Forbidden Touch: A Best Friends To Lovers Romance - Iona Rose (free ebook reader .txt) 📗

the job so badly that I'd be willing to do anything. Even sleep with him to make it happen.

I kept talking until we got to the airport.

Blaze listened without interrupting until we got to the terminal but a vein throbbed on his forehead. When we finally settled in our seats on the plane, he turned to me. “Mason is a bastard.”

I nodded. He’d perfected the art of taking advantage of people but I blamed myself too for being willing to do anything to get that job.

“I wish you’d told me,” Blaze said in a nonjudgmental tone.

I placed my hand on his. “I know, I should have. I’m sorry.” It was as if a mesh had been removed from my eyes and I could finally see things clearly. I wanted to start living an authentic life in my love life and in my work.

The thought was frightening because I needed to be honest with myself at all times and not run away. I inhaled deeply. I could do it. I had to do it if I wanted my relationship with Blaze to work out.

The plane cruised down the runway before lifting into the air. It took us two hours to get to New York. And by three o'clock we were in the house.

“It feels good to be back home,” I said as Blaze carried our bags in.

“It does,” he agreed.

“I’ll make us some coffee.” I kicked off my shoes and shrugged out of my jacket, reveling in the feeling of being alone with the man I loved.

I looked up from my computer screen as a knock came in the door. “Come in.”

Mary walked in. “Hi.”

I smiled. “Hi yourself.”

“I heard about your dad,” she said. “How is he doing?”

So many of my fellow workers had passed by this morning to ask about my dad and it felt good to know people cared. “A lot better today. “ I told her I’d spoken to my mom this morning and my dad was improving by the hour.

“That's good to hear,” she said.

We spoke a bit more, then she left, and I was alone in my office again. I mused over my conversation with my mom this morning. Something had changed since my return from Florida. We were more honest with each other. She’d told me my dad had asked after me. This news had made me feel inordinately pleased. Maybe we would plan another visit to Florida with Blaze in a few weeks’ time.

I forced my mind back to work and stayed throughout lunch hour to make up for the two days I'd missed from work. I grabbed my phone and texted Blaze to go to lunch without me.

When a knock came again at two o'clock, I’d been expecting another one of my colleagues.

Instead, Blaze walked in. “Delivery service,” he said and handed me a brown bag along with a coffee.

My mouth watered at the aromatic scent of the coffee. “Thank you.” I raised my head to kiss him.

“You’re welcome.” Blaze nodded.

“Yum,” I said. “I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.” I fished out a grilled chicken sandwich.

Blaze laughed at my enthusiasm. “I’ll leave you to eat,” he said and blew a kiss at me from the door.

At some point in the afternoon, Mason came into my office. “Have you heard from your mother?” he asked with a look of concern on his face.

I was touched. It wasn’t like Mason to give a shit about anyone’s personal problems. “She called me this morning and we spoke again, just before noon. Dad is doing well. Thank you for asking.”

He nodded and dipped his hands in his pockets. “I know how it is when a parent is sick. My father had a stroke several years ago. And he was a lot worse than your dad is. He’ll make it through.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Actually, I came to ask if you could come over to my place. There are some things I need us to go through before we launch the new system tomorrow,” Mason said.

I frowned.

“Just a few things, it shouldn't take too long,” he added when I hesitated.

I didn't want to go to his place. After his kind words, and him asking about my dad, I found it hard to say no. Besides, I told myself, it was a chance to tell him I wasn't interested in the job opening anymore. “Okay,” I said.

“Good, I’ll text you my address.”

When he left, I fished out my phone and texted Blaze to tell him of my new plans for the evening.

His reply text came almost immediately. I'm not comfortable with you going to Mason's place. I don't trust him.

I could visualize Blaze frowning as he wrote the message. I texted him back. It’s just for work, because of the new system tomorrow. It won't take long. And I promise I'll be fine.

His response came a few seconds later. Okay. Don’t take too long. I'll come for you.

I texted him back three love emojis. Then he sent back one big one, making me laugh.

It was quiet in the office and it seemed I was the only one left, apart from the cleaning people. Even Mason had already left. I worked for another half an hour. And at the end of it, I'd finished what needed to be done before the following day. I yawned and turned off my computer. I grabbed my bag and as I walked out of the office, I requested for an Uber.

The Uber was waiting outside by the time I got out of the building.

I slipped in and sat back as we drove towards Mason's place. He lived in a family home which made me a little apprehensive and nervous.

Don't be silly, I said to myself. As annoying and irritating as Mason was, he wasn't really dangerous and I knew he wouldn't try to do anything forcefully.

What about the time he’d tried to forcibly kiss you, a voice in my head asked. I hesitated outside the door as memories of trying to shove