Forbidden Fruit Shorts Series by Amanda Faye

SophiaThey say every girl loves a bad boy, and there's undoubtedly a reason for that. Bad boys rock your world, but then they break your heart. So, I made a solemn vow to put my bad boy dating ways behind me. Now I have a naughty itch that I just can't scratch. Enter Bax, my brother's best friend since we were kids. Bax is the embodiment of a good guy. I bet he even helps old ladies carry their groceries. When I least expect it, though, he shows me a side of him I never imagined... moreSophiaThey say every girl loves a bad boy, and there's undoubtedly a reason for that. Bad boys rock your world, but then they break your heart. So, I made a solemn vow to put my bad boy dating ways behind me. Now I have a naughty itch that I just can't scratch. Enter Bax, my brother's best friend since we were kids. Bax is the embodiment of a good guy. I bet he even helps old ladies carry their groceries. When I least expect it, though, he shows me a side of him I never imagined. Is it possible the best of both worlds has been beside me the whole time? BaxterThe number one rule of the guy code is you don't date your best friend's sister. Google it; you'll see I'm right. Even if she is gorgeous and smart and has a unique brand of crazy that just flat out does it for you. Bros before—well, you know. But after a night of drinking and listening to Sophia complain about her bland love life, I see an opportunity too golden to pass up. After all, good guys can talk dirty too. less

RyanThere are things that just shouldn’t happen—like me being in love with my sister’s best friend. Still, that didn't stop me from spending our childhood telling her just that. Of course, she doesn't believe me. I'm just the annoying guy she’s known all her life. But then she begged...Not like that, but her asking for my help was still music to my ears... moreRyanThere are things that just shouldn’t happen—like me being in love with my sister’s best friend. Still, that didn't stop me from spending our childhood telling her just that. Of course, she doesn't believe me. I'm just the annoying guy she’s known all her life. But then she begged...Not like that, but her asking for my help was still music to my ears. I stopped listening when she formed those beautiful words—Ryan, I need you—and came to somewhere around a broken hip and a last minute date to her ex’s wedding. I accepted, not even sure to what exactly, but she can always count on me. I’ll only need to remember three things: Don’t punch the groomDon’t grab her ass—too muchAnd no matter what, remember this is only for one night. less

SophiaHe told me that good boys talked dirty. A year with Baxter in my bed proved that little idiom right. What I didn't learn until after I fell in love with a nerd, however, was that good girls like vampires. I intend to be a very good girl, indeed.

Suzanne To say that my family is traditional would be an understatement, so I knew when I got pregnant unexpectedly with no husband in sight, they weren’t going to take it well. My brother Alex, the only one who ever has my back, asked his best friend to be there when we broke the news, hoping an outsider would temper their reactions. It. Did. Not. It went about as bad as I could imagine until—Matt saved the day. Now I have a baby daddy, and a not so fake fiancee to boot... moreSuzanne To say that my family is traditional would be an understatement, so I knew when I got pregnant unexpectedly with no husband in sight, they weren’t going to take it well. My brother Alex, the only one who ever has my back, asked his best friend to be there when we broke the news, hoping an outsider would temper their reactions. It. Did. Not. It went about as bad as I could imagine until—Matt saved the day. Now I have a baby daddy, and a not so fake fiancee to boot. Nothing can go wrong living in a make-believe relationship with the boy I’ve loved since I was eight. Nothing at all. Matthew I went that night to give Susie Q my support, not to almost punch her father and claim her as my own. I did though. The minute I saw the chance, I claimed her and her baby as mine. I don’t plan on giving them back. less

NatalieOne bad decision doesn't define you. Right?That's what I kept telling myself, but then I walked smack dab into another one.A six-foot-two, hands the size of dinner plates, turns my insides to jelly kind of mistake. It wasn’t my intention to kiss my professor, but I wasn't aware it was Dr. Eli Summers until he let me up for air and peeled his palms from my ass.We can thank my unwanted admirer for that... moreNatalieOne bad decision doesn't define you. Right?That's what I kept telling myself, but then I walked smack dab into another one.A six-foot-two, hands the size of dinner plates, turns my insides to jelly kind of mistake. It wasn’t my intention to kiss my professor, but I wasn't aware it was Dr. Eli Summers until he let me up for air and peeled his palms from my ass.We can thank my unwanted admirer for that. Now, he's offering me the protection of his reputation and the title of his fake girlfriend. The perfect solution, right? After all, there’s no way I'll fall for Mr. Tall Dark and Brooding. less

ShelbyWhen shit hits the fan, it splatters everywhere. As a single woman who works from home, the world shutting down around you isn't impactful. Seriously, what changes? You're already locked away, isolated in your own little bubble. But then a pandemic strikes, restrictions are put in place, and along comes Derrick. My childhood crush and my brother's best friend... moreShelbyWhen shit hits the fan, it splatters everywhere. As a single woman who works from home, the world shutting down around you isn't impactful. Seriously, what changes? You're already locked away, isolated in your own little bubble. But then a pandemic strikes, restrictions are put in place, and along comes Derrick. My childhood crush and my brother's best friend. Oh, did I mention he's a hot as sin Airline Pilot? With a quarantine in full effect, he's grounded two-thousand miles from home and—you've guessed it, begging for my couch and a fridge to eat out of until, well, to be determined. Locked at home is one thing. Locked inside with Derrick is a whole other beast. I'm officially screwed. less

EliWho knew a mistaken kiss in the middle of a college bar would change my life forever. Once I thought I deserved to be alone. Now, Natalie is the beat of my heart. She forced me to realize the life I was living was only half complete.But if being on the stage means I leave her behind, I don’t think it’s a price I’m willing to pay.