Amor Prohibido

By Vi Summers

JAX
For three years I held our fight against him.
For three years I hated simply hearing his name.
Now Jason Malone was back in town. Back home with one mission; fix what he broke.
As if I hadn't learned from my past mistakes, that night I made another. This one more forbidden—prohibido—than the rest, and the aftermath threatened to divide our familias forever.

JACE
Best friend's little sisters should remain in the no-touching zone. And most definitely in the no-banging zone. And Jax was… until the night I returned from the city.
Things were different now. I had changed and she had grown up.
I should have grovelled for her forgiveness, then backed away. Not caved to temptation and crossed lines.
The fallout hit—one thing after another, and in the midst of our chaos, I fell for the girl who had always been off-limits.


*This book is intended for readers 18+

*It is written in UK English.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vi Summers
• Release date: May 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9780473628840

Book preview

Amor Prohibido.

A forbidden, brother’s best friend romance.

by

Vi Summers

AMOR PROHIBIDO

Copyright

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This novel is entirely a work of fiction.

Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Copyright © Vi Summers, 2018. All rights reserved.

Published by Vi Summers, 2022.

Kindle ISBN-13: 978-0-473-62885-7

POD ISBN-13: 978-0-473-62884-0

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in a review.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Cover: Indigo Hearts Designs.

Edited by: Owl Eyes Proofs & Edits

Proofread by: Emma Kynaston

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This book is intended for those 18 years and over.

It contains content of an adult nature.

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TW: Miscarriage scare. Also mentions of a secondary character with polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility issues.

Intended for readers 18+

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

IMPORTANT NOTE

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

EPILOGUE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

For a woman with the kindest heart and the most beautiful soul ~ Andrea Gonzalez.

Thank you for your time, your advice, and your treasured friendship.

Much love, Vi xx

IMPORTANT NOTE

This book is set in New Zealand where the legal sexual consent age is sixteen and the drinking age is eighteen. Bear this in mind while reading Amor Prohibido.

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Translated from Spanish to English, Amor Prohibido means Forbidden Love.

ONE

JAX

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Are you coming tonight, Jax? Darren asked, his voice muffled from under my kitchen sink. He lay on his back, head in the cupboard, trying to fix the blocked pipe.

Uh, where? I wasn’t really paying attention since Callie and I were in the throes of girl-talk.

Phat Slims. It’s just a few welcome home drinks for Jace. You knew he was moving back, right? Darren shouted so there was absolutely no way I wouldn’t hear him.

Fuck! He’s the last person I want to see.

Even after three years, his words still stung. They couldn’t be unsaid, and the damage couldn’t be fixed or forgotten, no matter how much I wished for it. I hadn’t seen or heard from Jason since our falling out. I had successfully avoided him thus far, and I’d be damned if my winning streak came to an end now.

Callie eyed me, waiting for a reaction. Her and Darren had been dating for just over a year, and recently moved in together. Thankfully, she hadn’t been there that night and witnessed the destruction. Darren and Jason had verbally fought it out and, after sobering up and cooling down overnight, they’d mended their rift quickly. However, Darren did issue a clear warning: fuck with his little sister again and Jace would end up in a shallow grave.

That would be a negative, brother, I called to Darren. It’s as if you’ve forgotten about what he did.

You two both gave as good as you got. And you’re both too stubborn to see it. Fools, the both of yas.

I frowned hard, then cut my attention to Callie when she flicked my knee.

Jax, c’mon, chick. It’s been three years. And besides, I’ll be there too. She nudged my side and winked.

You have no idea how bad we hurt each other, Cal. It’s past the point of repair.

It still ate me up and consumed me when I let it, but my stupid pride stopped me from admitting it was all my fault. I had instigated the argument yet was holding a grudge against him because of what he’d said in retaliation. And the worst part? I’d crushed on Jace ever since I could remember. I had no clue when he became more than just my brother’s best friend, but those feelings amplified once I hit the teenage years. The night of our fight not only left my self-esteem in tatters, but my young, fragile heart torn and shredded as well.

Done! Darren exclaimed from within the kitchen cupboard. He emerged, wiping the grime from his face with the bottom of his shirt.

I caught a gross eyeful of abs and dark hair that disappeared under the waistband of his jeans. Callie saw it too, and I didn’t miss the way her pupils dilated, and her cheeks flushed.

I smirked and called her out. Save it for later.

I’m not even sorry. God, he’s hot, isn’t he?

I feigned a gag. No, he’s not. And that’s a terrible question to ask your boyfriend’s sister.

