Page 7 of Forbidden Kiss

Her mouth twists and stiffens as she looks away.

My shoulders drop. “I’ll leave if you want me to. But know that I would never take advantage of anyone in that way. Ever.”

She doesn’t respond, but I can see the hurt etched on her face as she cries silently. And for a moment, I hate myself for causing her even more pain.

“Ava, I know how you feel,” I begin, trying to console her in whatever way possible. “My dad died too.”

Her eyes briefly meet mine before she averts her gaze.

“At this same hospital.” I pause to let her digest the information. “Two years and five months ago. I think of him every single day.”

Her arms suddenly fly up to hit me, her feminine fists pounding on my willing chest and shoulders. “You don’t get to talk about your dad when mine just died.”

The clenched fists shock me at first, but then her touch sends powerful waves of warmth through my body.

She must be twenty years younger than me. Beneath my calm façade, my body shudders from her touch, yet feeling desire is the last thing I want right now. I grab one of her wrists to control her. I can’t handle her rage against me anymore.

After breaking free, she hits again, but this time harder. Despite my willingness to let her do it, I can’t stand to see her like this.

I wrap my arms around her in a stiff embrace, trying to calm her. It works because I feel her loosening in my arms. As she melts into me, her body softens and becomes more flexible.

In an attempt to soothe her, I lean in closer to her ear, only to be distracted by the fresh aroma of jasmine clouding my thoughts. “You can’t stay here. It’s not healthy, and there’s nothing else you can do here. I’m going to bring you somewhere where you can rest.”

Her eyebrows crinkle. “I don’t want rest.”

“Youneedrest.” I grip her tighter. Her curvy body feels petite in my arms, her flesh smooth. “Come.”

She pulls away to look at me. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Saying nothing further, I gesture her toward the exit.

After a moment of studying me, she scoffs, shakes her head, and heads towards the door.

My hand moves on its own accord to comfort her, my fingers pressing into the arch of her back to usher her outside.

She jerks away. “Don’t touch me.”

Raising my hands, I surrender. “Fine.” We walk out into the Vegas heat to meet my waiting driver. “Just get in the car. I’ll let the hospital know how to reach us.”

She nods, then slips into the back of the Bentley.

My brain rushes to rationalize my behavior. Once I’ve dropped her off at my place, I’ll make sure she’s okay, and that will be the end of it.

I slip my phone out of my pocket to call one of my home staff. “Get the guest room ready. I’m bringing Miss Ava Lane home.” Then I give my number to the hospital desk before returning to slide into the back seat of the car with Ava.

She rests her head on the plush leather, takes a deep breath, and blows it out. Before long, her eyes shut, her arms falling limp.

I let her sleep. Having experienced it myself, I know the feeling. A father’s death takes everything you have—confusion, guilt, sorrow—it all comes up and exhausts you.

Soon, we’re pulling up to my gates at the mansion. She’s still asleep, and I make no effort to wake her.

“I’ve got her,” I tell my driver as I circle around the car. Pulling Ava into me and lifting her from the vehicle, I carry her through the front door of my home. She’s not heavy, and her body seems to fit perfectly in my arms.

As her eyes flutter open, her body stiffens. Her breath hastens as she glances at our surroundings, studying the vast entry room of the mansion. As I carry her up the round staircase, her body becomes tense in my arms again.

“You’ll be safe here,” I soothe in a deep voice.

“But the hospital—”

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