Page 11 of Forbidden Desire

A surge of panic runs through me. “What uh … what are you talking about?”

Her glossy lips part. “Elvis—I mean Eddie King—filed the certificate with the county. It’s not fake.”

My heartbeat booms in my ear as I stare at her and blink. “What?”

“Look it up,” she snaps. “It’s all over the internet.”

Sinking down into a seat, my brain spins at the gravity of the situation. I never wanted this level of commitment with anyone, let alone my rival. We’re enemies. This should not be happening.

“Zack?” Her voice breaks through my thoughts.

Our eyes lock. “Yeah?”

“Are we going to…you know, annul this?”

My heart pounds, a drumbeat syncing with the distant throb of bass from the club. “Should we?”

She bites her lip. “It’s the logical step.”

“None of this is logical.” I run my hand through my hair, pondering a way out of this mess. But the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that there’s no easy fix. “We can’t just annul this and pretend it never happened.Wehappened.”

“But none of it was real.” She tilts her head. “Was it?”

My brain races to think of a logical response but I come up empty. I’m not ready to cancel anything—not without thinking it through. “Well, the numbers were phenomenal last night. People swarmed into all twelve of my clubs, hungry for more. And I’m sure your club was just as packed.”

She crosses her arms, her expression guarded. “So, this is just business to you?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just don’t see the logic in panicking and making another rash decision. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Her brows crease together as she scratches her head. She opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.

“Then it’s settled,” I declare, my tone final. “Our little arrangement has been a lucrative business move. We’ll just let this scandal blow over and part ways quietly when the time comes.” My eyes narrow in challenge, daring her to oppose me.

Bianca sighs, her posture stiffening. This wasn’t part of her plan. “Fine, but we’ll need ground rules. This is a business arrangement only.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Of course. Strictly business.”

But even as I agree, my gaze lingers on the curve of her neck and the swell of her lips. A business deal never felt so electric.

Bianca struts to the bar cart and pours herself a drink. The crystal clinks delicately as she adds ice.

“First rule,” she says without looking at me. “No touching. We keep up appearances in public, but that’s it.”

My shoulders drop. There’s no way I’ll agree to that. Leaning against her desk, I purse my lips. “We’ve already broken that rule.”

She whirls around, eyes flashing. “Yeah, but that was when we were drunk and out of our minds.”

The truth is, I crave her more now than I did last night. The desire just grows, taking on a life of its own. I must test this out—to see if her desire is real. Holding my breath, I close the space between us. “We’re not drunk now, though.”

She stiffens like she’s ready to retreat, but something holds her back. Her teeth sink into her lip, a tiny gesture that sends my pulse racing.

“So, tell me something, and please don’t lie.” I close the gap until I’m inches from her. “Do you still want me like you did last night?”

Her breath is hot against me. “Yes, but… it’s complicated.”

“Maybe.” Arousal spreads across my groin and I need to touch her. “Or maybe it’s the simplest thing ever.”

She sighs. “Zack, I won’t deny there’s something potent between us.”

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