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

  “Well,” Jane says, “goodnight then.”

  I turn to face her. “Don’t you want to properly catch up?”

  He cheeks turn crimson-red.

  All of a sudden I realize how bad sounds. “I didn't mean—”

  “Goodnight, Noah.”

  Before I can convince her to stay with me for a while so we can chat—and maybe clear a few of the ghosts from the past—she quickly walks out of the room.

  I don’t follow her…

  I’m beat from the long flight and I need time to think about the best way to break the ice with her. I can’t expect to just rock up here after such a long time and continue from where we left off.

  I have two weeks to spend in the small town I used to call home and I really want to get to know her again. I’ll have to be patient and pick away at the wall she’s built around her.

  Once upon a time all three of us used to be good friends and I want that back. But, with us both being older, and seeing how much she’s blossomed, I want so much more than friendship with her.

  Chapter 3

  Jane

  It’s been two days since Noah tipped my crazy little life on its head. I’ve done my best to stay out of his way, though, working extra shifts at the bar and locking myself away in my room so I can study hard for my upcoming exams. It’s a bit of a cop-out, but I really do have a lot of work to catch up on. That only makes Noah’s presence, right under our roof, all the more difficult to deal with.

  Just as I feared I’m still deeply attracted to him. Even more so. His bulky muscular body looks more streamlined these days, and his face seems more masculine with thicker stubble and a longer style of wavy dark hair. He hasn't changed too much, though. He’s just richer, and a little less cocky than he was when he stole that cruel first kiss from me.

  Just as I swipe empty beer bottles off a table and start toward the bar, someone clasps onto my arm. I jolt and turn to see a seedy looking guy grin at me.

  My eyes narrow. “Can I help you, sir?”

  “You can alright!” His bloodshot eyes work up and down my body, making me shiver with revulsion. He must be close to fifty, if not older, and looks disheveled in a ripped-up trucker’s jacket. Although we’re in a bar he reeks of booze and cigarettes.

  “Do you want another drink?” I ask him, trying to defuse the situation with a firm but friendly voice.

  “Sure.”

  I nod to the bar. “Jo will serve you.” I hold up the bottles in my hand. “I’m busy with these.”

  The toothless grin on his face melts away and his eyes round with what I read as anger from being rejected.

  I shake him off, though. It’s not the first time some horny drunk has hit on me and it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to graduate and start my career. Not that bar work is all that bad, but in this dusty old town, where everyone knows everyone and everyone’s business, it’s hard work dealing with randy locals night after night.

  When the evening draws to a close, I take five and have a little chat with Jo. She’s one of my best friends from college, and like me she’s working all the hours she can until we’re both free from school. We have a lot in common, although she seems happier than me now that she’s met some new hunk.

  I scoot up close to her. “So, are you gonna tell me who this mystery man is?”

  She blushes.

  “It’s not like you to be so modest,” I say.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You normally shout from the rooftops when you find new love.”

  “That makes me sound like such a whore.”

  I chuckle.

  “Anyway, who said I ever found love…” She blushes some more. “Until now.”

  “Ooh, this mystery guy really does sound like the one.”

  She bites on her lower lip, probably recalling all the hot sex she’s enjoyed.

  “So,” I continue, “who’s the lucky guy?”

  She breathes in and smiles. “Never mind all that. What about you? That’s the question.”

  I blow out. “Same old.”

  “I heard that Noah’s back in town.”

  I sigh. “Yep.”

  “And that’s a bad thing? You don’t sound so enamored by it.”

  “It’s a distraction, Jo, nothing more.”

  “Babes, if you want my advice then you really should tell your brother.”

  My eyes stretch. “No freaking way! He’d kill me!”

  “That’s crazy. Noah is his best friend.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Haven't you at least considered that he’d be cool with it? At least he’d know that you're in safe hands with a man he can trust.”

  I snort. “Trust? After hiding a kiss for three years?” I study her for a beat. “I’m really grateful you’ve kept this between us after all this time.”

  “Hey, what are friends for? I’m just sorry I missed his homecoming party.”

  Asking Jo to do the stocktaking, I pull on my coat and head out to the back of the bar so I can dispose of the empty bottles.

  As soon as I open up the large recycling dumpster, out in the dark and dingy alleyway, I’m suddenly and violently shoved against the wall. The crate of empty bottles I’m holding onto smash to the floor and I scream. My cries are soon stifled by the dirty, grubby hand of the creep from earlier on. Getting hit on is one thing, but I’ve never been accosted like this before. Terrified, my blood freezes.

  “Shut you fucking mouth,” he barks. “You're nothing but a tease. All you girls are!”

  I try to fight back but he’s surprisingly strong for such a short and skinny man.

  Just as he sticks out his grey, slimy tongue— pushing forward to try and lick the side of my face—he’s suddenly launched backwards. Crashing into trash cans he howls out in pain.

  “Get out of here!” Noah bellows, coming to my rescue from out of nowhere.

  The creep scrambles up to his feet and darts off down the alleyway, quickly stumbling out into the main street before disappearing into the night.

  Shocked, I breathe hard and fast. “Jesus Christ!”

