Trent
A week later, and I’m stuck in the office preparing for a big case for the following Monday. I’m just about ready to leave for the day when my secretary announces my dad is on the line. My dad never calls me at work. My mind goes wild with possible scenarios of what could be happening.
“Jonathan, what can I do for you?” Jonathan Davis has always been a strong man who has shown little emotion. His primary role in life is to maintain the family name, as well as keep the family business flourishing. He was absent most of my childhood with various business ventures. Fortunately, I was raised by a wonderful mother who instilled compassion, humbleness, and generosity in me. Otherwise I might have become a replica of my father.
“Trent.” He pauses. “How’s Parker?”
I wonder why he’s asking. He’s never been too interested in Parker or the grandkids. His workaholic lifestyle has made it so we only see him on major holidays, when he plays Dad and Grandpa for a day or two before going back to being the shrewd businessman he is.
“She’s fine. Why do you ask?”
“How about Porter? How is he doing?”
“Dad, what’s going on? Is Mom all right?”
I sit back in my chair and rub my hand over the scruff that has formed on my face throughout the day.
“Son, I’m sorry to tell you this over the phone, but I need you to hear this from me before it gets out to the public.”
“What the hell is going on, Dad?”
“I’ve liquidated our assets in Davis-Matthews Corp. There has been a falling out between Edward and me. I can’t go into it, but just watch your back. There could be some repercussions. I’ll be back in the States next week. I want to meet with you and discuss this further. Don’t breathe a word of this to Parker or Porter.”
“What did—”
The line goes dead. My mind races, trying to figure out what happened that would cause my father to sever ties with our oldest family friend and ally. Holy crap! How is this going to impact my partnership with Porter?
I pack up my briefcase and head out of the office to avoid coming face to face with Porter. I need to process this and talk to my dad so I can figure out how to handle this. This could have a huge trickledown effect.
I spend the entire drive home trying to make sense of what happened. Did Edward Matthews do something to my family? Does Parker know anything? After the twenty minute drive, I’m nowhere closer to figuring out what’s going on than where I was when leaving the office.
I get home much later than normal. I enter my house, take off my tie, and walk into the kitchen to grab a beer. The refrigerator door is open and Parker is leaned over, peering inside. I smile at her perfect perky ass poking out from behind the doors. As I approach, I place my hand on her bottom and rub it after a firm squeeze. “These shorts are cute. Are they new?”
I about lose my mind when Beth stands up and closes the refrigerator doors. She moves in, coming within inches of my neck, stands on her tiptoes, and breathes heavily into my ear, caressing my package. “They are new. I’m guessing you like them?”
I close my eyes and gasp for air. It has been so long since anyone has touched me and made me feel this way. Having three boys, the youngest a two-year old, doesn’t leave a lot of time for Parker and I to rekindle our romance. With the exception of the other night, Parker hasn’t kissed me in longer than I can remember.
I allow Beth’s hand to linger until my erection starts to grow, then step back. “Uh, where’s Parker?”
Beth looks me up and down with heavily hooded eyes. “She has a function to plan and won’t be back until later tonight.”
Relief settles over me. I can’t imagine what would have happened if she had walked in on this situation. My life as I know it would be over. My father’s announcement wouldn’t be the only thing tearing this family apart.
“I was just cleaning up from dinner. Can I make you something?” Beth places her index finger in her mouth and looks up at me, combining an innocent girl with trouble bundled up in one beautiful package.
I study her for a moment. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was easily in her early twenties. Clearly she has matured early. Her curves are sexy as hell. Her breasts are perky, taut, and easily a C-cup. Her loose, curly auburn hair hangs past her shoulders. Beth is sexy and hot. One day men will find her irresistible. Hell, it’s hard for me to maintain control. I could be silly putty in her hands except for the fact she’s sixteen. The number flashes through my mind like a big red beacon lighting up the night sky.
Beth grabs a strawberry out of the package on the container and slowly starts to eat it. My lips part, my breathing grows heavy. I can’t help but stare at her red and supple lips. The desire to lick them overcoming me.
