Page 61 of Forbidden Bond

When his weight leans away, I push back against him to feel more. He says my name before turning me around. My eyes meet soft brown ones. His knees straddle my hips while his fingertips smooth along the sides of my breasts. Something hot and wet pools between my legs. Like he can tell, Topher smirks. His hand trails down to my panties and he shifts the fabric to the side before thrusting one finger into my pussy. I gasp softly, shamelessly rocking against him.

My hand fists in his hair. I pull him down and kiss him hard, trying my hardest to imprint myself. Trying my hardest not to let go. Right before I wake up, he adds another finger and I climax, my mouth opening in a scream.

Reality pours over me like a bucket of ice. I teeter on the edge of waking, keeping my eyes shut. I can’t believe that just happened. If Topher ever found out, he’d never let me live it down. Not that I’d ever tell him. His finding out that I’m having sex dreams about him will push us into a realm we’re both trying our hardest to avoid.

Things are already complicated enough.

* * *

My sister opens her front door, ushering me into her house with a grin.

“You’re in a good mood,” I note, taking a seat on the couch.

“Things are finally picking up. We got a collaboration deal with a designer in Paris. Mom and I will probably have to leave for a while, but it’s such a good opportunity.” She beams.

My chest feels hollow at that. If she and Mom leave the country, Dad will have no one to focus on but me. It honestly sounds like my worst nightmare.

“That’s amazing, Tess,” I tell her. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Katie.”

She talks for a little while about the designs she has in mind and the management of the business while they’re gone, but I’m only half-listening. My thoughts have strayed to Topher. Tessa notices.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” I tell her.

Her eyes narrow. “You haven’t contacted him again, have you?”

I look away. I hate that I have to lie to her, but Tessa hasn’t made a secret of how much she despises the D’Angelo family. She’s solidly behind Dad when it comes to matters concerning them. Which is why it hurts so much. Going against Dad is one thing, but my sister’s the most important person to me. And I’m terrified that I might lose her trust.

“No, I haven’t.”

“You sure? Tell me the truth, Katherine. Because if you’re still somehow involved with any of them, I need to know.” She pauses. “Are they blackmailing you?”

“What? No.”

“I just don’t get why you started working for him, knowing who he is. Dad is still upset with you and Mom’s worried every day that they’ll somehow get to you and hurt you. It was dumb, Katie. Very dumb.”

I know she means well, but her words sting.

“I’m sorry I’m not more like you,” I mutter.

Tessa rears back, her blue eyes wide. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?” I shrug. “If only I was more like you. The perfect daughter. The one that does every single fucking thing they want. Even at the expense of her own happiness.”

As soon as I say the words, I want to take them back. Tessa doesn’t deserve me lashing out. The way her expression crumples feels like a punch to my gut.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

“No, it’s fine,” she says sadly. “It’s not like you’re wrong.”

“What’s going on with you, Tess? You can tell me,” I say softly.

There are tears in her eyes as she looks up at me. It’s weird seeing that because my sister never cries. She never breaks—even during the worst moment of our lives. Even when it seemed like it was all over, Tessa was a boulder. She made sure to be strong for both of us. Which is why I hate disappointing her. The least I could do is try to survive on my own.

“I’m getting a divorce,” she says flatly.

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