Forbidden Love and Other Stories

By Gilly Fraser

Forbidden Love: Rock Star Jake Lee is drawn back to his roots and the girl who first inspired him. But is it too late?
Slippery When Wet: When the man of her fantasy suddenly appears is it a dream come true or a nightmare for Maxine?
The Great Pretender: A tale of love and retribution played out through the ages.
Melissa and the Cowboy: Lust can happen along at the most inappropriate moment...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gilly Fraser
• Release date: Oct 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465948885

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FORBIDDEN LOVE

& Other Stories

by

Gilly Fraser

Published by Gilly Fraser at Smashwords

Copyright Gilly Fraser 2011

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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SLIPPERY WHEN WET

Chapter One

It was in the dark, always in the dark that he came to her. Teasing fingers, touching, tantalising, moving over her skin with all the ease of long familiarity, as though he had every right to be there, to explore all that was rightfully his to explore. Always in the dark, giving no clues, and then her lips would be taken in a kiss so sure, so possessive, so full of fire that any lingering protest burned to nothing in the heat of this stranger’s embrace.

Yet how could this be a stranger when his hands could trace her shape so well, his mouth caress so intimately, his tongue dance so tellingly over her skin. No other lover had ever touched her like this, stroking her into whimpering need, his tenderness lighting fires deep within. His hands curved over her breasts and she arched up towards him, hungry for the torch of his mouth on her tautened nipples. He spoke no words, yet their bodies said everything there was to say. His mouth followed the path his hands had taken and the warmth of his lips made her catch her breath in wonder. All shyness gone, she reached for him, aching to feel his body pressed against her own. He turned with her in his arms, pressing her back against the bed and her senses whirled in a commotion, threatening to explode.

She was awakening after years of deep, dreamless sleep - as though this stranger was bringing her back to a life she could only ever have dreamed of. His every touch sparked a new and thrilling response, every kiss made her hunger for more and still more of this incandescent flame. She was part of him, he was part of her, she was losing herself in a kaleidoscope of splintering colours. Nothing in her life had ever been as wonderful as this. Nothing could be.

‘So let me get this straight.’ Lissa eyed her thoughtfully, her head tilted slightly to the side. ‘You’re telling me that you have these amazing dreams, that this fantasy lover comes to you when you’re asleep, makes mad passionate love to you, and then just leaves?’

Maxine nodded. ‘That’s right.’

‘And he’s truly incredible between the sheets, a veritable love god?’

‘That’s right.’

‘And he doesn’t say a single solitary word, doesn’t complain about the weather and doesn’t even tell you the name of his favourite football team?’

‘That’s right.’

‘And you have some kind of problem with this?’ Lissa’s voice rose at least an octave, her final words threatening to disappear off the register altogether.

‘Well yes.’

‘Are you mad?’ Lissa’s blue eyes were round with astonishment. ‘Can you begin to imagine what most women would give to have that kind of paradise available to them?’

Maxine frowned. ‘How can it be paradise when I don’t even know his name? I don’t know what he looks like for goodness sake. He could be repulsive.’

‘You really think your imagination’s going to go to all the trouble of conjuring up this incredible hunk, only to have him looking like a gargoyle?’

‘Maybe not.’ Maxine couldn’t help but chuckle at the ridiculous picture her best friend was painting so vividly. ‘But why does it all have to be in the dark? Why can’t I see him?’

‘I reckon your body’s trying to tell you something,’ Lissa said sagely. ‘You’ve been so stressed out with all the work of setting up the company - it’s taken everything you had to give and then some. You’ve been working like a thing possessed ever since you first decided to go it on your own. But you haven’t been fair to yourself Maxi. Your poor deprived body’s desperate for a little action, but your mind’s refusing to let you have any fun while there’s still work to be done. So - hey presto, an instant lover with no strings attached.’

‘What do you mean my deprived body?’ Maxine did her best to look aggrieved.

Lissa hauled herself inelegantly from the depths of the armchair and held out one hand to tug Maxine to her feet. ‘Come on - through to the bedroom. You need to look at yourself.’

‘I see myself every day.’