Sixteen.
I ignore the number flashing like a neon sign in my head and inch forward, mesmerized by how her tongue and lips could make eating so sexual. I press myself against her and lean down as she removes the stem from her lips to invite me in.
“Beth! Beth!”
I’m instantly yanked from my trance when Tyler, my middle son, calls for his babysitter. The sixteen-year-old girl I almost kissed.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I turn around and pull Tyler into my arms. “Hey, buddy, how was your day?” Tyler goes on and on about how much fun he’s been having with Beth. It warms my heart to hear my son enjoying time with a babysitter.
“Can she stay with us forever?”
“I’m sorry, son, but Beth has her own mommy who wants her to come home. Don’t worry, I’m sure she would love to come back and babysit for you again.” I tousle his blond hair. Worry plaguing my soul, I begin to wonder if I’ll be able to control myself around Beth. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea for her to come back and babysit for us. Maybe this is a disaster waiting to happen.
“How about you go upstairs and brush your teeth? I’ll be upstairs shortly to tuck you into bed.” I set Tyler down and playfully swat his rear end.
“Come on, Dad. It’s only eight. Can’t I stay up for a little while longer?”
“Fine. You can play quietly in your room for a while. I’ll be upstairs in a little while to read you a bedtime story.”
“Yes!” He balls his fists and jets his elbow back, illustrating his enthusiasm before scampering out of the room.
A smile is frozen to my face as I watch him. It quickly disappears when Beth once again moves in on me.
“He looks just like you.” Her voice is nothing more than a loud whisper. “You must be very proud.”
I refuse to look at Beth, and instead stare at the door Tyler just passed through as though it could give me a safe harbor. “Yes, I am. I’m proud of all of them.”
Beth runs her hands against my chest, tracing the curves of my pecs.
My body stiffens as I try to fight the temptation that’s being dangled in front of me like a carrot.
“They’re so firm,” Beth purrs, rubbing my chest.” You must work out a lot.”
I should push her away. I want to push her away. But I don’t. Her touch is stimulating all of my hair follicles to stand on end. I close my eyes, willing myself to do the right thing, trying my darndest not to look in her eyes for fear that they will cast some spell over me like Medusa. I imagine her auburn hair as a sea of snakes, and that’s all it takes.
“No!” I open my eyes and pull her hands off my chest. “Beth, I’m married with a family and I’m not into whatever game you’re playing.” I move across the kitchen, grab a glass, and pour myself some water.
“I’m not playing a game. I genuinely find you attractive. And judging by the way you reacted to me, I would have to say it’s mutual.” Beth comes up behind me and places her arms around my waist.
I immediately spin out of her grasp and face her. “I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. Let me assure you that’s not the case. I love my family and would never do anything to jeopardize what I have. Now if you want to continue to work here, you’ve got to stop doing this. I can’t have it. The last thing I want his one of my sons to walk in on Daddy and the babysitter.” I put the glass down. I’m going to go read Tyler his story. “I’ll have a driver take you home. Please be gone by the time I get back down here.”
My words are callous, but that’s what I have to do in order for her to see the line in the sand…and to make sure I do the right thing. Nothing good can come from that kind of temptation.
I leave the kitchen and head up the stairs. I don’t immediately go into Tyler’s room. Instead, I go into my own and call for the driver. When I’ve made the necessary arrangements, I sit on the side of my bed and try to calm myself. I stare into the mirrored closet doors. My blond hair is disheveled and my blue eyes look weary. I think there’s even a few more lines that weren’t there earlier in the day.
I place my face in my hands and chastise myself for allowing things to go as far as they did. What kind of husband am I? I could have just thrown my entire world away. And on what? A sexy young thing I hardly know? Parker and I have known each other most of our lives. There’s something to be said for that. There’s a sense of comfort and security knowing that we are there for each other and we know one another better than anyone else. No, this is something I have to get under control. There’s no other option.