Page 19 of The Forbidden Muse


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But then I remember how frightened she looked last night, and how I wanted— no,neededto make her feel better, and I know it’s something deeper than just the forbidden aspect of our dynamic that has me fantasizing about her like this. I’d love nothing more than to reach over to her right now and pull her onto my lap and show her how much she affects me, but instead, I flex my fingers and press play.

Notes surround us emanating from my laptop’s speakers. It’s not the best quality, but it’ll do for now. I find listening back to what I’ve already created essential in moving forward so I know where I need to go.

“I can’t believe that’s our song. Like I know, logically, I was here when we were making it, but actually hearing it pulled together like this, it’s something else.”

Those blue eyes of hers are shining with appreciation as she stares down at the computer. Her bare leg knocks against my thigh, and I wish I wasn’t still wearing my school uniform so I could feel her skin on mine. That thought registers in my mind, and I wonder how I got here to this pathetic mess of a man just wanting to feel her skin. Still, I make no move to pull away from her, happy to have this minimal contact.

Yep. I’m officially pathetic.

“Here. I was messing around with some lyrics I thought might fit the song. Can you take a look and tell me what you think?” She tucks her bottom lip behind her top teeth, handing me her phone that’s opened to her notes app, and looks adorable as hell. I can tell this is an insecurity for her, sharing words she’s plucked from inside her brain with me. Reading over what she wrote, hits hard right in that creative part of my soul.

This world came to break,

But you came to build

Alone was my norm,

But now you’re my home

Love was a mystery,

Locked away,

But you hold the key,

Always meant to be.

“This is a good start.Would you mind singing it?”

She closes her eyes and as soon as the song restarts, she sings the words. The lyrics flutter through the air like they were always meant to pair with the notes. A perfect match.

“That was perfect. Don’t change a word.”

Her eyes open and she gives me a shy smile. “Thanks.” She grabs her phone back and grazes my hand with hers. That small touch is nothing short of electric, as if I went and stuck my fingers in a socket. Her eyes fly up to my face and her breathing catches in her chest. Is she feeling it too? This connection? Fuck, I want her to be. I want her to crave me as much as I’m craving her.

“I have to go.” She says, jumping up from the couch. Her body sways off to the bathroom with a stack of clean clothes in hand that she grabbed from her luggage.

I still have her panties stashed away and I wonder if she’ll ever notice that they’re missing. Part of me knows I should put it back and act like I haven’t been jerking myself off to the thought of her wearing them for me. There’s no future here other than heartbreak and rejection. What do I think she’s going to do? Say ‘fuck it, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I want you?’ Fat fucking chance. She’s got Liam nipping at her heels, and any guy with a pulse probably not far behind.

There’s a possessive part of me that wants to claim her as my own, consequences be damned. But the logical part of me knows that I’m not worth her time. That even if I were to get her to give in, she’d be running for the hills before too long. Which is exactly why I’ve always stuck to one-night stands and short flings. No one stands to get hurt if you know it’s not going anywhere to begin with. That’s why I’ve embraced my reputation rather than fight it. It works for me, and no one gets hurt.

But then, Melody walks back into the room, her pink hair undone, cascading down her back and I decide I’m tired of playing it safe. Before I know what I’m doing, I find myself striding across the room, invading her space. Her eyes go wide as I pin her against the wall.

“What- what are you doing?”

My nose trails up her neck as my fingers dig into her hips. She’s so pliable beneath me. I’m so close that I can see her pulse fluttering against her skin.

“Just remember when you’re out there, who you’re coming home to.” My fingers trail up her side, skirting around the swell of her breast and drags against her collarbone. She inhales a stuttered breath, pupils blown so wide it almost eats up that ocean blue ring she has until it’s nothing but a sliver of color.

“Is this funny to you? Fucking with my emotions?” She asks, anger lurking in her ocean blue eyes.

“Am I laughing, princess?”

She shakes her head no. I run my hand up her neck and settle my thumb on that plump lower lip of hers. Her breath skates over my knuckle. I can feel my cock thickening in my pants at our proximity, separated by only a few centimeters. If I take a deep enough breath, her breasts would be pressing against my chest. And I want it. Fuck, do I want to feel her.

“You’re toying with me,” she whispers.

“And you like it,” I say, and her eyes widen as she sharply inhales. “You like being toyed with, don’t you? That’s why you haven’t pushed me away.” Her fingers find my shirt and they twist in the material. “That’s why you’re pulling me closer to you.”