My Temptation

  Book One of The Forbidden Series

  F. R. Burns

  Copyright © 2026 by F. R. Burns

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact frburnsauthor@gmail.com

  The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

  Book Cover by F. R. Burns

  Editing by Sophie Robinson @justonemoreuk

  Contents

  A note from the author

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Playlist

  1. Chapter One

  2. Chapter Two

  3. Chapter Three

  4. Chapter Four

  5. Chapter Five

  6. Chapter Six

  7. Chapter Seven

  8. Chapter Eight

  9. Chapter Nine

  10. Chapter Ten

  11. Chapter Eleven

  12. Chapter Twelve

  13. Chapter Thirteen

  14. Chapter Fourteen

  15. Chapter Fifteen

  16. Chapter Sixteen

  17. Chapter Seventeen

  18. Chapter Eighteen

  19. Chapter Nineteen

  20. Chapter Twenty

  21. Chapter Twenty-One

  22. Chapter Twenty-two

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Acknowledgements

  About the author

  Also by

  A note from the author

  This is the first novella in a series of four interconnected standalone books.

  This book is intended for 18+ readers only and contains explicit sexual content.

  To those who wished their first time was with an older, experienced guy — this one’s for you.

  “I can resist everything but temptation.” ~ Oscar Wilde

  Playlist

  His Temptation – The Soulful Gentlemen

  King Of My Heart – Taylor Swift

  Everything – Alex Warren

  Before You – Benson Boone

  I Choose You – Forest Blakk

  Yellowstone (holding you) – Matt Hansen

  If You Love Her – Forest Blakk

  Mine Tonight – Velvet Desires

  Take You Slow – Cody Marrow

  Claim You Tonight – Velvet Desires

  Forever After All – Luke Combs

  Love Me Back – Max McNown

  5 Leaf Clover – Luke Combs

  Chapter One

  Bella

  I look through my wardrobe for the hundredth time this week, still unsure if the outfit I’ve picked for this morning, my first day of work, is the right one. It’s not like I haven’t been to the company before; in fact, you could say I grew up there.

  Today will be my first day working for my father’s company, G.R Productions, well — my father and his best friend, Reed’s, company. However, knowing everyone there isn’t making the slightest bit of difference to my nerves, my hands are shaking and butterflies are swirling around my stomach.

  I lift the navy slacks up again, holding them against the champagne colored silk blouse I’m wearing. They’re straight leg, fitted in all the best places which make my legs look a lot longer than they are. I’m debating whether to go back to the drawing board when my father calls up to me.

  “Bella, are you ready yet, darling? We need to leave soon.”

  Yep, that’s me.

  The girl who still lives with her parents. To be fair, I have just graduated from college and I am only twenty-one, however, when a girl graduates and starts a new job, she doesn’t exactly plan to be still living at home.

  Tell that to my parents, though.

  I am the baby of the family, the second child they had wanted to have years before but hadn’t been able to.

  I am coddled, smothered and not allowed an ounce of freedom.

  I went to a college locally so that my parents could have me home with them, and heaven forbid I ever dream of working anywhere other than G.R Productions — I honestly think it would break my father’s heart. My older brother works there too, however, I’m pretty sure he was given a choice in the matter. I, however, was not.

  “Bella, come on. I don’t want to be late,” my father’s exasperated voice calls up the stairs.

  Well, I guess this outfit will have to do.

  “Coming,” I call back down to him, pulling the pants on and quickly grabbing my nude heels as I leave my room and make my way downstairs.

  “You look beautiful, darling,” he says as he ushers me out the door and to his Range Rover. We pull out of the drive and head towards the Pacific Coast Highway, into L.A.

  “Are you ready for your first day?”

  “Yeah, Dad, I’ll be fine. A little nervous, but it’s not like I don’t already know everyone there.”

  “Don’t worry about it, you’ll be great, darling, and Reed will take good care of you.”

  And there-in lies the reason for my nerves.

  Reed Burke.

  My father’s best friend, business partner and the man I’ve had a crush on for as long as I can remember.

  My new boss.

  Reed

  Today can kiss my ass, and it’s not even nine a.m.

  I’ve had clients complaining, Directors walking off set and to top it off, I’ve got Bella starting today. I have absolutely nothing against Bella; she’s always been a sweet girl, a little on the quiet side, but a good person, and if she’s anything like her brother she’ll be an asset to the company, but today I could do without having to hold her hand and show her the ropes. It’s going to take a while to get her up to speed with everything before she’s actually of any use, and right now, I could do without it.

  “Reed,” my assistant’s voice comes through the speaker phone on my desk. “Bella is here.”

  Shit, already?

  “Send her in, Tania, and can you grab me a coffee? Whatever Bella wants too, please.” I’m going to need all the caffeine I can get today.

