Page 16 of Forbidden You

“Neither did I,” I mutter.

Kayla rolls her eyes, folding her arms in front of her chest. “Look, I’m grateful for the opportunity, but if you’re going to be a dick to me, I’m just going to find another job, Bodi,” she sasses. “I’m sure there are a few more publishers in this town who are willing to take a chance on me. Or maybe I’ll just work in a bookstore or something.”

“No,” I bark, way quicker than I would’ve liked. “I told Rae you can work here, so you can work here. You can help me with the foundation for now. We have a charity ball coming up.”

“Charity ball?” Her brows knit together.

“Mr. McKay is organizing a fundraiser for the Ava McKay Foundation. He doesn’t just spend all his money on shoes.” A proud look travels on Agnes’s face, warming my chest. It reminds me of how my mother used to look at me when I was little.

Kayla turns her head back to me, playfully shoving my belly like we’re friends.

We are notfriends. The fact that my dick is saluting her inside my pants proves as much.

“You have your own charity?”

“I do. It’s named after my mother.” The death of my mother is a glum memory, but I take comfort out of the foundation that my dad and I created in her honor. We couldn’t help my mother with her drug addiction, but at least we can help others.

Her face turns serious, giving me a tentative look. “Yeah, Rae told me about her. I’m sure she would be proud of you.”

“Thank you.” I don’t know why, but her compliment feels good. “I like to help wherever I can.”

“I didn’t know you were such a do-gooder?”

“I’m really not.” I dip my chin, my eyes narrowing as they tangle with hers.

She bites her lip, and the tension rises. Heated, like we’d be able to make popcorn from the air between us. I know she senses it too, her cheeks slowly growing more flush as the seconds pass. Red flags pop into my head, but I have a hard time ignoring them.

Fucking get it together, mate.

Act professional.

Fuck, if this is how it’s going to go while she’s working for me, this is going to be a pain.

Kayla startles when Agnes eventually clears her throat, and I slowly twist my head to the scowling gray-haired woman.

“Is Kayla going to be sleeping in your office?” She glances at the suitcase.

No, but I don’t mind spreading her out on my desk?

Fuck. Shut up.

I empty my lungs like a deflating balloon. “Right. Where are you staying?”

Kayla looks at me with big eyes, offering me an innocent smile that I’m not buying.

Oh, shit, here comes trouble.

She’s cute, but this little sassball does not get away with sweet glances and fluttery eyes. I’ve already witnessed the mouth she has on her, and there is nothing sweet about it.

“I don’t know?”

My face falls when I realize what she’s saying and my eyes snap shut as I let my head hang. “You don’t have a hotel?”

“I kinda hoped I could stay with you until... well, you know, you pay me money, and I can afford to find my own place?” Her blue eyes widen some more as she stares at me expectantly.

“Kayla.” My tone is growling and reprimanding, not even slightly aligning with the thoughts running through my head. Having this girl in my personal space is not a good idea. When I stayed with Rae’s family last summer, it was only a weekend and I had a hard time keeping my hands to myself. Translation; I didn’t.

The only reason I went there was because I knew I wasn’t going to see her much after that. It was safe. She wanted some fun. I wanted some fun. But then Thanksgiving came around, and the hard muscle between my legs was more than eager to have some morefun. It was freaking torture.

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