Page 61 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“I’m not safe anywhere,” she snapped, throwing her arms out to the side as if she were baring her soul. “This world has never been safe, Goran. It’s all an illusion. And you’re right. I hate this place. I hate it because it’s full of people who can have you the way I want. All of you. No restrictions. And it kills me inside.”

My heart cracked, and I stepped closer, needing to touch her.

She backed up, hitting the desk.

My hands braced on either side, gripping the edge as I leaned over her. We were close enough for me to feel the heat of her skin, to breathe in the sweet scent of her perfume.

“Lani, you have me in a way that no woman ever could,” I growled.

She scoffed. “Why? Because I drugged and married you?”

“No. Because they could never have my heart.” My lips hovered over hers. “It’s always been you, Lani. You’ve always been the forbidden fruit tempting me to take a bite. From the first time our lips touched, my heart has been yours.”

I wanted her. God help me, I wanted her in ways that made my chest ache. I never should have kissed her. Never should have crossed that line. But once I did, there was no going back. I wasn’t letting her go. I just couldn’t say it out loud without starting a war.

Her fingers trailed down my cheek. “You may love me, but you’ll always be married to your job first.”

“That’s not true. You knew this wasn’t going to be easy, Lani. I can’t just walk away from my job. And I can’t run off with you, even though it’s all I want to do.”

She broke eye contact.

Kaylani swallowed, her voice dropping. “I hate that we can’t. I hate this place for reminding me that I’ll never belong. I shouldn’t have married you.”

Fuck. There was too much truth in her words, and my mind rebelled against the idea.

“But you did. Do you want out?”

Her bottom lip trembled. “No. I wish I could say yes. But I can’t.”

“Good. I’m not letting you go. And if you let another man touch you like that again…I won’t be responsible for how I handle it. Do you understand?”

Kaylani’s eyes darkened with desire.

“Yes.”

I kissed her hard, tasting every inch of her mouth as I soaked in the feel of her. There was a faint hint of peach and orange alcohol mixed with her candy lip gloss. If I had picked a flavor that described Kaylani, it was this. Like sunshine on a rainy day.

A knock at the door made me jerk back.

Fuck.

The moment shattered like glass falling to the floor.

We stared at one another, knowing that there was no easy way to fix what lay between us.

I stepped back and crossed my arms as Kaylani fixed her dress.

“Come in,” I barked.

Ivan opened the door. He didn’t look suspicious of us, or at least he didn’t show it.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we need you.”

Of course.

“Give me a second,” I ordered, and he closed the door.

“Go,” Kaylani said coolly.