Page 38 of Forbidden Bond

I’m not sure how I know that’s a lie. But in the brief time I’ve known him, I’ve become more attuned to Topher D’Angelo than I realized. Maybe he did do that, but I would bet a thousand bucks that’s not the worst thing he has ever done. I don’t ask, though, because neither of us has forced the other to answer questions they haven’t wanted to all night. I sigh softly and take a drink. Which is when he decides to ask me the next question.

“Why don’t you like taking elevators?”

And just like that, all the air is sucked out of my lungs.

“What?” I whisper.

CHAPTER 12

Topher

This was my best attempt at a “I scratch your back, you’ll scratch mine” situation, but as soon as I see the look in her eyes, I know without a doubt that Katie’s not going to tell me anything. And I have enough sense not to push her. A part of me was hoping telling her about my dad would convince her to talk to me, but it’ll clearly take more than that.

“I’ll change the question,” I tell her, giving her an out. “Have you ever been in love?”

She shakes her head. When she speaks, her voice is soft and light. “Apart from my family and Jameson, no. I don’t think I’ve ever loved anybody.”

The more I get to know Katie, the more I realize just how similar we are.

“Your turn to drink, Topher.”

I do. The game takes off from there. We stay away from the heavy questions, asking each other light ones instead, like our favorite color, genre of music, things we like to do. It’s the most fun I’ve had with any woman in a platonic sense in forever. Time goes by fast.

Katherine tries to get up to get some water from the kitchen but then she’s stumbling and falling into my lap. I hold her in place. “Easy, princess,” I chuckle.

“Topher,” she says on a giggle, “I think I’m drunk.”

“I think so too, sweetheart.”

She shifts in my lap, getting comfortable. My breath hitches when her ass bounces against my dick. My jaw grinds as I try to concentrate on not getting hard. But that feels impossible. She’s right there in front of me; her scent is in my nostrils, battling against my self-control.

“I’m going to go get you water, Katherine,” I tell her, trying to guide her onto the couch.

She keeps me in place, wrapping her arms around my neck. Now we’re face to face and I can’t help but stare into those mesmerizing blue eyes. Then her gaze flickers to my lips and I know I’m in trouble.

“We’re friends, right?” she asks, softly.

“On most days, yeah,” I answer gruffly.

She runs her fingertips across the back of my neck. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Go on.”

“I hate being your friend,” she whispers in my ear. “I think it’s the worst thing ever.”

That’s the last thing she says before she passes out in my arms. I sigh, lifting her up in my arms and carrying her into my room. I place her on my bed, watching her silently for a few seconds.

“I hate being your friend too, princess,” I say softly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

The gentlemanly thing to do would be to step outside and sleep on the couch. But I don’t think anyone’s ever thought of me as a gentleman. So I strip out of my jeans and shirt before climbing into the opposite side of the bed. I don’t expect to fall asleep easily considering how hyperaware I am of Katie’s closeness. But that’s exactly what lulls me into unconsciousness—the sound of her even breaths and her warmth.

* * *

“Holy crap!”

The words are enough to jolt me out of sleep, and my eyes crack open to sunlight flooding my bedroom. Then they move over to the woman beside me on the bed. Katherine’s eyes are wide as she stares at me.

“Did you? Did we?” she questions, her eyes filled with accusation.

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