Page 4 of Forbidden Desire

I realize I’m still holding her hand. As much as I don’t want to let it go, I also don’t need any more eyes on us in this moment. It’s doubtful the entire party knows who I am, even though whispers of me being here are already spreading quickly. They can’t place my face to a name. Seemingly not yet, at least, so maybe my cover isn’t blown after all. I take one last glance around the partyfor the owner, but don’t see him. Someone probably already tipped him off. I would be disappointed for missing out on my opportunity, if it weren’t for this new opportunity standing in front of me.

I reluctantly let go of her hand and begin striding toward the brick wall that encases the rooftop, strolling slow enough so she walks alongside me and I have a decent peripheral view of her. The look on her face tells me she’s a bundle of nerves. I realize that my suspicions from earlier are right. She has no idea how incredible she looks. Someone has to tell her.

As we find a spot in the corner, I quickly scan the party for the cocktail waitress, hoping she doesn’t interrupt. I don’t see her though. I turn and face the view that this mystery woman is already facing, her eyes glittering as the city lights bounce off them. Her fingers are gripping the brick tightly. I wonder if she’s afraid of heights, or afraid of me.

“Some view, huh?” I ask, not looking at the city.

“It really is,” she murmurs.

“I realize I didn’t catch your name,” I say, slightly turning my body to face her.

“Oh, right. It’s Erica.” She presses her lips into a smile as she holds out her hand, which I’m eager to take in mine again. I wrap my fingers around hers and give her a single shake.

“Marco,” I say.

“Are you in newspapers too?” she asks, pulling her hand away.

A small amount of relief washes over me as I realize she has no idea who I am. I intend to keep it that way, just as I always do.

“I’m trying to be. I thought this party would get my foot in the door.”

“Same,” she says with a shake of her head.

I cock my head slightly, trying to get a read on her. I wonder what she means by that. She must notice because she lets out a little sigh before speaking again.

“I’m a junior journalist here. AtThe NY News Daily.”

“Really? What do you write about?” I ask, surprising myself with my genuine intrigue.

“Politics.”

I stick my tongue out, which makes her laugh. I love her laugh. It’s loud and boisterous and has no care that it brings attention to her. I make it my mission to hear it again before the night is over.

“Don’t worry. We won’t get into them.”

“Good,” I joke. “So, how long have you been doing that for?”

“Oh, I’ve had my column for a few years. I’ve been here since the beginning. Since George started this whole thing. He found me right out of college. I was so taken by his ambition to get real, authentic news out there, that I just went with him. Probably, somewhat blindly.”

I can tell by the way she talks about the paper that it really means something to her. I have done enough research onThe NY News Dailyto know they didn’t have the prettiest start. It takes a certain person to stick with something on the verge of failure for so long. I realize that Erica is more than just a pretty face.

“But I wouldn’t change anything,” she continues. “We’re finally making ground here. So much so, that I thought maybe I would be getting a promotion tonight…” Her voice trails off and she looks back toward the city.

That must have been the conversation she was having with her boss when I spotted them. I wonder what went wrong and hate the sad look that has now grown over her face.

“Sorry,” she says, as if breaking herself from a trance. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this…”

“It’s okay,” I say. “I like talking to you.”

She looks up at me, as if surprised those words came out of my mouth. A soft laugh escapes her throat and she just shakes her head. A strand of hair comes loose from behind her ear and falls softly across her face. It takes everything in me not to reach out and put it back in place.

Looking at her makes me seriously reconsider the plans I have for her paper if I get my hands on it. I didn’t have to give every employee the boot. Maybe a few could stay. She definitely could. In fact, I will personally see to it that she stays on. She could be useful in some beautiful ways, even if she’s just eye candy. I like the idea of having her in close proximity.

I turn away from the wall and lean my back against it, knowing the real view is next to me. I let my eyes wander, not hiding the fact that they are taking her in. I can see her breathing has slowed as she notices because her chest rises and falls steadily. My eyes find hers again. They are a deep forest green, a color I have never seen before.

“Just in case no one has told you tonight, you look beautiful,” I say, a smile tugging at the corner of my lip. It’s not a line. It’s the truth.

Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink as she runs her hands down her dress, like she’s some sort of impostor.

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