My Forbidden Date: A Brother’s Best Friend Romance Read online

  “No tongue?” I tease him, “You are the gentleman.”

  He smiles. “Would you like tongue?”

  I giggle helplessly as Jackson literally sweeps me into his muscular arms. They wrap around my body holding me tight against his muscles. For a moment, I tense as his mouth crashes down on mine, and then I flow into the kiss. My lips part, and his tongue sweeps against mine. I match each stroke as my entire body heats up to just his kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down, so I can kiss him harder. The uncertainty leaves my body and I relax into a feeling I can’t describe except I want to feel this euphoria again.

  He pulls back slightly. “Is it what you imagined?”

  “No. I could never have imagined that.” I giggle again. “I’m sorry I waited but I had my reasons. Well, one reason.”

  Jackson pauses looking away, and I can tell something’s up but I’m not sure what. He’s thinking hard behind those beautiful eyes. I stroke my hand along his chin, and he smiles softly at me.

  Staring into his eyes, I ask, “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’ll tell you later,” Jackson replies.

  His lips spread kisses along the curve of my neck, which I offer to him. I hold on to him tightly as I giggle. His nose rubs against my neck. I sigh wondering if he’ll touch all of me or am I still forbidden? Is that why he paused? I pull back with hazy eyes to gaze at him. Would being his best friend’s sister be a temptation or a deterrent? Jackson starts to pull away, and my heart begins to race. I don’t want to stop yet.

  “Do you want something to drink?” he asks.

  I can be bold too. I grip Jackson’s arm and pull him back, maybe a little too forcefully. The moment I’ve dreamt of isn’t going to slip away. I literally grab my dream tightly and make it turn into a reality. My voice is a hopeful whisper. “Maybe afterward?”

  I tug his hand upward until it stops on my breast. Jackson’s lips part as he stares at me with a soft gaze. Maybe it was too much. Maybe he’s shocked that his best friend’s sister can act like such a slut. Thoroughly embarrassed, I back away slowly, but this time, Jackson catches me in his arms. He tugs me forward pressing me hard against his built body and gives me a kiss that’s loaded with passion. It leaves me breathless.

  “Sit on the couch,” he says in a husky voice. He takes off his suit jacket, takes the phone out of the pocket, and swipes his finger across the screen. “Grace, no visitors.”

  “Yes, Jackson,” she replies on speaker. He turns the phone off and tosses it and his jacket down on a chair.

  “Just in case.” He smiles at me and approaches the couch where I’m now sitting. He kneels on the floor and places a firm hand on my leg. “Are you sure, Maya?”

  I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be sure about, but I nod my head. Watching me, Jackson parts my legs and places himself between them. He tugs me forward until I slump back on the couch and my bottom balances on the edge.

  “Pull up your hem.” His voice is deep and I do as he says. I gather the fabric in my hands and slowly pull it back revealing my bare thighs. His gaze lingers on a tattoo I have on my inner thigh of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. I stare down at it as his fingertip traces my ink. My tummy rises and lowers with each breath as I show myself to him. His fingers trace my skin until they stop and stroke the black lace of my panties.

  I look at Jackson as he intently traces his finger over the fabric. “Now, I’m going to kiss you here,” he whispers.

  He presses his lips against the dry fabric. I shift my hips and feel my flesh yield to his mouth under my panties. I become light-headed as he kisses me down there like he kissed my lips before. My mouth opens slightly as my eyelashes flutter shut. The sensation of his mouth sucking gently on the fabric while his strong hands hold me open is driving me wild with want and need. I moan and squirm against the couch lifting my hips slightly to meet his tongue. Jackson licks my panties turning them from dry to damp to wet. My wetness is covering me as he presses his tongue roughly through my panties. His hands slip under my thighs tugging me up closer to his mouth. I want more but I feel as if I’m going to crack into pieces. Panting, I push his head back with one hand.

  “Are you okay?” he asks bewildered in a haze of his own.

