Page 9 of Forbidden Love

Navigating through Vegas side streets, the conversation with David plays over and over in my mind. The way he looked at me, the way he traced my body with his eyes—it thrills me, and there’s no denying my attraction to him. He captivates me like no other.

And then there’s Cameron. Reliable Cameron, who’s always been there looking out for me. His text reminds me of a connection that doesn’t come with the same risks but also doesn’t light me up the way David does.

By the time I pull up to my apartment building, the internal tug-of-war has left me exhausted. When I see Cameron’s BMW parked outside, my body tightens again. Of course he’s here. Lena must’ve gotten to him—she’s always been the one to sound the alarm when she sees I’m about to do something stupid.

As I approach the building, I spot him leaning against the taupe stucco wall with his lanky arms crossed, waiting for me. A look appears on his face that I’ve seen before. He’s here to talk sense into me.

He offers a bitter smile. “Maya. We should talk.”

I sigh, knowing exactly where this is going. “Lena called you, didn’t she?”

He nods, not even bothering to deny it. “Yeah, she did. She’s worried about you, and honestly, so am I.”

I brush it off. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

Stepping closer, his ocean blue eyes soften. “Maya, come on. You’re in over your head with this guy.”

I shake my head. “Not true.”

Cameron snorts. “This guy—David, or whatever—he’s not someone you want to mess with. He’s playing a mind game, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Heat flashes through my nostrils. “I’m not a damsel in distress, so I don’t require rescuing.”

“You have a lot at stake, though. You’re fighting for something important, and you can’t let yourself get distracted by a guy who’s clearly bad news.”

I look away. He’s right, and I should walk away from David, but can I?

Cameron reaches out to touch my arm. “You mean a lot to me, Maya. I’ve always cared about you, but you’re chasing after something that isn’t real.”

My stomach churns. Cameron has always been the safe choice, but safety has never been my strong suit.

I want David, and I won’t deny it any longer. But would I be able to contain it and forget about him—especially when he’s there at the site every day? I swallow hard. “This is so confusing.”

Cameron pinches his lips together before sighing. “No need for you to figure it out now. Just don’t let him get too close.”

I nod, not trusting myself to say anything more. How can I keep my distance from David when everything about him pulls me in closer?

Cameron gives me a long, searching look before finally stepping back. “If you need anything, call me.”

I lift my chin in his direction. “Thank you.”

He nods. Then, with a final, lingering look, he turns and heads to his car, leaving me standing alone in the growing darkness.

As I watch him drive away, the stiffness in my muscles doesn’t ease. Instead, it tightens, like a coil winding up inside me, ready to snap. I’m caught between two worlds, and the choices I make now could change everything.

With a long inhale, I head inside and push it all away. But even as I seal the entrance behind me, I cannot escape the thoughts racing through my mind—David’s intense heat versus Cameron’s concern for my wellbeing. It’s like I’m being pulled in opposite directions.

After dropping my keys on the counter, I sink into the living room couch, my face in my hands. I need to clear my mind to figure out what I desire, but the more I think, the more everything tangles.

As I sit there, the silence of the apartment presses in around me.

I’m falling badly for this guy. And there’s no easy way out.

Chapter 4

Devin

Istareatthephone, my hand poised over the send button. The message is simple, but am I crossing the line here?

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