Page 56 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

I burst into tears and slam my fist into his chest. “You shouldn’t have said that. You can’t promise her that.”

Declan takes my wrist and cups my face with his other hand. “I can and I fucking have.”

“What if she calls the police? I might have put her in danger.” Tears fall down my cheeks.

He doesn’t know why, but part of me no longer cares. If Charlotte gets involved in this and is hurt, I will kill Tony and my father myself.

“We have partnered with Barrett Security. There’s a guy in the restaurant watching her. He’ll shadow her for the next few weeks,” Declan says, referring to the New York-based private security firm I was originally going to employ.

“Oh. Why did you do that?”

“Because.” He tugs me against his chest and wraps his arms around me as the vehicle starts moving. “I know what I’m doing. You need to start trusting me.”

I’ve never felt so hopeless in my life, but I do trust Declan.

With my life and my best friend’s life.

I let myself sink into the strength of his body and close my eyes. If I could stay here forever, I would be happy. In his arms, with his protection.

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WHEN WE ARRIVE back at my building, I shake my head. I don’t want to go back to my penthouse where the box is.

The box.

The box which contains a designer wedding dress and the vomit-inducing lingerie Tony expects me to wear. Crotchless panties sat on top as if containing a message with all his expectations.

It has been a long time since I’ve fucked a woman your age. I am going to enjoy it.

As the wedding grows closer, shameful thoughts have entered my head. How horrific would it be to live with the death of my father on my conscience? Would it really be my fault if he were killed?

Murdered.

Could I let Tony fuck me for the next few years, then divorce him and carry on with my life?

Would Declan wait for me?

Would he hate me?

Could I tell him and risk my family's lives without the NDA to protect me? Which situation would destroy me the least?

“Can we go to your apartment?” I lift my face finally.

“Of course.” Declan climbs out and reaches for me, and we head directly to his apartment.

When the door closes behind us, he brushes his hand over my hair and lowers his face to mine. Our mouths find one another so naturally now, and his tongue glides inside, demanding that mine react.

My body presses into him, savoring his strength and warmth as our kiss deepens.

I’ve never felt this way about a man, and it’s so difficult to know if it's fear, my situation or I actually feel more than just sexual desire.

It’s the latter.

Sex with Declan is otherworldly. He takes me to levels of passion and pleasure I never knew was possible.

“What do you need?”

“You,” I reply.