The wrong man never felt so right…
Marine Lieutenant Matt Beckett is in hell. Trying to move on with his life after his convoy was ambushed a year ago in Afghanistan, resulting in the death of his best friend, there’s nothing more he’d love to do than lose himself in the arms of the woman he’s loved from afar for years. Too bad she’s the one woman he can never have.
Becky Ford has finally moved on after her fiancé was killed in a roadside ambush last year. She’s finishing up her Ph.D. in Biology and wants nothing more than to graduate, land a job, and eventually fall in love again. Unfortunately, none of the guys she’s dated hold a candle to her former love’s best friend—but he can’t stand to even be in the same room as her.
Becky never felt so protected and safe as when Matt pulled her into his muscular arms one night. But he made it perfectly clear in the past that they’re not even friends.
Her Forbidden Marine is about the lines between love and friendship—including falling for those we least expect to.
Her Forbidden Marine
A HEARTS ABLAZE: MEN IN UNIFORM NOVEL
Makenna Jameison
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Makenna Jameison.
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
ALSO BY MAKENNA JAMEISON
SOLDIER SERIES ROMANCE NOVELLAS
Christmas with a Soldier
Valentine from a Soldier
In the Arms of a Soldier
Return of a Soldier
Summer with a Soldier
HEARTS ABLAZE: MEN IN UNIFORM
A Marine for Christmas
Her Forbidden Marine
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
About the Author
From the Author
Prologue
Becky gasped as the first strains of the bugle sounded. The wind whipped her hair behind her as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. The entire moment felt so permanent, so final. There was no going back after this—no pretending that he was coming home. How could she be standing here at Brody’s funeral? He’d been so young, so full of life. They hadn’t even started their life together, and now her dreams for the future were over before they’d begun. Her mom and sister stood a few feet away, beside her father, all of them dressed in black for the solemn occasion. She’d stepped away from everyone after the honor guard had presented the folded flag to Brody’s parents, needing a moment to collect her thoughts, to just breathe.
She stepped back further, away from the shiny casket, away from the crowd of family and friends gathered there to support her and say their goodbyes. She glanced down at the engagement ring on her finger, twisting it with shaking hands as it sparkled in the sunlight. Maybe she should have removed it, had it buried along with Brody. She felt like her own life had ended when his was taken, and a piece of jewelry to remind her of Brody was not going to bring him back. She should just turn around and run away, pretend this whole affair was nothing but a nightmare. Maybe if she crawled back into bed, she’d wake up tomorrow and Brody would still be in Afghanistan, preparing to come home to her in a few short months. She wouldn’t have to stand here, enduring the worst day of her entire life.
The tears fell harder now, and she was sobbing, covering her face with her hands as if she could somehow keep the pain inside from seeping out. There was absolutely nothing holding her together, nothing to keep her from falling apart. She shook as the endless sobs wracked her body, and suddenly a strong arm wrapped around her shoulders as a six-foot-two Marine eased her into his arms. She wasn’t sure which of Brody’s friends had stepped away from the crowd to comfort her and didn’t care as she leaned into his solid strength, grateful to have someone there to hold her up. “I’ve got you,” a deep voice said gently. A voice she recognized, would know absolutely anywhere, but she had to be mistaken. Because Brody’s best friend made himself scarce anytime she was in the room. He would barely even speak to her on a good day, let alone comfort her when she was upset. He certainly wouldn’t be the one to ever hold her as she cried.
She felt like the world tilted on its axis as she finally glanced up and scanned his chiseled features. Because there at her side, looking down with concern in his brown eyes where before there’d been nothing but cool disinterest, was Matt Beckett.
Chapter 1
One year later
Becky glanced around from her vantage point at the corner of the intersection, watching as snow flurries swirled through the air, catching in the light of the lamp posts. The full moon glowing down on the snow-dusted streetscape gave the entire town a dream-like feel, as if she would wake up any minute from this fantasy and return to her real life. She’d be back in sunny California, finishing her dissertation, or sharing a pizza with her roommate as they laughed and watched TV. Maybe she’d be teaching a class full of undergrads or in a lab coat finishing her research. But for just this moment, as she breathed in the smoky winter air and felt the chill seep through her, she was suspended in time.
The town still looked the same after all these years. The same storefronts lined Main Street with their windows decorated for Christmas, even though it was now past New Year’s Day. The same evergreen wreaths, each complete with a large red bow tied at the bottom, were hanging from every lamp post, filling block after block with holiday cheer. The bakery had the same twinkle lights around its front window, and the barbershop had the same Frosty the Snowman perched out front that Becky used to love as a kid. How she and her sister would laugh as they jumped up and tried to grab the hat from his head, never quite reaching high enough. By the time they were tall enough to actually grab it, the game had entirely lost its appeal. Still, she smiled at the memory, a happy one that was a welcome reprieve from all the sadness over the past year.
