Page 19 of Stalked By the Doctor

I don't know if she hears me or not because she promptly passes out in my arms—the side effect of too much alcohol, no doubt.

But she'll be okay. I'll make sure of it. I'm going to take care of her from now on whether she wants me to or not.

Britney's eyes flutter open as I carry her up the stairs to my apartment. "Where are we going?" she mumbles, words slurred with sleep and alcohol.

"Shh, it's okay." I brush a kiss against her forehead. "I'm taking you home."

"I hurt, Paul," she whimpers.

"I'm so sorry, baby." Guilt washes over me in a sickening wave. I never should have let her out of my sight. "Don't worry. I'll take care of you."

She blinks up at me, pale and trembling in my arms. But she doesn't argue as I carry her down the hall. She knows she's safe with me now.

I lay Britney down on my bed, propping her foot up on a pillow. The ankle already looks swollen, purpling beneath her skin.

Kneeling beside her, I take her hand in mine. "I'm going to fix this, okay? I'll wrap your ankle and get you some ice and painkillers. And I'm going to stay here with you."

Britney's eyes widen. "You can't do that. People are counting on you at the hospital."

"You're all that matters to me." I squeeze her hand, willing her to understand. "My career means nothing if I can't have you. I haven't gone to work in a couple of weeks now."

She gasps. "Why?"

"How could I? When all I could do was obsess over you? I've been watching you this whole time, Britney, until I couldn't take it anymore. We belong together, baby. You must know that. You didn't make me quit my job. I don't want it without you. All I want isyou. You've got to understand that, honey."

A war of emotions crosses her face, torn between longing and fear. But in the end, she looks away. Not yet ready to admit she feels the same way.

It doesn't matter. I can be patient. I've already lost her once—I won't make that mistake again. This time, I'm playing for keeps.

I cup her cheek, turning her face back to mine. "Talk to me. Tell me you don't feel the same. I can't promise I'll leave you alone because God help me, Britney, you're under my skin. You're all I fucking think about, but tell me you don't still love me."

Her lips part, but no words come out. She can't say it. Won't say it.

"Britney." My thumb brushes over her soft skin. "Look at me."

When her eyes meet mine again, the truth is written there plain as day. She loves me as desperately as I love her.

"We belong together," I tell her softly. "No matter what anyone says, this is right. You're mine, Britney, just as I'm yours. We're meant to be together."

A tear slips down her cheek and I kiss it away. "I'm sorry," she whispers. "I'm so sorry I left you."

Joy and relief flood through me. "Shh, it's okay now. We're together again and that's all that matters. I'm never letting you go, Britney. Never again."

I cradle her face in my hands, our foreheads touching. So close I can feel her breath on my lips. But still my chest is tight. I need reassurance that she won't try to leave again. "Promise me. Promise you'll stay with me always."

She hesitates for only a moment before nodding. "I promise. I'm yours, Paul, forever."

Our lips meet then, sealing her promise with a kiss. The sweetness of her mouth, the warmth of her body in my arms again—it's like coming home.

We belong here,together. And this time, nothing will ever tear us apart.

EPILOGUE

Britney

One Year Later

Paul'sclinic gleams under the fluorescent lights, a vision of sterility and precision. Everything in its place, orderly and controlled. Just like Paul.

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