“What kind of doctor would that make me?” I sigh internally, knowing this is only getting worse. While I like the idea of being taken seriously about my cramps and migraines, at this rate, I’m going to be under his scrutiny for longer than I can contemplate. “Ok, you may as well slip those off the rest of the way. They wouldn't be on much longer anyway." Standing back up, I slip my panties down to my feet and step out of them. I pull the gown tight around me and bend over to pick them up and toss them onto the chair with my clothes. "Now have a seat on the end of the table. Let’s get the basics out of the way. I see the nurse got your height, weight, blood pressure and pulse before showing you into my office. I’m going to start with a quick look at your eyes, ears, nose and throat.” After checking my pupils, peering into my ears and nose, he asks me to open my mouth and stick out my tongue. I do as he asks, and swallow once just before he pushes the tongue depressor down. He asks me to swallow, then say ahh and he pushes down a little more, causing me to gag. Smirking, he removes the stick and tosses it in the trash. “Nice gag reflex you’ve got there.” I cough, trying to clear the taste of wood from my mouth, but it’s no use.

His surprisingly warm hands touch my throat and I shiver at the intimate contact. He palpates the glands as he resumes asking his questions. “Have you ever had any UTIs or kidney infections? Do you often get strep or sinus infections?” I try to shake my head but his hand tightens ever so slightly around my throat. “Hold still and use your words.” His admonishment makes me blush. “A few UTIs in the past, never a kidney infection though. I haven’t had strep since I was a kid but I had a pretty bad sinus infection that landed me in the ER a few years ago. Isn’t all of this in my records?” He glares at me, his hands moving down along my collar bone. “I want to hear the basics from you and if I need more details about treatment or diagnosis I’ll dig through your file. Now, it’s time to lower the top of your gown. I need to listen to your heart and lungs without anything getting in the way.”

I feel his hands at the back of my neck, untying the knot holding up my dignity. The gown drops, falling forward to rest on the top of my breasts, then sliding off and down into my lap. I start to move my hands to pull it up but am stopped short. “No. Leave the gown in your lap and your hands at your sides.” His firm tone makes it clear that this isn’t open for debate. The stethoscope is cold against my back and I shiver. Combined with the cool air in the room, I feel my nipples start to tighten. Embarrassment flushes my skin and I squirm uncomfortably. He moves the stethoscope to the front of my chest and I look up at the ceiling. “The more you move, the longer this takes. You know that, right? Breathe deeply for me. And again.” He continues to move the cold disc over my skin. I squeeze my hands into fists, willing my self to be still and calm.

“Your heart and lungs sound fine. Put your hands on your hips and push your chest forward so I can observe your breasts.” Dr. Max staring intently at my bare breasts does nothing to lessen my embarrassment or calm my flushed skin. I hold my breath, trying not to move in case it extends his visual inspection. His gaze drifts up to meet my eyes. “Now put your hands on top of you head. Do you have any pain, swelling, discharge with your breasts or nipples? Do they get uncomfortable with your PMS and cramps?" He moves to stand at my right side and raises his hand to my breast. I shake my head as his hand cups my breasts and he squeezes. “Hold still and talk. We need to cover ground while I examine so you need to behave.” I gasp at the squeeze, but he’s already moved on to firmly palpating my breast in concentric circles. “No pain or swelling that I’ve noticed. I wouldn’t mind a little swelling to be honest.” My awkward attempt to joke and lighten the mood falls flat. He meets my eyes and frowns.“ Not something to joke about, swelling could be a sign of infection or injury. What about discharge and PMS symptoms?” I start to shake my head again and freeze, sucking in a breath as he pinches my nipple hard. “Words, please. Is that a no on the discharge and PMS? Any other breast related issues or questions?” He moves around to my left side and his big fingers starts working around my left breast. It feels like he’s pressing even harder on this one. “No, okay? No discharge, no PMS issues, no other problems or questions.” It comes out louder than I intend due to his pinch of my second nipple, and my growing discomfort mixing with something else I didn’t even want to contemplate. No way was I going to get excited at the doctor’s office, no matter how hot Dr. Max is.

He looks at me oddly before setting his hand on my shoulder and easing me back. “Time for you to lay back now. I’ll go over your breasts again before moving on to your abdomen. Besides your headaches and cramps, how would you say your overall health is?” As he eases me back, my gown spreads open further, baring the entire front side of my body. “My health is fine. I haven't needed an exam in years, remember?” He shakes his head, ignoring my last statement for the time being. He touches my breasts again, this time feeling more sensual. He moves more slowly, taking his time and finally moving on to check the lymph nodes under each arm. He nods and looks me in the eye. “Your breasts are perfect. I mean, perfectly healthy. On to your abdomen.” He smirks, a common expression on his handsome face. No, not handsome, stop thinking about him being handsome. I feel like I'm starting to lose it. He's just doing his job, and I'm letting my overactive imagination run away with me.

His hands slide to the upper right section of my abdomen, just below my ribs, and he starts to press, watching my face for any reaction. “Let me know if this hurts, if anything is tender or uncomfortable. When was your last bowel movement? How often do you have one? Are they regular in consistency or do you struggle with constipation?” My flush that had all but faded was back in full force. No doctor had ever asked me such personal questions! His hands are working their way across my abdomen as I try to gather myself and answer his prying. “ Umm, really? You really need to know this? It has nothing to do with my headaches or medication. My usual doctor doesn’t ask such things.” He shakes his head in frustration, and it sounds almost like he growls as his hands continue to work their way lower and lower. If I focus on his hands advancing toward where my now absent panties should be, I’m going to panic. I remind myself to just keep breathing, squeeze my legs together tighter and hope this will all be over soon. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t relevant to my exam. I assured you this would be a complete exam, and it will be. Very complete. You’re long overdue and while I apologize for the lack of thoroughness you previously experienced, that oversight ends now. Answer please.” His hand is at the top of my hip bones, sliding under my gown to press where my thighs meet my torso. I squeal and my hips lift off the table without my intending them to. He removes his hands and turns to me, staring into my eyes and awaiting my answer.