Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad Free Preview

Becca.

Tally’s house was a dream home—literally.

Her father had built it from a dream he'd had, or so he’d told us when we were young girls.

Looking at it now, I believed it.

Little did I know that, in this house, all of my dreams would start to come true....

Five years had gone by since the last time I came to Miami. Pulling up to Tally’s house felt just like it had been so many times before. I had spent so many summers in this home, coming here was like greeting an old friend.

The mansion had tall, white, towering columns lining the porch, accenting the huge archways over the doors. The architecture was unique to Tally’s father’s taste, which made sense since he had dreamed it up.

The difference now was the roof had been redone in Mediterranean terracotta shingles, and the landscaping was completely different, now with an Italian flare. Mr. Valentino had even added a white marble fountain to the front yard that featured a goddess being worshiped.

He had really outdone himself and based on the looks of the outside, I couldn’t wait to see what he had changed inside. This was my home away from home.

“Oh, my god!” Tally screamed excitedly. “Look at this place! Dad really did a number on the renovations, didn’t he, Becca?”

“Yeah, totally awesome,” I replied, glancing towards Tally, shaking my head.

Thank god she has never been to my parents’ house.

As much as I didn’t want to think Tally would judge the way I grew up—she would.

Prim and proper was Tally’s norm. These sorts of luxuries weren’t possible for someone like me.

I didn’t come from mansions or luxury cars or tight security. My family didn’t have yachts and butlers and maids. All of which seemed to tend to any need Tally could possibly ever have.

But it didn’t matter to me in the end. I loved the life I lived, and I was grateful to have been able to take part in Tally’s as well.

How we had become friends I would never understand, but I was grateful to have her. We had been there for each other through a lot, and no matter how much we could irritate each other, we were like sisters.

“I’m starving. I wonder if Dad has a small spread ready for our arrival,” she murmured as she grabbed her stuff and glanced at me. “Ready to get this party started?”

“Sure.” Shaking my head with a smile, I watched her move with excitement towards the front door. Its mahogany finish gleamed in the Miami sun.

Beautiful. That’s what it was.

Passing the threshold, it was as if being instantly transported to Italy. The decor embellished every inch of the Tuscan Valley, highlighting every aspect of the magical home.

The last time I had come here was when Tally’s parents got divorced. At that point in time, the home was still wildly styled to Tally’s mother’s taste.

So seeing her father’s preference brought to life was a refreshing sight.

“Daddy!” Tally screamed, dropping all of her bags to the floor haphazardly as she moved towards the kitchen. “I’m home!”

I wasn’t sure why Tally continued to act like she was five, but at the same time, I was too entranced with the decor to care. Carefully, I sat done my things next to Tally’s while my eyes stared at the ceiling as I spun slowly in a circle, taking it all in.

“Maybe he isn’t here,” I said as my eyes met hers once more.

“He is here. His car was in the drive, and he told me he had a long meeting. That’s why he didn’t meet us at the airport.”

Rolling my eyes, the corner of my lip lifted into a smirk as I took a seat on one of the tall vintage barstools. There was only so much Tally-drama I could deal with, and considering we hadn’t even been here ten minutes, I would say this was a new record.

Regardless, though, I didn’t want to partake in the conversation she was about to have with him. I already knew where it would go.

“Well,” I shrugged, “maybe he took another car?”

It’s not like he is short on the money to afford it.

“This is bullshit!” Tally screamed out in frustration. “He was supposed to greet me as soon as I got home.”

Ah. There she is! Princess Tally at her finest.

As my eyes cast towards the window in the kitchen, I caught sight of the Adonis-like figure swimming laps in the pool. There was no doubt in my mind who it was....

Because I already knew. James Valentino. Tally’s sex god of a father.

Since I was sixteen years old, I had fantasized about sneaking into her father’s room and having him force me to submit. The way his fingers would grip my throat as he told me I was his good girl... I knew it was wrong, but at the same time, it was a childish fantasy. One I never dared to share with Tally.

Not to mention her father would never dare take advantage of a young girl.

Even if I had wanted to willingly give myself to him.

“Uh, it looks like he is getting out of the pool,” I breathed out, trying to divert my attention.

No matter how many times I tried to take my eyes off of him, I couldn’t. He was far too breathtaking, and with droplets of water dripping down across his rippled stomach, all I could do was drool.

F*ck me. Is he getting hotter the older he gets?

“What?” She gasped as she glanced in the direction I was looking. “Swimming instead of meeting me when I walked through the door?”

The disdain in her voice snapped me out of my trance and caused me to roll my eyes.

“I don’t understand what the big deal is, Tally. Who cares? We are here now, and we have an entire summer to enjoy.”

She spun to face me; her gaze spoke volumes about her unhappiness. “I know this.”

“Sooo?” I shrugged. “Then what’s the big deal?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, she scoffed, “Because Daddy always greets me at the door. You don’t think he has a new woman, do you?”

Laughter escapes me as I stare at her in disbelief. “Seriously? That’s your go-to?”

“Well—” she shrugged in frustration, “I read online that when men change their patterns, it’s usually because of a big change... like a new woman.”

Should have seen that. It’s what happened with Chad, I mentally noted with a sigh.

I couldn’t understand her reasoning. “Would that honestly be a bad thing?”

“Yes!” she shrieked. “Oh, my god, Becca. That would be like the worst thing ever. If he wants a woman, he can get back with my mom.”

Just as the words left her mouth, the sliding glass door opened, and the hottest man I had ever laid my eyes on stepped through the doorway, dripping wet and running a towel over his head.

