The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 25

"So what do you want for your birthday?" Shane, her bodyguard, asked her.

Jessica thought about that for a second, she couldn't tell him the truth; that she wanted to find someone that knew her real father. She needed to find someone that could help her understand the other part of herself. Someone to teach her how to do the things she thought only possible in stories.

"I think I'm good." She told him and was surprised to find that it was mostly the truth.

They were headed towards Jessica's volunteering job when he stopped in the middle of the side walk to give her a skeptical look.

"Seriously, you don't have to get me anything, I have everything I could ever want." Material wise at least, she added to herself and pushed away the feeling of disappointment that threatened to take over her.

Her birthday was in a couple of weeks. She'd been with her family for two months, and in that time she hadn't come closer to finding anything else about her father. The disappointment she felt was heavy enough to sink a cruise ship.

Two months ago she never would have imagined that things would have turned out as good as they did. She liked to think that she had come to have a normal relationship with her parents. It was as normal as someone in her situation could manage.

"Earth to Jessica!" Shane snapped his fingers inches from her face. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing I was just dozing off. Anyways thanks for the escort but I'm going to be late."

She leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek but he turned at the last minute and it landed on his lips. Before she could pull away he wrapped his arm around her waist, preventing her escape without causing a scene. When he finally released her, Jessica was too shocked to do anything but stare up at him.

He smiled at her, rubbing a thumb across her bottom lip.

Any bystander looking at them would just see a couple of lovers sharing a goodbye kiss. But Jessica was infuriated because she never agreed on taking things that far.

If looks could kill Shane would be dead.

He took her clenched fists and held them against his chest before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

"That's right," She answered with a smile, leaning her elbows on the counter. "I'm in a great mood."

"Well, if you are ready to work you could start by changing the clothes on the mannequins."

"Yes ma'am."

"None of that sass young lady!" Lottie told her with a smile.

"No ma'am" She answered with laughter in her voice and turned to do as she was told.

She'd just reached the first mannequin when the doorbell chimed. "Let me know if you need any help" She called out; her back was to the door. If she'd seen who it was, she doubted she would've answered so cheerfully.

"Actually I do need your help." Nick told her