and attract attention.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

As Ashton's name flashed on the screen, Gillian froze. Before she could react, Luke grabbed the phone and answered the call.

Ashton's voice crackled through the phone, sounding confused. "What took you so long to pick up? You're supposed to be at the hospital, right? Why are you off the clock?"

Caught off guard, Gillian stared at Luke, who wore a smug look that made her nerves fray.

He kept his hand moving over her skin, each touch making it harder for her to breathe, her heart thumping wildly.

Leaning in, Luke let out a low, taunting whisper. "So, he's never touched you? Why don't we give him a reason to wonder what he's missing?"

Gillian's pulse hammered in her ears.

Just the thought of Ashton finding out about what happened yesterday made her panic. If things spiraled out of control, she knew she'd lose her engagement-and the only person who might help her with her family business.

Desperate to keep things together, she forced out a response, voice trembling. "I, uh, I've got some errands... That's all."

She tried to steady her breathing. "Why all the questions, Ashton?"

Ashton's confusion deepened. "My grandfather's getting checked up at your hospital today, so I thought I'd stop by to see you. Is something wrong? You sound different."

Blood rushed in her ears as Gillian searched for a believable excuse.

Without warning, Luke's fingers pressed harder, sending a jolt of sensation through her. She couldn't stop a strangled moan from slipping out.

The line went silent before Ashton's tone turned ice cold. "Gillian, who's with you right now?"

Gillian recoiled from Luke's smug grin, snatching her phone and shrinking into the farthest corner she could find.

"I tripped and dropped my phone, that's all. Earlier, I was just talking business with some of my dad's old friends," she blurted out, scrambling for any excuse.

Trying to change the subject before Ashton could pry further, she quickly switched to a softer tone. "No one was willing to invest, Ashton. I was hoping maybe you-"

Keeping one wary eye on Luke, she pressed her palm over the receiver, ready to stop him from causing any more trouble.

Ashton, still suspicious, felt something was amiss. But the moment Gillian mentioned investments, his patience wore thin.

"I've already told you, things like this take time. I don't want to talk about it right now," he said with a hint of annoyance. "If you're not actually working today, let's catch up another time. I need to stick with my grandfather for his check-up. I'll talk to you later."

The call ended abruptly. For a moment, Gillian just stood there, barely able to breathe as relief swept over her.

Luke didn't move, his smirk never fading. "All that panic-admit it, the danger is half the fun."

Gillian's grip on the phone tightened, knuckles white. "You're twisted, Luke! No one in their right mind would want their reputation ruined with such a reckless move!"

"I don't have much of a reputation left," said Luke, edging closer with laughter dancing in his eyes. "And I wouldn't mind dragging you down right along with me."

Gillian realized then that Luke was truly unhinged.

She tasted blood from biting her lip, backing away until the cold wall stopped her escape. Fear knotted in her stomach as Luke closed the distance.

His hand was inches from her chin when, out in the hallway, a nervous voice interrupted.