Page 22 of Forbidden Hunger

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The party isas dull as I expected. Worse, I’m not sure where Tori is. Wallace Rutherford dragged me into his den to meet some of the men involved in his company’s merger, and now I can’t find her.

“Have you seen Tori?” I ask one of the women. “About so tall, dark hair, petite build?”

“I think she’s out on the patio.” The way she says it makes me uneasy. Or maybe it’s the look in her eyes … which, unless it’s my imagination, is something awfully close to pity.

“Thanks.” I waste no time in going out on the patio, and quickly discover the problem. Wally Rutherford, Wallace’s son, is out here too. And his hands are where they don’t belong.

“Stop it.” Tori’s exasperated tone is unmistakable. She hasn’t seen me yet. “I told you, I’m not interested.”

Wally laughs. “That’s what they all say. No worries, I won’t tell anyone the truth.”

Hauling her against him, he tries to kiss her. A sea of red washes over my vision, and then I’m yanking Wally away from Tori and shoving him across the patio – straight into his father’s arms.

Several other partygoers have followed me out here as well, and now a low murmur runs through the assembled group. Wally pushes away from his father and glares at me. Wallace pats him awkwardly on the shoulder and says, “You know how boys are.”

“He’s not a boy,” I retort. “And that’s not acceptable behavior at any age.” I look at Wally. “I’m waiting.”

“For what?” he scoffs.

“For you to apologize to Miss Smith.”

Wally laughs. “Are you crazy? Most girls would be flattered. You and ‘Miss Smith’ need to lighten up.”

Wallace says nothing. “Is this what you’ve taught your son?” I ask him.

His eyes narrow. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just presume to question my parenting in front of my guests.”

“I see.” I hold out a hand to Tori. “Let’s go.”

She comes to my side, and I tuck her against me while we walk back through the house. I don’t care what it looks like. Behind me, Wallace says, “I’ll see you first thing on Monday to finalize the merger.”

“No, you won’t.” I keep walking. “You need to find yourself another lawyer.”

A frantic buzz rips through the room. Everyone there knows that Rutherford is one of my biggest clients. Not only am I losing a lot of business, he could damage my reputation if he has a mind to be vengeful.

I don’t give a fuck.

Tori and I are both quiet on the way home. Not until we’re inside the apartment does she say, “I’m sorry, Ashton.”

I scowl at her. “For what? It wasn’t your fault.”

“I cost you a major client.” Her eyes are troubled.

“You didn’t cost me anything.” I take her by the shoulders. “That ass Rutherford and his ill-bred son cost themselves a good lawyer.”

“But your business–”

“I hate my fucking business.” As I say it, I realize it’s true. “I don’t care if the whole damn thing disappears overnight. Eden and you are all that’s important to me.”

Tori’s face goes soft. “Ash.”

I pull her close. “I mean it.”

“You’re important to me too.” The quaver in her voice almost undoes me. I lead her to the bedroom, and we slowly undress each other.

There’s no rush tonight. Instead, the urgency we both seem to feel demands that we take our time. That we savor every touch, every moment.

Even when I’m inside her and we’re moving together, we keep the pace slow, watching each other, our eyes saying all the words that are too dangerous to speak aloud. We come together, a long, shimmering moment that seems to fill the room, our bodies, with golden light.

Afterward, when she’s curled against me, sleeping peacefully, I stare at the ceiling and think that this has been one of the most beautiful nights of my entire life. What I have with Tori is so much better than I ever could have dreamed.

And it all has to end.

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