Page 46 of Forbidden Desire

“I’m not going to push you…” I whisper.

She pulls back and looks at me, still moving to the music. Still pressed against me.

“Take me home with you,” she whispers.

Chapter 23

Erica

Marco presses his lips against my hair in a silent goodbye as he leads me back to the cocktail table where my purse is, and goes to say goodbye to a few people at the party. I can’t believe I just asked him to take me home with him, but I am completely lost in this moment. That dance. His hands. His whispering plea that promised he wouldn’t push me, yet it was asking in its nature. My eyes follow him around the room, excitement rippling through me, knowing what’s to come.

In his absence, I rummage through my purse for my phone. I scroll to find Sadie’s name and text her, my thumbs moving quickly across the phone’s keyboard.

Me:Hey, is there any way you can stay the night with Josie tonight?

I drum my fingers nervously against the white tablecloth as I wait for her response. I know everything I’m implying in my text, and my nerves are in my throat thinking about what she will think. But this is my life, and right now this feels right. I can’t help what I feel for Marco. The feelings of disdain I had felt, or forced myself to feel, have morphed into something I’m no longer in control of. Something warm. Longing.

Three dots bounce on the screen.

Sadie:Of course, I can stay.

Me:Thank you. I owe you. Milk is in the freezer for you to thaw. Just run it under room temperature water and pop it in a bottle for her for the morning, along with her breakfast. Mashed strawberries and buttered toast are her favorites lately.

I realize this is the first time I’ve slept away from Josie since she’s been born. A part of me feels guilty for it, but I know she’s in good hands. I trust Sadie, and she has everything she needs to take care of her.

Sadie:I’ve got it covered! Don’t worry.

Me:Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.

Sadie:Erica…

I frown slightly at my name on the screen, knowing what she’s thinking.

Me:I’ll be fine. I promise.

Sadie:Okay. Have fun ;)

I let out a soft laugh and tuck my phone in my purse. I see Marco standing there looking at me with a curious smile. God, that smile. I’d undress for him right here if I could.

“You ready to go?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say, my voice raspy as it struggles to get out, past all the feelings that are bubbling inside of me.

He offers me his arm and I take it, following him as he leads us through the party and to the town car that waits outside. We ride in silence to his penthouse. I’m hyperaware of every brush of the leg or touch of the arm as the town car weaves through the evening traffic. My body feels like it’s being pulled to him with every turn, yet he doesn’t touch me. Doesn’t make a move. The anticipation is killing me. I wonder if he’s doing this on purpose, and I loathe him for it because, if so, he knows exactly what he’s doing.

When we walk into his penthouse, it’s exactly as I remember it. The large, arched windows. The city view. The dim lighting that cascades over the shadows cast by the furniture in the center of the room. I feel like I’m having déjà vu.

I feel him come up from behind me as he wraps his arms around me. I lean back into his chest and breathe him in, closing my eyes as his body envelops mine. I realize now how badly I’vewanted this, even though I’ve tried desperately to deny it by pushing him away. But Marco is not who I thought he was. I realize that now. I think I’ve realized it for a while, but it’s become clear recently.

Maybe it was seeing him with his mother, or him explaining what had happened the morning he had left me here in this very apartment. Maybe it’s the way he hasn’t given up on me besides my iciness toward him and the way I’ve pushed back at everything he’s said or done. He may be a shark in business, but he’s also kind. It’s a juxtaposition I find fascinating. He cares about people he’s close to in life. A reckless part of me wants to be one of those people.

His hands remain wrapped around my midsection as we stand there in silence, our breath slowly syncing together as we look out at the glimmering city. I feel his heart racing against my back, though. I wonder if he’s scared for his hands to stray. Scared to touch me, even though I’m here and willing. Wanting. I don’t blame him after the way I reacted when he tried to kiss me.

I press my body firmly against him and tilt my head slightly, so my hair falls and reveals my bare neck to him. His for the taking. He sucks in a shuddered breath before I feel his lips hover closely over my skin, his breath tickling an inner part of me. I tilt my head even more, giving him better access. He takes the bait and presses his lips in the sensitive space where my neck meets my collarbone. I let out a sigh that feels like it’s been built up for weeks now as he moves his lips up toward my ear.

I melt into him as his teeth enclose around my ear lobe gently, giving it a tug before whispering.

“You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted this.”

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