Craving Forbidden (Craving Series Book 8) Read online

  Craving

  Forbidden

  an Anthology

  Craving Forbidden

  Copyright © 2018.

  All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: September 2018

  Crave Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  http://www.cravepublishing.net/

  Formatting: Crave Publishing, LLC

  ISBN-13: 978-1-64034-430-3

  ISBN-10: 1-64034-430-6

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is

  entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  A Step In the Right Direction

  By Melinda Valentine

  Bad Blood

  By Olivia Night

  Crossing Jordan

  By Ryan Jo Summers

  I Never Told You

  By Poppy Dubois

  In the Dark

  By DawnMarie Richards

  In the Depths of Night

  By C.J. Laurence

  Jaded Ethics

  By Erin Lee

  Made

  By A.J. Norris

  On My Honeymoon

  By Evan Grace

  Set Me Free

  By Allysia Myers

  The Widow

  By Jessica Calla

  Unblooded Love

  By J.S. Andersen

  Untouchable

  By KL Ramsey

  A Step In the Right Direction

  By Melinda Valentine

  Chapter One

  Jasper

  Jasper Holloway stood on the sidewalk looking up at the building. It was the third time he’d been here. Not because he wanted to be, but because the judge told him it was this or ninety days in the county jail. He had money to burn, and even that couldn’t buy him out of this mess this time. He pulled his coat around him tighter before walking through the church doors.

  The room reminded him of the auditorium in elementary school. There were folding chairs set up for about thirty people. Only half were currently filled. Jasper took a seat in the far back corner. He knew by now no one would sign his card until the meeting came to an end. There was no sense in asking again.

  He surveyed the room. There were a lot of the same faces from yesterday and the day before. He wondered if they were all here to get their paper signed too. Only they didn’t look as bitter as he felt. Some were smiling and laughing, while others looked down at their phones.

  A tall lanky guy in faded denim pants and a red t-shirt stood up at the podium. “Can everyone please take their seats and silence your phones? Thank you.”

  The man continued talking about books, and steps, and other things Jasper didn’t pay any attention to. He needed thirty days in this room to have his card signed and he wouldn’t be back after that. Suddenly he realized the room went quiet. He looked back over at the man who was now staring at him.

  “Excuse me?” Jasper noticed everyone looking at him. An elderly man with white hair elbowed him gently.

  “Curtis wants you to introduce yourself, young man.”

  Introduce himself? What the fuck did he need to do that for? He scanned the crowd. He wasn’t like these people in this room. They weren’t going to become besties and hang out every Saturday night. Yet everyone’s gaze was fixated on him. Fuck it, he thought and strode up to the front of the room.

  “My name is Jasper.” He didn’t identify himself as an alcoholic, he wasn’t one. The room welcomed him anyway. “I’m here because I had a little misunderstanding. Nothing that can’t be cleared up.” His eyes scanned the room before him. That’s when he spotted her. In the third row in the middle. She was looking up at him. She wore an over-sized hoodie with her dark hair pulled up into a messy bun. He had a sudden urge to go talk to her. Then he remembered where he was. Now wasn’t the time, but soon. “Thanks for letting me share.” He repeated what he had heard everyone else say before taking his seat.

  The rest of the meeting went by quickly as he stole glances of the raven-haired beauty. She looked completely enthralled by what the others were saying. She didn’t fidget or stare at the floor. Occasionally she would smile, and Jasper knew he would need to ask her out. Sooner than later.

  The meeting came to an end and Jasper jumped out of his seat quickly. The woman took her time. She hugged multiple people, and after what felt like eons, walked out of the door. He followed a minute later so he didn’t look like a stalker.

  She was on the sidewalk talking to some guy who had been inside. A lit cigarette in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. He gave her his best smile, the one women couldn’t resist, and approached her.

  Chapter Two

  Bernadette

  Bernadette Jones spent most Saturday evenings at her favorite place—Our Lady of Grace church. It was a haven that had opened its arms and ears to her when she was in need three years ago. Three years, four months, and six days to be exact. She thanked her higher power every day for never giving up on her, even when she had all but given up on herself.

  She listened with a smile as her other family talked about the struggles they had recently overcome without picking up a bottle. She found renewed hope in the next twenty-four hours. She never looked at next month or next week. It was always the next twenty-four hours. There was a time when twenty-four hours seemed like a lifetime. Like an unattainable goal for her, but that was before she had a wonderful support system. Now it was completely attainable if she stayed on her path.

  Then GQ waltzed up to the microphone. He wore blue jeans that looked brand new with a white t-shirt and what she imagined was an Armani blazer. He was cocky and arrogant, and she had a hard time focusing on what he was saying as opposed to how he was saying it. It was self-righteous and belittling. He couldn’t even be honest with himself yet.

