The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Emma’s POV:

I emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later, fully dressed in the cream cashmere coat Daniel had chosen, the matching scarf draped carefully around my neck.

My cheeks still burned from the memory of that lace, but I’d forced myself to focus on practical things.

Daniel was waiting by the door, looking impeccable as always in his charcoal wool coat.

“Ready?” His voice was gentle, but there was an undertone of amusement.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

The afternoon air was crisp and cold as we stepped outside, Paris blanketed in the aftermath of last night’s snow.

Daniel took my hand, threading his fingers through mine with a naturalness.

We spent the next few hours wandering through the city.

When we arrived at the opera house, he checked his phone and shook his head apologetically. “Everything’s sold out for the holiday season. We

could try next time if you’d like?”

I nodded, though honestly, I didn’t mind at all. Just walking beside him like this felt like more than enough.

We ducked into the Church to escape the cold, following a tour guide through the beautiful architecture. Daniel’s hand stayed warm in mine the entire time, his thumb occasionally brushing against my knuckles.

By the time we reached the café near the university, evening had fallen, and my stomach was practically roaring in protest.

The place was packed to the brim with the dinner rush- students from the looks of it, their highlighter-marked textbooks and glowing laptop screens creating a patchwork of academic chaos across every table and chair.

“I didn’t realize they served real food,” I said, scanning the menu board above the counter. Sandwiches, risottos, salads–far more than the pastries and coffee I’d expected.

“The carbonara’s good,” Daniel said, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned close to point. “And the panini.”

The café wasn’t large to begin with, and with this crowd, nearly every seat was taken. Daniel spotted two high stools by the window and guided me toward them with a hand on my lower back.

We’d barely settled in when voices from the table behind us drifted over-young, enthusiastic, speaking rapid French.

I found myself listening despite not meaning to, my ear automatically translating the conversation. They were talking about someone–a doctor, apparently.

“It might seem crazy for anyone else, but when you say it’s him, suddenly it makes perfect sense.” A young man’s voice, amused. “Haven’t you

作者 wined with can her wed谂just before the ten years were op.

He “persed, his fruges trang, the way of the menu without really wong it. I thought… once we were actually together, I’d feel more secure.

“The closer 1 got to having you, he continued quietly, “The more terrified I became of losing you. So I renewed it. His gaze met mine, steady but unguarded Vw*w* wien if wywrything jadi apart, I wanted that one small piece of permanence.”

|营经济配件鶸身体验, mesistant williant composed seemingly invincible Daniel-admitting to fear.

o he kind of humperts Whereat true that idahways associated with people like me, not people like him.

I opened my mouth, wurde crowding my throat gratitude, reassurance, the overwhelming need to tell him he’d never lose me-

“Daniel Prescott Theon holinGW @JE

Wer bidh turned. A woman in her mid fifties stood beside our table, gray-streaked hair pulled back in a casual ponytail, wearing a barista’s

hahawks it with genuine delight

Maggie pulled hack, her gaze shifting to me. Her eyes widened slightly. “And is this?”

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9:03 am P ppp.

Chapter 153

“Maggie, this is my wife, Emma. Daniel’s hand found my shoulder, gentle and possessive. “Emma, this is Maggie Sullivan. She owns this place.

Emma? Your wife.” Maggie’s voice rose with excitement. She grabbed my hand, squeezing it between both of hers. “Oh, honey. I knew it,

I blinked, startled by the intensity of her reaction.

‘Maggie,” Daniel said quietly, but there was warmth in his tone.

“Don’t you ‘Maggie’ me.” She beamed at him, then at me. “Do you have any idea how long this man has been carrying a torch for you? How many times, he sat right at this table, staring at nothing, looking like his heart was breaking? Now he finally got what he wanted.

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