Kiss the Doctor First

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After Reid Shaws childhood sweetheart climbed into his passenger seat again, I didnt argue.

I simply opened the back door and sat beside his best friend, Dr. Edward Wren.

When the car jolted, my bare knee brushed against Edwards firm thigh.

I deliberately didnt move away.

Neither did he.

At a rest stop, Kylie clung to Reid and dragged him toward the bathroom.

The second the car door shut, Edward took the back of my neck and kissed me.

As I melted under that kiss, one thought drifted through my mind.

Question men. Understand men. Become men.

Some truths really were eternal.

I hadnt expected Edward to come on this short road trip.

He was always busy.

I nodded politely at him.

Edward wore glasses, faint exhaustion lingering on his face. He lifted his eyes, glanced at me, nodded back, then closed his eyes again.

Kylie buckled her seat belt in the front and turned back to flash me a smug little smile.

Selena, I get carsick, so Ill sit up front, okay?

Reid looked back too.

Kylie gets sick in cars. Be generous for once. Dont make a scene over tiny things all the time.

I gave a soft laugh.

Sure.

Reid seemed surprised, but he said nothing else.

Because Kylie had already shoved a half-eaten piece of bread into his mouth.

It tastes bad. Ollie, eat it for me.

Reid ate it naturally, without even frowning.

Kylie looked at me in the rearview mirror and stuck out her tongue.

I ignored her and picked up a bottle of sparkling water.

The cap was tight. I tried twice and couldnt open it.

In the front seat, Kylie was pushing her own bottle into Reids hand, whining.

Ollie, I really cant open it. You know Ive had weak hands since we were kids.

Reid looked pleased as he opened it for her.

The two of them shared the bottle, taking turns drinking, without the slightest sense of boundaries.

I felt a little sick.

Just as I was about to put my bottle down, a mans hand reached over and took it from me.

Under the sleeve of his black casual blazer, a silver-gray shirt cuff wrapped neatly around his lean wrist.

His hand was beautiful. Long fingers, clean nails, elegant bones.

In the light reflected through the car window, they looked almost carved from pale jade.

Before I fully recovered, Edward had already opened the bottle and handed it back.

The car stereo started playing at just the right moment.

I accepted it and whispered, Thank you.

Edward nodded faintly and closed his eyes again.

He had probably just come off an overnight surgery.

There were faint red lines in his eyes.

I sipped the water as the car smoothly entered the main road.

Kylies birthday was coming up.

Reid had specially organized this short self-drive trip to celebrate properly.

There were seven or eight of us, three cars in total, and the destination was a hot spring resort about sixty miles away.

Not long after we started driving, Kylie practically pressed herself against Reid.

The music was loud, so I couldnt hear what they were saying.

But I could tell they were happy.

Recently, because of how far Reid and Kylie kept crossing the line, we had fought several times.

Reid always promised he would be more careful next time.

Then the next time Kylie appeared, he forgot everything.

Suddenly, it all felt meaningless.

I lowered my head and smiled at myself bitterly, then turned to look out the window.

The mountain road twisted ahead. Loose stones occasionally dotted the narrow path.

When the car bumped, my body tilted.

My bare knee under my skirt brushed against Edwards thigh.

Firm.

Warm.

I instinctively wanted to pull away.

Then I saw the reddish mark on the side of Kylies neck.

Anyone could tell it was a kiss mark.

Who had left it was obvious.

In that instant, my heart hardened.

I stopped moving.

Edward opened his eyes.

He looked at me.

I pretended to be perfectly calm and stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his gaze.

But my knee, pressed against the outside of his thigh, quietly leaned closer.

Only a thin layer of suit fabric separated us.

I could clearly feel the heat and strength of his muscles.

That warmth came in waves, sending tiny electric shocks through my nerves.

My mouth went dry.

I swallowed and reached for the water again.

The cold water slid down my throat, calming some of the panic and restlessness.

It also made me suddenly clear-headed.

Edward had not moved away either.

He was letting me stay pressed against him.

My heart seemed to stop for several seconds, then began beating faster and faster, almost out of control.

Just then, the car suddenly swerved.

Kylie cried out in the front seat.

That scared me, Ollie.

She patted her chest repeatedly, then praised him in a soft voice.

But you reacted so fast.

If you hadnt turned the wheel, that rock wouldve hit the car.

Reid immediately laughed.

See? My driving skills are pretty good, right?

Kylie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Ollie is amazing. Kiss kiss.

Stop it.

Reid at least remembered that his girlfriend was still in the back seat.

He pretended to glare at Kylie.

