Share

Chapter 2

Author: EmmaWrites
last update publish date: 2026-05-20 03:11:03

I barely slept. Around three in the morning, I gave up and just stared at the ceiling.

I feel like I'm raping my own girlfriend.

The words echoed on an endless loop.

Morning came too soon. I heard Ethan before I saw him, already up, making his protein shake like nothing had happened. The blender whirred aggressively.

I dragged myself off the couch. I headed to the bedroom to grab clothes, desperate for a shower.

That's when I saw it.

The laundry basket was overflowing in the corner. I started pulling clothes out and there it was. A smudge of bright red lipstick on the collar of one of his white work shirts.

My stomach dropped.

"Ethan?"

I held the shirt like evidence. The blender shut off. His footsteps approached.

"Yeah, babe?"

"What the hell is this?" I thrust the shirt at him.

His face went blank for a split second. Then he shrugged.

"Oh, that? Probably from the bar last week. Some girl bumped into me or something."

"Bullshit."

"Mia, come on. You're overreacting."

"We've been fighting about our sex life for months, and you're out there screwing someone else because I can't get wet fast enough for you?"

He laughed. A short, bitter bark.

"Oh, please. Like you'd even know what screwing feels like. You're like some mother virgin. No wonder I had to look elsewhere. At least she knows how to enjoy it."

"Get out," I whispered. Then louder. "Get the fuck out, Ethan!"

He grabbed his gym bag, shoving in a few shirts.

"You know what? Fine. We're done. Good luck finding someone who puts up with your ice queen bullshit."

The door slammed behind him.

I stood there frozen, listening to him leave. Then the tears came.

Was I really that broken?

But underneath it all, one thought kept surfacing.

The appointment. Sophie's ex-husband. Dr. Vincent Kane.

I checked my phone. Nine forty-seven. The appointment was at eleven.

I showered, threw on jeans and a cream-colored blouse, and drove to 847 Maple Street.

The building was sleek and modern. The sign read Kane Women's Health and Wellness Center in elegant silver letters.

I sat in the parking lot, staring.

This was Sophie's ex-husband. The man she'd been married to. What if this made things weird between us?

But I was already here.

I texted Sophie. I'm here. This feels so strange.

Her response came immediately. You've got this. He's going to help. Don't think of him as my ex. Think of him as your doctor. That's all he is. Text me after. Love you.

I took a deep breath and walked inside.

The waiting room was beautiful. Soft lighting, comfortable chairs, abstract art. Everything designed to feel safe.

At the reception desk, a kind woman smiled.

"Good morning. Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes. Mia Hartley. Eleven o'clock with Dr. Kane."

"Perfect. Since this is your first visit, I'll need you to fill out some intake paperwork."

I settled into a chair with the clipboard. The forms were standard at first. Then they got personal.

Sexual history.

Current relationship status.

Describe your primary concern.

I wrote: Difficulty with arousal and orgasm. Unable to achieve climax with partner.

I returned the forms and waited. Ten fifty-eight.

"Mia Hartley?"

A nurse appeared, smiling warmly.

"Come on back, honey."

She led me down a hallway, took my vitals, then showed me into a room that looked more like a comfortable office than an exam room. A couch, a chair, soft lighting.

"Dr. Kane will be with you in just a moment."

Then she was gone.

I sat on the couch, hands folded, trying to calm my racing heart.

This was Sophie's ex-husband. What would he be like? Would it be awkward? Would he mention Sophie?

There was a knock.

"Ms. Hartley? May I come in?"

The voice was deep, smooth.

"Yes."

The door opened.

Dr. Vincent Kane stepped inside and I forgot how to breathe.

Sophie hadn't mentioned that her ex-husband looked like he'd walked straight out of a magazine. Tall, easily over six feet, with dark hair and striking blue-gray eyes that focused on me with an intensity that made my skin warm.

He wore a white coat over expensive-looking clothes, and when he extended his hand, I noticed the watch on his wrist. Definitely not something most doctors could afford.

"Ms. Hartley. I'm Dr. Vincent Kane. It's nice to meet you."

I stood on shaky legs and shook his hand. His grip was firm, warm.

"Please, have a seat. And call me Vincent if you're comfortable with that."

He settled into the chair across from me, completely at ease. He picked up my intake forms.

"So, Mia," he said, and something about the way he said my name made my stomach flutter. "I've reviewed your forms. I want you to know that everything we discuss here is completely confidential. My job is to help you understand your body and find solutions. Does that sound good?"

I nodded.

"Good." He set the clipboard aside. "Why don't you tell me what brought you here today?"

