Craving Forbidden (Craving Series Book 8)

by Crave Publishing

  He got up from his chair. “Yes, and I need to get back to work.” He got a business card. “Call this number and my secretary will set you up on monthly appointments. And if you have any other questions, give me a call at any time.” He wrote his personal number on the back of the card and gave it to her. He left Jenni standing in his office as if he trusted her. He didn’t even know Jenni, but maybe he wanted to. She bit the bullet, took another business card, wrote her number on it, placed it by his phone, and left.

  Jenni sat in her car before driving home with the new news. She texted Yvette.

  Jenni: I’m still pregnant.

  Yvette: What? Your miscarriage was false?

  Jenni: No. I had twins and lost one. The other baby is attached and looking good.

  Yvette: I’m not sure how to react. Are you going to be okay?

  Jenni: I don’t know.

  They set a time to meet the next day for lunch and talk more. Jenni took the long way home. She knew she needed to tell her parents that night, and she hoped they were still awake. It was getting close to 10:30 p.m.

  She pulled into the driveway and saw the TV flickering in her parents’ bedroom on the side of the house. Jenni got out of her car and locked the front door after entering, took off her shoes, and put her purse on a small table by the stairs going down. This is it. No more secrets.

  She saw the low beam of Lynne’s lamp on the bottom of her bedroom door. She knocked and opened the door. Lynne was on her laptop finishing up last minute homework before graduation in a couple weeks in the end of May.

  “Can you join me in Mom and Dad’s room for a minute? It’s important.”

  Lynne got up. “Oh, you got a raise and are moving out to your dream apartment?” She knew Jenni wanted her own place with trees on one side and water on the other, and a long driveway.

  “No. Sorry to disappoint you.” She patted Lynne’s back a couple times as they walked to their parents’ room. She knocked once on their door as both gals walked in.

  “What can we do for you two beauties this late at night?” Kris patted the bed for them to come and sit. Lynne did, Jenni stayed standing.

  “You want to sit too?” Andy asked.

  She shook her head and paced back and forth a couple times. Jenni saw the look of concern grow on her parents’ faces. “I need to tell you some news and don’t want interruptions until I’m done, please. It’s not going to be easy for me.” Jenni saw Lynne open her mouth to make a smart comment but she thought twice about it and closed it.

  “You remember in January I went to Olympia with my friends?”

  Her audience nodded.

  Jenni rubbed her stomach and continued to tell them her made up story of how she got pregnant with twins. Cries were shared and Jenni was relieved her parents’ didn’t judge her for keeping silent. They put no pressure on her to file a report or make a decision of keeping the baby or giving up for adoption. Her parents had noticed she wasn’t tucking in her shirts the last few weeks, but couldn’t think of a reason. Lynne thought on the positive side about being an aunt. Around one o’clock in the morning, the conversation ended and the Wagners settled in their own beds.

  Jenni dreamed of a life with Dr. Nick Hansen. There was something about him she felt connected with. He seemed to care about her as an individual and not a raped patient.

  Chapter 4

  The next day Jenni called Dr. Hansen’s secretary and set up an appointment in June. She was told she could find out the sex of her baby with another ultrasound. She wanted to know. She met with Yvette in the afternoon and went over names Jenni liked. Yvette was excited and planned to have a baby shower. Jenni told her to calm down, for she had a wedding to plan. Yvette decided to wait until after Jenni had her baby because it was more important at the moment.

  Kris planned another family get-together Saturday after Jenni shared the news with her family. Kris thought it would be the best way to share the news so there were no surprises. Jenni agreed. The next couple days, Kris took Jenni shopping for maternity clothes.

  Family and cousins came Saturday afternoon and Jenni decided to share the news first. More cries and hugs were shared and several promises to help babysit. Her Aunt Sara insisted on throwing a baby shower. Jenni told her to talk with Yvette and they could do it together after she found out the sex.

  Stan took over at the end of Jenni’s news after giving her a hug. “Vallie and I are moving back to Tacoma the first of June. I decided to drive the long haul again. It feels safer than driving up thick, narrow, steep dirt roads.” A half-hour was spent talking about Stan’s life and how excited he was that he and Vallie were unofficially engaged. She put in her notice at the insurance company and was ready for a change to be Stan’s companion on his long drives. She even stated she might get her CDL.

