Forbidden Desires Box Set

by Katy Kaylee

  Rather- what could’ve happened.

  “God- I need help…” Longing to go home clutched my chest and formed a dense ball in my throat, but I pushed it away viciously. I couldn’t go back, I knew. This was my life now, and I had a duty to myself to make this the best situation that I possibly could. If nothing else, I had a job, a good apartment, and Donald.

  Determination and resignation seared my chest, and I inhaled deeply to calm myself. I’d never been afraid of my step-brother, but he made me uneasy for nearly a decade.

  I had my chance to run away, and I did. There was no other way to go but forward. And that means trying new things… like gardening. Maybe I’ll like it.

  Delainne

  “You look good this morning, Delainne- I expected you to be green in the face.” Blushing furiously at Donald’s jibe, I only shook my head as he held open the truck door for me. His slick, wide grin and twinkling gaze gave his joke away, and I wordlessly climbed into the cabin with a lightness suffusing my chest. Swiftly shutting me inside to hoist himself into the drivers seat on the other side, Don cast me a sidelong glance before speaking up. “So, how are you?”

  The seriousness of his tone warmed my blood, and I licked my lips heavily as the truck roared to life. Twiddling my thumbs as nerves gnawed at my gut, I kept silent while Donald backed out, and the truck gave a shrill beeping to fill the quiet. My mind flung back to this morning, and a small smile tilted my lips. I’d woken up with a good feeling; maybe it was just because of the surprising amount of sleep I’d gotten, or it was something else, but I wasn’t questioning it.

  “I’m good. It’s going to be a good day- I can feel it.” Confidence strengthened my voice, and I nodded to myself before tearing my eyes off the smooth, fake leather dashboard. Donald’s bushy brows shot up, and his smile became more genuine. “This’ll be a good day.”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling so confident. For once, I’m kind of glad that I’m not allowed to split up road teams.” The shrill beeping stopped when Donald jerked the gear, and I rushed to put on my seatbelt. Glancing through the window at the back of the cabin, I licked my lips heavily as the second truck came up on our rear. “By the way, you do know that you’ll get extra pay for this, right, Delainne?”

  “Ehm- no… I didn’t know that-“ Carl drove the truck behind us, and he tossed me a wave and a smile when he noticed me looking. Whipping around, I pursed my lips tightly before realization slammed into me. “Why am I getting extra pay? How much?”

  “You’re doing a job that’s not yours. It’s only today, but when it’s over, you also have to go back and do your normal duties. When I realized that I’d have no choice but to enlist you, I called and found out about the policy. Non-labor employees are compensated pay for labor tasks.” Easily maneuvering to pull out of the huge, gated lot, Donald shrugged carelessly as surprise drenched my expression. “I’ve never been in this situation before since taking over. Anyway- it’s just time and a half since it’s the weekend. Nothing crazy.”

  “… That’s a lot for me, you know, Donald.” He hummed in acknowledgement as we headed away from the road that led straight into downtown. Gratitude gripped my heart, and I inhaled deeply through flared nostrils to hold it. “I’ve always been pretty good with money, I think. My dad let me work for him since I was, like, 13, so anything I wanted, I had to use my own money for.”

  “What did your dad do?” The harmless question drew a heavy sigh from me, and I raked my hands through my hair. Protected from the sweltering heat of mid-summer, I gathered up the long waves to tug and stretch the band on my wrist. For once, thinking of my dad wasn’t painful, and I smiled as pride blossomed in my chest.

  “He’s a CEO of a small chain of furniture stores. I’ve always been good at organizing and stuff, and he knew it. After my mom died, he made sure that I was always doing stuff to keep my mind off it.” For a long, tense second, I didn’t realize what I’d said, and I stiffened as my head whipped to the side. I could see it all over Donald’s face that he hadn’t expected me to reveal anything about myself, and I held my hand up before blurting out unsteadily. “It wasn’t sudden or anything- she… she had stage 4 small cell lung cancer when I was 8, and we- we really didn’t have that great a relationship, anyway.”

