My Dad's Bestfriend

Evelyn

Finally. Finally something good.

He kissed me back instantly, his hands snaking around me, pulling me closer. Our bodies pressed against each other, and his warmth seeped into my skin, replacing the icy cold with a warm fluttering sensation. I no longer felt as though I were on the verge of breaking apart.

Amidst all the chaos, he was my sanctuary.

As we broke the kiss and pulled away, he spoke with a smile playing at his lips, "Well, if I had known you were missing me this much, I might have considered slipping some sleeping pills into your dad's drink," he brushed my hair strands away from my face, tracing his thumb over my flushed cheeks, "Your cheeks are flushed. Did you just run?"

"Practically, yes," I exhaled. "Your ex is a bitch."

"What did she do?" he asked, his expression cautious, "Did she say something to you?"

Well....No! I couldn't tell him the truth, not now. It just didn't feel right.

"Um, not really," I shrugged it off, "I just don't like seeing her around."

"Are you hiding something from me, Evelyn?"

"No, Jacob. I just saw her out there by the pool, and I hurried back here to ensure I didn't end up losing my temper with her," I fabricated a lie with practised ease, "That's all it is, I promise. Trust me."

"God, you scared me, Evelyn," he admitted. "Just ignore her, okay? She's not worth the trouble," Breathing a sigh of relief, he pressed his lips against my forehead, "I don't want you to get hurt by anything she might end up saying. She's never careful with her words."

Of course, she isn't. Nor is she careful with the people in her life. Or else, who in their right mind would ever let go of a man like Jacob? That person would have to be an absolute idiot, and that's Chloe. "I'll steer clear of her, but if she ever dares to hurt you again, I swear to God, I'll—"

Jacob didn't let me finish my sentence. He silenced me by pressing his finger against my lips. "No more talking about someone who doesn't matter. Besides, she won't get a chance to worm her way back into my life, so there's no way for her to hurt me."

"But-"

"Evelyn, be good and come with me." He grabbed my hand and began to lead me out of my room.

"What? Where are we going?"

"Somewhere."

"Jacob, don't beat around the bush. Where are the fuck are we going?"

"Young lady, if you curse again, we might have to stop right here in the middle and do something about that mouth of yours-maybe filling it would be the best way to keep you quiet." His threat sent a shiver down my spine, and well, I couldn't say I'd mind it too much. "So, if you'd like to avoid that now, I suggest you stop cursing."

"You're such a dog!"

"And you're my favourite treat," he chuckled, utterly unfazed by my words. Without warning, he picked me up just like he did in the morning, throwing me over his shoulder as if I were a sack of potatoes. "What the "

"Watch your mouth, Evelyn," he seemed to enjoy this a bit too much.

"You need to break this habit of yours! You can't just pick me up like this whenever you feel like it. I'm not a bag of potatoes."

"Of course, you're not. Just look at you. Who would ever call you that?" His words made me blush crimson.

Come on, Evelyn, don't let his charm get to you this time.

"You can't escape the consequences by giving me a flimsy compliment!"

"You're always so fiery. Your temper..it's just like your father's," he laughed. "You know, it's amusing when someone so small like you gets angry."

"Excuse me, I am not small!"

"Okay," his laughter clearly indicated that he didn't believe me.

However, before I could speak again, I found myself gently placed back on the ground. My feet touched the cold floor, and a soft gasp escaped my lips. The room's lighting was dim, with nothing but emptiness behind Jacob.

And behind me? I did not know what he had prepared until he turned me around by the shoulders, "There we go."

My brows shot up in astonishment, and my lips parted in awe-before me, lay a canvas, paints, and brushes-the very tools I had abandoned the day I gave up on my dreams.

"I suppose this room was originally intended for your dad's peculiar hobby, which occasionally resurfaces-playing the piano. However, he never got around to buying one for this place; he just had the room made," Jacob chuckled. "So, I decided to put it to good use."

"Jacob...this," My words trembled, and I couldn't quite understand why I was suddenly so emotional. Perhaps it was because these paints, this canvas, and these brushes were once the instruments through which I painted my shattered dreams-a new home with Mom and Dad, my birthday celebrations with them, family games, and ultimately, the simple joy of having a family.

Fuck. I was too old to be crying about this now.

"I know," he said, making me look at him, cupping my face in his hands. "I know it's been hard for you, but as far as I remember, you've always been a wonderful artist, Evelyn. You used to create flawless portraits at the age of six, and if I remember correctly, even though you believe you haven't painted in years, I've seen a few of your paintings in your room-ones that were absolutely gorgeous."

