The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 151

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9:03 am P p p p

The Forbidden Throb

Chapter 151

Boston University. Fall semester of my sophomore year.

The Fitness & Recreation Center loomed before me like a temple of judgment, all glass walls and aggressively motivational posters.

“I hate this,” Olivia muttered beside me, staring at the card reader like it had personally offended her.

“Same” I swiped my ID. The machine beeped cheerfully, marking one more check-in toward the forty we needed to complete the semester.

PE credits. The bane of every Netflix-and-chill type student’s existence. 2

We trudged inside, past rows of treadmills occupied by people who looked like they actually enjoyed sweating. Found the quietest yoga class we could. Spent most of it on our mats, phones hidden under our towels, scrolling through Instagram.

The one-mile run test was worse.

I’d stumbled across the finish line gasping like a fish out of water, while Olivia laughed and said I looked “like a deer being chased by a very slow predator.”

We’d sworn, that day, that once we graduated, we would never voluntarily enter a gym again.

***

Daniel went very still. Then he shifted closer, pulling me into the circle of his arms.

“Then I’ll teach you.”

It wasn’t a question. Just a statement of fact, delivered in that calm, certain way he had.

“We’ll start with tennis this winter,” he continued. “Indoor courts. Heated. By the time summer comes, we’ll move to swimming.”

My throat went tight. God, he was really planning this out.

Something warm and overwhelming bloomed in my chest. I buried my face against his shoulder. “You are too patient with me.”

This man. This impossibly patient, impossibly thoughtful man who-

“Though I should clarify something.”

I lifted my head slightly. “What?”

His hand moved from my hair to cup my face.

“I’m a doctor,” he said carefully. “When we’re… together, I can monitor your condition. I know when you’re fine, even when you He paused,

9:03 am P ppp.

Chapter 151

choosing his words. “Even when you lose consciousness in bed for a moment.”

Oh God.

My face went hot.

‘But,” he continued, and now there was definitely amusement in his voice, “I’d prefer if my wife didn’t pass out quite so frequently. It would be better for both of us if you had a bit more… endurance.”

I stared at him.

That’s what this is about?

All that talk about tennis and swimming and caring about my health, and he’d been thinking about-

“You-” I sputtered, pushing against his chest. He didn’t budge. “That’s why you want me to exercise?”

“It’s one reason.” He had the audacity to look completely reasonable. “A very good reason, I think.”

My entire face was on fire now. I shoved at him again, harder, but it was like pushing against a wall.

“It’s not my problem!” The words burst out before I could stop them. “You-you’re completely different!”

He tilted his head. “Different?”

“In bed!” I blurted, then immediately wanted to die. But I’d already started, so I pushed forward. “You’re like… like two completely different people. During the day you’re all-” I gestured helplessly at him. “-calm and controlled and reasonable. But last night you were-

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