  She tried her best not to judge. Maybe his journey was just beginning, and he hadn’t yet found his way. He was here, that alone deserved her ear.

  Outside in the cool night air, she lit a cigarette. It was a vice she couldn’t quite give up yet. Perhaps one day, but that day was not today. Pulling a deep drag in, she tilted her head back as she exhaled the smoke toward to stars. Beckett joined her. “Hey Birdie. How’s it going?”

  “Good. How’s the new job?” Beckett wasn’t a big guy, but he wasn’t small either. He had a jovial laugh and was doing his best this time around. He had been out again for a while. This time he had seven months, which was two more than his last bout. She was proud of him.

  “It’s going good. I’m still in training, but I’m looking forward to getting in the thick of things.”

  “That’s great, Beck.”

  Bernadette noticed GQ walking in their direction. There was no way he was coming to talk to them. She looked behind her to see if anyone else was there. He smiled at her. It was a cute smile, only there was nothing but arrogance behind it.

  Beckett held out his hand. “Hey, man. How ya doing?”

&
nbsp; The guy never even acknowledged him. How rude could he be? He looked her right in the eyes. “I’m Jasper.”

  “Birdie.”

  “Birdie.” He repeated it slowly. Like he was tasting something for the first time and was unsure if he liked it. “Interesting name.”

  She glanced at Beckett, who just shrugged his shoulders. This was awkward. “Well, I’m gonna get going. Have a good night.”

  She liked to walk when she could. It was a beautiful night. She didn’t live far, and it helped save on gas. Every little bit helped. She had made it to the end of the parking lot when she felt someone following her. She turned around to find Jasper trotting toward her.

  “You want a ride?”

  She eyed him quizzically. “No, thanks.”

  He cocked his head as if she had said something in a foreign language. Was he so used to getting his way, her telling him no was a foreign concept? She tried not to laugh at the absurdity. He was arrogant, self-centered, and she could tell he wasn’t interested in putting in the work to work the program. She wasn’t interested at all.

  “How about coffee sometime?”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to pass. Have a good night.”

  Bernadette continued walking home. She was tired and wanted nothing more than a hot bath and sleep.

  She was surprised to see Jasper at the following week’s meeting. He didn’t share this time, but he did appear to listen. She thought that was probably difficult for him. She was not above giving credit where credit was due. This week and the next twelve weeks after were cookie cutouts of themselves. Every week she would catch him watching her throughout the meeting and afterward he would ask her to coffee or dinner or a movie. Each time she politely declined.

  Until one day she didn’t.

  “Wait, did you just say yes?” He smiled.

  She pointed her finger at him. “I’m saying a cup of coffee. However, there’s a catch.”

  “Catch? What catch?”

  “You tell me why you’re really here. Not the watered-down BS you give everyone else, including yourself.”

  He nodded in agreement and they started walking toward the little coffee house on the corner. Bernadette had been there dozens of times. She loved the atmosphere. It was quiet and cozy. The bell above the door jingled as they entered.

  “Hey Birdie, the usual?”

  “Yes, please, Ms. Baker.”

  She eagerly accepted the hot cup of coffee. Jasper ordered a fancy sounding foam thing. She couldn’t understand why someone would pay almost six dollars for foam, but who was she to judge. She once spent her entire paycheck on nothing but vodka and cigarettes one weekend. She found a seat in the back facing the room.

  She took a sip of the piping hot beverage. “Spill it.”

  “I told you, I had a misunderstanding with the authorities and ended up here.”

  She shook her head at him. “Maybe that could account for the first few meetings until you made thirty days, but you’re still showing up. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great. I want to know why.”

  He smiled sweetly. “You.”

  “No.” She was getting angry fast. “Get that out of your head right now.”

  He held up his hands defensively. “What’s wrong? What did I say?”

  “Your sobriety is yours. You can’t do it for someone else.”

  “I’m sorry to upset you, Birdie. I am doing it for me. There are meetings where I live and am familiar with. I go sometimes, but the reason I come to this specific meeting is you.”

  She leaned back in her chair. After a moment she sipped her drink. “I don’t have the time or patience for games, so we can be friends, okay?”

  Chapter Three

  Jasper

  Friends.

  Not the dreaded friend zone. Shit. He straightened his shoulders and smiled at her. “Friends,” he agreed. He’d work on that. He was sure it would be work too. Just as hard as he’d been working with his new sponsor. Joe was an asshole, but that was exactly what he needed. Someone to call him on his bullshit. Much like how Birdie did. Neither of them kissed up to him or treated him any differently because he had money. In fact, they acted like his money didn’t mean a damn thing. No one else ever did that.