The Italian Stallion has arrived. God, I want to kiss his abs.

The dirty remark running through my mind caused me to bite my bottom lip as my eyes scanned his body up and down. No matter how much time passed, I still had the desire to climb him like a horse and ride him into the new year.

Maybe run my tongue across his rock hard body even... hell, I’m not picky.

“Where were you?” Tally snapped with disapproval, pulling me from my delicious thoughts. “I expected to see you, and you weren’t there. I don’t understand.”

Confusion passed through his eyes as he stared at her with shock. “Sweetie, I didn’t think your flight was supposed to be here for another hour.”

“Uh–no,” she quipped. “I sent you my flight info, and I texted you.”

“You did?” he replied, picking his phone off the bar and quickly scrolling through it.

Standing impatiently, she stared at him. “Yeah, I did.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” he shrugged. “I guess it slipped my mind. I’ll make it up to you.”

Smart man. Smart man.

When it came to Tally, we both knew how to act. Because if Tally didn’t get her way, you would think World War III was breaking out due to her disregard and meltdowns.

“It’s okay,” she sighed. “Becca and I are hungry and tired. Can we order food?”

As his eyes slowly slid to me, he furrowed his brow in confusion, “Becca?”

Of course, he doesn’t recognize me. “Hey,” I smiled, trying not to look down.

The swim shorts were doing nothing to conceal the beast between his legs, and with my current sexual situation having been nonexistent for the past few weeks, I was horny.

Damn it, Becca. Stop thinking dirty about your friend’s dad. What the f*ck!

“You have grown up a lot, Becca,” Mr. Valentino replied, his dark, sultry gaze scanning up and down my body.

Shit. Was he checking me out?!

“Yeah.” The breathlessness of my response caused me to clear my throat as I quickly averted my gaze, trying to look anywhere but at him. I wasn’t trying to be rude, but if this conversation didn’t end quickly, I was going to give away my dirty thoughts by looking at his enormous cock again.

“So...” he muttered, looking between the two of us. “What are the plans for summer?”

Before I could even get a word in, Tally started rambling off about the parties and boating trips she wanted to take. Even though I was her guest, he was already accustomed to the fact we often did things apart.

“And you, Becca?” he asked, bringing me back to the present. “Anything you would like to do?”

Yeah, f*ck you into oblivion.

“Um. I’m not quite sure yet. Had some rough shit happen a few weeks back, so kind of looking to relax and enjoy my summer? Then, it’s back to school for my last year.” I smiled, nodding my head as a glint of amusement crossed his eyes.

“Oh, very nice,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “What was your degree again?”

“Statistics and Data Science,” I replied as I gazed down at my fidgeting hands.

“She’s a math nerd, Dad. You give her anything to do with numbers, and she is quick with a response. Bookkeeping and calculations and all that stuff. Kind of like you.”

Tally’s response caused me to laugh before I cleared my throat, realizing I was finding amusement in her calling her dad a math nerd, basically.

“Something like that,” his reply was followed by the upward turn of his mouth as my gaze met his once more. I didn’t understand what was going through his head at that moment, but I was intrigued to find out.

Pulling out her phone, I watched as Tally replied to whatever text she got while smacking on the bright pink bubble gum she had consumed at some point. “Shit. Becca, we need to get unpacked. Jesse wants us to meet for food.”

“Oh–okay,” I said, not really looking forward to it. “I thought we were going to eat here.”

“I can order food,” Mr. Valentino said happily as he glanced between Tally and I.

“No, no,” Tally scoffed. “We are just going to go out.”

I felt bad about the situation overall. Mr. Valentino didn’t know we were going to be here so soon, and Tally was acting childish. Even if I loved her dearly, the way she was acting was unacceptable.

“Okay then,” he smiled. “It’s really nice to have you home, sweetie. I hope we can spend some time together while you’re here.”

The notion warmed my heart and made me miss my own father. But in true Tally fashion, she didn’t hold the same sweet sentiment I did.

“I’ll fit something in,” she replied as she made her way towards the stairs. “Can Rosa bring our things upstairs, please? I need to unpack and take a shower.”

As Tally disappeared from sight, I shook my head, jumping off the barstool.

“Thanks for letting me stay for the summer, Mr. Valentino. I appreciate it.”

His eyes drifted from where his daughter had disappeared to me, and as he looked at me, I couldn’t help but feel small under his gaze. “There is no need to thank me, Becca. Also, will you please call me James?”

First name basis? Oh, shit... Becca, stop, you’re reading too much into it.

“If that’s what you would like... James,” I replied softly, fluttering my eyelashes in a flirtatious manner. “I better get going. I guess I’ll see you around.”

Raising a brow, his smile never faltered as he nodded, “Oh, you definitely will.”

Going out with Tally had been more of a headache than I wanted it to be. What started out with dinner turned into an all-nighter at a local club. The stench of stale cigarettes littered my clothing from earlier in the night, as well as, the few droplets of puke Tally had managed to get on me when I was holding her hair.

It shouldn’t have been much of a surprise how the evening turned out. Yet, once again, I was left to babysit her while she dabbled in the fun.

I wasn’t the party girl Tally had become, and even though she knew that, she still tried to drag me around. Sometimes I wondered if that was simply a way to make sure she had a designated driver or if she genuinely enjoyed my company.

By the time we had arrived back at her home, the lights were off, and it was dark. Tally’s drunken form was unable to carry herself up the stairs, which meant that it had been my job to do so.

