Forbidden Love

Chapter 10

*Eric's POV*

I manage to pull my jeans up just in the nick of time but I'm still naked from the waist up when Carrol enters the apartment and she becomes rooted to the spot when she sees me. I'm very much used to women having sexual thoughts about me, but when it's coming from my girlfriend's best friend, it's a little unsettling. I bend down to pick up my shirt where Rose threw it on the floor and put it on, unable to button it since there are no longer any buttons on it.

"I'm guessing you guys have a lot to talk about so I'll leave you to it," I say before pulling Rose against me and giving her a passionate kiss. When I look down at her, she's flustered and I can see the desire in her eyes.

"You don't have to leave," Rose says as we walk to the front door. I will never grow tired of seeing how disappointed she gets when we have to temporarily part ways, it's just more proof that she has the same feelings as I do.

"I have a couple of things I need to take care of but I'll pick you up in an hour and we can have dinner at my place." I bend down and give her a kiss on her cold cheek and inhale her incredible scent while I'm at it. I walk to my car and shoot her a wink along with the smirk that always makes her squirm with excitement before getting into the car and driving away. I know what I have to do now and my mind is made up. I can't deny the fact that I'm nervous, but this is something I have to do. It's a short drive and before long, I stop in front of Beth's house. I take a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm my nerves, and quickly put on one of the spare T-shirts I always have in my car before I get out of the car and walk to the front door. The door opens only moments after I ring the doorbell and I'm instantly hit by the smell of freshly baked cookies coming from the kitchen.

"Eric! Well this is a lovely surprise!" Beth exclaims and immediately invites me in. "Where is my Roselynn?"

"She's at her apartment, she doesn't know that I'm here." Beth ushers me to take a seat on one of her sofas and I happily oblige

"Can I get you something to drink, dear? I just made some fresh lemonade."

"No, thank you. I can't stay long."

"Well you must tell me, how did Rose take to her rebirth?" She takes a seat on a chair across from me and looks very interested in what I'm about to tell her.

"She was frightened and confused at first, but I think she's made peace with it now. I didn't think it could be possible because Rose has always been the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but she's even more stunning now."

"You must tell her to pay me a visit so I can see for myself." She smiles warmly at me and it makes me feel a little less nervous.

"I will. The reason I'm here is because there's something I have to ask you." I take another deep breath. This is it: moment of truth. "I'm here to get your permission to ask Rose for her hand in marriage."

"I'm impressed, I didn't think young men still asked permission for such things," she says and I realise that I'm holding my breath as I wait for her answer. "You've only known Roselynn for a short while though, are you sure that you're ready to take that step?"

"I know that we haven't known each other for very long, but I also know that I am deeply in love with your niece and I can't imagine not having her in my life. I just want to make her happy and I want to spend the rest of my life showing her how much I love her. If you give me your blessing, I swear to you that I will take care of her and always treat her like the goddess that she is. I will never take her for granted or hurt her in any way, shape or form because if I hurt her, I'll only end up hurting myself."

"Well, my dear," she says with a smile and tears in her eyes. "Who could say no after a speech like that? You have my blessing." I breathe an audible sigh of relief and I know that I'm smiling like an idiot, but I got what I came for and I couldn't be happier.