My Forbidden Guy (My Guy series, Book 3) Read online

  MY FORBIDDEN GUY

  Copyright © 2020 Liz Lovelock

  All Rights Reserved

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Cover Design by Ben Ellis from Be Designs

  Photographer: Reggie Deanching from The Stable & Models of RplusMphoto

  Models: Ryan Stacks and Anna Harmon

  Edited by Anna from Creating Ink

  Proofread by Jen Lockwood Editing

  Formatted by Tami at Integrity Formatting

  www.lizlovelockauthor.com

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Preview - The Lost One

  Also by Liz Lovelock

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Connect with Liz online

  I’m standing on Crow’s Peak while Elsie freaks the hell out. The wind blows around me, and all I can say is that I’m glad I’m not the one in her position. Elsie wrings her hands as she glances at the drop from the nook in the side of the cliff then spins away. From here, it doesn’t seem like anything to be worried about, but being on the edge would be another thing entirely.

  Aiden reaches to take her hand, and they exchange some words.

  “You going to jump?” Dane steps beside me, shirtless. My heart swims with excitement.

  I turn to face him. He mirrors my movement. We step into each other. There are only inches between us. His large, toned arms weave around my waist and pull me against him. Now there’s only a breath between us. He leans and presses his lips to mine. It’s like I’m on a roller coaster, and with each kiss, my stomach flips.

  Pulling back slightly, I say, “I wasn’t planning on it, but if you do it with me, I might consider it.”

  He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. “Do you think that’s such a good idea? You know, with Parker being here?”

  Therein lies the problem. Dane is one of Parker’s best friends, and of course, being Parker’s younger sister, technically I’m off-limits.

  I shrug. “He’ll probably just think you’re being kind to his kid sister.” I hate this. The whole situation. Why should we be afraid of being together? Well, we’re not officially together. It’s more… friends with benefits. Really good benefits.

  “We need to be careful. I told you he warned me away from you just last Monday.”

  Ah, yes, I remember that. Too bad for Parker.

  This thing between Dane and me has been going on since he and Addison got together—I think maybe two months or something like that. Because it’s not anything solid, I’ve not kept track. I’ve become good at keeping secrets.

  Elsie’s high-pitched scream rings out as she takes the plunge. I turn just in time to catch their bodies slip from my view. Damn, she’s brave. I’m wearing my scaredy pants today. I didn’t sign up for this jumping-off-a-cliff business.

  But while standing here in Dane’s arms, nothing is impossible. “With regard to Parker, I think we should consider telling him,” I say.

  Voices sound behind me, and Dane drops his arms from around me. The loss of his touch hits me.

  “Paislee, come jump with me,” Elsie calls as she comes up the stairs from the beach at the bottom of the cliff. I turn back to Dane, and sadness rips through my chest. He won’t tell Parker.

  I move away from him and walk toward Elsie and Addison. Rocks crunch under my feet; it’s all I can hear. What am I going to do?

  “What’s wrong?” Addison asks when I stop where a bag with multicolored towels sticks out on a bench under a large shady tree. I drop myself onto the seat with a loud sigh.

  Aiden and Parker are still in the water. My gaze drifts over to where I left Dane. His head is low. It’s like a switch flick—he looks up and races toward the stairs to make his way down to where the guys are.

  “I think Dane and I are going nowhere,” I finally reveal.

  They lay out their towels and sit on them, facing me.

  Addison reaches for a packet of potato chips and pops it open. Shoving one in her mouth and waiting a moment to finish chewing, she says, “Look, like I said, tell Parker.”

  “I would, but Dane doesn’t want to. What am I supposed to do? Force him?”

  Elsie purses her lips, the natural gloss she wears shining in the sun. “I think that’s not a bad idea. Stick it to him. It’s not just him who gets to make the decisions in this relationship.”

  “I wouldn’t say it’s an actual relationship,” I mutter, leaning over to take a handful of chips from the packet.

  “Oh, I thought you were.” Addison’s eyes widen.

  I shake my head. “No. Only friends with benefits.”

  “Damn, that’s got to suck. I’m not sure what to do. I would want him to be truthful with his friend and your brother,” Elsie says.

  “I think my sister is a chicken.”

  All three of our heads whip around at Parker’s voice.

  I throw more chips at him, laughing. “Shut up. I’m not stupid, and I don’t have a death wish.”

  “Dane told me he offered to jump with you—you should have taken him up on it.”

  My focus flicks to Dane, standing behind Parker, a small grin on his face.

  “Your new nickname is Chicken,” Parker says.

  “Gee, you’re a bunch of children. Chicken? Really? You’re going to have to come up with something better than that.” I roll my eyes at the silly nickname.

  Parker shrugs. “You’re stuck with it now, Chicken Little.”

  “I can deal with it, Little Bro.” I hold my fingers up, indicating the size of something important to him. The group bursts out laughing.

