Falling for the Forbidden: Forbidden Series #1

by Lorraine, Tracy

  Copyright © 2019 by Tracy Lorraine

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Edited by Pinpoint Editing

  Proofread by Literary Luxe Co.

  Cover design & formatting by Dandelion Cover Designs

  Andy and Amelia x

  Contents

  Read Falling For Daniel for FREE!

  A Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Acknowledgments

  Read Falling For Daniel for FREE!

  About the Author

  Also by Tracy Lorraine

  Sneak Peek

  Falling for Ryan: Part One

  Falling for Ryan: Part One

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  A Note

  Falling for the Forbidden is written in British English and contains British spelling and grammar. This may appear incorrect to some readers when compared to US English books.

  Chapter One

  Falling down on my bed, I blow out a long breath and tell myself that everything will be okay.

  I had plans for this summer—a few weeks of fun before uni starts. The girls and I had been looking at last-minute holiday deals, and we had tickets for a music festival…but then my dad swooped in, in that way that he does, and ruined everything.

  I knew it was coming.

  I just wasn’t expecting it quite yet.

  I’d hoped agreeing to study what he wanted me to and working for him was enough—apparently not.

  I decided a few years ago that I wasn’t going to move away to study. I mostly love my life in London, and I loved living with Mum. I’m not ashamed to admit that she’s one of my best friends. It was only as I started looking at universities that my dad piped up and told me that I would be studying accountancy and finance at The London School of Economics. He’d done his research and decided it was the best place for me to learn my trade so I could enter the family business.

  I just about managed to contain my laughter when he emphasised the word family.

  I’ve no idea how long I lie on my bed trying to convince myself that moving into his house with his new wife and her son isn’t the worst thing to ever happen to me, but eventually my stomach rumbling has me moving. I sit on the edge of the bed and take in all my half-unpacked boxes. A large sigh falls from my lips. If I don’t find everything a home, maybe I won’t have to stay. I know it’s wishful thinking. This is it for me now.

  Disappointment floods me as I make my way through the silent house. It’s not that I was expecting a welcome party or anything, but someone being here would have been nice. Someone to help me carry everything up to my room would have been even nicer. Since Dad moved in with Jenny a few years ago, I’ve been told to treat this place like my home.

  It will never be.

  It's just a house, a show home, a shell in which I'm scared to touch anything for fear of making a mess. Home is a place with character, with mess from day-to-day living, with people who love and care for you.

  My dad isn’t a bad man, per se, but he’s not exactly what you’d describe as a doting father. Everything he does is for his own gain—if it happens to help others in the process, that’s just a bonus.

  My step mum, Jenny, is lovely. She really is, but I can’t help feeling like she’s just a little bit…broken. She makes all the right comments and does all the right things. She’s a great mum. But there’s such sadness in her eyes.

  The fridge is full, as usual. It’s strange, because I’ve never witnessed anyone eating more than a slice of toast or an apple in this kitchen.

  I fix myself a salad with the unopened packets of fruit and vegetables, but it doesn’t really have the effect I needed it to have. Being here makes me feel kind of empty, and no amount of lettuce leaves is going to fill the void after moving out of the flat Mum and I shared for the past few years.

  Rummaging through the cupboards, I can’t help smiling when I find a stash of naughty stuff hiding at the back.

  Pulling my hair back into a messy bun, I put my thoughts to the side and set about making something that will make me feel just a little bit better.

  The sun’s just about to set, casting an orange glow throughout the kitchen. It almost makes it feel warm and inviting—almost. My mouth waters as I pour melted chocolate over the crushed biscuits and marshmallows I’ve managed not to eat already. Standing in only a vest and a small pair of hot pants, I decide to make myself a hot chocolate, grab a blanket, and enjoy my bowl of goodness out on the deck with a magazine. Chocolate makes everything that little bit better. If I eat enough, it might make me forget what this summer’s actually going to be like for me.

  I’m just waiting for the kettle to boil when a shiver runs down my spine. I’m sure it’s just the size of the house that freaks me out. I’ve seen enough horror films to know there are plenty of hiding places in a place this big.

  I’m still for a second, but when I don’t hear anything, I continue with what I was doing. That is, until a deep rumbling voice has every nerve in my body on alert.

  “Wow, step daddy sure is attracting the young ones these days.” His voice is slurred, his anger palpable. It makes goosebumps prick my skin and a giant lump form in my throat. “You look too pure. Too innocent to be with that prick,” he spits.

  There’s no love lost between my dad and my stepbrother, that’s not news to me, but the viciousness of his voice right now makes me wonder what their relationship is really like. My dad might be many things, but he wouldn’t cheat on Jenny—he loves her too much.

