Ruthless Daddy by Bianca Cole
Gia
Irun from the wolf’s den, sprinting down the beach toward Palermo, carrying my shoes that I grabbed on the way past. I’m not sure why I’m running, as I know he won’t chase after me. Part of me knows that if I don’t run, I’ll fall into his trap and take things too far with him. My heart is racing faster than my feet can carry me.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m the worst friend in the world. I crossed a line that should never have been crossed. Despite how much alcohol I’ve had, I feel sober. Our encounter sobered me up, so I can’t even blame it on being drunk.
Once I’m at a suitable distance from Fabio’s home, I slow down and walk more leisurely back to the apartment. My mind won’t stop replaying the hot, passionate kiss that I shared with my best friend’s father. Let’s be honest, it wasn’t just a kiss. If I hadn’t broken away from him, I’d be in his bed right now.
I groan, placing my hand on my forehead. Ever since I was old enough to notice men, I’ve had a secret—or not so secret—crush on Fabio Alteri.
He’s the epitome of a silver fox in every sense of the word. Beautiful gray hair, stunning dark brown eyes and muscles that would put a lot of twenty-year-old men to shame. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my purse. It’s a text from Aida.
I’m so sorry I didn’t take your call. I didn’t want to ring, as I know you will be asleep now. Happy birthday. I’ll call you tomorrow.
I let out a deep exhale of breath and set the phone back in my purse. I unlock the door to the shop and head inside, going up the back steps to the apartment. Carefully, I sneak through to my bedroom without making a sound. Siena is probably fast asleep, but I’m not sure how I’d explain a walk on the beach taking close to two hours.
Aida would kill me if she knew what happened between me and her father tonight. I hate that our moment of passion was the highlight of my birthday.
There’s a deep ache between my thighs ever since he kissed me. I undress and get into bed, glancing at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It’s two thirty in the morning and I’m not even tired.
I am sexually frustrated and reeling from the passionate moment with Fabio. I reach between my thighs, rubbing my clit. My body is overly sensitive after what just happened. I bite my lip to not make a sound and slip my fingers into my pussy.
I shut my eyes and remember how good it felt when his thick finger slid inside of me. The entire situation was intoxicating and beyond exciting. My nipples harden as I finger fuck my pussy harder, biting my lip to stop myself from moaning. Siena is in the room next door, and I don’t want to wake her.
The overwhelming desire I felt when Fabio touched me was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. It was as if his touch burned me. Maybe it’s the forbidden aspect that made it hot, or maybe it’s because I’ve admired his stunning good looks since I was about fifteen years old.
It doesn’t really matter why I felt so drawn to him. All I know is it’s fucking wrong, and once I’ve climaxed, I need to forget about the entire night. It will just be a hot dream that I had one night and nothing more.
I rub my clit, feeling myself getting closer to the edge. My body is on fire as I think about his rough beard grazing my skin and his muscular arm lifting me against the wall. The way he thrust his fingers inside of me, as though he had the right to do whatever he wanted, was hotter than I’d expect.
He was rough and frantic, as if he had no control over his urges. When I felt his hard cock against my ass, all I wanted was to feel him inside of me.
“Fabio,” I murmur his name as I feel myself getting close. The thought of him fucking me is all that it takes as I come undone. The force of my orgasm is stronger than anything I’ve felt before. Fabio is the reason for the intensity—my best friend’s father.
I quickly feel the guilt and shame coil through me as the pleasure wears off. There’s something very wrong with me for a wanting a man like him—a man that stole her away from me.
Tonight was a dark and forbidden fantasy come true, but one that is dangerous to reflect on anymore. I need to forget what happened between us.
* * *
I arrangea mix of stunning powder pink peonies with white roses, making sure the bouquet looks perfect. I’m working on an arrangement for a wedding tomorrow. It’s been a year since I opened natural beauty florist and ever since I’ve been booked solid.
It’s been two weeks since I broke into Fabio’s home and we crossed a line that we shouldn’t have crossed.
I’m pretty sure I’m going insane. All I can think about is the man I shouldn’t want. His powerful muscles, his masculine scent of whiskey and musk, his stunning silver hair. Everything about him drives my hormones into overdrive. That’s not even mentioning the way it felt when he grabbed my hips so possessively, pushing me against the wall as if he couldn’t control himself.
A snap in front of my face pulls me out of the lust filled daydream I’d fallen into. “Are you alright?” Siena asks, standing there and staring at me.
I nod. “Yes, why?”
