Forever Forbidden

e window of a parked car. Tonight was a big night, his first real date with Emily. For weeks, he'd been focused on his job, f

utside Emily's apartment. His heightened hearing caught the soft

her, his b

uburn hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. She

managed. "You lo

laying on her lips. "Thanks. Y

m, and she took it wi

ty. Dimly lit with flickering candles on each table, the atmosphere was intimate and roman

e, and Asher pulled out Emily's ch

utiful," Emily sai

Asher replied. "I wante

heeks tinged pink. "You'

he said softly,

essly. Emily talked about her art, her inspirations, and the gallery she drea

g forward slightly. "You're always so

ory's a little complicated. I grew up... away from the city. It w

r head. "And wh

be sitting across from you,

aking her head. "

r said, his g

ation grew deeper. Asher found himself opening up

on thoughtful. "It sounds li

d. "But it's all worth

Seat

id, his voice l

ken aback by his

known each other long, but there's something about you, Emily.

late, her cheeks flushing.

re on you," Asher said quickly. "I

r eyes soft. "Thank

the space between them seeming to shrink. After

us. "I know this might seem fast, but... I wa

nd she bit her lip. "As

e said, forcing a small smile. "I

ally know you. You're wonderful, and I feel something when

. "That's fair. I don't want to rush you. Just know that I

ly. "Thank you fo

n them quieter but not tense. When they

ally special,"

her replied. "

aned up to kiss his ch

ight,

ehind her, she leaned agai

lain. But the fear of opening up too quickly had made her hold back.

n't I s

ld still feel the warmth of his hand, and hear the sincerity in h

he doesn

Emily for wanting to take things slow; she didn't know half

g him from his thoughts.

ight. I hope we ca

t the future held, but he was determined to make her see the m

ne, her fingers hovering over the screen.

u soon

already cared about him. And now, she could