Silent Fear, a Medical Mystery Read Online Free

in their brains.”
    “Don’t go talking like a neurosurgeon.”
    “Why? Do neurosurgeons have something to do with your past?”
    Rachel looked away for a second.
    “We haven’t known each other that long,” he said, “and I haven’t intimidated you with questions … yet. Don’t tell me that guy you’re getting monthly checks from is a high-roller? Not some dumb-ass pharmacist?”
    Rachel kept her dissatisfaction with his comments from showing. “Leo, you’re far from dumb. You’ve done well for yourself.”
    He picked up a saucy rib and chewed off a chunk of meat. He wiped his fingers on a napkin and turned to her.
    “You didn’t answer my question.”
    “Yeah, he’s a neurosurgeon, a thing of the past.”
    “Not for your daughter. Guess you know how to pick ‘em, babe.”
    ----------
    Rachel breathed a sigh of relief when they got back. Julia was sleeping soundly, which made her eyelids flutter like a butterfly as if in a big dream. Rachel placed her hand on Julia’s head and stroked her fine light hair. The baby stirred but contentedly settled again. “Sleep through the night, baby Julia.”
    In the bedroom, Rachel dropped off her dress, removed her underwear and shoes, and put on a long tee-shirt, as sexy a look for her as a negligee. Leo’s bedroom and bath were her favorite places in the whole house. For a guy, he had taste with a matching bedspread and shams, and the mattress was like sleeping on clouds. Each wall had a large painting; she believed he had artistic knowledge because they varied from far-out modern to photographic realism. When he wasn’t around, she would bask in his luxury whirlpool tub and then pamper her skin with organic moisturizer.
    She laid out a few things for the morning. She’d been slotted to tech for the general surgery room, whether elective or emergency and there wouldn’t be any surprises as far as staying over after her shift. Leaving Julia with Leo had worked out fine, but his minding her routinely on Saturdays would soon change. The lawyers were arranging some weekend visitation with Danny, starting next weekend if everyone agreed.
    After turning out the larger overhead light, Rachel switched on a table lamp, a figurine of a man and woman wrapped around each other. She slid under the covers and closed her eyes for a minute. Leo always spent time on his computer at night, but she knew she’d see him soon based on his remarks at Maxine’s. She didn’t mind his sexual appetite, especially since she was a bit of a tramp herself.
    Through the doorway, the lights went off from the great room, and Leo’s dim figure appeared in the bedroom. Rachel turned on her side as he walked hurriedly into the bathroom, unbuttoning his shirt along the way. He came out naked but she lost him when he went around the bed and climbed in under the sheet behind her. His arms circled her. His biceps were hidden gems under his shirts; although they weren’t huge, they were hard like rocks.
    Rachel went to turn but Leo tightened his arms. He playfully bit her neck. “Like a tigress waiting to be tamed,” he said. “You can let me do all the work tonight.”
    Rachel went to turn again as his arms slipped down to her hips. “Whoever said it’s work, Leo? It’s all pleasure.”
    His breathing increased next to her ear while his hardness stiffened between her cheeks. “That’s perfect then.” He pulled her closer.
    “But Leo, I don’t like it that way.” Rachel gathered a bit of momentum to move forward.
    “You haven’t had it done to you by an expert, that’s all.” Leo’s grip tightened on her hips. He reined her in as close as he needed and then he did the rest.
    ----------
    Rachel jolted awake when her watch alarm sounded. Without disturbing Leo, she got ready and marched gingerly to the kitchen for a bottle. Her bottom didn’t feel too comfortable. Damn Leo , she thought. That was nervy of him last night. She fed and changed Julia and placed her back in the crib.