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Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 23
JORDAN I push through the doors of the production room, glancing around slowly. Nelson is behind me, trying to find out what transpired between the bald man and me. Ross, or whatever his name, did his best to grate on every bit of my nerves, but I refused to be in a fume because of someone so irrelevant.What does my hanging around New York have to do with the company? I was away in Italy for years, yet things were still smoothly handled and perfectly managed. We’re only experiencing a momentary rough patch. Soon, we’ll be back on our feet, and this period will serve as a memory.I find a lean, black-haired man leaning over a shelf piled with papers, sketches of toys, and notes. The room has about three tables crammed with books and files. I grab one of the notes.“Learning cube.” I skim my eyes over the sketch. The artist indicated the colorful buttons with red ink. There’s a light, too.“This looks fancy. Is it ready?”The man nods. I’ve met him a few times, and he’s a nice guy. H
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 24
ASTRID I walk into the humane society kennel as the attendant turns over the OPEN sign. It’s less chaotic, and that shows they’ve been in for a while setting up and cleaning the stalls. I learned animals are a lot more like toddlers. They demand so much attention and can be loud, too.A young woman hurries past me with a German shepherd under her arms. She’s whimpering, her hair ruffled, her shirt has coffee stains and something darker. The attendant holds the door open for her and grabs the animal from her arms. She motions at the bench, but the woman shakes her head and trails after her, her palm over her mouth.Swallowing a lump, I tear my gaze away from them and exhale slowly. I don’t understand Ava Rock's reason for choosing to meet here. When I texted her about the book and asked if she was ready to proceed, she said she needed to add a few things to the epilogue. The epilogue looks okay to me. Like the rest of her books I’ve come across - this one strikes a chord in my mind.
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 25
ASTRID To someone who used to love spending so much time with Tristan, it's strange how I keep drawing my gaze to my wrist, counting down to when I can finally walk out of this restaurant, get in my car, and go home.My mom is nowhere in sight. I even asked one of the waitpersons if they'd seen her, and the lady said no. She went further to say that Mom didn't make any reservations.I fiddle with the napkin, wrinkling it and imagining it's wrapped around Tristan's neck. He hasn't changed at all. The nerves of him to expect me to show up in a red dress because he said so amuses me. What the hell!How can one man be so arrogant, rude, spiteful, dramatic, and, of course, incapable of reading the room? I should be pissed, right? Pissed that I had put up with him for two years. But I guess I'm done hating him. Now I feel sorry for him and the next woman he'll drag down with him.“Why are you so upset?” Tristan asks blankly, staring at my face.I feel a chill. Not the good kind, but one th
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 26
JORDAN Moonlight stream through the windows, mingling with the dimmed lights of my study. Breathless and my muscles aching with maddening need. The image of Astrid in a low-cut gown, her ginger blonde splayed on her delicate shoulders, and her lips twitching in a sultry smile.I have no idea where the image pops out from but it’s messing up my train of thought and causing a massive discomfort in my pants. I adjust for the fifth time, stifling a moan as the tip of my shaft brushes the thick material of my pants.Something churns inside of me.Deep regret?Desire?Anticipation?I shake my head gently. The fantasy that comes from knowing a woman like Astrid intimately has to be discarded.I shuffle through the emails. I have a meeting at 10 am with the board. Nelson suggests I give them another chance as they’ve been with the company since it started.Outside, the sun hardens. I flex my fingers as I watch the throngs of people going through the sidewalks. For a moment, I stare, drinking
Last Updated : 2025-03-29Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 27
ASTRID “I still can’t believe this is really happening.” Ava declares as we drive through the streets to her house in Elf’s avenue.When she called me last night about having her family over for dinner today, I almost fell on my butt as I skipped around my kitchen, waving a knife in the air and screaming so loudly that my voice cracked.I was elated.Her father is out of jail. Lisa is beginning to accept the fact that her sister acted out of hurt. Being betrayed by their mother affected Ava deeply, especially as she was the first child and left with the responsibility of caring for her younger sister and father who was barely sober enough to hold a conversation, not to talk of noticing the pains his teenaged daughters were going through.“Lisa cancelled her show tonight just to spend time with us. A part of me keeps thinking that it’s because of Dad, you know, they are close and all of that, but then, I can’t help but also feel that she’s doing it for me too.”“What did she say when
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 28
ASTRID “What is it like to play the knight?”I pivot, walking backwards to lean on the porch railing. “What do you mean? I'm no knight, Lisa.”“Everyone seems to think you are. Ava said you played a part in Dad’s release. She couldn’t stop gushing about you over the phone last night.”“Ava isn’t everyone. Her opinion is probably based on our friendship.”“Is it?”“You sound upset. What’s the problem?”I’m not upset. I’m trying to understand what makes you think you belong here. That you could barge into our private moment and act like you are part of this family.”I smile without pausing.“Ava is my friend. We’ve bonded over work, conversation about family, love, life in general, and I honesty consider her as a part of my life now. I don’t know if you understand what I’m trying to say, but I want you to know that I’m not trying to barge into your family. I wanted to meet your Dad and you, of course.”A glimmer of disbelief flashes in her eyes. “Georgia told me about you that first ni
