Chapter 1

The Doctor's Temptation EmmaWrite I used to love the way Ethan kissed me after a long day. He'd walk through the door, drop his keys on the counter, and I'd meet him halfway, barefoot, still in the little cotton shorts and tank top I wore around the apartment. He used to cup my face with both hands, kissing me softly at first, then deeper, until my knees went weak and I had to hold onto his shoulders to stay upright. There was something about those moments – the way his thumbs would brush across my cheekbones, the way he'd smile against my lips before pulling me closer – that made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. Like I was enough. Tonight was supposed to be like that. He came in smelling like summer air and the faint trace of beer from the gym. I smiled, rose up on my toes, and pressed my lips to his. His hair was still damp from the shower, and when I ran my fingers through it, he made that low sound in his throat that used to make my stomach flip. For one heartbe

Chapter 2

I barely slept. Around three in the morning, I gave up and just stared at the ceiling.I feel like I'm raping my own girlfriend.The words echoed on an endless loop.Morning came too soon. I heard Ethan before I saw him, already up, making his protein shake like nothing had happened. The blender whirred aggressively.I dragged myself off the couch. I headed to the bedroom to grab clothes, desperate for a shower.That's when I saw it.The laundry basket was overflowing in the corner. I started pulling clothes out and there it was. A smudge of bright red lipstick on the collar of one of his white work shirts.My stomach dropped."Ethan?"I held the shirt like evidence. The blender shut off. His footsteps approached."Yeah, babe?""What the hell is this?" I thrust the shirt at him.His face went blank for a split second. Then he shrugged."Oh, that? Probably from the bar last week. Some girl bumped into me or something.""Bullshit.""Mia, come on. You're overreacting.""We've been fighti

chapter 3

One week later, I sat in Vincent's office for my second appointment, feeling more nervous than the first time.The week had been brutal. I'd practiced the techniques he'd shown me. Breathing exercises. Mindfulness. But every time I tried to touch myself, I hit the same wall.Now I was back, feeling like a failure."How was your week?" Vincent asked, settling into his chair across from me.I wanted to lie. But something about him made lying impossible."Terrible," I whispered. "I tried everything you said. But I just freeze. Like my body won't let me feel good."He leaned forward."Mia, when did you first start feeling this way? Not when your boyfriend noticed. When you first felt it yourself."I thought about it."Maybe a year ago? I started comparing myself to articles about what women should be doing, feeling, wanting. And I realized I wasn't any of those things.""So you began performing instead of feeling.""I guess so.""And the more you tried to perform, the less your body respo

Chapter 4

Friday morning arrived wrapped in fog. I stood at my apartment window at eight-thirty, watching the street below, a single suitcase packed and waiting by the door.I'd told my bosses at both jobs I was taking a medical leave. Told my mother I was going to a wellness retreat. The lies felt necessary. How could I explain the truth when I barely understood it myself?Sophie had been the hardest call."A month?" she'd said when I told her I was doing Vincent's intensive program. "That's amazing, Mia. I'm so proud of you for committing to this.""You don't think it's weird? That it's your ex-husband?""Vincent is one of the best doctors I know. If anyone can help you, it's him. And honestly, we've been divorced for three years. I've moved on. You shouldn't feel weird about this."But I did feel weird. Because the flutter in my stomach when I thought about seeing Vincent again had nothing to do with medical treatment and everything to do with the way his eyes had held mine when he'd said, "

Chapter 5

I woke to soft morning light and a knock on my door."Yes?"The door opened slightly and Maya, the somatic therapist, peeked in."Good morning. Just wanted to let you know breakfast is ready whenever you are. Dr. Kane asked me to show you to the meditation room at eight."I glanced at the clock. Seven fifteen."Thank you. I'll be there."I showered quickly, pulled on yoga pants and a comfortable top, and headed to the dining room. A beautiful spread waited but I was alone. Vincent didn't appear.At seven fifty-five, Maya found me and led me to the meditation room. Vincent sat on a cushion, eyes closed, breathing slowly. He wore simple gray sweats and a white t-shirt. Without his professional clothes, he looked younger. More vulnerable.Maya gestured for me to sit across from him, then quietly left.For several minutes, nothing happened. Vincent just breathed. So I breathed too.Finally, his eyes opened."Good morning.""Morning.""How did you sleep?""Better than I have in weeks."He

Chapter 6

I barely slept. The photo stared back at me from my phone every time I closed my eyes—Vincent and me on the piano bench, thighs touching, his face turned toward mine with an expression that looked far too intimate for a doctor and patient. Ethan’s words burned in my mind: You have 24 hours.By five a.m. I gave up pretending. I sat on the edge of the bed, knees drawn to my chest, and tried to think clearly. Telling Vincent meant dragging him deeper into my mess. Telling Sophie meant shattering whatever fragile peace she’d found after her divorce. Ignoring Ethan felt like surrender.I chose the middle path. For now.At seven-fifteen Maya knocked again, cheerful and oblivious. I dragged myself through the motions—shower, soft clothes, the familiar path to the meditation room. Vincent was already there, cross-legged on his cushion, the early light catching the silver threads in his dark hair. He looked composed, centered. The opposite of how I felt.We breathed together in silence. Four c