The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Emma’s POV:

Paris Time, 6:00 AM / First Class Suite

The first thing I registered was warmth.

Not the synthetic heat of airplane ventilation, but something solid and real beneath my cheek-the fine wool of a suit jacket, the steady rise and fall of breathing, the faint scent of mint and citrus that I’d come to associate with safety.

My head felt heavy, cotton-stuffed but not quite the splitting agony of a true hangover. More like… fog. Like trying to remember a dream that had already started to dissolve.

I kept my eyes closed for another moment, willing myself back to consciousness.

But the cabin screen’s glow penetrated my eyelids, and I could hear the soft mechanical hum that meant we were still airborne.

Where am I?

The question barely formed before muscle memory kicked in-my hand reaching out blindly for my phone, that automatic morning gesture I’d performed thousands of times.

My fingers connected with something warm. Solid. Decidedly not my phone.

My eyes snapped open.

I was touching Daniel’s thigh.

Through the charcoal wool of his dress pants, I could feel the firm muscle beneath, the heat of his skin.

Oh God.

I jerked upright so fast the cabin tilted. Or maybe that was just my head.

‘Easy. Daniel’s voice came from beside me, low and careful. “The descent’s started. We’ll be landing soon.”

Landing. Right. We were on a plane. To Paris. For the medical journalism fellowship.

I pressed my hands to my burning cheeks, fragments beginning to surface through the fog. The bailey. The movie. Daniel took off his headphones. And then…

Nothing.

Complete blackness where the rest of the night should have been.

Oh God. I blacked out.

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Chapter 123

“What time is it? My voice came out hoarse, scratchy.

‘Just past six, París time. Daniel shifted in his seat, and I became acutely aware of how close we were in this suite.

My gaze caught on his right shoulder.

The fabric there was creased, wrinkled in a pattern that looked distinctly like finger marks. Like someone had been gripping his shoulder. Hard

My stomach dropped.

“Here.” He was holding out his suit jacket, the one I’d been using as a blanket. “Put this on. The cabin’s getting cooler as we descend.

I took it with numb fingers, draping it around my shoulders. It smelled like him-that clean, precise scent that always made me feel simultaneously safe and on edge.

His tone was so… normal. Calm. Professional.

Which meant-God, I hoped it meant-that I hadn’t done anything completely catastrophic.

If I’d stripped naked or confessed undying love or vomited on his shoes, he wouldn’t be this composed, right? He’d be awkward, or angry, or at

least visibly uncomfortable.

So maybe I just fell asleep. Maybe nothing happened.

“You should probably…” Daniel gestured toward the private bathroom. “Freshen up. We’ll be having breakfast before landing.

I nodded and fled to the bathroom.

Bathroom/Ten Minutes Later

The mirror didn’t lie.

My face was pale, slightly puffy, with that telltale morning-after softness around the edges. My hair looked like a bird’s nest, half-fallen from yesterday’s careful styling. My eyes were slightly red, whether from sleep or crying I couldn’t tell.

But it was my mouth that made me freeze.

My lower lip had a tiny split at the corner. Not bleeding, just a barely visible break in the skin. The kind you get from.

No. Don’t.

I forced the thought away. It could be anything. Maybe I’d bitten my lip in my sleep. Maybe I’d pressed my face against something during the flight. People got random little cuts all the time without dramatic explanations.

My hands were shaking as I turned on the cold water, splashing it over and over across my burning face.

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8:57 am

Chapter 123

PPP.

I finger-combed my hair into something resembling order, buttoned my dress properly, and took several deep breaths before opening the door.

Suite/Breakfast Setup

When I emerged, Daniel had somehow arranged for breakfast to appear.

Two settings laid out on the small table between our seats-one American style with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, the other European with a flaky croissant, preserves, and espresso.

He looked up from where he’d been setting out silverware, and for a moment our eyes met.

“I had them prepare both,” he said quietly. “You can choose whichever appeals to you.”

“The continental breakfast, please.” I slid into my seat, keeping my eyes on the food instead of him. “Thank you.”

Daniel took the American plate without comment, settling across from me.

We ate in silence for a few minutes. The croissant was perfect-buttery and light-but it might as well have been sawdust in my mouth.

Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Daniel.” My voice came out thin, uncertain. “Last night… did I do anything… inappropriate?”

I found myself staring at the small mole beneath his left eye, that tiny beauty mark I’d noticed before. Had I touched it last night?

The memory felt close, tantalizingly out of reach.

“Emma.”

I startled at my name. Daniel had set down his coffee cup, his expression serious.

“There’s something I need you to understand.” His voice had taken on a tone I’d never heard before-formal, almost stern. Mrs. Prescott.

The use of my married name made me sit up straighter, suddenly alert.

“While we’re in Paris,” he continued, each word carefully measured, ‘you are not to drink alcohol unless I’m within three steps of you. Do you

understand?’

I blinked. ‘I… what?’

“No alcohol. His eyes were steady on mine, brooking no argument. Especially if there are any men present who look like me.

My face was burning again. “Daniel-

‘Is that clear?”

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8:57 am

Chapter 123

PPP

“Crystal clear,” I replied. Then, because I couldn’t stand it anymore: “What else did I do? Last night, I mean. Just tell me

Something flickered in his expression. Almost like… amusement?

“You asked several questions about your hush he said slowly. And you made some… observations about his behavior that were frankly.

concerning.

you…” He paused, and

ere lacking.”

I stared at him, completely

color touch his cheekbones. “You requested some assistance with a particular skill you felt

kill? I don’t understand-

“Emma. His voice gent

orry about it. It wasn’t as terrible as you re imagining.”

Nothing terrible.

That should

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