But at the same time, Kelly and Mom only want the best for me. I know that. I don’t think I can refuse them.
“I’ll ask him,” I say. “But he might be busy, you know, with his security detail or whatever.”
Just saying the words security detail makes me feel as though I’m walking through a land of unreality.
I walk across the lavish bedroom, the plush rugs cool on my bare feet and then head down the hallway toward the living room. As I walk past the decorated walls, I still find it difficult to believe that I’m here.
But then, that’s not saying much.
It’s hard to believe that any of this is really happening.
I find Forrest on the balcony, looking out across the city as what seems like ten thousand lights glitter all around us.
He turns to me, his jaw tight, tension moving through him.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He smirks and lets out a wry laugh.
“I should’ve beat that man into the ground for the way he talked to you,” he says. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
I move close to him, placing my hand on his arm.
I can feel the power trying to explode out of him, trying to tear his suit to pieces as though he’s a werewolf trying to break free.
I’m shocked by how natural this feels, just placing my hand on this hulking billionaire’s arm. I never would’ve dreamed of behaving so forward before I met Forrest.
“You did the right thing,” I tell him. “I don’t want you to end up in prison for a scumbag like Zack.”
He nods, curling his hands around my hips and pulling me close to him. I sigh as I crash into his rock hard torso, the pressure causing my body to scream at me in protest, demanding to know why I haven’t taken this man yet.
“How was your family?” he asks.
“I’m still talking to them,” I tell him. “Actually, that’s why I came to find you.”
“Okay?” he says, kissing my forehead softly, the sensation spreading over my cheeks and igniting a blush that possesses my entire face.
“They want to talk to you—to meet you, I guess. Virtually meet, anyway. But you don’t have to. I can tell them you’re busy.”
“No, I’d love to,” he says, his voice shivering with a huskiness.
I look up at him, into his searing possessive eyes.
“Really?”
“Firecracker, I’m going to meet them sooner or later. Why not now? And I think it’d put their minds to ease to know that I only have the best intentions for you.”
“Yeah, that was our thinking,” I mutter. “But I need to warn you …”
“About Kelly?” he says, with a slight smirk.
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“Because she sounds very protective of you. And I’m glad about that. I’m relieved you have somebody in your life, other than me, who wants to see you grow and flourish in all the right ways.”
“Shall we go and talk to them, then?” I murmur, nerves twisting in my belly.
“Yes,” he says, taking my hand and leading me back through the hotel suite.
I can feel how clammy my hand is against his, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He doesn’t comment on it and he doesn’t try to make me feel small, the way Zack would if we ever held hands … which we didn’t, and wouldn’t.
I’d die before I let that man touch me.
I’d die before I let any man touch me who wasn’t Forrest.
Forrest nods over to the plush couches in the corner, indicating that I should bring the laptop over there. I walk over to the bed as he strolls over to the couch and drops down.
“Well?” Kelly demands. “Where is he? Or was he too scared to face us?”
“Kelly,” I cry. “He’s right here. He can hear you. Jeez.”
I carry the laptop to the couch and sit down next to Forrest, placing it on the table so that we’re both in the frame.
Forrest leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, looking so capable and handsome in his silver armor suit I could scream just to release some of the pressure budding up inside of me.
“Hello, Kelly—Miss Yates. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Is it?” Kelly snaps.
“Kelly,” Mom says, rolling her eyes. “Be nice, won’t you? It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Ford. Thank you for keeping us safe while we sort this little mess out.”
Forrest nods. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of letting anything happen to you.”
“Can we cut the crap, Forrest?” Kelly says. “We need to talk about how you lured my sister to Paris. We need to talk about how creepy that is.”
I bite my lip. If I don’t, I know I’ll shout at my sister for how rude she’s being right now.
I try to tell myself that she only wants the best for me, but surely screaming at the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with isn’t the best way to go about that.