Page 112 of Forbidden You

The fact that she did, though?

Well, it fucks with my mind.

It fucks with my heart.

It fucks with everything.

Kayla fucks with everything I’m trying to hold on to. Like a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, rattling until my insecurities and fears fall to the floor like shattering ornaments.

“Well, open it!”

In an astonishing daze, I pull the paper from the gift. And a book from one of my favorite authors comes out, mouth lifting into a smile all on its own. I’m about to thank her, until I realize the edges are a little torn. I flip it around in my hands, my fingers feeling the cover for any damage before I pull it open, looking for the publication date.

When I read the words I’m looking for, my eyes almost fall out of my head, and I give her an incredulous look. “You bought me a first edition?”

She nods, giving me a gushed look. The blue in her eyes seems to pop more from her desire to give to me. Her pink lips sit in a satisfied smile. She has never looked more beautiful than she does right now, and without a second thought, I grab her neck.Fuck it.

Briskly, I crash my lips against hers, not giving a damn who sees us. Hollers erupt around us, and she grins against my mouth while I hold her tightly against me. My heart beats faster, and an unfamiliar feeling ripples down my skin. I have no clue what it is, but it feels fucking good.

“Geez, it’s just a book,” Jensen grouses in the background.

Asshole.

“Do you think it has pictures?” Hunter chimes in.

Bastard.

“Thank you,” I whisper, pressing my forehead against hers.

“You’re welcome.” Her giggles sound like music to my ears, and I can’t resist pressing another kiss to her lips, then I try to put the focus somewhere else by blasting, “Okay, who’s next!”

I need to reign in my cock, before I drag my girl into the bathroom and take her as my birthday present.Deep breaths.

“I am! Just don’t kiss me,” Jensen replies with a gift in his hand, and we all laugh.

I unwrap everyone’s gifts, thanking each and every one of them before Rae decides it’s time to go dancing. She pulls the rest of the girls from the couch before they tell the bartender what they want to hear and they completely get into the song.

Happyfuckingbirthday to me.

The only thing missing is my dad, but having all my friends around me feels like the greatest blessing.

For the next thirty minutes, I sit on the couch with Hunter and Jason, discussing the new fighter that took Hunter’s place after he retired, but I can only keep my focus for two minutes before my eyes are drawn to the one thing that keeps occupying my mind. Kayla moves her hips smoothly to some kind of sassy song, and I watch her, sipping my rum from my seat while never missing a beat.

Every time I think I’ve figured her out, she surprises me with something else. She keeps me on my toes, calls me out on my bullshit and even my fears when she’s really on fire, and she’s bending over backwards to help me out with my dad.

She organized a surprise party for my birthday.

This started out as something physical, a friend with benefits bullshit, but the longer she lives in my condo, the more I realize this is something way more than that. She’s falling…and she might not be the only one.

“So, what’s the deal between you two?” Jensen flops his body next to me on the couch, and I lock eyes with him.

“Yeah, spill it, McKay.” When I twist my head to Hunter, he and Jason have cut off their conversation, both looking at me in anticipation.

“Come on, guys. It’s my birthday.” It’s one thing to let all my forbidden thoughts set root in my brain in the comfort of my own brain, it’s a whole other thing to confess them to my friends.

“Right, you’re thirty now. Old enough to fess up about your relationship with Rae’s cute little cousin over there,” Jason pitches in.

“She’s not as cute when she’s living with you,” Jensen mutters, taking a drink with a half scowl.

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