Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  “Taylor,” the brunette said, “you should have just ripped it off of him.”

  I smiled. “Maybe I will next time.”

  We all laughed, then swam back to shore and sunbathed for a few more hours. As I lay on my blanket, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, recalling how great his lips felt against mine, like soft rose petals. His every touch was special, and he totally captivated me.

  * * *

  Chapter 15

  I pulled into Jessie’s driveway in front of his beautiful, contemporary-style home with brick and glass windows, nestled among the towering trees. It was one of the biggest homes in Big Bear Lake, so I was sure his mother was quite wealthy.

  After greeting me with a peck on the cheek that almost sent me reeling to the floor in a whoosh of heat, Jesse gave me the grand tour. This house had everything, from a gym to a recreation room to the most amazing home theater room with a mounted television that was the largest I’d ever seen in my life. There was a luxury swimming pool with a beautiful patio and terrace. Every single thing was perfectly arranged, and the décor and immaculate design elements gave the house character; the whole place was sleek and stylish to the core.

  “Did your mom hire an interior designer for this? It’s amazing,” I complimented.

  “No. She did it on her own.”

  “Wow. She has fantastic taste.”

  He smiled as he led me to the room with the giant TV. My mouth dropped as I darted my eyes down in every direction, taking it all in. I tried to pretend like the gorgeous estate didn’t faze me, but that was impossible.

  Jesse went behind the bar. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “A Sprite would be great—or anything lemon-lime.”

  He pointed to the corner of the room. “I’ve got Sierra Mist, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  “Why don’t you start looking through the DVDs? We have a lot to pick from.”

  I smiled. “You’re letting me pick the movie?”

  “Yep.”

  “Hmm. What if I pick some gushy chick flick?”

  “As long as I’m watching it with you, I don’t care,” he said with a grin, placing ice into a glass.

  I grinned and shook my head, once again amazed by how different he was from Sean, who always used to fight with me over movies. “Thanks for that, Jesse,” I said.

  We snuggled on the couch and watched a Julia Roberts classic, Pretty Woman, then wandered out to the terrace to sit and talk. I waited there while Jesse got us some lemonade. As I was staring off into the dark but beautiful forest, he set our glasses down on the deck railing.

  “I’m having such a good time,” I said.

  “Me too.”

  He wrapped his arms around me from behind, lifted the hair off my neck, and softly kissed one of the most sensitive spots on my body. Goosebumps erupted, and I gasped deeply. He lightly stroked and caressed my neck with his fingertips, then slid down my spaghetti strap and kissed my shoulder, as if he knew it was a great turn-on for me, a sexy move that worked every time.

  “Jesse,” I said, shivering with pleasure, “what are you doing?”

  He moved up and down my neck, tickling me with open-mouthed kisses. “What do you think?” he asked, each word causing a hot breath to blow across my skin, literally driving me crazy.

  “Well...it feels so good.”

  “Good,” he whispered in my ear as his fingers glided down my bare arm. “I want you to feel good, Taylor—always.”

  Shivers shot down my spine as he returned to the sweet spot on my neck. When he kissed me there again, I thought I might actually collapse because my legs turned to rubber. All I have to do is turn around and claim his mouth in a mind-blowing kiss, I thought. It’d be that easy, that simple. My heart pounded even harder when Jesse gave me slow, wet kisses all over my neck, then nibbled my ear with even lighter ones. When he blew hot air on my ear, I could hardly contain myself.

  I spun around and turned to face him. He was wearing a sexy, naughty smile and staring hungrily at my lips. I’d never felt so desirable. I softly traced his lips, the mouth I could have spent an eternity kissing without ever tiring of it.

  “I’m home!” a woman announced, jolting me from my fantastic thoughts.

  I stepped away from Jesse and straightened my shirt.

  The woman cleared her throat and looked at us suspiciously. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” she said.

  She was beautiful, with her slim figure dressed in a blue pantsuit and her silky black hair twisted into an elaborate bun. In addition to having the same hair, she also had the almost translucent light blue eyes that her son did.