Lucky me!

After I had gotten Tally undressed and in bed, and a hot shower had washed away the remainder of the night from my body, I lay on my bed, trying to find the will to go to sleep. Too much had happened over the past few weeks. My mind still reeled from my breakup with Chad, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about James.

James was different. Not only was he incredibly sexy, with lips so plump I wanted to kiss him for days, but he was old school. He seemed like the kind of man who knew how to wine and dine a girl. Treat her special, and never cheat on her with some mystery girl like Chad did to me.

I didn’t know James that way, but my mind constantly wondered. I wondered how he would treat me and about all the wonderfully sinful things he could do to me.

I didn’t understand the rush of emotions he brought over me. I wasn’t the bad girl type, and yet everything about him wanted to make me submit on my knees.

I’m an idiot to think a man like James Valentino would be interested in me though. Allison, Tally’s mom, is beautiful and classy. She has taste and is sophisticated… I can never be her.

Tally had plenty of male friends in this city, and even though I didn’t want another relationship, I couldn’t help but wonder if one of them would settle my needs.

Picking up my phone, I scrolled through social media and took in the various photos of Chad and I that were posted on my account. I hadn’t had the courage to get rid of them yet, and looking back at it now, I felt even more pathetic.

With a push of a few buttons and much-needed courage, I deleted the history of my relationship with Chad. I welcomed the hollow feeling in my chest when I was finished, but at the same time, it hurt.

“God, why can’t I sleep,” I groaned as I looked at the clock, realizing I had spent two hours laying awake instead of sleeping.

Slipping from bed, I padded my way out of my room and towards the stairs. The idea of hot tea and a snack to settle my mind seemed more enjoyable with every step I took.

Through the darkness, I made my way to the kitchen. The dim light over the stove was enough for me to see what I was doing, and yet, not disturb anyone in the home.

Not that anyone would likely wake. It was 3:00 in the morning, and normal people slept at this hour.

As I moved around the kitchen setting the kettle, I hummed a tune from earlier in the night that had gotten stuck in my head.

“Having fun?” a voice called from behind me, causing a small scream to leave my throat as I spun around, coming face to face with James himself. His dark, brooding eyes stared at me with amusement.

As much as I wanted to form a coherent sentence at that moment, my thoughts were lost in the realization that James, my best friend’s father, was standing before me in nothing but a towel.

Oh, sweet baby Jesus. “Uh-oh, hey. Sorry, just making tea.”

“I see that,” he hummed with amusement. “Couldn’t sleep either?”

Shaking my head, I shrugged my shoulders. “Not lately. Plus, after all the excitement tonight, I had to wind down.”

There was a moment of awkward silence that fell between us as James stood by the counter, simply staring at me.

Clearing my throat, I turned back towards the kettle that was now hissing and poured the hot water over the tea bag so it could steep. Motion out of the corner of my eye made me freeze as I realized he had taken two steps closer towards me.

“You really have changed over the years… haven’t you, Becca?” he whispered softly, causing me to turn around and notice only a few feet between us.

My heart raced with anticipation of what the hell was happening. Was this what I hoped it was? But I couldn’t do that to Tally, could I?

“Yeah,” I replied uncomfortably, “I guess I have. I’m not really the dorky girl I was the last time I was here. Then again, I could say you have changed as well.”

He had changed. He had gotten older, obviously, but he didn’t seem as sad as he once had. Instead, he seemed satisfied with his life. As if he finally found his calling after leaving his ex-wife, Allison.

“Interesting.” His eyes took me in once more as he casually leaned against the counter. “So, did your boyfriend decide to join you this summer as well?”

My eyes kept drifting down his ripped, toned body. Every muscle was on full display, and only the towel kept me separated from the prize I wanted so desperately to have.

I tried not to look, but I couldn’t help it when he stood so willingly in front of me.

“Uh, no.” I shrugged, trying to remain calm. “I don’t have one. We broke up a few weeks ago.”

Intrigue seemed to get to him as I responded.

As if that had been the answer he was hoping for.

“Is that right? Was it mutual then?”

Glancing down, I shook my head. “No, not exactly.”

No matter how innocent his question had been, the wound of Chad’s betrayal was still fresh. So for James to bring it up was like pouring salt on an open wound.

“I’m sorry if I upset you, Becca. That wasn’t my intention.”

“No, no. You’re fine,” I replied as my eyes met his again. “Just, shit happened, and it wasn’t the most joyous moment in my life. Nothing I won’t get over with in time, though.”

There was an unmistakable fire that crossed his gaze for a moment at my words. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it was almost as if he was angry, but pleased at the same time.

“He was an idiot for letting a beautiful woman like you go.”

Holy f*ck, he just called me beautiful. The compliment caused my cheeks to redden with embarrassment as I bit my lip and quickly turned back to my tea.

I wasn’t sure why his remark surprised me like it did. Men from his generation were notorious for being this way, or at least, that was the assumption I had with most men I knew his age. My professors and even my dad's friends were from a generation of class. So why was it that his words caused me to react like this?

Trying to wrap my head around what he was saying, I cleared my throat and straightened my shoulders.

“Thank you for your compliment. But I am not as pretty as other women. Plus, I am driven when it comes to my career. So I wasn’t giving him the attention he wanted.”

Excuses.

They were all excuses, but at the same time, these excuses were what allowed me to get past the pain I felt over Chad’s betrayal. The excuses I made were ones I gave for his actions towards me. No matter how horrible they were.

