Page 27 of Falling for the Forbidden
“You’re more than welcome. Where does your dad think you’re spending the weekend?” he asks as he brings over a plate piled high with food.
“At Mum’s.”
“I thought he said he’d ring to check?”
“He probably will. But Mum’s on our side.”
Pausing halfway through assembling his burger, he looks up at me, confusion filling his eyes. “You…told her? About us?”
“I did.”
“What did she say?”
“That if I think you’re important enough to risk it, she’ll support my decision.”
“Wow, that’s…” He trails off, deep in thought, and I can only imagine he’s wondering want Jenny would make of all of this.
“She’s pretty incredible.”
“She sounds it. It’s a shame everyone doesn’t think like her.”
“Everything’s going to be okay,” I say when a sad expression falls over his face.
He opens his mouth to respond but must think better of it. “Let’s forget about all of that for now and just enjoy our weekend.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan.”
Silence surrounds us as we eat, my concerns after that brief conversation at the forefront of my mind.
* * *
The night goesby all too quickly and, before I know it, we’re sitting in the dark under the twinkling lights Ben strung up in the trees. Most of the candles have long burnt out and we’ve drunk our way through the mojito jug. I’m feeling suitably full from all of Ben’s incredible cooking and buzzed from the slightly too strong cocktail.
“You’re freezing. Shall we go in?” We’ve been cuddled up on the swing, under the blanket for ages, chatting away and just enjoying each other’s company. Nerves and excitement for what’s to come hit me all at once. “We don’t have to do anything if you’re not ready. As long as you’re beside me, that’s all I need.”
Cupping his stubble-covered cheeks, I pull his lips to mine. “Liar,” I say with a laugh. I go to kiss him to show him I want to give him everything, but he places his hands on my shoulders, stopping me.
“I’m deadly serious, Lauren. If you’re not ready—”
“Shut up.” Throwing my leg over his lap, I get settled and resume my earlier kiss. I’ve no intention of this night ending here. I’ve held on to my V card until I found the right guy, and I’m so bloody glad I did because I can’t imagine anything more perfect than this.
“Go and get yourself comfortable upstairs. I’ll be right up,” he says between kisses to my neck.
I’m hesitant to move, too content to be sitting across his lap with his hands on me. When he realises I’m not going anywhere, he lifts me and places me on my feet. His biceps bulge as he takes my weight and the sight only increases my need to have his naked, hot, smooth skin pressed up against mine.
“Go,” he says again with a tap to my arse.
Walking across the deck, I try to put as much sass into it as possible. I know his eyes are on me. I can feel them.
When I get to the sliding doors, I look back over my shoulder. Exactly as I expect, his eyes are focused on my arse. Realising I’ve stopped, he lifts his gaze and finds mine. The promise within his dark eyes has tingles racing through me.
I eventually manage to tear myself away from him and head towards my bedroom. Now that I’m moving, it hits me just how tipsy I actually am. My head spins as I wobble my way up the stairs. I’m too consumed with how Ben makes me feel when he’s around to put much thought into the effects of the alcohol.
I’ve no idea how long I’ve got, so I quickly make use of the bathroom and brush my teeth. I feel like a different person when I look at myself in the mirror. My eyes are bright and sparkling and my skin has a glow I don’t think I’ve ever seen on myself before.
Hearing a bang from downstairs brings me back to the here and now, and my heart thunders in my chest. This small amount of distance between us has allowed my nerves to creep in. They’re easy to forget when Ben’s got his hands on me. My body takes over and tells me exactly what I need.Allowing me this alone time was dangerous,I laugh to myself as I try to force my anxiety down.
I’m running a brush through my hair when I hear his footsteps pounding up the stairs. My body temperature spikes, my heart races, and my hands begin to tremble. But the second the door opens and my eyes find his, all of that vanishes.