“I literally came in and asked how you are and you just stared into space like you were deaf or something,” Siena says, looking at me questioningly.
I shrug. “Sorry, you know how I get when I’m focused on work. I was in my own world.” My world where Fabio and I were crossing the line. I could never tell Siena what happened that night. She would be as mad at me as Aida would be.
She shakes her head. “Yes, I know. Did Aida ever ring you?”
I sigh heavily. “No, last I heard from her she sent a text in the early hours of the morning after my birthday.” I shrug. “She said she would call the next day but never did.”
Siena sets her hands on her hips. “She may have moved half-way across the world, but the least she can do is wish you a happy birthday over the goddamn phone.” She shakes her head. “It’s not acceptable.”
“It is what it is,” I say, finding it hard to be angry at Aida after what I did with her father.
Siena’s brow knits together. “You’ve changed your tune since your birthday.”
“Yeah, well as you said she’s a newlywed and has a lot going on in Boston.” My chest aches as I say it. “I think it’s about time we accept that she’s gone and she isn’t coming back.”
Siena sighs this time. “You’re right.” She shakes her head. “I just always thought that maybe she’d escape and come back, you know?”
I nod in reply, as I’d hoped for that too. The last time I spoke to her, she had changed her opinion about her husband, though. She said that although he had been cruel at first, she’d fallen for him. I couldn’t quite understand it after the things she told me he did, but then we can’t choose who we fall in love with.
I honestly believe fate brings people together.
If that’s the case, why did I wind up in my best friend’s father’s arms?
“I know we both had hope, but I think there’s only so much you can have.” I shake my head. “It’s time we both move on and when Aida can, she will visit. I’m sure of it.”
Siena doesn’t look so convinced. “What are you working on?”
I look down at the centerpiece I’m putting together. “Centerpiece for a wedding this weekend.” I glance around the shop. “I’ve got a lot more arrangements to do for the wedding, including the bridal bouquet.”
“Where are the two girls you employ?”
I shake my head. “Both booked this week off for holiday. It’s the trouble when you employ a couple. They always want their holiday at the same time.”
Siena laughs. “Well, you shouldn’t employ a couple in the future. Do you want me to give you a hand?”
“No, don’t worry. I’m going to get it all done easily, as I’ve got tomorrow to finish.” I brush her offer to help off as last time her arrangement was a little too messy. Siena doesn’t have the patience for flower arrangement. My brow furrows. “Why aren’t you at work today?”
She shrugs. “No real estate viewings so I’ve got the afternoon off.” She sighs. “It’s been a little rough lately.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Why is that?”
Siena rests her elbows on the counter and her face in her hands. “I don’t know. It seems foreign investment has dried up.” She glances down at the flower on the table and picks it up, twirling it between her fingers. “Hopefully it picks up soon or they might lay me off.”
I set my hand on her arm. “Whatever happens at least we won’t lose the apartment.”
Siena smiles. “I know.” Her parents moved back to Rome two years ago, leaving us to get an apartment for ourselves. I had been living with them since my mother died and my mother had left me an apartment in her will. I sold it to buy this shop and our apartment above it.
“I’ll finish up soon and need to go to the shop. Do you need anything?” I ask.
Siena looks at me thoughtfully. “I’m making pasta, but I think we’re out of parmigiano, can you get some?”
I nod in response. “Of course.”
She walks toward the back of the shop to go up to our apartment.
I finish the centerpiece floral arrangement and set it down carefully on the table before grabbing my purse and heading into the streets.
I had only intended to go to the shop, but the moment I step out into the center, I find myself heading somewhere else first. I cross the road and head down the same cobbled alleyway I took the night of my birthday two weeks ago.
The fact is, I have no intention of breaking into his home again, but I can’t sit by and do nothing while I go insane.
Once I get to Fabio’s house, I place my business card through the door. There aren’t many guards at the front and none of them asks me what I’m doing. As I walk away, I immediately regret posting the card through his door.
Now the ball is in his court, and if I don’t hear from him, I’ll probably go insane. The thought of waiting makes my stomach twist as I head back toward the shop to get Siena’s cheese.
There is definitely something wrong with me for trying to continue the forbidden path I started on with Fabio. He is off limits. Not to mention, Fabio is broken in ways I can’t comprehend.
It’s a shame that I’ve always had a tendency to fix things that are broken. Fabio is the ultimate challenge—a challenge I should keep my distance from.
So why the hell did I just post my business card through his door?
