My Brother's Best Friend (Forbidden Alphas Book 1) Read online

  My Brother’s Best Friend

  Forbidden Alphas Book 1

  Rhona Davis

  Copyright © 2020 by Rhona Davis

  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.

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  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Coming soon!

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Jane

  With everyone busy enjoying the party thrown for Noah—a final send-off for the golden boy of our small town—he corners me out in the hallway, away from prying eyes and ears.

  I tease him with a half-drunken smile. “And what do I owe for the pleasure of your undivided attention?”

  “Wouldn't you like to know.”

  Just as I go to say something witty in response, heat rises in my cheeks. Noah’s never looked at me the way he’s looking at me now. His hazel brown eyes darken, and the closer he gets to me the more my core tightens.

  He looks and smells divine. Tall, athletically built, and almost ten years older than me, he’s been my crush for as long as I can remember.

  But it’s a forbidden crush…

  He’s my brother’s best friend.

  “Two parties on back to back nights,” he says with a grin. “How lucky are we?”

  “Yeah, but my party was better,” I parry back.

  “No debate there. You're eighteen at last.”

  My brows meet. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “More than you’d think.”

  As soon as his hands land on the curves of my hips, I jolt. “What are you doing?”

  “Just having a little fun.”

  With his hands locked to my hips, making me tremble with nervous want, I panic and look down the hallway.

  “You seem tense,” he says, shifting ever closer to me.

  “What if someone sees us?” I whisper.

  “What if they do?” He cups my chin and forces my gaze back to his. “You're a big girl now.”

  “What about my brother?”

  “He’ll be fine. If I kiss you then you can call it a belated birthday kiss. You know, between friends.”

  “Is that all it would be?”

  He smiles. “Unless you want to pack a bag and come to London with me.”

  I pause, dreaming of this incredible future with the only man on earth I’ve ever wanted. I quickly shrug it off, though.

  Noah has been a constant in Simon’s life for so long. I know my big brother would be hurt if I was to suddenly hook up with his closest friend.

  Just as Noah leans down, I place a hand on his muscular chest to stop him. “We can’t do this.”

  “It’s just a kiss, Jane.”

  “I know, but…” I hesitate as I get drawn into his wicked spell.

  As soon as our mouths touch for the first time sheer lust ripples through every inch of my body. Noah’s lips are tender and sweet, soft and yet assertive. I melt and feel all of my defenses erode.

  Just as I push my eager body closer to his, deepening the kiss, I almost jump out of my skin.

  “Whoops,“ a girl calls out. “Sorry!”

  Startled, I shove Noah back and straighten up. Luckily, the voice belongs to a friend’s friend—someone, thankfully, I don’t recognize.

  “Do you guys know where the downstairs bathroom is?” she asks us.

  Flushed and giddy, I nod to the end of the hallway.

  “Thanks.” As she brushes past us, a knowing smile pulls across her bright-pink lips.

  When she’s safely locked away in the bathroom I turn my attention back to Noah. “What if she tells Simon?”

  He snickers. “It’s a party. You worry too much.”

  He studies me for a beat before running a hand through his short crop of dark hair. “Fuck it. I’m going for another drink. Want one?”

  Speechless, and still reeling from our erotic kiss, I shake my head.

  He shrugs. “Suit yourself. I’ll see you in the living room.”

  I hold my breath and nod, my pale blue eyes fixing to the space between my feet. When Noah has rejoined the party, I blow out and race for the backdoor to head home. It’s far too awkward to stick around.

  As I walk down the street, under a blanket of stars, a single tear of frustration rolls down my cheek. Perhaps my deep and almost crippling attraction to Noah is because he’s the one man I can never have. Even if I wanted to risk it I just couldn't. I can’t break my loyalty to my older brother. Living alone with him after our mom died and our dad vanished, Simon is all the family I have left.

  Anyway, I’m sure that Noah was simply tormenting me. I’m sure it was just another one of his goofy pranks—like the ones he used to pull on me with Simon cheering him on. My heart hurts but I’ll get over it. At least I’ll always remember what his sweet lips tasted like.

  When I get home I check my phone and see a long line of text messages from Simon. He says that everyone at the party is asking where I went. Just as I go to reply I stop myself. Instead, I head straight for bed so I can sleep off the alcohol. I don’t want to talk to anyone, and I want Noah to go as soon as possible. It would hurt too much to see his perfect face again. He left me wanting so much more from that kiss.

  He’ll be thousands of miles away soon.

  I have to get over him…

  I just have to.

  Chapter 1

  Three years later…

  Jane

  As I flick through the TV to find my favorite show, Simon rushes into the living room. He looks flustered. “He’ll be here any minute.”

  I keep my attention fixed on the TV. “So?”

  “So, have you blown up those balloons like I asked you to?”