  “Ouch.” Parker holds his hand to his chest. I catch Dane staring in my direction. There’s something in the way he keeps a grip on my gaze. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and cock an eyebrow. He shakes his head, but there’s no way he can hide that smile—the one that makes me want him even more.

  “Hey, what are you thinking about?” Dane shifts and I lift my head off his firm chest. I stare into his beautiful chocolate-swirl eyes and run my fingers through his longish hair. Damn, he takes my breath away. His hand comes to my cheek briefly then brushes some stray sandy-
blonde strands away from my face. Closing my eyes, I relish the touch.

  I lift my chin on my hand resting on his body. “I was thinking about when we first met.”

  Dane chuckles. “You acted like this stuttering little schoolgirl.”

  “Shut up.” I smack his bare stomach, laughing. He flinches.

  Dane becomes silent. His eyes bore into mine. “You captured my heart the moment Parker introduced us. All I can say is that I’m glad you didn’t give up on us, even if it meant keeping things from Parker.” It’s like a rope has been placed around my torso and pulled. The tightness uncomfortable.

  I had wanted to tell Parker about us, but after some heated discussions, we both agreed it was best if we didn’t, and now here I am, lying in Dane’s bed, with my brother down the hall. An uneasy heaviness begins to weigh down my stomach.

  I open my mouth to respond when voices echo outside Dane’s door. Our heads whip around. The voices become louder.

  “He should be up by now,” Parker yells from the hallway. Before I can manage to scramble up, Dane sits and brings me with him. His hands touch my side, and he shoves me off the bed like someone would do to their dirty laundry. The wind leaves my lungs as I face-plant onto the carpeted floor. My cheek stings from the impact. I go to stand and give Dane a piece of my mind when his door flies open. I press my body as close to the floor as I can, even hold my breath, just in case.

  If Parker stays at the door, I won’t be seen from where he’s standing. I’m wedged between the wall and the bed.

  “Get up. We’ve got training in thirty minutes.”

  “Yeah, who could miss you yelling down the hall?” Dane bites back as if he’s just been woken up. Please don’t walk into the room.

  “Shut up and get up.” Parker laughs.

  The door slams shut, and I bounce off the floor like it’s spring-loaded.

  “Sorry,” Dane whispers as he rushes off the bed, his arms open. His brows pinch together, worry glimmering in his eyes.

  Holding out my hands, I stop him. “Don’t. Perhaps this—whatever it is—has run its course. I’m not the kind of girl who deserves to be kicked off the bed and forced to hide out on the floor,” I grit through clenched teeth. Saying I’m angry wouldn’t even begin to describe the pulsating rage that burns through my veins. I’m hurt. So hurt and ashamed. I blink furiously, hiding the wetness clouding my vision.

  “No, Pais, please don’t do this. I’m so sorry. I panicked.” He grabs my arm, but I shove him in the chest. I pick up my flip-flops and bag off the ground in the corner of the room.

  Pulling my bag strap over my head, I turn to Dane. His pained gaze stares back at me.

  “Look, yes, I’m pissed and hurt. Maybe you need to think about what it is you really want, and if I’m one of those things. Then, perhaps we need to make this official and tell Parker.”

  His eyes widen.

  When he remains silent, I say, “I’ll give you some time to think about it.”

  Again, he doesn’t say anything and lets me walk out the door.

  I dart across to the bathroom opposite Dane’s room. This is usually my escape route.

  “Pais?”

  I pause mid-step, turning. It’s Addison. I heave a sigh of relief. It’s her.

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice is low. “Parker’s here.”

  I spin and spy him coming out of his room down the hall. Dammit. “Hey, Paislee. What are you doing here?”

  My heart hammers against my chest. My mind is blank—all my excuses evade me. “Oh, I’m just—”

  “She was meeting me. I asked her to come here before we went and grabbed a bite to eat.” Addison smiles sweetly at Parker, who simply shrugs and walks past us.

  “Okay, have fun. I’ll see you after classes.” He kisses her and turns to leave.

  I want a relationship like that: where the participants are open, honest, and not afraid to show the world.

  “See you,” Addison and I say in unison. Then, her heavy stare turns to me.

  Dane’s door flies open, and he appears surprised to find us standing there. “Catch you later.” He drops his gaze and moves around us.

  Great, now I’ve made things super awkward.

  “Perfect,” I mutter. Moments ago, everything was great, and now I don’t even know where I stand.

  In the courtyard, my focus is on my phone. Dane had messaged me to meet him here at midday. I have an ache in my stomach. I already know what this is about. The lump in my throat blocks the sobs for now. I don’t want to work myself up if I’ve read the entire situation wrong.

