Forbidden Touch: A Best Friends To Lovers Romance

by Iona Rose

  Suddenly, my mother’s rejection did not matter. The world had righted itself. Blaze was who mattered. And I knew then that I could not live without him in my life. I was his, whether he wanted it or not. I clung to Blaze, inhaling his scent. He smelled of home, warmth, and love.

  “How is he?” Blaze asked me, pulling me back to look at my face.

  “A lot better,” I said and cradled his face. I couldn’t get enough of him. Couldn’t wrap my head around how he had hopped on the next flight as soon as I sent him a text saying I needed him. “Blaze.” I’d forgotten that my mom was also in the waiting room.

  Blaze kept my hand in his as he struck his hand out to greet my mother. “I’m so sorry Mrs. Mathews,” he said. “I’m glad Mr. Mathews is a lot better now.”

  My mom smiled, warmth radiating from her.

  I watched the change in fascination. She metamorphosed into this warm mother figure, even going as far as offering Blaze her cheek to kiss. I shook my head as Blaze tucked me under his arm protectively.

  Blaze got more information from my mom about dad’s condition than I had earlier. They had been relaxing by the pool when his face contorted and one side of his face started drooping. She had called for an ambulance and in less than five minutes, the paramedics had been with him.

  We stayed a little longer then Blaze and I left for the hotel.

  “You’re awesome, you know that?” I said to him in the cab. “I didn’t think to book a hotel.”

  “You were worried about your dad,” he said and kissed my forehead.

  He’d booked us into the five-star Serene Stays. “This is fancy,” I said as we padded across the lobby.

  “You deserve it,” Blaze said.

  We checked in, then followed a bellboy to the elevators and to our room on the second floor.

  “Bliss,” I said, surveying the king-sized bed.

  “I’ll draw a bath for you,” Blaze said. “It’ll relax you.”

  “You’ll relax me,” I said and plopped down on the bed.

  “I’ll be there too,” he said and disappeared into the bathroom. In seconds, the sound of water came into the room. Blaze then returned to the room.

  I patted the bed next to me. He came and sat down. I took his hand and sandwiched it between mine. “Thank you for coming,” I said.

  “You’re the most important person in the world to me,” he said, holding my gaze. “Whether we’re dating or not, that is one constant that will never change.”

  I scrambled onto his lap and threw my arms around his neck. “I’m the luckiest… woman,” I said, my voice catching.

  He held me tight. “I’m the lucky one. And now, if you want us to ever be allowed back at Serene Stays, we better turn off the tap before the bathroom floods,” Blaze said.

  I jumped from his lap and ran to the bathroom, his laugh following me. “Blaze!” I shouted. “You lied to me. The water can’t flood.”

  “I know,” he said, taking his shirt off as he walked into the huge bathroom. “But it would have gone to waste.”

  I took his cue and began stripping, all the while eyeing the huge bathtub waiting for me. Blaze stepped into the circular tub first after which I followed. I sank into the water and sat between his legs. I relaxed back onto his chest and let out a deep sigh of satisfaction.

  “I’m finding it hard to believe that such a horrible day has ended like this,” I said, feeling teary again, as I recalled my confrontation with my mom.

  Blaze massaged my shoulders and arms.

  I told him everything that had happened since I’d arrived.

  He wrapped his arms around me when I reached the part where I confronted my mom. “I’m glad you did,” he said when I finished talking. “Even if she didn’t have the right answers, healing will begin. That makes me happy.”

  He was right. I already felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off me.

  “You know what else made me happy?” Blaze said.

  “What?” I said.

  “That you reached out to me. You called me when you needed me. That means a lot to me.”

  “I love you Blaze,” I said. “And I need you in my life.”

  “Oh, sweetheart,” Blaze said. “Let’s get out of the tub. I want to make love to you.”

  “I want it too, but Blaze, the water is still hot,” I protested.

  He gently pushed me up. “We’ll come back. I can’t wait. I want you now Brooke.” His tone sounded raw and sensual.

  His voice shot straight to my heart like an arrow. I followed him out of the bath and grabbed a towel. We kept our eyes on each other as we wiped ourselves dry. An urgency came over me as I took in his body, taut with muscles and his cock, steel hard while bobbing up and down.

  I went to him and kissed him, my arms went around his shoulders possessively. Our bodies immediately ignited a fire between us that we spent the next hour trying to extinguish.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Brooke

  We flew home the following afternoon after spending the better part of the morning at the hospital. The doctor assured us that my dad would mend, even if it would take a lot of time.

  “It’s a good thing that he has someone dedicated to caring for him,” Blaze said in the cab on the way to the airport.

  “Thank God for that. Now, I appreciate their dedication to each other,” I said. “Hey, I’ve been thinking, I really don’t want that Assistant Finance Director’s job.”

  “Why?” Blaze looked puzzled.

  I didn't know how to explain it, so I started from the beginning. I told Blaze how Mason had dangled a carrot of promotion in front of me and said whoever worked hardest would get the job. He had been smart about it too, by mentioning who else was in the running for the position. As I spoke, I felt like a fool. It became clear to me what Mason had been doing. He wanted me to want the job so badly that I'd be willing to do anything. Even sleep with him to make it happen.

