9781618858368ForbiddenDeceptionlLeveyNC Read online

  FORBIDDEN DECEPTION

  Mahalia Levey

  Erotic Romance

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

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  A Secret Cravings Publishing Book

  Erotic Romance

  Forbidden Deception

  Copyright © 2013 Mahalia Levey

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-61885-836-8

  First E-book Publication: November 2013

  Cover design by Dawné Dominique

  Edited by Stephanie Balistreri

  Proofread by Ariana Gaynor

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

  Dedication

  To my readers, thank you for making me smile, and loving the characters in my books. Beta’s where would I be without you? To my family who love me even when I’m absorbed in my own world and don’t give them as much of my time as I’d like, and to Louie who gives me fond memories of the past.

  The Cravings e-book Club

  The Cravings Paranormal e-book Club

  Have you heard about the newest idea in ebooks, the ebook club? Secret Cravings Publishing has started two ebook clubs and we invite you to become a member of either The Cravings e-book Club or the Cravings Paranormal e-book Club. Join now and get two books absolutely free!

  As a member, you will receive Trouble With a Cowboy* by Sandy Sullivan and Forget Me Not** by Jaden Sinclair FREE, just for joining!

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  *Trouble With a Cowboy, a western, erotic romance:

  Can some slashed tires and an ornery bull bring two hard-headed people together for some fun in the sun and a little more?

  **Forget Me Not, paranormal erotic romance:

  A war is brewing, a war that could destroy an entire vampire race if left unchecked, and Julian Marino has been requested to participate in it. He stops his search for a long time friend to go home and discovers there is more at stake than just his wants.

  As a member of the Cravings Club, you’ll receive 4 books in a variety of genres every month. We will try to match your books to your preferences, however, if you’re a major paranormal fan, I suggest you join the Cravings Paranormal Club. Everything is the same, 4 books every month for $9.99 except that 3 of your 4 books will be paranormal. The remaining book will be of a different genre.

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  We hope our Secret Cravings books will delight you each and every month.

  Best wishes,

  Beth Walker

  FORBIDDEN DECEPTION

  Mahalia Levey

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  The blare of sirens followed by the swarming entrance of fire personnel swamped St. Augustine’s preparatory school. Red and orange flames danced against the panes of the second floor windows. Teachers corralled their students at their pre-organized spots away from the building. Ailyn put a hand to her racing heart as she gazed from the fire to her worried students. Stealing a fortified breath with no time to panic, she averted their attention from the surmounting danger by telling them a story.

  Bright red trucks with Rescue One painted on the side zoomed into the cleared parking lot. A battalion of sports utility vehicles, police cars, emergency responders and more ladder trucks from other stations trailed behind. Entranced, her group watched as dozens of personnel grouped together for initial instructions. Her lackluster story became irrelevant once the hoses came out and her group of seventh graders became immersed in the rescue scene.

  “Building ventilated,” one man yelled and the others paired off into teams. From protocol she knew a suppression and rescue team would enter, one to battle the fire, the other to clear the building. Although all of the teachers escaped the fiery trap, she wasn’t sure who from administration or the office staff might be missing.

  Ailyn watched in avid fascination at the smooth way each individual worked together as a team, followed instructions and entered the fiery fray on the second floor. “Ms. Dominguez, do you think there are still people inside?”

  “No, Jennika at least, I pray no one’s in there. The other teachers all did a headcount and we’re all in our designated spots. But they have to go in to check for anyone who might not have made it out, and to put out the fire.”

  “How will anyone know who’s missing?” Jennika asked with a soft voice.

  “Dear, all the staff members wear a magnetic badge for this reason—we swipe in and out of the building. Visitors sign a login sheet. A company outside of our school monitors, so we can keep track of how many people are in our building at all times. The company that tracks us will work directly with the police and firemen and contact them if anyone is missing.”

  “That is so cool. I want to be a fireman,” Jefferson piped up as a fireman carried his axe into the building.

  “Saving people is an honorable job.
But you have plenty of time left to decide what you want to be when you grow up.” Jefferson’s overprotective mom constantly objected to him playing what she considered dangerous sports, such as football or hockey. If she didn’t get a grasp on reality, she’d lose her son. Jeff possessed the keen abilities of a leader, and a personality any athletic team would snap up. As one of her brightest students, he got his work in on time, didn’t take the easy road out and excelled in sports played during gym.