How old are you? Still acting like a kid. Selena is right there.

Kylie widened her eyes, once again looking innocent and pure.

Selena, Ollie and I grew up together. I treat him like my actual brother. You dont mind, right?

I pulled a blanket over myself and smiled coldly.

Do you kiss your actual brother like that at home too?

Kylie instantly looked hurt.

Ollie, see? I told you Selena doesnt like me.

Maybe I shouldnt go after all. I dont want to upset her.

Reid frowned at once.

Thats enough, Selena. Youre two years older than Kylie. Cant you be more mature?

Shes always been childish. Why say something so cruel?

At that moment, I didnt even have the strength to argue.

He wanted me to be generous?

Fine.

I only hoped that in the future, he could be generous too.

Under the blanket, my leg pressed more tightly against Edwards.

During another small bump, my knee and calf brushed over him again.

Then Edwards warm, slender hand suddenly caught my thigh.

His palm pressed against my cool skin.

Heat invaded me steadily.

For a brief second, every sense seemed magnified a thousand times.

I could even feel the thin calluses on the fingers that held scalpels for a living.

The faint scrape of his fingertips across my skin.

I couldnt help glancing at him.

Only a quick look.

Yet I saw that he was still sitting upright, perfectly composed, his shirt collar buttoned neatly.

But his Adams apple rolled hard.

His profile was sharp and smooth, almost painfully handsome.

Enough to make a heart stumble.

Edward was an outsider in Reids circle.

If he werent distantly related to Reid through some complicated family connection, a quiet, cold, obsessively clean man like him would never mix with this group.

After I started dating Reid, I naturally met Edward too.

But every time we saw each other, we only nodded and exchanged polite greetings.

He liked silence and rarely spoke.

His private life was as clean as blank paper.

After group dinners, when the others played cards or went out to party, Edward usually left early.

If he stayed, he sat alone on a corner sofa with his eyes closed, never joining the noise.

Reid once joked about him.

My cousin is practically a monk. Pure as fresh snow.

Hes twenty-seven, but I bet hes never touched a woman.

Hes gotten better this year, though. Invite him ten times and hell show up three or four.

A few years ago? Forget it. You wouldnt even glimpse him.

Actually, I had heard of Edward in college and seen him from afar a few times.

To me, Edward was like the kind of dream many girls imagined when they first learned what wanting someone meant.

A moon hanging high above.

Impossible to reach.

Edward and I had never interacted much.

There were only two times when I went to the hospital because of breast pain and happened to book an appointment with him.

I was embarrassed at first.

But Edward was so professional that I quickly calmed down.

I even secretly scolded myself.

He was a surgeon. What hadnt he seen?

No matter how young or pretty I was, no matter how good my figure might be, to him I was probably only a patient.

Even so, when he examined me, I still squeezed my eyes shut and flushed bright red.

When I left, I wasnt sure if I imagined it, or if the heating had been too high.

But Edwards ears had looked a little red too.

Ollie, stop at the next rest area. I need the bathroom.

Kylies voice suddenly pulled me back.

I bit my lip and tried to move my leg away.

But Edwards fingers tightened slightly.

I lowered my lashes and didnt dare move.

The car stopped.

Kylie immediately insisted that Reid accompany her.

Reid looked back at me awkwardly.

Edward suddenly said in a low voice, Shes asleep.

Reid seemed to relax at once.

Edward, Ill take Kylie to the bathroom. Well be back soon.

Edward hummed.

The doors opened, then closed.

Their laughter faded away.

The car fell quiet.

Selena Frost.

Edward suddenly lifted the blanket from my legs.

Youre sweating. Arent you hot?

I lowered my head, too afraid to look at him.

I grabbed the water bottle, trying to hide my embarrassment by drinking.

But Edward took it away.

Dont drink too much cold water.

Did you forget my medical advice?

I didnt know where the courage came from, but I suddenly looked up at him.

Maybe your medical skills arent that great, Dr. Wren.

His brows tightened.

How so?

I took the medicine you prescribed and avoided everything you told me to avoid. But it still hurts.

His frown deepened.

It still hurts?

It hurts a little even now.

I pressed my lips together and lifted my chin slightly.

Should I come in for another exam, Dr. Wren?

Outside the window, not far away, Kylie had her arm hooked through Reids. They were pressed so closely together there was barely any space between them.

Reid pinched her cheek now and then, then rubbed the top of her head.

They looked exactly like an intimate couple.

The resentment and anger that had been trapped inside my chest for so long crashed around, searching for an exit.

Somehow, I grabbed Edwards hand.