  Nodding, I scoot back on the couch and struggle to take my knit dress off. I’m not feeling shy anymore. I know now how much he’s wanted me. I could feel it through every inch of my skin. My feelings can only hurt me if I don’t reveal what I feel. And now I feel in charge. I keep my panties, bra, and heels on. I lift my foot up and place my foot on the table behind him. Leaning back, I watch him intently as I slip my bra strap off my shoulder and slide the cup down. I feel tingles shoot across the backs of my thighs as I expose more skin to him. I place my fingertips on my hard nipple and squeeze it between my fingers. Throwing back my head, I suck in air as I imagine it’s him.

  Jackson reaches for me again, hooking his fingers into my panties. I lift my hips as he pulls them down. He manages to get them off over my heels. He pauses to look at me and I bite my lip when I see the unconcealed desire in his eyes. I open my thighs wider and lean back offering every bit of me to him to take. He bends down and softly kisses my inner thigh.

  I can feel his breath on my skin. Jackson pauses. His eyes are hazy as he stares at my sex. Jackson lifts his gaze to mine for a second before he kisses my thigh again. The tip of his tongue parts my slit, and I hiss when I feel it go deeper. A guttural moan leaves my lips as his tongue strokes me, and tastes me. I push my fingers into his thick hair willing him to only want me forever.

  I pinch my nipple causing a sensation to ricochet all over my body. With slow and tender licks, my pussy swells lifting my ass off the couch as I moan with delight. His tongue flicks over my clit, and I shake and tremble, holding tight in his firm grasp. My thighs squeeze together as the tremors start deep in my core, and the most earth-quaking climax ever, shakes my body until I scream out. Sweat beads on my flushed face as tremors slowly roll off my body. Jackson triumphantly gazes at me with a crooked smile.

  “Did you ever imagine that?” he smirks.

  Playfully, I push him away with my foot. “You must read minds,” I tease.

  I lay still on the couch recovering as Jackson gently places a throw over me. My brows must have risen.

  “You look cold,” he explains.

  “Thanks,” I mutter my shyness returning. Are we through? I didn’t dare say it. Jackson walks into a room, and I hear water running. I guess we are done. I sit up slowly and put my dress back on then rake my hair down with my fingers. When Jackson comes out of the bathroom, he looks a little surprised to see me dressed. Did I read him wrong? Did I just blow my chance at sex? We just shared an amazing moment and then my awkwardness came back.

  “You have somewhere to go?” he asks.

  “Yes,” I nod without making eye contact. “It was great.” Jeez, that sounded lame like I was awarding him second place in a talent show. I meet his gaze slowly, and he’s smirking at me with that ingratiating smirk. When he sits beside me, I punch his shoulder.

  “What?” he laughs.

  “Don’t you dare tease me, Jackson.” The awkwardness disappears replaced with a silliness that only exists between friends. I wonder for a moment if it were just a one-time thing. I put on a game face and adult my way through my doubts.

  “Did I say anything?” Jackson leans in and brushes his lips against my cheek. “Dinner tomorrow?”

  “Of course.” My face beams as I sigh with relief.

  Chapter 4

  Jackson

  I was going to invite Maya to stay longer. The Clocktower has several restaurants and few shops on the lower level. The restaurants offer delivery to the residents, and I was ready to serve her lunch by the balcony. Set the table up and open the doors wide with the ocean breeze coming in that was how I pictured our afternoon together. But when I came out of the bathroom, Maya was fully dressed. I quickly slid the condom into my pocket
. I guess it’s business first, love later.

  We had taken my car, so I drive her back to her office. Maya stares straight ahead and her knee bounces as we approach her building. Maybe I went too far. Maybe I need to slow this down. I’d hate to ruin a lifelong friendship over sex.

  “Oh boy.” Maya screws up her face while looking at the screen on her phone. “It’s a text from Vince telling me to call him.” She sighs while I moan then we burst out laughing together. Maya puts her phone back in her purse. “I’m guessing he saw the live stream. He probably stormed the restaurant looking for me afterward. I’ll never be able to go back there again. I’m running out of places to eat.”

