Page 3 of Forbidden Kiss

“It’s just Ava,” I peep, feeling like a small mouse in front of a towering figure.

Just Ava. How stupid.

Something about him makes me feel nervous, maybe his ridiculously handsome looks or perhaps his intense gaze. One thing is for sure—he’s large. A foot taller than me, with a physique that looks like it’s sculpted from marble.

In a sudden realization that my mouth is open, I quickly clamp it shut and yank on the ends of my white silk blouse.

“Ava,” he says. The name rolls off his tongue and sends goosebumps sprawling across my arms. The surrounding silence only emphasizes the sound of his velvety and smooth voice.

With a hint of curiosity in his demeanor, he extends a hand towards me while his amber eyes trace the curves of my body. “I’m Ethan Wolfe.”

His hand is strong and rough, his grip firm yet gentle. Heat emanates from his body and makes me aware of my own sudden warmth.

I want to know more about him—why he’s here, what he wants—but I don’t ask. Instead, I lean against the gray felt wall of my cubby for balance.

The intensity of his stare continues. “I’m here for your father. We had an appointment scheduled for two o’clock, but his secretary said he stepped out for a moment. Perfect chance to come and meet you.”

My hands grow clammy as my mind scrambles. Why would he want to meet me? I try to regain composure. “Dad must have slipped out without my noticing. Would you like me to reach him by phone?”

As he stands in front of me, his eyes never leave mine. “Not necessary.”

His energy and dominance make me feel small. Tiny. I swallow and point to the seats in the lobby. “Well, if you’d like to take a seat, I’m sure—”

“Thank you for coming.” My father’s raspy voice calls out from beyond the glass, his face lacking vibrancy. At a slower pace than usual, he walks into the office.

Ethan continues to stare at me, only taking one brief glance in my father’s direction before his eyes flicker back to me.

After scrutinizing my appearance, my father’s jaw tightens. “I see you’ve met my daughter.”

“Yes.” Ethan arches an eyebrow. “I had no idea you’d been hiding such an intriguing creature here.”

Without glancing at me, my father engages in conversation with the man in front of him. “Ava is the creative brains behind the company. She’s quite brilliant when she puts her mind to it. Her designs have sparked the eyes of the entire city.”

While Ethan’s eyes linger on me, he nods and bites one side of his lower lip. “Can’t wait to see them. I’m excited about what’s coming.”

My father shoots a quick glance at Ethan.

Ethan’s shoulders stiffen. As he glares at my father, his male lips open and his jaw tenses before he shakes his head.

A knot forms in my stomach. Why do I feel like they’re hiding something from me?

Hourspass,andEthanstill has not emerged from my father’s office. I think about knocking, but it would be wrong and my father would be furious. So, instead, I sit quietly at my desk in silence. Everyone has left, including Brianna.

Finally, Ethan’s tall frame appears in the long corridor behind the glass wall. He strides toward me but says nothing when he reaches my desk. He doesn’t face me. Instead, he looks toward my father’s office, where he’d just come from. His eyebrows draw in.

The mere sight of him makes me nervous, but it’s hardly the way I want to appear, especially if he’s one of my dad’s new partners.

Dad would scorn if he saw my nervousness.

With my back straightened, I stand taller and more confident. “It was good to meet you, Mr. Wolfe.”

He meets my gaze, his intense pupils piercing mine. “Something is going to happen today, and you will not like it. But I’d like you to know… there is a valid purpose behind it.”

Chapter 2

Ava

Ethanfilesawayfrommy desk, leaving me with a gazillion questions. My mind races as I try to piece together his cryptic words. What could he possibly mean? I don’t need information about what the future holds from someone I don’t even know.

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