Page 3 of Forbidden Hunger

As they climb into the back, I catch a whiff of Tori’s scent, something delicate and floral. It burrows straight through the walls I’ve so carefully constructed, and my dick promptly tries to burst out of my pants. Gritting my teeth, I join my unsuspecting guests in the vehicle.

At the restaurant, the maitre’d leads us to a table that gives us a view outside, to the bustle of the city. I make sure that Eden sits between us so that I’m not within touching distance of Tori, even accidentally. I’m too susceptible to her charms to take the chance.

When the three of us are alone, sipping water from fine crystal, our linen napkins unfolded, I say, “Now, tell me again. Your roommate stole your rent money … and gave it to her boyfriend?”

“Yes,” Tori says. “He’s an undiscovered artistic genius – according to her – and she’s certain that the project he wants to do will put him on the map. But he can’t afford the materials.”

“Can you prove she took it?” I ask.

“No. I know she did, but she denies it. Insists that her boyfriend just magically came up with the money he needed from his dishwashing job.”

My lawyer’s brain is busily sifting evidence. “The money was in your apartment?”

“Yes, in the little hiding place where we always pool our rent money. On rent day, I convert it into a cashier’s check and take it to the landlord. When I went to get the money, it was gone. Heidi said someone must have broken in, but that’s a lie. Nothing else was taken and the apartment wasn’t disturbed in any way.”

“You could file a small claims suit–”

“It’s too late,” she says quietly. “The landlord’s already evicted me. Even if I came up with the rent money, he’s rented the apartment to someone else.”

“Daddy.” Eden’s eyes are beseeching. “Tori’s parents can’t come up with rent and deposit on another place; their orchard is struggling to survive. She’ll have to drop out of the program. Unless …”

There’s no mistaking her unspoken plea. Unless she stays with us.

Tori’s watching me. I try to keep the reluctance from my face, but when she looks away I don’t think I’ve done a very good job.

Our apartment has plenty of room. The problem is Tori – or, to be more accurate, me. I’m not sure I can withstand the temptation of having her under my roof.

The waiter comes to take our orders, and the delay gives me a few moments to try to get my emotions under control. It’s difficult enough keeping my hunger for Tori in check when I only see her occasionally. If I have to live with her, see her constantly … how can I resist?

That first night, when we met – there was something between us. I felt it. A kind of recognition that I’ve never had with another woman.

Since then, Tori’s been as circumspect as I have. But if we were around each other all the time, that wouldn’t last.

Still, what can I do? If I say no, she’ll be forced to forfeit all her hard work, all her struggle and sacrifice. I’ll be responsible for shattering her dreams and sending her home empty-handed.

I can no more treat Tori that way than I can pretend my feelings for her are platonic.

She’s staring off into the distance, her fingers toying restlessly with the thin bracelet on one slender wrist. Belatedly, I realize that Eden’s studying me as intensely as I’m regarding her friend. I can only hope my thoughts haven’t bled through. Clearing my throat, I say, “Of course Tori can stay with us.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” My daughter throws her arms around me, but I’m still watching Tori. For an instant, she meets my gaze.

The flash of pain in her eyes, quickly masked, makes me feel like the world’s biggest asshole.

She knows. I’m a lawyer; I should, in theory, be good at lying. But she knows I don’t want her staying with us.

I can weather that storm … so long as she never, ever knows why. She might suspect, but I can’t afford for her to be certain.

I suppress another stab of guilt while Tori forces a smile to her face. “Thank you, Mr. Drake. It means the world to me.”

I hate hearing her use my last name as if we’re strangers. “Ashton,” I say stiffly. “Please.”

Her smile falters. Dammit, I have got to do better than this. I can’t have the poor girl thinking I hate her.

But neither can I let the truth show.

“Dig in,” I say with forced cheer when our orders arrive. “You’ll have to be back at school before too long.”

Eden saves us from a completely awkward silence, keeping up a steady stream of conversation while we eat. It’s a relief when I can pay the bill and we leave.

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