Elle frowned. “I knew there’d been a rape, but she hasn’t shared the details with any of us yet. She insisted it wasn’t relevant to her current situation and wouldn’t go there.”
“Yeah, I get the impression that she doesn’t want to give the rapists that much credit—that they affected her enough to drive her to drugs. But after the assault, she pretty much locked the incident away. Didn’t press charges. Didn’t tell anyone. And apparently, she amped up the sexual tone in her stage show, like she was…I don’t know.”
“Giving the assholes a big fuck you.”
Marin’s smile was grim. “Something like that. Almost like a dare to prove that they hadn’t changed her. But shortly after that is when she started experimenting with drugs. She’s only slept with people while under the
influence since then and can’t orgasm, even on her own.”
“So they stole even more from her,” Elle said, anger sparking on Jun’s behalf.
Marin nodded, frustration on her face. “It’s horrible, and I hate that the disgusting human beings who did this to her just went on with their lives unscathed. But like you said, when Jun was first admitted, she didn’t want to acknowledge the sexual issues from the trauma as a problem. She only wanted to focus on the substance abuse.”
“But she was willing to talk to you,” Elle said, impressed that Marin had gotten Jun to open up. “Any idea what changed her mind?”
“Ori’s encouragement for one,” she replied. “But that’s not the only thing. She ran into Lane over here one day. Jun said he put her at ease and made the whole prospect of sex therapy seem less scary. So if she could work with him on the issue, she said she’d be open to trying.”
Elle’s fingers gripped her pen so hard she heard the plastic casing creak, but she fought to keep her expression stoic. “Is someone with Lane’s specialization usually needed in this type of case?”
Marin shifted in the chair, expression thoughtful. “Lane’s strength is working with anxious clients, so that’s a good fit. He’s also experienced with arousal disorder. He could teach her some techniques, provide a safe environment.”
“Have sex with her, you mean,” Elle said flatly.
A small frown touched Marin’s mouth. “That would depend on the treatment plan he created. Intercourse could be part of it. But Jun would have to be on board with that, which may take a while with her anxiety from the trauma.”
Elle couldn’t stop the sick feeling from rising in the back of her throat. “Right.”
Marin’s brow wrinkled, her frown deepening at Elle’s clipped tone. “Look, I know that kind of therapy can be controversial and not everyone buys into it. But if you’re worried about that, I can assure you that Lane has helped a lot of people and he’s very good—”
“I know he’s good in bed, Marin. I’m dating him,” she snapped.
Marin’s lips parted and she blinked rapidly. “I, uh, was going to say he’s very good at his job.” She paused for a beat. “Wait. You’re dating Lane?”
“That is not public information. Yet.”
Marin bit her lip, but did a terrible job hiding the spark of amusement in her eyes.
“What?” Elle bit out.
Marin lifted her palms and shook her head. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”
“You look like you’re about to laugh.”
“Not in a mocking way, I swear,” she said, her smile revealing itself now. “It’s just, I sent him over to talk to you that night at the party, and you both looked like you were on death row, having to speak to each other. I would’ve never guessed. I think that’s…great. Lane’s a wonderful guy and a good friend.”
“Then I doubt you’d want him with me. You’re not exactly president of my fan club.”
She shrugged. “He wouldn’t be with you if you were a bad person. He doesn’t put up with much bullshit in his life from what I can tell. And you and I…well, we started off in a bad situation. You were a threat to my relationship with Donovan. I don’t put up with bullshit either.”
“I understand,” Elle said, shame bubbling up over the ridiculous way she’d acted when Donovan had dropped their tryst for Marin. Even when she’d seen how different Donovan was around Marin, how clearly in love he was, Elle had still tried to interfere out of pure spite. Not one of her finer moments. “The situation was…unfortunate.”
“It was. And I wasn’t exactly kind to you either. But I really don’t know much else about you except that you’re an accomplished doctor and that Oriana and your patients seem to have deep respect for you. That says a lot.” She gave her a brief smile. “So if you and Lane have found something together then…I wish you both the best. Truly.”
“Thank you,” she said, sensing that Marin meant the words.
“But I see now that this may be a difficult case to consult on,” she said, releasing a breath. “Dating Lane or not, he still has the same job. One of your patients is in need of his type of therapy. But if it’s too difficult to separate out personal from professional—and believe me, no judgment there because I know I’d have a tough time with that—I can make Oriana my primary contact on the case. We can handle this part of Jun’s treatment so that you don’t have to know the details.”
Elle bristled at the suggestion that she couldn’t keep personal and professional separate. She’d spent her life being nothing but professional, but her hands were trembling and her brain was trying to paint pictures she didn’t want to see. The patient had to come first. Elle didn’t trust herself not to let her personal feelings interfere. She forced out the words. “That might be for the best.”