  It’s obvious when we leave the good area in Bridgetown and cross over into the bad. We literally drive over the train tracks. To me, it hardly matters which side I’m on. Vince and I developed buildings on both sides of the tracks with the money we saved from our other gig. I grimace a little thinking that shit might not be over. I wanted a clean exit and I wish I could ask Maya about her brother.

  Maya lifts her head and watches the scenery pass by as we drive to her office building. Vince and I would’ve bought the lease for her in a better location, but she insisted on using her own money and taking out a business loan. I scouted around and found the best possible building for her and Tiffany within their budget. Plus we gave the landlord a deal to lower the rent. But a couple blocks in the wrong direction and you better tighten your grip on your wallet.

  My hand leaves the steering wheel and I place it on her cute knee to keep it from bouncing. Maya giggles as my hand moves up her bare thigh. She swats my hand away and tugs down the hem of her dress. I’m so fucking tempted to drive us back to my place.

  “You’ll cause an accident,” she says firmly. “And we’re almost there.”

  “I’m a good driver,” I reply. “And if I do the speed limit, it will give us a little extra time.”

  She smiles wistfully. “I’m sure you are, but we’re already there.”

  I pull up in front of her office building in an area that’s slowly being gentrified. The trendy food stores are starting to appear, bicycles are chained to the railing on a promenade, and people are out running their errands carrying coffee cups while staring at their phones.

  “Thanks.” Her eyes shine as she looks at me. “For a lot of things today.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Maya.”

  “Sure, we’re shooting tomorrow...” she catches herself.

  “No, I meant we’re going to see each other tomorrow.” Am I sending the wrong signals? I dump on the charm to make it clear what I expect the next time we meet. I rest my arm on the back of her seat boxing her in. Maya looks a little shy as she bites her bottom lip and glances away. That’s surprising considering what I just did to her. I want her to relax around me but maybe we have too much shared baggage. After all, she’s seen me do some wicked things.

  Maya jumps as her eyes widened in alarm. I don’t even need to ask. I follow her gaze down the street with my eyes, and Vince is approaching my car, scowling like he knows what we’ve been doing. Well, he would’ve been furious if he had given me another minute. I don’t want to cause grief for Maya, so I put my arm down and sit back in my seat.

  Maya scrambles for her purse on the floor by her feet. “I know I’m an adult,” her words are rushed, “and I can do as I please, especially if it’s legal.”

  I nod in understanding. “But Vince is a lot to handle right now.”

  “I’ll talk to him,” she says, “I have to have it out with him sooner rather than later. He’s my big brother not my jailer. No don’t worry...” Maya doesn’t finish her sentence as Vince pulls the passenger side door open.

  “Good afternoon,” Maya’s voice is drenched in sarcasm, “it’s only been a few hours since I last saw you at breakfast. Miss me?”

  Vince looks past her and glares at me. I ignore him for a moment. “Maya,” I call out to her, “tomorrow.”

  Vince steps aside to let Maya out of the car, and she saunters past him like old-time royalty ignoring a peasant. She’s totally poised as she shuts down her brother’s attempted interrogation with a withering glare. Her sassy personality is the icing on a perfect cake.

  I moan when Vince gets into my car. “Where’s your car?” I ask him.

  “At the lot by our office,” he replies putting on his seatbelt. Vince stares straight ahead with a determined look. Nothing is going to stop him from having this conversation.

  “That’s a mile away.” I take the car out of park. “Did you run to her office?”

  He shakes his head as he watches Maya enter her building. “No, I got a lift. I’m not concerned about the car. What is going on with you and my sister?”

  I sigh. I won’t rat on Maya but Vince and I have other things to talk about that are just as important. “Look, you’re not interrogating me because you’re paranoid. My date didn’t show. Maya filled in. There’s nothing difficult to understand.” My hands grip the wheel of my car tightening until my knuckles crack. I don’t like games but right now I have to play one.

  “The things you two were saying...” He shakes his head dramatically. “They hardly sounded platonic.”

