Page 32 of Forbidden Desires

Dexter shifts on the couch, pulling himself upright, and giving me his full attention. His usual laid-back demeanor fallsaway, and I see that hint of worry in his eyes too. “Yeah. I’ve noticed it. But… I don’t think she’s ready to talk about it yet. Whatever it is, I think it’s more than just being overwhelmed by everything that’s happened. She’s probably just testing the waters, trying to figure out if she can trust us to stick around.”

The way he says it is so calm, so measured, and it makes sense. But the knot in my chest isn’t loosening. “Maybe. But it feels bigger than that, Dex. I don’t want her to feel like she has to hide things from us. I want her to know she’s safe with us.”

Dexter looks thoughtful, a small furrow forming between his brows. “I don’t want her to feel that way either, Pete. But we can’t rush her. Trust is… delicate. She needs to come to us when she’s ready. For now, all we can do is show her we’re here for the long run.”

I sigh, pressing my fingers into my temples. He’s right. Suzie needs space, and pushing her for answers now would probably just backfire. But it doesn’t make it any easier. “You’re right. Still… maybe we could do something. Something to show her she’s not just some temporary part of our lives.”

A slow grin spreads across Dex’s face, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. “Now that I can get behind. What’re you thinking?”

I sit up a little straighter, ideas coming faster than I can voice them. “First off, I think we should start looking for a place. If we’re serious about sticking around, we need somewhere that isn’t just a hotel room or rental. Those are temporary fixes. We need somewhere we can build a life. Something that says, ‘We’re here to stay’.”

Dexter’s eyes brighten, and he nods, already pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Alright, then. Let’s start the search. We’ll find something she’ll love—a place that feels like home.”

He scrolls through listings, and I do the same, trying to picture the perfect spot for us. “She deserves somewhere with space to relax, like a backyard where she can drink her tea inthe morning. And a big kitchen for us. And more importantly, somewhere where she can set up and work on her art.”

Dexter’s voice softens as he glances over at me. “Maybe a spot with a view. She’s the kind of person who’d appreciate that… somewhere quiet, peaceful.”

There’s a stretch of silence as we both browse, sharing occasional thoughts about what each place might feel like. It’s almost comforting, this process of planning, and I can feel the excitement building between us. The idea that this could be our future—an actual home, a foundation where all three of us belong—feels solid. Right.

"How about this place?" Dexter calls out before leaning over to show me the listing. "It's got a great porch. Morning tea with a sunrise view—she'd love that."

I smile at him before scrolling down on his screen. "And they have a workshop out back. Perfect to turn into a studio for her. Add it to the list."

Dexter shifts in his seat, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Do you think this will work? With her?"

I glance over, surprised. Dex rarely goes this deep, but I know what he means. “Yeah, Dex. I think it will. It has to. She's a big part of us… like she’s this anchor, holding us steady. Just like I feel stronger and complete with you in my life, I feel calmer with her around.”

Dexter nods, a faint, wistful smile touching his lips. “Yeah, it’s like… she gives us purpose. I don’t know. I guess it's like we’re building something real, and it would just suck if she doesn't agree with this. With us.”

The depth in his words hits me, and for a moment, all I feel is warmth, a rush of gratitude that I can’t quite put into words that Dexter isn't only willing to take a chance on this woman he doesn't know at all, but also uproot his life for her, with me.

“Then we’re going to make sure she sees it. Not by asking anything of her, but by giving her reasons to give us a chance. Real ones.”

“Agreed.” Dexter leans back, his eyes gleaming with that same determination. We fall into a comfortable silence, throwing ideas back and forth, combing through listings until we’ve narrowed down a few good ones to look at.

After a while, I have another thought. “We should also do something for her tonight,” I suggest, giving him a look. “Something that shows her she’s a priority for us. I don’t want her to doubt where she stands.”

Dexter quirks an eyebrow, intrigued. “What’d you have in mind?”

“Dinner. Let’s go all out,” I say, a plan forming in my head. “We’ll make her favorite foods, set the table up real nice, the whole thing. Show her she’s special to us.”

Dexter’s grin turns into a full-on smile, the kind that makes his dimples pop. “I like it. Let’s make tonight perfect.”

We spend the next hour planning every detail—what to cook, where to get the best ingredients and even a bottle of her favorite wine. As the day wears on, the anticipation builds, almost like we’re waiting for a chance to tell her how we feel with no need for words.

“Let’s make tonight something she’ll remember,” I say, glancing over at Dexter as we finalize our plans. There’s a warmth in his gaze, and I can tell he feels the same way. Tonight isn’t just about food or a nice setup; it’s about showing Suzie that she’s found her place here. With us.

As I think about the evening ahead, there’s a feeling of certainty that settles over me. Suzie is our missing piece, the one that brings balance to our lives. And if it’s up to me, she’s going to know exactly how much she means to us, one way or another.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Suzie

When I finally step into the apartment, the weight of the day is still heavy on my chest. The doctor’s appointment took longer than I planned—not because of the actual visit, but because I sat in the parking lot on a warped bench, staring at my feet for what felt like hours afterward,trying to wrap my head around everything.

The moment I close the door behind me, I hear the low hum of conversation from the living room. Pete and Dexter are perched on my sofa, heads close together as they scroll through something on Pete’s phone. The sight of them—so relaxed in my space—makes my stomach flip, a confusing mix of comfort and nerves.

“You’re back!” Pete looks up first, his face breaking into a smile that reaches his eyes. He stands, crossing the room with long, eager strides.

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