Page 17 of Forbidden Love

Oh no. I glance at David before reaching up and turning the phone completely off. Then I lay my cheek back down on his chest again. Only, the torso is stiffer than before. Much tighter.

His breathing turns still and quiet. “Who’s texting you at this hour?”

Whoever it is, it’s nothing I care to think about now—not with the magical night I just experienced.

Without looking up at him, I answer his question. “No one important.”

Chapter 6

Devin

Themorninglightfiltersthrough the curtains, emitting a warm, golden hue over the bed. Maya sleeps beside me, her breathing soft and even. I allow myself to watch her serene face. Last night was… intense. Beyond my expectations. Now, in the light of day, reality returns.

I slip out of bed quietly, not wanting to wake her, and head to the bathroom. The cold water splashes against my face. Looking at my reflection, I can see fine lines of worry forming on my face.

Despite the beauty of last night, I can’t shake this feeling of impending doom. It’s frightening. Why have I become so obsessed with her? I feel like I’m losing control.

Get ahold of yourself, Wolfe. Stay sharp. Now is not the time for weakness.

I shut my eyelids and breathe before heading out of the bathroom.

When I step back into the bedroom, she’s stirring, her eyes fluttering open. There’s a softness in her gaze, a warmth that makes my heart twist deep inside.

While sitting on the edge of the bed, I force a smile. “Morning.”

“Good morning.” She rubs her eyes and glances around the hotel bedroom, her eyes lingering on the sophisticated decor, the high ceilings, and all the other luxuries that scream extravagance. “This place is really something. I didn’t expect you to have a suite like this.”

I freeze before giving her a casual shrug. “They give me free rooms because I’m a lead employee.”

She narrows her eyes, clearly not buying it. “It’s quite a room. This seems more suitable for a CEO, not a project manager.”

The words hit closer to home than I’d like, and my brain scrambles to maintain my cover. “It’s a perk of the job. They like to keep their employees happy.”

Her gaze goes distant. She doesn’t press further, but she’s smart, too smart to ignore the discrepancies.

I decide to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. “Any plans for today?”

“I was thinking about doing some research. There’s still a lot to understand about the Oasis project.”

My heart skips a beat, the alarm bells going off in my brain. “Research?”

“Yeah,” she says, oblivious to the stress that’s gripping me. “I’ll investigate the background, people, and finances. I want a clearer understanding of the situation.”

Blood drains from my face and I freeze.

She’s getting too close, and if she keeps going down this path, she’ll uncover everything. I should stop this and divert her attention, but how?

“Maya, that’s unnecessary,” I say, keeping my cadence calm and measured. “You’ve seen the plans. You understand what we’re trying to accomplish. Isn’t that enough?”

She angles her head, examining me. “Why are you so worried about this?”

My stomach clenches as control slips through my fingers. “I’m not,” I lie, my voice too tight. “There’s a lot at stake here, and things can’t get complicated.”

“Things are already complicated, David,” she says, using the name that’s become a shield between us. “You can’t expect me to take everything at face value. I need to know what I’m getting into.”

This is overwhelming. With a desire to remain calm, I stand up. “Yes, but you have to trust me. I’m handling it.”

Her brows rise. “Trust? How am I supposed to trust you when you won’t be honest with me?”

---