She threw her head back and laughed, then eyed my brother again. Darren’s caramel skin tone, dark brown eyes, and lush lashes were a crime against all women. Combine that with his lean, muscular physique and dashing white smile, he was the Colombian version of Prince Charming.

He flashed Callie a grin, then glared at me. All fixed, J. Don’t pour fat down the pipe; it blocks it.

I know, and I’ll remind Lozza. Thank you. I sighed in relief; thankful I wouldn’t have to call out a plumber then be charged fifty million dollars for the pleasure.

I owe you for that.

He pondered my reply for a second. Yeah, you do. Come tonight and we’ll call it even.

What? I cried. No. Anything but that. I’ve told you already, I’m not coming tonight. End of.

You’re coming, he snapped. We’ll be here to pick you up at seven. Be ready to go, or I’ll carry you to the car in what you’re wearing at the time.

It wasn’t an empty threat either. He’d threatened me with the same thing last summer, but I’d dismissed it. He turned up all right, and I spent the rest of the night sitting in a karaoke bar wearing PJ shorts, singlet top, and scuffs—which Callie had ‘thoughtfully’ grabbed from my doorstep on the way out. It was a thoroughly mortifying experience, and one I wasn’t prepared to repeat under any circumstances.

Callie giggled at the memory. Want me to grab your scuffs now to save us time at seven?

The only reason I’d be packing a scuff is to whack your ass with it, I warned through my laughter.

Darren glanced at his watch as he snapped it back around his wrist. We’ll see you in four hours. Be ready or suffer the consequences. He smirked and leaned in to peck my cheek.

Oh God, you stink! Don’t come any closer. I grimaced and shoved his chest, turning my head away from the muck on his face.

He laughed, then held his hand out to Callie. C’mon, babe, you can help me shower at home.

She wiggled her brows at me and followed my brother to the door with a spring in her step.

Practice safe sex! Lozza sang, arriving home as Darren and Callie left.

I met my bestie in the hallway and followed her into her room.

Hey, J-dogg, she greeted me.

Hey. Do you and Marc have plans for tonight?

She pouted her glossed lips and tilted her head to the side. No. Why?

Good, because we’re going out.

* * *

I had finished my makeup and was straightening my long, wavy hair when Lozza stomped her way through the house, fresh from her shower. She arrived at my room wrapped in a towel and juggling an armload of cosmetics, her dress, and red fuck-me heels.

Damn girlfriend! she exclaimed, running her eyes up and down my body.

I grimaced. Is it too much?

Hell no, it is not! It’s the perfect amount of much.

Snickering, I turned this way and that as I appraised myself in the full-length mirror, then gave my reflection a slow nod of approval. The two-piece cream dress clung to all the right places. The skirt sat high enough on my waist to hide my navel and licked my body all the way down to just below my knees, making my booty pop like I’d paid a million bucks for it. The long-sleeved top was perfect to balance out my exposed midriff, showing enough cleavage to be suggestively sexy while not plunging too low.

While our music played, Lozza set to work on her makeup and hair, then eased her dress over her head. After wriggling it on, she reached under the hem and shamelessly slipped off her underwear. I laughed because I had done the exact same thing mere minutes ago.

I handed her the red high heels, then stood back to check her out while she fastened a red belt around her waist.

Girl, those legs in that dress... ¡Perfecta!

Loz swivelled back and forth in front of the mirror, viewing herself from all angles. Marc is going to come in his pants when he sees me in this.

I feigned a shudder. Ugh, as much as I love Marc, no. Just no.

She threw her head back and laughed. The girl had no shame when it came to oversharing. I knew way too much about her and Marc’s relationship and sexual escapades for my liking, but living with Loz meant that I heard about them whether I wanted to or not.

You girls really need to lock your goddamn door! Marc’s voice rang out above Lozza’s laughter.

She clapped her hands and hurried through the house as best she could while wearing high heels on slippery wooden floors.

I snickered when I heard his reprimand morph into a choked exclamation. Holy shit, you’re hot!

Lozza’s laughter hushed, and I assumed they were making out. I’m coming out. Please still be fully clothed, I called.

A pang shot through my chest when they broke apart, and I caught the glint in Marc’s eye. He looked at Loz like she was a piece of candy he couldn’t wait to devour. I sighed wistfully, hoping that would be me someday.

Jesus, Marc said when he finally tore his eyes from Loz’s body and looked over her shoulder at me. You both need to be arriving with me. I’ll be the envy of every fucker in the bar.

I blew him a kiss. Hi Marc. And thanks. You look pretty good yourself.

His dark brown hair was trimmed perfectly at the sides and the longer top styled in an expert comb-over. His charcoal pants matched the colour of Lozza’s wraparound dress, and the bomber jacket fit his body like a glove.