  “No, not at all,” I responded.

  “I’m Shelia, Jesse’s mom.”

  I held out my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Taylor.”

  She smiled as she shook my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you too. Jesse has told me all about you, so I’ve been looking forward to making your acquaintance.”

  “Well, here she is!” Jesse said.

  Shelia sat down on the porch with us, and we all chitchatted for about an hour before I had to get back home. I was sure I’d made a good impression; she seemed to like me and was just as warm as Jesse, not at all the oddball Jeanie had made me think she was. I had hoped to meet his brother and sister, but they weren’t home. In any case, things were going well for me and Jesse, and I’d met his mom, which made me feel even closer to him.

  *

  On Friday night, my mom and dad had left me home alone while they went to an out-of-state book signing for the weekend. I felt a little safer this time, because my dad had installed a security system. When nighttime came, though, I did start to get the creeps, and I obsessively stared out the window to watch for ski-masked or furry would-be intruders.

  Feeling lonely and a bit frightened, I texted Jesse, “I can’t stop thinking of you.”

  A few minutes later, he texted back, “If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be walking through my beautiful garden forever.”

  I gushed. Aw, I thought. He’s just the sweetest.

  I texted back, “I love when you text me sweet nothings, so here’s one for you. If I had a star for every time you brightened my day, I’d have a galaxy in my hand.”

  He replied, “Love it! If snowflakes were kisses, I’d send you a blizzard.”

  A little while later, Max was sitting on the couch with me as I watched television. When I heard knocking coming from upstairs, my body froze, but I was ready to bolt out of the house again if I had to, and this time I was fully dressed. When the knocking finally subsided, I exhaled a long-held breath.

  I stood shakily to my feet. “Max, let’s go upstairs and check it out, boy.”

  I refused to go unarmed, so I grabbed a butcher knife and let my dog lead the way. Again, I had to wonder if I was losing my mind, considering it wasn’t the first time I’d been creeping around my house, brandishing a sharp kitchen utensil. Still, I needed to confront my fears. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I took a bold step up the stairs, the wood creaking with every step I took.

  When I reached the top of the stairs, I heard the knocking sound again, coming from my room. My heart thundered, and I held the knife in a white-knuckled grasp. I walked to my room, reached around to flick on the switch, and then took a look around. When I realized tree branches were banging against the window, I could finally breathe again, and the staccato rhythm of my heart settled down.

  When my cell phone rang, I jumped. I reached into my pocket, grabbed it, and quickly answered, “Yeah?”

  “Taylor? What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.

  “I’m freaking out again.”

  “You shouldn’t be alone.”

  “Right. Are you busy?” I asked.

  “I’m going night-fishing with my brother and sister on the boat. Wanna come?”

  “I’d love to!”

  “Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

  *


  I couldn’t wait to meet Sam and Kierra, and I hoped they would accept me as easily as their brother had.

  We pulled in and parked.

  As we walked to the dock, a thin girl with long, black hair and light blue eyes greeted me with a smile. “I’m Kierra,” she said, “Jesse’s big sister.” She was gorgeous in a red wrap dress that just reached the top of her knees, and the color accentuated her sun-kissed complexion.

  “Taylor,” I said, shaking her hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

  “Likewise. I’ve heard many good things about you.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Sam, she’s here!” she yelled, then smiled back at me.

  “Coming!” a voice called from the boat.

  The guy who emerged was attractive, also with black hair. He looked at Jesse with his pale blue eyes and said, “I thought you wanted to look good for your date.”

  “I look fine,” Jesse said.

  “Hmm. Looks to me like you stopped at the zoo and stole the gorilla’s face,” Sam teased.

  “Ha-ha,” Jesse said, then shot me a look. “See what I have to put up with?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at their brotherly banter.

  “Thank God I inherited the intelligent genes,” Kierra said.

  Sam spun to face her. “Right. Since you joined the family tree, I’ve been dying to cut it down.”

  “Whatever,” she said.

  “You’re just trying to embarrass me, Sam,” Jesse said.