  “Uh- so… what about college? Did you ever think of going for a degree?” Mercifully bypassing my word vomit, Donald flexed his fingers against the wheel, and the GPS activated to speak up robotically. Staring at the map on the tiny screen, I nibbled my lips furiously as my heart lodged in my throat. The hotel we were heading to was wedged between downtown and the suburbs, and I wasn’t sure how to answer him as I let that thought distract me.

  “I thought about it… but I don’t think I would go. My step-mom always badgered me about how important a college education is… I think it was just because she wanted me out of the house.” Glancing over tentatively, I went quiet as I gauged Donald’s reaction, but the fact that it hadn’t changed at all sent surety sweeping through me. “My dad is pretty wealthy, and I think she did it out of genuine worry that I’d end up being a spoiled brat… just- the way she went around it wasn’t the best. She also forced her son to go to college and take on student loans, and he dropped out in his second semester, so that wasn’t the best impression, either.”

  “Is this the same son that made you run?” Automatically looking over my shoulder at the truck behind us, I scanned my coworkers hastily. They couldn’t have heard Donald, but that didn’t stop the disquiet sensation that speared my chest.

  “Yeah- I mean… yes… I’ve never liked him, and he just gave me this creepy vibe. When he said he loved me and tried to kiss me, I ran- I just couldn’t shake the feeling that if I stayed, he would do something else.” Even now, disgust skittered down my spine and across my cheek where Greg’s lips had grazed my skin. “My dad thinks he’s a loser but not unredeemable, you know? So, I just didn’t tell anyone. I packed up and hopped on a train, and then some busses, and this is where I ended up.”

  “You did the right thing, Delainne.”

  “I know.” Answering quickly, I shook my head free of the dark cloud that seeped into the crevices of my brain. “I haven’t- I haven’t really talked to anyone… I left my friends- my dad- everything. I just took a bunch of clothes, cell phone, and my wallet… and, no offence, but you’re my boss- it’s unprofessional to bring my home troubles to work.”

  “It’d be unprofessional if it wasn’t dangerous, Delainne. There’s a huge difference. I’m your boss, yes, and it’s my job to make sure that you’re okay to do your job. Beyond that- it’s the right thing to do. If you need someone to talk to about it, you can come to me.” Ducking my head in a nod, I smiled as I stared at my lap, and Donald spoke up again- his voice gruffer and harsher. “I’ll never be able to understand, but I’ll have your back.”

  “Thank you, Donald.” The conversation stalled comfortably, and I glanced out the window as we weaved through the outer part of the city. We were less than 10 minutes from the hotel, now, and the line between downtown and suburb was strikingly clear. On my right were cookie-cut houses- their only deviance being color- and on my left was three-family apartments that seemed more rundown.

  When we reached the hotel, the staff had graciously coned off a section of the lot close to the back end of the building. Hopping out of the truck, I shoved my hands into my jean pockets as I glanced around. The service entrance door flung open, and a man holding two, huge, trash bags appeared. Despite his burden, he dressed in a nice, slim suit, and he flashed deep dimples when he smiled broadly.

  Donald shook hands with the guy who’s take read Assistant Manager, and I turned my gaze to the clear, blue sky. In the shadow of the large hotel, the heat wasn’t too unbearable, and the cloudless expanse seemed to ripple from the rays.

  “So, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll just be up at the front desk.” Nerves tingled my fingertips as Donald gestured me to follow him, and the assista
nt manager went about his way to the dumpsters.

  The truck bed was full of small, colorful flowers that thrived in sunlight- supposedly, and I stared at them through wide, apprehensive eyes. Donald’s assurance from the day before rang in my head, and I pursed my lips tightly. All I had to do was dig a hole, put the plant in the hole, and cover it up.

  Simple. Hopefully.

  Delainne

  Huffing softly as I shuffled along the decorative bricks outlining the flower bed, I reached to swipe sweat from my forehead and cheeks. The dampness was only replaced with dirt, but I didn’t care about how I looked or the holes that were wearing in the knees of my jeans.

  It felt amazing to get dirty- to do something productive that I’d never attempted before. An act so simple as planting flowers… Who’d have thought it would be so fulfilling. Smiling to myself, I gingerly grabbed a singular, purple flower from the plastic container by my side. Achievement blossomed in my chest, steadying my movements, and I sighed in content.