She walked past the art gallery with its seasonal paintings prominently displayed in the window—winter landscapes covered in ice and snow and even a painting depicting a likeness of Main Street, holiday decorations and all. Glancing around at the happy couples walking down the sidewalk in front of her, she felt the familiar pit in her stomach—the tug of grief washing over her, threatening to pull her under. She should be happy to be back in her hometown, ready to spend the remainder of her winter break with her sister and parents. She should be relieved that the past year was behind her. Wasn’t that supposed to be the hardest part? The first year? But she also should have been part of a couple casually strolling along, window shopping, or ducking into a restaurant to enjoy a cozy meal near the fire. She should be holding Brody’s hand right now as they walked beside one another.
The cross-country flight home to Virginia had been uneventful. She’d stowed her carry-on suitcase in the overhead compartment, stashed her tote bag full of books and her iPad under the seat in front of her, and settled in for the long flight home. She’d been seated next to a mom and screaming toddler, but honestly, it had been a relief. Although she felt sorry for the woman, she knew the mom would be occupied taking ca
re of her young child. At least she wouldn’t be stuck next to a chatty seatmate who insisted on telling her their life story for the next five hours. Becky had simply plugged in her earbuds to tune out the crying and enjoyed a good book. Before she knew it they were landing in Virginia, the snow lightly falling as the plane roared down the runway and slowed to a stop.
A few storefronts ahead of her, she spotted her sister’s friend Amy, walking arm-in-arm with a man who could only be described as a ruggedly handsome Marine. The cropped haircut on Amy’s boyfriend, the breadth of his shoulders, the powerful way that he carried himself—Becky’s breathing hitched as she again thought of Brody. She stopped in her tracks, the sharp pain in her chest a living, breathing thing. Would every guy in the military remind her of him? She didn’t quite know how to handle that. She’d briefly dated a fellow student earlier in the semester—a guy who absolutely in no way reminded her of her former love. There was also absolutely no chemistry between them, and the relationship had fizzled out as quickly as it had begun. Just thinking about the awkward way he’d bent down to kiss her goodnight at her doorstep had her cringing. She’d turned and offered her cheek instead, and he’d left looking as embarrassed as she’d felt.
Obviously she shouldn’t have even gone out with him in the first place. Playing it safe in relationships and dating guys she wasn’t even remotely interested in was hardly the way to move on with her life, but at least she was getting out there a little. A year ago she’d barely even left her small apartment near campus, refusing to even come home during her school breaks to see her parents or sister. Now she was a semester away from graduating, she’d been out on those all-important first dates done strictly for the sake of getting them over with and declaring herself “moving forward.” She’d agreed to come home.
But would she ever feel that spark for someone again? Ever long to be with someone more than she wanted her next breath? It was hard to imagine having that type of love twice in one lifetime. She was young, and she knew that she’d eventually meet someone, settle down, maybe even have a family to call her own. But would any man be able to compare to her former fiancé?
Becky hurried down the sidewalk, brushing snowflakes from her hair as she reminded herself not to dwell in the past. She was here now, and that was what mattered. Amy and her boyfriend ducked into a restaurant, and as Becky got closer, she realized it was the same place she was meeting her best friend Jade. Hopefully it would be crowded enough that they wouldn’t spot her. She didn’t think she could take another sympathetic hug from someone who meant well but had no idea of the hell that she’d been through. While she was away at school, she could pretend everything was okay—that she was just finishing the semester, that Brody was deployed somewhere but would return soon. She’d kissed him goodbye before his final deployment to Afghanistan, feeling as though he was taking a part of her with him as he left. One last tour of duty and they’d finally be together—she’d finish her Ph.D., he’d get out of the military. One ambush against Brody’s convoy of Marines in the middle of the desert was all it took to change things forever.
Chapter 2
Marine Lieutenant Matt Beckett left a $10 bill on the bar, took a swig from his bottle of beer, and pushed his way through the crowd. Man, if this place didn’t get crowded on a Friday night, he thought with an inward groan. He’d agreed to meet some of his military buddies from Quantico here to grab a beer after work but wasn’t counting on a crowd that seemed to rival New Year’s Eve. Not that he went out to big, fancy New Year’s Eve parties, but man. He sure hadn’t imagined this chaos was what it would be like. Tap Room wasn’t exactly a place to kick back with a beer and shoot some pool while listening to music from an old juke box. Loud music pumped through the speakers, the people packed around the sleek bar had to practically shout at each other to be heard, and every table was already full. On top of that, he still didn’t see any of the guys.
