Page 19 of Forbidden Bond

“I’m trying to be better, Mom.”

“There was nothing wrong with you before, my sweet boy.”

“That wasn’t really me, though.”

“And this isn’t you either. I don’t know what happened that caused you to change, but always remember that I love you. Okay? Per sempre.”

“I love you forever too, Mamma.”

She gives me a brief hug. “And I really wouldn’t mind it if you found a girlfriend. You need the love of a good woman, mia cara.”

“I doubt I’ll find that.”

Christian was right when he guessed that my plans for my birthday included a night of clubbing.

“Happy birthday!” several people yell as I walk in.

There are about twenty people in the VIP section of the club when I arrive. Confetti falls onto me, sparkling beneath the dim lighting and tickling my bare skin as it brushes my shoulder. Cara runs up on stilettos and wraps me in a hug.

“Happy birthday, boss. You like?”

I barely know most of these people, but it’s the thought that counts. She and I have grown more friendly over the course of the past two months. Mostly because I spent all my time working and she’s always there. She’s a good friend, and it was sweet of her to throw this party for me.

“It’s great. Thanks, Cara,” I tell her on a laugh.

I maneuver my way through the people in the room, hugging them and thanking them for the birthday wishes. Soon enough, the focus is off me as more alcohol is brought in and everyone starts dancing and having fun. The party spills onto the main floor of the club, and soon enough, I’m lost at the bottom of endless shot glasses and a heady uninhibited rush in my blood.

Bodies all around me move together, hips rolling, lips touching. I’m currently being rocked by a hot redhead. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying myself. Running my hands over her neck, I’m about to kiss her when my eyes latch onto something in the corner of the club. Or someone.

Blue eyes. Comets.

My breathing slows and so do my movements. I haven’t seen Katherine Malone since she told me to stay away from her. She’s noticed me, too. She’s standing impossibly still, holding my gaze. Even among hundreds of people, she’s all I can concentrate on. The way she glows under the dim lights in the club. The sexy white dress she has on that hugs every curve on her body. She’s even more beautiful than I remember.

We continue staring at each other until the spell is broken. A guy approaches her and hands her a drink. Katherine’s eyes meet mine once again for a fraction of a second before she throws her head back and downs the shot.

She starts to dance and the guy beside her seems really into it. He seems oddly familiar but I can’t even begin to try to place where I know him from. I hate the fact that Katherine’s ignoring me and I hate the way her body’s moving to the music. She’s letting that guy touch her. At first glance, it seems platonic, but when his hand drifts down to the curve of her ass, I snap, pushing forward through the crowd. As soon as I reach them, I grab his hand and shove him off her.

“What the hell!” Katherine yells.

“You should be careful who you dance with at clubs, princess,” I say, my eyes not leaving the other guy’s green ones.

He seems mildly amused. He crosses his arms over his chest, looking from me to Katherine. The music in changes to something slower and quieter, allowing us to hear each other.

“I was wondering when you’d show up again,” the guy says, stretching his hand for a shake. “Hi, I’m Jameson Clyde.”

Clyde? Ah, now I remember where I know him from.

“He’s my best friend,” Katherine says from beside me. “And you’re way out of line, Topher.”

A muscle ticks in her jaw as she stares up at me.

“You’ve been drinking,” I point out. “I was just making sure you were okay.”

“I had one drink. But it doesn’t matter because that’s none of your business! And I don’t need you to make sure I’m okay. We don’t know each other.”

“He had his hands all over you,” I say, staring straight into her eyes. Best friends? The thought almost makes me scoff. They might need to reassess their relationship.

“Jamie gets handsy when he’s drunk,” she states.

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