Where Nerves End

doing, but the clamps on the ends of the cables were cool when they met my skin.
“Im attaching the leads to the needles,” he said. “And Im going to tape them down so they dont yank the needles out.”
I shuddered. That was one more mental image I didnt need.
As promised, he taped the leads down, and none of the needles were ripped free in the process. Then he turned on the box, and as he adjusted the currents, he manually adjusted the needles. It felt like he was…stirring them? Moving them, anyway. Not in a way that was painful, though. It kind of reminded me of the dentist doing work while I was numb; I knew he was doing something, and it felt like it should have hurt, but it didnt. Not even unpleasant, necessarily, just weird.
And he was right about the electric stimulation. A warm, dull ache radiated from the needles, along with an occasional tingle that sometimes bordered on uncomfortable, but mostly it was only unpleasant inasmuch as it was alien. Kind of like the first time I got a tattoo, minus the pain.
But still, even while he electrified the needles sticking out of my goddamned flesh, I couldnt keep my mind off his hands. I swore his fingertips were more electric than the mini jumper cables clamped on to the needles, and everywhere he touched, my skin tingled in an entirely different way.
Jesus Christ, Davis. Get a fucking grip.
It was impossible to guess how long this went on. My shoulder ached, though it was more of a strange heat than any kind of discomfort. I closed my eyes and just let him do his thing while I savored every time his skin brushed mine. God, what was wrong with me? It wasnt like I was desperate for a man to touch me, but there was something about—
“Jason?”
My eyes flew open. It was less the sound of my name that startled me, and more the gentle heat of his hand around my upper arm. “Sorry, what?”
“You all right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Are you getting lightheaded?”
“I—” I was a little dizzy, wasnt I?
That’s what happens when you forget to breathe, dumbfuck.
I glanced back at him and smiled. “No, Im fine.”
He eyed me uncertainly, then released my arm— no, your hand can stay there! —and went back towork. “If you need to lie down or anything, speak up.”
“Im fine,” I said. “Just need to remember to breathe.”
Michael laughed. “Thats usually a recommended part of the treatment, yes.”
I laughed too, which pushed some air into motion and alleviated the dizziness. “Guess you were relaxing me a little too well.”
“Thats why I usually have people lie down for this.” He steadied my shoulder with one hand— ah, there it is —and adjusted a needle just below my collarbone. “But I want to work on the front and backsimultaneously.” He paused, leaning to the side so we could make eye contact. “I can do the front, then back, if lying down would be more comfortable.”
“Im fine. This is fine.”
“Youre sure?”
I nodded. He held my gaze for a moment, then continued.
Maybe five minutes later, he was finished, and removed the taped leads before coming around to stand in front of me.
“Let me check your pulse.” He beckoned, and when I extended my arm palm up, he clasped the back of my hand in his while he pressed his fingers to the inside of my wrist. I had no doubt my pulse was elevated now, and rising, because his hands were on me.
He didnt comment, though, just made a note of my pulse. “How does your shoulder feel now?”
“Better, actually.” I’ll be damned. It really does feel better . “Still a little stiff, but…”
“Good. Theres one more thing I need to do, and this might sound a little strange, but—”
“Is this the part where you want to see my tongue?” He laughed. “Seth warned you, eh?”
“Yeah. I thought he was fucking with me.”
“Nope. Afraid not. So…” He made a “go on” gesture. “Do I have to say „Ah?”
Michael laughed again. “Whatever floats your boat, I just need to see your tongue.”
And I’d like you to do something besides look at it.
Good thing this was a slightly awkward action, opening my mouth to let him peer at my tongue. At least if my cheeks were as red as I thought they were, hed probably write it off as me feeling ridiculous instead of being slightly embarrassed of the thoughts wandering through my mind. And maybe a little flustered. Just a little. Okay, a lot.
“All right,” he said, and I closed my mouth as he jotted something on the form.
“Dare I ask what youre