CHAPTER 5 - OVER THE EDGE

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 green dress, pulling her hips against his, feeling her soft skin flush hot against his touch just like it had in the kitchen.

The release came quickly, sharp and intense, leaving him breathless and shaking as he cleaned himself up.

But as the physical fog cleared, a massive wave of suffocating guilt crashed right over him. He sank onto the edge of his mattress, burying his face in his hands. She is your daughter's best friend, his conscience screamed at him. She is practically Emily's age. It felt wrong, dangerous, and completely inappropriate.

Yet, as he sat there in the quiet room, he knew he couldn't deny it to himself anymore. He was incredibly, deeply attracted to Flora.

He had spent the last four days actively avoiding her, staying locked in his study or leaving the house before she even woke up, desperately trying to get his feelings back into perspective. He had told himself that the kitchen incident was just a temporary lapse in judgment, a silly reaction to a beautiful girl. He thought the distance would fix it.

But how she looked tonight had completely destroyed any progress he had made. The sheer sight of her had wiped out days of disciplined denial in a single second.

Eugene looked toward the window, knowing she was out at a lounge right now, sitting across from a young man her own age. He had forced her into this date to protect Emily, and to protect Flora from himself. But now, the thought of another man’s hands on that green dress made his jaw clench with a dark, territorial anger he had no right to feel.

Eugene paced the floor of his bedroom for another ten minutes, the tight knot of jealousy in his gut refusing to loosen. He couldn't just sit here in the dark while she was out with someone else. He needed a distraction, but more than that, he needed to see what was happening.

He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed two of his closest friends. "Hey, you guys free? Let's grab a drink. I know a good lounge downtown."

To match the casual vibe of the venue, Eugene ditched his formal work clothes. He pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a form-fitting, forest green turtleneck shirt that accentuated his broad, muscular chest. It was a relaxed look, but it made him look commanding and undeniably handsome.

When Eugene and his two friends arrived at the upscale lounge, the venue was relatively intimate—there were only about eight people total in the main seating area, making it impossible to miss anyone.

Eugene scanned the room and spotted them immediately. He put on his best mask of casual indifference, guiding his friends toward the seating area and feigning total shock when he "noticed" his daughter.

"Dad?" Emily called out, her eyes wide with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Emily! I had no idea you girls were coming to this spot," Eugene said, acting completely surprised as he greeted them.

Emily smiled, completely buying the coincidence, and quickly introduced everyone at the table. Eugene’s eyes immediately shifted to the young man sitting next to Flora. He had to admit, internally, that Sam was very good looking and carried himself with a decent, respectful attitude. It made the bitter taste of jealousy in Eugene's throat even sharper.

Flora was staring up at him, her dark eyes wide and completely captivated by how handsome he looked in the green turtleneck. The air between them instantly turned thick with unspoken tension.

"It's great to meet you all," Eugene said smoothly, breaking the brief spell before his control could slip again. He nodded toward his two companions. "We're going to head over to the bar so you guys can enjoy your night."

With a polite nod, Eugene turned and walked over to the bar with his friends, though every nerve in his body remained completely dialed into the girl in the green dress sitting just a few yards away.