Forbidden Love

Barrett’s lighthearted laughter filled me with happiness. “What happened to the movers?”

“They forgot this piece, I guess.” I shrugged and pulled up my sweats and tee.

He sat naked on my bed, looking too funny with a tented sheet and a screwdriver in hand.

“Only because it’s you, Lourde.” He rolled off the bed, slipped his pants on so they hung off his hips, and pulled on his shirt.

I watched him methodically piece together the side table. He effortlessly talked to me while working on the complex drawer structure and putting it in place.

“I could get used to this.” Domesticated Barrett could be even hotter than business-tycoon Barrett.

He smiled an enormous smile. “So could I.” He pinned his green eyes on mine, and I pictured it all—him staring down the altar as I walked toward him, declaring his love and our happily ever after. He glanced away, and my dreams disappeared as quickly as they came.

“So we haven’t discussed what you’d like to be paid for your time at ZF Construction.”

Where did he go in that brief space between happily ever after and now? And why was his tone suddenly so serious?

“What?” I asked, perplexed by the change of man.

“Your two weeks.”

“I don’t care to be paid. It’s experience.”

He tilted his head. “Nonsense.”

“Honestly. I’m not even qualified. Just let me help you, and if Olivia thinks I have any shred of talent, then we can talk.”

“Okay, only if you're sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay. This is done,” he said, screwing in the last handle and standing the side table upright.

“Thank you. Will you stay the night?”

“I didn’t bring an overnight bag.”

“Oh, of course. I understand,” I said, wishing he had thought to pack something.

“Plus, I don’t know how much sleep we would truly get now if I stayed.” His heated gaze trailed the corners of my mouth.

“True,” I said, no less disappointed.

His tall frame engulfed me in a firm hug. Hands dipped to below my waist as his lips brushed across mine in a long, crushing kiss.

I kissed him back with a desperation I could only have for him.

“If I don’t go now, I’ll never go.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked, fluttering my eyelids, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down.

“If you want to be bad, come by my office at one and wrap those delicious lips where they belong.”

My mouth fell open at his proposition, and a grin lifted on his lips.

“Till tomorrow, dollface.” With that, he turned and walked out of my apartment.

* * *

“That actually works,” Olivia said, admiring my wallpaper selection against the already installed furniture.

“It’s not something I’d think to pick, but the contrast works.”

“Thanks,”I said, packing away the other samples. “I’ll get it to the contractors immediately,” I said.

“Perfect.”

“How about some lunch?” Olivia asked.

“I can't. I have to head back. I have a meeting with Barrett,” I said, turning around so she couldn’t see the blush climbing my neck.

“No problem, another time then.”