Gaze Quote by J.R. Ward
““Straight up, Mels, the only reason I haven't completely jumped you is because I can't. I...can't." He threw up his free hand and let it fall back down to the bedspread. "And you know what sucks? I've been with a lot of women." Annnnnnnd that made her chest hurt. "Before you were injured..." He nodded. "Of all the things for my memory to come back on, right?" Cue another kick in the solar plexus. "You remember them?" "I hate it– because I would trade every single random fuck for just one night with you." He brushed her face with his fingertips and then brought his thumb to her mouth. With the same gentle pressure he'd put against her wrist, he caressed her lower lip. "I'd give up every one of them. Matter of fact, it feels like...a curse to have finally found someone like you, only to have it be too late. And that's where it's at. It's too late for me, Mels, and that's how you're killing me. When I look at you, when I see you move, when you smile or take a deep breath, I just... I die a little. Every time.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Darkest Hour, J.R. Ward, 2015
A lover laments that past encounters haunt him, making his newfound love feel like a curse and causing deep emotional pain.
In simple terms: Past lovers haunt him, making new love painful.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge past wounds to heal.
Themes
love
pain
regret
memory
loneliness
Mood
melancholic
intense
yearning
Type
romantic
tragic
confessional
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- personal therapy
- self‑reflection
- writing
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
attachment
cognitive dissonance
emotional conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How do past relationships shape current intimacy?
- Can one fully love while carrying old wounds?
A Different Perspective
The speaker may be idealizing the past, overlooking present possibilities.