  I kept talking until we got to the airport.

  Blaze listened without interrupting until we got to the terminal but a vein throbbed on his forehead. When we finally settled in our seats on the plane, he turned to me. “Mason is a bastard.”

  I nodded. He’d perfected the art of taking advantage of people but I blamed myself too for being willing to do anything to get that job.

  “I wish you’d told me,” Blaze said in a nonjudgmental tone.

  I placed my hand on his. “I know, I should have. I’m sorry.” It was as if a mesh had been removed from my eyes and I could finally see things clearly. I wanted to start living an authentic life in my love life and in my work.

  The thought was frightening because I needed to be honest with myself at all times and not run away. I inhaled deeply. I could do it. I had to do it if I wanted my relationship with Blaze to work out.

  The plane cruised down the runway before lifting into the air. It took us two hours to get to New York. And by three o'clock we were in the house.

  “It feels good to be back home,” I said as Blaze carried our bags in.

  “It does,” he agreed.

  “I’ll make us some coffee.” I kicked off my shoes and shrugged out of my jacket, reveling in the feeling of being alone with the man I loved.

  I looked up from my computer screen as a knock came in the door. “Come in.”

  Mary walked in. “Hi.”

  I smiled. “Hi yourself.”

  “I heard about your dad,” she said. “How is he doing?”

  So many of my fellow workers had passed by this morning to ask about my dad and it felt good to know people cared. “A lot better today. “ I told her I’d spoken to my mom this morning and my dad was improving by the hour.

  “That's good to hear,” she said.

  We spoke a bit more, then she left, and I was alone in my office again. I mused over my conversation with my mom this morning. Something had changed since my return from Florida. We were more honest with each other. She’d told me my dad had asked after me. This n
ews had made me feel inordinately pleased. Maybe we would plan another visit to Florida with Blaze in a few weeks’ time.

  I forced my mind back to work and stayed throughout lunch hour to make up for the two days I'd missed from work. I grabbed my phone and texted Blaze to go to lunch without me.

  When a knock came again at two o'clock, I’d been expecting another one of my colleagues.

  Instead, Blaze walked in. “Delivery service,” he said and handed me a brown bag along with a coffee.

  My mouth watered at the aromatic scent of the coffee. “Thank you.” I raised my head to kiss him.

  “You’re welcome.” Blaze nodded.

  “Yum,” I said. “I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.” I fished out a grilled chicken sandwich.

  Blaze laughed at my enthusiasm. “I’ll leave you to eat,” he said and blew a kiss at me from the door.

  At some point in the afternoon, Mason came into my office. “Have you heard from your mother?” he asked with a look of concern on his face.

  I was touched. It wasn’t like Mason to give a shit about anyone’s personal problems. “She called me this morning and we spoke again, just before noon. Dad is doing well. Thank you for asking.”

  He nodded and dipped his hands in his pockets. “I know how it is when a parent is sick. My father had a stroke several years ago. And he was a lot worse than your dad is. He’ll make it through.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Actually, I came to ask if you could come over to my place. There are some things I need us to go through before we launch the new system tomorrow,” Mason said.

  I frowned.

  “Just a few things, it shouldn't take too long,” he added when I hesitated.

  I didn't want to go to his place. After his kind words, and him asking about my dad, I found it hard to say no. Besides, I told myself, it was a chance to tell him I wasn't interested in the job opening anymore. “Okay,” I said.

  “Good, I’ll text you my address.”

  When he left, I fished out my phone and texted Blaze to tell him of my new plans for the evening.

  His reply text came almost immediately. I'm not comfortable with you going to Mason's place. I don't trust him.

  I could visualize Blaze frowning as he wrote the message. I texted him back. It’s just for work, because of the new system tomorrow. It won't take long. And I promise I'll be fine.

  His response came a few seconds later. Okay. Don’t take too long. I'll come for you.

  I texted him back three love emojis. Then he sent back one big one, making me laugh.

  It was quiet in the office and it seemed I was the only one left, apart from the cleaning people. Even Mason had already left. I worked for another half an hour. And at the end of it, I'd finished what needed to be done before the following day. I yawned and turned off my computer. I grabbed my bag and as I walked out of the office, I requested for an Uber.

  The Uber was waiting outside by the time I got out of the building.

  I slipped in and sat back as we drove towards Mason's place. He lived in a family home which made me a little apprehensive and nervous.

  Don't be silly, I said to myself. As annoying and irritating as Mason was, he wasn't really dangerous and I knew he wouldn't try to do anything forcefully.

  What about the time he’d tried to forcibly kiss you, a voice in my head asked. I hesitated outside the door as memories of trying to shove him back came to my mind.

  What to do? I was already here, so I might as well go in, I decided. I hit the buzzer.

  Mason’s voice came over the intercom, “Is that you Brooke?”

  “It's me,” I replied.

  Moments later, the door swung open and he stood there smiling broadly.

  Fresh apprehension came over me. I wanted to be at home. Not come to Mason's house to work. I wanted to be home with Blaze cooking dinner or working on the upstairs apartment. Anything as long as I was with Blaze.