His words brought back memories-yes. I had indeed painted quite a few times even after their divorce, but none of those works looked beautiful to me. Every stroke of the brush led me back to memories I had shared in family court, witnessing them divide my life into two parts with joint custody. Fortunately, I got to stay with just one parent instead of being shuttled back and forth every six months.

My mother may not have respected the family we had, but she had respected my choice.

He wiped away tears that I hadn't realised had escaped until now, "So, do you believe that broken dreams can create new ones?" he asked, "Because I do. It happened when I took the first step toward my new family. When I saw my sister happy, when I made new friends. It's always about those first steps. It's never about the destination, because those steps will always lead you somewhere beautiful-just like the steps I've taken in my life led me to you. And I am so fucking grateful to have taken those steps and reached you, my best destination."

"Look at you, aren't you the charmer?" A smile broke across my face.

He smiled back, "Well, if you say so. I won't deny it." Pulling me closer, he brushed his nose against mine, "So, what do you think we're going to paint today?"

"It depends on how much my assistant can help."

"Well, you'd better not underestimate me, because I actually have an art degree. I used to enjoy painting as a kid," he grinned. "But then, I started seeing masterpieces in the form of women, so that hobby slowly faded away."

My expression dropped, "Then go and bring those women to paint, you Asshole!" I pushed at his chest and made a move to get away from him.

"Wait-wait," he stopped me, trapping me in his strong arms, "I was just kidding, baby."

Well-built jerk.

"That didn't sound like a joke, jerk!"

"So, the temper always flares up at your nose, huh?" he chuckled. "I see it now."

It was nearly impossible for me to stay mad at him. Any genuine anger I felt would always dissipate within a few seconds, as if there were some absolute sorcery he'd cast over me. "You're at fault. You always say things you shouldn't."

"Maybe because I like the way these cheeks turn red," he smiled, placing kisses on my cheek before moving to my neck. A soft gasp slipped past my lips as he grazed his teeth against my skin-his touch felt so fucking good, "Or maybe, I love the way these beautiful sounds slip past these tempting lips," moving his mouth closer to mine, he took my bottom lip between his teeth.

Well, now I was unsure whether we were here to paint or fuck.

"Now tell me, is it my fault?" He whispered, pulling me closer. "I'd say it's yours, because you're the reason I can't keep my hands to myself. Hell, Evelyn, if it weren't just me, you would have sent an entire generation of men to hell," he let out a deep, throaty chuckle, "You're too good to be true, but thank goodness you are real, and I'm thrilled that you're mine. I feel absolutely enchanted every time I lay my eyes on you, knowing that you're mine."

He knew how to leave me speechless, and he did it every fucking time. I hated it, but there was nothing I could do to resist him. I was consumed by him. Addicted. Totally willing to let this addiction be my ruin and not give a damn.

"Are we going to paint or..." My stuttering paused as I saw the smirk curling at the corner of his lips, instantly sending my mind into a frenzy.

Fuck.

"We can do both if you want," he grinned, his finger tracing small circles on my lower back, sending shivers down my body. "What do you say? Do you want to do both?"

Don't stutter, Evelyn. Don't. Stutter.

"W-what?"

Shit!

"You know, for someone who came on so strong, it's surprising that you get shy so easily," he chuckled, now tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear with his free hand, "What am I gonna do with you, Evelyn?"

"How can you do both? You need to have focus in order to paint..." I asked, my words stumbling once again.

"Who said you can't have focus and pleasure at the same time?" He traced my bottom lip with his thumb; it was still a bit red from his bite. "You can have both at the same time, Evelyn. Do you want to see how?"

There was no doubt that Jacob had something wicked on his mind. His confidence made it glaringly obvious, and from what I'd learned about him until now, I knew he would either make me either beg or scream... or perhaps even both.

I nervously bit down on my bottom lip, unable to figure out what to say. Of course, I could simply say 'yes' or maybe 'no,' but I absolutely didn't want to. Yet, something about Jacob's gaze made me freeze. It left me caught somewhere between the curve of his lips and the intensity of his eyes.

"I need an answer, Evelyn," he grabbed my jaw, tilting my face to directly meet his gaze, "And I think biting that lip is my job."

Lord, forgive me.

"If I say yes, are we going to both make love and paint?"

Okay. I was feeling stupid and confused.

"No, Evelyn. We aren't going to make love today," He leaned closer to my lips, whispering against them, "We will fuck. Hard."

God knew how he could make everything sound so damn tempting and exciting, but the fact was — he did. He just did!

"Then, fuck me, Jacob," I finally got the courage to utter the next words, even though they were barely above a whisper. However, I knew that was enough to stir awake the beast within.