Page 8 of Forbidden Love

She meets my gaze and offers me a small, almost forced smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow, David.”

She turns and leaves before I can say anything else, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stand there for a few beats, my mind whirling with thoughts I cannot pin down.

The image of her phone screen with that text from Cameron burns in my brain. Who is he? And why does it feel like I’m intruding?

What makes me care about this so much? I just met her and she’s nothing to me.

I have no answers, but I’ll figure it out somehow. There’s more to uncover—about her, Cameron, and my emotions.

As I finally turn back to my desk, the unease lingers, heavy and confusing. I’m not only dealing with a protest leader. This woman has somehow made me need and crave her attention.

I didn’t see it coming, and I don’t know what to do.

Chapter 3

Maya

Istepoutofthe office and breathe for a few seconds while fanning the perspiration from my face. It’s like the air inside that room was hot and consuming, making it hard to breathe. I know exactly why.

There’s an attraction, and it’s way too strong for my liking. The way he stares at me—it’s like he’s undressing me with his eyes and seeing straight through to my soul. It’s unnerving.

As soon as I step down onto the sandy gravel, I pull my phone from my purse and view a text message on the screen.

My shoulders fall. Great. Cameron. I knew he would text, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this soon. Not that last night was terrible. It’s… well, Cameron isn’t exactly the man I’m thinking about right now. And that’s a problem.

David’s—or whoever he really is—eyes are still on me, even though I’m outside. He’s peering at me through the office window. He had noticed the text, and he’d looked visibly bothered.

I should enjoy the victory, but I can’t. I’m pretty sure I have the hots for this construction guy and it’s complicating things. Ugh. I hate complicated.

“Hey, everything okay?” Lena’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts as she walks up to me, her ever-present energy practically buzzing around her.

I slip my phone back into my purse, out of sight, out of mind. For now, at least. “Yeah, just dealing with… stuff.”

“Stuff like the mysterious Mr. David? I noticed him staring at you. He’s handsome. You sure you’re not mixing business with pleasure?”

I scoff, shaking it off. “Please. He’s a means to an end, nothing more. I’ve got bigger things to worry about than some guy playing construction foreman.”

Lena grins, but there’s a knowing look in her stare. “If you say so, but a chemical attraction was definitely present. Sparks were flying.”

I shrug and play it off, but I won’t deny it. Sparks flew, and not only because we were arguing about the project. There’s something about him that makes it hard to think straight. He makes my hormones run wild, and I hate that.

I steer the conversation back to something I can actually control. “Let’s focus on the task at hand, okay? We should continue the pressure and make sure they understand we’re not backing down.”

Lena nods, her jaw setting. “Agreed. We’ve got the momentum, and we need to keep it going. But Maya… be careful, okay? This guy—whoever he is—he’s spicy, and maybe even dangerous.”

She’s right. David is as hot as a burning fire, but I’d rather not confirm her suspicions.

I lift my chin and address it. “I can handle him. Besides, if he thinks he can sweet-talk me into backing down, he’s got another thing coming.”

Lena nods and pinches the skin at her throat. She’s been with me through every crazy idea and every reckless decision, so she knows when something’s up. “Be careful, okay? You know how you get when a challenge comes your way.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “I already told you I’m fine. Let’s leave it at that.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she hugs me before heading to her car. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.

“Yeah, see you,” I reply, watching her drive off. As I get into my car, the pressure of the day settles heavily on my shoulders.

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