In His Bed
TABOO
The Forbidden Fantasy Series
By
Pauline Allan
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.
Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
In His Bed
Copyright 2016 by Pauline Allan
Cover art by Mina Carter
Formatted by Wizards in Publishing
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Sinful Escapes Publishing
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AN EXCERPT FROM GILDED LILY BY PAULINE ALLAN
Dear Reader,
I was once told every woman should have a secret. Take a breath, close your eyes, and unlock the door. Step into the forbidden world of Taboo where secrets come to life and fantasies become reality.
Pauline
[email protected]
Also by Pauline Allan
See Me
Gilded Lily
In His Bed
Lea Covington shouldn't be attracted to her best friend’ son, but denying Colin Marshal's seductive charm proves to be impossible when his hands roam her sexy curves. Risking a cherished friendship plunges Lea into a restless guilt, but hot southern nights lead to scorching passion under the sheets. When secrets are revealed, emotions run high and a young man is forced to defend the woman he loves.
CHAPTER ONE
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Lea’s snarky grin lifted as she unwrapped the cellophane from the plate of deviled eggs. “There is not a white knight out there ready to whisk me away from dating hell and plant my ass in a magic castle. Have you forgotten I divorced a man who knocked up his secretary? Yeah, I’m the cliché. What about Mr. Oh I Forgot I’m Married or Mr. I’ll Call You?”
Stacey slid a spoon into the bowl of potato salad. “I know. Guys can be jerks, but I think it’s time to get back on the horse. I’m not letting you spend every Saturday night lounging on the couch with your dog.” She handed Lea the stack of plastic cups. “You know, sometimes fairytales can come true. I know you’ve had to kiss a few trolls, but don’t give up.”
Lea snuck a cube of watermelon and popped it into her mouth. “Two years, Stacey. It’s been two years since we signed papers and now he’s practicing law in Chicago while I’m here making my way through the female equivalent of blue balls and men with bad teeth.” She wasn’t begging for a pity party, but the string of men she’d dated ranged from a conceited surgeon to an unemployed artist. The ones in between were only memorable because her womanly nether regions had been screaming Run Forest...run!
Together, they straightened the red-and-white checkered tablecloth and started filling the cups with ice. Stacey bumped her hip against Lea’s side. “So, girl’s dinner date night this week?” There’s a new little Italian place on the other side of the city. Rachel said she wants to go to Hacienda again. We both know the only reason she picks that place is because she likes staring at the waiters’ butts.”
“Don’t judge.” Lea didn’t care where they went as long as she got out of the house. “We can overrule and choose the Italian place. Besides, hot Italian guys are nice to look at, too.”
“Hey!” Rachel stepped onto the patio. “Jesus, Stacey, there’s a ton of food here. We’re going to have to hit yoga class twice this week. What were you guys talking about?”
They glanced at each other. “You!” Stacey said first. “No hot Latinos tomorrow night. Lea gave the new Italian place a thumbs up.”
A wicked grin parted Rachel’s lips when she snapped her fingers. “Damn. Those asses are so cute. Don’t tell Scott what I said. Husbands tend to not like it when their wives like Latino men’s asses.” She winked as her husband walked up and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“I heard that,” he said and rummaged through the grocery bag to grab a package of brats. “I’m going to the grill where real men gather and I know I’ll be appreciated.”
Lea poured a cup of iced tea. “When is Colin getting here? It is his graduation party. Wait, maybe he’s as forgetful as his mother.”
Stacey nudged her shoulder. “Hey, I remembered to pick you up at the airport after you called me!”
“Right,” Lea said. “I think you just proved my point.”
“Mom, where do you want me to put these?”
Lea swallowed, almost choking on a rogue piece of ice. The voice traveling over the back of her head didn’t sound like the young man who’d laughed when she’d caught him and his friends tossing rolls of toilet paper in her trees.
She knew there were two kids in Stacey Marshal’s clan, one being the taker to the prom and the other being the taken. Melissa, Stacey’s daughter, had been serving on a medical mission trip in Africa for the last year, so that only left one other person in the brood to call her best friend mom. Colin Marshal.
She turned around. Surprise and confusion stunned her with the image of a young Colin poised on a pitching mound, leaning forward with a baseball rolling between his fingers. He slid the aviator sunglasses down the slope of his nose to clip the earpiece on the neck of his T-shirt. The cotton sleeve stretched tight around the bulge of one biceps he hitched the case of beer in his hand.
“Sweetie, you made it,” Stacey said as she waved him closer. “Well, come here. You act like you’ve never seen her before.” Lea hadn’t realized Colin had stopped his approach. Had she been that obvious? Was her mouth gaping? Instantly regretting the way her gaze locked on the sparkling blue irises staring back, she was grateful when Stacey spoke. “It’s Lea for God’s sake, Colin. It’s been two months since I’ve had a hug. Don’t keep your mom waiting.”