Or maybe Dr. Wren should fulfill his duty now and check me himself?

Just as Edwards hand was about to reach my chest, he moved faster than I did.

His strong fingers gripped the back of my neck.

With only a slight pull, he brought me right in front of him.

Selena.

He lowered his eyes to look at me.

I had to tilt my face up to meet his gaze.

Dont tempt me here.

Did I tempt you?

I boldly held his gaze and refused to back down.

Or is Dr. Wren so lacking in medical ethics that he can watch a patient suffer and do nothing?

Before I finished speaking, Edward removed his glasses, lowered his head, and kissed me.

His scent surrounded me completely. Cool, faintly bitter, with that clean trace of disinfectant that seemed soaked into every inch of him.

My eyes flew open. I instinctively wanted to push him away.

But his hand held me tighter.

I let out a small sound, and the moment my lips parted, he deepened the kiss.

The air was slowly stolen from me.

Dizziness washed over me.

My legs softened first, then my whole body, as if my bones had been removed.

Edward held my jaw and kissed me deeper and deeper, until the root of my tongue felt numb.

At some point, my hands had gripped his shirt, wrinkling the neat fabric.

Our breathing tangled.

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes.

Then Edward suddenly stopped.

I looked up at him, dazed and wanting, as if asking for another kiss.

Asking for more.

Edward smiled lightly and wiped the moisture from the corner of my lips.

Dont be so impatient, Selena.

Hm?

I stared at him, still foggy.

Edward lowered his head and gave my swollen lips one brief kiss.

His forehead touched mine.

His voice sounded beside my ear, low and husky.

Only thirty more miles. When we arrive, Ill give you

My ears rang.

My body, already soft from his kiss, burned even hotter.

I could hardly believe words like that had come from Edward Wren.

My ears must have been red. The back of my neck was scorching.

I lifted a hand to push him away, but Edward tilted his head and kissed my earlobe.

Theyre coming back.

I startled and looked out the car window.

Reid and Kylie were walking back, laughing together.

I quickly pushed Edward away, sat back in my seat, pulled the blanket over myself, and pretended to still be asleep.

But the second I closed my eyes, my swollen lips reminded me.

I took out a compact mirror.

My lips were visibly kissed, glossy and red, and my lipstick was smudged.

It looked wrong from every angle.

I glared at Edward.

This is your fault. My lips are swollen.

He leaned against the seat, slowly wiping his glasses.

Then he lifted his eyes toward me and pointed somewhere.

Then who should I blame for this?

I looked instinctively and my eyes widened.

You how are you

How was his reaction that intense?

Hadnt Reid said he was pure, untouched, and uninterested in women?

Selena, Im still a normal man.

Edward put his glasses back on and pushed the frame lightly.

In only a second, the heat and sensuality from when he kissed me seemed sealed away again.

He was once more the cool, restrained Dr. Wren.

But that contrast made something darkly satisfied bloom in me.

After all, who didnt want to pluck the flower from the snowy peak?

Who didnt want to see a cold, abstinent man lose control, burn with desire, go mad for her?

To ruin him beautifully?

Question men. Understand men. Become men.

Truly an eternal truth.

Just before Reid and Kylie reached the car, Edward somehow produced a small packet of spicy snack sticks and handed it to me.

Open it. Dont eat it. Just pretend.

Why cant I eat it? I love these.

Junk food. No benefit.

Occupational disease.

I muttered, unimpressed, and tore the package open to eat one.

Edward took it away and tossed it straight into the car trash bag.

The car door opened.

The first thing Kylie did after getting in was look back at me.

Selena, what happened to your mouth?

I pointed calmly at the trash bag.

Ate a few spicy sticks. My lips swelled.

Kylie covered her mouth and laughed at Reid.

Ollie, if we didnt know better, we might think Selena kissed someone so hard her lips got swollen.

Reid looked at me.

His brows drew together, suspicion slowly entering his eyes.

But when he saw Edward sitting coldly beside me without saying a word, his expression eased.

What nonsense are you saying? Selena stayed in the car the whole time. Who could she kiss?

Who knows? Kylie said. Maybe after we left, Selena went somewhere.

As soon as she said that, Edward lifted his eyes toward her.

His voice was cold.

She slept in the car the whole time. She woke up five minutes ago. I can testify.

Kylie froze.

Edward

Edward cut her off directly.

The Wren family and the Blake family are not close. Miss Blake and I are not close either.

Kylies face flushed red. She looked at Reid like she was about to cry.

Reid glanced at Edwards icy expression and, in the end, did not dare say a word.

