Page 44 of Twice as Forbidden

I hang up and lean back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my jaw.There has to be something I’m missing.Some detail, some overlooked connection that would tie this whole damn mess together. I just wish I knew what it was.

Frustration gnaws at me, but I shove it down and bury myself in work, running through reports, cross-checking system logs, and scanning emails for anything that might set off alarm bells.

The chime of my calendar pulls me from my thoughts.Lunch appointment.

I glance at the time. Georgia is set to return in fifteen minutes. Ignoring the reminder, I dive back into work, firing off emails and following up with vendors. By the time I look at the clock again, almost an hour has passed.

And Georgia isn’t here.

I buzz my assistant.

“Yes, Mr. Blake?”

“Was my lunch meeting canceled?”

“Yes, sir.” That little brat.

“Thanks.” She’s pissed. She should be. But she doesn’t understand the weight I carry. She can’t. She’s too young to understand the stress of running a company and juggling a kid. I rest back in my chair and scrub my hands down my face. Fuck, she’s less than half my age.She’s the same age as your son.What the hell am I doing? Pussy isn’t worth everything at risk if we get caught. What would the public, my clients, do if they got wind that I was in bed with a nineteen-year-old college student? My son’s ex. Every answer screams break it off.

Maybe this is my chance. A sign from the universe telling me to walk away before I ruin three people’s lives. But the thought of never touching her again, tasting her again, having her close to me… my chest tightens. I wish I could blame it on heartburn or old age, but I know exactly what it is: I need her as much as I need my next fucking breath.

She’s not mine. When the summer ends, she’ll leave. We have an agreement, and I intend to stick to it. It’ll be an adjustment. I’ve grown accustomed to her presence. The way she makes me feel young. Alive. In control and completely out of control at the same time. And before I know it, I’ll be alone and back to my old ways. The club. A place I haven’t thought about since Georgia fell into my lap. And my cock.

Fuck, I swipe my hands back down my face, imagining her lips around me. Her cheeky smile. How innocent she looks—a stark contrast to the dirty little girl she is. I grab my cell and shoot off a text.

Me: I’m an asshole. Forgive me.

I watch three dots appear and then disappear.

A strange feeling settles in my chest. Worry. Remorse. I should’ve never spoken to her the way I did. Called her a child. She’s held herself like a more mature adult than half the women I’ve dated. I’m a real fucking asshole.

Me: Let’s talk when we get home. Missed you today, Peach.

The text won’t fix anything, and I sound like a fucking pussy, but there’s also nothing I can do about it right now. My focus needs to be on work and saving this client.

Chapter nineteen

Georgia

“You’vebeenquiettoday.”

I glance over at Noah as we drive home from work. “Just tired. You snore.”

“Do not.” He nudges my shoulder. “You wanna talk about it?”

Sure, let me start by saying your dad is spectacular in bed, but his bedside manner sucks since he called me a child and yelled at me like one.

“Not really, but thanks. Just gonna go to bed early tonight.”

He nods, not believing me, but thankfully, he doesn’t push. We get home, and I head up to my room and take a long shower. There’s a knock on my door, and Noah peeks his head in. “Hey, I’m going to grab drinks with the guys. Wanna join?”

“I’m good, but thanks.”

“Sure thing. I’ll catch ya later.” He shuts my door, and minutes later, his car roars to life. I slip into a comfy pair of pajamas and nestle in my bed. My phone vibrates against the nightstand, and I ignore it, dreading another text from Jackson. I’ve always been strong-willed. Bullheaded, as my dad would have said. It takes a lot to hurt me. And his words today had left a mark. I’m a child to him.Hello!! He’s nearly twice your age!Ugh! I’m so mad at him. But I’m even more mad at myself. I let my guard down and let him in. I’ve been denying it, but somewhere along the way, I fell for him. It’s not just about sex for me, and it hasn’t been for a while.

His last text hit me in a way I didn’t see coming.He missed me?

Someone who only cares about the physical wouldn’t say that… right? Or am I just fooling myself?

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