Page 50 of Forbidden

There’s no way I’m taking no for an answer. She opens it the rest of the way and allows me in. I try to concentrate on the task at hand, not the fact that she’s in her pajamas and looking sexy as sin, her wet hair hanging down her back.

“You can’t be here.”

“Why?”

“I’d be in trouble if Lonnie came home and found you here.”

She’s right. She’s underage, and as her guardian, her sister probably wouldn’t approve.

“I’ll take care of it.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and text E.

G: Keep Lonnie busy for a few hours.

E: What are you doing, bro?

G: We’re just talking.

E: Ok. No worries.

“You don’t have to worry about her.”

I take her hand and lead her to the living room. She slips out of my grasp, putting distance between us as we sit on the couch.

“We need to talk, Raven.”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“Us?” she asks, in confusion.

“You and me. I’m sick of this hot and cold bullshit. I’m not leaving here until we come to a resolution.”

“There is no ‘you and me’. Resolved. Bye.”

“You keep saying that, but then I touch you and it’s a different song.”

She sighs and looks over at me with helpless eyes.

“Gage, please –”

I know what I have to do. “Just listen.”

I move closer and take both her hands in mine. She bites into her bottom lip and stares down at our hands.

“These last few weeks have been hell for me. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re beautiful, smart, funny. Not to mention you turn me on more than any woman I’ve ever met. Obviously, we can’t be together yet…”

I place my finger under her chin and lift her face toward me. I need her looking at me when I say this.

“The only solution is for us –”

“To stay away from each other.”

“To date.”

We spoke at the same time, but I heard her loud and clear. She stares at me in confusion.