  I roll my eyes and turn the volume up.

  “Jane?”

  “What?!” I snap. “God, I don’t know why you're going to all this fuss.”

  “Because I haven't seen the guy in three years.” Standing over me, he folds his arms across his chest and frowns. “What’s the matter with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Really? You look like it’s an inconvenience for him to stay with us.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Simon. I just don’t get why you're going to all this trouble, that’s all.”

  “We’re going to all this trouble because he’s my best friend, our best friend. Christ, Jane, he’s like family.”

  “It’s only Noah. Anyway, I’m sure he’d prefer to rest after such a long flight. Don’t you think a party is a little excessive?”

  “Forget it.”

  Seeing my older brother look so butt-hurt, I sigh and push from the sofa. “Alright, I’ll blow the damn balloons up. Anything to get you off my back.”

  “Thank you.” He shakes his head in incredulity and walks off to another room.

  Starting slowly toward the kitchen, I curse at myself for being such a grouch. I can’t help it, though. When I first found out that Noah was coming home for the summer—after three long years chasing his fortune out in London—I was excited. But the news of his return dropped around two months ago, and the closer it got to him act
ually landing on American soil, the more I began to dread seeing him again.

  I should have got over it by now. I’m twenty-one, almost finished with college, and I have a life of my own. There’s been more than enough time to get over him.

  For the past week I kept telling myself that we’re different people now. I’m older, and have filled out my clothes a little more, and he’s probably already engaged to some pretty, English rose with an annoyingly skinny body.

  As the minutes tick by, with me half-heartedly helping Simon arrange the decorations for Noah’s surprise homecoming bash, the kiss from three years ago comes back to me and hits me over the head like a sledgehammer.

  Noah left me heartbroken, and he didn't even know it. To him the kiss was probably just a little fun, another one of his games. To me it meant the world.

  With a strong desire to quell my nerves and stop myself from thinking about the past, I help myself to a drink. As soon as I pour a neat vodka, though, the doorbell goes and my heart skips a beat.

  “Can you get that?” Simon shouts out from the top of the landing.

  “Why don’t you get it?” I shout back. “I’m busy fixing up these balloons.”

  I hear him curse as he stomps downstairs to get the door. Racing out to the kitchen archway, which leads out to the hallway, I peek around the corner and watch.

  My palms sweat and my breathing hitches as Simon reaches for the handle. I pray to god that I don’t still find Noah achingly attractive. I tremble as Simon answers, but as soon as I see who is behind the door I can breathe again. It’s just a few of the first guests.

  I let out a huge sigh of relief and retreat back into the kitchen, happy that I have a stay of execution!

  Our house quickly fills up with guests. Everyone is here, from college friends to some of Simon’s old high-school buddies. However, there is one noticeable person missing; the entire reason we went to all this trouble in the first place.

  Loitering next to the refrigerator in the kitchen, which is just about the only free space left in the house, I cradle a paper cup of vodka and coke that I haven't yet sipped from. I’m almost too nervous to drink, however much I tell myself that I’m a different person now and this reunion is no big deal.

  When I manage to calm down a little, I finally take a large swig of my drink and grin.

  I’m being so irrational.

  Noah’s just another guy.

  Okay, so he’s as close to perfect as a guy can get, but life has moved on. Maybe seeing him again will make me realize that I’m all grown up now and what happened between us was just some silly crush. Maybe we can even get on like we used to…as friends.

  Just as I almost start to enjoy myself, Simon nudges up next to me. “You all cool now?”

  I shrug. “Sure. Why, wasn't I before?”

  “No. You looked super stressed.”

  “I was settling down to my fav show.”

  “Whatever.” Checking his watch, his brows meet. “Anyway, where is he?”

  “Maybe he’s still at the airport.”

  “Nah, he said he landed over an hour ago.”

  “Perhaps he checked into a motel.”

  “It’s not his style.” Simon moves away and asks one of the other girls at the party if they've heard from him. Meanwhile, my nerves come flooding back. The longer this stretches out the more I think about that last sweetly cruel moment I shared with Noah. I never even said goodbye to him properly.

  “Hey,” one of the party guests blurts out. “He’s here!”

  Panicked, seeing everyone crowd the living room windows to check out the headlights of a car out on the driveway, I knock back my drink in one gulp and run off to the bathroom to hide.

  I don’t get to hide away for long, though. A few minutes later Simon bangs on the door. “Hey, come and say hello to Noah.”

  “No.”

  “Jane!”

  Taking a deep breath, and willing away the blush in my cheeks, I unlock the door and face up to the past.

  I have to man-up now.

  I can’t hide away from him for a whole two weeks.

