Tobias’s gaze lowered to the ground. It was a question he’d asked himself a lot. “You told me to be here.”
“Come in.” Sophia stepped to one side.
Tobias walked into the medical bay, the smell of coffee and disinfectant hitting him but not hiding the rose scent of Sophia’s shampoo. There were two patients at the far end, sitting up in bed. There was no sign of Clarissa or Daisy, Sophia’s assistants.
Slowly, he turned to face Sophia. Damn, she was striking. Her face was heart-shaped and her skin pale. She had a full mouth, which was, at that moment, turned down at the corners. She often wore this look of disapproval when they were together.
“Well, I’m waiting for a good answer from you.”
“I’ve already said. I’m here because I’ve been ordered to.” Anger prickled through him. Tobias sometimes felt defective. He wondered what his brothers really thought of him. He’d been half-mad when they’d dug him out of that building. He remembered little about that day, or the days after. He could recall flashes of their faces, full of concern as they’d taken turns to sit by his bedside and make sure he didn’t tip over the edge.
“You’re here because people care about you,” said Sophia. “They want to make sure you’re fit and healthy.”
“Do you want to give me a physical?” Tobias flashed her a grin.
She didn’t return it. “You’ve had your physical. I’ve seen everything you have.”
He took a step closer. “Not everything.”
“Trust me, if I haven’t seen everything you’ve got, I’ve seen enough naked men to know what to expect.” Sophia’s cheeks grew pink, and she looked away.
“Maybe I’m different.”
“Everyone says that. They always disappoint me.” Sophia took a step back and grabbed a port screen. “From your last session, which was almost two months ago, you reported feelings of isolation. Is that still the case?” She turned and walked into the tiny office in the corner of the medical bay.
Tobias’s hands clenched, but he dragged himself in after her and shut the door. “Who doesn’t get lonely?”
“That’s different.” Sophia gestured to an empty chair as she sat behind her desk. The desk was heaving with papers and files, and a computer screen sat on one corner. Although it was cluttered, everything seemed to have an order. On the walls were paintings of trees and fields. He wasn’t the only one who craved being outside.
Tobias shrugged as he sat in the chair and forced himself to appear relaxed. “It can be lonely on the road. It’s hard to find the right sort of company.”
“What kind of company do you like?”
He flashed her another grin. “Someone to keep me stimulated. I get bored easily.”
“As is apparent from your frequent moves,” said Sophia. “You put yourself at risk every time you’re above ground.”
“I’ll take that risk,” said Tobias. “It’s a greater risk if I stay penned down here like an animal, breathing recycled air and forgetting what the sky looks like.” Despite himself, he shuddered. Was it his imagination, or were the walls moving?
Sophia tilted her head again. “You deliberately isolate yourself?”
Tobias sighed. This would be a long and difficult session, he could sense it. It wasn’t that he hated the offer of help. If only he could be sure this would help. There had to be a way to remove that hollow ache in his guts. He should let Sophia in and answer her questions truthfully. Maybe he’d finally get to feel human again.
“Tobias?” Sophia raised her eyebrows. “You haven’t answered my question.”
He loved the sound of his name when she spoke it. It was almost musical. He placed his hands on his knees and leaned toward her. “I’ll answer your questions, but you need to do the same for me.”
Those beautiful dark eyes narrowed. “You want to analyze me?”
“Why not? You’re trying to get into my head and figure me out. Let me do the same with you.”
Sophia placed the port screen down slowly. “I’ve nothing to hide. I don’t see how this will help your recovery. Learning about me will not assist you.”
He didn’t believe that for a second. “You never know, we might have things in common. Maybe you can help me feel less lonely?”
Sophia shook her head. “I’ll answer your questions, but only if you don’t use it as an excuse. Don’t deflect your issues onto me. You’ve been sent here for a reason.”
Tobias knew that. He had to stop fighting Sophia and get his head back in the game. But that didn’t mean he needed to make it easy on her. This woman intrigued him. He needed to know more about her. She kept up a professional facade, but there was more to her than that. There had to be fire beneath the icy veneer she kept in place. He wanted to see what it would take to light that fire and feel how hot it burned.
He wasn’t going to get out of here without answering Sophia’s questions today, though. Everyone thought he was broken, but maybe Sophia could fix him. Even if she couldn’t, he intended to have fun along the way and figure out what Sophia was all about.
“Tobias. Answer my question.”
Tobias smiled at Sophia. “Where shall I begin?”
Jude (sci-fi romance - The Ember Quest Book 5) Page 23