  The next week on a Sunday, Jenni got a call from Dr. Hansen. “I was wondering if you’re feeling better and had time to go get some coffee with me.”

  “I’m okay.” She felt put on the spot a little, but they did exchange numbers. “Thank you for asking, Dr. Hansen.”

  “Please call me Nick. This is a social call.”

  As she saw Stan go on with his life and in a new relationship with Vallie, it was up to Jenni to move on with her life. Nick was a nice-looking guy and had the body. “Sure. I’m open the next two days.”

  “Great. One of my favorite places is a fifteen-minute drive. Can you be ready in an hour?”

  “I’m ready now, but will give you time to do your hair and check your makeup.”

  He laughed. “Ten minutes.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  The drives turned into several when Jenni and Nick were off work. Nick introduced Jenni to his parents and visited with them several times at their home in Stanwood. They opened their arms and loved Jenni right off. Jenni was sure Nick called beforehand and told his parents about her pregnancy before the first visit

  The Fourth of July, Nick took Jenni to Seattle to see the fireworks from the Space Needle. Luckily the sky was clear and there was no strong breeze. He brought a small table for snacks and folding chairs. He knew Jenni would have a hard time getting up and down off the ground.

  After reassuring Jenni he loved her even being pregnant, he asked for her hand in marriage during the fireworks. He was twenty-seven and wanted a family. They set the date to marry on the thirtieth of August. It took place in her parents’ backyard with only her and Nick’s family and close friends.

  Jenni continued to work until her seventh month of pregnancy. It got hard to move around in the ambulance. She worked at nine-one-one until the end of September. Nick and Jenni moved to a bigger house in Shelton, where she dreamed of living. Trees in the forest on the bedroom side, the Sound view from the back of the house, like her parents had, and a long driveway.

  October twentieth, The Hansens welcomed a baby boy, seven pounds, one ounce, and twenty inches in height. They named him Jake Hansen. Jenni felt the difference in being a new mom, the stress, emotions, and happiness to see what she created.

  The first of December, Jenni heard the news Stan and Vallie got married in Vegas on one of their stops and would make it to the family Christmas party the next weekend.

  The week was busy planning and decorating the Wagner’s house with Christmas decorations and a fake Christmas tree. Saturday during the day, games were set up on three cardboard tables in the basement for the younger kids, and an extra table on the main floor for adults to play card games.

  As the afternoon came to an end, Kris was setting out the food from the fridge with Jenni as Sara held Jake.

  “Hey sis, your son and new daughter-in-law have arrived,” Kris pointed out the window above the kitchen sink.

  “Oh. Here’s your little angel, Jenni.” She handed Jake back to her. “I’m so glad Stan found a beautiful lady. They are so cute together.” Sara walked to the front door to open it. Hugs and hellos were made.

  Nick came into the kitchen. “Want me to hold our
kiddo so you can greet your family?”

  Jenni gave a quick kiss on Nick’s lips. “No. I want to show him off.” Nick went back to the family room to sit and talk as everyone sat. Vallie went to the bathroom before Jenni could see her. Stan kicked off his last shoe when Jenni walked up to him.

  He looked at her in awe. “Hard to believe you’re married and have a child. Are you glad you kept…Jake, right?”

  “It’s hard to believe. My decision was to keep my bundle of joy, married or not.”

  “Is Nick a good dad? Is he treating you right?”

  “I’m as happy as I can be. Do you want to hold him?” He better, it’s his son.

  He nodded and opened his arms.

  Jenni kissed her baby’s forehead and handed him to Stan. “I want you to meet your new baby cousin. Jake Stanley Hansen.”

  Stan’s expression went blank as Jenni smiled with a wink.

