Daughter's Best Friend Read online

  “Then let me take care of you.”

  He took her hand, and led the way toward the bathroom. Her heart was pounding, and she was a little embarrassed, but Jackson took care of her. He was gentle as they showered together, and he washed her as if he … loved her? Crap, this was not what he wanted, at least not yet.

  Forgetting about her feelings, she shut them down, and focused on the now, not on what she wanted more than anything. It was all she could do.

  ****

  “You’re going away on a vacation?” Bella asked.

  Jackson nodded. “Yes, I think it’s time I went away.” He had asked Rebecca to come with him on a much-needed vacation to Italy. He had a villa already booked, and the kitchen stocked up. Two weeks together, no one else, just the two of them. He couldn’t wait. He felt as excited as if he was a kid again.

  “You know Rebecca is going away, don’t you? I’ll have no one?”

  “We’ll both be a phone call away.” He cringed hoping she didn’t think the truth. Keeping his feelings from his daughter, the world, was driving him insane. He wanted to scream from the rooftops about how much he loved Rebecca. Being with her, it invigorated him, and not because she was young either. Her light called to him. It was fucking crazy. He was a businessman, and many criticized him as he refused to tear others down so that he could succeed. His work ethics rivaled those of his fellow competitors. His staff were loyal to him. There had been many women who believed he was weak as he refused to be cutthroat. Those women hadn’t lasted long in his life. Rebecca, she was like him in so many ways. She saw the good in people, and didn’t believe in hurting others just to get better herself. She was a shining light. Wherever she went, people flocked to her. She made those around her happy.

  “Okay. It’s time for you to have some fun. I hope you catch the sun, and you’re much happier for it. You work way too hard.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  He closed the cell phone, and boarded the plane where Rebecca was already seated. She hadn’t wanted to go first class, but he’d made her. This was not just about the two of them having a vacation. This was so much more. When they got back, it would be close to her birthday, and he was hoping the finishing touches were in place on the café he’d gotten.

  It was going to be her birthday present, and he wanted everything to be special.

  “How did she take it?” Rebecca asked once he was seated.

  “She’s happy that I’m going away. She doesn’t know that we’re going together.”

  “I know. It’s kind of crappy that we don’t tell her, don’t you think?”

  “When the time is right.” He didn’t like betraying her. He took her hand, and kissed the back of her knuckles. “We’ll tell her soon, baby, I promise.”

  “I know I should want to tell her, but I’m scared. What if she’s angry with me? I don’t want her to be angry with me.”

  “Because I’m her dad?”

  “Yeah. She doesn’t like the thought of women using you. I’m not after your money.”

  He laughed, cupping her cheek. “You really are the sweetest. Honestly, how did I ever get it wrong about you? You’re not a troublemaker. You care way too much about what people think.”

  “Not people, just Bella. She’s my best friend, and she’s always been there. This is the longest I’ve ever kept something from her. I don’t like it, but I also don’t want to give this up.”

  “You’re worried in case she asks you to leave me?” he asked. She nodded. “That would never happen.” He knew his daughter, and she didn’t have a malicious bone in her body. She would be worried if he hurt Rebecca. His track record hadn’t been so good until he’d started dating Rebecca.

  “Sorry. This is no way to start a vacation.”

  “It’s fine. We’ll tell Bella soon.” This had never been about sex, or being a naughty little secret. This was about so much more.

  He was in love with Rebecca, and that shit terrified the fuck out of him. How could this young woman have totally captured his world? She had been part of his life for so long, and not once did he feel anything for her. Then one event, his daughter’s heartbreak, had changed all of that.

  Rebecca had made him laugh and had changed what he wanted out of life. When he thought of the future, it was looking brighter than ever before. Would it be so hard to finally give himself the chance to dream once again? Could he be a father again?

  “You’ve got a serious face again. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, baby. Nothing is wrong at all.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. She closed her eyes, and when he pulled away, he saw the ghost of a smile on her face.

  “I love it when you kiss me like that.”

  Did she feel the same way about him?

  “I love it when my kiss makes you smile like that.”

  She giggled. “You know it has been too long since I took a vacation away from home. I usually stay in my apartment, go visit the library, feed the ducks in the river. Stuff like that. Bug Bella at the vet practice. I can’t believe she works there, you know. I’d be a total wreck.”

  “I know what you mean. Bella is way too emotional at times. I never want to see her hurting, but it always seems to happen.”

  The plane started to take off, and he watched as Rebecca closed her eyes, and released a breath.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I don’t like planes at all. I’d rather drive everywhere.”

  “Why didn’t you say?”

  She gripped the handles of her chair, and closed her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”

  He saw she was struggling, so he did the only thing he could think of. Leaning over, he pressed his lips against hers. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he held her tightly, making love to her mouth in an attempt to distract her.

  Jackson forgot about everything else, and focused on her.

  Finally, the plane was in the air, and when he pulled away, he saw her eyes were still closed.

  “Feel better?”

  “If I say no, will you kiss me again.”

  He chuckled, and pressed another kiss to her lips. “You’re a little vixen.”

