Read Forever for Free Online

“Okay, I need you to listen to what I say and just accept it. No questions asked. You trust me, right?”
    “Of course, I trust you.”
    “Then can you do that?”
    He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “Shoot.”
    “Melanie quit.”
    “Why would she—?”
    “No questions, remember? And I mean don’t go asking Melanie, either. Or Dane. Got it?”
    “Sure, but why?”
    “That’s a question.” At his pursed lips, she continued, “but I’ll answer it. Because Melanie doesn’t want you to ask her. That’s what this is all about. She wanted to leave, but didn’t want to have to face you and the fact you’d try to talk her into staying. She went to Dane and he said he’d take the hit and tell you he fired her.”
    “All this because Melanie wants to leave and she doesn’t want me to know why?”
    “Just respect her privacy, okay?”
    He frowned. “I thought Melanie was happy working for me. Did I do something or say something to upset her?”
    “See, you’re still asking questions.” But she smiled and leaned forward. “But I will tell you she loved working for you. Just accept that it’s time for her to move on.”
    He sat back and sighed. “Okay. I’ll miss her though.” He glanced toward her. “So what about you? Is it time for you to move on? Or can I talk you into staying?”
    She had quit her job, but only because she thought Dane had unfairly fired Melanie. She leaned back, crossing her arms in front of her.
    “I don’t know if Dane will want me back.”
    A pounding on the door startled her and she turned around.
    “What the hell is going on?” Rafe stood up and walked to the computer on his desk and tapped on the keyboard. An image of the hallway right outside the door appeared on his screen. “It’s Dane.”
    *   *   *
    Dane pounded on the door again, and kept on pounding. He’d rushed past the doorman, who’d been busy helping another tenant, and raced up here. He’d gone to Jessica’s place first, and Melanie had told him she’d come here. Of course, what else would he expect?
    The door opened.
    “What the hell are you doing?” Rafe demanded, but Dane pushed past him, his gaze scanning the room for Jessica.
    Then he saw her and his heart skipped a beat. God damn, but the woman had him fully and completely in her spell.
    “Jessica, I need to talk to you.”
    “Uh … do you want me to leave?” Rafe asked, closing the door.
    “Yes, but you’d better stay.” He shot Rafe a glance. “I need to straighten some things out with you, too, and you’re not going to like what I have to say.” Dane’s gut clenched, knowing this would drive a huge wedge between him and Rafe, but maybe with time Rafe would forgive him.
    “What is it, Dane?” Jessica asked, looking at him with her big, green eyes full of concern.
    “It’s about you.” He frowned. “Damn it, I am not going to accept your resignation. I don’t want to lose you.” His hands clenched into fists. “This thing with Melanie, I…” He glanced at Rafe and his mouth compressed.
    “It’s okay,” Jessica said. “I talked to her. She explained that she really wanted to quit.” As his gaze shot uncomfortably to Rafe, she added, “And I explained to Rafe that he has to respect her privacy and not ask her about it.”
    Rafe nodded and Dane returned his gaze to her. “Jessica, I know you love Rafe and I know he loves you. And I know I should just walk away and let the two of you be happy together, but…” He strode toward her and clasped her shoulders, his touch sending tremors through her. “I can’t. Because I’m in love with you, too.”
    At his impassioned words, her eyes widened.
    “If you tell me your choice is Rafe, I’ll understand, but I have to tell you how I feel.”
    He pulled her into his arms and captured her lips, driving his tongue inside and stroking with overwhelming possessiveness. She clung to his shoulders and melted against him.
    When he finally released her mouth, she