Page 53 of Forbidden

The love was so strong in his eyes, and his slight smile was making me giddy. God, this felt like a dream. This moment was too good to be true—this couldn’t be happening. Almost to make sure he was real, I pulled my hand from his, placing it on his cheek, taking the few steps into him.

“You are making me speechless, mister romantic.” I went up on my toes. “You didn’t need to go to so much trouble.”

“Trust me darling, this is only the beginning.” His hands went to the tie of my dressing gown. “You’re mine now.”

“For tonight,” I added, just as he spun me around, and then his hands were slowly stripping the dressing gown off me. A rush of excitement spread through my body as his mouth went to my ear.

“You said you love me?”

My heart was jumping out of my chest. I think the fact my chest was raising and dropping sharply told him how nervous I was.

“Yes,” I finally said, as he freed my arms from the dressing gown, and now I was standing in front of the fire, topless and wearing shorts that weren’t exactly covering much with my back to him.

His hands ran down my bare arms, sending shivers through my system. Was it possible to be breathing so sharply? God, what was he doing to me?

“I never thought I’d get this.” His words were low, almost as if I wasn’t meant to hear them. I turned.

“What?” I asked, not even feeling a need to cover myself. “You thought you wouldn’t get what?”

His hand tucked my hair behind my ear “Someone that actually loves me.”

My face softened. “Brad, everyone loves you.” God, couldn’t he see it? “All the girls have their eye on you. I think the only thing keeping them away is Andrea.”

He started to shake his head. “That’s different.”

“What, their love isn’t good enough?” I arched my eyebrows at him, wanting to hear him explain this one.

His brown eyes stared down into mine. “I’ve never loved them back.” His words were soft, direct and coated in honesty, which sent a shock wave through my body.

Wait…

Did that mean…

My eyes widened…

No, surely not…

It couldn’t be possible…

It was like the mask he kept on around me was gone—it had disappeared. His carefree, expression he usually gave me was gone. For the first time, he was showing an emotion that wasn’t anger or jealousy.

The look on his face, it was like—no,it couldn’t be. He was looking at me like I was the love of his life, like he loved me as much as I loved him.

“I want more than a night.” He took his opportunity to speak while I remained shocked, his hand back on my cheek. “And tonight I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth it.”

I didn’t know what to say. I told him one night. One night. What he wanted. What he was suggesting… it just wasn’t possible, was it? Was there a chance he really wanted to be with me? That we could be together? He was looking at me like I was his love and now that he had me, he never wanted me to leave him.

I opened my mouth. Okay, time to speak some reason.

“Don’t say anything, please?” he stopped me, cutting me off before I could say a word. His other hand went to the side of my face. “Just let me prove to you I can be everything you want. That I’m worth your love.” Nerves were heard in his tone. “Let me pretend, for one night, you are mine and mine forever. Like you’ve already agreed to be mine. As if I’ve already convinced you.”

I saw the love in his eyes, and heard the pleading in his voice. He wanted me. He thought he had to convince me to be his. It was like me being his just for one night was his ultimate dream.

He kissed my cheek as I remained quiet. Then his eyes were locked with mine again, though this time, nerves were painted across his brown eyes. I think he was starting to think he had scared me.

I opened my mouth.

“Just say yes. Just agree to be mine for a night.” he spoke before I could speak again. “Please, Hannah, I want you to be mine.” His hand spread into the side of my hair. “If I had my way, it would be forever, but I want to prove to you first that I’m worth it.”

---