Forbidden: a Contemporary Romance Anthology

by J. L. Beck

  When he and Liv started talking about family though, something raw and unfamiliar gnawed at his chest. He didn’t like exposing that much of himself.

  What was it going to be? Get to know her, or block himself off from getting too close? He needed to figure that out soon. But if he’d stayed, the only thing he would have figured out was what it was like to fuck her in a real bed.

  So he cut a tactical retreat, to screw his head on straight.

  It wasn’t easy, walking away from her, with her cheeks flushed, lips red, and looking as incredible as ever, his first thought was how much he wanted her.

  His second was a reminder of all the reasons it was a mistake to give into that impulse. The private meeting wasn’t his best idea. The next time he saw her would be more public, but it would also be the wedding.

  Fuck.

  When Owen picked Liv up for the wedding, it took more restraint than he thought he had to keep from staring. Her hair was piled high, leaving her long neck on display. The blue satin of her dress matched her eyes, hugged her curves, and dipped low on her back.

  It was tempting to draw his lips along her spine and up to her shoulders. Instead, he squeezed her hand when she gave him a tentative smile.

  The car ride and his need to focus on the road or risk driving off it, were good excuses to not look at her. When they arrived at the reception hall, he steeled himself. Showtime. That’s all it is. Just a show.

  He opened her car door and helped her out. When she was standing, he leaned in, mouth close to her ear. To anyone passing by, they’d look like an intimate couple.

  “I know why you want me here,” he whispered. Her perfume threatened to knock his control aside. “To prove you’ve moved on. I say we make this the best fucking sale ever.”

  “Thank you.” Her soft voice drilled into his senses.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist, and desire at how right it felt to hold her surged through him. They headed into the reception hall. When he saw the bride and groom, a shock of familiarity rushed through him.

  He stopped short and pulled Liv aside. The groom was Daniel Fairfax. Once upon a time he’d been a friend of Gabe’s through work, but the asshole dated one of Gabe’s younger sisters, and then cheated on her. It was enough to drive a wedge between Gabe and Daniel.

  Had the cheating been with Liv? No. Owen couldn’t fathom her having a shred of deception in her. Especially not the kind it would take to steal another woman’s guy. “That’s the one who broke your heart?” he asked.

  Liv looked at Owen wide eyes, and gave a tentative nod. “Yes.”

  “Bastard gets around. I’m sorry he did that to you.”

  She relaxed against his arm. “Thanks. I’m over him, but that means a lot.”

  They waited their turn in line to congratulate the bride and groom. When they reached Daniel and Louisa, Owen couldn’t hide his smirk at the way Daniel’s gaze flitted to Owen and Liv’s intertwined fingers. Louisa was probably nice enough—except for the whole stealing another woman’s fiancé thing—but Daniel deserved to see what he’d given up.

  Daniel looked back at Owen. “Does Gabe know?”

  Odd question. “I suppose he will.” If things turn serious.

  “Congratulations again.” Liv’s tone was tight, and she all but pulled Owen away.

  He was fine with that. It was an awkward conversation anyway. He held her close as they made their way through the room, chatting with Liv’s friends. The introductions were the same each time. “This is my boyfriend, Owen.” He wore his dress uniform from the army and everyone wanted to know where he’d served.

  He’d smile, shake a hand or two, and tell them, “Afghanistan. Six years. I started as infantry and then got involved in the Army Corps’ reconstruction program.”

  As they moved from person to person, he kept his arm wrapped around Liv’s waist. When they sat, he grasped her hand. The entire time he kept the phrase it’s only for show on repeat in his head.

  He didn’t believe himself though. Each time she laughed, or made a quirky comment, or drew him into a discussion he was on the outside of, his affection grew a little more. He was falling for this woman.

  The music drifting from the room grew louder, and the DJ announced it was time for the couple’s dance. Everyone shifted to clear a spot in the middle of the room, and Daniel and Louisa took center stage.

