Forever Branded (Billionaire Love Series #1) by Jessa Eden Read Free Book Online Page A

doesn’t care for Blanche, but she can’t do anything about it. Meanwhile, Rochester always seems to be aware of Jane’s every move, wanting to be near her and talk to her. Hence the angst and passion of the story.”
    His gaze crinkled up in amusement. “Sunshine, you sure do get excited about this book.”
    “I know. It’s one of my favorites.”
    “Yeah, I can tell.”
    “So based on what I just told you, why do you think Jane is such an impassioned girl?”
    “Uuhh... I don’t know.” He shrugged, playing the dumb card as he looked away.
    That wasn’t gonna cut it. “Come on. Think about it. Give me a real answer.” I stared at him, willing him to be serious for a moment.
    He took off his Baltimore Gators ball cap for a second and scratched his head. “Okay...Sounds like she had a tough childhood. Something had to keep her going.”
    “Yeah, she had a rough go of it.”
    “Her passion kept her going, even though no one was rooting for her. Sounds kind of like me and my dad.”
    “Your dad?”
    “Yeah, he’s a real hard ass.” A depth of pain appeared in his gaze for a moment, making me realize Beau’s life wasn’t a walk in the park.
    “Do you get along with him?” I asked gently, intrigued by his admission.
    “Sometimes. He’s always pushing me to be the best and he rides me all the time.”
    “I’m sure that’s tough.”
    “Yeah, but what am I gonna do?”
    “You can do whatever you want. Your dad may have expectations of what you should be doing with your life, but what do you want to do?”
    “I haven’t figured that out, Sunshine,” he breathed out as he gave me a half smile.
    We stared at one another for a long second, something foreign unfurling between us. I could feel its soft tendrils beckoning me to give in to something dangerous. I broke eye contact as the attraction grew stronger, unnerved by what was happening between us. There was no way I was going to give in to it.
    I cleared my throat, trying to disguise the intensity humming through my veins. “Okay, let’s get back to Jane Eyre.”
    “Jane Eyre... right,” he said, staring intently at me.
     
    *****
     
    “And with that, everything started to change,” I said, tapping my fingernails against my tea mug.
    “I can see that,” Grace sympathized.
    “At the time, I didn’t realize I had started to fall in love with him when he showed me just a hint of vulnerability. But I’ve always been a sucker for that.”
    “Yes, you have. But one of the things I like best about you is your compassion for others.”
    “It always seems to get me in trouble, though. At least it did with Beau.”
    “Well, sugar, I would love to hear the whole story today, but I’ve got to scoot out the door and go pick up the kids.”
    “I understand.”
    “Let’s talk this week after you’ve had some time to process. I definitely want to know more.”
    “Okay, we’ll talk later.”
    We stood up and I walked her to the door.
    She turned toward me as we strode into my foyer. “Thank you for trusting me with your story. This is good, Marla. I know you and Emma talk about having faith that things will work out. So, knowing you have carried this desire for twenty years, I’m holding faith for you that this situation with Beau will have a happy ending.”
    I couldn’t help but scoff at the idea. It seemed so improbable. “I appreciate the thought, but it’s hard to imagine how we would get there.”
    “You just have to have hope. Let the universe work out the details.”
    “Easier said than done.”
    “Yes, it is. Now tell me this...what do you want, sugar?”
    “Oh, boy,” I sighed and ran my hand through my thick bangs. “I want so much when it comes to Beau. I’ve certainly had plenty of time to think about it.”
    “Yes, you have.”
    I gazed into her kind eyes, daring myself to be honest. “Do you want the appropriate wants or the real wants?” I asked, hoping she would force me to say the truth.
    “Do you even have to