Page 69 of My Forbidden Billionaire
“So ... there’s no evidence you ever even received the rules. Which means, technically, you’re not at fault for not knowing the rules, then. Rules which include ... dating a parent?”
I can almost feel the weight lifted from Josephine’s shoulders as she realizes what I’m saying. “Oh my gosh, Jacob, you’re right. I had no idea,” she says, her voice filled with hope.
I smile at her. “Don’t worry, Jo. We’ll figure it out together. And in the meantime”—I pause, reaching out to take her hand once again—”I’d like to discuss a few things with you of my own.”
Her eyes widen with curiosity. “What is it, Jacob?” she asks, leaning in slightly.
I take a deep breath, trying to muster up the courage to say what’s been on my mind for months.
“Josephine, over the past several months, I’ve come to realize just how special you are. I love your kindness, your courage, your ambition ... the way you care for your students, and for my daughter. Your intellect, your passion, your determination to never give up on your dreams even if nobody else believes in them. You have an inner strength that draws me to you like a magnet. You’re the embodiment of everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. And these are just a few of the reasons why I have fallen madly in love with you.” The words come tumbling out of my mouth as if they have a mind of their own.
As soon as the last syllable leaves my lips, I’m suddenly struck by immense vulnerability and fear.
Because this is the first time I’ve ever spoken these words to a woman since I lost my wife.
But Josephine’s face lights up with a beautiful smile, and all of my fear melts away. “Oh, Jacob,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I love you too. You’re everything I could have ever asked for in a partner. You make me feel safe, and loved, and cherished, and I can’t imagine spending even one more day without you by my side.”
At that I take her face in my hands and kiss her deeply, pouring all my love and longing into the kiss. Josephine kisses me back with an intensity that I never imagined existed. It’s as if every moment of hesitation and longing between us has been building up to this point and there’s nothing left to do but give in to the overwhelming desire we have for each other.
The wine glasses clink as they’re pushed aside, and suddenly our hands are everywhere; my fingers glide across the back of her neck, then up into her hair, hers are tracing the lines of my jaw.
I savor the sweetness of the wine on her lips as she deepens the kiss, parting her lips for me. We continue to taste and explore each other, our bodies moving closer and closer together until there’s no space left.
It’s like we’ve been waiting for this moment for a lifetime and I never want to let her go.
As we pull away, we’re both breathless and flushed. Josephine looks up at me with a shy smile, and I can see the love and adoration shining in her eyes. “So, what do we do now?”
“Let’s tell the Headmaster everything tomorrow. I want to be with you, Jo. I don’t want anything, or anyone, to come between us, especially not Ms. Abadie,” I say, taking her hand and holding it tightly. “Given everything you told me tonight, I’m confident she has no grounds to fire you. If anything, Ms. Abadie is the one who should be fired.”
Josephine smiles, relief evident in her expression. “Thank you, Jacob. I could have never been strong enough to stand up to Ms. Abadie without you by my side.”
“Don’t thank me,” I say, running my thumb along her cheek. “You have been strong and brave all on your own. I’m just glad I was here to be a part of it.”
Josephine looks down and I follow her gaze to a delicate beaded bracelet on her wrist. The same one I saw Clem making last night. “Did Clem give you this?”
“Yes, she did. It’s a friendship bracelet.”
“Well, I think it looks beautiful on you,” I say, admiring the bracelet. “She really has taken a liking to you, you know.”
Josephine’s eyes light up. “She’s such a special girl, Jacob. I’m so glad that I get to be a part of her life.”
“And I’m so glad that you get to be a part of mine,” I say, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Josephine
“Good morning, Miss Andrews. I’ve been looking for you. There’s a meeting in the Headmaster’s office. You should go,” the receptionist says, intercepting me on the way to my second-period class.
“Oh, alright. Thanks for letting me know.”
I feel a sudden wave of anxiety wash over me, my mind is going a mile a minute. Jacob and I planned to approach the Headmaster today after school. Considering it’s 9 AM, I don’t think this meeting has anything to do with him.
I reluctantly make my way to the Headmaster’s office, my heart thumping audibly in my chest. I approach the polished oak door and knock softly, taking a deep breath and steeling myself for whatever may come.
“Come in,” he says, and I push the door open, stepping inside the room.
To my surprise, I see not only Mr. Thornton, the Headmaster himself, but Ms. Abadie as well.