The pools of his vibrant eyes shimmered in the sun, teasing the black lashes surrounding the endless oceans as he blinked. The grin splitting his lips tilted up into a smile. “Hi, Lea.” Not expecting to hear the deep timbre of his voice, she didn’t respond. His chuckle pulled her lulling thoughts together. “It’s good to see you, too.”
Her name rolling off his tongue made her stomach flutter—or nauseous—she wasn’t sure which sensation originated first, but the fact she was lusting after her best friend’s son was disgraceful. The polite thing to do was speak, but humid air stuck in her throat. The last time she’d spoken with him he’d called her Mrs. Winters. Being no longer a Mrs. to anyone made the sound of her name leaving his mouth that much sweeter.
“You look hot,” he said.
She snapped her gaze to his face. Was he smirking? The sputter of words leaked out when she said, “You.”
“I mean it’s hot out here.” When his fingertips grazed her cheek, she closed her eyes relishing the way the heat slid across her skin. “It’s good to—”
“Colin,” she said, knowing if she stood starst
ruck any longer it would draw attention. “Gosh, it’s been too long. Come here.” Hoping he couldn’t feel the nervous tremor in her arms, she leaned forward and gave him a gentle hug. His grip was on the verge of vulgar as he tugged her tight against his firm chest. The heat in her cheeks radiated down her neck.
First thought, she hated her body for melting into the pleasure of the strong arms cradling the curves of her waist. Second thought, hell was going to be hotter than August on the bayou. The shivers racking her body had to stop at this moment. Right now. Now.
Rachel, in her excitement, bumped her hip to move Lea out of Colin’s arms and moved in to steal a hug. “I can’t breathe,” he teased. “I think my mom would want me alive while we eat.”
Reluctant to let go, she took several steps back letting Stacey fly in to grab her son. “You’re finally home, for good. My smart, handsome—did I say smart?—college graduate.” She tucked his cheeks between her palms and pulled him down for a mother’s loving kiss. “I realize this town isn’t a metropolis, but knowing you’re out there policing everything makes me a nervous wreck.”
Stacey had told Lea several stories about the dangerous situations Colin had been in over the last year. Lea would carry the same worry if her son or daughter was put in harm’s way. Especially if she had a son as adventurous as Colin. Stacy often complained college wasn’t enough for her son; he had to graduate from the police academy and thought he needed to save the world one victim at a time. He’d always been the sibling on his mom’s radar in one way or another. If not breaking bones while riding dirt bikes, he’d snuck behind his mom’s back to have his dad sign so he could bungee jump. If nothing else, Colin Marshal was a man who took risks.
Colin slid next to his mom, pinning Lea against the picnic table. The warmth from his forearm grazed her arm when he rested his hand on his waist. He wrapped his other arm around Stacey’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Mom, it is what it is. I’ve got the timeline mapped out. I’ve been on the street for a year. I can’t jump right into detective. I’m thinking about doing K9 at some point, too. Besides, have I ever let you talk me out of anything?”
“I guess not,” Stacey said before kissing him on the cheek. “I have to get the rest of the food out. Your dad’s by the grill.”
When she was halfway back to the French doors, Lea broke the silence and said, “What plans do you have now that you’re home?”
Colin shifted his feet and crossed his arms over his wide chest. Rachel, who’d moved in closer to the conversation, kept staring at the T-shirt stretched over the taut muscles. Lea tried to resist, but her eyes were drawn to the impressive sight.
A glance wouldn’t hurt. Right? God help her no one saw as she trailed a quick glance over the taut University of Alabama Roll Tide shirt. Where his chest stretched the fabric, his torso stayed hidden as the bottom hung loose.
No harm done. She blew out a tiny breath before lifting her gaze. Colin’s cocky smirk made her stomach take a leap down a steep rollercoaster. Damn the cute dimple in his right cheek for making her thoughts so dirty. I’m a horrible friend.
“I start the new job next Tuesday. My first project is finding a place to live. I’d rather not stay here. Mom and Dad have a routine, and I don’t want to be in the way. I’ve saved up some money for a down payment on a house, but it’s finding the right location. There’s property by the lake, but I haven’t called an agent yet. I’m sure I’m going to need a hefty down payment to buy out there.”
Lea watched Rachel, who seemed unable to pull her obvious appreciative stare from Colin’s body. If he was embarrassed, he didn’t give any indication. When he turned his smile to Lea, she wasn’t sure if smiling back was appropriate seeing as he studied her chest as attentively as Rachel had studied his.
Heat seeped into her cheeks. God, was she really entertaining the idea of going out with her best friend’s son? Several factors had to be taken into consideration. Most importantly, Stacey’s opinion on the matter had to be addressed. The way she’d been thumbing through bride magazines fantasizing about Colin marrying the perfect woman and having the perfect grandbabies was a neon red flag.
Taking her friend’s reaction into account should’ve been enough to detour her thoughts, but when contemplating the age difference—that was enough to depress the flutters in her stomach.