Kylie was deeply wronged, but there was nothing she could do.

The Blake family still relied on the Shaws.

And the Shaw family kept their heads lowered before the Wrens.

She could only swallow it.

But she still secretly glared at me through the rearview mirror.

I knew it.

This debt had been written under my name again.

For the remaining thirty miles, Kylie stayed quiet.

When we arrived at the hot spring resort, Kylie clung to Reid and insisted on sharing a suite with him.

Ollie, Ive never slept alone at night. Im really scared.

Its a suite anyway. The two bedrooms are separate. Selena wont mind, right?

Kylie shook Reids arm.

Reid looked at me helplessly.

I only smiled faintly.

Then Ill switch rooms with her. I like the garden.

Reid seemed guilty and lowered his voice to comfort me.

Selena, its Kylies birthday this time. Lets just let her have her way.

Next time Ill take you on a trip alone to make it up to you, okay?

I nodded generously.

Sure.

Ill take your luggage to your room first.

Without waiting for me to nod, Reid carried my luggage to the room.

When he left again, the expression on his face looked much more at ease.

There was a gathering that evening.

I returned to my room, showered, changed into a new dress, and slowly did a soft but seductive makeup look.

I arrived a little late, and everyone was already there.

In the crowded room, I spotted Edward sitting alone by the window at once.

He had changed into a white shirt, still wearing his glasses, looking even colder and more restrained.

When I walked in, he only glanced at me lightly.

But the moment I looked away, I saw him lift one hand and undo the top button of his shirt.

As if unintentionally, his long fingers brushed over his Adams apple.

I lowered my eyes and bit my lip.

My mind wandered.

If I bit him there, what would he look like losing control?

10

Wow, Selena, why are you dressed so beautifully tonight?

Kylie ran over and grabbed my arm, shaking it.

Then she pouted unhappily.

But come on, its my birthday. Why are you stealing the birthday girls spotlight?

Ollie, judge for me. Selena is bullying me again.

I looked at Kylie.

She had clearly dressed up carefully too.

To be fair, she really did look like a little princess tonight.

But there was a saying.

Sometimes cuteness was worth nothing in front of sensuality.

My usual style was casual and simple.

Tonight, on a whim, I had gone for something much more alluring.

A burgundy strappy mini dress and matching lace-up heels.

The dress made my skin glow.

The straps winding around my calves made my legs look even longer and slimmer.

When Reid looked at me, astonishment clearly flashed in his eyes.

The others immediately started teasing.

Selena doesnt dress like this often. Thats a knockout. Reid, you lucky bastard.

Look at Reid. His eyes are practically glued to her.

Reid looked a little proud.

But when he walked to me, he coughed lightly and spoke seriously.

Selena, its Kylies birthday today.

If you want to dress up, wear whatever you like when were on a date.

Why upset Kylie like this?

I looked at Reid standing in front of me.

I could clearly feel the small amount of affection and attachment I had once had for him draining away fast.

But I did not feel much pain.

Nor much reluctance.

Selena, did you hear me?

Reid frowned.

Yet his eyes remained on my body, never moving away.

What do you want me to do?

Go back and change.

Reid held my arm lightly and pulled me toward a quieter corner, lowering his voice.

Selena, youre two years older than Kylie. Let her have this.

I pushed his hand away and smiled.

What if I dont want to?

Reid froze first.

Then he gave a low laugh.

What right do you have to tell me you dont want to?

But I dont.

If you dont, then lets break up.

Anger and disdain gradually gathered on Reids handsome, arrogant face.

He seemed certain that I would be afraid of breaking up.

Certain that I would not dare.

Then lets break up.

I pushed his hand away.

As you wish.

Reid suddenly smiled.

It was cold and sarcastic.

Fine. Getting bold now, are you? Then get out.

I did not say a word.

I turned, opened the door, and walked out.

11

I did not return to my room.

I took a bottle of red wine to the small garden.

With the comfortable evening wind blowing, I was on my second glass when I sent Edward a message.

Dr. Wren.

He replied quickly, as if he had been waiting for my message.

Whats wrong?

My breast pain is back.

Edward did not reply.

A few minutes later, he called.

I leaned back in the chair.

The mountain night wind was cool. Not far away, the crabapple blossoms had not yet closed for the night.

I felt a little drunk. My vision and senses were blurred and slow.

But Edwards voice beside my ear was unbelievably clear.

Selena Frost, where are you?

When you kissed me, you called me Selena. Now that the kiss is over, its Selena Frost again. Dr. Wren, you really do turn cold fast.

The voice on the other end paused for several seconds.

