Adam sat down in the armchair and closed his eyes. Well, collapsed was a more appropriate word, as its cause was neither premeditated nor voluntary. He ran his tanned fingers through his near-black hair, fighting the overwhelming urge to vomit or shake violently. His hands began to go clammy and a light layer of moisture appeared on his furrowed brow. This was a situation he tried to avoid every day – mainly using the stairs instead of the lift, staying away from small rooms and avoiding overcrowded areas. However, he did not realise that it was possible to become trapped and tied up with emotions. Previously, it had simply been a long string of one-night stands and no commitment. Now, it was a different story.
Every time he closed his eyes, all Adam pictured was Jess's face, her smile, and her dark eyes. She was only meant to be another person to add to his long list, but there was something different. He felt easy around her and as though relationships were good things. Yet theirs ran its course and came to an abrupt end. There was no proper split, no time to get over each other and forget what they had had. Now it was haunting him.
Ever since he could remember, Adam had been claustrophobic. Any small and insignificant details would leave him panicking and having to use a paper bag in the hope it might calm him down. But now it was happening all the time. She did not know it, but Jess had him tied up in knots that he could not even start working out, let alone solve. Adam was living a nightmare, and the only person who could help was completely oblivious. Not that she would help him anyway, after all, she was back with her family no and he did not think the help he needed would fit with that.
Nurse Jessica Harrison was the sort of woman that any man would love and cherish. She was honest, forgiving and selfless, always putting others before herself. But even without her personality, Jess was one of a kind. She was indeterminably pretty – her deep brown eyes displayed every emotion, and her beautifully curvy body made Adam want to reach out and just hold her close to him.
Together, his emotions and claustrophobia were making his life hell. But he would put up with it for Jess. He would do anything for her.