Forbidden Bond by Jessica Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

the first thought on my mind every morning, and the last thought of my day.” Taylor glanced down at the little black box that appeared to be in a chokehold in his grip. “The only thing missing in my life is you in my arms at sunrise and sunset.” Taylor pulled on the top of the velvet case, revealing a brilliant, oval, diamond solitaire engagement ring tucked within the silken folds.
    “Taylor,” she breathed, the only word her brain could grab and hold.
    He lifted the ring from its confines with one hand and grasped her fingers with his other. Holding her gaze, he gave a slight squeeze to her fingertips. “I know this may seem like a giant leap from where we are, but I want you to know just how much you mean to me. How committed I am to us, and that you and I taking that next step in our relationship isn’t a risk. Nothing will go wrong. It’s only going to bring us closer. I want forever with you, Livvy.” Taylor cleared his throat, and a smile bloomed on his face. “Olivia Wilson, make me the happiest man on earth and become my wife. Will you marry me?”
    Will you marry me? Will you marry me? The question ricocheted inside her head like she’d been sucked into a deep tunnel by a cyclone of get me the hell out of here .
    This should be the most wonderful moment in her life. Taylor was great. Any woman would be lucky to call him husband. So why did it feel so wrong? Olivia mentally shook herself. She couldn’t risk everything they had—friendship and partnership—on an impulse. A whim. He’d said himself this was a huge leap from where they were, and Olivia had learned at an early age that the cost was too high when you didn’t think before you act.
    “No.” Like a lead weight into a still pool, the word fell from her lips, the ripples rolling out and crashing into Taylor.
    His smile fell. “What?”
    “I-I’m sorry…” Gently she pushed his hand and the ring away. “It’s not you. It’s me.” She groaned. “God, that sounds so cliché.”
    “I don’t understand.” Taylor shook his head. “We’re so perfect together.” He grasped her hand once more. “You get me. You’re my best friend, Livvy.”
    “That’s just it. We’re best friends.” She gave his fingers a squeeze. “Why do we need to change that? We’ve only been in the clinic for one year. Everything is still so fresh. I don’t want us to jump into something like marriage. If it goes south, we’ll ruin what we have.”
    “It won’t. Our marriage or our feelings for each other will never change.”
    “You don’t know that. We need time.” She dropped her eyes to where their hands were still joined. This is the right thing to do. “ I need time. I would really like to continue being Taylor McDaniel’s girlfriend for now and see where that leads.” She looked up, giving him a soft smile.
    “That’s a good thing.” Taylor stroked the side of her cheek with the back of his knuckles, the ring nestled inside his fist. “Because I really like you being my girlfriend.” He lowered his arm and turned her hand over, exposing her palm. “But I want you to hold onto this.” Taylor positioned the ring in the center and folded her fingers over the solitaire. “That ‘no’…well, I’m thinking of it more as a ‘not yet’.” His smile grew. “Only a matter of time before this is going to be where it should be…” Taylor patted her wrist. “On your finger.”
    “Taylor…” Olivia plucked the ring from her hand. “I shouldn’t keep this. I don’t want to lead you on.”
    “Where is our server?” Taylor scanned the area around their table, ignoring her attempt to return the solitaire. “I think we need a little more to drink.” He pulled away and stood. “I’ll be right back.”
    “Okay.”
    Taylor stepped away, and Olivia couldn’t hold back the sigh that rushed from her chest. God, that had been hard. She stared down at the diamond between her fingers, the empty box sitting on the table where Taylor