Page 55 of Forbidden Bond

“He’s probably in a VIP room in the back. Come on,” he says, leading me through the people.

At least he hasn’t ditched me yet. Someone taps his shoulder, gesturing for him to come over. Jameson tightens his jaw before refusing with a slight shake of his head. Pride rolls through me at that. Maybe he’s finally changing.

We reach a part of the club that’s quieter and I can finally hear myself think. Jameson stops a waiter, asking where Topher is, and we’re led to a set of double doors. I silently hope he’s not inside and we came here for nothing, but as soon as Jameson opens the door, my eyes meet his. My heart skips several beats. He’s looking at me too, but my heart feels lodged in my throat when he looks away like I’m not worth his time. That look alone is enough to make me want to bolt. But Jameson practically pushes me into the room.

There are a few more people in here, all in various states of inebriation. Topher doesn’t seem completely sober, either. There’s a woman beside him on the couch, scantily dressed in booty shorts and a shirt that barely covers her tits. I don’t know what she’s whispering in his ear, but the sight of her hands on his chest causes something icy to slide up my veins. I move until I’m standing in front of them. It takes me a second to realize Jameson’s not standing beside me anymore. I turn to find him in the corner of the room, having a conversation with another guy. He gives me a thumbs-up when he catches me staring.

I let out an uneasy breath.

“Topher, can I talk to you?” I question. He looks up at me, his expression blank and unassuming.

He doesn’t reply, instead choosing to lean toward the table to pour himself a glass.

“Topher!” I snap when he continues to ignore me.

The girl beside him gets to her feet. She’s much taller than me and her posture is confrontational, but I don’t take a step back.

“You know, some of us girls have enough manners to know not to interrupt other people’s conversations.”

“Sorry, but are you done? I really need to talk to him,” I retort.

She gasps softly before looking down at Topher, who is still ignoring me.

“Are you going to let her speak to me like that?” the girl snaps.

Topher takes a sip of his drink. “I don’t control anything Katherine does, Colleen.”

She stamps her leg onto the floor before walking away.

“You realize this is the second time you’ve cockblocked me, right?”

I roll my eyes before occupying the space Colleen vacated beside him.

“You can do so much better,” I mutter.

“Really? And what’s better? You?” he questions with a cruel smirk.

“You’re drunk,” I say, choosing to ignore his question.

“Thank you for the astute observation,” he states dryly.

He leans back into the couch and some of his drink sloshes onto his chest. I grab the cup from his hand before he spills any more. Then he’s looking at me, really looking at me.

“What are you doing here, princess?”

Something warm flickers in my chest at the sound of the nickname. I hadn’t even realized how much I missed it.

“I came here for you.”

“If you want me to have sex with you again to piss off your dad, you’re out of luck. Getting used by women just doesn’t appeal to me anymore.”

I swallow softly. Okay, I deserved that. “I don’t want to have sex with you again.”

His eyebrows flick up. “Really?”

Before I can blink, his face is in front of mine and his hand is in my hair. My breath hitches at our proximity. Topher’s breath is warm against my face. His mouth is impossibly close to mine and I find myself leaning closer, wanting to close the gap.

“You’re a terrible liar,” he says softly before leaning away.

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