  Noah turns to face me. His nostrils flare and his dark eyes burn with rage. I’ve never seen him look so serious and intense before. It’s alarming, but at the same time it turns me on. He looks powerful, lethal almost.

  Calming down a little he nods to my hand. “You're bleeding.”

  I didn't notice it before, due to the shock, but when I look at my hand I see that he’s right. Noah pulls out a handkerchief from the back pocket of his jeans and ties it around the cut on my left palm.

  “We have to keep pressure on it,” he says, holding my hand firmly in his. When he’s stemmed the flow of blood, he pulls out his phone.

  “What are you doing?” I ask him.

  “Calling an ambulance.”

  “Don’t!”

  “But you're hurt.”

  “It’s nothing.” I pull the blood-soaked hankie away from my hand. “See? It’s already stopped bleeding. It’s just a nick from the broken glass.”

  “You sure you’ll be okay?”

  “I’ll live…just!”

  We both smile.

  As a kind of sexual tension comes between us, Jo bursts out of the back door. “Oh my god! What happened?”

  “Some creep tried to hit on me,” I say.

  After examining the wound on my hand, she notices Noah and smiles at him. “Oh, hey there.”

  He smiles back. “Don’t worry, I had her back.”

  Jo grins at me. It’s the type of grin that makes me know exactly what she’s thinking. Although I’ve been a real Debbie Downer lately, hiding from Noah for days, I’m so relieved to see him; especially now. Who knows what would have happened if this six-foot three barn-door of a man didn't show up when he did.

  When he’s certain that I’m fine, and I won’t pass out from blood loss, he asks me if he can walk me home. This time I don’t resist him.

  After gathering my stuff from inside the bar, and being assured by Jo that she can close up, we walk slowly back to the house.

  It’s been quite the night of high drama, but I guess it’s been one way to finally break the ice with him!

  Chapter 4

  Noah

  Simon bolts up from the sofa the second we walk through the front door. I sent him a text to tell him about the events of the night on our walk home.

  “Jane,” he gasps, “are you okay?!”

  “It’s just a little cut,” she says, clasping onto the bloody rag in her left hand. “No need to panic.”

  “Some drunk at the bar,” I add.

  He looks shocked. “Did you call the cops?”

  “No need,” I tell him. “I scared the creep away.”

  “Yeah, but a slime-ball like that needs locking up.”

  “I’ll report it in the morning,” Jane says. “He’s probably out cold on some park bench.”

  “Well, as long as you're okay.” Simon turns his attention to me. “Good to have you around, buddy.”

  “It’s good to be around.”

  “And it’s even better knowing that you’ll be here to keep tabs on Jane this weekend.”

  She lurches toward her brother. “What do you mean? Are you going away?”

  “Yes. I’m taking a little city break with my new girlfriend.”

  I grin. “Hey, you never told me you hooked up with a new girl. Who is she?”

  He looks away. “Just some girl I met. It’s early days.”

  Jane frowns at Simon.

  “Well, I’m sure we’ll know all about her soon enough. You can’t keep secrets for long in this town.” I glance at Jane who turns beet-red.

  Simon straightens up. “Right then. I’m off to bed. I’m leaving first thi
ng tomorrow morning.”

  “What?” Jane gasps. “That’s short notice.”

  “You’re a big girl now. Besides, Noah’s obviously well-equipped to look out for you.” He walks up to me and places a hand on my shoulder. “I know that by going away I’m eating into your visit, but it’s only two days. Is that cool with you?”

  “I’m with Jane. I’ve got all the company I need.”

  He smiles, bids us goodnight, and walks upstairs to bed.

  Left alone with Jane in the living room I can feel a palpable tension in the air. It’s like we’re back at square one, just when we finally starting to bond like the good old days. On the way over here she even laughed at some of my corny-ass jokes. But now she seems defensive again, like the walls are back up.

  “Drink?” I ask her.

  “No thanks. Working in a bar makes you sick of the sight of alcohol.”

  “I meant hot chocolate.”

  “Oh…yeah, sure.”

  “Good.” I walk through to the kitchen, slowly followed by Jane.

  As I heat up some milk on the stove, and take out two mugs from the kitchen cupboard, Jane sits down by the sink, runs the faucet, and examines her injury.

  I jerk my chin to her hand. “All good?”

  She frowns as she picks at it. “Yeah, but there’s tiny shards of glass still stuck in my hand.” She grimaces as she picks at it more.

  “Let me take a look.” I walk over to her and take her hand in mine. At first she flinches from my touch, but I’m careful not to hurt her—letting the cool water gently wash away the stale blood from the small gash in her palm.

  After a few seconds picking away fragments of glass, I wrap a tea-towel around her hand and push back. “There you go. Good as new.”

  She laughs.

  My brow arches. “What?”

  “I’m surprised that those thick fingers of yours can find such tiny specks of glass.”

  “I have my talents.”

  She pauses and then breathes out. For just a split second I swear that she’s thinking what I’m thinking.

  I turn my focus back to the milk, which is nicely heating up on the stove, and then mix two heaps of chocolate powder into the mugs. “Jane, I want to apologize.”