“He didn’t deserve you. Traits like that I think are sexy in a woman,” James replied moving closer to me, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

I was highly aware of the distance between us in the kitchen. The fact that he was in a towel sent me into hyperdrive, and I hoped he couldn’t tell how much he was turning me on.

Slowly turning around with parted lips, I faced him. In the time I hadn’t been paying attention, he had taken two steps closer to me, and the distance between us closing caused my heart to race.

I wasn’t trying to be bad, but the smell of him wrapping around me made my body want to do all kinds of bad things. “Perhaps, someday, someone will show me what it is I deserve.”

My words came off more flirtatious than I’d meant them to be, and he must have noticed, because his response was to brush against me gently as he reached over my head for a cup.

The contact of his skin against mine caused my nipples to instantly harden and my core to clench with desire. I wanted him so f*cking bad, but at the same time, there was no way a man like James Valentino wanted me.

Not to mention, you horny bitch, that is your best friend’s dad.

As he pulled back, setting his cup on the counter, I tried to clear my mind. There was a boundary I didn’t need to cross, and with the teasing moments around us, I was dangerously close to crossing.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, causing me to slowly look up at him to see the amusement dancing within his eyes.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I shifted uncomfortably. “Are you?”

As his eyes drifted down towards my chest, I felt the stir within me once more.

“Oh, I’m more than alright, Becca.” He grinned and his eyes met mine again.

It took me a moment to process what he meant, and as I glanced down, I saw the erect strain of my nipples pressing against the white tank top I was wearing.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I stammered, wrapping my arms across my chest. “It’s a bit cold.”

“No, it isn’t.” He chuckled as he grabbed his glass and went to the fridge to pour a drink.

He may have been right, but the arrogant response made my mouth part in surprise.

“Yes, it is. It’s a bit chilly, and well, yeah—”

As the door to the fridge closed, he turned to face me, bringing his cup to his lips. The movement of his Adam's apple as he drank down the liquid caught my eye. I had never seen something as simple as that look so sexy before.

“I know what you want, Becca,” he said, grasping my attention once more.

“I don’t want anything,” I replied, trying to play the moment off.

“Enough.” Setting his cup down, he quickly cleared the space between us once more. His body was cornering me against the kitchen countertop, an arm on either side of me as the ‘come f*ck me’ eyes gazed into my soul.

“Mr. Valentino—”

“I told you to call me James, Becca.” His firm reply flipped the switch on the situation and instantly made me want to behave. “I can see that I turn you on, but I can promise you I’m not what you want. The things I would do… well, they would be too dark for you.”

Holy shit. “Y-you have no idea what I can handle. You don’t know me like that.”

My stuttered response showed clearly how uneasy I was with this situation, and yet I wanted it. I wanted him to show me exactly how dark he could be.

“Be a good girl, Becca. You need to go upstairs and go to bed,” he whispered as he inhaled deeply and pushed himself back from where we stood.

The distance he was placing between us gave me a chance to breathe once more. Without a moment of hesitation, my feet pushed me towards the stairs, only to be stopped again with a firm grip on my arm.

“Remember what I said,” he all but growled in a sexy way that had me weak in the knees.

Turning to face him, I placed my hand on his chest, trying to push him away. But the realization hit me that I was touching him, and the feeling of his body under my fingers made everything worse.

The firm ripple of his skin under my fingers was intoxicating, and even with the slight show of chest hair present, I couldn’t help but want to run my fingers through it as his plump lips devoured mine.

Snapping out of my daydream, I quickly jerked myself from his grasp. His lips turned upwards as he stared at me, causing me to press my thighs together as I tried to control my arousal.

“Goodnight, Mr. Valentino,” I stuttered, forcing my gaze from his before I turned and fled from the kitchen, quickly running up the stairs.

James Valentino was a mysterious man, and there was no telling what he truly meant by what he’d said.

Perhaps he was dangerous, but perhaps I would like it.

James.

“Daniel, as you can see, there are numerous ways we can better help you profit from your industry if you use our company. Our importing and exporting section far surpasses that of our competitors.”

I watched as the CEO of Citadel Furnishing thought about my proposal. I had spent months trying to close this deal, and with weeks of back and forth, I knew without a doubt I had this in the bag.

A smile lined the man’s face as he nodded. “Let’s do it,” he replied, holding out his hand, which I quickly shook.

“I look forward to our future business together. If you wait just a moment, I will have Evette bring in the paperwork for you to sign, and then we will have someone take you on a tour of the docks so you can see our company at its finest.”

Evette brought in the paperwork, Daniel signed it, and then I sent him off for the promised tour.

Once he was gone, I reached for my phone which had gone off a few different times during my meeting.

Tally.

The girl was a pain in my ass, but as my only child, I loved her no matter what she did. She was the princess in my kingdom, and I was the king of my castle. For years I had tried to correct Tally’s behavior, but her mother was always an obstacle.

‘Having people over today for a pool party.’

Shaking my head, I sighed. There was no arguing with this girl.

‘That’s fine. I will be home later this afternoon. Do you girls need anything?’

A few moments passed, and I watched the small bubbles at the bottom of our chat move.

‘We’re fine. See.’

A photo pushed through on my screen, and I smiled at my beautiful daughter, Tally, dressed with a straw hat and cover-up over her bathing suit. She was beautiful, just like her mother.

‘You look beautiful, sweetie. Be safe, see you soon. Xx’

As soon as I sent the text, though, another photo came through, and it was one that made me internally groan. My hand was tightening on the phone as I stared down at the smiling face.