  About the Author

  J.S. Andersen is on a roll with three books published and three more plus this year. Go take a look:

  Hidden Secrets:

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34677706-hidden-secrets

  If She Only Knew:

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36466424-if-she-only-knew

  Craving Loyalty:

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39296949-craving-loyalty

  Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/jsmithandersen/

  https://www.facebook.com/melissamackadventure/

  Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/snapgrowl

  Blog:

  http://jsandersen.allauthor.com/

  http://www.jsandersen.net/

  https://jeanettesandersen.blogspot.com/

  LinkedIn:

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmithandersen/

  Untouchable

  By KL Ramsey

  Chapter 1

  Kacey

  Kacey Anders stood in front of her television, watching the overly enthusiastic weatherman go on about a nasty nor’easter setting up over the area. Him saying that it was “downright cold,” was an understatement considering the blustery conditions outside her window. He had the nerve to smile into the damn camera while saying, “We’re in for a boatload of snow, folks,” as if more snow was something to be happy about. Just one more inch might send her over the edge of her loosely holding sanity and it was only January. Kacey was already feeling like a recluse after this month’s record-breaking snowfall amounts. She found the remote buried under a few blankets on her sofa, and clicked off the television.

  At some point, she was going to have to leave her cozy apartment and venture out to the grocery store because orange juice on cereal just wasn’t cutting it. She padded into her kitchen and took the angry tea kettle from the stove. Making herself some Earl Grey, since it was too late for coffee, she added some sugar and milk to the steeping tea and sank down into a chair at her kitchen table. Writer’s block sucked. How could she have nothing to say? Her deadline for her weekly advice column loomed over her, making her feel like she was being dangled over a vat of toxic poison. At least if she was lowered into the vat, she would have a fifty-fifty chance of emerging as a superhero. Hmm, maybe she could write a column on superheroes…or, maybe laying on the sofa, sipping tea, and watching mind-numbing television was the way to go.

  Her failed attempts to venture out earlier that day were thwarted by a dead car battery in her stubborn car. She wasn’t sure how she was going to get her scrap heap of a car to the mechanic’s to replace her battery. Besides, her mechanic was her ex-boyfriend, and she just couldn’t handle facing another failed relationship. Writer’s block, a dead car battery, and an ex-boyfriend were just too much to think about, she would worry about all of it tomorrow.

  Her phone chimed, and she saw that her brother texted her. Sam always seemed to know when she was wallowing in self-pity.

  Sam: What’s up, sis? You working hard on your column or just moping around in your fuzzy slippers and bathrobe? Call me.

  Kacey suddenly felt very self-conscious. She sat up to look around her apartment, sure that her overly protective big brother had surveillance cameras stashed somewhere, watching her. She huffed at her ridiculous assumption, grabbing her phone to text him back.

  Kacey: Just working on my column, very close to being finished for the night and can’t stop. I’ll call you in the a.m.

  Within seconds, her phone rang. She had to answer her brother’s call, she was just texting with him; she couldn’t just ignore him.

  “Hey.” Kacey knew she sounded less than thrilled to talk to Sam, but she did say that she would call him in the morning.

  “Hey sis, how’s it going?” Sam always sounded too fucking chipper, his tone made her grumpier, if that was even possible.

  “Well, I thought that we covered that in our text messages. I’m working and very busy.” She scrunched up her nose at her own lie. At least Sam couldn’t see her face, otherwise, he’d know she was lying.

  “Okay, prissy pants, I can feel your attitude through the phone. I just wanted to check on you. Did you get your car started?” Sam had been by earlier to invite her to dinner. His wife, Emma, all but insisted that she attend Sunday dinner every week. Her dead car battery gave her the perfect excuse not to go over. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Emma, she loved her sister-in-law; it was just that watching Sam with Em made her long for all the domestic bliss that was missing from her life. She was twenty-six years old, and every relationship she had lasted less than three months. What did that say about her?

  “No, I still couldn’t get her started, she’s being a snarky bitch. I think she needs a new battery.”

  Sam laughed. “You know, you’re the only chick that I know that calls her car ‘she.’ How about I come over to look at her in the morning since I’m guessing that you’re avoiding your ex’s shop.” Geeze, he could have at least pretended to not know that she was a complete loser. Instead, her brother paraded her last failed relationship out like it was the main attraction in a Fourth of July parade.

  She was feeling grumpier by the minute. “Sure,” she agreed. Kacey wanted to end their conversation. If she wanted a reminder of how alone she was, all she had to do was look around her empty apartment.

