"But why hasn't he reached out either?" Vivian asked, dropping the knife and turning to face Megan, "He just hung up and never reached out again. He didn't even try to hold on or fight for me. He left like he'd been wanting a reason to leave and I handed it to him." The tears were flowing again, and now she was sobbing. "Oh, I hate him so much, Megan. I miss him so much and I love him. I love him, Megan and I hate that I do" Megan wrapped her hands around her, letting her sob on her shoulder until she was gasping softly. "You could call him…." Megan suggested softly as she rubbed her back but Vivian shook her head. "No" she said, "I have to let him go. With or without the other lady in the picture, it would never work between us. He doesn't want a real relationship and I want more. I want a commitment and he's not willing to give me that. I will have to get over him one way or another. Might as well be now. I just don't understand why it has to be so hard."________Scott entered

Vivian gave a ghostly smile. "When can I see him?" "I’ll take you to him now." It was like some surreal nightmare as she followed the nurse through the spotless, soundless and gleaming unit until they finally stopped outside a cubicle.Through the glass, Vivian could see Scott lying as still as death on the bed and she jammed her fis into her mouth and gave a soundless little cry. Her Scott— her strong, powerful Scott—with all that vitality just zapped away."What can I do?" she whispered. "To help him?" "Talk to him. Stroke his hand. Remind him of things you’ve done together. Try to bring him back." Remind him of things you’ve done together. The words haunted her as she fearfully made her way towards the bed, towards that still and silent figure.What shared memories did they have which might stir his sleeping mind? But the only ones she could think of were not the deep and meaningful memories which would arouse a man from a coma. Great sex and glitzy restaurants were not the kin

Scott drank his tea. It was very comfortable here by the fire—warm and welcoming. If only his head didn’t feel as though someone had jammed it in between a giant nutcracker, and in the process managed to take away some of the thoughts and associations and familiarity which made him what he normally was. But how did he know what he normally was? He didn't know what to believe. He still had childhood memories. He knew his family and his job, but most memories of the past months were missing so he was confused. He put the cup down and looked at Vivian, which was halfway to a cure in itself. She was wearing a soft wool dress, the color of blueberries, and her hair was loose—like the moon against the backdrop of a nearly dark sky. Her legs were spread in front of her and she had kicked her shoes off. He might be only two days out of a coma, but that didn’t mean that all his senses were dead. He might have a little difficulty wanting food as he usually did, but the stirring leap of awarene

He sucked in a low breath of appreciation as she stood before him wearing nothing but flimsy underwear of soft green lace, her skin gleaming like silk. Her breasts spilled over the low-cut bra and the matching knickers made her legs seem to go on and on forever.He must have seen her like this before and yet it seemed as though he had never really looked at her. Never appreciated the satin fall of the dark hair which tumbled all over her shoulders."Dear God," he murmured. "You are unbelievable. Unbelievable." "No, I’m real." She began to unbutton his shirt."You’re wearing all this, while I’m not wearing nearly enough," she complained.He gave a low laugh, sucking in his breath as her palms skated light, sensuous circles over his nipples. "You’re wearing too much, oh, Vivian—" This as she unzipped his trousers and teased her fingertips over his straining hardness. He slid his hand between her thighs and her eyes widened in helpless pleasure as he began to move his fingertips agains

She thought that he spoke it like a word he was unfamiliar with. "Yes, us." He smiled, but Vivian thought that it was a cool smile, even though he touched the tip of her nose with his lips."I know that we’ve been having a relationship and that it’s a very agreeable relationship." Very agreeable? He made it sound like a piece of classical music playing on the radio!"I see." Vivian said. He wondered if she did, but in the sweet afterhaze of making love his mind had been busy. "Shall we get dressed and go and find ourselves a drink?" If it had been anyone else, she might have thought he was searching for Dutch courage, but Scott was not the kind of man who needed alcohol to spur him on to say something, no matter how unpalatable.She sensed that the end was coming, and that, if it was, she would face it calmly and with dignity. "I’d love a drink," she said lightly.He might not need courage, but she certainly did. They dressed in silence, bending to pick up discarded pieces of clot