Chapter 1: My Best Friend’s Father

~Sienna~

The gate screeches while I push it open and step into the compound. It is late at night and too dark to see clearly, but I know this building well.

I spent a summer here with my best friend Nova and her family.

I key in the house code Nova sent over the phone, an alarm beeps softly as the door unlocks, and I slip inside the lake house.

My throat tightens, so I skip the light switch and flick on the torchlight on my phone instead. The last thing I need is someone calling the Garrisons about an intruder.

I walk past the large living room, move deeper into the house, and barely glance at the decor.

My chest burns, my jaw clenches, and my teeth grind together.

I refuse to cry. I will not give those bastards the satisfaction.

My steps slow when I spot the glassware on the wine shelf, so I drop my bag on a nearby couch and walk over to the bar and sink onto a barstool. My little black dress rides up my thighs.

But I do not care. No one is here to see me.

My eyes shut at the memory of why I wear the dress and the place I thought I would spend the night.

I dressed to impress my boyfriend, my ex-boyfriend now, because I was sure he would propose. I found the ring in his suit pocket last week but kept quiet, and when he invited me out for a surprise date I thought this was it.

My heart raced with joy as the taxi drove me to the hotel until my phone buzzed with an anonymous photo of my boyfriend and someone I once called a friend tangled in a kiss. The same hotel room number I would be staying in with him was attached.

My brows furrowed and my hands shook as I stared at the image.

It could not be. With Julian's controlling nature and hatred for cheaters he would not, and he always made me believe that.

There had to be a mistake.

I stumbled out of the taxi, my legs trembled in my heels as I crossed to the hotel.

I hesitated between knocking and punching in the room code, but my need for truth won.

A gasp tore from my lips, my eyes widened as the door opened, and my hand gripped the doorframe for support.

Right there on the bed, tangled in sheets and clothes, were my boyfriend and my friend, groaning and moaning without shame.

My shoulders sagged as the weight hit me.

How long had it been going on, why did I not see it, and where was the man who did everything to earn my trust.

My breath came short and I struggled to keep up with reality.

Everly always claimed to hate Julian and ranted about his ego.

But now it made sense. She wanted him all along.

And I missed it.

The two of them scrambled out of bed when they saw me, but I still caught the proud smirk on Everly's face.

It was planned, the pictures were not anonymous, and they came from her.

"Get out," Julian said and pulled on his pants and avoided my eyes.

Everly laughed and crossed her arms and stood there naked. "You were not supposed to find out this way Sienna, but oh well."

I swore I would not cry. Neither of them was worth it.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the memories, grabbed a black champagne bottle, and popped it open without checking the label. I pressed it to my lips and tilted my head back as the sharp flavor of cherry and spirit filled my mouth.

"Arrg," I groaned. "So strong and sweet." I took another long sip.

I expected nothing less from the Garrisons. They were rich and powerful enough to buy the country and still have change left.

Unlike my family. It was just me and my mother.

I never knew my father. He died before I was born and had not acknowledged my mother's pregnancy.

I learned early that I would have to fight for everything I wanted, and I have.

I left the old neighborhood for the city, earned my degree, and now chase that dream job.

I did not need to chase the dream life because I thought Julian was it until he was not.

I blink down at the bottle, it is half gone, so I jump down from the stool. The room tilts and I grab it for balance.

"Whoo," I breathe and lift the bottle again and stumble toward the couch in the corner.

My body sinks into the cold fabric and it cradles me. It is not what I need, but it will do.

I lift the bottle to my lips and gulp down the last of it.

My throat burns, my vision blurs, and my face flushes. The alcohol drowns my thoughts in a dizzy high.

But it is not enough. I need more and I need to forget. If three years of my life were wasted, maybe I will waste myself tonight.

Julian can go be with Everly. I do not care anymore.

I will be with who I want, or at least the version of him in my head.

Yeah, I know it is wrong, but it is beyond my control.

Crushing on my best friend's father is wrong, but I can not stop.

I tried to pretend otherwise and lie to myself because I was supposed to be the good loyal girlfriend.

But now I can not lie anymore.

My fingers slide up my dress, my thighs tremble, and a cold sensation sweeps over me. I close my eyes, my breath comes shallow, and I picture his thick veiny hands brushing my pussy.

My other hand slips under the neckline and cups one breast. "Fuck," I mutter and thumb the nipple until it hardens.

Just the thought of him gets me wet. I push my g-string aside and ease one finger inside.

"Hmmm." My breath quickens and I moan into the empty room. I slide the finger in and out, slow at first, then faster, while my free hand keeps teasing my breast.

A soft sound slips out, half sigh and half plea. My heart races and my body moves on its own.

I imagine him thrusting deep. "Ohhh Norman," the name escapes before I catch it.

In my mind he is not Mr. Garrison like I always called him. He is just Norman, the man who should not be mine yet lives in every forbidden thought.

"Oh my God," I whisper. My finger speeds up and my hips lift to meet it.

Wetness coats my hand and drips onto the floor.

My body shudders and a shock races through me.

But a loud bang cuts the quiet.

My eyes snap open and I freeze. My hand yanks free in a flash and I cover my thighs.

What the hell was that.

Another slam echoes from the door.

My head jerks up, my heart pounds against my ribs, and I scan the room frantically.

Nova sent me here after the betrayal and gave me the address and house code when I called sobbing.

I needed someone to talk to and somehow dialed Nova, who is on vacation with her divorced parents.

"He will go to your apartment first," Nova had said. "Just go to the lake house and no one would know."

Here I am.

But now the door jams. An intruder, maybe a robber. Whoever is out there is not expecting company.

My heart thunders. I push myself upright on shaky legs. From the bar room in the back I can not see the front door.

The room has no corners to hide in until they leave. I pray the stranger stays away. My fingers curl around the empty bottle I drank from.

Footsteps tap softly across the marble floor and draw closer.

Whimpering, I creep toward the hall and clutch the bottle tight.

Please let it be one person. That would be fair.

The door bursts open just as I duck behind it. My weapon rises in the air. My body trembles and I wait for my fate.

The figure steps into the light. His eyes lock on my pale face and the object in my hand. The bottle slips from my fingers.

A sharp cry bursts from my lips as the glass crashes at my feet.

His eyes widen. "Oh my God Sienna what"

In an instant he is there and catches me before I fall. Strong arms slide beneath my knees and back and lift me off the ground.

A small yelp escapes my lips as my hands cling to his neck.

His scent envelops me, masculine and rich and laced with the warmth of his breath.

He carries me effortlessly to the couch and presses me close to his chest.

My grip tightens on him. My eyes rise to his face creased with worry and concern for me. My pain ebbs under his touch.

Mr. Garrison, the object of my imagination and my best friend's father.

All I can think of is the heat of his body and the steady thrum of his heartbeat under my cheek. Heat pools in my stomach and my skin tingles where he touches.

I want more and to press myself against him skin to skin.

I am tempted and I do not know if I can resist it.