The Trouble With Love: An Age Gap Romance (The Forbidden Love Series Book 1)

“You go first.”

Across the table, Andy twists his fingers before letting out a long-winded breath. The café we chose to meet at is located in Chelsea. It’s not too busy, just a few patrons sitting around drinking hot beverages and enjoying the scrumptious pastries the café is known for.

“I’m sleeping with my professor.”

I spit out the coffee, choking momentarily while I cough myself into oblivion. Andy warns me with his eyes to keep it down. Wiping the corners of my mouth, I continue to cough involuntarily.

When I finally get a hold of myself, I blurt out, “I’m sleeping with Will.”

Andy’s eyes widen until he breaks out into laughter, running his fingers through his hair with an amused look on his face. “Yeah, right. Good one, Millie.”

“I’m sleeping with Will, and I’m in love with him.”

I keep my expression to a bare minimum, showing Andy this is no joke. It takes a few moments, but when I continue to look at him seriously, his smile subsides, and his mouth falls open in shock.

“Holy shit. He’s your cousin.”

“He’s not my cousin,” I correct him. “Just because our parents called us that doesn’t mean we technically are. We don’t share the same blood as each other.”

“But he’s how old?” Andy does the math, his forehead wrinkling in the process. “Almost thirty?”

“Close to it.”

“Age aside because let’s face it, who am I to talk,” Andy muses, tapping his fingers against the tabletop with an unwavering gaze. “Your dad will kill you if he finds out.”

“Well, he hasn’t found out.”

“Yet,” Andy adds.

“He won’t find out. We’re careful.”

Andy places his hand on mine with a sympathetic glance. “Millie, you’re in love with him. How do you expect to continue without your dad finding out?”

I slump into my chair, letting out a sigh. “Can we talk about you screwing your professor?”

“There’s not much to say. I’m not in love with her. We just got to talking and, well, hooked up.”

I fold my arms, quick to point out the obvious. “Hold on a minute. You don’t just get to talk, then hook up.”

“It’s rather dirty, and I’d rather not repeat it in front of you because you are my cousin.”

“Jesus, Andy. You could get into real trouble for this. What if NYU kicks you out?”

“They won’t kick me out,” he assures me, his head lifted high. “They’ll kick her out. But look, nobody knows but you. So as long as you don’t say anything, then we’re all just fine.”

The waitress serves us the sandwiches we ordered, but neither one of us appear to have an appetite. We both aimlessly push our food around until Andy takes a bite, then another, while I continue to sit in silence. Typical male—one minute they are expressing emotions, and the next, all seems forgotten.

“What’s wrong, Millie?”

Averting my gaze, my attention is pulled to a mother and daughter sitting by the window. They are both talking animatedly, conversing one minute, then laughing the next. A tightness in my chest is followed by guilt.

“I love Will, and I love spending time with him,” I say, keeping my voice low. “But lying to my parents is exhausting. And things haven’t been the same with Mom.”

Andy nods his head knowingly. “Maybe you need to come clean with Aunt Charlie. Out of all people, she’ll understand.”

“Do you think?”

“She’s your best friend.”

“I know,” I mumble, the guilt only becoming worse.

“And, you know, your parents fought like hell to be together. If there’s anyone who can offer words of wisdom, it’s definitely her.”

I tear a piece of the bread, bringing it to my mouth as I begin to chew slowly.

“Um, has Ava ever mentioned to you this thing about my mom, and, um…” I scratch the back of my neck. “Your dad.”

Andy chuckles softly. “C’mon, it’s Ava. Of course, she has.”

“And?”

“My parents have never mentioned it,” he tells me honestly. “Let’s say the rumor is true. What does it matter? Everyone is supposed to be exactly where they are destined to be.”

He has a point, though Andy is always the rational thinker of the three of us.

“You’re not the least bit curious?”

“That my dad and your mom fucked? No…” he trails off, bored.

I have to agree with him. The thought itself is somewhat disturbing. I’ve always loved Uncle Julian, and he’s been nothing but nice to me. He isn’t exactly besties with Dad, but I can’t say I’ve witnessed any behavior to justify any animosity between them. The more I think about it, the more I think Ava has a creative imagination and thirsty for gossip.

“Listen, I’m here, Millie, if you need me. But you need to be careful. This may not end the way you’re hoping it will end.”

“How am I hoping this will end?”