It was of Becca. My daughter’s beautiful friend who was supposed to be off limits.

From the moment I laid eyes on Becca, I felt something towards her. A desire, a hunger that made me want to know more.

I knew it was wrong, but god, was she the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Her hair was up in a high ponytail, showing off the elegant length of her neck. A black bathing suit tied tight to her body showing off every delicious curve of her skin.

The sight made my mouth wet with the desire to taste her.

Never once before did an interest of the girl come across my mind until now, and yet, even though I tried my hardest not to take interest, I couldn’t help it.

The once chubby, flat chested, young girl had grown into a beautiful tall brunette with blue eyes and a figure most women would die for.

Seeing her the other night in the kitchen was a surprise, but remembering her stretching up into the cabinet, her white tank top rising, and her pink shorts hugging her perfectly sculpted ass… well, that thought alone made my cock hard.

She was f*cking spectacular, and I wanted nothing more than to bend her over that counter and have my way with her.

The disgusting thought turned my stomach, but as if my sexual prowess took over, it quickly dissipated. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anyone.

I needed to get laid.

As if on cue, my office door opened, and in walked a tall blonde with hot red lipstick. Her tight blue dress hugged her in all the right places, but the problem was she wasn’t who I wanted to see.

“Katrine. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Her lips turned up into a smile as she pushed my chair back and sat on my lap.

“Why haven’t you come to see me?” Her thick Russian accent washed over me as she leaned back in my lap, batting her lashes. “I had to wait a week and come see you here.”

“I told you, Katrine, I am busy right now.”

Her brows furrowed as she put on a pout which may have worked on most men, but not me. Tally had perfected that look, and I had grown well accustomed to not falling for it.

“I thought you would miss me,” she whined as I exhaled with irritation.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I shook my head and helped her off my lap.

“I told you that I don’t do the emotions thing, Katrine.”

Her lips parted, and her eyes narrowed. “We have been seeing each other for months–”

“Yes, and as I told you the first night… there is nothing else that will happen. It’s just sex, Katrine, and you told me you understood that. I don’t understand why you came to my company.”

We had one rule, and she knows what it was.

“You are mine, James.” Her response was firm as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t understand why you are acting like this. Don’t I make you happy?”

It was clear this conversation wasn’t going anywhere, and with my next appointment arriving in less than an hour, I had things I needed to get done.

“Evette!” I yelled, watching as the door opened to reveal my very punctual assistant.

“Yes, Mr. Valentino?”

“Can you please escort Katrine to her car?” I asked her, watching as a look of shock crossed Katrine’s face.

“Of course.” Evette reached for Katrine’s arm but was quickly pushed back by the rage that began to build beneath her once enticing eyes.

“Are you throwing me out?!” she shrieked. “You can’t do this to me!”

Amusement filled me as I leaned back in my chair and watched her.

That’s unattractive. Perhaps this is for the best.

“I think you will see that I can. I appreciate your services, Katrine, but they will no longer be needed. I do wish you all the best for the future.”

Cold. That was how I had to be. I never meant to hurt the women I had relations with, but I couldn’t allow them to think it would be more.

I was always cast as the bad guy. No matter how many times I told them from the start I didn’t want an exclusive relationship, and there would be nothing more than sex, they never listened to me.

“You will regret doing this to me!” Katrine warned, causing the corner of my lips to lift.

“Is that a threat, Miss Solkova?”

Laughing, she shook her head. “No, that’s a promise. Karma will get you.”

Turning on her heels, she stormed from my office with Evette left to stand there staring at me.

“Mr. Valentino, may I say something?”

“Of course, Evette. What’s on your mind?” I replied.

“If I am going to start having to play defense for you when it comes to women like that… I am going to have to request a raise, bonus, or something.”

Laughter left my lips at her statement. “Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. Call it hazard pay if you will.” Evette sighed, shaking her head. “Would you like your afternoon coffee, sir?”

“Yes, yes. That would be wonderful. Also, I will take the hazard pay into consideration.”

“Thank you, sir. I will be back in just a moment.”

As the door closed, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at her comment. She wanted hazard pay if she had to deal with the women in my life, and honestly, I didn’t blame her.

As the afternoon carried on, I found myself caught within my work. That was, until I started scrolling through my phone looking for a document and came across Becca’s photo again.

Her beautiful body and carefree smile… they captivated me.

The thought of boys at my house partying with my daughter and Becca didn’t sit well. I knew the girls were of age, but I didn’t like the idea that Becca may take an interest in one of those young men.

Especially, since the way she acted around me meant she could want me.

F*ck! What’s the matter with me? This girl has me all out of sorts.

“Sir, your four o’clock appointment is calling to cancel?” my secretary stated from my office door, pulling me from my thoughts.

“That’s fine. I actually have an emergency that has come up, and I need to go home. See if you can get them to reschedule for me.”

“Of course, sir. Do you need anything else?”

My eyes met hers briefly, but my lips spoke not a word. It was enough for her to understand I was being serious and close the door, giving me time to think through what I was about to do.

“Paul,” I said into the receiver of my phone as I called my driver, “bring the car around.”

It was time to head home and see how the girls were doing. After all, what kind of responsible adult would I be if I didn’t?

Becca.

The warm Miami heat toasted my skin as I lay on a white lounge chair by the pool. As much as I wished I had this kind of comfort back in Savannah, I didn’t. It was more humid there than enjoyable, and Miami weather was much different.

It was one thing I enjoyed about this place.