  My head tips up and my breath leaves me as Dane makes his way toward me. His dark eyes are lowered; there’s still hurt there. He shouldn’t be the one hurt. I was the one put out like a feral cat. His mouth is turned down. The guy who usually brightens my day is about to destroy me—I can tell by the look on his face.

  He comes to a stop in front of me. He doesn’t make any attempt to reach for me. I ache to throw myself at him and forgive him for this morning. I need to be strong. It’s always been a possibility that things wouldn’t work between us. I desperately want them to, though.

  “Hey,” he says, his voice low and void of emotion.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” I swallow my fears and try to get this sorted as quickly as possible—rip the Band-Aid off.

  Dane’s eyes fall to the ground. My heart plummets to the pavement with a resounding crack. I’m sure everyone around us heard my heart break.

  Tears brim in my eyes as reality sinks in. It’s not how I thought this would play out. My hand furiously brushes away the escaping drops. It was only this morning that I put the choice to him. I thought he’d choose me.

  “Why?” I can’t help the hiccup that seizes my throat.

  Dane stares at me. His face is an unreadable mask. I want to stomp my feet and throw a massive tantrum, but he chose a public place to do this for a reason. No doubt so he wouldn’t be able to hold me, and I wouldn’t be able to try to hug him.

  He tugs at his backpack straps sitting over his shoulders. I drink in his appearance like it’s the last time I’ll be able to partake of his particular flavor. His white tee clings to his washboard body, and his basketball shorts hang on his hips. And then there’s that hair. As if he knows what I’m thinking about, he reaches up before running his fingers through his dark-brown waves. I want to run my fingers through it again.

  “We shouldn’t have to hide this.” He gestures between us. “It’s for the best,” he mutters again, as though he’s trying to convince himself. He turns to leave; his step falters. My feet automatically move to him, hoping he glances a look back to me and tells me this is all a joke. His shoulders drop. He walks away slowly at first and then his stride picks up.

  I’m left standing in the courtyard. People stream past me, oblivious to my heartbreak.

  I stare at Dane’s back as he walks away, taking my heart with him. Does he even care how much this hurts? I collapse onto the bench. Thankfully, it’s here to catch me, because now he isn’t. How could he do this to me? This is my own fault, I guess. I pressured him. Perhaps I should have left things the way they were. The question is, would I have been happy to continue like that? The answer would be no. No relationship should be kept a secret. It should be sung from the rooftop of the tallest building.

  I honestly thought we had something special, but now it’s ended and all because he’s my brother’s friend. It hasn’t been a problem for the last couple of months and all those nights I spent with him.

  Staring around at people and their happy, smiling faces, I want to slap them and say, “How can you be happy when I can’t be?” I hate them and their stupid cheerfulness.

  “Hey, Pais.” Addison’s chirpy voice pulls me back to reality. I turn to her. Her face scrunches with concern. “What’s wrong?”

  Her backpack falls to the pavement, and she sits beside me. Her arm comes around my shoulders and pulls me into her. I can’t help my tears
now; they pour and don’t stop. My hands come to my face to hide my emotions from onlookers.

  “What’s going on?” Parker’s voice is full of concern.

  If he finds out it’s about one of his friends, there’s no telling what he’ll do. Most likely, he’ll turn into a full overprotective big brother.

  Clearing my throat, I pull my heavy head from Addison’s shoulder and look up at Parker. “I’ve got some painful women cramps.” I swipe away the fresh tears that drop onto my cheeks as the lie slips easily from my mouth. Addison holds me tightly against her. I think she knows I’m lying.

  Parker shifts his feet uncomfortably. “Well, ah, okay. Addison, I’ll catch up with you later.” He leans over, and I hear them kiss—I don’t dare look. More water fills my eyes as I remember I won’t be able to kiss Dane anymore. From the way he made me feel in those special moments between us, I thought he’d try harder to make us work. Well, we had been working, but now it’s over.

  “What’s really going on?” she whispers in my ear.

  I stand. “I don’t want to talk about it here.”

  “Okay.” Addison hooks her arm through mine, collects her bag, and starts pretty much dragging me along with her.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  “Back to my dorm, and you’re going to spill the beans on what’s wrong.”

  How can I argue with her?

  She pushes open her door and pulls me through the doorway. My entire body slowly loses feeling. My mind and body are numb. Dane has officially broken the usually happy Paislee. He’s taken away the one thing I constantly crave—him.

  Addison eases me onto the couch. Then, she walks away from me, only to return moments later with a box of tissues and all the junk food she could, apparently, find in the dorm.

  I raise my eyebrows. “What, do you keep a special box with all this type of stuff in it?” I ask, my voice not sounding like my own.

  She chuckles. “We have a sugar shelf in the pantry. We each buy something to go on there every week. It’s our emergency stash for breakups, exam weeks, our monthly visitors, you name it.” She pauses for a second, and her stare makes me shift in my seat. “What’s going on?”