He seemed to laugh softly.

Then when he said my name again, his voice was gentle.

Selena, where are you?

In the garden.

Dr. Wren, are you coming?

12

Edward took me to his room.

He was not staying in the same building as us.

Instead, he had a detached house deep in a bamboo grove.

On the way there, I asked curiously, Arent you afraid someone will see?

Edward held my hand and reminded me to watch the stone path beneath my feet.

When I looked down, I saw our overlapping shadows stretched long by the moonlight.

This resort belongs to the Wren family. You dont need to be afraid or worried.

Who said I was afraid or worried?

Edward glanced at me.

I stopped walking and looked straight at him.

Reid and I are already over.

So what do I have to fear?

When did you end it?

Half an hour ago. You were there.

Edward said nothing.

The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and bamboo shadows swayed around us.

Patchy light moved over his handsome face.

Standing there beneath the moon, he looked like a lean bamboo stalk.

Selena Frost.

He tightened his hold on my hand slightly and pulled me into his arms.

Youd better have ended it cleanly.

And youd better not go back to him.

The detached house had a large courtyard.

As soon as we entered, Edward pressed me against the back of the gate.

He held my face and kissed me deeply, heavily, urgently.

Between breaths, his face rested against my neck, his breathing burning hot.

My arms hooked around his neck, fingers sliding into his thick hair.

Dr. Wren

Mm.

Have you kissed other women?

He turned and kissed my lips again, his breath unsteady, voice low.

No.

So youve never been with a woman either?

Edward held my face. His thumb brushed the moisture at the corner of my mouth.

No.

He was very tall. Even in heels, I only reached his chin.

My hands, originally buried in his hair, slowly moved from the back of his neck to the open collar of his shirt.

When my soft fingers touched his Adams apple, his reaction was shocking.

His throat moved hard, and the palms holding my face burned like fire.

All the tangled emotions in my heart desperately searched for an outlet.

Desperately wanted release.

I closed my eyes and pressed a light kiss to his throat.

His hands, which had been holding my face, suddenly slid into my hair, long fingers tightening.

He held me closer, forcing my lips to stay against him.

His breathing lost its rhythm entirely, but he still restrained himself, refusing to let even a faint sound escape.

Dr. Wren, did you forget your proper duty?

His slender fingers traced my face. He lowered his head and kissed the corner of my eye.

What duty?

Im in pain. Arent you going to examine me?

I took his left hand and guided it down.

His fingers stopped over my heart.

The moonlight was silver.

My exposed skin was pale as frost.

I lifted my face and clearly saw the desire darkening his eyes.

Then my hand pressed over his, gradually adding pressure.

Dr. Wren, can we begin now?

13

Edwards palm was hot.

The skin over my heart felt like it might be burned by him.

His throat moved heavily.

Under the desire in his eyes was a terrifying possessiveness, as if he wanted to swallow me whole.

We were too close.

I could clearly feel every change in his body.

He was like a volcano, burning away my thoughts until nothing remained.

But I had underestimated Edwards patience and self-control.

Even in that moment, he forced his hand away from me.

I stared at him, stunned, helpless and a little hurt.

Not here.

Edward held me and kissed me again.

Shower first.

Otherwise it isnt clean. Its not good for you.

Something in my chest trembled lightly.

Even the cool mountain wind seemed to soften.

At that moment, no one could have resisted him.

When we entered and changed shoes, I hadnt even bent down before Edward took out a new pair of slippers and crouched in front of me.

A surgeons hands were famously dexterous.

The complicated straps of my heels wrapped around my calves in neat crisscrossing lines. One gentle tug should have undone them.

But he clumsily pulled twice.

He held my ankle and carefully placed my foot into the soft slipper.

I looked down and saw the broad line of his shoulders under his white shirt.

Below, the shirt hem disappeared into his trousers, his waist narrow and lean.

Maybe it was the wine, but I felt hot and thirsty.

When he stood, I suddenly rose on tiptoe, hooked my arms around his neck, and kissed him first.

From the entryway to the bathroom, we kissed the whole way.

When the shower water fell, his shirt was already rumpled in my hands.

The straps of my dress had slipped from my shoulders.

Edward pressed me against the wall and kissed me fiercely.

Steam filled the bathroom, swallowing everything.

He seemed ready to swallow me too.

Selena.

But at the last moment, Edward suddenly caught my wrist and pulled me back.

He brushed the wet hair from my temple and laced his fingers with mine.

Between burning, ragged breaths, his voice was dark and hoarse.

Bedroom.

Not here. Itll make you uncomfortable.