Page 20 of Diagnosis Attraction

“Why?”

“It puts your eyes at the right level.”

She did as he asked, and he kept speaking to her soothingly as he said, “Relax now. Relax now. Relax now.”

He saw some of the tension drain out of her features.

“How do you feel?”

“Good.” She said the word in a way that told him she was succumbing to his technique.

“There’s nothing to worry about. We’re just going to see if we can bring back more of your past.”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“And when I tell you to wake up, you will. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“We can start with a little mental vacation. Let’s go somewhere where you’d like to relax.”

She thought about that. “I’m not sure.”

“Most people like the beach. Does that work for you?”

She waitedfor a beat before answering, “Yes.”

“We’re at the beach. You’re on a chaise, lying in the sun. It feels good on your face and body. The waves are rolling up across the sand.”

“Um.”

“Let’s go a little deeper into relaxation. You go back to the resort where you’re staying. You go inside, and there’s a flight of steps. You go down, one step at a time.”

“Okay.”

“Every step takes you deeper into relaxation.” He could see from her face that it was working.

“What’s at the bottom of the stairs?” he asked.

Her body jerked.

“What?”

“Women. They’re frightened.”

“Why?”

“They’re a long way from home.”

Her body jerked again. “I don’t want to be there.”

“Okay.”

Her eyes blinked open, focusing on him.

She looked so lost and alone that every instinct urged him to cross the room and reach for her again, but he knew that wasn’t such a great idea, given what happened every time they touched.

“Yes,” she murmured. “You know what I’m thinking?”

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