  “Happy you tagged along, Delainne?” Glancing up, I only grinned as Donald nodded with a grunt of haughtiness. “It’s time to take a break. We’re making good time.”

  “Okay.” Pushing myself up, I hoisted up what flowers I had left to plant to follow Donald back towards the trucks. “This is a lot of fun- I don’t know why I was so nervous.”

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time.” I let Donald have this moment of arrogance, and I tilted my head to look back at my work with pride. Just before we rounded the corner to the back of the hotel, I paused with a mournful sigh; even if it was only for 20 minutes, I could appreciate myself.

  Which was a weird feeling in itself, and I scrunched up my face at my own vanity.

  “It’s a night and day difference, you know- just a few hours ago, and right now. I don’t think I’ve seen you look so content, yet.” Donald threatened to take my attention, but he was beaten to the punch when a familiar face appeared at the end of the wide walkway. A few patrons were milling around, smoking or on the phone, but they all became faceless as my heart dropped to my ankles. Anxiety slammed into my gut, and my throat closed as I watched in horror while my step-brother himself made his way to the hotel entrance.

  Dropping the plants, my hands instantly went to my hair before my shocked brain remembered that I’d dyed it heavily. Greg didn’t notice me, and the irony of it made me sick to my stomach. Whipping around on my sneakered heel, I hoovered up a loud, shallow breath through clogged nostrils and rubbed my face furiously.

  Without sparing Donald a glance, I rushed past him to slip through the service entrance, and apprehension zinged up and down my spine. Tears of frustration and worry stung my eyes, and I practically sprinted towards the hallway that led to the elevators. A shrill ping only piled on the panic, and my heart threatened to burst from its cage as I ran for the suspended, metal box.

  The doors closed on my arm, and I winced as the cold metal seared my skin. My mind worked furiously- too fast- and I jabbed the button that closed the doors until my thumb hurt. Finally, in this tiny, confined space, I could breathe, and I leaned on the reflective wall to slide heavily to my butt.

  Greg was here. If he’d found out the city, he could easily find out where I worked. He could find out where I lived. Oh God…

  “Are you okay?” The slow, soft question caused welts to wash my skin, and my head whipped up to find a man in full military uniform staring down at me. Dread sent shivers down my spine, and my heart beat too hard to work properly as I stood on the verge of hyperventilating. All the while, my mind was blank- like a loop playback that worked too fast, and the images had disappeared.

  Kneeling down, the man stared at me with intense, baby blue eyes, and I blinked hard to beat back the sting of my own. He didn’t try to touch me, and he sat against the opposite wall to prop his forearms on his knees. For the first time, I realized what I must’ve looked like covered in dirt, crying, and hiding in an elevator.

  “It’s not what it looks like-“ The croak only earned me raised brows, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. “I was planting flowers.”

  “I know. I saw you out front.” Matter-of-factly, the man’s tone sent heat billowing up my neck and into my face, and he clasped his hands together. The silence stretched on, but I took the time to gain control of myself. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the wall, and only when my shoulders slumped some did he speak up. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “… Not really, no.” Slowly, my memories began to sort themselves, and I groaned in dismay. Covering my face in my palms, I shook my head at the images that flashed behind my eyelids. “I’m gunna be fired…”

  “For what?” Dragging my fingers up through my hair, I fisted the strands to heave a sigh. Self-disgust roiled in my belly, and regret soured my tongue. These past few months- telling myself that I wasn’t afraid of Greg- seemed like a fantastic dream now that I’d seen him again.

  “I dropped them… I dropped them, and… I should’ve known this was too good to last. I can’t believe he came after me.”

  “Your husband?” Flickering to the man only three feet away from me, I licked my dry lips heavily as they twisted in confusion. He tilted his head, tapping his ring finger silently, and I untangled my left hand from my hair. My mom’s engagement ring to my dad glistened beautifully, and my whole body ached as I took in the elegant, moderately sized diamond.

