The Trouble With Us: A Second Chance Love Triangle (The Forbidden Love 2)

“It’s not that easy, Amelia.”

“I never said it was.”

Will rubs his face in his hands, releasing a sigh. “Okay, I’ll come with you but only on one condition.”

I roll my eyes, betting it has some sexual favor attached.

“There is a Governor’s charity ball I am scheduled to attend on Friday night. I’d love it if you can be my date. We can fly out first thing in the morning.”

“A ball? As in, I will be your girlfriend in public?”

“I really despise the word girlfriend.” He cringes.

“Hmm…I’ll have to think about it.”

Will’s penetrating stare falls upon me until he climbs on top and pins me down to the bed.

“You really like to push my buttons? It’s almost as if you like it when I’m mad.”

I press my lips into a hard line. “I have no idea what you’re talking about? If you’re that mad, maybe you need to punish me. I don’t know, say maybe turn me over and fuck me up the ass since that would be the ultimate punishment.”

A smirk plays on his lips. “You’re bad for me.”

I lean forward, sucking his bottom lip. “Some things never change…”

26

WILL

A last-minute trip to DC was not on my agenda today.

In the early hours of the morning, before the sun even rose, I kissed Amelia goodbye intending to head straight to the office. Instead, my phone rang non-stop in the car. It started with our legal team in panic mode over a breach of contract. Then it snowballed from thereon.

I detoured straight to JFK, thankful once again to have a plane on standby. As we begin to ascend, I close my eyes to ease the strain from a stressful morning, tilting my head from side to side with a slight crack to loosen my tense muscles.

The last few days are even better than I could have ever possibly imagined. To have Amelia back in my life is all I ever wanted, and to have her in my bed belonging to only me—the icing on a very delicious cake.

However, with this newly found bliss, we are forced with the reality of trying to make it all work. The drive between Amelia’s condo to the city is tedious and I’d only driven it four times so far. I could have been selfish and asked Amelia to stay in the city, but she had classes and I didn’t want to disrupt her schedule, especially because she is almost done for the year.

I knew Amelia felt the pressure, too, unsure of how we are to make this work. One thing is certain—we both craved each other, and I’ll be damned if I’m forced to sleep a night without her.

The meeting in DC is longer than anticipated. Five days off the grid, and you’d think people didn’t know how to do their fucking jobs. I’m reminded of why I never vacation or spend any time away from work—paying the price at this very moment.

“Listen, Romano, are we doing this or not?”

I tap my fingers against the table as all eyes are on me. With so many things on my mind, I clench my jaw annoyed I’m here doing the job myself when I should be back in the city.

“I’m not satisfied with what is being produced. Your numbers are low, and frankly, I’ve got better things to focus on than you trying to waste my time with a product which isn’t performing.”

“Should we be taking our business elsewhere?”

I raise my brow, amused by his threat. “Please, be my guest. Let’s see what happens, shall we?”

Silence falls over the room as no one else dares to challenge me. When it came to business, I’m ruthless and will not be threatened by anyone. In this case, the Jamison Group needs me more than I will ever need them. The only dark cloud hovering over me is the takeover with Lau. Perhaps, it’s this back-and-forth negotiating and playing the waiting game, leaving me less patient and irritable.

When all is said and done, I walk out of the room without a goodbye and fly straight back to JFK. With barely any time to spare due to a delay on the tarmac, my driver makes a quick stop at the Four Seasons so I can quickly shower and change. Dressed in my black tuxedo, I splash on some aftershave, style my hair, and then quickly head back to the car waiting downstairs.

We pull up to Ava’s apartment where Amelia insisted, I pick her up from. It had something to do with borrowing a dress from Ava because Amelia didn’t quite enjoy shopping. The exact opposite to Ava, of course. I ask the driver to wait while I head inside the building and up to the penthouse suite.