“I’ve missed you, too,” I said as my body ached at the heavenly contact. “More than you could know.”
“I hope you know how much I want to be with you. I just…”
I summoned my courage to pull back to meet him eye to eye. “I do know that. But, there’s this cloud between us. And even though I know now it’s not only because of me and my past, I still need to make things right for myself.” Surprise lit his eyes, and he nodded. We’d come full circle. I finally realized that it wasn’t Daniel who was going to be the hero of this story, it was me.
His arms slipped from my waist, and took hold of my hands. “That’s what I want for you, too. It’s why—”
I pressed a finger to his lips. “You don’t have to say anything. I’ve got this covered.” My calm, confident tone told him how serious I was. “I’m going to show you that I can make it on my own first. Without you. Without Nathan. Without any man. And when I’m done, I’m coming back to you, Daniel.” My eyes beamed. The determined smile I flashed him was met with one of equal brightness and filled with pride. “And you’d better be here waiting for me, with whatever you’re going through worked out.” He squeezed my hand in understanding as I continued. “Because we’re in this together. I’m doing this for you and me. For us. One step at a time.”
EPILOGUE
Dr. Daniel Harrison
I watched, speechless, as Gray walked out of my arms, my office, and my life. Both sadness and relief washed over me that this decision had been taken out of my hands. At least for now. Maybe with a little time and space, we’d both be able to see things more clearly. God knows, I couldn’t see a damn thing but Gray when she was in my presence. She had a way of filling me with both strength and weakness. I don’t know which I used more as I let her hand slip from my fingers.
I padded to Gray’s window, took in the view that had comforted her on so many occasions, and contemplated my actions over the last six months. Once again, I’d compromised my integrity…both as a man and a doctor. Hurting Gray was inevitable. I knew it the first moment I laid eyes on that playful mysterious smile and those haunting hazel eyes. That first day at the hospital, the pull I’d felt toward her should have sent me running. Instead, I sought her out and took her on as a patient. The runaway train of emotions couldn’t be stopped, nor did I want it to. I let her into my heart and showed her little by little, in subtle ways, what she meant to me.
I knew she wasn’t Melissa. As a doctor, I knew it was highly unlikely for history to repeat itself. Still, I failed both ethically and morally. And, as a man, I could admit I was afraid. Afraid to love her, to break her heart, and to be responsible for what could happen if it all came to fruition. More than that, I was terrified of losing her forever, and that made me weak and selfish.
I wished I could have been stronger for her. In the beginning, when I felt it happening, I should have been stronger. But I fell, and I fell hard. And I did the only thing I could do if I truly cared about her. I pushed her away, like I should have done with Melissa. Now, Gray was determined to prove herself to me while giving me space to work out my own issues. That was one damn, stubborn woman. If she gets through this, she will come back to me, stronger. Maybe then she’ll be able to hear the truth about me. I could only hope that I’d be able to tell her and move on. What choice did I have? I couldn’t imagine life without her. I couldn’t imagine how I’d get through the time away from her, though I knew it was necessary. I needed to know that her feelings were real. As real as mine. Because I didn’t simply want to be there for Gray. I wanted to be everything to Gray.
Thank you so much for reading Compulsive. I hope you enjoyed it and will help spread the word to new readers, or consider posting a review to Amazon. Positive feedback from readers is a joy and so inspirational for authors. If you would like to try other books by me, please visit my website at www.liafairchild.com, or see my listings on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Lia-Fairchild/e/B004OUENSW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bestselling author, Lia Fairchild, is both a traditionally published and independent author who writes women's fiction, romance, and chick lit. Fans of her books praise her endearing, real characters who come to life in stories that will touch your heart.
Fairchild is addicted to the warmth of Southern California and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and a multiple-subject teaching credential. She is a wife and mother of two teenagers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS