Chapter 2
two
Jason
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’ve finally got my kid to come over. Haven’t seen her since I took her out to breakfast for her birthday earlier this year. This would be an ideal time to reconnect with Emma, find out how she’s doing. How she likes her classes. But I can’t stop staring at her roommate.
Shea.
An eighteen-year-old girl.
Same age as my own daughter.
That alone should be enough to keep me from looking.
But hell, Shea is not making it easy. For one, she keeps sneaking glances in my direction.
While my daughter chooses her side of the guest room, Shea appears to be determining the size of my jeans, that curious gaze measuring me up from head to toe.
I am not used to that kind of female attention anymore.
I’m way out of practice with the opposite sex and I don’t have time for dating.
My construction company runs me ragged seven days a week and only continues to expand, requiring more of my time and effort.
Another reason Shea makes it hard to concentrate…is that body.
She showed up here in a little pair of booty shorts and a tank top. Now, I know that was not her fault. They had to run out of the apartment in whatever they were wearing. But damn, her figure does not match her innocent vibe whatsoever.
This girl is a tight little turn-on.
There, I admitted it. Let the shame swallow me whole.
That honey-blonde hair. Those plump lips.
A set of big, perky tits that are making my briefs feel confining.
The seam of those see-through shorts has me thinking about that soft, pink seam between her thighs.
How one little yank of those underwear-style bottoms would reveal that pretty slit.
How she’d blush when I drew them down and started licking like a starving man.
A lot like she’s blushing right now, because my gaze won’t stop tracking over to those ass cheeks, barely contained. Sumptuous.
Young. Way too young.
I’ve had my share of casual hookups. I’m a red-blooded man. But they were all with women my own age. I live in a town adjacent to the university and I see female students everywhere. I’ve never even looked twice at a single one of them. Not interested.
What is it about Shea that’s getting my blood so goddamn hot?
“Thank you again for letting us stay here, Mr. Ruston,” Shea says softly, coming close enough for her scent to reach me.
I have no idea how to identify the fresh, lively notes.
I only know her smell is insanely appealing, as if her appearance and sweet demeanor aren’t already giving me enough to contend with.
“I told you to call me Jason.”
All right, that came out a lot gruffer than intended, but she nods slowly and eagerly, like the order has her mesmerized. “I’ll try.”
Good girl.
Jesus Christ, don’t say that aloud. I’m not sure I’ve ever said those two words in my life. Am I losing my mind?
“You guys must be hungry,” I say, desperately trying to seem normal, even though my brain insists on picturing this eighteen-year-old girl naked. “I can order…”
“Sushi?” Emma says, hopefully.
I’m allergic to fish, but in the spirit of divorced dads everywhere, I give the kid what she wants. “Sure. It’s on me.”
“Great!” Emma bounds toward the ensuite bathroom. “Shea, can you put the order in? I’m going to take a quick shower. I never got the chance before the sky fell.” She closes the bathroom door behind her, yelling, “You know my order!”
I slide my phone out of my back pocket and tap the screen a few times, pulling up the food delivery app. I hand the device to Shea, trying not to hiss when our fingers meet and she turns pink. “Here,” I say. “Go crazy.”
She looks up at me, shaking her long hair back over her shoulders. “What would you like to eat…Jason?”
Hell, don’t ask me that. It definitely isn’t on the takeout menu. “Nothing for me. I’ve got a fish allergy, so sushi isn’t my go-to. But I’ve got some leftovers in the fridge. Throw in a beer and I’m happy.”
Her smile makes those golden eyes glitter like gold. “Like father, like daughter,” she says with a light giggle. Immediately, she winces, slapping a hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I said that. I’m so stupid.”
“No, you’re not.” I laugh to put her at ease. “If I didn’t assume a college freshman wasn’t drinking a few beers, I’d be the stupid one.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds, then leans in with a conspiratorial whisper. I can barely hear her voice over the shower spay going in the bathroom. “I’ve never had one.”
That confession shoots up my eyebrows. “Not a single beer?”
“Nope. My only big rebellion is watching Secretary.”
I come up blank. “Can’t say I’ve seen that one.”
“You’re more of an action movie type?”
“Kung fu.”
“What?”
“I watch martial arts movies. They’re more my thing. Not sure why, since I’ve never done a lick of kung fu in my life.”
“The world thanks you. You’d probably kill everyone you fought.” She looks down at the ground, a beat passing, before her heavy-lidded gaze travels up my legs, resting on my lap a moment. Ending at the center of my chest. “You’re so…big. And all.”
God give me strength.
Is she coming on to me?
I can’t tell.
And it doesn’t matter, because there is no way in hell I can act on this shameful attraction.
Not only is Shea half my age, but she’s also my daughter’s friend and roommate.
If something was to happen between me and this girl, which it won’t, I would ruin whatever relationship I have left with Emma.
The first time she comes to stay with me in years and I act inappropriately with her friend? No way. That would be unforgiveable.
Keep it friendly. Light.
Stop looking at those luscious tits.
“How about this?” I force out, striving to keep my tone even. “You try out a martial arts movie. Start with Enter the Dragon. And I’ll try Secretary.”
“Okay, but…” She bites her bottom lip. “You might be sorry.”
Why would I be?
I stand there and watch Shea put in the sushi order, commanding myself to leave the room as soon as she hands me back the phone. Which she does, a moment later. “All set, thank you. It should be on the way soon.”
“Good.”
She tilts her head and smiles up at me, revealing a dimple in her right cheek. “Will I get a chance to go into my bedroom back at our apartment before you start repairs?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t think that would be safe.”
My answer seems to disappoint her. “Oh.”
“Why?”
“I think I left my thong on the floor. When I got undressed tonight.” She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t want you to see it.”
My swallow is thick, my cock starting to pulse in my briefs.
This eighteen-year-old girl is coming on to me.
I can’t believe it.
I’m way past my prime. A little thick around the middle. I’m her friend’s dad. But there’s no way she would start a conversation about her underwear unless she wanted me to think about her…taking off her underwear. Right?
Think about anything but that.
How she’s definitely a natural blonde. How flexible she’d be.
“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this,” I manage, my voice deeper than a pit of black oil.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, shaking herself. “I don’t know what…made me say that.”
“It’s okay. I…” Leave the conversation at that. You drew a line. Now all you have to do is maintain it. “If I see them when I go to inspect the damage, I’ll put them back in the drawer for you.” My dick is getting so stiff, just talking about this with her. Out loud. “What color is it?”
She moistens her lips. “Lavender. With a little white bow in back.”
Holy shit. If I don’t get out of this room, I’m going to come in my sweatpants. “Right,” I grunt, ogling her sweet little mouth. Picturing the hard flesh I would feed her. Inch by inch. “I’ll let you know when the sushi is here,” I say, using all my willpower to stride from the room.
Dear God, I need to repair their apartment as soon as possible, so Shea can go home. Before I do something infinitely idiotic.