  “Ms. Dominguez? Will we be able to go in to get our things from the lockers?”

  “Good question, Jessica. Right now I don’t have an answer. The firemen have to secure the building and make sure it’s safe for reentry. All of the smoke billowing could cause respiratory issues and we don’t want anyone getting smoke inhalation.”

  “This sucks. My phone is in the classroom. I can’t even call my mom and tell her I’m okay.”

  “Why don’t you all take a seat along the curb? The Board of Education has an automated system that calls parents with updates for any situation. Since you want to talk to your family, I’ll give you my phone to call your parents one at a time. Pass it to the next person when you’re finished.” She handed the phone to Jeff. “Why don’t you call your mom first? Keep your conversation short. Just let your parents know you are safe and how we’re waiting for the firemen to assess the situation. “I am proud of all of you. How quickly you lined up, like we practiced, following our drill routine. Organization and precaution can save lives. Good job.”

  “How is your class holding up?” Martin James, history teacher for the eighth graders, meandered over to her. She found his good looks disarming, but didn’t feel that pull of attraction in the absence of his personality.

  “We are doing okay. How about your class? Everyone seems to be at their cluster spot.”

  “Kids are resilient. Mine are complaining that they can’t call their parents.”

  “Then give them your cell phone. It’s important for them to feel safe at a time like this. Look at our school, this isn’t a simple smoking oven or some wacky accident in the chemistry room. This will hit the news, might as well let parents know.”

  “We have to follow protocol. There is no room for panicking parents.”

  “I guarantee you, that archaic rule existed before social media exploded. We really need to update the protocols. Trust me, this disaster is already online and will hit the local news. Take control, let them feel like you have their best interests at heart.”

  He seemed to ponder her words before coming to the conclusion she made logical sense. “Well, I don’t see what it’ll hurt. Just don’t want parents showing up.”

  “We can’t stop their untimely arrival any more than we can stop the rain from falling. I have to check on my students. Thanks for inquiring.”

  “Jeff, how is everyone? All calls made?”

  “Yes, Ms. Dominguez. Our parents wanted to know if they are supposed to come pick us up yet. You didn’t say so, so we told them we’d call back when we had more news.”

  “Great answer. Next time feel free to interrupt me. Can you take my phone over to the other teachers, make sure they have a way for their students to contact their parents. Instruct them to keep each call short, then come right back to me. You don’t have to wait.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Jeff grinned and bee-lined for the next cluster of students and teachers.

  Curls of smoke dissipated under the flood of water being sprayed.

  In full gear, members of the rescue team came out and whipped off their oxygen masks to report to their bosses. Intrigued, she watched their body language and mannerisms as they gave their well-executed explanations. She turned to her left to see a group of firemen conversing with her boss, Principal McAllister.

  “Ma’am, does this one belong to you?”

  Ailyn frowned at her student. “Jeff, didn’t I tell you to deliver my phone and come right back?”

  “Yes, Ms. Dominguez. I swear, I came back, but then—I just had to touch the truck. I know this is what I’m going to do when I grow up. I was born to do this.” He looked so apologetic and unwavering with resolve that she sighed.

  “I’m sorry Mr.—I’ll keep him where he belongs.”

  “Lieutenant Mahone, Seth Mahone.” He clapped her student on the back. “Concentrate on school son and listen to Ms. Dominguez. There’s always room at the fire department for good men down the line.”

  Ailyn forced herself to remain calm and pretend his name didn’t ring any bells, she only hoped she pulled off the coup. With a polite smile, she extended her hand to Officer Mahone. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” In the background, she noticed the district superintendent vying for her attention.

  “I’m sorry, but I need to see what she wants. Thank you for returning Jeff to me. Jeff, please go stand with the class. Be the leader I need you to be right now.”

  Her aloofness paid off. She crossed the short distance to the superintendent. “Mrs. Stanwick.”

