Baby for my Dad's Best Friend (Seaport Billionaires #2)

8. Austin

8

AUSTIN

I keep making the same mistake over and over.

I see her, and I go to her every time, even though I know I should keep my distance.

When I walked into the bar tonight and saw her sitting alone, I knew I had to buy her a drink and claim the seat across from her before any other guy could do it.

Now, I’m sitting here, watching the way her eyes darken with desire and her lips part with her heavy breathing.

There’s something between us that neither of us can deny.

We fight it because it’s the only choice we have.

I wonder though, does she want me anywhere near as badly as I want her?

She hasn’t shied away from me in the least.

In fact, she’s only pushed herself closer like she’s begging me to make the first move.

But I can’t touch her.

I can’t kiss her.

I shouldn’t be thinking the things I am about her.

She’s my best friend’s daughter.

It doesn’t matter that she’s been considered an adult for many years now. It’s not illegal, but it is forbidden by social standards.

Maybe that’s what makes it seem too hot to ignore.

No, that’s not it.

What is it about her that pulls me in?

Is it her big, blue eyes that are wide and innocent?

Is it her plump, pink lips that look soft and sweet?

Is it her perfect body and the knowledge that not many have been there?

All I know is that when we look at one another, I feel it. And I’ve felt it since the moment our eyes first locked.

“So, why aren’t you here with friends?” she asks, resting her arms on the table as she leans in, giving me a nice view down her tank top.

“I was just going to order some dinner to take home. I wasn’t planning to stick around or drink.”

“Why’d you change your mind?”

I shrug, leaning against the table between us the same way she is. “I saw you sitting here alone, and it looked like you needed some company.”

She smiles. “I always need company. These past two months, it feels like I’m always alone, and that’s a weird feeling after you’re used to living with someone else and never being alone.”

I nod. “I’m sure that’s a big change for you.”

“Have you ever lived with anyone?” She tilts her head as her eyes move around my face.

“I had roommates back in college, but I’ve never lived with a woman I was dating.”

“Why not?” She wets her lips before biting on the plump bottom one.

“I guess I just never found the right one. I’ve always kept myself busy with work and didn’t leave much time for dating. When I did, things never worked out, so eventually, it was just like… what’s the point, ya know?”

She nods. “I think that’s where I’m at now.” She giggles and picks up her glass, taking a swig. When she looks back at me, I watch her pupils blow out as her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

It’s adorable, and I can’t help but smile. “Why are you blushing?”

She giggles, covering her cheeks with her hands. “Am I?” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “It happens when I get nervous sometimes.”

The corner of my mouth tips up into a lopsided grin. “I make you nervous?”

“Yes! Why wouldn’t you?”

I laugh and shrug. “I have no idea. If anyone should be nervous here, it’s me.”

Her brows draw together. “Why would you be nervous?”

“Why would you?” I throw back, finishing off my drink. The waitress is walking by, so I motion for two more beers.

“Because I’m sitting across from a good-looking guy who I’m clearly interested in, a guy who’s much more experienced than me, and there’s nothing I can do about it because every signal I’ve sent him has been ignored.”

My mouth is suddenly dry, but the waitress is back, putting two beers on the table.

I grab one and tip it back, swallowing a large gulp. “I have to ignore it. Otherwise, things will happen that will get us both into trouble.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’ve been an adult for a long time, Austin. As long as I’m consenting, no rules are being broken.”

“If only that were true,” I reply, refusing to meet her eyes this time.

The silence drags on between us for what feels like forever before she finally says, “So, why are you nervous?”

I look up at her now, and I lean in slightly, not wanting anyone to overhear.

“I’m nervous because I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want you. But I can’t have you. You might think rules aren’t being broken, but they are. I can’t allow myself to touch you, no matter how good I know it’ll feel. Because if I give in, even for a second, I won’t be able to stop. And you won’t want me to stop. You’ll beg for it, and I already know that I’ll give you anything you ask for. I shouldn’t take this job. I shouldn’t have invited you into my house. I shouldn’t have joined you at this table. But I did all those things. That’s how weak I am when it comes to you. My hands itch to touch every inch of your body. My mouth waters when I think of running my tongue over your sweet skin. And now that we’ve both confessed to things we should never think, let alone say out loud, we have to forget all of it and pretend this night never happened, so we can work together like we’re supposed to without crossing any lines.”