  “For what?”

  “For leaving things so strained the last time I saw you.”

  Her cheeks flush hot-pink.

  “I don’t want any awkwardness between us,” I continue. “I know that kiss was just a drunken mistake.”

  “Did you really drink that much?”

  “No. But you did…”

  She doesn't react.

  “Didn't you?” I add.

  “No.” Looking down, she shakes her head and whispers, “It was the best moment of my life.”

  “Say that louder…”

  Her eyes find mine again. “Look, Noah, I know that nothing can happen between us. I know that you probably have some girlfriend waiting for you in London, but—”

  I hold up a hand to stop her. “Wait right there…”

  Her brows meet.

  “I think you're a real smart girl, but you know nothing.”

  “Really? I know this much…that three years ago you saw me as this poor defenseless girl, and you took a chance to tease me. Well, I’m all grown up now and I’m doing just fine, thank you very much.”

  I chuckle.

  Her pretty face scrunches up. “What’s so funny?”

  “You look cute when your mad. Bat-shit crazy, but cute.” I pour the milk into both mugs and hold one out for her. “Here. Drink it while it’s warm. It’ll help with the shock of earlier.”

  She keeps her eyes pinned on me, shooting me a suspicious look, before taking the drink in both hands. I watch her with intent as she blows away the steam and then takes a small sip.

  “Still as nice as you remember?”

  She licks her lips. “You always made the best hot chocolate.”

  “Good to hear that I haven't lost my magic touch.”

  Her lips twist off to the side, as though she’s fighting back a smile. “Don’t push your luck.”

  I hold both hands up in mock surrender.

  That night we stay up for hours, just talking. We talk about anything and everything. About the summers we used to share. About her new life at college. About what London is like and if I’ve met the queen. The only thing we shy away from is that kiss. We both know it meant so much more. There’s no need to push the subject. Not yet anyway…

  Not until we are all alone.

  Chapter 5

  Jane

  I wake up at god knows what time. The sun is out, though, pouring through my blinds, but it could be either morning or afternoon. I can’t remember what time I went to bed…

  Suddenly, I spring up. Shit!

  Racing to put my fluffy robe on, I rush out of my bedroom and call out for Simon. There’s no answer. I run across the landing and look down to the front yard. His car is gone.

  Then it hits me, like a bucket of ice-cold water in the face. I am all alone. All alone, that is, with the only man who could ever level me with his gorgeous brown eyes and turn me into a quivering, horny mess.

  Just as I think about retreating back to my room and sleeping through the whole weekend until my big brother gets back, I sniff at the air…

  Is that bacon?

  Curious, I slowly walk downstairs and sneak over to the kitchen doorway. Noah, with his back turned to me, is rustling up bacon and eggs. But my eyes don’t stay on the frying pan too long. Wearing nothing but a pair of white boxers, he is totally stripped bare. His back, which is one huge mosaic of thick muscle, looks incredible, and his butt…oh my days! Two perfect buns of steel that cap off the juiciest and meatiest of thighs.

  I feel a sweet ache between my legs.

  Just as I retreat from view, feeling my clit pulse as naughty thoughts of throwing myself at him pop into my sex-crazed brain, he turns on his heel. “Morning, sleepy head!”

  I gasp.

  “You look shocked,” he says. “Feeling any better after last night?”

  I cover my eyes with the edge of my hand to shield my gaze from his bulging pecs and stone-carved abs. “Yeah…” I pull my robe closed tighter. “I think so.”

  He holds up the frying pan, showing off perfectly cooked fried eggs and bacon. “It’s a little late for breakfast, but this should set us right for the rest of the day.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost one in the afternoon.”

  “Fuck!”

  His brows meet. “What’s up?”

  “I have an afternoon shift at the bar.”

  “No you don’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I cleared it with your boss.”

  I squint. “You did what?”

  “I asked him if you could have the day off. He was cool with it.”

  “But Jo isn't working toady. Who’s gonna cover for us?”

  “I’m sure there are plenty of cash-strapped students like you. Don’t worry. Today we will eat this feast I’ve created and then take a nice stroll around town.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve missed the place and want to see what’s changed. And you're going to be my tour guide.”

  I squint some more.

  “It’s only polite to keep me company now that your brother’s taken off. I am here on vacation, remember?”

  I breathe out in resignation, knowing that I have little choice in the matter if I don’t want to come across as a total misery guts. “Alright then. You win. But I want to take a shower first.”

  “Not yet you don’t.” He walks over to a chair at the kitchen table and pulls it out for me. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even though it’s now lunch.” He nods to the chair. “Now, take a seat, relax, and I’ll make you some fresh OJ to go with the sunny-side ups. You do like your eggs that way, don’t you?”

  With a smile, I nod.

  “Good,” he says, flashing me the kind of wink that has me firmly crossing my legs under the table. Jesus, this is the stuff of fantasy; a yummy breakfast cooked by one seriously hot and sexy half-naked man! I gotta drag my mind out of the gutter before I do something we both might regret again!

  “It’s prettier than I remember,” Noah says, looking out across the town from the highest point on the hill.