Page 47 of Twice as Forbidden

Still shaking, I climb into bed, curling into myself beneath the blankets. My arms wrap tightly around my chest as I force myself to breathe—in, out, in, out—counting each breath until my lungs start to slow. It takes a while for the tension to fade. Once it does, exhaustion wins, and sleep pulls me under.

Chapter twenty

Georgia

Igroan,grapplingformyphone to shut off the stupid alarm. Rolling over, I slap at the other side of the bed. “Noah,” I say, wincing at how sore I am. He doesn’t respond, forcing me to open an eye, ready to shake him. “Noah…”

But he’s not here. Shifting to my back, I blink at the ceiling as everything that happened last night begins to register.

The only thing I regret is you.

Prude ass bitch.

I should have never let him back in. I know the kind of person he is—it’s why I ended our relationship in the first place. I also know his other side, the manipulative side that made me forget how much of a raging asshole he is.

Then the confrontation with his friend comes rushing back, and chills skate down my spine. I push myself upright, wincing at the dull ache spreading through my body. Slowly, I lift my shirt, my breath catching at the deep, angry marks where his fingers dug into me. Shades of purple and blue stain my ribs. Fingerprints ghost along my side in a cruel reminder of how hard he held me. I swallow hard, tracing one of the bruises with trembling fingers. The soreness lingers, but it’s nothing compared to the unease curling in my stomach.

I should have woken Jackson up. Vince crossed the line. Noah’s words held a bite, but his friend’s dripped with venom. Behind his goofy smile was something dark.

A knock at my door startles me, and I drop my shirt. The doorknob twists, but I locked it last night. The knock sounds again. “Georgia?”

Jackson.

I climb out of bed and open the door. “Hey.”

“Morning. Why’s your door locked?”

Tell him. He needs to know.“I… didn’t realize I locked it.” He stares into my eyes, and I worry he can sense I’m lying. “Why are you up so early?”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about doing this.” He steps into my room and captures the back of my neck before claiming my mouth. The thoughts of Noah and his scummy friend vanish as I focus on how wonderful Jackson’s lips feel against mine. “Fuck, you’re perfect,” he murmurs, sucking in my bottom lip. His hand wraps around me, putting pressure on my hips, and I wince. He pulls back. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“No,” I shake my head. “I just wasn’t looking where I was going and tripped, bumped into the bed frame.”

His smile returns, and he dips, reclaiming my lips. “You need to be more careful. Maybe you should start sleeping in my bed so I can take care of you.” I sigh against his mouth. His lips part, and I taste the mint on his tongue.

“We would have a lot of explaining to do if that happened,” I say, then open wider as he increases the pressure of our kiss.

“I’m mentoring you. It’s a full-time job.” He smiles against my lips. The sound of Noah’s shower turning on interrupts our moment, and Jackson groans, pulling away. “To be continued.” He steps back, his gaze filled with desire. What I wouldn’t do to invite him into my shower and enjoy a quick morning fuck.

“’Til next time, Mr. Blake,” I tease, pushing him out of my room before I change my mind and drag him into my bathroom. He chuckles and makes his exit. When I shut my door, I press my back against the wood, letting out a sigh. “Fuck me…” How did I get so lucky to find someone like him? Amazing. Too hot for his own good.Mine.

I push off the door and get ready for work. As I make my way down to the kitchen, the dread of seeing Noah settles heavily in my chest. A part of me doubts he even remembers. I’ve been there plenty of times, on the other end of his apologies for shit he doesn’t remember.

“Morning,” I say cautiously.

“Georgia,” Jackson purrs. I cross my arms over my chest, hiding the sudden pebbling of my nipples.

When I glance over at the island, I spot Noah slung over, eating a bowl of cereal. He doesn’t bother addressing me. Asshole. I hope he pissed himself last night—another downfall of sleeping with him when he gets plastered.

“Mr. Blake, I was wondering if I could catch a ride with you today.” That gets Noah’s attention. His bloodshot eyes find mine, and his lips thin into a displeased frown.

Jackson takes a sip of his coffee, masking the humor on his face. “I don’t see why not.”

“What the fuck’s your problem?” Noah bites out.

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