The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Daniel’s POV:

“Emma.”

She turned back, one

I let my gaze

get insi

doorframe. “Yes?”

rkened where the rain had soaked through the shoulders despite my umbrella. In her nervou adn’t noticed.

t wet.”

ticing the dark patches spreading across the navy fabric where rain had seeped through. “Oh.” A small laug self–deprecating. “I didn’t even realize.”

with the buttons, her fingers clumsy with cold

ness.

for the coat as she slipped it off her show

elt chilled. I moved to the climate contro

lled the momentary silence.

n I turned back, Emma had retrieved a

lowing her small frame.

etter?” I asked, noting the sl

“Much.” She smiled.

“Daniel, you

incredi

ard the entryway to hang it on the hotel’s coat rack.

g the temperature upward. The quiet hum of the heating

re and wrapped it around her shoulders, the oversized knit

voice bubbled with excitement. “The negotiation with the French delegation was even gave me a hundred–dollar tip afterward. A hundred dollars! Can you believe that?”

n into something appropriately pleased. She stood in the center of the sitting area, practically

ly made an impression.”

1 handled it perfectly.” Emma’s hands moved animatedly as she spoke. “Maybe I will be introduced to more on work with French projects.”

me really well for these three days, Emma continued, oblivious to the way my jaw had locked And with the tip on top of

y treating us to a nice dinner to ex-

Sied outside. Lightnin

nks before we head back to Bostop.

mood perfecths.

stri

8:46 am P

Chapter 98

I kept my back to brama si removed my jacket, buying myself time to school my expression into something approaching neutral.

The fabric was dadap p in patches, nothing serious, but it gave me something to focus on besides the tight knot of jealousy coiling in my

Three days. Tubee days of phone calls where every other sentence had been about my friend. How professional. How kind. How elegant. Supportiveve

And nowshehe wanted to take him to dinner.

turnes it from the window, forcing myself to meet her eyes.

Sherin booked so happy. Flushed with success, eyes bright, completely unaware that she’d been talking about another man many times to her hususband.

These few days in Portland,” I said, each word carefully measured. “You seemed really happy?”

WWell, yes.” She nodded, that innocent confusion crossing her face. “The work went well, and I earned-

The happiest part was meeting that friend you admire so much, wasn’t it?” I kept my voice level, professional. “Even before you arrived, you

couldn’t stop praising.”

Emanal

puzzled by the shift in my mood. But she answered honestly, if hesitantly. “I… I suppose that’s part of it, yes.

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