Page 74 of Forbidden Bond

“It’s fine. Let’s just try to be more responsible, okay?”

I nod. “You’re on the pill right?”

“Yeah.”

Something flickers in her eyes at that question, though it’s too fast for me to discern it. She kisses me and her lips are so soft, I part them with my own, slipping my tongue inside. The kiss goes straight to my chest, an arrow piercing my heart.

* * *

Katherine decides to end our self-imposed quarantine two days later. She forces me to go to the auto repair shop, claiming I shouldn’t neglect my duties as the boss. I know she’s right, but my heart feels a little heavy as I drop her off in front of Jameson’s building.

“Go,” she says on a laugh. “I’ll see you later.”

“You could come to work with me?” I suggest, but she shakes her head.

“No. I would only distract you. Plus, I don’t work there anymore—and with good reason. I’m already worried enough that someone will see us together and it’ll get back to my dad.”

I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, but I feel a flash of irritation. She wouldn’t let me take her out anywhere yesterday because we couldn’t be seen in public together. I get it; the last time we went out, we were photographed and placed in a magazine. But I also want to be able to take my girl on dates to restaurants and kiss her in broad daylight without feeling like a fucking criminal.

“I’ll tell him eventually,” Katherine says softly, like she can read my thoughts. “But your friend Stacey’s still missing. And I don’t want us to make any waves while they’re searching for her.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I mutter, feeling like a shitty person.

She’s the one that’ll be put in an impossible situation. I keep holding onto hope that her dad won’t overreact, but I’ve met her father. He’s not someone to be trifled with. Katherine kisses me once before stepping out of the car. I wait until she’s inside the building before driving to the repair shop.

Ellis and Cara are already there. So is Rachel. She’s only seventeen and working here part-time. Which is why I was pretty amused when Katherine got jealous I had hired her replacement.

“Would you look at that. The boss has arrived,” Cara says, walking forward and giving me a mock bow.

“I missed you too, Car,” I say dryly, looking around the shop. “How’s it going?”

“Oh, you know, the usual. Your hardworking employees slaving away while you go on a random vacation. Who’s the chick?”

I arch an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“When guys just drop off the grid like you did, it usually means they’re getting pussy. Who is it?”

I make a face at her. “Cara, please. There are minors in here.”

Rachel laughs, clearly amused by what’s playing out in front of her. “That’s okay. I’ve heard worse.”

“Yeah, she’s heard worse. Now tell me who it is,” Cara says insistently.

I sigh. “There’s no girl. And even if there was, it’s none of your business, Cara.”

Her green eyes gleam. “You’re lying. If you’re going to such lengths to hide it, then it probably means this relationship is serious. Which is crazy because I’ve known you for years and you’ve never been in a serious relationship.”

I give her a droll look. “Can you do me a solid and find someone with at least half the skills that you have, train them for a few weeks then quit? Cause I can use a less annoying person around me at work,” I joke.

She offers me a mischievous smile. “Please. This place wouldn’t last a day without me. But back to my question. I’d just like to know if there was anyone making you happy.”

That’s kind of sweet. I’ll tell her about myself and Katherine eventually. But she’s right, until we’re sure about her family’s reaction, it would be better to keep our relationship a secret from everyone else.

* * *

Katherine and I are lying in bed facing each other that night and she’s trailing her hand down my bare chest when her eyes narrow.

“I just realized something,” she starts.

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