The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Olivia’s voice echoed in my head, clear as if she were standing right there: Just… guard your heart, okay?

Guard your heart.

I pressed my forehead against the cool tile wall.

“Right. Guard my heart. Don’t get confused. *

The bedroom was quiet when I slipped between the sheets, the pillows soft against my head.

I closed my eyes.

Opened them.

97

Closed them again.

Sleep. Just sleep.

But my mind wouldn’t quiet. It kept replaying the evening on an endless loop–the way Daniel had appeared in the doorway, the water droplets on his collarbone, that low voice saying my name, the almost–intimate way he’d leaned in…

Damn it.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden.

I blinked awake slowly, my eyes gritty and heavy. My body felt leaden, weighed down by the restless night I’d just endured.

The bed was comfortable enough, the room blessedly quiet, but I felt anything but rested.

This is what you get for having zero self–control, I thought tiredly.

For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones.

Then reality kicked in. I needed to get moving–shower, dress, get to the office.

I dragged myself out of bed, my limbs heavy with fatigue, and went through my morning routine on autopilot.

But when I reached the living room, I froze mid–step.

1/3

9:16 Sat, May 9

Chapter 61

Daniel sat on the sofa, his laptop open on the coffee table. He looked up as I entered, and I felt my face immediately heat at the memory. of last night.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice warm. “I thought Id drive you to work today. I don’t have to be at the hospital until ten.

Oh. L… that’s very kind, but I can just grab a rideshare”

Rush hour, he said simply, closing his laptop. “You’ll be waiting twenty minutes minimum. I’m heading in that direction anyway.

He was right. Morning traffic in Boston was nightmarish, and getting a car during peak hours was always a gamble.

“If you’re sure it’s not inconvenient…” I said, trying not to sound as flustered as I felt.

“Not at all.” He stood. “There’s breakfast on the counter.

I practically bolted to the kitchen and finished in record time.

In the car.

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke. I watched the city slide past the window, buildings and people blurring together as we navigated

the morning traffic.

Then Daniel’s voice broke the silence.

“You didn’t sleep well.”

It wasn’t a question. I turned to look at him, startled.

He kept his eyes on the road, but there was concern in his profile. “The dark circles,” he said gently. “And you seem… tired.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I’m fine. Just… had some work on my mind.”

“Your capstone project?”

“Yes,” I latched onto the excuse gratefully. “Just thinking through some structural issues.”

Daniel was quiet for a moment, and I thought maybe he’d let it go.

Then: “If the guest room isn’t comfortable, we can look into getting a different mattress.”

“No! I mean-” I fumbled with my words, feeling my face heat. “It’s not that. The room is perfect. just need time to adjust to the new environment. It’s fine. Really.”

2/3

V

home

9:16 Sat, May 9

Chapter 61

I was babbling. I pressed my lips together to stop the nervous flow of words.

Please let us get there soon. Please.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify