A Forbidden

a's

a.

tion I'd had with Damon on our way from the ai

h

couldn't deny how strikingly attractive he

I arrived at the apartment Damon shared with Adrianna, she wasn't home ye

to stay with us. I can't wait to explore wit

d locked myself in the room, taken a

Instead, I lay there, replaying Da

~~~ ~~

ow. My stomach rumbled as I let out a yawn. I was hungry, and

me the previous night, a knock at t

Adria

u up?" she c

ump in my throat.

in. As soon as she stepped into the room, she wr

r, and her hair was ti

" she said, her voice muf

r back. Seconds later, she

oo," I muttered wi

about to head out for brunch with some friends, but I wanted to check in

smile. "I

d me you seemed really withdrawn when he met you. I get

wasn't ready to talk about the bre

a great listener-he's been my rock during some tough

alk to him?

a therapist, you know? He used to work with people dealing with breakups and grief

d. The same man who had flirted so boldly with me ye

aid cautiously. "It

u're family, Ava. Damon would do anything to help. Besid

e conversation would end.

ll him to sit down with you today. You're too beautifu

he meant well, but she had no idea

--

amon. Adrianna had practically shoved me into the room before hea

his legs stretched out casually,

diot who broke your heart," he said, his deep voice

hair, clutching a throw pillow for d

g I couldn't quite place. "Well, we will. Why don

eeling?" I snapped befo

ver. "Hurt. Betraye

of this? I don't need a therapy ses

"But Adrianna asked me to help, and I'm not the kind of man to refuse he

ch. "She has no idea what you're rea

but the smirk remained. "W

mean," I shot back, my vo

one, aren't you? I like that. Women like you who act so un

mon! If you're looking for someone to pl

is feet, blocking my path. He mov

a low and commandin

n't move, he stepped ev

my knees buckle, and I sa

he bad guy here," he said softly. "But I'm also not going to let yo

r?" I echoed, m

not, we're connected now. And the sooner you a

tched. "Conn

nst mine. It was a simple touch, but it f

y heart pounding. "Stop

ed, tilting his he

face inches from mine. "You can fight it all you want, Ava, but you

ntle, like he was testing me. I should have pushed him away, I knew that. Bu

ind reeled. "No, Damon. This isn't righ

idn't p

are, Ava. You can fight it all you want, bu

this time, my hands trembling. "

at the corner

'll see how long you

ont door opened, startling us both. Adrian

fr