The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 59

Emma’s POV:

The taxi’s worn leather seats felt like a small mercy after the confrontation with Nicholas.

I slumped against the door, watching Boston’s traffic blur past the window, my mind replaying every poisonous word hed hurled at me.

Sugar daddy. Return on investment.

My fingers curled into fists against my lap. How dare he!

I forced myself to breathe, to push his words away. Some people simply weren’t worth the mental space. Nicholas had proven that definitively today

“Boston University, miss?” The driver’s voice broke through my spiral.

“Yes. Thank you.”

I’d spent the rest of the afternoon in the library after Nicholas’s… whatever that was. An explosion, maybe. A tantrum.

After my afternoon classes ended, I’d headed straight to the library and thrown myself into my capstone project with single–minded focus, letting the familiar rhythm of research and writing drown out everything else.

Professor Laurent had sent encouraging feedback on my draft, and I keep working, keep moving.

I only realized how late it had gotten when I glanced up and noticed the library had emptied around me.

The usual study groups were gone. The rustling of pages and clicking of keyboards had faded to near silence. Only a handful of students remained, scattered

across the vast reading room, their faces illuminated by laptop screens in the dimness.

The overhead lights had been dimmed hours ago–the library’s subtle signal that closing time approached.

I checked my phone: 11:23 PM.

Oh.

No wonder my eyes felt gritty, my shoulders tight with tension.

With a quiet sigh, I began gathering my things–laptop, notes, the three books I’d pulled for reference. My movements felt mechanical, automatic

My mind was already shifting to the next task: getting home. Getting sleep.

The night air was sharp when I stepped outside, cutting through my coat.

I pulled out my phone and requested a ride, watching the little car icon on the screen wind its way through Boston’s streets toward me.

I settled into the backseat and watched the city slide past the window, the familiar route from campus to the apartment becoming a blur of streetlights and late–night traffic.

When we pulled up to the building, I thanked him quietly.

:4

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Chapter 59

I reached the door and noticed the living room light was on, glowing warmly through the curtains.

Something in my chest loosened slightly.

I let myself in quietly, toeing off my boots in the entryway. The apartment was silent except for the soft hum of the refrigerator.

I set my bag down on the hall table and stood there for a moment, listening to the silence.

Daniel must be asleep by now, I thought.

My stomach rumbled quietly. I’d grabbed dinner earlier–a quick sandwich from the campus café–but the hours of intense mental work had burned through

that emergy.

My body demanded fuel after my brain had consumed so much of it.

Maybe there was something in the fridge. Just a snack. Something small.

I moved toward the kitchen, my socked feet silent on the hardwood.

I selected a glass from the cabinet behind the island, getting some water first. Then I padded to the refrigerator, easing the door open as quietly as possible.

The light from inside spilled across the floor, illuminating neat rows of vegetables, yogurt cups, pre–cut fruit in clear containers. There was sliced cheese. crackers, some hummus–simple things that required no preparation.

I was reaching for the container of berries when I heard it–the soft click of a door opening behind me.

I froze, my hand suspended in mid–reach.

I turned around and looked up–and there he was.

Daniel stood in the doorway of the master bedroom, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He’d clearly just showered. His dark hair was damp, water droplets still clinging to the strands. He wore only loose gray sweatpants, slung low on his hips,

and his chest-

Oh.

I’d known Daniel was fit. But I’d only ever seen him in his white coat, or in the perfectly tailored shirts and slacks he wore outside the hospital. Professional. Polished. Distant.

This was… not that.

His shoulders were broader than I’d realized, the muscles of his chest and abdomen defined in a way that suggested regular, serious exercise. There was a scar–thin and pale–along his left ribs, barely visible.

Water still clung to his skin, catching the kitchen light.

I felt my face heat, a flush spreading from my cheeks down my neck.

Get it together, Emma.

Γ

SA

Chapter 59

Daniels gaze found me first, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Then he glanced at the digital clock on the wall 11:47 PM – before looking back at me. taking in my bag still in the hallway.

Working late? His voice was quiet, still rough with sleep.

I managed to nod, my hand still frozen on the refrigerator door. 1- yes. Capstone project. Lost track of time.

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