The words came tumbling out.

"I can't orgasm. Not with my boyfriend. Not by myself. Nothing works. And now he's cheated on me and I just feel so broken and I don't know what's wrong with me."

"How long has this been going on?"

"About six months. It used to be fine. But then something changed."

"And your boyfriend's response was to cheat."

I looked down. "He said being with me felt like raping his own girlfriend. Like I was just lying there not enjoying it."

When I looked up, Vincent's expression had shifted. There was something fierce in his eyes.

"Mia," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You are not broken. Whatever is happening with your body doesn't make you defective. And your ex-boyfriend cheating on you says everything about his character and nothing about your worth."

Tears pricked at my eyes.

"Now," he continued, "let's figure out what's really going on and fix it. Together. Are you ready?"

I nodded.

For the next forty-five minutes, we talked. He asked about my childhood, my relationship with my body, my first sexual experiences. He explained the psychology of arousal, the role of stress and anxiety, the ways trauma and societal messaging could create barriers to pleasure.

He never made me feel stupid or broken. He made me feel seen.

As the appointment was wrapping up, he stood.

"I'd like to see you again next week. We'll start with some basic exercises, breathing techniques, body awareness. This is very treatable, Mia. I promise you that."

"Thank you," I whispered. "Really. Thank you."

He walked me to the door. As I was leaving, I paused.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you... do you talk to Sophie? My friend Sophie?"

His expression shifted, became more guarded.

"Sophie Hart is a friend of yours?"

"My best friend. She's the one who told me about you. She said you were her ex-husband."

Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise, maybe. Or concern.

"Sophie and I are still friends, yes. She didn't mention she was referring you."

"Is that going to be a problem? I don't want to make things weird."

He was quiet for a moment, studying me.

"No. It's not a problem. You're my patient. That's all that matters. But Mia, I need you to understand something. What we discuss in these sessions is completely confidential. I won't discuss your treatment with Sophie or anyone else without your explicit permission."

"Okay. Good."

"And," he paused, "I should probably mention this upfront. Sophie and I have a complicated history. Our marriage ended amicably, but there were reasons we didn't work. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with me as your doctor because of your friendship with her, please tell me. I can refer you to someone else."

"No," I said quickly. "No, I want to stay with you. I mean, as my doctor. I feel comfortable with you."

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Good. I'll see you next week then. Same time?"

"Same time."

I left the clinic feeling lighter than I had in months.

In my car, I texted Sophie. Just finished. You were right. He's really good at this. Thank you for the referral.

Her response came quickly. I'm so glad! He's changed a lot since we were married. More patient, more focused. I think he's finally doing what he was meant to do. Proud of you for going.

I drove home with a tiny spark of hope burning in my chest.

I had no idea that spark was about to become a wildfire.

And I had no idea that the man who'd just promised to help me understand my body was about to become the only man I wanted.

Sophie's ex-husband.

The one person in the world I absolutely should not fall for.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 44: My father would have

    Vincent didn't release Mia's hand. If anything, his grip tightened, a silent anchor between them as Talbot's eyes moved from her belly back up to Vincent's face, assessing, cataloging, the way a man might study a chessboard before deciding which piece to sacrifice first."Sit down," Vincent said. It wasn't an invitation.Talbot smiled faintly and lowered himself back into the chair, unhurried, as though he had all the time in the world and knew it. "Still your father's son, I see. Same tone. Same instinct to command a room the moment you walk into it." He gestured toward the two chairs across from him. "Please. Both of you. This conversation will go better if we're not standing on ceremony."Mia felt the urge to refuse, some instinct telling her that sitting would cede ground she couldn't afford to lose. But Vincent guided her gently into the chair beside his, and she understood—he wanted to watch Talbot's hands, his face, every flicker of expression that might betray what he actually

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 43: Reclaiming pleasure

    The evening had settled over the estate like a silk shroud, the last rays of amber sunlight bleeding through the tall windows of the piano room before surrendering to the gentle glow of a single brass lamp. She stood in the doorway, one hand resting on the slight swell of her belly, her heart a tumult of exhaustion and yearning. The past weeks had been a gauntlet—family obligations, the ever-present scrutiny of the estate's staff, the lingering shadows of the threats that had once circled them like wolves. But here, in this room where Vincent had first played for her, where their love had been forged in stolen moments and whispered promises, she felt the weight begin to lift. Vincent turned from the window, his silhouette cut by the dying light. The hunger in his gaze was unmistakable, a blazing warmth that chased away every lingering chill of doubt. In three swift strides, he was before her, his hands cupping her face, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Vincent," she breathed