This was the one comfort I took from years of hard work for my future. While I was here in Miami, I could be anyone and do anything my heart desired.

Because no one knew who I was, and after a lifetime of having to be someone in particular—well, it was welcoming.

Tally had insisted on having a bunch of people over for a pool party, and as they milled around in the cool water laughing and drinking, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed by them.

They seemed so carefree with their upscale lifestyles, able to come and go as they wanted. Never really having to work for anything, and having their parents hand them money whenever they wanted.

That wasn’t something I was accustomed to. My parents had worked hard all their lives to give me the best they could, and even now, I worked hard too. Because I planned on taking care of my father one day. My mom had passed away a few years ago.

Dad had given up so much for me, and unlike the rest of these people who expected to have whatever they wanted—I wouldn’t take my parents for granted.

“Are you just going to lie there all day or come join us?” Tally asked as her shadowed form peered down at me, blocking out the sunlight I had been enjoying.

“I am joining you, but just from this chair. The sun feels amazing, and I don’t feel like swimming,” I told her with honesty as I relaxed further into my seat.

“At least you’re drinking,” she smirked.

Holding up my margarita, I let the corner of my lips rise. “That I am. Tequila and sunshine.”

“With hot guys?”

“Uh-no,” I laughed. “I can satisfy myself. Haven’t you heard it’s the twenty-first century? Women don’t need men. We have each other and toys for our entertainment purposes.”

“Well, that needs to change. I want you to meet someone,” she replied, rolling her eyes.

My lips met tightly as I shook my head. “No, Tally. I told you before. I’m not ready.”

“Oh, my god. It’s literally been almost a month, Becca. You’re wasting your time being no fun at all because Chad was f*cking someone else.”

What the f*ck?

Taken aback by her forward response, I looked at her in shock. “Wow. Thanks for that.”

She may be my best friend, but she was a f*cking bitch sometimes.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she sat down next to me, placing her chin in her hand. “You know what I mean. I—I just want you to be happy again.”

“Well, then maybe my boyfriend shouldn’t have been f*cking someone behind my back. Second of all, I am happy.”

Groaning with frustration, she rolled her eyes again. “Let it go already. He isn’t worth it.”

“Oh, I am well aware of that,” I scoffed. “Now, leave me alone. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. I don’t know why you keep lying to yourself,” she replied, causing me to shake my head. She had no idea what she was talking about.

“Why don’t you stop worrying about trying to play matchmaker and find yourself someone to play with?” I urged her with a smile as I closed my eyes behind dark sunglasses and tried to get back to relaxing.

“I am really happy you came, Becca,” Tally said after a moment of silence. “There is no telling where we will be next year, and I have missed spending my summers with you over the last few years.”

Peaking open one of my eyes, I watched the sincere expression cross her face. She was being honest, but there was something about the way she acted lately that told me otherwise.

It was as if she was happy, but then also hiding something. Deciding not to press further, I let a smile crest my lips. “I’m glad I came too. But I’m still not letting you play matchmaker.”

“No fun.” She laughed hysterically. “Fine... do what you want.”

“Oh, I will. Now, hurry and get back to that sexy redhead. He has been watching you with f*ck-me eyes since the moment you left the pool and came over here.”

Turning her head, she peered at him, pushing down her glasses slightly before giving him a small wave. “He is cute, huh?”

“Yeah, he is,” I replied. “But he is more your type, so you have fun. I will catch another man some other time. I am content for right now.”

“Fine, fine,” She smirked. “Don’t say I didn’t try.”

Turning on her feet, she skipped over towards the red-haired man who pulled her into the pool. Her giggling voice echoed through the air as I settled back into the comforting zone I was in before she arrived.

However, without warning, another figure took her place, and it was that of a godly built Hispanic man with a clear agenda on his mind.

“Well, hello gorgeous.”

Raising a brow, I let my eyes rack over him before a sigh escaped me. “No.”

“No?”

“Yeah, no,” I snorted. “Look, I don’t know what Tally has told you, but I’m not interested, honestly. I just want to do my own thing and lie by the pool, relaxing.”

“She told me you played hard to get. I like that in a woman.”

Oh, for f*ck's sake. Is he stupid?

“No, I am not the kind of woman to lead a guy on. I am genuinely not interested… I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name…”

“Alejandro,” he replied. “What might your name be?”

“My name?” The question followed with laughter as he nodded his head. “It’s… I’m not interested.”

I wasn’t trying to be a bitch, but I also wasn’t going to beat around the bush. I grew up with the philosophy that it was better to be forward and to the point.

Alejandro stared at me for a moment with disbelief as I tilted my head, curious about his response. But in shock, he simply smiled.

“I like it,” he claimed as he tried to lean closer, my eyes widening as I quickly moved back and stood from my seat. Was he really trying to make a move on me?

“Excuse me, but I told you I wasn’t interested,” I snapped as I grabbed my things and quickly made my way inside.

To think Tally had actually sent that guy to meet me. Disgusting.

“Becca, what’s wrong?” Tally called from where she was in the pool. “Don’t be like that.”

Don’t be like that. Was she f*cking serious right now?

Without saying a word, I shut the door to the kitchen behind me. Taking off the wide brim sun hat I was wearing, and laying it down on the counter, I took a deep breath.

“I can’t believe–”

“Where are you going, beautiful?” Alejandro said behind me while closing the door.

Spinning on my feet, I watched as he stumbled his way towards me. It was clear now this guy had been drinking, and from the way he kept looking at me, he only wanted one thing.