“That everyone will accept the two of you together. Uncle Lex respects Will. When he finds out he’s fucking his oldest daughter, you can bet your ass he’s going to be livid.”

Andy’s reality check leaves me in a bad mood. I can’t exactly blame him. He merely points out the truth, which I’ve purposely denied this entire time.

We say goodbye to each other, and I find myself wandering the streets to clear my mind. I lose track of time and directions until the buildings look familiar. A block away is Will’s office. I question whether I should visit him, assuming he’s busy since he hasn’t texted or called me all day. I walk the block over, entering his building and up to the floor.

There’s a new woman sitting at the reception desk. She’s much prettier than the last, and more noticeably, has much larger breasts. With my lips pressed flat, I try to ignore the burning sensation inside my chest. Will is surrounded by beautiful, older women all the time. Even if we come out to everyone, that will never change. This jealousy consuming me is unflattering yet hard to control.

“Can I help you?” she asks, eyeing me up and down.

What a snob. I look down at my attire, admiring the leather skirt and ivory blouse I’m wearing. I despise the fact that she’s questioning me all in the way her eyes move, my insecurities getting the better of me.

“Is Mr. Romano available?”

“And may I ask what your business is with him?”

My business with him is none of her fucking business, but I manage to force a polite smile before answering, “Please tell him that Miss Edwards is here to see him if he’s available.”

“You don’t have a meeting.” She raises her poorly drawn-on eyebrows with a dismissive glance. “I’m sorry, he’s unavailable.”

This bitch doesn’t know who she is messing with. My claws come out, ready to show her who has the fucking power.

“Let me inform you of who I am. My name is Amelia Edwards. I’m Lex Edward’s daughter.” I see her expression shift immediately, her muscles turning slack. “I’m certain you know who my father is. Now, please ask Mr. Romano if he’s free to see me.”

She doesn’t say another word, dialing his number and mumbling into the receiver.

“He’ll see you now.”

I don’t say thank you. Frankly, she’s undeserving.

I walk into his office as Will stands up from his chair with a grin on his face. I close the door behind me, keeping my distance for now, given we’re in his office.

“To what do I owe the pleasure? I thought you had to study today?”

“Andy wanted to have lunch, so we caught up. I thought I’d drop by before heading back.”

Will moves toward me. Tilting his head, he kisses my lips with urgency. I hesitate, pulling back as he steps back, watching me. I move toward the window, staring out into the city.

“What’s wrong?”

“I hate all this lying.”

Will remains silent, sitting on the edge of his desk. “I understand. It’s not easy.”

“Do you?” I turn around, frustrated. “It feels like nothing in your life has changed. In fact, you get the best of everything… me, work, but what has changed in your life?”

He narrows his eyes with a clenching jaw. “I didn’t realize this is a competition of who gets it easier.”

“I never said that.”

“Well, let me set the record straight, Amelia. It’s not easy. I have responsibilities, all of which tie into your father somehow. I deal with him more than you know, and there’s a lot of pressure on me for this company to perform. Over a thousand employees rely on me to issue them a paycheck so they can put food on their table,” he informs me with a controlled tone, something my father often does. “There are people on Wall Street who are watching my every business move. So, while I understand that you’re tired of lying, I can guarantee you that I don’t have the best of everything.”

I shake my head silently, crossing my arms while lowering my gaze toward the polished concrete floor. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize… I just can’t see past how many people we will hurt if we get found out.”

At the exact moment, my phone begins to ring. My dad’s caller ID appears on the screen. I hit reject, only for it to ring again. Shit. I hit the accept button.

“Hi, Dad.” I turn around to face the glass window, staring out into the city.

“Amelia, will you pick up your phone when I call you, please?”

“Dad, I’m busy,” I say, defeated. “What’s so urgent?”

“Your mother has been trying to call you to no avail.”

“I was having lunch with Andy.”

“You went all the way into the city to have lunch with Andy?”

“Yes, Dad, I needed a break from studying and missed him.”

“Look, Amelia, is everything okay? Your mother is worried about you.”

Deep, heavy breathing sounds behind me as the hairs on my arms stand at attention while chills run down my spine. Slowly, I turn my head, my eyes meeting his. The temperature in the room becomes stifling hot, causing my breathing to pick up at an uneven pace.

“I’m fine, Dad. Just busy.”

“You’ll call her as soon as we get off the phone?”

Will stops just shy of where I stand, close enough for me to smell him. Reaching out, he runs his finger along my collarbone, my body tensing at his touch.