  “I have to get my kicks some way.”

  Chapter Nine

  The villa that Jackson had booked was stunning. Overlooking the ocean, Rebecca was able to look out across the startling blue sea, and she was just in love with the view. That was just from the bedroom.

  From the other side of the villa, she was able to look down across the terracotta roofs and white walled building.

  Pure, beautiful, and something she just loved to be.

  Leaving the bedroom, she had already taken a shower and changed into a white summer dress.

  She found Jackson in the kitchen, mixing up a cocktail.

  “On the booze already?” she asked.

  “We’ve got two weeks of freedom. If this phone rings, it will be for emergencies only. If it’s not an emergency, I will fire whoever takes my freedom away.”

  She smiled, and took the offered cocktail. “To vacation.”

  “To vacation, and everything else.”

  Sipping at the lemony drink, she sighed. It was cold, refreshing, and just what she had in mind.

  He took hold of her hand, and together they walked out to the backyard. There was a pool, of course there was. Jackson seemed to know exactly what she wanted before she even knew.

  She sat on one of the deck chairs, sipping at her drink. Jackson placed his on the little table between their chairs. She watched, unable to look away, as he removed his shirt, and then his pants. He stood in a pair of swimming trunks, and she saw the outline of his very impressive cock.

  Licking her lips, she put her drink down, and watched.

  “Why don’t you join me?” he asked.

  Before she could respond, he was already in the water.

  She had a white bra and panties. They weren’t lace, and they would do for a bikini.

  You’re not super slim.

&nbs
p; Tucking some hair beneath her ear, she held in a breath. She had cellulite, rounded stomach, flabby thighs.

  “Rebecca, it’s amazing, come on. Join me,” he said, breaking the water.

  Stop being a baby.

  He’s seen you naked.

  Own your body.

  Love it.

  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, and slowly removed the dress. She placed it down on the deck chair, and walked slowly toward the edge of the pool. Jackson didn’t look away; he stared right at her, his gaze running down her body.

  Sitting on her ass at the edge of the pool, she slid off and into the water.

  Jackson walked toward her, and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you.”

  “I wasn’t going to get in. I don’t know. I just had one of those insecure moments.”

  “I’ve loved every inch of you, Rebecca.” He took her hand, and wrapped it around his cock. “I like what I see, in more ways than you’ll ever know. Don’t judge me because of other assholes.”

  He pressed a kiss to her lips.

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. Now, this is supposed to be fun.” With that, he dunked her under the water. “You’re it.”

  She broke the water, burst out laughing, and then began to chase him around, until she patted his arm.

  Everything was forgotten as she enjoyed playing around with him. Jackson just seemed to make everything even better. She didn’t even know how he did it, only that she felt utterly consumed by him.

  After about thirty minutes of chasing each other, they floated on their backs, staring up at the sky. It was getting late, but it was still bright.

  She stared up at the sky, and wondered, not for the first time, if she could keep it exactly like this. She never wanted it to change, not for a second.

  “I want to tell Bella about us,” Jackson said, taking hold of her hand.

  Locking her fingers with his, she agreed. “It seems wrong deceiving her. I’m kind of nervous though. I don’t want to lose my friend.”

  “We’ll tell her together. I won’t do this without you.”

  “Thank you.” She held onto his hand, and then her stomach began to growl. Together they burst out laughing.

  “Time to feed you.”

  “I’m quite easy to satisfy,” she said, following him out of the pool. They headed back inside, and there was a small storage box outside, and as they opened it, there were towels.

  Jackson handed her one, and she patted down her body, drying off the water. It was still nice and warm, so she didn’t need to worry about it being cold.

  “So, Miss Chef, what do you recommend?” he asked, going toward the fridge.

  She stood beside him as he opened the fridge. There was so much food. Fresh fruit, cheeses, ham, and vegetables. It was a dream. Taking a strawberry, she pressed it to his lips. “Open wide.”

  He took a bite of the strawberry. When he’d had his bite, she finished it off, biting where he had.

  His eyes seemed to get a little darker. He grabbed her ass. “You play with fire.”

  She chuckled. “We can have a salad. There is so much fruit, and it tastes so good.” She took out several peaches, some cheese and hams, not to mention the salad leaves. She was a lover of sweet and savory.

  Jackson stood opposite her as she began chopping away at some fruit. Every now and again, she would hold a slice of peach or tomato. He’d hold her wrist as he took the food from her fingers.

  “It tastes even better from you,” he said.

  She chuckled.

  Next, she made a quick lemon herb vinaigrette, tossed everything together, and then served it up in one big bowl. They didn’t leave the kitchen, eating from the same bowl.

  She was totally in love with this man, and with everything he was inspiring.

  “I’m loving this, with you,” she said, licking her lips.

  “Me too.”

  Rebecca wanted to tell him. “I think I’m falling in love with you.” She didn’t say the words, too much of a coward.

  “Is there anything you’d like to do over the next two weeks?”

  She sighed. “I was hoping you’d help me.”

  “With?”