  Owen glanced at Liv, and her scowl cut straight to his heart. He moved to stand behind her, hands on her hips and chest pressed to her back. He nudged her ear with his nose. “Two years from now, they’ll be at each other’s throats.”

  “Rude.” Despite her scandalized tone, she relaxed against him. “I’m pretty sure that’s bad karma or something to say that kind of thing at the couple’s wedding.”

  He slid his hands to her stomach, and held her close. “I’m pretty sure it’s bad karma to fuck around on your girlfriend.”

  She laughed and tilted her head back. In her heels she was tall enough it rested against his collarbone.

  I want this every day. The echoed words squeezed like a fist around his lungs. =Everyone joined the newlyweds on the dance floor.

  Owen nudged Liv forward, but she held her ground. “We can sit this one out.” Her tone was soft.

  “We can, but if we’re going to sell this, people are going to fucking buy it.” It was an excuse. He wanted to hold her. He swept her into his arms, and twirled them both to mingle with the other dancing couples.

  He looked up to see Daniel watching them over Louisa’s shoulder, eyes narrowed.

  Owen dipped his head, and nipped at Liv’s earlobe. “Don’t look, but we have an audience.” The words summoned memories he didn’t need right now, of both times they’d fucked.

  She seemed to melt into him at the prompting, her body molding to his. It felt right, and way too tempting. There was no way she could miss how hard he was, his erection pressing into her stomach.

  He adored how natural it felt, swaying to the music with her, the heat of her breath on his cheek, and her weight against him.

  It was a bonus to know Daniel was watching, and everyone could see what a stunning couple Owen and Liv made.

  It was easy for Owen to lose himself in the music. It erased the doubt from his mind, leaving room for him to focus on the way she lit his senses on fire.

  The song ended, and everyone clapped.

  Disappointment rushed in when she stepped out of his grasp. He kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for the dance.”

  Pink flooded her cheeks. “I’m pretty sure that’s my line.”

  “Sissy?” A familiar male voice cut through the conversation, and Liv paled.

  Owen whirled to see Gabe standing behind them. Sissy was one of Gabe’s younger sisters, but Owen hadn’t seen her here. “Hey.” Owen smiled. “Didn’t think you’d lower yourself to something like this.”

  “I’m a sadist sometimes.” Gabe looked between Owen and Liv, brow furrowed. “Had to see if the asshole was right. It seems he was.”

  “Okay," he said slowly. Owen’s skin crawled with an odd tension he couldn’t place. What was off here?

  Gabe stared at Liv. “I didn't want to believe it. What are you doing here, Sissy?”

  Liv gave an awkward laugh. “Rubbing in that I’ve moved on?”

  Owen’s mind tripped over the name, and realization sank into his gut. Christ, he was going to be ill. “Sissy? Glasses, nerdy, quiet, blonde Sissy?”

  “Hello.” Liv gave a nervous laugh and a tiny wave.

  Gabe turned back to Owen. “What’s going on?”

  “You know, I don’t even know.” Owen was still wading through the fact he’d been fucking this woman, who he’d known since she was a child, and she lied to him about it. A bitter blend of fury and betrayal churned inside. “Liv?”

  She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I thought you recognized me, that first night. And when I realized you didn’t… I kept trying to tell you, but it never seemed like the right time.”r />
  “She isn’t the woman you said you were hooking up with, is she?” Anger crept into Gabe’s voice. “Hot. Sexy. Irresistible. I know you weren’t fucking my sister. Especially and not realizing it.”

  Owen’s thoughts were tumbling too fast for him to make sense of them. But hurt and betrayal stood out above all else. He stepped back from Liv and Gabe, trying to grasp some kind of response. “I need to get some air.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer. He headed for the nearest exit and pushed outside. All this time he’d been falling for one of the few women he considered off-limits. His best friend’s sister. And he’d never known… because she fucking lied.

  It shouldn’t hurt so much. But it did.

  9

  Liv stood at the side of the dance floor, watching Owen retreat. The music was playing around her, and people laughed and danced, going on with their lives. Except, her world had fallen apart. At her doing.