  “No… this is my mom’s… was- was my mom’s…” Staring at my ring helped me calm down, and I heaved a shaking sigh. Fiddling with it, I glanced over at the man to catch his gaze, but he made no attempt to hide his staring. “It’s nothing- I’ll get fired, and it’ll only be easier to find somewhere else to go.”

  “That’s a terrible idea, and I think you know it.” The elevator gave another shrill ping, and I ducked my head as the nameless face across from me stood up swiftly, easily. “He’ll probably need to get on the elevator. You wanna come with me and wash your face off and stuff?”

  Alarm rang in my head as it whipped up, and he held out his hand for me as he kept the doors open with his other arm. Anxiety formed a pit in my gut and tightened my ribs, and I pushed myself up without his help. His uniform looked perfect, without a single crease or stain, and he let me off the elevator first.

  “Uh- uh- so- you’re in the military, right?” I winced at how stupid I sounded, and fire licked my cheeks under the thin coating of dirt and sweat on my face. The man smiled, glancing down, and I reached to rub the back of my neck awkwardly. “I mean- well…”

  “I work logistic support at the base the next town over. I’m here for a conference. By the way- my name’s Eric.” Surprise rocketed through me, and an uncomfortable laugh burst from my throat. Tearing my eyes off him, I threaded my fingers through my hair to tug on the ends as my vision grew blurry. Eric wore a full military uniform- complete with medals- so why was his acknowledgment so shocking?

  “Hey…” His soft, coaxing tone drew my stinging gaze like a siren song, and my heart thundered hard. The smile he’d worn was gone, replaced with a seriousness that intensified the blood drumming in my ears. “Do you need help?”

  “… I don’t know.” My voice cracked, and shame burned my cheeks as the past few months caught up with me. “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want me to go get your boss or whoever’s in charge?” Nodding dumbly, I opened my mouth only for the elevator to ping, and panic slammed into my gut. Eric grabbed me before I could even think to move, and the air rushed from my lungs when he shuffled into the alcove of a room entryway. My body locked, muscles tense and froze with dread even as he grabbed my thighs to hoist me up. His smell flooded my brain as it swam, and I blinked hard to find him so close that his slight stubble ground against my jaw.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Greg’s profile as he breezed past us, and my breath hitched loudly. He didn’t so much as glance over from under his deeply furrowed brows, and seconds ticked by on pins and needles. Refusing to blin
k, to breathe, to do anything to shatter the moment, I held myself as still as possible before his room door opened and shut.

  “Are you okay?” The question uncorked the stopper lodged in my throat, and I gasped for air as Eric pulled back. In the adequately lit alcove, he scanned me intently, and he adjusted his grip on my outer thighs with a low grunt. “Just breathe.”

  “I’m so sorry- your- your uniform- I’ll p-“ Eric cut me off with a brush of his nose against mine, and the shock of it jolted my heart. Staring at him, wide-eyed and open mouthed, my words dissolved on my dry tongue. Taking his attention off me, he glanced at the room number before carefully setting me on my feet. Hooking his arm around my waist- so I didn’t run, or just to keep me close, I wasn’t sure- he pulled out his key card to open the door easily.

  “Stay here. What’s your boss’s name?” The room was plain, barely above motel standards, and I rubbed my face as disbelief made everything spin.

  “Delainne… that’s my name- my boss- Donald… he should be downstairs, maybe. I don’t- the trucks are out back…”

  Delainne

  “Wow… that’s a wild story.” Sitting on the floor, at the end of the perfectly made bed, I pulled my knees up to my chin as Eric’s voice echoed in my ears. “You never told your father about how you felt about your step-brother?”

  “My dad told me to avoid him- which was easier the older I grew up… but… he doesn’t know about Greg going into my room and stuff. When I moved out, he broke into my apartment and put a camera in my bathroom- my dad doesn’t know about that either. I already thought he was creepy, but… that was not even on my list of reasons why. When Greg found out that I took out the camera, he showed up at my place and tried to kiss me. And now, here I am… and here he is.” Heaving a massive, exhausted sigh, I rested my cheek on my dirty knees to stare at the overly used carpet. “I think it’s because I’ve never had a boyfriend.”