I decided in the blink of an eye that I’d fly down here to see you. I didn’t even go home and pack a bag, but asked the taxi driver to drive me straight to the airport.”
“I’m flattered. So, you just got on a plane and flew up here on a whim?” David asked.
“Actually I asked the taxi driver to drive me down here, but he wouldn’t.” Lara laughed and David finally took her into his arms.
After a while of silence, just sitting still in his arms, she continued “I came to be with you, but I also think I need to continue therapy. I’ve had a couple of instances where it would have been so easy to slip back into the old behaviors, but I don’t want to be that person again. I don’t want to go back there – ever.”
David agreed with her, “Lara, I think that’s probably a really good idea. You need someone to talk to that won’t let you get away with hiding from the truth.”
“So, you’ll keep being my therapist?” Lara asked.
David faltered, “No. I don’t think that would be a good idea. I really don’t want to be your therapist.”
Seeing her face fall, he hurried to explain, “I want to see if there’s any chance of us having a relationship together, and I can’t do that and be your therapist. It wouldn’t be ethical or healthy for either one of us.”
Lara smiled at his explanation, “I can handle that. Maybe you could help me find another therapist to work with.”
“I can do that.”
“So, why did you leave the clinic?” Lara asked, really wanting to get to know David more.
“I renounced because I couldn’t stand putting Band-Aids on gaping wounds any longer. I was so tired of working there; feeling like nothing I did truly made a difference. Did you know that over half of the patients, will end up back in rehab, for the same or similar problem, within the first year after recovery?
That’s not true recovery. It’s playing games and I just couldn’t do it anymore. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what first drew me to psychiatry was the desire to help people.
What I was doing at the center wasn’t accomplishing that goal. So, I quit.”
Lara smiled at him, she liked his explanation, finally someone who’d put his ideals in front of the money. “So, you’re going to open your own practice?”
David said, “Yes, and no. I’m going to open up a standard practice for my usual type of clients, but what I really want to do is work with people who want to change. I’ve been in touch with a self-help organization that deals specifically with depression and suicide.
At least fifty-percent of my time is going to be dedicated to working with these self-help groups, most of them comprised of people who have called the hotlines seeking help. They offered me to run a chapter in San Francisco. It’s doesn’t have the same benefits or salary as I was making at Sunset Malibu, but at least I’ll know I’m making a difference in peoples’ lives. Do you think I should take that offer?”
Lara was shocked and struggled not to let it show. How could he give up his promising career? He was on his way to becoming one of the most renowned psychiatrists in the country. “What?”
“Run a self-help organization group.”
She was confused, “Why, where?”
“Are we a little slow today? I said in San Francisco.”
“You mean … you move … I mean .. this is only a short drive from Santa Clara… of course you should! David, that’s wonderful. In fact, I’d love to help. My father has connections…"
As soon as those words leave her mouth, they both started laughing, because once again she had reverted to depending on her father to help her out.
She met David’s gaze and their laughter died as their attraction flared to life. David rose from the couch at the same time she did, pulling her into his arms and lowering his mouth to her own. One thought ran through her head as they kissed – Finally!
Chapter 18
The next morning, Lara awakened and raised her head from the pillow, confusion overtaking her for a moment. Pushing her hair from her forehead, she looked around trying to remember where she was and what had happened the night before.
She realized she was lying in bed, naked, and someone occupied the bed with her. Turning her head slowly, she saw David lying next to her. His chest was moving evenly under the thin sheet and as she stared at his face, a warm feeling rushed through her body.
A slow, sexy smile appeared on her face as she remembered what had happened the night before. After their kiss, David had pulled her against his body, molding her to his frame and running his hands up and down her back, just like he had at the pool.
She had returned the caress, relishing the strength of his muscles and how safe she felt wrapped in his arms. They had exchanged kisses for several moments, but then the tempo of their embrace had changed.
David had broken the kiss and then looked at her for a moment before leading her down the hallway and to his bed. He’d lovingly removed her clothing, stopping to kiss and touch each new area of exposed skin before continuing. When she’d been down to her panties, he’d pushed her backwards, laying her on the bed before removing his own t-shirt and shorts. He’d removed his boxers, and while she attempted to get a good glance at him, but he’d been on the bed, lavishing her with kisses before she had a chance.
David had worshipped her body. There was no other way to describe the incredible feelings he had aroused in her, or the amazing heights he had driven her to. She had done some exploring of her own, relishing in the smooth muscles of his chest, the luxurious hair that was definitely as soft as it looked, and the way he made her feel cherished with just a look from his deep brown eyes.
When he had finally given in to her pleas for him to quit teasing her, and joined them together for the first time, it had been like coming home. Never before had she felt so connected to a man. Ever. All the feelings she labeled ‘love’ in the past, paled in comparison to what she felt for and with David.
David had taken her on an amazing journey of self-discovery as her therapist, and as her lover, the journey hadn’t stopped all night long.
Lifting a hand, she traced her fingers down the muscles on his arm, blowing across his skin gently. When he shivered and then opened his eyes, she smiled, having accomplished her goal of waking him up.
He turned on his side, using a hand to brush her hair back and kiss her gently upon the lips, “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Lara happily sighs into his mouth before kissing him back. She couldn’t remember ever having felt this good upon waking. As David began to remind her just how good she could feel, she gave into the sensations, her last thought being one that brought a smile to her face. David is “the one!”
*****
Back in Santa Clara, Peter was just beginning to wake Rachel up. After Lara’s departure, he had lured her back to bed, calling in sick and spending the day in bed with her.
With the threat of Lara no longer looming over their heads, Peter had finally felt secure enough to begin planning a future with the woman who’d stolen his heart. It had only been a day and a half since she had promised to marry him, and he was in a hurry!
Kissing his way up her back, he stopped at her neck, nibbling on her ear lobe until she giggled and turned over, no longer pretending to still be asleep. “Good morning, Mr. Shaw.”
“Good morning, future Mrs. Shaw.”
Rachel laughed, the sound expressing her happiness. “I can’t wait to become Mrs. Shaw.”
“Neither can I. Wait I mean. I want to get married soon.” Peter watched her, waiting for her reaction, pleased when she nodded her head.
“How soon?”
“Soon.”
“It shouldn’t take me long to pull an intimate little ceremony together,” Rachel said, half to herself as she began to make plans in her mind. Their closest friends and family, an intimate small location…
“… thinking we could hire one of those wedding coordinat
ors to make all the arrangements. I know my father and step-mother will have a list of people they wish to invite.” Peter broke off seeing the look up on Rachel’s face. “What?”
*** End of Book 4 ***
Rachel and Peter are getting married, or aren’t they? Find out in Book 5. Coming Soon!
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Acknowledgements
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You might enjoy my other books as well:
Falling for Him Series:
Book 1: Rachel and Peter http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1IJKW0
Book 2: Rachel and Peter in Spain http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KRO5OY6
Book 3: Rachel goes Business http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M8EEOO4
Book 4: Lara and David
Stand-Alone Novellas:
Entangled Love
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HKKDS66
Destroyed Dreams
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FSJ8Q2W
Falling for Him 4 (Rachel and Peter in Love) Page 8
