Forbidden Love Read Free

let that sailor-boy corrupt him, don’t you worry.”
    Amanda bit her lip. “I think it’s fine.” She pushed Alison out the door to the front porch. “See you tonight, Al.”
    Alison rolled her eyes, but left with a fake smile. “Later.”

Celebration
    T HE party was going full bore when Amanda found Dylan at the bar by himself. Classic rock blared over the speakers. The thump and clatter of bowling balls sliding down the lanes echoed beneath the chatter of the crowd.
    “You alright?” she yelled over the noise.
    He shrugged, picked up his cup of beer. The bartender waved away his crumpled five dollar bill.
    “No charge for you tonight!” the bartender said.
    “I’m fine,” Dylan said.
    “You aren’t acting fine. What’s wrong?” She pulled him toward the side door, away from the noise of the lanes.
    “It’s just a lot to take in,” he said once they were outside. His breath steamed in front him. “I’m used to being surrounded but a bunch of dudes with guns.”
    “Is it too peaceful?”
    “Nah, I wouldn’t call it that. It’s just overwhelming.”
    She rubbed the gooseflesh on her arms. “You want to get out of here for a while? I’ve only had a couple drinks; I can drive.”
    “I can’t just leave Robbie.”
    She grabbed his arm, tugged him forward. “Come on. Robbie’s fine. Alison won’t let anything happen to him.” She led him to her dad’s Tahoe, climbed into the driver’s seat.
    “Where are we going?” he asked.
    “Where do you want to go?”
    “I don’t know. I’d say home, but I don’t know where that is. I don’t think I’ve ever known.” He sipped his beer, stared out the window.
    Amanda started the truck. “Was it hard for you as a kid?”
    “What?”
    “Moving around so much?”
    “I hated it. Joining the military was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m surrounded by my brothers, by my family.”
    Warm air blew from the vents, taking away the chill inside the truck. “We can just stay here. Chat a while. Go back in when you feel ready.”
    Robbie glanced at her, not really seeing her. “Okay.”
    “Or we can get in the backseat and...”
    His hand shook, the beer sloshing over his sleeve. “Huh?”
    “Just seeing if you were paying attention.” She grinned. Licked her lips suggestively. A rock hard Marine sounded more than alright. His easy smile and strong jaw practically made her weak in the knees. The fact that he wasn’t her brother even made it seem like a good idea.
    Dylan looked her up and down. His eyes lingered on her chest. The look didn’t have the salaciousness she expected; it was more a look of appraisal, of faint curiosity. It didn’t make a damn bit of sense.
    “So, uh…” He gulped down the last of his beer. “Should we go back inside?”
    Go back inside? What do I have to do, throw myself on him?
    “Sure,” she said, disappointed.
    He stopped outside the bowling alley door, at the edge of the light. “I’m sorry, Amanda.”
    “What?”
    “For staring. I talk a lot of shit with the guys, but I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
    “You were fine.” She slid closer, touched his hip. “A girl likes to be appreciated.”
    “Oh.”
    Her head tilted back. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her close for a kiss. Only it didn’t. He was already moving for the door, leaving her there feeling like an idiot.
    She stood in the cold and watched him go inside. What the hell just happened?
    Back in the bowling alley, in the crush of people and the cacophony of music and laughter, she wanted to kick herself. She’d blown it. The perfect chance to be with a man like Robbie, but that wasn’t her brother, and she’d blown it.
    “Have you seen Robbie?” she asked one of the girls at the bar.
    “Down on lane 12.” The girl pointed to the far end of the building. “They decided to bowl. There’s a six drink minimum, though.” She smiled, grabbed her beer.
    Amanda rolled her eyes and went to join the fun.

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