“Look, I will say this slower for you, so you understand. I’m not interested, honestly.”

Laughter left his lips as he walked towards me. “You don’t have to lie.”

“I can assure you I am not lying,” I replied, backing away from him. “Now, please just leave me alone.”

“Leave you alone?” He laughed again. “Women wish they could be in your shoes. I am one of the most eligible men in Miami….”

“Please, stop!” I yelled at him as he backed me into the fridge. My heart raced, and my palms were clammy. The last thing I wanted was to be in this situation, but at the same time, I didn’t want to attack the man.

I just wanted him to leave me alone.

“I think you’re just scared. I heard about your ex, and I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Was this man f*cking serious?!

“How dare you?!” I screamed as I tried to move around him. “You don’t even know me, and you have no right to say such things to me.”

Grabbing my arm, Alejandro pushed me against the counter, pinning me with his body. I knew exactly what was going through his mind, but there was no way I was going to let that happen.

Thinking fast, I brought my knee up and clocked him between his legs.

“You f*cking bitch!” he roared as his hand came up, slapping me across the face. He had hit me, and my desperation in getting away became even more real.

“Let me go!” I yelled, hoping anyone would come to intervene. I didn’t want to be the woman who was sexually assaulted at the party because no one noticed she was missing.

“Stop, stop.” He laughed as I struggled against him. “Stop fighting me, mi amor. Let me show you how to love again. I will forgive you for your actions just a moment ago.”

“Get the f*ck off me!” I screamed as his hand came over my mouth.

“Oh, baby come on—” he panted. “I know you want this.”

“What the f*ck is going on here?” James snapped as he walked into the kitchen.

Alejandro turned, looking over his shoulder, and scoffed. “Mind your business, old man.”

It was obvious this kid didn’t know who James was, but with the way James’ eyes narrowed and his fists clenched, I could tell he was about to find out.

“Excuse me?” James sneered, “I think you need to leave… now.”

I found myself wary about the way James spoke, and I would have sworn that this guy would have as well. However, that wasn’t the case.

“You heard me…”

Before Alejandro could finish his sentence, James grabbed him by the neck and brought him in close. “I am the owner of this house, and if you don’t leave right now, I will make sure your future in Miami is done. Do YOU understand ME?”

Trepidation spiraled through me as I watched the scene unfold.

Alejandro was ripped from my body, and as he was, I fell to my knees on the floor, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart.

If James had not stepped in, god knows what would have happened. Alejandro was much bigger than me, and I was already having a hard time fighting him off.

The two men struggled in the kitchen until security arrived, and James had him thrown from the house. He had been my rescuer when no one else was around.

Tally and I were seriously going to have words about this.

I couldn’t believe she thought this guy was the right fit for me. He was everything I despised in a man, and so much more.

“Are you okay?” James asked, pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes slowly met his as my breath caught in my throat. Through everything I had just gone through…

He took my breath away and set my body on fire.

James.

The moment that I walked into the house and saw the situation Becca was in, I lost it. I had heard her plea for help when I opened the front door, but it wasn’t until I saw her that I realized how desperate she was for someone to step in.

The boy had her pinned, and with every movement he was making, I saw red.

“What the f*ck is going on here?” I snapped, my eyes narrowing at the man before me. I wanted more than anything to rip him apart and watch him die painfully at my hands.

Yet, I wasn’t sure why I wanted that so much. Punishing him, yes, I would do that for any woman.

But killing him… it made it feel more personal.

I watched as the kid looked over his shoulder at me and sneered, “Mind your business, old man.”

Old man?! He did want to die today, didn’t he? Kids have no f*cking respect anymore.

“Excuse me?” I sneered, “I think you need to leave… now.”

He laughed, and with that laugh, I decided not to wait for him to comply.

“You heard me…”

Before he was able to get another word out, I had grabbed him and dropped him to the floor. My hand on his throat as I stared daggers at him.

“I am the owner of this house, and if you don’t leave right now, I will make sure your future in Miami is done. Do YOU understand ME?”

Fear laced the young man’s eyes as I stared down at him. He realized he’d f*cked up, and there was no going back from what he’d done.

Before he could say anything else, Trevor and Zane entered the kitchen and dragged the man away. They were in charge of security and already knew what to do without me saying anything.

I wanted to know who he was, and who his family was. They would all pay for the disrespect he had shown not only to me but to Becca as well.

Becca…

Turning to face her, I found her on her knees trying to catch her breath. She was shaken up and seemed to be trying to get her bearings.

“Are you okay?” I asked as her eyes fluttered up to meet mine, and she shakily stood. My hand reached out to balance her as she nodded.

“I think so,” she sighed. “I’m so sorry about that, Mr. Valentino—”

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me James?” The soft laugh that left my lips caused her cheeks to blush. I was making her uncomfortable, but god, every time she did that, all I wanted to do was kiss her.

“I’m sorry—James.” She whispered, “I think I should go.”

Pushing past me, she made her way down the hall, but even as I watched her go, I didn’t want her to.

My thoughts about her were wrong, yet, something about being close to her felt right.

********

Becca.

“Wait.” His voice stopped me in my tracks, and as I turned around, I watched him close in on me. His fists were clenched, and his jaw was sitting in a tense way that made me uneasy.

“What’s wrong—”

“I can’t let you go knowing that you could be hurt. Are you sure you’re okay?” His words weren’t ones I was expecting, but my heart swelled knowing that he was concerned.

“I’m fine, but thank you for making sure. You don’t have to.”

