Page 12 of My Forbidden Billionaire
“Thank you, Mister…”
“Carlton!” He grins, revealing pearly white teeth and deep dimples that make him all the more attractive. Soft crinkles appear at the edges of his hazel eyes. “Jacob Carlton!” he says, as his massive hand extends and looks for mine in the small space between us.
I reach out and allow my own hand to rest inside the strong grip of his palm for a few seconds. I watch in shock as his thumb caresses my skin a little, sending a shiver down my spine, before releasing his grip.
And that’s when I realize…
It’s him.
Jacob.
Chapter Five
Jacob
I can’t believe it’s her. The pretty woman I bumped into on the street a few months ago is here, teaching literature to my daughter’s class.
Josephine Andrews.
Her name sounds like music to my ears.
She looks just as beautiful as I remember her. Her thick blonde hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, her bangs perfectly frame her face, and her skin looks like smooth porcelain in the overhead lights of the literature hall.
I watch as she realizes who I am, her eyes widen slightly before she quickly regains her composure. The air between us crackles with an unknown tension, and I can feel her eyes on me, assessing me.
I can’t help but feel drawn to her.
Perhaps it’s the way she speaks about literature with such passion, or maybe it’s the sparkle in her eyes as they stare back at mine.
I try to keep my cool, not wanting to come off too strong. Though, I can feel a smile pull at my lips as I think about the chance of fate that has brought us together again.
“Josephine Andrews,” I say, holding her gaze. “It’s good to see you again.”
Her cheeks flush a light pink and I feel more and more attracted to her by the second.
“It’s nice to see you too, Mr. Carlton,” Josephine says, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “I remember bumping into you a few months ago.”
I chuckle, thinking back to that day. “Yes, it’s an encounter I haven’t been able to forget. I offered to buy you hot cocoa, but you declined.”
Josephine smiles, her eyes sparkling with humor. “Yes, I remember. I didn’t want to take advantage of your kindness.”
I shake my head. “It would have been no trouble.” I pause, studying her. “Though, I’m glad fate brought us together again.”
She blushes again and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride knowing that I’m the reason for it. “So, what is it that brings you to Jameson Juniper Hall?” she asks.
“I’m here for my ten-year-old daughter, Clementine. She’ll be a student in your class,” I say, suddenly feeling a slight sense of awkwardness that I am a parent and Josephine is a teacher.
A small smile graces her lips. “That’s wonderful. I hope she enjoys my class. I’m always excited to have students who are eager to learn.”
“I have no doubt she will,” I say, feeling a sense of warmth fill me. “She’s been looking forward to it for weeks.”
Josephine nods, her eyes still locked on mine. As we stand there in silence, I can feel the tension between us growing stronger and stronger.
I wonder if she feels it too.
It’s like a magnetic pull drawing us together, and I can’t help but want to get closer to her.
“Josephine, I was wondering if you might—”