  He took a deep breath. His breath barely over a whisper. “I was pulled over for the fifth time in six months for drunk driving.” She nodded, listening without judgment. “This time my parents wouldn’t fix it. They told me I had a problem that would kill me one day. Not that I agreed with them. I was just having fun. Plenty of people my age with my family background partied every night.”

  “I’m sure they do.”

  “Only recently, since coming here, did I find out they don’t start when they wake up. I did. They don’t get the shakes by noon if they haven’t had a drink. I did. There’s a whole list of other things I’ve done that I’m not proud of. That’s when I started thinking maybe Mom was right. Maybe, just maybe I did have a problem.”

  “And here you are.” She smiled.

  She smiled, it was warm and real and directed at him for the first time. He felt like someone punched him in the gut. She didn’t smile with her mouth. Her whole damn face lit up. He had dated models and wanna-be actresses before, none of them had a smile like Birdie. “And here I am.”

  Jasper was surprisingly sad when Birdie stood up. “It’s getting late. I should be going.”

  “I can walk you.”

  “I know the way. Maybe I’ll see you next week.”

  She patted his shoulder before exiting the coffee house. Jasper finished his cup before venturing out into the night. Victor, his driver, straightened up from his place leaning on the car and opened the door.

  “Thank you. Let’s go home.”

  Twenty minutes later the car came to a stop in front of a fifteen thousand square foot modernistic luxury estate. The extravagant home featured all state of the art appliances and features. He waltzed inside. It was quiet. The wait staff had all gone home by now. Deciding he needed to relax, he walked upstairs to the master suite. He stripped down completely, pulled on a pair of swim trunks, and grabbed a towel.

  The one-hundred-and-twenty-foot infinity pool was his favorite place to have a drink or ten as he looked at the lights of the city below him. Now he sunk into the cool water with a soda. It wasn’t the same. He wanted a real drink. He knew doing that would only land him right back where he had been. It had taken a lot to crawl out of that abyss. Only one sip would have him spiraling down like Alice looking for her rabbit.

  He thought of Birdie. She had some time under her belt. How did she do it? It was a lot harder than he thought it would be. He’d been avoiding his friends. They all wanted to go out partying and he couldn’t. These days he needed to lay low. There were some steps he could work on. He wasn’t sure where to start. He should call Joe.

  He leaned back, swiping his phone from on top of his fluffy white towel. Joe answered quicker than he would have thought.

  “What?”

  Jasper smiled even though Joe couldn’t see it. “Nice way to answer your phone,” he teased.

  “That’s me. Sunshine and roses. Now, whatcha need, brother?”

  “I was hoping you had some time. I’m feeling restless.”

  “I’m tied up right now. Hey, whatcha got planned for tomorrow.”

  He thought for a moment. Shit. He had nothing. Another long day of staring at the clock. “Nothing important,” he replied.

  “Excellent. Meet me at St. Augustus church on Second Ave at three.”

  “New meeting?”

  “Better. Then maybe we’ll be able to work on another step.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll be there.”

  With something to look forward to, Jasper climbed out of the pool. The warm breeze instantly began to dry his skin. He wrapped his towel around his waist and made his way inside to shower off the chlorine. It would do him some good to get a decent night’s sleep.

  Saturday was beautifu
l. Jasper regretted making plans with Joe. He’d much rather be out on his boat. A cold drink in one hand and a hot woman in the other. He wondered if Birdie liked boats. The church looked deserted except for a few cars in the parking lot. Joe was standing outside finishing a cigarette.

  He looked like he belonged in a biker gang. Shit, as far as Jasper knew, he very well could be. He was six foot four and sometimes the light shined off his bald head as if he had polished it. His beard was sprinkled with gray and Jasper would bet everything in his wallet on the assumption he scared little kids straight just by looking at them. Maybe adults too.

  Joe gave him a warm smile. “Glad you could make it.”

  He gave Jasper a bear hug and together they walked inside. There were tables lining one side of the room. They had white tablecloths and a bunch of those little candle things his caterers used to keep food warm. He hadn’t had a party since he put down the bottle. Could he? Would his old friends come to a party that was dry? He hadn’t thought about that before.

  A few guys he recognized in passing were laughing together by the last table. Which was exactly where Joe was leading him.

  “Hey, guys.”

  The smallest guy in the group fist bumped Joe first. “Whatsupbrother?” Jasper could barely make out what he said. His words flowed together. Like one didn’t stop before the other one started.

  “This here is Jasper. He’s gonna help out today.”

  The guys nodded their approval. They shook hands. Joe showed him to a spot behind one of the tables. “This is where you’ll be.”

  “Doing what?” Jasper had the feeling Joe had pulled a fast one on him.

  “Serving, of course. In a few minutes, this place will be filled with hungry people who have nowhere else to go.”