Page 12 of Forbidden Lust (Sinful Knights #1)

JOSH

“What are you doing here?” asked Carly.

“I live here,” said Josh.

He’d been hoping Carly would have had an early night or something, but it was only eight thirty.

He’d gotten the Tube back from Hampstead, not wanting to spend money on a cab.

It had been the first time all weekend he’d paid for anything, and wasn’t that a sobering thought?

Daniel might have a similar background to Josh, but their lives were very different now.

Even without their complication , which was putting it mildly, they were poles apart.

An intense weekend of amazing sex was all Josh could ever hope for with someone like Daniel Harper.

“What’s wrong?” asked Carly.

He wasn’t sure why, but he burst into tears. Carly rushed over to him and pulled him into a hug. Josh dropped his bag and hugged her back. She guided him over to the sofa and held him whilst he cried it out. Josh was supposed to be the strong one, but right now he was a wreck.

“Are you ready to talk about it, or do I need to kick Daniel’s arse?”

He chuckled, imagining her doing that .

“Daniel’s done nothing wrong, other than being best friends with the sperm donor.”

Carly’s jaw dropped. Josh couldn’t help but laugh.

“If that’s a joke, it’s not very funny.”

“Not a joke, unfortunately. But your face. I’ve never seen you speechless before.”

“Did he know this whole time? Cos that would be fucked up.”

“No, he didn’t. He didn’t even know his friend had another kid.”

“So why is he defending that arsehole?”

“He wasn’t. I think he was in shock.”

“What did he say after he found out?”

“I dunno, I left.”

“He kicked you out?”

“No, I didn’t want to stay there and make it awkward for him. It was easier for me to leave, rather than for him to ask me to.”

“Josh.”

“What? They’ve been friends for twenty years. He’s known me for two days. I think we both know who he’d pick.”

“You’re in love with him,” said Carly, with a sympathetic look on her face.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scoffed. “He was just a hot guy with a big dick for a weekend of fun.”

“If you’re trying to shock me so I’ll shut up, it’s not going to work. How big?”

“Carly! I am not answering that question.”

“Is he bi or just gay?”

“You keep your hands to yourself, missy.”

“Thought so.”

“You thought what?”

“Like I said. You’re in love with him.”

“I’ve known him for two days. ”

“And? I’ve never seen you like this with anyone before. You came in here yesterday like you were floating on a cloud. And now you look like your pet unicorn just died.”

“Unicorns aren’t real.”

“How dare you!”

He laughed along with her. She was right.

He was in love with Daniel, but there was no way they could work.

His dad’s best friend. What a fucking cliché he was.

But why was life so unfair? Why couldn’t he have found out about Daniel and his dad before the weekend?

Now, he’d experiencef the promised land, only to have it ripped away.

Monday morning was the usual hubbub of activity in the office.

Oscar was in a long meeting, so Josh had time to catch up on things.

His mind kept wandering to Daniel, and the fact he was supposed to meet Gavin for lunch today.

He went to send a text and cancel a hundred times, but something kept stopping him.

Would Daniel have spoken to him already?

What was Josh supposed to say if he knew?

And what did he want to see him about anyway?

Sperm donor: Can’t do lunch today. I can do a coffee. Meet me at Mario’s in ten minutes.

What the fuck? Mario’s coffee shop was two doors down from their office.

Oscar was still in his meeting, so Josh sent him a Teams message explaining he’d had to pop out on a personal matter and to call if he needed anything.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t be gone long. He may as well get this over with.

Regardless of what he wanted to talk about, Josh wasn’t expecting this to be a pleasant father and son chat.

Walking into Mario’s, Gavin was already waiting for him. Josh had been half expecting Daniel to be with him. The man just nodded, and lifted his cup to signal he’d already got himself sorted. Not wanting to wait too long, Josh grabbed a bottle of water, paid for it, and joined Gavin .

“When were you going to tell me you worked for Montgomery Equity?” he snapped.

“What?”

“You heard me. Do you know what that man is to me?”

He knew. It’s why Josh had taken the job, but he wasn’t about to admit that.

“How much will it cost for you to quit?”

“What?”

“Do you know how to say anything else? I thought you were supposed to be educated?”

“Excuse me, but I don’t see you for three years and then you contact me out the blue. No, ‘Hello Josh. How’s life?’ You just attack me for working for who I’m working for. Why now? I’ve been for two years.”

“Two years? Are you being serious? And you’re not just working there, but for that man. You’re his paid bitch.”

“Okay, so we’re being homophobic as well, are we? Did I tell you I was gay?”