Loz grabbed his hand and tugged him to the living room. We’ll wait until Darren and Callie arrive so Jax can’t escape. She snickered and arched an eyebrow at me.

I gestured down the front of my body. And let all this effort go to waste? Not a chance.

Besides, I had a point to prove. This bitch could be sexy as hell and have that rat-bastard Jason eating out of the palm of her hand.

Footsteps on the front porch had us all peering down the hallway, and Darren let himself in, just as Marc had.

Dammit girls, start locking your front door! You never know who’s lurking arou- ¡Mierda! he exclaimed as soon as he clapped eyes on me. Jax! Jesus, that outfit... Are you sure? It’s rather...

Darren couldn’t find the words, but Callie could. Amazingly hot! she declared, brushing past my brother to engulf me in a hug.

Aww, thanks, Callie. So are you.

The royal blue cocktail dress matched her eyes, making them stand out like massive sapphires. It clung from her bust to her waist, then flared slightly, allowing the material to flow around her legs with every little movement. Team that with a pair of nude heeled boots, and she was a total babe. Darren, as always, looked good in black jeans and black button up shirt rolled to the elbows; however, his mouth remained pressed into a tight line while he looked me up and down again.

When his eyes met mine, they narrowed further. Well, I guess this makes up for wearing sleepwear the last time we went out.

I raised my eyebrows at him. Last time sucked. And I don’t even care that you can’t admit your little sister is a hot-ass woman.

Darren scoffed and rolled his eyes. You’re beautiful as ever, J. I’m just gonna have my work cut out for me tonight making sure every motherfucker in the bar keeps his distance from you lot. He circled his finger between us three girls.

Marc laughed and ran his hand over Lozza’s booty. That’s pretty much what I said when I arrived.

We can handle ourselves, Loz sassed. Now, let’s get this show on the road!

If we must, I grumbled, grabbing my coat and clutch, then slipping into my baby-pink pumps.

Darren smirked when I stalked past him with my chin held high, appearing infinitely stauncher than I felt.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled into Phat Slims and exited our respective vehicles. As soon as we stepped through the doors of the popular bar, we were engulfed by music from the live band. There was already a decent crowd around various tables in the room and the night had a good vibe about it. People were here to have a few drinks and have a great time. I got the feeling it was going to be one to remember.

Darren stood between me and Callie, scanning the room for a table while holding my elbow like I was a child about to get lost in Disneyland. Lozza waved at us to indicate they’d found a table, and Darren attempted to guide me in that direction.

Instead, I detached myself from his firm, protective grip, and beelined to the bar. I had to get at least one drink under my belt before coming face-to-face with Jason. Bitterness still consumed me over what happened three years ago, and my belly churned with deep-seated dread.

Slinking through the crowd, I ignored the attention I drew and took a standing spot at the large, polished timber bar. The attention didn’t bother me; if I wanted to be a wallflower tonight, I would have worn something a little... less.

I ordered the first round of drinks from the barman, who gave me the once-over but didn’t ask for ID, then turned to watch the band while waiting.

Out of nowhere, the man next to me roughly shunted me to the side. The impact had me stumbling and grasping at the edge of the bar to catch my balance. My eyes snapped to a bald guy whose presence commanded attention, but he seemed oblivious that he’d just rudely slammed his big-ass body into my tiny one.

I set my one hand onto my hip and tugged his shoulder with the other. "Hey, asshole! What the fuck?"

Whoa there, sweethea- He turned to face me, no doubt preparing to be a dick, then reared back as if I’d slapped him. My breath hitched. My stomach knotted, then dropped, and I swear time halted. He sucked in a sharp inhale as his hazel-green eyes widened in shock.

"Ja- Jax?"

Within that second, I went from boiling with fury to feverish and exposed from the way his gaze roamed over my body. The unexpected pang shooting through my heart almost reduced me to my knees. He was so familiar, yet so... different. It took my mind a few beats longer to rearrange the old memory of him and create a new one—complete with shaved head and broader shoulders.

A lifetime of memories flooded back before halting a full three years ago; at the night that broke us.

For as long as I could remember, Jason Malone had been a thorn in my side. Our mamas had been best friends since they met through our papas, and our papas’ history stretched back to their university days. They weren’t just good family friends; they were familia, and a close one at that.

As kids, we lived a few blocks apart, and if Jace, Darren, and I weren’t at one house, we were at the other. And just like turbulent siblings, Jason and I were like oil and water; we co-existed but didn’t mix well.