Her lips are parted. Her breathing has grown labored, her chest rising and falling faster.

Then she blinks and wipes all emotion from her face. “It’s getting late. I should probably get going.”

I breathe out nervously and nod. “Yeah, me, too.”

We both stand, making our way out the front door. My truck is parked in front, but my eyes sweep over the parking lot for her car. “Where’d you park?”

She nods toward the back. “Around the building.”

I take a step to the side and look around the building, finding that side of the parking lot to be completely black.

The front of the parking lot is well-lit thanks to the streetlights, but side lots aren’t as bright because of the forest that’s grown up around the building.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” I volunteer.

She starts leading the way. “You don’t have to, you know? I’ve grown up in this town. Nothing bad ever happens.”

“Yeah, I know, but it only takes one incident to change things. And it’s not going to be because I dropped the ball.”

The gravel crunches under our feet as we walk across the lot.

She stops at the driver’s side door, turning to face me.

I’m about to turn and leave when she says, “How do you know?”

“How do I know what?” I ask, keeping a couple of feet between us.

“That I’d beg for it.” Her eyes look up, locking on mine in the darkness. “I’m not some untouched virgin, you know. I’ve had sex. A lot.”

That makes me grin.

“Based on what you’ve told me, you’ve been with maybe two people, your high school boyfriend and the guy you met in college. Both were young and inexperienced. They’re nothing like me, Kaylee.”

I step toward her. “I’ve been at this for a long time. I’ve been with many women over the years. I can look at you and know exactly where to touch, and where to kiss, to have you begging for it.”

I take another step toward her, and she presses her back against the side of her car as she looks up at me.

She offers a flirty grin. “Begging for what?”

My eyes narrow on hers. “Good night, Kaylee.” I turn away from her.

“Wait.”

I don’t know why, but I stop.

When I turn back to her, she’s no longer pressing herself against the side of her car, she’s directly in front of me.

She’s looking up at me as I look down at her. Her breath blows against my lips.

“I don’t know what it is between us, but I feel it, too.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know anything about you. You’re friends with my dad and twice my age. I shouldn’t feel this way when I look at you, but I do, and I’ve never felt anything like it. Doesn’t that mean something?”

I nod. “It means something. I’m just not so sure it means anything good.”

“So, you’re okay with just walking away right now and never exploring whatever this is?”

“I didn’t say that I was okay with it. But this is how it has to be. It’s what’s best for everyone.”

“You said you’d give me anything I ask for.” Her eyes fall to my mouth.

When her eyes move back up, she says, “Kiss me.”

She places her hands flat against my chest as she lifts herself onto her tiptoes, her lips an inch from mine.

When her lips graze mine, I wrap my hand around her throat and pin her to the side of her car.

She squeals but she doesn’t try pushing me away as I press my body against hers.

I move my mouth to her ear, breathing in the smell of her shampoo.

I drag the tip of my nose from her ear down her neck, burning every second of this into my memory.

Her heat, the way she smells, and how her body conforms to mine.

“You shouldn’t play with fire, Kaylee,” I whisper.

I pull back until I’m looking into her lust-filled eyes. “I burn everyone I come in contact with.”

I lean in, not kissing her but letting my lips graze hers as she did mine just moments ago. “Don’t let yourself be alone with me again. I’m fucked up. I can only resist so much.”

I pull away, releasing her as I turn and walk back toward my truck as quickly as my legs will carry me without jogging.

I climb behind the wheel and start the engine.

My eyes leap toward her, finding her standing in the same spot.

She hasn’t even climbed into her car.

She’s just standing there, watching me run.

She probably thinks I’m a pussy. Here I am, a grown man, running from a beautiful twenty-four-year-old woman who’s doing everything but throwing herself at me.

My jaw clenches. If she were any other woman, I wouldn’t have any problem bending her over the hood of her car and fucking her right in the parking lot, not giving a shit who saw.

But I can’t do that with her.

She’s different. She’s off-limits.

And I’m weak as hell because every time I’m around her, I get closer to giving us both what we want.

Consequences be damned.