  “And is it working?” he retorted.

  “Yes, so cut the crap. You promised to be on your best behavior.”

  Sam playfully slugged Jesse right in the tattoo. “Just kidding, li’l bro’.”

  “This is Taylor,” Jesse said.

  “She is just as hot as you described her,” Sam said.

  Jesse playfully slugged him back, and Sam nudged him in the ribs.

  “Nice to meet you, Taylor,” Sam said. “In case you haven’t guessed, I’m Sam, the coolest of our little trifecta.”

  I smiled, then looked from Sam to Kierra. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

  Sam winked. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

  “You all have the same pretty blue eyes.”

  “It’s a curse,” Sam said.

  I laughed. “A nice one then. I’ve never seen blue eyes that light.”

  “It’s not a nice curse at all, but I do enjoy getting the ladies’ attention with my weird peepers,” Sam said. “Can you fish?”

  I smiled as a cool breeze blew through my long hair. “I’m gonna bring in the big one.”

  “Hmm. Well, that’s going to be hard with me on your boat,” Sam said. “I’m a regular Captain Ahab.”

  “Yeah...and with cereal for brains like Captain Crunch,” Jesse teased.

  “Just ignore Sam, Taylor,” Kierra said. “He didn’t get enough oxygen during birth.”

  “Never a dull moment with my family,” Jesse whispered in my ear. “If he starts repeating everything she says like some cockamamie parrot, we’re outta here.”

  I smiled. “We’ll jump ship if we have to.”

  We walked down the long dock, and Jesse helped me aboard. Kierra started the boat, and we sped off to the perfect fishing spot. Jesse handed me a fishing pole, then started sorting through the colorful lures in the tackle box. I listened carefully as Sam gave me some fishing tips, even though I didn’t really need them.

  The boat stopped and wavered slightly in the water. “We’re here,” Kierra said.

  Jesse hooked my lure up for me, and I wasted no time in raising the rod tip. In one swooping motion, I threw out my line.

  Jesse stood next to me. “I love to fish at night. It’s nice to get away and just hang out.”

  I lifted my head and looked up at the black velvet sky, speckled with twinkling stars. “Yeah, it’s so beautiful out here on Big Bear Lake.”

  We all chatted for a while. I could tell they were a close-knit family like my own, and I loved being around them. In spite of Fred’s speculation that they were witches, I felt completely comfortable in their presence.

  Suddenly, my pole jerked, and I gave it a quick tug. “I got a bite!” I said. The fishing line screamed out of the aluminum casting reel as a giant fish stole the hook, line, and almost me. Luckily, I caught my balance. I hauled back on my fishing pole, bending it in such a sharp arc that it nearly snapped. I stole a glance at Jesse, shooting him a triumphant smile. “I told you I’d bring in a big one.”

  “And you delivered!” he said. “I never doubted you for a minute.”

  Sam jumped off the chrome rail. “Are you sure you didn’t snag a submarine?”

  “Feels like it.” As I reeled in the line, the crank handle spun and clicked like crazy. The tug-of-war went on for a while, and my muscles began to ache from the strain. “I swear this thing’s fighting harder than Mike Tyson!”

  Powerful deck lights mounted high above me illuminated the surface of the water. Big Bear Lake pitched and churned like a pan of boiling water. The fish broke the surface in a clatter of spray, thrashed its head, and danced on its tail.

  When I caught sight of its black-striped body, my eyes widened. “Look at that!”

  Sam whistled and cheered. “Bravo!”

  Kierra clapped. “It’s a largemouth bass,” Kierra said.

  “She’s a real beauty,” Jesse said. “I knew coming out here at night would pay off.” He then helped me haul the exhausted, two-foot fish up over the rail of the sailboat.

  With a thud, the metallic-scaled bass hit the deck. The fish had a big mouth, and its upper jaw extended past its eyes. The bass was dark green, with greenish-yellow sides and a dark stripe running down the side of its body. Its fins shimmered in the silver moonlight. Applause erupted as everyone hopped and twisted to avoid the thrashing monster.