Josh wasn’t sure what had gotten into him, but the guy was pissing him off. He’d barely sat down and he’d started attacking him. This man was nothing to Josh. Why was he getting riled up so easily?

“Don’t be ridiculous. The last thing I am is homophobic. My best friend’s gay, for fuck’s sake.”

Daniel! Josh wondered how long it would be before he came up, or something Gavin said would remind him of the amazing man who he’d walked out on less that twenty-four hours ago. He wasn’t sure how someone like Daniel could be friends with the complete arsehole who was sitting across from him.

“I won’t have my son working for Oscar Montgomery. He’s stolen my business. We were number one in the market before he came along.”

Josh snorted. The guy was being ridiculous .

“You think this is funny? I’m losing investors, and you’re helping him.”

“I’m his assistant. I book his meetings and pick up his dry cleaning. It’s not like I’m signing off on the business plans.”

“And what’s this I hear about a regulatory investigation?”

“No idea what you’re taking about.”

Josh didn’t like lying, but he wouldn’t do anything to hurt Oscar or help this man. It was a double win.

“Look, I don’t have long,” he said, glancing at his watch. “How much are you earning there?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Your sister’s tuition is ten grand a year. How about I pay you that to quit?”

“She’s in her final year. We’re good.”

“I can pay it retrospectively. Look, PA jobs are ten a penny. You quit and I’ll give you thirty grand.”

“How do I know you’ll pay me once I’ve left?”

“You have my word.”

“Yeah, that’s gonna work ... Gavin .”

Josh wasn’t sure why the man even cared about his job.

Nobody knew about his existence, and it wasn’t something Oscar would ever exploit.

He wasn’t that kind of person. Gavin’s firm wasn’t even on Oscar’s radar as something he was bothered about.

If they’d had this conversation a week ago, he’d have told him to get fucked.

However, after his chat with Carly last night, he’d already wondered whether quitting would be best for him.

Daniel and Oscar had become friends, and he’d stop by the office, especially now he was supporting the regulatory investigation.

Josh wasn’t sure he could bear seeing him all the time, not after everything they’d shared.

But if Gavin wanted to pay him to quit, then perhaps he could be more generous. It was time for Josh to negotiate.

“Sir... I mean Oscar, do you have two minutes? ”

“Of course, Josh. Come in.”

He was nervous, but after he’d agreed to better terms with Gavin, which was a year’s salary, it was time to deliver on his side.

It was money he couldn’t turn down. They could get a bigger flat, clear the last of Carly’s fees for the year, and still have plenty leftover, even if it took him a while to get a new job.

He was on three months’ notice, anyway. Josh had to send Gavin proof that his resignation had been accepted and he would pay ten grand up front.

The rest would be paid the day after Josh officially left Montgomery Equity.

“I came to give you this.”

He handed over his resignation letter, which he’d typed in haste, feeling nervous. It didn’t get across everything Oscar had done for him since giving him this opportunity. Oscar opened the letter, and Josh could see the disappointment in his eyes.

“Sit down, Josh.”

He took a seat, feeling awkward. He just wanted to get out of this room.

“I’ll not lie and say I’m good with this,” he said, holding up the paper. “Tell me about your new job.”

“Erm . . .”

“What’s wrong Josh? Is it a competitor?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I erm . . .”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but if there’s something I could fix here, I’d like to know. Is it more money?”

“No, no, you pay me loads.”

That was true. His father’s jaw had dropped when he’d shared what he was earning as an EA with only three years of experience.

“I just need to take some time, that’s all. Nothing you’ve done.”

Oscar sat up. “Hold on. Do you have a new job to go to?”

Josh shook his head .

“So, why are you quitting? Has someone upset you?”

“No, nothing like that. Everyone here is lovely. It’s a personal matter. I don’t want to work in the city anymore.”

He could see Oscar wasn’t buying it, but what else could he say?

“Okay, Josh, well, I begrudgingly accept this, but I’m holding you to your three months. You’re irreplaceable, so I’m going to need time to find the right person.”

“Of course, sir... I mean, Oscar,” he said, brightening up. “You’ll have me at one hundred percent until I leave.”

He left, feeling relieved it had gone better than expected.

It was gutting to be leaving this place, as Oscar was probably the best boss he would ever have, but that money was something he couldn’t turn down.

It wasn’t a loan Gavin was offering him– it was a gift.

A year’s salary untaxed would be life changing for them.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at it.

Daniel was calling him. What was he supposed to do?

There was no way he could speak to him. If Gavin found out about Josh and Daniel, he might withdraw his offer, and where would Josh be then? He’d already quit his job.