‘You most certainly do not. Not the way other people see you anyway. There.’ Lissa gestured towards the long mirror. ‘Now tell me what you see.’

Maxine glanced towards the glass. ‘Not tall, not short, not fat, not thin, not blonde, not brunette, not stunning, not ugly. Pretty damn average really.’

‘Average my ass. Try curves to die for, dark eyes to drown in, long legs any guy would just love to have wrapped around him, and a figure to bring a man to his knees.’

‘Sounds like I’m more likely to kill him than make love to him.’

Lissa snickered. ‘Honey, the way you look, he’d think it was a happy way to go!’

‘Oh yes?’ Maxine slid her a sardonic look. ‘So where is he then - this guy?’

Lissa smiled. ‘At the moment my love you’ve got him padlocked into your dreams. Somehow you’ve got to set him free so he can get into your life instead.’

Chapter Two

‘I’m sorry Miss! You can’t go in there. You’re too late. The pool’s locked up for the night. Come back in the morning.’

Maxine stopped in her tracks and counted slowly to five. After the day she’d just had, the last thing she needed was an irate Jobsworth. Her cheek muscles were sore from smiling, her voice ached from talking, she could give the Queen lessons in hand-shaking. But contacts had to be made and networks created. All for the sake of her infant public relations company, the idea conceived just six months ago and now becoming a reality.

Maxine turned slowly on one heel, conjuring up her sweetest smile for the man in the porter’s uniform bustling his way towards her across the empty foyer. He was smaller than her, as many men were and doing his best to stretch his five foot six frame into something more imposing. Trying, but not succeeding.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she gave him the benefit of her most winning smile. ‘I’ve had business meetings in the city all day long and I couldn’t get here any earlier. And I’m just longing for a swim.’ Slowly, languorously she stretched her arms up above her head, entwining her hands in the air. ‘I so need to get the kinks out of my muscles.’

He tried, he really tried for at least thirty seconds, not to let his gaze arrow straight to her breasts. Then he swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing as he gave up the fight. They did look particularly pert and provocative in the new sweater, she thought absent-mindedly, watching him all but slavering at the mouth. Funny how men went to mush at the merest sensation of a bosom.

‘Hotel rules say the pool closes at ten sharp Miss,’ he said, as firmly as his slack jaw would allow. ‘And it’s well past midnight now.’

‘No-one need know.’ She leaned closer, letting him breathe her perfume. ‘It can be our little secret. I’ve had such a hard day. I need to relax. And after all...’ she trailed one long finger provocatively down his black tie, then let her hand rest against his shirt front, feeling the tremor run over his skin, ‘you wouldn’t want me to go to bed unsatisfied. Would you?’

She wasn’t generally given to exercising the old feminine wiles, but needs must - and she really did crave that swim. For one second she thought he would prove tougher than expected, but far stronger men had crumpled at less and with the tiniest of groans, he caved in.

‘Here.’ He all but thrust a key into her hand. ‘I’d be obliged if you didn’t tell anyone about this. Mr Reeves would be mightily upset if he thought I’d broken his rules and I do not like to upset Mr Reeves.’

‘Mr Reeves?’ She closed her fingers over the key before he could change his mind and snatch it back.

‘The owner Miss. He runs a tight ship and I’m not the sort of person to go putting holes in it.’

‘I’m perfectly sure you’re not.’ She laid a hand fleetingly on his shoulder. ‘And I really do appreciate your kindness Mr...?’

‘Jones Miss. Jim Jones.’

‘Mr Jones.’

‘Go on then. You enjoy your swim. Lock the door behind you and you won’t be disturbed. You’ll find the lights on the left hand side as you go in.’

But as she walked into the silent pool-room, the moon was shining through a rooftop window, sending its silvery beams down to play on the still water. There was no need for extra light to disturb the scene. She tugged her hair free of its tight topknot, and stepped out of her high-heeled shoes. It was almost as if she were undressing for the lover of her dreams, she thought with a faintly wistful dash of amusement - and how delightful it would be if she could just conjure him up at will. Sadly, he’d never proved that co-operative.

She let her fingers hover over her silk