Page 52 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“I can’t believe you’re this mad about me looking out for you. It’s not a big deal. You had a long day. We’re friends.” I shrugged. “And I’m not sure what you’re talking about with me and Hayes, but have at it if it makes you feel better.”

I glanced outside the window, noting it was completely dark now. It had been a long day, and I’m sure she was tired. She stormed around the other side of the counter and looked up at me with fire in her pretty gaze. She stood almost a foot shorter than me, blonde hair falling down around her shoulders.

“Let’s unpack this, then. Hayes is a goddamn firefighter,” she hissed. “And now he’s going to fight a wildfire. But by all means, the concern should be on me and my romance bookstore.”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle that left my lips, and she narrowed her gaze. “I’m not laughing at you. You make a valid point, that’s all. But Barry is here, and that was his concern. Not you.”

“Then why don’t you babysit Barry?” She crossed her arms over her chest, and my eyes moved to where her tits were pressed above her arms before quickly shooting back up to look at her.

“Because no one gives a shit about Barry as long as he stays the fuck away from you.”

“That’s what I thought. You guys are such hypocrites.” She started slamming things into the register, and I didn’t know where all this hostility was coming from.

“Hey now. Don’t turn this on me. I’m helping out a friend.”

“Are you?” Her tongue swiped out along her bottom lip, and I had to adjust myself when my dick throbbed against the zipper of my jeans.

“Am I helping out a friend?” I asked, not hiding the surprise in my voice. “Are we not friends anymore?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

“I think we’re friends. I think we’ll always be friends.” I crossed my arms over my chest and studied her.

“So that’s the only reason you agreed to babysit me?”

“Don’t say it like that. You know I consider you one of my best friends.”

“Yet you’ve avoided me since Easter. Was that because we weren’t friends during that time?”

I shrugged. “I would never avoid you. We’ve both been busy. I didn’t see you calling me this last week either.”

“You’re correct. Because I was avoiding you.”

“You were intentionally avoiding me?” I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Yep. I’m not too proud to admit it.” She walked around the counter and tipped her head up to look at me. She held the dandelion I’d left on the counter in her hand. “To admit that I’m confused by what I feel for you.”

“There’s nothing to be confused about, Saylor. We’re friends. Close friends.”

“Do you get off to all your friends in the middle of a party in your bathroom?” she whispered, and my fucking mouth went dry.

She’d fucking heard me.

I wouldn’t deny it. I couldn’t look her in the eyes and deny it.

“Saylor.”

“King,” she mimicked me. “Answer the question.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry you heard that. I’m a horny asshole.”

She nodded once, her gaze locking with mine. “What did you mean when you chose the bookForbidden King? Are you forbidden, King?”

I looked away for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts. She was so close, and my body was reacting. My dick was throbbing uncomfortably behind my zipper. My heart pounded in my ears. “Obviously, being best friends with your brother makes us both forbidden, right?”

“So, I’m curious. Do you want to kiss me as much as I want to kiss you?” Her hand fisted in the fabric of my tee.

“That wasn’t the question.”

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