Furrowed brows stared back at me with confusion. “Why wouldn’t I have to?”

Opening and closing my mouth, I tried to find the words that refused to escape me. I was suddenly afraid to say the wrong thing in front of him.

“I know that your concern is only because I’m your daughter’s friend. As I do appreciate you saving me from that guy… I don’t want you to feel obligated to make sure I’m okay—”

“You’re not an obligation.” His quick response caught me off guard, and as the space closed between us, I found my back against the wall. “I want to make sure you are always okay.”

“Thanks.” There wasn’t much that I could say, but as I looked at him, I could tell he was sincere. “I do appreciate you stepping in to stop him.”

He stepped towards me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me to his chest in a hug. I had never been hugged by this man before, but something about the way I felt in his arms just seemed right.

“James–” I whispered softly as he continued to hold me longer than he should have. The sound of his inhaling the scent of my hair was evident as he slowly pulled away and looked at me.

“No woman deserves to be treated the way you were treated, Becca. Like I said, I will always make sure that you are okay. Because you deserve to be treated like a queen. Not like a piece of property.”

His words stunned me, and before I could say anything, he turned with quick movements, clenching and unclenching his fists, and walked down the hallway towards his office.

I wasn’t sure what had just happened, but I was sure of one thing.

James had saved my life in a way.

My eyes stared down the hall long after his office door had closed. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do now, but turning on my feet, I slowly moved towards the stairs just in time to see Tally flirting with some guy.

“Tally,” I said calmly as I tried to hold myself together, “can we talk?”

“Oh, my God!” she exclaimed as she turned to face me. “I was wondering where you were. Did you two hit it off like I had hoped?”

There was a smirk on her face as she winked that made me cringe with

Hit it off? Was she f*cking serious?

“Uh, no. We most definitely didn’t,” I scoffed.

Stunned by my remark, she looked around before her eyes fell once again on the man at her side, “Well, where is he?”

Hatred.

At that moment, there was nothing but pure hatred for her and the way she was acting. This was entirely her fault because she never lets things go or listened when people said no.

Placing my hands on my hips, I shook my head. “Well, considering your father threw him out of the house I would say who knows.”

Her friend seemed confused and quickly pulled his phone out, no doubt to call the piece of shit that had come on to me.

“Becca,” Tally quickly said, stepping closer to me. “What happened? I thought you liked him.”

“Are you f*cking kidding me?” I gasped. “He was a f*cking moron who didn’t take no too well. I can’t believe that you would tell him I wanted him after I told you no.”

Without warning, the guy put his phone away and gestured for the others to go. Tally’s eyes looked around, shocked at what was happening as she ran after them out the front door.

To think that she was more worried about them leaving than what had happened to me…. It was beyond heartbreaking considering I was her friend.

Storming up the stairs, I made my way towards my room, but before I could even close the door, Tally was suddenly right behind me.

“What the f*ck happened? They said you had my father throw him out of the house for no reason whatsoever!” she yelled looking at me as if I was the one who’d lost my mind.

“Seriously?” I replied in disbelief. “Out of all the years you have known me, what part of that makes any sense to you? He f*cking attacked me, Tally. Tried to force himself on me after I told him repeatedly I wasn’t interested.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, she sneered at me. “I don’t believe that. He is a super nice guy and comes from a very wealthy family.”

“Is that so?” I laughed. “Why don’t you go ask your dad then because he heard the conversation and can tell you exactly what happened.”

Without warning, Tally marched out of my room, slamming my door behind her. I didn’t care where she was going at that moment. She had made it clear she was going to believe those f*cks over me.

That was a line she shouldn’t have crossed, in my opinion.

The more and more I looked at how our friendship had been going over the years, the more I realized she had changed, and not in a good way.

She was more self-centered, more ridiculous in her entitled opinions.

It was disgusting. But then, we both grew up with very different lifestyles. The only thing I could do was decide to cut my ties with her altogether or simply forgive her and learn to watch myself next time.

A pit of guilt and agony built within my chest as a wave of uneasiness washed over me. I didn’t want to lose her even if she had issues because I knew the kind of person she could be, and this wasn’t it.

Contemplating my choices, I groaned with frustration and walked to my door to go speak to her, but as soon as I opened it, I saw her standing there with tear-filled eyes.

“Becca—” She choked out a sob. “He told me. I’m so sorry for not believing you. I’m so f*cking sorry that I caused that to happen.”

Well, f*ck. How am I supposed to be mad at her now?

I wanted to forgive her, but at the same time, I didn’t want her to just say sorry because she was guilty. That wasn’t the apology I expected to have.

“Tally, I told you no,” I sighed. “Why can’t you just listen to me? After everything that happened with Chad, you know how I feel about being with another man.”

Nodding her head, she dried her tears. “I know. I f*cked up, Becca. I didn’t think that Alejandro was going to be such a douche. Honestly, you should have kicked his ass.”

“Yeah, well I was going to, but of course, your dad came in and ruined my plans,” I teased, rolling my eyes. “Next time, I will try to do it before he gets there, though.”

She laughed with me as she sat down on the edge of my bed. “I just want you to be happy again, Becca. I don’t want you to never try to find love again because of him.”

There was a sincerity in her words that made me hesitate in my response. I had never heard her say such things to me like that before. Usually, she was quick to push away the topic of something bad and tell me to forget it.

Yet, here she sat, drunk and crying in my room when it should have been me upset.

Perhaps, she was still the girl I used to know.

I wasn’t ready to let my guard down just yet though.

Something inside me told me to be careful.