Forbidden Kiss by Janica Cade

Author:Janica Cade [Janica Cade]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Janica Cade
Published: 2024-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Ava

The sun shines in through the curtains of the modern Victorian house as the aroma of fresh-baked bread drifts to my nostrils.

Resting my head in the nook between his chest and underarm, I relish the feeling of safety.

I’m secure here. Protected. He’s unlike anyone I’ve seen before. He exudes so much control that he makes other men look like children. When he looks at me, it’s like I’m the only one that matters. I mean, the way he takes me in his arms… I could spend a lifetime being coddled like this.

But why me? I come from money too, but I’m a plain Jane compared to him. My hips are thick because I’m food obsessed. And I’m certainly not self-made like he is. My job, money, house and car don’t truly belong to me. They came from my father. And now, Dad is gone, leaving me in the middle of this big world he created.

A sudden bout of nausea takes over my stomach. Pushing strands of hair out of my face, I turn my head to a window and try to breathe.

Ethan’s eyes flutter open, and he squints at me. “What’s going on?”

“I need to go to the office and inform the employees about my father.” After a sigh, I push the covers aside. “I’ve neglected to do that, and now they’re probably confused.”

“Uhhh yeah.” He rubs his eyes before pulling the covers back over me. “Why don’t you let me handle that?”

“I can’t.” Yanking the comforter off again, I rise from the bed. “I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.”

He looks at me point-blank. “Ava, your dad just died. You need time.”

“I’m aware of that. It’s just…” I pull in a shaky breath. “I have so many things to do. The funeral arrangements, the lawyer, the documents, the employees, and I don’t know what else.”

“Yes.” He rubs his head. “Come back to bed, and we’ll sort it out later today.”

Is he right? Perhaps I should just give him the wheel. It’s what Dad wanted, and Ethan can obviously run the company better than I can. I stand still for a beat and close my eyes.

I’m torn between following his advice and going against. “No. Last night was magical, but I need to leave.”

With soft and focused eyes, he blinks at me.

“You’re right,” he finally responds. “I’ll hop in the shower, and we’ll go over together.”

“Perhaps we should snap some selfies of us in bed and send them out via email too,” I remark, lacing my tone with bitter sarcasm.

His eyebrows draw in. “What?”

“They can’t see me walking in late with you.” I hear my voice rise and I don’t like it, so I drop it down a notch. “What will they say? What will they think?”

His eyebrows furrow. “Who is ‘they’?”

“The people!” I yell out, losing control. I can’t let him see me like this, not now. Once I throw on my clothes and slip into my wedge heels, I stand by the door with my arms crossed.

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