The Forbidden Throb

a's

flashing across my screen, m

led into suddenly felt like little protec

breathing deep and rhythmic. I glanced at her pe

do thi

swipe, I sile

leeping a few feet away. I wasn't about to leave my warm cocoon of blankets

d inconvenience herself f

one who'd just betrayed

ring of unread messages from Nicholas. The fir

e ar

you

ll

asingly impatient, culminating in

ou picking u

, steadying my finge

Olivia is asleep. C

delivered with

en disappeared. No response followed. Typical Nicholas-demandin

sank deep into my pillow, desperately willing sl

eyelids, scenes

cholas's ringtone came from inside that same room. His voice came through the door

the same university, meeting naturally during freshman orientation whe

with coffee and a croissant, running across campus with an umbrella when an unexpected shower caug

eight, warmth had become a

ng little time for emotional connections. I'd le

d care, I mistook it all for love and dove hea

ionship both families approved of, a clear p

emotions could be, how Nicholas's interest in me woul

ed by someone checking his watch, his pho

usy with his

family has hig

r a lot of

finally found their true explanation. Th

we had finally reach

xhaustion finally pulled me

ext m

mma! What hap

voice came from

staring at me with widened eyes. She blinked several times, as if trying t

ng my face self-consci

babies on your face. When did

, feeling the full weig

were alre

the big fancy gala." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestivel

the night with so

on my face because Olivia's

hat ha

my legs over the side of the be

eptical but didn

hower, breakfast, and my first two classes. Professor Laurent's lecture on

ns building, my phone rang. My mo

Victoria's perfunctory greeting barely maske

e, M

home last night. Were you with Nicholas?" Her voice

went back

e before Victoria's disapp

elves at someone like Nicholas Prescott? Good-looking, Harvard Busin

ne tightly, my kn

she was so desperate for me to "hold ont

Laurent needs to see me about

ld respond, knowing the

steps when a familiar figure m

His hands were shoved deep in the pockets of his designer jeans, his stance wide as