Page 87 of Forbidden Bond

He doesn’t even hesitate. He rushes forward and pulls me into his arms. I press my face into his chest, my entire body shaking. He feels so right, so warm, so comforting, that the back of my eyes burn.

“Fuck, princess,” he whispers, holding me like I’m the only precious thing in the world.

I lean away to look him in the eyes, seeing how much he cares. How vulnerable his expression is.

“I know. I missed you like hell, too.”

One of his hands grips my neck possessively while the other coasts across my lips. My breath hitches. He pulls me in and kisses me deeply. I sigh into his mouth, heat washing down to my toes. My hands curl around his neck and Topher groans in satisfaction, kissing me so hard it steals every single breath away. When we finally let go, there’s enough heat searing in his gaze that it causes my insides to melt.

He doesn’t let go of my hand as I follow him inside. I tell him about getting a ticket to come home a few days ago because I missed him so much. Topher smiles before heading into his room. When he returns, he’s holding two first-class tickets for a plane to France tomorrow.

“I guess I beat you to the punch.” I grin.

He smiles, kissing my forehead once.

“Who’s the second ticket for?” I question.

“My mom. She’s been riding up my ass for weeks wanting to meet you. When I told her I was going, she insisted on coming along.”

I smile. “I want to meet her, too. We can go tomorrow.”

“Yeah, alright,” Topher agrees.

He sits down on the couch, pulling me into his lap. The sight of him fills me with a heavy longing that spreads through my veins. I run my hand through his dark hair and across his face, scared that if I blink, he’ll disappear.

“You need a haircut,” I murmur.

“You can cut it for me,” he returns, his hand tightening around my waist. “I don’t think I need to tell you that I’m not letting you out of my sight for the foreseeable future, right?”

I laugh. “That seems a little dramatic.”

“Tell me about Paris,” he urges.

So I do. Jameson came to join us, as well—he and my sister finally got together. She finally admitted her husband had left her for his secretary but she was too embarrassed to tell us. She kept making excuses as to why he was never around but she finally came clean and now is with her true love. That was the best part about being there. Seeing the two of them happy after such a long time. My parents were pretty shocked but ultimately they let it slide, choosing to focus their energy on me.

“There was a lot of fighting,” I tell Topher. “A lot of arguing. Mom actually tried to talk me into getting an abortion.”

Topher stiffens at that and I quickly reassure him.

“Don’t worry, I shot down her suggestion immediately. Nobody’s harming our baby,” I say protectively. I’ve spent the past month coming to terms with the fact that I’m about to become a mother. And falling in love every day with the baby growing inside of me. “Anyway, I finally appeased my dad by telling him I’d get a job at the Met.”

Topher arches an eyebrow. “You don’t have to work. And you certainly don’t have to take a job you don’t want.”

“I do want it, actually,” I tell him, smiling. “Working with archaeological artifacts has always been my dream. I always knew I’d end up in a museum. I guess I just wanted to be sure it was what I really wanted. And what do you mean, I don’t have to work?”

“I’d take care of you,” he says seriously. “I have lots and lots of money.”

“That belongs to your brother,” I point out. “And your family.”

He grins. “I make a decent amount from the repair shop too, princess.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever. You’re not making me into some sort of housewife. I’m going to work.”

“Fine. You can work.”

“I’m so glad I have your permission,” I scoff.

Topher chuckles, pulling me closer. “God, I missed you so much.”

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