Page 63 of My Forbidden Billionaire

I steal a glance at Jacob and catch him looking at me, his hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. I can feel a blush creeping up my neck and I quickly turn my attention back towards the stage.

There’s a boy wearing a kilt playing bagpipes, and for a brief moment, the entire auditorium is filled with the sound of Scotland. It’s a beautiful and haunting melody that transports us all to another time and place.

As the bagpipes fade into the background, I feel Jacob’s hand move closer to mine on the armrest. The electricity between us intensifies, and in the safety of the dark auditorium, the temptation to grab it overcomes me.

I intertwine my fingers with his and squeeze lightly. He looks at me, his eyes full of surprise and delight. He responds with a gentle squeeze of his own and I feel my heart swell with joy.

The talent show continues, but all I can focus on is the warmth of Jacob’s hand in mine. His touch is like a balm to my soul. I never want to let go.

But as the auditorium lights come back on, the reality of our situation comes crashing down on me, as we’re forced to release our hands.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the fifteen-minute intermission,” a voice on the loudspeaker announces.

“Shall we go find Clem?” Jacob asks as we stand up and join the rest of the parents filing out of the auditorium.

“Oh, Ms. Abadie requires all the children to stay in the back until after the show,” I explain.

“Of course she does,” he says with a chuckle.

It’s a sound that makes me want to throw caution to the wind and take advantage of the intermission to steal a few more moments with him.

“But we can go grab a coffee or something, if you’d like?” I suggest, surprising myself with my own boldness.

Jacob looks at me with a smirk, “I thought you said breaking school rules wasn’t an option.”

I bite my lip, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension stir within me. “A quick coffee break couldn’t hurt.” I shrug, my cheeks heating up under his gaze.

Jacob’s face lights up. “I’d love that.”

“Actually, come to think of it, you have to try the hot chocolate here.” I grin.

“Wait, are you asking me to accompany you to hot cocoa?” Jacob wiggles his eyebrows.

“This really has come full circle, hasn’t it.” I laugh.

“Lead the way, Miss Andrews,” Jacob says, gesturing to me to go first as we make our way out of the auditorium.

We make our way to the hot chocolate vending machine near the teacher’s lounge on the other side of the building, chatting idly about Clem’s performance and the school’s talent show. The air between us is thick with unspoken desire, but we both know that we can’t act on it.

Not here, at least.

As we reach the vending machine, we both simultaneously go for the same cup. Our hands brush against each other and the familiar electric shock from earlier returns. We’re standing so closely, I can feel the heat radiating from his body. It’s taking all my willpower not to kiss him right here in the school hallway.

I take the cup he offers me and watch as the machine pours the hot cocoa into it. The rich, chocolaty aroma fills the air and my mouth waters in anticipation. But as soon as my cup is full I turn around and hand it to him. “Here, try this.”

He gently grabs the steaming cup of hot cocoa, his gaze intense on mine before he takes a sip. I watch in silence, the tension between us building. His eyes never leave mine as his lips linger on the edge of the cup. I feel something stir within me, something raw and primal.

I need him like I need air in my lungs, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to resist him. But I have to, for Clem’s sake, for my job’s sake. At least until I can figure out a solution…

Jacob savors the sip, nodding in approval. “Wow, this is ... this is unreal. It’s really good.”

“I told you,” I reply, with a smile. “Apparently it’s made with chocolate from Switzerland...”

“I’m glad to know my tuition dollars are going towards something worthwhile,” he jokes.

He makes a cup and we find a small table in the teacher’s lounge to sit down and enjoy our hot cocoa. The silence between us is both comfortable and unbearable, the tension palpable. I clear my throat and break the silence. “So, how have you been?” I ask, hoping to ease the tension.

“Do you want my honest answer or the polite one?” Jacob smirks, raising an eyebrow.

---