Page 89 of My Forbidden Boss

I won’t be the woman to make him do something he’ll later regret. Best I keep my vows to myself because those responsibilities hold weight. I won’t hold him back, or hold him to an impossible choice and force him into something he doesn’t want to do.

I’ve been in my head and only now notice we’ve pulled up in the front of the Italian restaurant David took me to weeks ago. A smile steals across his face when I turn to him. “I want you to myself a little longer and we both have to eat.”

“You’re always trying to feed me,” I say.

His eyes darken and my belly flutters. He reaches to cup my cheek, his touch tender. I tilt my head, accepting anything he gives me, understanding that these touches could have a limit. If I knew how many that would be, I could better prepare myself for the inevitable end. The pit inside me is never-ending as my heart bursts with light, two sides caught in a push-pull. “I’ll always look out for you in all ways, love.”

He gets out of the car, not waiting for me to answer, comes to my side and opens the door for me as though I’m the most precious being in the world. The world he spins for me is alluring. Seductive. Steph. Samantha. I repeat those names to ground me as he guides me into the homey restaurant with a light touch at the small of my back. The wait staff greets him by name and give me happy smiles when he introduces me.

David leans into my ear, and his hot breath tickles as he speaks. “No more hiding. From now on, I’m going to show you off.”

I stifle a shiver as his hands run up my arms and he helps me into a chair. I feel rough in my jeans and sweater, but David doesn’t care when he takes my hand and holds it across the table. He lifts a brow. “Pizza, or would you like to try something different today?”

I glance at the menu, remembering the last time we were here, they didn’t have it listed. “Have they added pizza?”

“If it’s not there, I’ll get them to make it for you again,” he says. “I’ll move the world for you, Adeline.”

He would. He already has, and I’m not sure I deserve any of it.

My cell pings in my purse and I immediately forget it as our interrupted kiss flashes through my mind. Heat instantly infuses my blood, my reaction to him visceral.

The cell pings again. I slip the cell from my purse and check the messages. It’s Max, chasing me. Chills chase the heat from my body. David doesn’t bother to hide his scowl as he holds out his hand. “Give me your cell.”

His brow furrows as he reads Max’s text before he replies. He shows me the message, which is two days away from now at noon, in a cafe close to his apartment. “We control Max, not the other way around. Is this okay with you?”

“I guess.” I rub my chest, fighting the coldness that fills the space behind my sternum. I hope to never see Max again, but that would be in a perfect world.

David sends the text. He covers my hand again, lending me the warmth that had fled my system. “If he messages again, don’t answer. Tell me and I’ll deal with him.”

“Do you think it will work? What we’re going to do?” I say. So many things could go wrong. So many uncertainties. “Max isn’t stupid. He’ll think something is up.”

“Max is also egotistical. He thinks he has you where he wants you, but I’ve dealt with people like him before. Don’t worry, love. He’ll be out of your life by the end of the week. I’ll make sure you get what you deserve.” There’s fire in his eyes. Certainty that has nothing to do with the ants scratching my insides.

He’s not just talking about Max.

He thinks I deserve him when it’s so loaded on my side, it’s an uneven race.

Our food comes and I eat. I half taste the food, but can’t get past my jittery nerves because I was wrong. There’s not two, but three massive walls between us. Steph. Samantha. Max. The triple threat that might be too much for the both of us. If David can’t see it, or doesn’t want to, I’ll have to be the one who can protect both our hearts from complete devastation.

There has been enough damage as it is.

I hold on to the three little words I’ve yet to say, tuck them close to my chest in an iron grip and hope to hell I don’t have a moment of weakness.

David makes small talk with me and I relax, determined to enjoy these moments. He even makes me smile and laugh as carefree as I was in Florida. I drink them in and commit them to memory because they may be all I have. Forget David’s money. Forget riches. These moments are the true value of life and I don’t want to miss a thing. I sweep thoughts of the trifecta aside. Time is fleeting and I won’t have them tarnish this afternoon that will end all too fast.

I sigh when we arrive back at David’s apartment and find Steph is in the living room chatting with Mom.

“Steph, I wasn’t expecting you,” David says and walks to hug and kiss his daughter.

I pause by the doorway, uncertain. David turns to me and smiles. Holds out his hand. “You remember Steph?”

She looks young and fresh with that easy smile on her face. Dew on strawberries, while I’m wilting vines under a hot summer sun. She is as indelibly inscribed in my memory as he is. I step towards her on wooden legs, aware of how different life has formed us. “Nice to see you again.”

I hold my hand out to her, but she grins and hugs me. I’m caught. People don’t hug me. I don’t know what to do and pat her twice on her back. Awkward moment 101.

She pulls back. “I was having a lovely conversation with your Mom.”

Mom gets up from the couch, awkward on weak legs. I move past Steph to make sure Mom has her frame to lean on. “It was lovely chatting to you, too. She wanted to surprise you, David.”

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