Page 16 of Forbidden Vows

Because the only thing I want more than not to be hurt again…

Is not to hurt him.

He talks a big sexy game, but I’m unsure if there are real feelings beneath his bravado. If there are, I don’t want things to progress; I don’t want to lead him on.

I move my hands to his shoulders, looking up at him with pleading eyes. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” I leave but I barely make it halfway down the hall when he grabs my hand, tugging me back toward his room, saying, “Stay.”

I made the mistake of locking gazes with him. The look he gives me almost makes me do as he asks. Almost. Instead, I tell him what I’ve already told him in the past, "You know I can’t do this taboo, forbidden—whatever this energy is between us.”

“Then why did you let me put my hand inside your panties?” His oozing voice liquid and sticky like honey.

I clear my throat and cross my arms over my chest, denying, “That was the wine.”

“One gulp?” One dark brow arches in disbelief.

“Yes. One gulp of wine. And I’m weak after a bad breakup.” I narrow my gaze. “Which you fully took advantage of!”

“Take advantage of you?” This seems to anger him. The seduction eases from his tone. He says, “I do everything I can to protect your ass. Which isn’t easy when you have zero street skills.”

“Protect me? You only went after Keith to get me over here. You set me up,” I murmur.

Dropping my hand, he raises both of his in surrender. Another gorgeous Amazon woman walks by, this one platinum blonde, taking a long, appreciative look at his half-naked physique.

He doesn’t even notice her.

Staring at me he begs, “I didn’t try to set you up, Cleopatra. I wouldn’t do that to you. I was trying to protect you from him.” Those big eyes flash back up to meet mine. “You know that, right?”

My heart pitters and patters in my chest. Finally, I’m able to choke out, “I have to go.”

“Where are you staying?” His face darkens. “And don’t lie to me. You are not going back to that asshole?—”

“I’m not,” I cut him off, lifting a hand. “I’m staying at my friend Seraphina’s.”

My protector forgets his mission at the mention of my striking friend. “The hot one?”

“You just had,”—the shameful words rush out—“you justhad your fingers inside me, and now you’re calling my best friend hot?”

“What?” he shrugs, pleading his innocence. “I’m just saying what everyone is thinking. It’s the same as saying the sky is blue. Or admiring a sculpture. Doesn’t mean I’m jonesing.” To my heated shame, he changes the subject by bringing his fingers to his face and inhaling deeply. “You smell so good. I’m never washing this hand.”

I’ll never need blusher when I’m with him. “Stop. It.”

He gives an innocent shrug. “What? You’re the one with the intoxicating scent. I’m just enjoying.”

“I need to go,” I murmur, turning towards the end of the hall with the elevators. I’ve got to get out of here. My hand reaches for the strap of my bag, which sits on my shoulder. I clutch it, begging for the strength to walk down this hall, away from him. “I’m going to Seraphina’s now.”

“Seraphina,” he calls out. I hear his bare feet padding along the hallway as he jogs after me. “Seraphina is your friend with the cool job,” he says this time. “She’s a talented photographer. She travels a lot, right?”

I’m surprised. I turn to face him. “You remembered.”

“Yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair. “You light up when you talk about her. How could I not take notice?”

Didn’t know he did. Take notice of me that is.

What girl doesn’t want to hear an incredibly handsome man has been taking notes? Me. From him. I should not want this attention from him but I do. I’m practically his sister…ish. Platonic feelings and familial love is all I should feel.

Not these tingles of longing he’s bringing out in me with his admissions.

I swallow away the flattery. “Goodbye, Blaze. And please, make sure you eat some protein with all that whiskey. Order yourself a steak and a baked potato. Maybe a little steamed broccoli on the side.”

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