He couldn’t allow himself to make promises he couldn’t keep. Daniel had known it was only a matter of time until he would need to leave. He had long known he could not in any good conscience promise a future to any woman and for that reason he had kept his love life to flings with women who wanted nothing more.
And for that reason Daniel had left that night without saying goodbye or offering an explanation. It wasn’t his to offer. Instead, he had climbed from the warmth of the bed they had shared and disappeared into the night. He had left without waking the woman who was beginning to steal his heart. He thought back to the moment he had gently moved the strand of red hair resting on her forehead and tenderly kissed her one last time as she’d lain sleeping like an angel. His heart had ached with every step he’d taken away from her. Knowing he would never see her again. Never make love to her again. Never hold her again.
He knew it had been a mistake to take their relationship from that of colleagues to lovers but the passion had overtaken them and he had given in to his desire to have her in his arms, if only for one night.
Before he’d closed the door he’d silently mouthed, I will never forget you, Libby.
Then he had walked away, knowing there was no choice.
He had done it to protect her...and now he had to do everything he could to forget her. And he hoped she would do the same.