Matt was just getting used to the lay of the land here on the East Coast. Originally from California, he’d spent the past couple of years deployed to the Middle East and was now stationed in Quantico, Virginia. He didn’t mind being near the nation’s capital. It was a change from California, sure, but a helluva lot better than pitching a tent in the middle of nowhere Afghanistan. And by some dumb stroke of luck, his father, also a Marine, was currently stationed at the Pentagon. After years of his parents living in a different state, or Matt being deployed to an entirely different country, they were all in Virginia. Home sweet home. Or something like that.
He took another pull from his beer as a blonde in tight red dress sidled up to him. Definitely not his type—too much bleached blonde hair, too much makeup, too much perfume. Apparently he was her type though—she was actually running her red fingernails over his bicep as she purred up at him, asking if he was here alone.
“Sorry, I’m just here meeting some buddies,” he said gruffly, pulling away.
She pouted but looked up at him with wide eyes. “I’m right over there with some girlfriends if you change your mind….” Her voice trailed off suggestively, hinting she that hoped he would reconsider.
Matt didn’t even bother responding this time and stalked away, wondering where the hell his buddies were. Ladies on the prowl were not something he was in the mood for—not anymore. In December a year ago he’d watched his best friend get blown to bits in Afghanistan when their convoy had been attacked. Matt had been knocked out by the blast but only had shrapnel wounds—and the scars to serve as a reminder, as if he’d ever forget. Bryan had suffered serious head injuries, Eric had lost a leg, and Jake had somehow escaped practically unscathed. But Brody? He’d been up front driving the Humvee, and the guy never even had a chance.
To top off the guilt that had been eating him up for the past twelve months over the loss of his best friend, Matt hadn’t even been with a woman in more than a year. First he’d been deployed to the Middle East, then he’d been injured and recovering stateside, and then he’d been trying to come to grips with his clusterfuck of a life. A one-night-stand wasn’t his game anymore. Maybe when he’d been young and foolish and didn’t know a damn thing about life and loss. But now? He knew that enjoying the pleasure of a woman would only provide a temporary reprieve to his turmoil. And hell, there was only one woman he’d been interested in at all for the past couple of years, and she was like the goddamn forbidden fruit. Only to be looked at and never touched. And who the hell was he kidding? He shouldn’t even look at her. Not with the thoughts of lust swirling through his head any time she was even in the same room as him. He couldn’t keep his head on straight if he stood within ten feet of her. At least now that he was stationed in Virginia, more than 2,000 miles away, he’d finally be able to move on. Out of sight and out of mind and all that.
Hell. She sure wasn’t out of his mind tonight, now was she? He sighed and glanced around, scanning the crowded bar again. There were plenty of attractive-looking women, not one of which he felt like starting a conversation with, let alone taking home with him for the night. There were even more young guys in their twenties here, swarming around the opposite sex like bees drawn to honey. Plenty of them would find a woman to warm their bed for the night, but he was getting too old for that kind of thing.
“Lieutenant,” Marine Captain Jason Patterson called out from behind, slapping him on the shoulder as he approached. “I didn’t think you’d show.”
“Captain, good to see you,” Matt replied, his eyes quickly darting to the woman at Jason’s side. “I’ve been wondering where everyone was.”
“I’m not sure,” Jason said. “I didn’t expect it to be so crowded tonight—guess that shows how often I get out,” he added with a laugh. “We just got here. This is Amy,” he said, gesturing to the toned brunette.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said sweetly, holding out her hand.
“Ma’am,” Matt replied, taking her much smaller hand in his. “Lieutenant Matthew Beckett.”
“Amy Mitchell,” she rep
lied, shaking his hand.
Matt didn’t realize his gruff colleague was even dating anyone. Maybe he did need to hang out with the guys from base more. Get out of his own head and all that. Hell, Jason had just said he didn’t even expect him to show up tonight. Matt sure hadn’t been in much of a mood to socialize over the past year—not with his military buddies or anyone else. The passage of time had slightly dulled the pain inside him, but it was hard to imagine ever feeling completely whole again. Not when his team member and best friend was buried six feet underground. Not when the scars across his chest from shrapnel wounds reminded him of the accident, the ambush, every single day of his life.
“We stopped by for a drink before heading home,” Jason was saying, and Matt forced himself to keep his mind focused on the present. “None of the other guys are here yet?”
“Negative,” Matt responded automatically, his eyes sweeping the room.
Amy laughed beside them and smiled at Jason. “See? It’s not my imagination. You Marines all do talk alike.”
“Occupational hazard,” Jason said with a grin.
“Must be. None of my teacher friends have their own set of special lingo like you guys in the Marines do.”
Matt laughed despite himself. Amy was easy to talk to, and he could see why Jason liked her. “Guilty as charged. Kind of standard protocol when running OPS, giving SITREPS….”
Jason playfully punched him in the arm. “Easy Beckett. Don’t give her more ammo. She’s already convinced she’ll never understand half of what I say.”
Her Forbidden Marine (Hearts Ablaze: Men in Uniform Book 2) Page 1