  “Great, I’ll be there by seven. Oh, and Em isn’t backing down from this whole dinner thing. She says to be here tomorrow at six p.m., or else.” Kacey groaned, causing her brother to bark out his laugh. “Yep, she’s eight months pregnant, so I’m not fighting with her. What she wants, she gets. Right now, she wants to feed everyone she knows, so be at my house tomorrow evening or I’ll come get you and drag your ass over here.”

  “Great.” Kacey didn’t try to mask her sarcasm.

  “See you in the morning. Try to be awake and not wearing that awful robe. I’m bringing Carter with me to help.” With that, he ended the call, leaving Kacey in a frozen panic at the mention of Carter Cavanaugh. He had been Sam’s best friend since second grade and almost like a big brother to her…almost. Well, except for the fact that she had basically lusted after Carter since he and Sam graduated from high school. Carter was three years older than her and always treated her with kid gloves. She followed him around like a lost puppy, he had to have noticed the way that she looked at him, longing to be treated as more than just his best friend’s kid sister. Of course, she was sure her brother would have more than a few words to say about her wanting his best friend. She knew that her wanting Carter would drive a wedge between Sam and his oldest friend, so she never told anyone how she felt. Keeping her darkest secret locked away in her childhood diary was the safest route for them all. She would never want to come between the two of them.

  Carter went away to college and she rarely saw him except for the occasional semester break. After he graduated, he took a job that had him traveling all over the country. She all but gave up on her crush when Carter called Sam to say that he took a permanent job in town, and would be moving home. That was about a mon
th ago, about the same time as her short-lived relationship ended. She was pretty sure the one had nothing to do with the other, but she wasn’t willing to put money on that. Honestly, she didn’t understand how Carter hadn’t found someone to settle down with, like her brother had. He was that all-American captain of his high school football team, everyone either loved him or wanted to be him, kind of guy.

  Kacey decided her tea wasn’t doing the job, rum was what she needed. Rum would help her find her way through her writer’s block, forget she was all alone, and help her not to think about Carter Cavanaugh. Rum had a big job to do. She found her half-empty bottle in the little cabinet above her refrigerator and unscrewed the top. Forgoing a glass, she took a swig straight from the bottle and plunked herself down in front of her computer again. She was going to write her damn column and turn it in before the midnight deadline. Feeling rather determined, she typed her first sentence and smiled to herself as she read it aloud.

  “Can someone forget their first crush, or are they doomed to want them forever?” Yep, a little forbidden lust was just what her article needed.

  Kacey woke up the next morning at 7:23 a.m., reeking of rum. “What the hell?” she mumbled to herself, wiping the drool from her cheek. The television was still on, now playing morning news programs. They were doing a local update on the extra foot of snow that fell overnight. The new reporter was almost taken down by a kid on a sled but quickly recovered to say that they were expecting more snow that evening. She groaned and cautiously raised her head from her kitchen table. She must have fallen asleep during the night, while she was working. Her whole body felt achy and stiff from sleeping bent over the table. Remembering her deadline, she checked her laptop to find that she not only finished her column but sent it to her editor just before midnight. She groaned, worried that what she had turned in was utter shit. She noticed that she had four emails, three of which were from her editor. She held her breath and clicked on the tab to open the last email, this couldn’t be good. But instead of finding that she was fired, she found that her boss loved her column on unrequited love and went on to say that she, like Kacey, always wondered what could have been with the boy that was her first crush. “What have I done?” She shook her head, trying to clear it from the rum fog that had settled in. Judging from the empty bottle, she got through writing her column with a little help from her old friend, alcohol. She quickly pulled up her column and groaned when she read that she used Carter’s name. Not just his first name, but his full name, identifying him as her childhood crush and the man that she would forever wonder, ‘what if’ about. What the hell happened? She knew exactly what happened- rum. That asshole had gotten a hold of her brain and destroyed every good sense she had. Now, the whole town would know how she felt about Carter Cavanaugh. She just prayed that he nor her brother ever read her column, or she’d be mortified. She decided that a hot shower would help clear her mind and it wouldn’t hurt to brush her teeth. She needed to shed her fuzzy slippers and robe to enter the world of the living, especially if she was going to face dinner at her brother’s house that evening. She figured that Sam wouldn’t make it over with all the new snow, and that was fine with her. She was especially grateful that she wouldn’t have to face Carter.