Forbidden Flames: Steamy Series - Chapter 164: Chapter 164

Selena’s P.O.V.
I sit beside James in the car as he takes me somewhere for lunch. I asked him where we were going, but he wouldn’t tell me. He just said, “It’s a surprise, Selena.”
Now, butterflies dance in my stomach just thinking about where he might be taking me. I steal glances at him every few seconds. He looks so damn hot while driving. The veins in his arms are visible, making my breath heavy. No one would ever guess he’s almost forty. Any woman would have a crush on him, and on top of that, he’s such a gentleman.
He surprised me with a bouquet, and how he knelt before me to tie the strap of my heels melted my heart.
What is happening between us? Why is he treating me like this? And more importantly—what are we? I need answers.
“What are we, James?” I ask, breaking the silence.
He shifts his gaze toward me and gives me that look—the one that melts my entire body.
Damn this man!
“Honesty, I don’t know.” He shrugs. “But I do know that when you’re beside me, I feel complete. You make me feel alive, Selena.”
A smile spreads across his face before he turns his attention back to the road.
He feels exactly the same way I do.
God, why the hell am I smiling like an idiot? This thing between us—it has no future. I need to control myself a bit.
“But there’s no future for us, James,” I tell him, feeling a deep ache in my chest.
His face turns serious and that charming smile disappears from his face. I’m already regretting saying that, but I don’t want to give him any false hope. The truth is, I can never be his forever, although I want to, and it already hurts.
God! I’m already in this deep shit, and I don’t even know how to pull back.
“Selena, don’t say that, because after so long, I finally see a future with someone. And that someone is you. You’re perfect for me, and I don’t want to—” He stops himself, noticing my facial expression and sighs before concentrating on the road.
I know exactly what he’s feeling because I feel it, too. I don’t want to lose this—whatever it is.
He stops the car and turns towards me with a serious look. “I know you’re my friend’s daughter, and I know you’re younger than me.” Taking my hand in his, he continues, “But right now, you’re here with me. I don’t want to waste time worrying about what’s next—I just want to live in this moment with you. Can we do that? Can we enjoy this without thinking about the future for a while?”
His pleading tone, the way his eyes beg me not to overthink—how can I say no?
So I just nod, keeping everything aside.
He brings my hand closer to his lips and plants a kiss on my knuckles, keeping his eyes fixed on me and touching my heart all over again with his small gesture. “Thank you.”
He starts the car again and doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he begins caressing my knuckles with his thumb as he focuses on the road. His simple gestures send butterflies fluttering through my stomach. It feels so fucking good. Being with him is like a balm to my soul. It’s as if my inner child is finally healing.
He takes me to Times Square, where we have lunch at a fancy restaurant.
Afterwards, we walk hand in hand, eat ice cream, and wander through the dazzling streets.
I’ve never spent time with any man like this before. It’s something different and amazing.
For the first time in my life, I’m choosing my happiness, and it feels amazing. I wish I could always prioritise myself like this. But I can never put my needs above my parents’ expectations.
As the sun is about to set, the wind starts blowing, making me shiver.
James notices immediately. Without a word, he slips off his coat and drapes it over my shoulders.
God! Will he just stop doing this? I don’t want to get habitual of this kindness, this feeling of being taken care of. I don’t want to get used to having someone like him in my life, because I know it’s not permanent.
But at the same time, I’m melting into his gentle gestures and my heart is craving more of this affection. As I wrap his coat around me, I feel his warmth and scent envelop me. It drives me crazy.
He asks, “Better?”
“Thank you, but now you’ll feel cold.” I glance at his shirt.
He smirks. “I have my ways to keep myself warm. You don’t have to worry about it.”
He winks, and then, without warning, he pulls me to his side by my waist, causing my breath to become heavy and my eyes to widen in surprise.
“That’s better.” I grin and wrap my arm around him to share my warmth.
We’re about to walk again when I suddenly spot one of my father’s friends coming toward us.
Thank God, his eyes are on his phone.
But what if he looks up and sees us together—he’ll certainly tell my dad?
Shit. No. No. I can’t let this happen.
I panic. I grabbed James’s hand and pull him into a nearby alley.
He looks at me, confused. But when I press my hands against his face and pin him against the wall, his expression changes. His eyes darken instantly.
“Kiss me, James,” I whisper against his lips, standing on my toes, our eyes locked. “Like no one is watching.”
That’s all it takes.
His hand shoots up and grips the back of my neck as he crashes his lips onto mine. As we kiss each other, I pray that man won’t notice us. With the corner of my eye, I see he isn’t following us, and only then I completely lose myself in the kiss.
We devour each other’s lips and explore each other’s mouths with our tongues as our lives depend on it.
His fingers grab my hair while his other hand grips my waist, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. I match his intensity by gripping his collar. I feel his hardness, and it burns my entire body with desire. The way he eats my lips, it’s as if he’s really kissing me like no one is watching.
His hand tightens around my hair, and he bites my lip. His other hand grabs my thigh and places my leg around his waist. He grinds his hardness against me, making me hornier for him.
Fuck! I need him right now. I’m so damn wet for him. This man drives me crazy.
I completely forget why I brought him into the alley, because he has a magical way of making me forget everything. All I know is that I want this man.
The way he kisses me every time, it’s as if he owns my lips. I fucking love it. Even I don’t hold back. I always match his pace.
When we finally pull away, breathless, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before caressing my cheek.
His lips are swollen. So are mine.
We stare at each other, panting.
“What was that, Selena?” He asks.
“I just noticed one of my dad’s friends walking toward us,” I tell him.
He nods and leans in to kiss my forehead.
I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips.
It’s not just a kiss. It’s a promise.
A silent vow that no matter what happens, he’ll protect me.
That he won’t leave me. But I have to leave him one day and this truth hurts me like hell.