Page 13 of Forbidden Kiss

Upon return, I clean my seed from her soft skin and set the washcloth on the nightstand before collapsing to the side of her.

She watches me with doe-like eyes before she curls into me and rests her head on my chest.

Her face is hard to read. It’s one of bliss, but I can still see emotional pain, too.

“How do you feel?” I ask.

“Good,” she says, but it sounds like a knee-jerk response.

While her answer provides me with some immediate relief, my worry for her is still there, especially considering what just happened.

I had zero intention of taking her to bed, but what choice did I have? She felt so good in my arms, and she asked for it.

Couldn’t I have controlled myself and waited two weeks, though?

While pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes to calm my brain.

From the corner of my eye, I see her watching me.

She plays with the light hair on my chest. “It was more than I’d ever hoped.”

Her sudden words relax my body and I lift my head to get a clearer view of her.

As she snuggles closer to me, her leg brushes against mine. Her body relaxes and her head settles into the curve of my chest. Gradually, she drifts off to sleep, her warmth a comforting sensation against me.

Oh, man. Why does she feel so damn good?

Chapter 6

Ava

Thesunshinesinthrough the curtains of the modern Victorian house as the aroma of fresh-baked bread drifts to my nostrils.

Resting my head in the nook between his chest and underarm, I relish the feeling of safety.

I’m secure here. Protected. He’s unlike anyone I’ve seen before. He exudes so much control that he makes other men look like children. When he looks at me, it’s like I’m the only one that matters. I mean, the way he takes me in his arms… I could spend a lifetime being coddled like this.

But why me? I come from money too, but I’m a plain Jane compared to him. My hips are thick because I’m food obsessed. And I’m certainly not self-made like he is. My job, money, house and car don’t truly belong to me. They came from my father. And now, Dad is gone, leaving me in the middle of this big world he created.

A sudden bout of nausea takes over my stomach. Pushing strands of hair out of my face, I turn my head to a window and try to breathe.

Ethan’s eyes flutter open, and he squints at me. “What’s going on?”

“I need to go to the office and inform the employees about my father.” After a sigh, I push the covers aside. “I’ve neglected to do that, and now they’re probably confused.”

“Uhhh yeah.” He rubs his eyes before pulling the covers back over me. “Why don’t you let me handle that?”

“I can’t.” Yanking the comforter off again, I rise from the bed. “I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.”

He looks at me point-blank. “Ava, your dad just died. You need time.”

“I’m aware of that. It’s just…” I pull in a shaky breath. “I have so many things to do. The funeral arrangements, the lawyer, the documents, the employees, and I don’t know what else.”

“Yes.” He rubs his head. “Come back to bed, and we’ll sort it out later today.”

Is he right? Perhaps I should just give him the wheel. It’s what Dad wanted, and Ethan can obviously run the company better than I can. I stand still for a beat and close my eyes.

I’m torn between following his advice and going against. “No. Last night was magical, but I need to leave.”

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