She’d dated younger men, but only one or two years her junior. Robbing the cradle had never been her style. Being comfortable in one’s own skin was paramount and a definite bonus to acquiring numbers on the birthday scale. Besides, there were plenty of eligible men waiting for an intelligent, vibrant woman. Well, maybe not plenty.
Colin reached around Lea, his hand grazing the side of her waist. When she tried to step to the side to give him room to grab a cup, he pressed his other hand against her hip, trapping her in a firm grip. “What about you?” he asked as he poured iced tea into the plastic cup. “Mom said you got divorced?” Lea turned the cup in her hand, stalling. The humiliation still pinched, but the damage long forgotten. “Damn, sorry. I didn’t mean to be an ass.”
“Oh no,” she said, raising her chin to meet his gaze. “It’s been over two years. Cliché as it might be, he left me for his secretary. He moved up north, and I kept the house.” Rachel weaved her fingers into Lea’s and squeezed. Friends could be lifesavers when boats overturned and her friends had been no different when life had cast her under.
“I’m sorry.” A man walking by caught his attention and he waved before peering down to study her face. The intensity should’ve made her uneasy, but the warmth in his eyes made his sincerity real. “I’m glad he’s out of your life. A woman like you can do fine without a cheating jerk sticking around. I’m sure you’ve got guys calling you all the time.”
Rachel grinned from ear to ear. “She does, don’t you, Lea?”
Rachel knew damn well the dating hell Lea had been through. Colin sipped from the cup. His patience was unnerving. Somehow, a simple coming home party had turned her senses into a hailstorm of illicit fantasies. Thoughts of Colin dragging her upstairs to the bathroom and bending her over the sink. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
“Rachel’s exaggerating. I don’t date much.”
“So,” he said, leaning forward enough that the clean woodsy scent from his neck made her core contract. Her pussy was swelling, slicking for the anticipation seeping from his lips. “You’re not dating anyone right now?”
Lea didn’t want to read too much into the question. Hell, maybe it was the heat. Maybe her overactive, unsatisfied sex drive. Whatever was happening, she could only pray the interpretation was one-sided and going unnoticed.
Tipping her head back gave her enough space to clear her thoughts. “No, not right now.”
When she peeked to see his expression, the way his lips titled up in a grin did nothing to soothe the pulse in her clit. “Maybe we could—”
Rachel pressed her fist against her mouth and coughed. “Colin, your mom’s headed this way.”
Lea jerked out of the sensual haze. “I’m glad you’re getting settled in,” she said, stepping aside to clear a respectable distance between them. “I need to gather the kids and start fixing plates.” She turned to Rachel. “You can help me.”
The moment she saw Colin, she should’ve known letting his hard body anywhere near her would be a colossal mistake. Judging by her dating history, or lack thereof, her hormones were surely the culprit of this deranged notion she could entertain Colin’s affection. Needing to get laid, really laid—like in the, oh my God he pulled my hair kind of way—was obviously driving her insane. Insane enough to fantasize about her best friend’s son.
“Lea,” he said, drawing her attention to his throat as he swallowed. “Can I talk to you later?”
“Colin, you can put the beer in the cooler by the table.” Stacey passed by with a tray of cupcakes balanced on her palm. “Kids! Time to eat!”
Colin’s fingers brushed the back of her hand. The nervous thrill
vibrated through her arm. Sweet anticipation filled her stomach until she heard Rachel say, “Lea, let’s fix the plates.”
Guilt sank deep in her belly as she pulled her hand to her side. When he didn’t step away, she knew she’d have to create the distance.
“Lea, I’ve always wanted to—”
Whatever he needed to say was going to have to go unsaid. This was dangerous territory and a line she wasn’t willing to cross—even if Colin was a walking wet dream. Decided. Final. No betrayal. Hell if her mouth didn’t open. “Yes, we can talk later.”
She walked away, feeling the rope tighten around her ankles as the sensation of being tossed overboard scared the hell out of her. The blow was instant and the axis her life had just spun off of had the potential to cause endless damage.
*****
Goddamn, she looked amazing. Seeing her for the first time in four years made the reality so much sweeter than the fantasy. Too many nights had been spent in the shower with his hand on his dick thinking about her soft body under him. Hell, it was the same damn erotic dream he’d had since he was seventeen.
Keeping Lea in his peripheral vision, he watched the sway of her hips as she walked around the yard talking to his family. The need to be near her struck him like a bat to the brain. The fact she was his mom’s best friend should’ve made her off limits, but telling his heart that was a whole different ball game. Before he left, the overwhelming feelings might have been blamed on hormones, but now—seeing her again—made him realize, even then, it was so much more.
Colin waited for a quiet moment and slipped into the house and took the stairs two at a time. His old room had been converted into his mom’s office. He stepped inside and studied the pictures lining the walls. The photo from his police academy graduation was hanging beside his sister’s wedding picture.
In His Bed Page 1