  “It’s publicity, Vince. Maya has a business that depends on social media. Are we supposed to sit there like two virgins at a church dance circa 1950?”

  Vince runs his hand over his hair. His jaw is taut and his nostrils flare. He finally looks in my direction. Vince narrows his gaze in the same way we used to bring guys down a notch when they thought we were soft.

  I shake my head. What is he thinking? We can’t fight one another. “Look, Vince, you need to get a grip. Maya is a good woman. No man will ever disrespect her. Not while I’m around.”

  “I saw the two of you when you were leaving your building.”

  My brain spins through my memories of the last half hour as my mouth tightens into a grimace. Were we touching when we left? Was I holding her hand? I wanted to. Maybe we kissed but I would’ve remembered pressing my lips to hers. They’re temptingly soft and pink. Whatever he thinks he saw I have to deny it.

  “Nothing happened,” I bite out. I turn into the underground lot for my building, and quickly pull into my parking space. I start to get out of the car, but Vince doesn’t move. I sit there staring at the interior of my BMW. I remember the day I got my first BMW. I was twenty, and Cyrus Harrison wanted me to start making deliveries. I thought I was hot shit back then when I was really fucking gullible.

  I glance over at Vince. “Why don’t you tell me what you think is going on?”

  A storm is brewing in his heated brain as a bead of sweat comes down the side of his forehead and disappears in his sideburn. I don’t crack a smile. This shit doesn’t need to escalate.

  He inhales then talks. “I don’t want you and my sister together.”

  “Since you’ve opened the topic for discussion,” I reply, “and this is completely hypothetical, why am I not good enough to date one of your family members?”

  “It’s my little sister.” He argues with his hands to make the point clear. “She’s my only sister.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “So, if I wanted to date Max, I’d be good enough?”

  “Don’t be stupid,” he scoffs finally cracking half a smile, “I know you’re straight. But this is Maya.” His gaze softens as he looks at me. The anger eases out of him by increments. “You know, you’re like family. We’re best friends. I’ve known you longer than almost everyone else.”

  “So, why am I not good enough for your sister?” I reply calmly.

  He sighs. “You know, Maya isn’t like us,” he scoffs, “No one is good enough for Maya, but you’re all wrong.”

  I sit back in my seat and stare out at the cars parked around us. The reasons are as numerous as the cars parked in the lot but I want to hear his. “Excuse me?” I ask.

  Vince pauses for a moment and then the explanation rushes out of him as if he has only a second to co
nvince me. “Look at your lifestyle...our lifestyle. We’re errand boys for a man that belongs under the jail. We’re petty crooks masquerading as businessmen, Jackson.”

  My reply is cold. “We were petty crooks, Vince. We’re clean now.”

  He rubs his chin. “Not clean enough.”

  “Is that it?” I ask. “Is this because we broke the law when we were kids?”

  “We’re not out yet, and I never want Maya involved.” The stuffiness in the car becomes claustrophobic as I loosen a shirt button pressing down on my throat. I glance around at the empty cars and wonder if someone is hidden and listening to our conversation. I’m only arguing with him because he’s right. The old-timers know what we’ve done. And we’ll always be two punks that worked for the Harrisons. Fancy suits and ties won’t erase their memory. I couldn’t tell him, would never tell him about kissing Maya.

  “What do we need to do to be 100% over?” I ask him. “My father’s gambling debts are almost paid, and then it’s done for me.” Cyrus was willing to accept cash to pay off my dad’s 250K debt, but Derrick wanted to be a dick and demanded I work it off.

  Vince inhales. “I’m not sure.”

  I eye him. “You want out completely?”

  Vince meets my hard gaze. “Yes.”

  I shake my head. “Why am I not convinced? You have a hard time ending things.”

  Vince laughs, and I don’t understand what’s so funny. “I don’t know why I’m worried about you and Maya,” he scoffs. “I may have a hard time walking away but you can’t stick to one woman longer than a night.” He seems satisfied with his revelation. “You use women. You’re a man-ho.”