Falling for My Best Friend's Dad

The dining table was filled with the rich aroma of steak and roasted potatoes. It looked like a perfect, cozy family dinner. Emily sat across from me, happily eating, while Eugene sat at the head of the table. Every time I looked up, I could feel Eugene’s quiet gaze on me. My skin still felt warm from our conversation in the kitchen, but I tried my best to act normal.Emily wiped her mouth with a napkin and leaned forward, her eyes bright with sudden excitement."Oh, Flora, I just had the best idea," Emily said casually. "You know my boyfriend, Josh? His best friend, Sam, is coming back to town this weekend. He is single, super nice, and totally your type. I should set you two up!"I almost choked on my potato. I quickly took a sip of water, trying to hide my panic. "Oh, Emily, I don't know. I’m really busy with finals right now.""Come on, it's just one date!" Emily insisted with a laugh.Eugene set his fork down strictly but calmly. He looked at his daughter, his deep voice cutting

Eugene slammed his bedroom door shut and leaned his heavy frame against the wood, his heart hammering violently against his ribs. He closed his eyes, but it did nothing to block out the image of Flora standing at the bottom of the stairs.That deep emerald dress. The soft, exposed skin of her collarbones. The way her curves filled out the fabric so beautifully, completely erasing any lingering memory of the little girl who used to play in his backyard.His control was completely shattered. Beneath his slacks, he was extremely aroused, a fierce, throbbing heat pulsing through his veins that he hadn't felt in a decade.Moving away from the door like a man possessed, Eugene quickly unbuckled his belt and pushed his trousers down. He didn't even make it to the bed. Standing right there in the dim light of his room, he wrapped his hand around himself and began to stroke, his breath hitching as his mind replayed the sight of her. He closed his eyes and imagined his hands smoothing down that

Flora POV The Uber ride back from the lounge felt entirely too short. When the car pulled away from the curb, leaving me standing alone in the driveway, the sheer silence of the neighborhood hit me. Emily was officially at the lake house. The house was empty. Well, almost empty. I unlocked the front door as quietly as I could, stepping into the dim entryway. The only illumination came from the soft, amber accent lights in the hallway. I kicked off my heels, holding them in my hand as I padded softly across the hardwood floor, my emerald dress rustling slightly with every step. I assumed Eugene was already asleep in his room. "You're back early." I jumped, a small gasp escaping my lips. Eugene was sitting in the armchair in the corner of the living room, completely draped in shadows. The only light hitting him was the faint glow from the hallway. He had discarded his shoes, but he was still wearing those dark jeans and the forest green turtleneck that had driven me crazy a

Eugene POV The morning sun streamed through the large kitchen windows, but it brought no warmth to the cold, heavy wall of discipline I was trying to build around myself. I had been up since dawn. I had already gone for a grueling five-mile run, taken a freezing shower, and consumed two black coffees, desperately trying to burn off the restless, electric energy humming beneath my skin.I stood by the kitchen island, staring down at my tablet, pretending to read a financial report. In reality, my ears were hyper-tuned to the quiet house, waiting for the inevitable sound of footsteps down the hall.When the door finally opened and she walked into the kitchen, my breath hitched.I expected her to be awkward. I expected her to avoid my eyes after the harsh rejection in the living room last night. Instead, Flora walked in looking blindingly cheerful, entirely upbeat and completely normal."Good morning, Eugene!" she chirped, her voice bright and clear.My eyes snapped up before I could st