Last Updated : 2025-04-01Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 29
ASTRID Jordan’s eyes sneak up to mine as I navigate the tables towards them. Behind me is a woman in a white shirt and maroon colored pants. She’s chatting, asking me about my day and stuff I don’t care to focus on as my entire attention is on the dark-haired man sucking a straw, his lips twisting in a smirk.Dad shoots up from his chair as I draw closer to the table. He comes around the table and pulls out a chair for me.“Hi, Dad. How long have you been waiting?”He engulfs me in a warm hug, and I hear him inhale slowly. I relax into him, placing my head on his shoulder. Then, he moves away and gestures at the table. That’s when I noticed the woman leaning her chin on Jordan’s shoulder and peering into his phone.She raises her head as if she can feel my stare and tosses me a charming grin. My nerves coil, and I ball my fist, digging my sharp fingers into my skin.What the hell was Jordan thinking bringing another woman to our date?I thought Dad said it was going to be just us?“T
Last Updated : 2025-04-04Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 30
ASTRID “Well, have you thought about what I said, Jordan?” Dad asks and casts me an appraising glance.Jordan studies me as though seeing me for the first time, and then he retreats his gaze, fixing it on my father.“We’re not hiring right now, and you know how it is. We can’t bring in a new person at this critical moment.”“But she’ll be an asset to your company. Have you seen her work? She’s efficient.”“She’s your daughter. Of course, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’ve heard about her, and I must say,” He casts me a grin, “I’m impressed.”Perplexed, I cock my head at the two men, glancing at them simultaneously. “What are you both talking about like I’m not here?”“You father suggested I employ your services in my company.”Understanding hit me like a softball sailing over a home plate. Dad never mentioned anything like that to me. “But I’m working, and I don’t remember complaining to anyone about my job.”“That man overworks you. You need to be in a space where your w
Last Updated : 2025-04-04
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Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 52
JORDAN "Do you?" I ask, skepticism dripping from my words."Yeah." He shifts on the sofa, his expression turning a little more serious. "I came to ask if you’ve considered hiring Astrid."There it is, the conversation I was dreading. I stifle a groan, but I can't hide the way my body tenses at the mention of her name."I’m worried about her," Peter continues, leaning forward. "I don’t like where she’s working now. And with everything that happened recently, I just... I don’t trust those people. I’d feel better if she was working with someone I could trust."The air in the room seems to thicken, and I force myself to keep my expression neutral.Trust? Does he think Astrid will be safe with me? He has no idea that I’m the big wolf he should be protecting her from.The thought of having Astrid working here, in my space, every single day has my brain spiraling in directions I shouldn’t even entertain. I can already feel my resistance crumbling.“I don’t know, Peter…” I rub my jaw, tryin
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 51
JordanI decline Astrid’s call for the fifth time, my thumb hovering over the screen before I let it drop onto my desk. I can’t bring myself to speak to her. Not after what almost happened at her house. My phone beeps with another message from her, but I ignore it, clenching my jaw so tight.If her friend hadn’t walked in when she did… God, what was I thinking? I scrub my hand over my face, trying to shake off the memory.What if it had been Peter who walked in on us instead of her friend? The thought alone makes my stomach twist.I can’t even begin to imagine what Peter would do if he found out how close I was to claiming his little girl, or that I already did –twice. He would castrate me for touching his little girl, for making her cum twice in one night and putting my hands on her.But no matter how much I try to push her out of my mind, remind myself that she’s Peter’s daughter and therefore she should be off limits to me. Forbidden even, I can’t.God, she’s invading every part
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 50
ASTRID “Astrid,” he says, more softly, he might have noticed the pain on my face.“I care about you a lot.”“Because I’m your goddaughter?” he doesn’t answer. After a few minutes of silence, he says,“I didn’t come here to take advantage of you. I came here because I was worried about you. I know it must be hard on you.”“If you care about me, then you will make me happy.” He shakes his head.“Fucking you right now will be me being a selfish bastard. You are too vulnerable right now.” I nod, even though I don’t understand him.“See yourself out and let the door hit you on your way out. I have a date with my vibrator, it can do what you’re too scared to do.” I barely make it to the living room when Jordan grips me forcefully, spinning me to face him.He’s livid. Is he jealous of my vibrator?“You will not touch yourself while I’m here.”“You are welcome to watch.”“It’s not going to happen.”I open my mouth to protest and he seals his lips over mine, shutting me up with a lush kiss. H
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 49