  “What the fuck did you think you were doing?” Gabe’s voice sounded distant, but she knew he still stood at her side, hands on his hips and breathing fire.

  “I don’t know.” She watched Owen disappear outside into the extensive gardens and turned to face Gabe. He looked more pissed than maybe she’d ever seen before. Could she blame him? “I was going to tell him after the wedding—”

  “You mean he actually didn’t know you were my sister? Are you fucking kidding me?” Gabe pushed his hand through his already mussed brown hair and let off a string of curse words. A passing woman tutted at him and a smile tugged at Liv’s mouth.

  “This isn’t funny, Sissy.” The smile disappeared. No, it wasn’t funny. She’d well and truly screwed up everything with Owen. He would never understand. Never forgive her. A pain grew in her chest.

  “What are you doing here, anyway?” Now was the opportune moment to attempt to change the subject.

  Gabe grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in two gulps, slamming the glass back on the bewildered man’s tray.

  “Daniel texted me to say I needed to see what was going on. That you were here with someone. I thought you were in trouble. Now I know all you were doing was fucking my best friend. I assume that’s what’s been happening?”

  Fucking piece of shit. She ignored Gabe’s question and focused on what her ex had said. Daniel was still wrecking her life and he wasn’t a part of it any longer. The cold reality of the situation sat heavy on her heart. She’d hurt Gabe by going behind his back, and she’d hurt Owen because she thought she was in control and could handle the lie before it got out of hand.

  “I’m such an idiot.”

  “Yes, you fucking are.” Gabe was silent for long moments before he sighed. “Daniel was no loss. He’d always been an asshole. Owen though? He’s a good man, one of the best. Of course, now I’m going to have to beat the shit out of him and never see him again.”

  “Like that’s going to happen.” Liv said under her breath.

  “Yeah, well, whatever. I’m still pissed he’s anywhere near you. He knew the unwritten rules about a buddy's sisters.”

  Gabe’s obvious hurt made her feel sick to the stomach. She stepped close to him and put her arms around his neck. Reluctantly, after a moment or two, he embraced her. Tears threatened to fall but she knew it would only make the situation worse.

  “I’ll make this better, Gabe. I promise.”

  “It’s done.”

  She slowly blinked, realizing there was more truth in those two words than she could imagine.

  “Come on. I’ll give you a lift home—”

  “No, I need to see Owen.” She pulled back from the hug and could see the anger emanating from her brother. “I’ll be fine. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  After a small hesitation, Gabe nodded and turned on his heel. He disappeared in the opposite direction of Owen.

  Gabe might be talking to her, but she’d hurt him—badly. He’d always said that Owen was a brother to him. She’d well and truly fucked up and she didn’t know what to do.

  Moving further to the side of the dance floor, she debated following Owen outside and immediately discarded the thought. He needed space and she’d give him some.

  Grabbing a glass of champagne, she sipped at it, watching the dancers glide across the floor and feeling like her future was well and truly down the toilet.

  Liv felt like Cinderella, waiting for her perfect date to end and the cold, harsh reality of life without Owen to take over. She finished another glass of champagne, unsure of how many she’d already partaken in since Owen had walked off. It was helping to numb the self-inflicted pain of being with Owen, without actually being with him.

  Standing at the far outer edge of the dance floor, away from the throng and watching the frivolity around her, she was oblivious to the celebrations. She didn’t care. Liv knew that was the entire truth. All this time she’d been obsessed with impressing Daniel and making him see what he'd missed out on when he didn’t marry her, she hadn’t seen that he was simply an oaf with little taste and an eye for the ladies. Her ex had never deserved her and they weren’t suited in the slightest—being with Owen had made her understand that.

  Looking at the bride and groom doing the rounds of the room, she wasn’t seeing them. All that was in her mind was Owen. The way they’d made love, the gentle touch of his caress. Liv pushed down her desire for this man, steadying her erratic heart. When he looked into her eyes, he promised her the world. Why had she never noticed how invested he was in her? She’d been using him for her own gains, and right in front of her, he’d been her Prince Charming.

