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

“You and the whole world,” she mumbles, then smiles politely, shaking his hand.

Amelia moves closer to me, weary of his sleazy grin. Still trying to control my anger, I pull her into me, which Parker notices straight away.

“Right, so you and Romano are what, fucking? Bit of an age gap. Sure you don’t want someone your own age?”

My lips pull back, baring my teeth as my pulse begins to elevate. Every sense is heightened, increasing my strength as I prepare myself to knock him to the ground.

Amelia turns to me, placing her hands on my chest with a steady plea. “Let it go, walk away.”

I turn to look at her, confused. “Are you kidding me?”

She turns back around. “Listen, Easton, was it? If I wanted someone my own age, it sure as hell wouldn’t be you.”

Amelia grabs my hand, attempting to drag me away, but I stop just shy of Parker to lean into his ear. “You will pay the price for your careless comments. Watch your back. I will destroy you.”

I follow Amelia until we are out of the room. Angered by the whole night, I let go of her hand and begin walking away until I push open the door to an empty ballroom, needing to be alone.

“Why are you letting him get to you? He’s a jerk who gets off riling people up.”

I pace the area, wringing my hands. “It’s not just him, okay? People have an opinion of our age difference and think I’m fucking you to get Lex.”

“So, let them think that, who cares?”

“I care,” I shout, my voice echoing in the empty room.

“Well, you shouldn’t! What you should care about is what I think, the woman you’ve professed your love too. God, Will, all night, you’ve had this chip on your shoulder. You were the one who wanted to take me out in public for the first time, and now what, you’re regretting being seen with me?”

Amelia’s eyes widen with a pained stare.

“No, it’s not that, okay?” I take a deep breath, trying to control my anger. “Just before the Hamptons, I went to Hong Kong to close what will be the biggest takeover for Rockford Technology. I thought I had it in the bag. I got the call tonight of the final offer, and they will only sign over if Lexed is involved. I’m frustrated, Amelia. I didn’t work this hard to compete with Lexed. During the call in the car, I was told Lex is ready to sign.”

Amelia crosses her arms with a steady gait. “It sounds to me like my dad is extending an olive branch, but your pride is in the way.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Well, tell me, what will this takeover do for you and your company?”

“It will strengthen our position in the stock market and create thousands of jobs. We have big plans to shake up the industry, just like many platforms had years ago when social media wasn’t even a thing.

“Right, so all that is worth giving up because you won’t work with my father, is that what you’re saying?”

I bow my head until she closes the distance between us and raises my chin gently with her hand. As our eyes meet, something changes inside me, the anger slowly subsiding and replaced by the warmth of her deep stare.

“Will, it’s time to the let go of the past. I know it still hurts, but we’re together now.”

“You’re right.” I sigh, placing my hands around her waist and drawing her body in flush with mine. “But I have the right mind to go punch that fucker’s lights out. He cannot talk that way about you or us.”

“Hey,” she murmurs, stroking my cheek. “This jealousy thing, we need to control it, okay? This isn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. But none of it matters. I’m with you, and it’ll only ever be you.”

“You promise that?”

She places her lips on mine, kissing me at a teasingly slow pace. Fuck, how does she make me hard this quick?

“I promise you that,” she murmurs, moving her hands toward my belt. “And I’ll even show you…”

“Here?”

With a naughty grin, she whispers, “Why, are you scared?”