  Kierra sprang from her chair and cheered me on. “The only thing bigger than that fish is the smile on your face—oh, and Sam’s ego.”

  I laughed. Night-fishing under a sky full of shining stars would be on my list of favorite things from that day forward. Catching a giant fish was just an added bonus.

  The fish wriggled its fins and smacked its body against the deck, and I jumped back as its forked tail slapped across my legs. I wiped the water off my face with my tank-top. “How much do you think it weighs?”

  Droplets glimmered in Sam’s black hair. “At least twenty pounds.” His finger touched the slimy fish.

  I brushed off my cutoff shorts and straightened my tank-top. I then pulled out my camera and handed it to Kierra. “Can you get a picture of me and Jesse with the fish?”

  Kierra laughed. “No way! This is your moment in the limelight. Don’t let Jesse steal your thunder.”

  I smiled. Even though I wanted a picture of Jesse and me together, I couldn’t argue with her logic. “All right. Just me then.” I held the fish and felt my lips stretch into a wide grin. I couldn’t wait to send it to everybody across the entire planet by morning. My biggest regret was that Jesse wouldn’t be in it, which would have been a nice touch for the ex.

  “Okay. On the count of three. One...two...three!” With that, Kierra snapped the photo.

  The bright flash blinded me, and white spots danced in my vision. I sighed and straightened up, then glanced at the LCD screen. “It’s perfect! Thanks.”

  “So...do we keep it for dinner or let it go?” Sam asked.

  “We should throw it back. I just wanted a picture with it.”

  Sam threw the bass back into the water with a loud splash, and I was happy to see it swim off. Jesse, Sam, and Kierra caught lots of fish, but we didn’t keep any of them, and none of them were as big as my first catch of the night.

  “Let’s try a different spot, sis,” Sam said.

  Kierra started up the boat, and we sped across the lake.

  Jesse put an arm around me as the wind blew my hair around over and over again. I looked at him, and he smiled the most delicious movie star smile I’d ever seen. Th
e moonlight made his winter-blue eyes sparkle even more than usual, rivaling the stars above us.

  The boat stopped, and Kierra smiled. “This is a great spot. I’ve had lots of luck here.”

  This time, Jesse and I didn’t fish. We just gazed into each other’s eyes and talked while Kierra and Sam tried to outdo my catch, to no avail.

  When I looked off into the woods, a flash of white caught my attention. I peered closer and saw another flash of white. Something moved in the bushes, and I smiled at the outline of an animal. It took a few more steps out of the greenery and started to sip the water. As my eyes focused, I realized it was a buck, white as snow and stunningly majestic.

  “What are you looking at?” Jesse asked.

  “Don’t you see it?”

  “See what?”

  “That deer over there, a white buck sipping water.”

  He squinted. “No.”

  “Huh? I’m looking right at it.”

  “Taylor, I have excellent eyesight, better than most, and I don’t see anything.”

  “Look! It lifted its head.”

  “Kierra!” Jesse called. “C’mere!”

  She rushed to my side. “What’s up?”

  “Taylor says there’s a white buck on the shore.”

  She looked. “I don’t see it.”

  “Me neither,” Sam said, approaching from my right.

  Kierra shot Sam and Jesse a look, as if they thought I was some kind of nutcase, and I suddenly wished I’d kept my mouth shut. I had no idea why I was being plagued by hallucinations, but in that moment, I also had to wonder if I’d really heard a wolf in our house the night my parents had gone out and I’d ended up at McDonald’s in my bathrobe. Maybe all this fresh mountain air is making me chronically lightheaded, I thought.

  “You know what that means,” Kierra whispered to her brothers.

  “Just keep your mouth shut,” Sam said.

  “But she has every right to know.”

  “Do you want your head on the carving block?” Sam retorted.

  “Jesse, she needs to know,” Kierra said. “She’s been marked.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked, crossing my arms and looking at them, not at all happy that they were talking about me like I wasn’t there.