Forbidden (Addicted to You Book 2) by NJ Flatman Read Free Book Online

her. Ask her to please never leave me.
     
    That date had turned into more. We’d explored the zoo, the shopping, museums, even the tourist attractions we’d always had around. Each experience with her was like watching a child discover something new. She’d been there before. She’d seen them and done them all. But she’d never done them by the side of a man that wanted nothing more than be there beside her. I didn’t care where we were or what we were doing. As long as Avery was there with me, looking at me the way she did and wanting to be nowhere else, I was happy.
     
    Eventually we began to have evenings at her place. I was still staying with Kevin and that’s the last place I wanted her to be. So until I found somewhere of my own, I stuck to going there. We’d watch movies or talk. Mostly both. I’d notice that time seemed irrelevant when I was with her. One minute we were saying hello and hours later I’d realize the movie was over and I had no clue what had happened.
     
    I didn’t care. I wanted to absorb all of her. Every moment that I had available I wanted to be with her and taking in the entire essence of who she was. When I couldn’t be there, I’d text. Sometimes we’d call and neither of us would hang up until one of us fell asleep. And somehow in the process of this, she became my girl.
    ‘
    There was no defining moment. We didn’t plan a romantic evening. I didn’t ask her to be my girlfriend. I’m not even sure I really called her one. She just was. It fell into place and we went from two strangers walking outside of a party to two people who couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. I was consumed with her and I was pretty sure she felt the same. I couldn’t get enough.
     
    Stu and Trev didn’t say much. Small comments about how I’d quit hanging out with them. But they understood. When a man has a girl, he has a girl. Buddies back the fuck off.
     
    Kev wanted to meet her. No way in hell would that happen. She was mine and I was going to protect her. She was my girl. She didn’t need to see him. Know him. Understand what was going on and what had happened in life. At least not then.
     
    The problem was that I knew deep inside she would meet him. She would meet all of them. As much as I’d wanted to get my parents out of my life— I still kept in minor contact with them. If things stayed serious with Avery, she would meet them. That was the part that could ruin us. If I managed to stay— if I could avoid the urge to run away or back to drugs— as soon as my family became involved, it would die.
     
    I tried not to think about that as I carried on with the relationship. Focusing on what could happen would make it happen faster. Instead, I put my attention into the girl that had accidentally stolen my heart. I didn’t want to miss a single moment. Something told me I’d need those memories someday.
     
    Logically it didn’t make sense that I was standing in the bedroom yelling at the mirror. I mean I’d seen Avery numerous times. I’d gotten dressed to see Avery numerous times. It was the same routine.
     
    But that night wasn’t the same. It was special. Different. We’d always planned our nights. That night, I was going to surprise her. I’d never done that. I was going to show up with dinner, beer and a movie and surprise her. It made me nervous.
     
    What if she didn’t like it? I mean I knew she’d like the beer and I had no doubt what Chinese to get her and what movie she wanted to see. I paid very close attention when she talked and when we did things. I remembered every detail about her. I wanted to know everything.
     
    And that night, I was hoping I’d find the courage. I was hoping that I’d finally be able to do more than give her a quick kiss. Every moment I spent sitting next to her, looking at her and seeing the sparkle in her eyes, I wanted her. I needed her. But every time I thought it’d be the one time that I’d pull her into my arms, I