  Chapter 2

  Noah

  My eyes widen on Jane…

  Three years have changed her beyond what I ever imagined. No longer is she a shy eighteen-year old girl. She is now a woman. A curvy goddess, dressed in a tight black t-shirt and denim shorts.

  Her body looks incredible, and her hair—which was once a grungy, purple bob—is now long, silky, and gorgeous golden-blonde. However, beneath the veneer of her hot curves and stylish make-up, I can still see the remnants of the sweet girl I used to know. She looks like a new woman but she’s still so familiar.

  “I can’t believe it.” I take a sip of drink to hide my smile of appreciation. “You look so different.”

  She blushes, her pretty blue gaze falling away at my half-compliment.

  “Yeah, but she’s still the same annoying little sister,” Simon quips, which is followed by laughter from a few of the other party guests.

  Jane, who was never one to hide her emotions in the past, glares at him. Her reaction makes me chuckle. They love each other to bits but they've always fought like cats and dogs, like all good brothers and sisters. I guess the more things change the more things stay the same.

  I smile at Simon. “You really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble, buddy.”

  “See?” Jane says to him. “I warned you this was over the top.”

  “I’m grateful though,” I say.

  Simon smirks, which seems to make her cross.

  “But I am pretty tired from the flight,” I add.

  “Jet lag?” he asks.

  “Major.”

  Jane grins at her brother like she’s just scraped back a point.

  As I stand there drinking, I scan the kitchen. It’s spacious, with an island and all the latest mod cons. “Man, this is a nice place. I guess the shop is doing well?”

  “Very,” Simon says. “Although it’s hard work.”

  “Never thought there was much of a need for motorcycle parts in this town. What’s the average age of the population…seventy?”

  He snickers. “Hey man, you’d be surprised how many bikers pass through. Especially in the summer. Besides, I sell a lot of stuff over the net.”

  “Ace! One day you’ll have a chain of motorcycle shops.”

  “Here’s to that, brother,” Simon says, holding up his drink for a toast.

  I glance at Jane, who seems bored by the conversation. “Maybe when you've finished your business degree you could help your brother out.”

  “Yeah…right!”

  We carry on talking in a small cluster as everyone else drinks and dances. Although I’m not one to boast, I’m soon pressed on my own success in London. My technology company is going from strength to strength. Such is the rapid growth that I’m already worth a cool ten million. My rags to riches story draws gasps from my friends, but I don’t like to dwell on it much.

  Sure, I love my business and the wealth it’s built, but without a good woman by my side I have no one to lavish my hard-earned cash on.

  The conversation goes back to Jane and Simon’s relationship. I ask them how things have been after losing their mom. They seem at peace with it now, pushing on with life the best they can after such a major loss. I can tell it’s a sore point, obviously, so we don’t talk about the past for long. Their father is the only blood relative they have left, apart from each other, but he’s been AWOL for years. They only have each other, which makes their bond special.

  I can relate. I never had much of a family. Hardly remembering my parents, as they gave me up when I was a baby, I was raised by a pushy aunt who I drifted from as soon as I was a freshman in college. I’m not bitter, though. Been independent at such an early age has probably gone a long way to make me the man I am today.

  As the night carries on I start to hit a wall. I’m dog-tired, and although first class flying has its comforts, I’m craving real slee
p on a real bed.

  Setting my third beer down on the counter top, I rub at my eye.

  “Tired?” Simon asks me.

  “Yeah man. I think I’m gonna hit the sack if that’s alright.”

  “Sure.” Simon looks at Jane, who’s been peeling the label off her bud for ages now. “Show him to his room, sis.”

  She stops peeling at the label and her baby-blues stretch. “What?”

  “Show him where he’s sleeping. He’s never stayed here before.”

  I bite back a smirk as Jane gets all flustered. To relieve her of her shyness, I tell my best buddy that I can find the room for myself.

  He stands firm. “No. It’s only polite.”

  Jane folds her arms across her chest. “Then why don’t you show him where he’s sleeping?”

  An awkward silence hangs in the air for a beat before Jane takes a deep breath, shakes her head in defeat, and leads the way.

  As I follow her upstairs I can’t help but stare at her peachy ass in the sexy denim shorts she’s wearing. Her body is more curvy and full than I remember, which is no bad thing, and seeing the obvious trepidation in her every time we locked eyes makes me fall for her harder.

  Little does she know what she did to me three years ago. She just vanished, though. No goodbyes. No see you laters. No nothing after the kiss we shared.

  But I’m finally here. And with Jane looking more beautiful than ever I have a lot of ground to make up.

  Simon’s my very best friend, but I can’t help the way I feel about his younger sister. The world is a big place, with more than enough opportunity for a successful man like me to find love, but no one has even come remotely close to Jane.

  I drop my bag by the bed and hook my hands to my hips as I survey the room. “Nice.”