  I’d decided to leave Mason’s house in less than half an hour.

  “Come on in,” he said.

  “Thank you,” I said and walked in.

  The front door opened up into a living space that stretched out to a dining room and a kitchen beyond but what caught my eye was the dim lighting in the room and a table in the middle of the room set for two.

  Why had he gone to all this trouble and yet, I was here to work… I was not here on a date. “What is this?” I asked him. “I thought we were working?”

  “We are,” he said, his tone patient as though he was speaking to a child. “But that doesn't mean we can’t have a quick meal, does it? Put your things down.”

  I sighed deeply and did as he asked, placing my bag on the couch.

  Mason struck a match and lit the two candles on the table.

  He had tricked me into coming to his place. I was a fool but it was definitely the last time he would trick me.

  “Come and sit at the table. Everything is ready,” Mason urged. “You’ll like the food. I ordered it from a nice seafood restaurant.”

  I fought the urge to turn around and walk out of his house. I would go along with the charade and try and eat. If he wasn't ready to start working after that, I would leave.

  Mason brought the food to the table with flare and then took the chair opposite mine. “Isn't this nice? Go on, dig into your food.”

  I grabbed a fork, and forced myself to eat. The prawns tasted like cardboard in my mouth and I had to forcibly push the food down my throat. I couldn't do it. I couldn't pretend I was okay with a forced dinner date. There was nothing I wanted from Mason anymore. So I didn't have to pretend. I carefully placed the fork down. “I'm sorry. I don't understand what this is. I only came so we could finish the project before tomorrow.”

  Mason’s face hardened. “Why the change Brooke? You were all in before. Have you forgotten what's in store for you? The promotion.”

  I shook my head. “I'm not interested. Actually. That was one of the reasons I came. I want to tell you that I'm not interested in that job anymore. I'm happy where I am.”

  He stared at me in disbelief. “Who are you trying to fool? I know underneath that cool exterior, you’d do anything to get it. Don’t pretend otherwise, I can see through you.”

  I pushed the chair back to get up.

  In a flash before I knew what was happening, Mason stood up too and came to my side of the table. His eyes flashed wildly. He wore a look I had never seen. “You’re a tease Brooke Mathews. Now, I’ll teach you what I do to women who tease me.”

  Fear coursed through my veins. Mason was dangerous. I had misjudged him. I took a step back, but before I could move again, his hand shot out and he grabbed my arm.

  Adrenaline kicked in. I folded my knee and kicked him in the groin.

  “What the fuck!” he exclaimed, momentarily surprised. But he recovered quickly and he was a lot stronger than I was. He grabbed me again, slamming my body against his.

  I would not go down without a fight. I lifted my knee and kicked him again in the groin.

  He let out a curse but seemed to recover in the next second and launched for me. I lost my footing and made a grab for the table but instead, got the tablecloth. I toppled to the ground as did the tablecloth and everything it.

  Mason took that chance to get on top of me. He pinned my hands to the side and grinned.

  Something flickered behind him, catching my eye. “Get off me,” I shouted. “The tablecloth is on fire!”

  Mason went still and then looked behind him.

  That's when we saw it. The fire had spread to a rug on the floor.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Blaze

  I glanced at my phone again. I was contemplating writing another message to Brooke. She hadn't responded to my two previous messages asking her whether she was okay. I glanced up at Mason's house. I saw no activity but there was light in there in what I assumed was the living room.

  It was too quiet and the knot of worry in my belly
tightened. Why hadn't she responded since the first time I’d written to her from home?

  But then Brooke had the habit of leaving her phone in her purse and only looking at it when it rang. I would give it five more minutes and if she didn’t text back, I would storm the house.

  I kept my eyes glued on the house for any sort of movement. Five minutes later, I was about to take my phone out to call Brooke, when something in the house caught my eye. A flash of orange light. I peered closer and my heart pounded hard in my chest when I realized it was a fire.

  “Fuck! I said under my breath and quickly got out of the car. I sprinted towards the house. By the time I got to the front door, I knew for sure it was a fire. I pushed the front door knob but it wouldn't budge. It was locked.

  I ran to the window but the blinds blocked my view. I banged on it. “Brooke! Brooke, are you there?” I heard no response, apart from the hiss of fire as it consumed things. By now, the fire had spread to most of the living room. A burning scent filled the air. Desperation and fear clutched my chest.

  I ran around the house to the back. Thankfully, there was no fence and I went straight to the back door. I grabbed the door and pushed… to my relief, it opened. The fire hadn’t spread to the kitchen but the visibility was poor because of the thick black smoke.

  A figure crawled from the thick black smoke. It was Brooke.

  “Brooke,” I called and went for her. I placed my hands under her arms and dragged her out.

  As soon as fresh air hit her, she started coughing.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “I'm fine,” she said. “But Mason's in there.”

  I was about to fish out my phone to call the emergency services when I heard the sound of sirens. Someone else had already called them. “Come on, let's get out of here,” I told Brooke and took her from the burning house to the car down the street.

  By the time we got there, the fire truck was already parked outside the house and the place was milling with firemen. In a matter of minutes, they had the fire under control, and the police were already there.