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 42: What's Been Waiting

    The envelope was still sitting on the front hall table three days later, forgotten in the wake of the pregnancy test and the flood of emotion that had followed it. It was Camila who finally noticed it, setting down a bag of groceries and frowning at the unfamiliar law firm letterhead."Vincent," she called, "did you see this? It's addressed to you."He came in from the kitchen, still faintly glowing with the particular happiness that had settled over him since Mia's announcement, and took the envelope with idle curiosity that faded the moment he read the return address."Kessler and Vance," he said slowly. "I don't recognize the firm.""Open it," Mia said, coming to stand beside him, one hand resting instinctively over her still-flat stomach.Inside was a single formal letter, dense with legal language, informing Vincent that a woman named Diane Castellano had filed a claim against the estate on behalf of a minor child, alleging that the child was entitled to a share of assets under a

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 41:Grief and hunger

    “Vincent,” Mia whispered into the darkness of their bedroom weeks after the funeral, her voice raw from another night of quiet tears. “I keep waiting for it to hurt less, but some nights it just… aches. Like there’s a hole where he should be.” He turned toward her immediately, pulling her close against his chest. His hand stroked down her back in slow, soothing strokes. “I know,” he murmured, lips brushing her temple. “Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. But I’m here. Let me hold you. Let me help you feel something else for a while.” The grief had settled into their life like a heavy blanket, muting joy but also sharpening their need for each other. Mia shifted, seeking his mouth. The kiss started gentle, comforting, but quickly deepened into something hungrier, more desperate. Vincent’s hands roamed her body with familiar possessiveness, as if touching her reminded him she was still here, still his. He rolled her onto her back, kissing down her neck, across her collarbones, taking

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 40:The last good day

    Eleanor called at dawn, her voice hollow with an exhaustion that had nothing left to hide behind."He had a beautiful morning," she said. "Sharp, clear, more like himself than he's been in weeks. He asked for you. All three of you. I think," her voice caught, "I think some part of him knows what today is."Mia was dressed and in the car within fifteen minutes, Vincent driving, their daughter strapped in behind them, Camila following close in her own car after a single, urgent phone call.Please let there be time,Mia thought, watching the miles blur past the window. Please let this be one more good day, not the day we're too late for.Thomas was sitting up in bed when they arrived, propped against pillows, eyes clear and present in a way that made Mia's chest ache with how rare that clarity had become."There she is," he said, smiling as she came through the door. "My Mia.""I'm here," she said, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed, taking his hand. "We're all here."Vincent brough

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 39:What Remains

    Thomas had a good week, then a difficult one, the pattern establishing itself with a cruelty that Mia was slowly learning to expect rather than fight. On the good days, he asked about the baby by name, teased Vincent about corporate life with the same sharp humor Eleanor said he'd carried his whole career. On the difficult days, he grew quiet and confused, sometimes agitated, once mistaking Vincent for a doctor and refusing to let him near the baby at all."It's getting harder to predict," Eleanor admitted one evening, walking Mia to the car after a visit that had ended badly. "The neurologist says that's normal. That the good days and bad days will keep blurring together until eventually there won't be a pattern left to track at all."I keep bracing for the day there are no more good ones, Mia thought, watching Eleanor's tired, steady composure, wondering how many years of practice it had taken her to hold grief that gracefully."How are you doing?" Mia asked. "Really.""Some days I'

  • The Doctor's Temptation   chapter 3

    One week later, I sat in Vincent's office for my second appointment, feeling more nervous than the first time.The week had been brutal. I'd practiced the techniques he'd shown me. Breathing exercises. Mindfulness. But every time I tried to touch myself, I hit the same wall.Now I was back, feeling

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 6

    I barely slept. The photo stared back at me from my phone every time I closed my eyes—Vincent and me on the piano bench, thighs touching, his face turned toward mine with an expression that looked far too intimate for a doctor and patient. Ethan’s words burned in my mind: You have 24 hours.By five

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 5

    I woke to soft morning light and a knock on my door."Yes?"The door opened slightly and Maya, the somatic therapist, peeked in."Good morning. Just wanted to let you know breakfast is ready whenever you are. Dr. Kane asked me to show you to the meditation room at eight."I glanced at the clock. Se

  • The Doctor's Temptation   Chapter 1

    The Doctor's Temptation EmmaWrite I used to love the way Ethan kissed me after a long day. He'd walk through the door, drop his keys on the counter, and I'd meet him halfway, barefoot, still in the little cotton shorts and tank top I wore around the apartment. He used to cup my face with both ha

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status