  I can’t remember the last time I saw him, but there’s no way he can’t know it’s me. Who the hell else would be cooking in his kitchen? Deciding he’s just trying to rile me up, I go to collect my stuff and get out of his way. Unfortunately, he seems to have other ideas.

  His breath tickles up my neck moments before the heat of his body warms my back.

  “You came here for the wrong man. I can put that right, though.” The alcohol on his breath surrounds me. It’s a reminder that there’s a good chance he has no idea what he’s doing right now.

  The softness of his nose running up the length of my neck has tingles racing through my traitorous body. I don’t realise he’s smelling me until he blows out a long breath and the scent of alcohol hits me once again. I turn to leave, but his hands slam on the counter behind me and cage me in.

  “Look at me,” he demands.

  “Let me go, Ben.”

  If he’s surprised to discover it’s me, he doesn’t show it. If anything, his eyes shine with delight as he takes in every inch of my face before focusing on my lips. My stomach flips, knowing where his thoughts are.

  Something passes over his face but it’s gone too quickly to be able to identify. He pushes himself from the counter and away from me. No more words are said, but when he gets to the door, he looks back over his shoulder and runs his eyes over my body. They hold a warning I don’t really understand.

  Once he’s disappeared from sight, I sag back against the counter. What the hell was that?

 
After putting half of the rocky road on a tray in the fridge, I forgo sitting outside and instead take my spoils to my room to hide. There’s stuff everywhere in my room and, unlike the rest of this house, it makes me feel a little more relaxed.

  Since the day Ben and I were introduced by our parents, we’ve not really had any kind of relationship. He’s pretty much stayed out of my way and, in turn, I’ve done the same. It’s not all that much of a task. When I’m here, he spends almost every minute somewhere else. When he’s home, he’s moody, arrogant, and generally a prick, so I’m more than happy to stay out of his way.

  It’s just a shame he’s so damn pretty to look at. As the years have passed, he’s only become more attractive, too. I’ve no idea if it’s just his job or if he works out as well because every inch of him seems to be toned to perfection.

  Jenny spends most of her time apologising for his attitude and trying to explain that he’s got a lot going on. I’m yet to discover what that is. As far as I can tell, he seems to be your average twenty-year-old guy who’d rather be off his arse drunk or with a woman than spending time at home with his parents.

  By the time I’ve dug my way to the bottom of the bowl, I feel pretty sick. There’s still no sign of my dad or Jenny, but the music pounding from Ben’s room across the hallway leaves no doubt as to what kind of mood he’s in.

  Chapter Two

  The steady beat of Ben’s music must have eventually sent me to sleep, because the next thing I know, the sun is streaming in through the crack in the curtains and everything’s silent once again.

  After freshening myself up, I drag the hoodie I stole from my ex over my head, suddenly aware of just how much skin I had on display last night, and go in search of a cup of tea.

  Just like the night before, everything is silent. There are no signs of them returning home late last night…no shoes by the door or a dirty glass in the kitchen sink like normal people. The whole place is, once again, perfect. Even the mess I made in the kitchen is gone, like I never existed.

  Dad and Jenny eventually show their faces, going directly for the coffee machine. Dad mutters a good morning before disappearing into his office. I know that his argument for me living here was so I could be close for both work and uni, but I’ve not even been here twenty-four hours yet, and I’m pretty sure no one would have noticed if I hadn’t bothered. I shouldn’t really be shocked that Dad just wants me to fall neatly into his perfectly planned-out life, but I guess I am. When he originally suggested it, I was ready to point-blank refuse, but Mum seemed to think it was an excellent idea. I must remember to thank her for pushing this on me the next time I speak to her.

  “Can you make sure you’re free Sunday night? The four of us are going out to celebrate you moving in and officially starting at Johnson & Sons,” Jenny asks once she’s had a sip of her coffee.

  The idea fills me with dread, but I agree before she also disappears. I hear her talking to someone before the house goes silent once again.

  I’m still poking cereal around in a bowl when the atmosphere in the room changes. I don’t need to look up to know why, but I do, nonetheless.

  My breath catches at the sight of him. His dark hair sticks up in all directions, and his eyes are red and bloodshot, dark circles surrounding them.

  “Morning,” I sing politely.

  All I get in response is a grunt and an angry glance as he follows in the steps of our parents and kicks the coffee machine into action. The scent of the beans once again fills the room and, just like always, I turn my nose up. I’ve no idea how anyone can drink that vile stuff.

  * * *

  After flicking through the channels on my TV, I let out a long sigh. It’s the first day of what should be my summer holiday, and I’m fed up already.