  “The firemen have concluded we cannot return to the building today. There is no idea of how extensive the damage is, or what caused the fire to begin with. What we’ve gathered is the area that billowed with smoke is in the main corridor where the lockers are. Busses will arrive within the next half hour to take the bus riders home. The walkers may leave, those who need a ride will need to use an available teacher’s phone.” The take-charge woman adjusted her bifocals and strode off to the next set of teachers to no doubt deliver the same lengthy dialogue.

  When Ailyn turned, she found Officer Mahone sizing her up. She flashed a smile and a half wave, still using the pretense she’d never met him before. Then she clasped her hands behind her back, pivoted and strode over to her students and broke down the situation.

  One by one her kids left, either on bus, in carpools or walking. Once her responsibilities were taken care of, Ailyn moved over to the other teachers to help them get their kids where they needed to be. In the background the firemen began folding up their equipment and returning to their trucks.

  She wiped sweaty hands on her skirt as her heart pounded in her chest. Seeing that man broke her heart, lacerated her soul, all over again. Fathoming how he and she came to live in the same town threw her for a loop. She’d hoped to avoid running into him for the rest of her mortal life, but Fate refused to allow her to move on and put the past behind her.

  Seth Mahone. Fucking Seth Mahone. The first boyfriend she gave her heart and virginity to. The one who she thought she’d marry one day. Then a boy, but now the man she apparently couldn’t escape. The last of the students left, giving her a chance to make a break for it. She flipped on her sunglasses and walked to her car, trying with each step to forget how handsome he’d grown. The way his green eyes crinkled still when he smiled. Broad shoulders covered by gear. Hell, even the fact that he smelled the exact same underneath the stench of smoke. He hadn’t finished growing for sure, gaining at least another inch and a half. The only aspect about their relationship she couldn’t regret was the exact female replica of his green eyes and ears, waiting for her at home.

  Eva had dance and cheer tonight. Thankfully, she’d have Mia to chat with, hopefully gain some perspective too. Maintaining privacy, her main concern, worried her. For months after the split, Seth relentlessly attempted to reach her. Once she found out she was pregnant, she fled town and enrolled in a college half the country away. Lucky for her the school’s public housing had a small apartment vacant. She didn’t have to stay in a dorm, giving her the opportunity to earn her degree without dropping out or giving her daughter up for adoption.

  Earning her master’s in education took longer than she’d expected. However, she’d survived. Now she worked for a private Catholic school on the swankier side of town. Her salary and benefits gave her a large discount on sending her daughter to private school, next year she’d be teaching her daughter’s class.

  Eva didn’t know much about her father. Of course her curious daughter wanted to know w
hy her papi wasn’t around. To skirt around the issue, she’d told her, they were young and in love. Adding how when she moved away to college they lost contact. His unwanted reentry into her life scared the shit out of her. Ten years later, she couldn’t deny the gravitational pull she fought or the instant curiosity of wanting to learn about the take charge man he’d become. As she got settled, her phone rang.

  “Hey, Ailyn, I tried to text you this afternoon to make sure you were okay. Any news on the school?”

  “Thanks Mia. The kids had my phone to call their parents for most of that time. No new news yet, I’m sure I’ll get a call tonight or tomorrow. At least there are no planned classes tomorrow. I imagine the administration will be setting up some portable classes for a short time.”

  “You on the way here?”

  “Yeah, climbing into my car now. I’ll be there in a jiff.” The dance and gymnastics academy was located a few minutes away from the school.

  “I’m just glad everyone got out safe.”

  “Me too. What an exhausting day.” Ailyn sighed and navigated through the traffic.

  “I bet. How is Eva adjusting to a new dance instructor? I know she’s new to competitive cheer but not dance.”

  “I think she is doing well, thanks to Ashland taking her under her wing. Eva idolizes her, which is a good thing. I can’t think of a better role model than Ashland. You must be proud to have such a well-rounded daughter. Ah, I see you.” She waved as she pulled into a parking spot. “I told you I’d be right there.”

  “Ash just turned seventeen. I’m not out of the hell years yet. She enjoys helping the teachers with the younger students. Everyone’s the new student at some point. Plus as captain of her high school cheer squad, it’s important that she sets an example and shows she can lead others. My girl lives and breathes cheer. But your daughter glows on stage. She’ll be a great addition to the cheer team, especially for the choreographed dance sections they’re required to perform. They can just put Eva center stage and let her shine.”