  My office door opens and I hear quiet footsteps approach my desk. I hit send on the email I was typing and look up.

  What. The. Fuck?

  This is not Bella, absolutely not.

  Bella is a child.

  Bella is young.

  Bella is my best friend’s fucking kid.

  This absolutely stunning woman cannot be George’s daughter.

  I can’t stop staring, she’s absolutely gorgeous.

  Bella has always been a pretty girl, but that’s just it — she was a girl. Not this dark-haired, green-eyed goddess with perfect tits and a tight ass.

  When the fuck did she grow-up?

  I could probably count on one hand the times I’ve interacted with Bella. Spending time with family isn’t the friendship George and I have, but I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t expecting her.

  “Hi Reed, it’s been a while. How are you?”

  Well, shit.

  You know you’re screwed when a woman’s voice makes you hard. I had a semi the minute I laid eyes on her, but it’s a full on hard-on now she’s opened her mouth and those husky words left her cherry red lips.

  I clear my throat, hoping my voice doesn’t come out as gravely as it feels. “I’m good, Bella, you… ermm, you look great. How have you been?” She smiles at me, her perfect white teeth flashing. Is there anything about this girl that will turn me off? Does she snore?

  Fuck, no, don’t think about her in your bed.

  “I’m good thanks, Reed. You look good too. Do you mind if I take a seat?” She gestures to the chair in front of my desk.

  “Fuck, of course. Sorry, I seem to have forgotten my manners.”

  A gentle knock at the door is followed by Tania walking in with two coffees.

  “Here you go. Reed, your espresso and Bella, dear, your cappuccino.” We both say our thanks and she leaves us, part of me wishes she had stayed. I’m feeling incredibly awkward around my best friend’s daughter, a feeling I am not at all familiar with.

  I rack my brain, trying to figure out when I last saw her. It was before she started college, maybe three, four years ago? No wonder she looks so different.

  She takes a sip of her coffee and her eyes meet mine over the rim of the cup. Her throat swallows the hot liquid and my eyes follow every movement.

  “What is it you’d like me to do, Reed?”

  Everything. Fucking, everything.

  Fuck, I’m screwed.

  Pulling my mind out of the gutter, I think over what I had planned for us today.

  “I’ve got a meeting at nine-thirty a.m. with the external communications team. For now, I think if you just shadow me, take notes of any questions you may have and we can catch up at the end of each meeting.”

  It’s going to take a while for us to find a rhythm we’re both comfortable with. Bella is essentially coming on board to be my number two; the plan is for her to eventually take over my job when I retire, and Beau, her brother, will take over from George. George will be retiring before me, what with him being a decade older than me,
and Beau being that much older than Bella too.

  “What will happen when you go to San Francisco? Do you still split your time between there and here?”

  “You will be coming with me most of the time.” This just keeps getting worse — how am I meant to travel with her? None of this was an issue before she walked into my office, but now, every moment with her is going to test my restraint.

  “Okay, I thought that would be the case but I wanted to check. My family has an apartment there they use for that office, so it won’t be an issue at all.”

  “Yes, it’s the apartment next to mine.” Her eyes fly to mine, her pupils widening, I can see her pulse beating at the base of her throat.

  If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was attracted to me. But that would be insane, right? It would also be a recipe for disaster, because if I get even a hint of her being as attracted to me as I am her? My control will be non-existent.

  You cannot fuck your best friend’s daughter, Reed.

  Chapter Two

  Bella

  He is even better looking than I remember, and I remember him being ridiculously handsome.

  Everyone hangs off his every word, myself included, as he commands the conference room. While his gaze is elsewhere, I take the time to really look at him.

  He’s tall — well over six feet of solid muscle with dark hair that is long enough to have a slight wave to it but not long enough to make him look messy, it’s perfect.

  His warm brown eyes make me think of nights spent drinking hot chocolate by the fire, wrapped up naked together under a blanket.

  His skin has a healthy tan, showing me that he still likes to surf — now, that is something I’d like to see; Reed, dressed in board shorts, riding the waves. Yes, please.

  I’m glad I have a full understanding of what this meeting is about, as I haven’t taken many notes, being far too distracted by the hunk of male at the front of the room. How is anyone supposed to concentrate on what he’s saying when he looks and sounds like a wet dream? I look around the room, taking in the other attendees, all completely riveted by him, even the men.

  “Does everyone have everything they need?” His question draws my attention back to the meeting. Everyone nods their agreement, the meeting ends and people begin filing out of the conference room.

  Reed’s eyes meet mine and his gaze pauses on my face. What does he see when he looks at me? Am I still the little girl of his best friend? Or does he see the woman I’ve become? His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat.