“Uh-huh, okay, Dad. I’ll call Mom as soon as I’m back in New Haven.”

“Amelia, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I’m worried.”

“You have nothing to worry about. I need to go.”

“Amelia,” he warns sternly. “Don’t do anything to disappoint me.”

“I won’t, Dad. Promise.”

I hang up the call, breathing out a sigh of relief.

“This was never going to be easy, Amelia,” Will reminds me.

“I know that. If only my dad…” I trail off, my thoughts jumbled.

“If only your dad will approve? If I stand here and tell you he will, I’d be lying to you. I know Lex Edwards, possibly better than you. He’s the ruler of his kingdom. And if he thinks his princess is in danger, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure nothing happens.”

He pushes my hair behind my shoulder, and leaning forward, he grazes his lips against my neck, inhaling my skin. The walls start to cave, the touch of his lips on my skin breaking them down piece by piece.

I yank his hair, pulling his mouth onto mine. His lips taste like heaven, his tongue meeting mine. Unable to stop, my tongue refuses to break from his, barely able to let go as he pulls away.

His eyes blaze with desire as he wraps his hand around my waist, carrying me toward his desk and laying me down, forcing my legs open. Letting out a moan, his eyes widen while admiring my legs, running his hands up my thigh before he forcefully pulls me toward him, then I wrap my legs around his waist.

Out of breath, with my heart running a marathon, his fingers clasp the buttons of my blouse, unbuttoning them at a slow and agonizing pace, exposing my breasts. There’s no delayed gratification, no admiring my naked form. His mouth ravages my breasts, sucking hard while I arch my neck, groaning beneath his touch.

His phone begins to ring, and with scornful eyes, he presses the phone to his forehead before answering.

“Lex,” he almost grunts.

There’s silence, and the frustrated expression soon turns into a deliciously sinful smirk.

“I understand that you’re worried.” Will runs his hands along my thigh, grazing between my legs. I hold back my moan, scared of being heard. “I’ll take care of her, don’t worry. You know, I think of her as family. I’d never let anyone hurt her.”

And with that, he plunges his fingers inside me, my back arching as the sensations ripple through me. I close my eyes, desperately trying to control myself and not combust on his desk.

“You can trust me,” he says with finality. “I’ll make sure no one else touches her.”

He hangs up the phone, cocking his head with a wicked sneer.

“Why did you promise that?” I pant, desperate for answers.

“Well, Miss Edwards, I’ve been ordered to protect you. And judging by how this little pussy of yours is so wet, I don’t think you’re hurt. I think you want me to fuck you. Daddy says, make sure you don’t get hurt. I can be very gentle if you wish.”

He unzips his pants, his cock throbbing hard as it springs free and slaps against his ripped stomach. I watch him, wanting to taste it so bad.

Painfully slow, he grips my panties in his hand, sliding them to the side as his cock glides against my swollen clit. I brace for him, my body pleading to be at his mercy and feel him whole. The torment in his expression drives my desire beyond its limits, begging to take all of me right now. He guides himself inside me, my back arching in delightful pain.

I desperately want more, his lips and hands to touch every part of me.

He flips me around, pushing my chest onto his desk. Forcefully, he uses his legs to spread mine as far apart as they’ll go. His cock slides back inside and leaning over, he covers my mouth with his hand while pounding into me.

The desk is shaking, the papers flying everywhere. The screams are muffled in his hand, my body ready to combust from the intensity of his animalistic demand to own every part of me.

Quickly, he turns me back around, my hands gripping the edge of the desk.

I bite into his hand, exploding all over him, the rush consuming every inch of my body and finishing with a blissful warmth. His thrusts are desperate as he lets go of my mouth, pounding me hard one more time before his body shakes, exploding inside of me.

Our breaths, shallow and uneven, command the room with its noise. Slowly, he pulls himself out of me, collapsing on my body. I continue to lay still, trying to catch my breath as I begin to button my blouse while he rests beside me, breaking the silence between us.

“Amelia, for as long as you choose us, I’ll protect what we have,” he urges, running his thumb against my bottom lip.

“Do you promise, Will? This will get harder before it gets better.”

“I love you, Amelia. No one will stand in our way, and that includes your father.”

His deep stare, full of promises, fills me with hope. For as long as he’ll protect what we have, I’ll choose to fight for him.

The only man I want more than life itself.