Reddix glared at the other male, but he could feel the physician’s resolve like a cold steel rod pressed to his spine. Clearly, there was no changing Sylvan’s mind. Well, fine—he hadn’t been planning to go straight back to Tarsia anyway. He had unfinished business down on the planet. But what about the girl? When would he start to dream of her, and how long would it take to find her?
“Reddix? Do you understand?” Sylvan asked, and Reddix realized the other male had been waiting patiently for an answer.
“Fine,” he said at last, running a hand through his hair again. “I’ll call home and tell them I’m staying here to try and reason with Saber. Not that it’ll do any good.”
“Good. But that’s as much contact as I want you to have with anyone,” Sylvan said sternly. “After you make the call, I want you to go straight to bed. I want you to rest and relax and see no one—not even Saber—for the entire time. And report to me if you have another blackout immediately—are we clear?”
Reddix balled his hands into fists but somehow managed to keep from punching the other male.
“Are you this pushy with all your patients?”
“Only the ones looking to commit suicide.” Sylvan’s pale eyes snapped.
Reddix frowned. “Suicide? Look, just because my RTS has gotten worse, doesn’t mean I want to check out.”
“Don’t you?” Sylvan frowned pointedly. “Then stop pushing yourself so hard.”
“Excuse me, Dr. Sylvan?” The door opened, and a pretty young nurse with short black hair and brown eyes looked into the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt but I—oh…” She trailed off as her eyes caught and held on Reddix.
Once again he felt naked—completely helpless and vulnerable. Pinned by her gaze like a bug to a card. Whoever had taken his hood had also removed his shirt, the better to examine him, he supposed. But for whatever reason, it left him bare. He could feel the nurse’s gaze wandering over his naked face and torso, could feel the exact moment her intense interest turned to lust. The emotion coated his skin in a layer of cool slime, making his stomach churn and his muscles clench with disgust.
“Hello there,” she murmured, trying to make eye contact with him. “I heard there was a Touch Kindred in here, but I didn’t realize you’d be so handsome.”
“My hood. Where’s my hood?” Reddix looked away from her, feeling violated and hating himself for the stupid, helpless emotion. Certainly any other male being eyed by an attractive female would have loved it and probably returned her coy glance with a frankly interested one of his own. Instead, Reddix felt like he might be sick. Her emotions were so strong, so Goddess damned invasive. The cool slime of her lust coating his skin was like a jacket he couldn’t take off. Her desire stung like a swarm of Tarsian hornets, stabbing and poking at him, peeling him raw…
“Nurse,” Sylvan snapped, apparently sensing what was happening. “This is a private consultation. Leave at once and remember to be more professional in the future.”
The nurse gave Sylvan a surprised glance—clearly she wasn’t used to him talking to her in such a fashion. Then she shrugged and said, “Yes, Doctor,” before shutting the door.
“I’m sorry about that.” Sylvan rummaged in a small storage locker and handed Reddix his shirt and the dark green hood he wore almost constantly now. “Here, put these back on, you’ll need them. The Med Station is full of unmated Earth girls—a new training program we have going on at the moment.”
Reddix groaned. “I can see getting out of here is going to be fun.”
“You’ll manage,” Sylvan said. “Is it always this bad for you?”
“Worse with females,” Reddix admitted, sitting up and pulling the shirt over his head. He slid off the bed and stood up, flexing his spine. “Can I go now?”
Sylvan nodded. “But remember, I want you on complete isolation and bed rest. And call me if there are any more blackouts.”
“Fine,” Reddix growled, though he had no intention whatsoever of seeing Sylvan again.
“All right.” Sylvan sighed. “I hope you know I’m not trying to be officious—I just want to see you healed.” He started to hold out a hand and then drew back. “I won’t offer to shake your hand.”
“Thank you.” Reddix felt a surge of unwilling gratitude. At least this doctor understood his affliction. “For saving me the trouble of refusing and offending you.”
Concern filled Sylvan’s eyes. “When was the last time you touched anyone willingly?”