Page 42 of Falling for the Forbidden
I’m flustered but ready by five-to-seven. Grabbing my bag from the sideboard, I tuck my phone inside and go to leave the house.
“Lauren, you look beautiful. Hot date?” Jenny asks when I bump into her at the bottom of the stairs.
“J—just meeting a friend,” I stutter. She hasn’t said anything about us, but I’ve still got a nagging feeling that she knows what’s going on. Maybe she’s equally as scared of Dad’s reaction if—when—he finds out.
“That sounds like fun. I’m home alone tonight,” she says sadly. “Well, have a wonderful night.”
“You, too.” The second the words have passed my lips, I rush out of the house, not wanting to waste a second of my time with Ben.
I come to a stop at the end of the street when I hear the deep rumble of his engine pull up behind me.
“Hey, beautiful.” The smile he gives me takes my breath away, and I realise just how much I’ve missed him.
My arse has barely touched the leather when his fingers slide into my hair and he pulls me over to his lips.
“Fucking missed you, baby.” A deep ache forms in my lower stomach at his words.
“I thought maybe…”
“What?” he asks, staring deep into my eyes. I swear he can see every single one of my insecurities.
“That you’d changed your mind about us.” It comes out as a whisper because, when he’s looking at me the way he is right now, I know it’s not true. I can see everything he feels for me—it’s written all over his face. It’s equally as terrifying as it is relieving.
“Never,” he states. “You’re mine, Lauren. You’re not getting rid of me. No matter what happens, I’ll always come back for you.”
I didn’t realise I wasn’t breathing, but when he stops talking I release a long breath.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Sitting back, I get comfortable for the drive. Ben’s hand stays firmly attached to mine as we head towards our destination.
“So…where have you been?”
“Keeping my distance. But I’ve not been too far away.” Glancing over, he winks at me.
“What?”
“You’re a really heavy sleeper, aren’t you?”
“I guess. Are you telling me you’ve been with me and I didn’t know?”
“Might be,” he chuckles. “Did you also know that you talk in your sleep?”
“Yeah, Mum used to tell me that. Did I say anything interesting?” The muscles in his neck tighten and his teeth clench. “Ben, what did I say?”
“Everything I needed to hear to know all of this is worth the risk.”
“You’re most definitely worth the risk.” Lifting our joined hands, he presses a kiss to my knuckles.
“What is this place?” I ask as Ben pulls the car to a stop in front of an expensive-looking restaurant on the other side of the city.
“Somewhere I can treat you, knowing we’re safe from prying eyes.” My heart flips over at his thoughtfulness. After spending a weekend hidden inside the house and then the office, it’ll be nice to have a normal night out with him without having to look over our shoulders in case we see anyone we know. “It’s won a ton of awards for its food, so I thought it would be a good choice.”
“I’d eat anything as long as it means I get to spend a night with you,” I admit, but I instantly feel ridiculous at how cheesy it sounds.
