I take the business card out of my pocket and look at the picture of the woman on the card. Her lips are parted, coated in red lipstick, and her eyes are full of seductive charm. Any other man would be falling at her feet, begging for a chance to take her out. But the second I’m certain she’s gone, I take the business card and rip it into a hundred tiny pieces, allowing my anger to be released as I do so.

I only have eyes for one woman. And I can’t fucking wait to get back home to her.

Lexi

I should be asleep. I shouldn’t be lying awake thinking of my father’s best friend. And yet I’ve been lying here for hours, wondering what it would be like to kiss his lips. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine that he’s on top of me, exploring my body with his tongue and hands, showing me what I’ve been missing all of my life. The harder I try to ignore my thoughts, the harder they try to penetrate my mind. It seems there’s just no letting go of Flynn, as much as I want to.

Does he realize how drawn I am to his charms? Does he understand that he’s made me weak in the knees in a matter of hours? I turn on my front, trying to ignore the insistent throbbing between my legs. I need to be touched. I could touch myself like I have before, but I don’t think it would help. It’s not just the sensation I need. It’s him.

It’s well past midnight and usually, I’d be asleep. I’ve tried everything to take my mind off him, but nothing has worked yet. I keep imagining him out at the bar getting chatted up by pretty women. I imagine his arm snaking around some tart’s waist as he buys her a drink. I can’t even go into a bar because I’m not old enough. That should say enough about how doomed my relationship with him is.

And yet, I’m still craving him. He’s a drug I’ve never had a chance to try, but I’m already addicted. I know that if I have him once, I’ll feel better for a while…but this extends so much further than a craving for a one night stand. I want him for the long-run. Crazy as it seems, even to me, I want him for life.

I hear the door open downstairs and the sound of loud chatter. It must be my father and Flynn returning, but I strain my ears, listening out for the sound of women. I feel sick at the thought of either of them bringing a girl home with them, for very different reasons. But I think I’m safe. I hear a crash and know my father has probably bumped into something. He’s always been a lightweight.

I slip on my robe over my underwear and peep out onto the landing. Flynn is helping my father up the stairs, trying to hush him. I feel my heart swell with affection. He’s looking after my Dad at a time when everyone else seems to have abandoned him. It’s just another excuse to feel more attracted to Flynn.

He catches me watching them as he struggles up the last few steps, supporting my father’s entire weight with his strong arms. I’m aching with lust and a desperation to have him, and his chivalry isn’t helping. He offers me a tired smile.

“He’s fine. He just needs his bed,” Flynn says quietly. “Maybe once I’ve got him to bed I can make you some hot cocoa?”

I nod absent-mindedly, loving the idea of more time with him. It’s what I’ve been craving all night, but now the possibility of it is making my stomach flutter. I watch as he herds my father off and I rush back into my room.

I have to make myself presentable. I brush out my hair. I put perfume on and adjust my robe. I don’t want him to think I’m trying to provoke him, but I also want him to see me at my best. I want to tease the assets I have. I know that men’s eyes are often drawn to my wide hips, my breasts and my ass. I’ve always been shapely, and I want to use it to my advantage. I want him to know that whatever I have, it’s his for the taking.

I’ve never been like this before. I’ve always been happy to blend into the background, overlooked by everyone I know. I’m the sort of shy girl who can hold a conversation with anyone, but seems to just drift through social interactions without being paid much attention. Now, in the space of a day, I’ve become the center of someone’s attention. To my surprise, I feel ready to accept the spotlight he’s placed on me.