Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,45

the end of the world. I laugh because I’d normally find this a turn-off, but for some reason, it isn’t with Malia.

Vanessa was the biggest slob I’ve known, and I almost felt I needed a tetanus shot when I got out of her car.

The door to the bathroom is opened, and she’s not in there. I open my door just in case, and it’s vacant, too. My heart begins to pound. In the twenty minutes I’ve been locked up with Stewart, could someone have come in here and hurt her? My feet begin to run to the front of the house, and sweat pours down my face. In the five seconds it takes to get to the little walkway between the couch and the kitchen island, I’ve run through every worst-case scenario, only to look up at Malia’s chocolate browns.

“Wells, you okay? You look like you’re running a fever.” She makes her way around the island to me, placing her hand on my forehead. “You’re not hot, so why are you so clammy?” Her sincerity warms my heart. I’ve pushed aside the reality of my affection for her. Sure, I can’t act on it, but I might as well admit it to myself, though I won’t admit it to her.

“Yeah, I just thought…” I don’t finish my sentence, and with the pinched expression, as her eyes narrow in on me, I’m knocked off my axis.

“You thought I’d left?” Her hand, which was on my head, works its way down to my shoulder.

“No, I thought…” The images from last night—fuck, the images from eleven years ago—swirl in my head, and the idea of Malia, my sweetheart, being taken from me sends shooting pangs through my entire body.

“You thought someone hurt me?” In her soothing voice, she’s the one comforting me. I give a small bob of my head, and her other hand is on the opposite side of my shoulder.

“Wells, I’m okay. I’m here. I’m not leaving, and believe me, if I was hurt, I truly believe you could feel it.”

I cock my head to the side, so far over that it’s resting on Malia’s hand. “What do you mean?” I’m enamored by this woman. I calm her. I’m the one to make her feel safe, yet this is what I need from her right now.

Moving her hand, the one which is free, from my head, she places it over my heart. “We’re connected. I think you’d know if there was something wrong with me. I think I’d know if there was something wrong with you. It’s a bond I’ve never shared with anyone but you. Your strength that day, the day I threw myself into your arms, is what has gotten me through the darkest parts of my life. You can deny it all you want, and I understand why you did when I was a kid, but I’m a woman now. We are more than a victim and a protector.”

My eyes widen, and in it, I see Malia in a different light. She’s right. She’s grown up. She may be a young adult, but she’s an adult just the same. My head lowers to hers, and she raises a bit as if she’s standing on her tiptoes. My lips are mere centimeters from her mouth. She emits a moan, a small little whimper that makes my cock stand at attention. “Malia?” I ask. I don’t know what I’m asking—maybe for permission, maybe for forgiveness—but I’m not taking advantage of her because she wants me. I want her. And sure as fuck, I’m not giving this moment a chance to pass us by.

“Wells, please.” Her plea is heartfelt. I’m responsive as my lips touch hers, and the flavor of this woman explodes for me to taste. It’s mint and sugar cookies combined. She gives me a little nip on my lips, then explores my mouth as our tongues meet. I’m in the middle of my inner monologue, telling myself this is okay. It’s what we both want. The door opens and slams back behind me as Higgie calls down the hall.

“Old man, come quick, you’ve gotta see this.” I pull back at his voice, but with the volume, I know he’s in the hallway and unable to see us.

“Wells.” Her smile meets the guilt in my eyes.

“Sweetheart.” In my response, the shame of this, mixed with the passion of a first kiss to rival all first kisses in the past, has my clouded mind tangled with regret and desire.

“Don’t you