  “I don’t want to work at the restaurant anymore. I’ve found that I’ve been spending more time delegating the work, and I’ve been trying to find replacement chefs. This is not my dream. Being with my parents, it made me realize that this is not what I want. The restaurant is my parents’ dream. I don’t want to lose myself.”

  “I can help you with that. What are you hoping?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I’ll think about it when we get home. Right now, I just want to enjoy our time together. We’ve never gotten away before, and this is going to be awesome.” She forked a piece of peach, and took a bite.

  “Good.”

  They finished their food, and Jackson took her hand, leading her upstairs to make love to her.

  It was making love, long slow, deep where every part of her was taken over. He didn’t rush either. There was no pounding. Jackson filled her pussy, and stroked every part of her body, and she gave herself to him, opening up to his touch, needing it more than anything else.

  Every second it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she loved him. She held in the words, knowing she wasn’t ready to change what they had. Not yet, maybe not ever.

  For now, that was going to have to be enough.

  ****

  Two weeks of bliss, and Jackson knew without a doubt that he loved her. Rebecca was his entire world. She was smart, beautiful, passionate, and when he was with her, they were not dominated by what others wanted. When they walked the streets together, she ignored the occasional stare.

  He never realized how bad it could be for Rebecca. Some women gave her dirty looks, and he was sure he heard them call her a gold-digger under their breaths. They didn’t even know her, and yet they were talked about, just as visitors.

  This would be what they had to deal with when they went home. He’d never cared about anyone else before. They had simply been warm bodies, and he’d been told more than once he could have anyone he wanted.

  The only person he wanted was Rebecca.

  “Does it bother you that they think you’re a gold-digger?”

  “They don’t know who we are. They see an older man, expensive watch, suit, and car. People assume.” She shrugged. “I really don’t care. I know what I like, and that’s all that matters, right?”

  It was.

  Rebecca was all that mattered.

  When they finally got home, neither of them had much time for the other during their first week back to reality. His company still needed him, and he had to catch up on everything he’d missed while he’d been away. Rebecca had the restaurant. The café he’d gotten prepared for her was ready as well. He needed to check to make sure he was happy, and life just seemed to revolve around them. Before long a week had passed and they barely got two minutes together.

  They spoke on the phone as often as they could.

  “I don’t like not being able to see you,” he said.

  “I know. Can you believe I need to deal with a health inspection?” she asked. “This is just awful. It would seem one of the servers may have eaten off the plate of a customer. I’ve just got to deal with this. Two weeks away, and the new chef hired a pretty face with no respect. Sorry, I shouldn’t be unloading on you. I hate this place.”

  “At least you can admit that now.”

  “Yeah. My dad has been calling me and asking me what was so important that I had to take so much time off. He also went on to say that this was why women didn’t make good business partners. We’re self-absorbed.”

  “Your dad’s an asshole. I’ve never gotten along with him at all. Can’t stand your mother.”

  “Yeah, well, I can’t stand them either. I’m really thinking I need to quit, and move on. I don’t know.”

  He heard the frustration in her voice. �
�You never know what the future holds, baby. Don’t give up yet.”

  “I won’t. I don’t know how to. Will I see you tomorrow? It’s my birthday after all?”

  “Yes. I will be at your apartment first thing, and I have a surprise for you.”

  “I love surprises.”

  “I know, and I’m going to be the one to give you a great one.” She released a little moan. “Not a sexually related one though, babe. Get those dirty thoughts out of the gutter.”

  “Spoilsport.” In the distance, he heard someone talking. “I’ve got to go. Love you.”

  She hung up, and Jackson paused. Did she even realize that she had said she loved him? Was it just a sign off like at the end of a card, love from?

  “Sir, Alaric Patterson is here to see you,” his PA said.

  “Send him in.”

  Sitting back in his chair, he tried to school his face so he didn’t give anything away.

  You have something in common.

  You both love a younger woman.

  The last thing he wanted was to be thinking about Alaric with his baby girl.

  Alaric entered the office. “How are you?”

  “I am doing well.”

  “You look like you had a great vacation.”

  “Thank you. I did.” He thought of all the nights he’d made love to Rebecca. His vacation was the best in memory. “What is with the visit? I don’t mean to be rude. I know it’s not easy to run successful companies. Surely something must need your attention.”

  Alaric laughed. “Since being with your daughter she has taught me that life is about far more than work. Taking time off, loving life, and loving love, it’s all part of living.”

  “I’m pleased my daughter has a good impact on you.” Jackson leaned back, pressing his fingers together. “I have a confession to make right now, and I expect you to keep it between the two of us.”

  “If it is going to hurt Bella, I don’t want any part in it.”

  “I would never hurt my daughter. I’m seeing someone.”

  “Well I know for a fact she thinks it’s time for you to find someone.”

  Jackson nodded. “It’s Rebecca.”

  “What about her?”

  “I’m seeing Rebecca. I’m in love with her, and I’m hoping she’s in love with me. I want to marry her one day.” Okay, he hadn’t been sure about that last part, but once he got talking it had been next to impossible to stop.