  “Do you have any questions for me?” I shake my head, not trusting my voice right now. “Let’s get going, then. We have a few fires we need to put out.”

  ***

  I’ve spent the day following Reed around like a little lapdog, but I have to say I’ve enjoyed myself a lot more than I thought I would. I’ve even made some suggestions a couple of times that Reed didn’t shoot down. In fact, he even went as far as to use one of them, which made me smile like a giddy school girl.

  We’re walking off a set in The Arts District and heading back to Reed’s car. It’s nearing dinner time and I’m hoping we’ll be done soon or my stomach is going to start embarrassing me.

  As we exit the building they’d been using for filming, Reed’s hand settles on the small of my back. My whole body heats at that single touch.

  “Thank you for today, Bella.”

  I glance up at him, but his gaze is focused forward on where we’re going. “I’m not really sure you’ve got anything to thank me for, I pretty much just followed you around.”

  His eyes flick to mine. “Then you’re not giving yourself enough credit. I’ll be honest, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but I wasn’t overly looking forward to today. My days are always crazy busy and the thought of having to teach you, answer questions constantly and have you follow me around? I was ready for the day to end before it had even begun.” He pauses and my heart sinks. That answers my question from earlier then — he still sees me as his best friend’s little girl. “But you’ve surprised me. You know so much already, which I should have expected with you practically growing up here. Plus, you’ve already made some suggestions today that are well thought-out and helpful, and you’ve been here to assist. You’ve been a constant presence, but not in my way. So, I’ll say it again, Bella. Thank you.” We’ve reached his car now, and his hand is still on my back. He applies a light pressure, turning me towards him. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  “Me, too.” My voice is huskier than usual, the closeness of his body doing things to my own; it feels like I’ve got electrical currents running under my skin and butterflies dancing in my stomach.

  His eyes don’t leave my face and his pupils are blown, the brown almost drowned out by black.

  It’s at times like this that I wish I had more experience with guys, because right now it feels like he’s flirting with me, or at least attracted to me. But that has to be my wishful thinking. My crush is one sided, always has been, always will be, right?

  A door slamming down the street startles us out of our trance and his hand drops from my back. He opens the passenger door for me and ushers me in.

  “Do you need me to drop you home?” he asks once he’s seated behind the steering wheel and pulling away from the sidewalk.

  “No, the office is fine. I’m sure Dad will still be there and home is out of the way for you.”

  “Okay, but just so we’re clear. I don’t have a problem driving you home, whether it’s out of my way or not. I’ll gladly drive the extra miles to know you’re safe.”

  I wish his words meant something else — that he wanted me safe because I was his.

  Reed

  I lie in bed looking at the text message on my phone, willing myself to send a response, to accept her invitation.

  Cass: I’m in town. My usual room, get here ASAP and you can have all of me

  My hand hovers over the reply button but I can’t bring myself to press it. I can’t get my mind off of a certain green-eyed, dark-haired beauty. Someone completely off limits, the ultimate forbidden fruit.

  With a disgusted sigh, I throw my phone down on the covers.

  What is wrong with me? I never say no to Cass. She’s fun, she’s uncomplicated, we know the score with each other. Get in, get off, get out. Yet, here I am, unable to fall asleep and also unable to accept a simple hook-up, because I can’t stop thinking about someone who is so beyond complicated, she could ruin my life. Is that what this fascination is? That she’s forbidden?

  My sex life has always been uncomplicated. I’ve never been a relationship guy. I like simple, easy, fun.

  Has that become boring now? Am I having a midlife crisis? And if I am, did it have to be Bella-fucking-Knight? My best friend and business partner’s daughter.

  Shaking my head, knowing I’m not going to get any sleep before I take care of my raging erection, I fling my legs off the bed, get up and make my way into my bathroom. I tell myself I won’t picture Bella when I get myself off.

  ***

  I lied.

  Sitting next to me during a meeting I am paying very little attention to, is the woman whose name I called when I spilled my cum down the shower drain last night.

  We’re sitting so close I can feel the heat from her thighs under the table. It’s day two of working together, and my restraint is hanging on by a thread.

  When she walked into my office this morning, I nearly fell to my knees. If I thought yesterday’s outfit was hot, it has nothing on today’s; the black, skinny pants paired with a tight black top tucked in, showcase every detail of her exquisite figure.

  I need to touch her, feel her skin on mine. I lean my head down to her level so I can speak into her ear.

  “Can you pass me a pen?” She startles at my voice, turning her face to mine and bringing our lips millimetres apart. Her eyes travel to the pen already in my hand. “It’s not working properly.” Her eyes meet mine again and hold for a beat, almost like she detects my lie. Turning, she reaches to the side of her and grabs a pen from the collection on the table.