Forbidden Desires

Emma.

"Thanks for doing this," Cooper said, pulling open the door for me to enter ahead of him.

The furniture store was a thirty-minute drive from the city, and during it, Cooper and I managed to talk about anything but Gavin. I was immensely proud of myself because if I allowed my brain to go there, all I'd be able to think about was the incredibly hot way he took me in the library the other day.

"Of course," I said, taking in the beautiful surroundings. The store specialized in outdoor furniture, and Cooper had pleaded with me, saying he wanted to redecorate his balcony and needed a woman's touch. Naturally, I'd been game to come along.

We wandered through the store for a moment, getting our bearings.

"This is nice," Cooper said, leaning over a sleek concrete bar top with built-in stools. It was so masculine and oversized. Honestly, the thing was hideous.

Taking his arm, I steered him away from it. "First, we need to determine what your goals are for the space."

His eyebrows jerked up. "My goals?"

"Yes." I wandered toward a cluster of outdoor sofas. "Like how you envision using your balcony."

Cooper's gaze turned thoughtful. He sank onto one of the plush conversation sets, and I sat next to him. "Honestly, someplace to just chill. Something comfortable where I can unwind."

"Maybe somewhere to entertain a special lady friend?" I winked at him.

"Sure. A cool date spot. That's a good idea. And someplace I can hang out with my brothers on the weekend with some cocktails."

I nodded. "How about this?" I pointed to a sectional sofa in slate gray.

He considered it, wandering over and sinking down onto the cushions. "This is perfect."

And it was. It was large enough to accommodate him and his brothers, and sleek and modern enough to look handsome on his balcony.

Next, we selected a coffee table, a steel drum that could be used as an end table, and an iron-and-glass bar cart.

"How about a rug?" I asked, stopping in front of a selection of outdoor rugs.

"Whatever you think."

"Something soft underfoot would be nice. It would define the space under the sectional." After looking through the choices, I selected a cream-colored chunky knit rug that looked sturdy but still felt cozy. "Perfect. Thanks for doing this, Emma." Cooper's gaze met mine, and I could tell he was genuinely grateful.

"Now comes the fun part. We get to accessorize."

Cooper chuckled at me. "I didn't know my balcony needed accessories."

"Of course it does. Good thing you have me." As I said it, I instantly felt bad. The truth was, Cooper didn't have me. He didn't have anyone. He was a sweet guy and deserved someone special, and I couldn't help but wonder if at one time, he'd thought that person might be me.

Pushing those thoughts from my brain, I helped him select a few things that would make the space feel cozy-a potted plant, a couple of large lanterns and candles, and several accent pillows in a soft pattern of cream, mustard yellow, and slate gray to tie the space together.

We hauled everything to the front of the store where Cooper handed over his credit card without even bothering to look at any of the price tags. Must be nice.

After our shopping spree, Cooper loaded up his SUV, and we set off back toward the city.

"You want to grab something to eat before I drop you off?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I have plans after this."

"With Gavin?"

We'd successfully avoided mentioning his name all day, but now that we had, it was as if a floodgate of emotion had been unleashed inside me. Butterflies danced inside my belly, and nervous anticipation about seeing Gavin again washed over me. We were growing closer than ever, and though I didn't know what our future held, I was holding out hope that he could finally commit to a real relationship.

"No, actually. My friend Bethany is coming over later." I grabbed my phone from my purse to see if she'd texted me yet. Nothing.

"How are things, um, going?" Cooper cleared his throat and gripped the steering wheel tighter. "With Gavin, I mean," he forced out.

Peering straight ahead, I clasped my hands in my lap. "Things have been ... progressing."

Cooper's hands tightened further still. "That's good, right?"

I let out a sharp breath. "Yes, but sometimes I still feel so unsure about us. Sometimes knowing how he truly feels is still a mystery to me."

Cooper nodded. "Totally get that. Gavin's guarded with his emotions. He always has been. Shit, I think I remember having this same conversation with Ashley, and that was years ago. He hasn't evolved very much, I'm afraid." "Ashley?" I didn't know Gavin even had an ex, didn't think he'd ever been in a serious relationship.

"Sorry. I figured he would have mentioned her in all the time you guys have been spending together lately. Forget I said anything; it's not my place to tell you that story." "But she's an ex-girlfriend?"

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He nodded again. "She was.

"Was it a messy breakup?"

Cooper paused, and the tension in the air seemed to increase exponentially. "No, actually. She passed away a couple of years ago. Unexpectedly."

My stomach twisted into a hard knot.

***

"Ready, chica?" Bethany said, grinning as I opened my front door.

"You mind coming in for a second? I'm kind of in the middle of something."

And that something was Internet stalking my new boyfriend. Excuse me my person.

"Sure. What's up?" she asked, following me to the kitchen table where my laptop sat.

Ever since the revelation that Cooper let slip, I was obsessed with learning more. Who was Ashley? Was she the reason Gavin was so damaged and fearful about starting a relationship? "Just doing a little research." I slid into the chair opposite the laptop and resumed my hunt.

Bethany stood behind me, peering over my shoulder. "Is that Gavin?"

I nodded. There was an image of him at a black-tie event standing between Quinn and Cooper. I didn't know why I'd never thought to google him before. This was fascinating.

"Is there a particular reason we're stalking him today rather than eating tacos right now?"

"I learned that Gavin had an ex who passed away suddenly. The tacos can wait," I muttered. This was important. How did she not get that?

"Yes, but half-priced margaritas can't." She tapped the time in the lower left-hand corner of my screen. "Happy hour ends at six."

"Oh, look at this. I think I've found it." I stopped scrolling and enlarged a photo of Gavin with a mystery woman on his arm. She was slender and pretty with long dark hair that fell in a silky wave, and sky-blue eyes so light and piercing, they were almost haunting.

An eerie chill zipped down my spine.

"Holy shit." Bethany leaned closer. "That's her?"

The caption below the photo read Smut Mogul Gavin Kingsley out for an evening with his longtime girlfriend, Ashley Moore.

"Uh-huh." I nodded, my words failing me.

"She could be your twin, Emma. I've heard of someone having a type, but that's just creepy."

Creepy didn't even begin to cover it. My throat threatened to close, air become scarce, and the room tilted sideways.

My fingers flying over the keys, I typed her full name into the search bar and hit Enter.

The first result was a news article about the mysterious death of a model. I clicked on the link. Bethany pulled a chair out from the table and slid in next to me. We both held our breath as I scrolled down so we could read it. Ashley had been young, only twenty-four. That stuck out to me for some reason. Gavin was thirty-four. I couldn't even imagine not losing my head over a man so commanding and intense at her young age.

Miss Moore was found dead at a residence belonging to the elusive multi-millionaire Gavin Kingsley with ligature marks on her wrists and neck.

Bewildered, I stared at the words on the screen, trying to make sense of them. Gavin had a penchant for rough sex, but surely he wouldn't...

Panicked and disturbed, I slammed the laptop closed. I heard Bethany's voice in the distance, calling my name.

"Emma! Are you okay?"

I shook my head. "Give me my phone."

"What does all this mean?" she asked, standing beside me while I dialed and held the phone to my ear.

With shaking hands, I waited, listening to the phone ring once, twice...

Pick up. Please, pick up.

Finally. His deep, familiar voice echoed through the speaker.

"Princess. Everything okay?"

"No." My voice broke into a sob. "I need you."

"I'll be right there."

End of Book One.