The seven-year age gap didn’t help either. While I struggled through the awkward teenage years, Jason emerged from his puberty metamorphosis as a heartthrob. With his hazel-green eyes and sandy brown hair, typical sexy male body shape, and a wide, endearing smile overnight, he went from annoying brother’s best friend to holy-hotness. I began to fantasise about him when I shouldn’t have and noticed things about him I hadn’t before.

Like the way his brows furrowed when deep in thought.

Malnacido [Bastard].

Or the dimple on his left cheek when he grinned.

Estúpido.

But while he made my pulse stutter, he didn’t view me as anything other than the annoying little sister; we were familia after all.

The only unattractive part about Jason was that he was beginning to lose his hair early to male-pattern baldness. Despite it being unpreventable and inevitable, it was an extremely touchy subject and one which Jace refused to acknowledge. He was incredibly self-conscious about the fact he was losing his gorgeous, thick locks at just twenty. It was also a factor in our demise.

The final straw with Jason came when I was seventeen. It was Jason’s last weekend at home before moving to the city and the three of us were at Darren’s place drinking and playing board games. Monopoly, to be precise. As always, competitive spirits flared, and tempers heated when Darren and Jason teamed up to take me down. The more we drank, the worse their teasing got, as did my rising sass.

When Jace landed on a property of mine with a hotel sitting pretty on it, I stood and leaned across the table to jab a finger at him. Ha! Put that on your dick and suck it.

Back off, Jacquelyn, he growled, purposely calling me by my full name because he knew I hated it.

Darren’s snicker pushed my rage higher. No.

Jax, came Jace’s bark of final warning.

I scoffed and held out my hand. C’mon, old man, pay up. Or can’t you afford it? Want me to rub your bald spot until you shit out enough paper money to cover it? The spite-laced taunt was designed to be a joke, but it offended him more than I anticipated.

Through my laughter, Darren sucked in a shocked breath and choked down a curse. Jason reddened with rage, jumped to his feet, and dug his fingers underneath the monopoly board.

Would you just stop being a bratty little bitch for once in your fucking life! he roared, while markers, cards, houses, and money rained down around me.

My jaw fell slack in absolute shock. Thoughts froze in my mind and refused to form a comeback. Pain like none other tore through my chest. I struggled to breathe and sat locked to the spot as the echoes of his words burned through me like a hot iron. They seared so deep that the wounds still hadn’t healed to this day.

What the fuck, bro! Darren yelled, snapping to his feet and gunning for Jason. Jace met him head-on, hands clenched and chest heaving.

Darren fisted the front of Jace’s shirt and cocked a hand back ready to punch Jason’s teeth out. "If you ever talk to Jax like that again, I will punch your fucking lights out. You got that, brother?"

Jace’s regret-filled eyes cut to me. I saw his realisation and the horror that chased it. I saw the remorse and the guilt but fuck him; we were done. With one last scathing glare, I curled my lip in disdain, then turned on my heel and stormed out of the house. As the door slammed closed behind me, I vowed to make Jace pay for what he said; I pledged to never speak to him again.

The resounding ripples of those memories induced a shudder that snapped me back to the present. The one where Jason looked me over as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Mine narrowed sharply, and I steeled the shutters around my heart to buffer me against the ever-present ache associated with Jason Malone.

"¡Carajo! [Shit!] Jason?"

TWO

JACE

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After a moment of glaring at me blankly, totally thrown by my new appearance, the world unpaused. As the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place, Jax’s initial surprise morphed into agitation. Her eyes narrowed again, and she slammed her hands savagely onto her hips.

"¡Carajo! Jason?"

I fought the urge to crack out a laugh. There’s the Jax I remembered. Well, her attitude anyway. Visually... Holy Mother of Christ, she had changed. My last memory of her was a giggly, annoying as hell, seventeen-year-old kid who vaguely resembled the voluptuous woman standing before me now. This new Jax was a league away from the one I’d treated like a piece of shit the last time we spoke.

I’d regretted my venomous words every breathing moment from the instant they burned from my mouth. There wasn’t anything I could say to make her understand how remorseful I was about the whole thing. The fact that I’d taken her position as the only daughter in our families and used it to crush her spirit, purely because she had bruised my ego, was so far out of line it was despicable.

After breaking her heart so bad that I swore I heard it fracture, I was shocked to see her here tonight. Never in a million years did I think she’d come here voluntarily. Maybe Darren hadn’t told her I’d moved back to town; that would explain her lack of initial recognition. Although, I hadn’t recognised her right away either, because, hot damn, I hadn’t expected... that.

My friends call me Jace. I smirked to try to break the tension, then I indicated to the barman. Put hers on my tab, mate.

I turned my attention back to the brown-eyed, caramel-toned beauty and eye-fucked her all over again, this time slower than the first. "Je-sus, Jax,