Page 8 of Forbidden Kiss

“They will contact if needed.”

This calms her because her body loosens in my arms.

At the top of the stairs, my house attendant nods. “Her quarters are ready, sir.”

I give her a slight nod. “Thank you, Marie.”

With her soft auburn waves hanging just over my arm, Ava’s head lifts from the crook of my elbow. She looks between me and my housekeeper with innocent doe-like eyes, then rests her head back on my chest.

I like her head there. I want her to feel safe. Protected.

After turning left, I stride down the hallway until I reach the guest suite.

The room, a modern twist on a Victorian style, is the house’s most luxurious. When one of my four siblings gets too drunk to drive home, they stay in this room.

Ava, fully awake, is now staring at me.

If I gaze at her too intently, I might lose control, so I gently place her on the bed and avert my eyes from her delicate flesh. “Marie will be up soon with a meal.” I turn toward the door before glancing her way. “Any dietary restrictions?”

Ava licks her lips. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

Her feminine lips part. “Taking care of me like this.”

“How can I not?”

She fidgets with a silver bracelet around her wrist. “Is this part of the deal?”

Paying no attention to her question, I respond. “Are there any particular foods we should avoid?”

“I only eat gluten-free.”

“Hmm.” Is she serious? “Seems like an odd request.”

She shrugs her shoulders slightly while flashing me a knowing look, showing no sign of apology. “You asked.”

“Anything else?”

Her chin lifts. “No.”

With a subtle smile on my lips, I open the door to head into the hallway.

“Wait.” Her voice calls out behind me.

Chapter 4

Ava

Asheclosesthedoor, he continues to stand in front of it. His head tilts back briefly before he finally turns and gives me his full attention.

“Don’t go,” I repeat, louder this time. “Stay.”

Standing, I approach him, longing to be closer. “My dad died on me, and I don’t know how that could ever happen because he was perfectly fine just two weeks ago, but …” I close my eyes to stop the rambling. “It’s not necessary for me to rest. I’m not sick.”

He tilts his head, trying to understand me. “True, but you need to take it easy.”

As I suddenly feel sorry for having lashed out at him at the hospital, pangs of guilt hit my sides. I lick my lips to moisten them. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

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