  Grabbing my phone, I send a message to my best friend, Danni, who took me under her wing on my first day of sixth form and showed me the ropes. We hit it off instantly and have been close ever since, despite our obvious differences. She lives in an incredible house in Chelsea with her parents, whereas I was on the outskirts of the city in a small two-bedroom flat with Mum. Thankfully, her family don’t see money quite the way Dad does. They’re the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met, despite the millions they’ve made from their antiques business.

  It doesn’t take much convincing for Danni to persuade me to stay at her place and go out for cocktails. I’ve only been here one night and I already can’t wait to get out.

  * * *

  “So, how’s the show home?” she asks as we’re getting ready.

  “About a fun as expected.” Dropping my eyeliner pencil, I glance at Danni, sitting on her bed with a cocktail at her lips, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m sure it’ll only get better once I start work on Monday.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve got to work all summer. Zante won’t be the same without you.” My heart drops at her words. Our group of friends has spent months planning our first holiday without our parents—not to mention that I saved my arse off to be able to afford to go. But Dad put pay to any plans I had the moment he told me what my summer would consist of.

  “You’ll have an amazing time.” I try to put as much excitement into my voice as possible, but I don’t think I really manage it.

  “I guess,” she says sadly. “Anyway, how is it, living with Ben?” Her eyebrows wiggle in interest. It’s no secret that not a single one of my friends would say no to a night with my stepbrother. His reputation still preceded him when I started at the same school he went to. It helped me fit in, in a sense, but it also made me a target for any girls brave enough to want to find out more about the elusive bad boy.

  “He’s…” The couple of interactions I’ve had with him run through my mind as I try to come up with a suitable answer. “Interesting.”

  “Interesting? That’s all you’ve got?” Shrugging, I go back to finishing off my make-up.

  The night is exactly as it should be. We drink, dance, and flirt with a group of guys who spend most of the night buying us drinks. I forget about what’s on the horizon and just enjoy being eighteen while I still can.

  We don’t stumble back to Danni’s house until almost dawn, and we sleep until well past lunch.

  Her mum takes pity on our fragile states when we eventually emerge from Danni’s bedroom and makes us bacon sandwiches to help cure our hangovers. Sadly, it doesn’t even take the edge off mine.

  I’m still feeling the effects of the previous night’s over-indulgence and lack of sleep when I push the key into the lock of my new home later that day. The driveway’s empty when the taxi drops me off, aside from my car, and the house is empty. Rolling my eyes, I slip my flip-flops off then carry them and my overnight bag up to my room.

  * * *

  I spend what’s left of the day hiding in my room, watching films. I’ve no desire to venture downstairs and put on the act everyone else seems to. I can hear Dad and Jenny talking in the distance and eventually they come up to bed before the sound of their voices fades away.

  I just start to drift off when the sound of the doorbell startles me. I wait to hear if there’s going to be any movement, but other than the echo from the ringing, it stays silent.

  My curiosity gets the better of me and I walk to the window to see if they’re still at the door.

  When I don’t see anyone, I go to drop the curtain and get back in bed, but something catches my eye at the last minute. Someone is slumped in front of the house. I don’t need to use too much brainpower to figure out that it’s Ben.

  Grabbing the hoodie I left hanging over the chair by the window, I pull it on and make my way down to rescue him.

  “Ben?” He doesn’t move or show any signs that he’s aware of my presence. “Ben?” I say a little louder, but it’s not until I bend down and give his shoulder a shake that I get any response.

  “Yeah? What?” His voice is slurred and rough.

  “Let’s get you inside. Can you stand?”

  “Of course
I can fucking stand. I don’t need your help,” he snaps, trying to push himself up from the floor and falling straight back down.

  “Oh, really?” I can’t help but laugh at him. When he looks up at me, his face is hard, but his eyes show his own amusement. Maybe he’s not quite as drunk as I first thought.

  With the help of the wall, he stands to his full height. He towers above me at well over six feet tall, making me feel tiny. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but I wrap my arm around his waist anyway.

  A jolt of electricity shoots through me at our contact, and I immediately feel his eyes staring down at me.

  Refusing to look up and acknowledge whatever just sparked between us, I focus on getting him inside.

  “I really am okay,” he says, his voice suddenly sounding much steadier than only moments ago. “You don’t need to look after me.”

  “I’m just looking out for you.”

  “Why? No one else bothers.”

  My heart drops at his words. I’m saddened that what I experience in this house is his life. At least I have my mum at the other end of the phone if I need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.

  “I—”

  Ben places large hands on my shoulders and turns me to look at him. A similar sensation rushes through me as it did when I first touched him.

  I expect him to snap again. It seems to be his go-to defence mechanism whenever I’ve attempted to get close to him in the past, so I’m surprised when his eyes soften. “Thank you,” he whispers.