Forbidden Desire

Chapter 3: Collision of hearts

The next morning came with a bitter taste. The sun peeked through the blinds like a judgmental eye, casting long lines across my bare arm. I stared at the screen of my phone for longer than necessary, waiting—hoping—that last night had been some strange dream. But there it was. Logan Westwood. One message. "Today. 10 a.m. Caffé D’Amore. Don’t overthink it."

My fingers hovered above the screen. I didn’t reply. I didn’t need to. He knew I’d show up.

Daniel stirred beside me, his arms wrapping around my waist instinctively as he pressed a soft kiss on my neck. "Morning, baby," he murmured sleeping.

Guilt stabbed through me. This man had been nothing but loyal, tender, constant. His love was the kind that wrapped around you like a warm blanket. Predictable. Safe. But as I lay there in his arms, all I could think about was the storm brewing in another man’s eyes.

"You okay?" Daniel asked, sensing my tension.

I turned to him with a tight smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

"Maybe we should get away for the weekend," he offered. "You’ve been working nonstop. You deserve a break."

I nodded, already crafting an excuse in my mind. I hated myself for it.

By 9:45, I was out of the apartment, dressed in a crisp white blouse tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt. Simple, clean. Noncommittal. My heart thumped a little too hard as I walked into Caffé D’Amore. And there he was.

Logan leaned back in the leather booth like a king waiting for his queen, sipping espresso and wearing a smirk that made my knees wobble.

"I wasn’t sure you’d come," he said as I slid into the seat across from him.

"I shouldn’t have."

"But you did. That’s all that matters."

There was a long pause. The air between us practically sizzled. He was more confident now—like he knew his effect on women. But with me, it was personal. I was the ghost from his boyhood fantasies. And now I was real. Tangible. Touchable.

He reached across the table, fingers grazing the back of my hand. "You look... breathtaking. I knew you would."

I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it.

"You know this is dangerous," I whispered.

His thumb traced slow circles on my skin. "Only if we get caught."

My breath hitched. "Logan, this can’t happen. I have a boyfriend."

"You have a man who doesn’t set your soul on fire."

That was the thing. He was right, and we both knew it.

After coffee, he walked me to my car. The parking lot was quiet, tucked behind the café. As I fumbled for my keys, he stepped in closer.

"I’ve thought about you for years, Emily," he said, voice low and rough. "You were my first obsession."

I shook my head. "You were just a boy."

"I’m a man now."

His hand slid to my waist, pulling me into him. His lips crashed against mine, igniting something I’d buried for years. I should’ve pulled away, screamed, slapped him—anything but respond. But I melted. I kissed him back like I’d been starved for it. Like I needed it.

His hands roamed over my body, and mine tangled in his hair. It was reckless. Wild. A collision of the past and present, of fantasy and flesh.

When I finally pulled away, breathless and flushed, he looked at me with that same smirk.

"You can lie to him, Emily. But don’t lie to yourself. You wanted this. You want more."

I got in my car and drove off without another word.

That night, I cooked dinner with Daniel. He chatted about his work, laughed about a coworker, kissed my cheek as I stirred the sauce.

"You’ve been quiet today," he noted. "Everything okay at work?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Just a lot of prep for the weekend crowd."

He kissed me then, slow and meaningful. And I tried—I really tried—to feel something. But all I could think about was Logan’s lips, the taste of espresso and danger.

Later, in bed, Daniel made love to me with the same tenderness he always did. But something was missing. Or maybe something new had taken root inside me. A hunger I couldn’t name. A thirst only Logan could quench.

After Daniel drifted off, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Logan: "That was just the beginning, Emily. I’ll see you again soon."

I didn’t reply.

But I didn’t block him either.