Page 29 of Forbidden Desires

My skin prickles at the mention of his name. I push them back into her hand, the vein in my neck feeling like it’s going to pop. I knew she would be reluctant to take the car, that’s why I had Emerson deliver the news. “Keep it, he can’t drive you round town every day,” I demand, my tone firm, my insistence unwavering.

She looks me over, her cheeks coloring softly. Yes, sweet pea, I know the reaction your body has being this close to me. “He’s happy to. I think he enjoys my company,” she shoots back, looking at me with defiance, but her tone isn’t as confident. She’s purposely trying to bait me using the idea of Parker driving her around to get at me. Not very smart, Gisele.

I raise a brow, wanting to show her exactly what I think of her boldness. She needs to learn to trust me. She hasn’t thought this through like I have. “I’m sure he would, but Parker is a busy man. He’s not your personal chauffeur.” I take a step closer to her, crowding her space. It’s sweet torture because the breeze gets up and blows her hair around, forcing me to inhale, and the scent of her shampoo transports me back to our night together. What I wouldn’t give to kiss her sassy lips right now.

She blinks back at me, her eyes searching mine. Like she can read my mind, she licks her lips. “I don’t want the car, Brody.” Her eyes plead with me to reconsider.

I smile at her annoyance. She thought she could come up here and push my buttons, try and make me jealous. But I know Parker a lot better than she does, and when he knows a girl means something to me, there is no way he would get in my way. “When you’re leaving thisplace late at night after a wedding, there will be no bus. And you can’t walk home alone,” I explain, trying to make her see the practicality of the situation.

The last remnants of sunlight illuminate her features, revealing the uncertainty in her eyes. “No other planner has ever had a company car,” she whispers, dropping her head, losing her edge.

I lift her chin so she’s forced to look back up at me. Big blue eye stare back at me, unsure. “They had their own car, they didn’t need one. You do,” I counter.

Gisele hesitates then sighs heavily, stepping out of my grip on her. “You are a controlling asshole. You know I wanted to come here for a fresh start. I left New York because I was sick of the lucky-one comments I constantly got from the people I worked with. Things were supposed to be different here. The last thing I need is my colleagues thinking I’m getting special treatment from you.” She sounds exasperated by me.

Leaning against the terrace railing, I keep my gaze fixed on her. It’s obvious that she’s fiercely independent, and I like that she wants to work for what she has. But it doesn’t help the facts. She’s in a new town with no car, and I’d bet my left nut she doesn’t have the funds to get herself one. So, she needs it. “It’s not about favoritism, sweet pea. It’s about safety and practicality. I’d feel better knowing you have a secure way to get home, especially during the late hours.”

Her eyes fix on mine. “I’ll keep it if you can answer me one thing honestly.”

“Anything,” I agree.

“Did you get me a car because you didn’t want me traveling in with Parker again? Is this all about youbeing jealous?” Her question hangs in the air, the weight of its implications palpable.

I meet her gaze, holding it steady. The question is direct, and I sense the underlying currents of uncertainty in her eyes. She knows what she already means to me. I can’t hide it from her. I take a moment to choose my words carefully. There is too much at stake to get this wrong.

“No, Gisele,” I say, my voice steady. “The car isn’t about Parker. It was ordered yesterday,” I say honestly.

Her eyes search mine, and I see the skepticism. She nods slowly, seemingly satisfied with my response. “Alright, then. I’ll keep the car.” She huffs, turning on her heel, and strides away from me.

“Aren’t you going to thank me, sweet pea?” I know I’m pushing my luck, but I enjoy screwing with her; it’s fast becoming my favorite thing to do. And since I can’t screw her the way I want to, I’ll have to find other ways to have my fun.

She turns on the spot, the look in her eyes furious. “Thank you?” she says it as a question.

“Well, that’s better. You’re welcome, sugar, drive safe now.” I wink at her.

She glares at me and growls something like asshole under her breath before taking off in a huff, her long golden hair flowing over her shoulders like a cape as she leaves. Think I just won our first major argument. But man, she looks sexy as fuck when she’s mad with me.

Chapter 14

Gisele

Ifeel him before I see him. It’s this strange sixth sense, an unexplainable tingling that comes over my body, alerting me to Brody’s presence. The air around me changes, and I glanceover my shoulder to watch him striding through the door of Bay Roaster’s Café, the cute little coffee shop I discovered earlier in the week. I couldn’t bear another day of the plunger stuff Mae drinks. Brody lines up behind me, his clothes more casual today in faded jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt.

“They have the best coffee in town,” I say, as if it’s the only reason we both find ourselves in the quaint coffee shop on a bright Saturday morning.

“I would have to agree, but that’s not why I’m here,” he says mysteriously, his eyes fixing on me a little too long for my liking.

I turn back around, a stupid grin on my face. I don’t even know why. It’s just him and the way he looks at me. He lights me up inside, even if he annoys me at the same time. The line moves forward, and I shuffle with it. I have some idea why he’s here. Because I’m ignoring his messages, and it’s almost impossible to hide from someone you’re avoiding in this town.

The young girl behind the counter, named Suzie according to her tag, sweeps her eyes over the man standing behind me, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. Brody is undeniably attractive, stupidly hot, and he’d be even better if he bothered to smile. Since working with him, I rarely get to see that dimply grin like I did the first night we met.

“What can I get for you, sugar?” Suzie mutters out, barely bothering to make eye contact with me. Instead, she chooses to bat her lashes flirtatiously at Brody.

“I’ll have a small double-shot latte with a splash of hazelnut syrup, please.”

“Sure thing.” She types the order into a computer.

I catch sight of the cakes in the glass cabinet, and the cinnamon pecan coffee cakes look mouth-watering. “Can I grab a slice of coffee cake as well? Just for the table over there.” I point to a small table in the far corner where I plan on sitting and enjoying my morning off with a book. I have a wedding tonight,so I start work at one this afternoon. I take my card out to pay, and Brody steps beside me, his shirt brushing my bare arm. I glance at him, wondering what he thinks he’s doing.

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