ASTRIDI can’t put a name to my feelings. Anger, sadness, frustration…everything’s tangled up. All different shades of emotions coalesce together to form this infuriating need to be wrapped in Jordan’s arm.I’m supposed to hate Jordan. I should hate him for being the reason my life is messed up. It makes no sense that I want him so badly.I should hate him. He’s the one who keeps driving me crazy, who keeps rejecting me, pushing me away, but no matter how many times I remind myself of that, I still want him.God I hate how much I want him. It’s infuriating.God knows I’m trying so hard to get that man off my head, but he’s stuck in my head! The thought of him makes my heart race. I hate how my body tingles at the sight of him. Just thinking about him makes me tingle, my skin burning with this unbearable desire.I don’t understand him. He said he didn’t want anything to do with me, yet he showed up at my family dinner where he knew I would be there. I know Jordan, if he didn’t want t
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 48
JORDAN“Come on, you have to help her out.”I stifle a groan. Peter is putting me in a tight spot. He’s hell-bent on having me hire Astrid to work for me. He doesn’t know the danger he’s putting me in.Hiring Astrid is a terrible idea. If she’s working with me, in close proximity every day, there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off her. Not when she’s already driving me insane, even when she is not in my space.“Peter, it’s not –”“Jordan, Astrid is your goddaughter. That’s reason enough for you to give her a shot at your company. She is good at what she does. I don’t want her working with these people anymore.”“I’m sure Astrid is more than qualified, but –”“No buts,” Peter cuts me off, shaking his head. “She’s had a rough time with that mess at her firm. You’re in a position to help her, and you know she’s got the talent. Just give her a chance.”About the mess she got into with the AXT, Peter told me about it, and I’ve been worried about her. Peter is worried, too. I wanted
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 47
ASTRID“How the hell did you make such a silly mistake, Astrid?” I flinch physically and mentally as Pete Bishop’s voice slices through the thick air of his office.He’s livid, and the look in his eyes makes me want to crawl under the rug and disappear.I blink rapidly, trying to steady my breathing but I feel sick to my stomach, shock pulses through me, morphing into an ice that freezes me. Pete is so mad. I’ve never seen him this furious before, not even when another consultant messed up.No, I can’t compare that to my mess. I’ve really messed up. This client is one of our best, one of our biggest accounts, AXT Corporation. They have been with us for years, bringing in multi-million-dollar contracts. Pete recently introduced me to them and handed me the project to continue from where the former consultant stopped.A lot of people wanted to work with them but Pete chose me, and I somehow managed to screw up their financial projections. A simple quarterly forecast is something I ca
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 46
ASTRID “Lily!” I slam the door behind me as I storm into her house, my voice echoing through the place.“Lily! Where the hell are you?”I’ve been calling and texting since I left Jordan’s place, but she hasn’t been answering her phone. I need to vent, and who is more worthy to vent than my best friend who is magically missing in action?My first instinct was to go to a bar and grab a drink, but it's way too early for that.I still can’t believe that heartless bastard called my dad. My dad of all people. He’s aware of why I was avoiding my dad. He didn’t care. Didn’t even pretend to. He just looked at me, cold as ever, and told me that he couldn’t care less about my problems.Then, to really twist the knife in my chest, he dared to tell me to go play my little failed seduction games with Tristan.I swear to God that man is so heartless. No, scratch that. He’s beyond heartless. He’s ice. He doesn’t care who I end up with or how messed up my life is, as long as he’s not involved. He
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 45
JORDAN Of all the girls in the bar that night, why did it have to be Astrid? We should never have crossed paths. Maybe I would have been able to see her as a fucking kid she was supposed to be.I want to call her that —a kid —to stop my dick from having ideas, but she was never that—a kid. At least not since that night at the bar.She’s a woman. A beautiful fucking woman with a lethal weapon in the form of a body –soft and curvy in all the right places.I don’t know what sick twist of fate the universe is playing at. Screw that shit, I can’t keep blaming the universe. What went down last night and this morning is entirely me. All of it. And maybe Astrid’s. But I still take the blame.I shouldn’t have allowed her into my house. My house is sacred. My house is my respite. And now she has poisoned it. Now there is no fuck way to forget the feel of her mouth on my cock. I wanted to cum so badly down her throat and then fuck her so…Thinking about it is not helping. This is not fucking
Claiming My Father’s Best Friend 44
JORDAN “God damn it!”I cuss under my breath the second the door swings open, and Astrid stands there wearing nothing but a towel, looking like every sinful thought I’ve had about her comes to life.Is the universe fucking with me? A man could only handle so much.My self-control is hanging by a thread. Why the hell did I think coming here was a good idea? I should have ignored the damn call from Merilyn.I had informed Merilyn to inform me if Astrid ever showed up here, that was when I didn’t know who she was and I was looking for her.I should have informed Merilyn not to bother with her again when I finally found Astrid.Merilyn called while I was with Peter to inform me that Astrid was here and I ran down here like a fucking pussy that I’m not.I should have sent Peter here instead of coming here myself. Now all I can think about is all the crazy things I want to do to her. I stare at her, trying to keep my eyes above her shoulders, but it’s impossible.Does she have any fucking