  She had to fight for him. Had to make him see she was serious about him and their relationship. Yes, she’d fucked up. Epically. But surely she deserved a second chance, didn’t she?

  Moving around a beautifully decorated table, she made her way to the balcony doors of the posh, turn of the century manor house, that Louisa’s family had hired for the reception. Owen was her focus and she had to get to him, to make him understand. Even if he still rejected her, at least she would have explained her reasons. No more lies—

  “Livvy.” That one word broke through her single-mindedness and she turned to the familiar voice. Daniel stood in front of her, two flutes of champagne in his hands. Automatically he offered her one. Liv hesitated a moment before sighing and taking the glass. Her anger at him had all but disappeared and piled back onto herself. She was the moron, here. No one else was to blame.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked. “All you did was hurt Gabe.”

  He ignored her words. “You look beautiful, tonight.”

  Liv sighed, knowing she needed to escape as soon as possible.

  “Dance with me,” he said.

  But she was already shaking her head. She might not be bitter toward him, but having his hands anywhere near her turned her stomach.

  The refusal didn’t faze him. His smile was wide and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Daniel had been taking advantage of the new in-laws purchasing the very best liquor for their only daughter’s nuptials. He was drunk off his ass.

  Silence grew between them and Liv glanced around, hoping that Owen was back in the room so she had a valid excuse to get away from this man. All Daniel seemed to want to do was watch her, lasciviously, and it was making her uncomfortable. Why had she ever thought that this was the man she wanted to marry? This average looking blond man with fake highlights and an even faker tan had been the highlight of her life. She was bloody stupid.

  “I’d better get back to my date,” Liv said at last, turning away. Daniel’s hand shot out and held her arm, stopping her in her tracks.

  “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, little Livvy?” She hated the way he said her name in a condescending manner. Trying to shake off Daniel’s unwanted grasp, she found herself trapped. “I always wondered whether you liked it a little rough—Owen is certainly a step down, isn’t he? I knew Gabe wouldn’t be happy at you sniffing around him.”

&nb
sp; Liv’s temper flared and she yanked her arm away his sweaty hand, making her champagne spill over her hand. She didn’t care. “Owen is a better man than you’ll ever be. I genuinely wish you the best for the future; both you and your wife are going to need it.” She turned away, knowing her face was flushed with annoyance. Again, Daniel stopped her. Was he fucking nuts? Liv whirled on him, knowing his actions weren’t being witnessed back there in the shadows and with the music shifting to a steady—but loud—dance beat.

  “Showing off who you’re fucking is bad taste, Liv—even for you—especially with an army vet turned stripper.” Liv gasped, and Daniel nodded his head, his eyes wild. “Yeah, I heard about that. Why bother coming with a meat-head like him? Trying to make me jealous?” Maybe there’d been a tiny element of that when she’d first asked Owen to be her date. Now? She wanted to shove the words down Daniel’s lying face. As well as her fist.

  “Owen’s special. He’s nothing like you, thank God.” She spat out, rage and her multiples glasses of champagne pushing her on. “Everybody knows you’re with Louisa for her money. Poor woman will eventually work that out, probably right after you’ve spent most of her allowance.” Liv lifted her chin, glaring at the man in front of her. “I’m with Owen because he makes me happy like no other man ever has. It doesn’t matter to me what he’s done in the past and what he’ll do in the future. He’s amazing, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be woman enough for him, but I’m going to try.” A smile curled around her lips but didn't reach her eyes. “Plus he gives me multiple orgasms and satisfies me like no other man has ever come close to. Now,” Liv took a step closer to her ex, smelling the alcohol on his breath and trying not to gag. “Let me fucking go before I make a scene you're going to regret—”

  “You heard the lady, back off.” Liv could have melted with relief at hearing Owen at her shoulder. She looked to her right and caught his eye, knowing he’d heard almost everything she’d admitted about him.

  Shit. Not her intention to let him hear it like this.