Page 100 of A Forever Love

Me: I can’t wait to replace my cat.

Carter: I’m sure you can’t, my mittens.

That stupid nickname sounds perfect right now.

* * *

Clem parks the car at Elixir Inc., and just as I’m about to grab my handbag and step out, she remarks, “I didn’t realize we were meeting Carter.”

I turn to look straight ahead in a flash. “What’s he doing here?” My gaze travels upward, from the peaked lapels of his black suit to his crisp white shirt to his strong, masculine throat, and finally resting on his beautifully carved face, shadowed with a hint of a smile. He removes his aviators and then opens my door.

“Hello, ladies.”

“We didn’t expect to see you here,” Clem replies.

“I happened to be passing by on my way to work and thought I’d drop in to wish two of my favorite girls good morning.”

“Uh-huh. I thought your workplace was Hawthorne estate these days, and unless Cherrywood’s streets have undergone a major transformation, it’s nowhere near here.”

“Let a poor man keep his pride, Clementine,” Carter says, his hand running through his thick waves.

“Your secret is safe with me, as long as my girl is happy. And Carter”—Clem pins him with a serious stare, a gravity in her expression I’ve never seen before—“she is not only my favorite human but also my favorite daughter. I don’t mind being accused of favoritism, but there’s no one who deserves true happiness and love more than her. Not just now but forever.”

“I’m not here to judge, because I agree with everything you just said,” he replies sincerely.

“Um, guys, I don’t know how I feel about you two talking about me when I’m right here.”

The tension in the air eases as they both chuckle, and Clem gestures for me to leave. “Now off you go. I have to reach Vanshionista before lunch. We’re preparing for Milan Fashion Week.”

Once Clem’s Porsche disappears from view, Carter slowly turns me around until I’m facing him. “I missed you.” His hands cup my face, his eyes filled with so much affection that my legs turn to jelly.

I’m a bundle of nerves. My heart is ready to jump out of my throat, and all I want to do is melt like ice cream under the intensity of his gaze.

“Please don’t look at me like this, Mere. I don’t think I deserve it.” He places his forehead over mine and closes his eyes.

“What do you mean? How am I looking at you?” My voice is hoarse, echoing his own.

“Like you wouldn’t mind if I kidnapped you right now and locked you in a castle like the Beast.”

“Have you even seen the movie?” My attempt at a joke falters as my voice quivers.

“With no one other than you. I might have even saved the tickets somewhere.”

“If you keep saying sweet things like that, I might just beg you to kidnap me.”

“You never have to beg, mittens. Plus, tonight, you’re going to get kidnapped anyway.” He kisses my forehead, and the way his lips linger sends my female hormones into overdrive. “Now, go and kick some programmers’ asses in there.”

My fingers clench the soft fabric of his jacket. “You’re leaving?”

“I just dropped by to see you, Mere. I won’t keep you from work. I’m not that selfish.”

“You’re not going to…kiss me…on the lips…” My cheeks flush as if I’ve just completed a marathon. The beast of insecurity inside me stirs again.

However, he leans down to plant another kiss on my forehead, then takes a step back. My hands fall limply to my sides. Maybe he senses my anxiety, because he runs his thumb along my cheek, drifting toward my lips.

“Have a great day, babe, and don’t forget I love you.” He lingers until a tiny smile tugs on my lips, then he turns away.

My thoughts are still jumbled when I reach my desk. I’ve just placed my handbag in my cubicle when Brandon and Kristy approach me, each holding a cup of coffee. Kristy, as usual, looks elegant in her pastel blue pantsuit, with the figure of a runway model.

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