Page 48 of Falling for the Forbidden
“Just one more thing.” Crawling over to me, Ben cups the back of my head and gently lowers me down. His lips tickle against mine and I just about manage to hold back a sob.
His kiss is so gentle and so full of emotion. My heart pounds like it’s going to explode out of my chest. For some reason, this kiss feels final, like it could be a goodbye, and it has a lump forming in my throat at just the thought of this being the end for us.
Turning my head from his lips, my first tear falls.
“Lauren,” he whispers, running his nose across my cheek until his lips are at my ears. “I love you, too.”
The sob I was holding in erupts. I want to scream. I want to shout about the unfairness of all this, but I know it won’t help. Even if Dad were to hear it, it wouldn’t make one ounce of difference.
Silence hangs heavy between us during the drive home. Our phones continue to vibrate from where we stashed them in the glove box yesterday and it’s just another reminder of what’s waiting for us.
I’m surprised when Ben pulls into the driveway to find only my car parked in front of the house. I expected the most depressing welcome home party ever.
Reaching over, Ben pulls both phones from their hiding place and hands mine over before unlocking his and reading through messages. I don’t bother looking. I’ve got plenty of time for that later.
“Come on. I really need to get out of these clothes.”
I can only agree—we’re both still wearing the outfits we chose for our meal last night.
No one’s home and the house seems creepier than ever as we walk through it. I feel like I’m being watched, but as I look over my shoulder, it’s only Ben who follows me up the stairs.
Every time I hear a noise, my heart jumps in my throat, thinking he’s going to come barrelling through the door. But he never does. When a key does slide in the lock while we’re on the sofa trying to watch TV, it’s Jenny who appears in the doorway, looking her usual self. She’s does a double take when she sees Ben’s black eye and cut lip, but she doesn’t ask. I know for a fact it’s not the first time he’s come home after fighting. After asking us if we’re okay, she turns to leave.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask before she disappears.
“A golf weekend with a client, sweetheart. He won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Ben’s eyes burn into the back of my head, and when I turn around, he mouths,Golf weekend?
Shaking my head, I stand. I need to do something or I’m going to go stir-crazy waiting for him to appear.
“What are you doing?” Ben asks in a panic when I go to leave the room.
“Going for a walk.”
“Wait. I’ll come.”
“No.” He looks totally taken aback by my refusal, but I just need a few minutes to myself. “I just need—”
“It’s okay. I get it. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Promise?”
“Of course.”
Sliding on a pair of trainers, I leave the house and head off down the street. I’ve no route in mind. All I know is that I need to move. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I look down at all the notifications. To my surprise, almost all of them are from Mum. Ignoring the missed calls and voicemails, I open my messages.
Mum:Your dad just called. Are you okay?
Mum:Honey, please just let me know you’re safe.
Mum:Lauren. I’m worried. Ring me back.
There’s a whole stream of messages from her, and I feel awful that she’s been dragged into this, and even worse that I’ve given her a reason to worry.
“Lauren, are you okay?” she asks in a rush the second she answers the phone.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m so sorry. We left our phones in the car. If I knew he’d called you I never would have—”
