Page 35 of Daddy's Best Friend

Alan adjusted me on his lap, sitting straighter and turning his head toward mine. I pressed my forehead to his and let him kiss me. His kiss was tender, reassuring. I’d gotten used to the way he comforted me, and this way was my favorite. When he pulled away, he lingered there, nose to nose.

“I told you, Ella. Have a little faith. I know your father. He is hot headed and arrogant at times, but he loves you. He loves you more than I do, because he gave you life. I could see him cutting me off forever, but I could never see him cutting you off, not even for a short time. I guarantee you if you called him right now, he’d answer and lecture you.” Alan chuckled. “And I think you know that.”

I smiled. “You’re right.”

“So, what else did she say?”

I sat up and pinched a button on his shirt in my fingers, twisting it as I spoke. “She said we should have dinner on your yacht on Saturday night, just the four of us. She will make sure Dad comes if you remember that he’s going to be furious. She said she’s only doing it because Cecilia asked her for a favor. I think that means she’s still upset but I could tell she is excited about the prospect of having a grandbaby.”

I couldn’t help but grin. Things were finally looking up, or at least I thought they were. I’d spent the past few months with so much anxiety over the entire Alan situation that I hadn’t even stopped to realize he was probably feeling the same anxiety. And for months before that, I had endured lectures and all outscreaming matches with my father because he didn’t like my lifestyle choices.

I just wanted to breathe freely without any of that now.

“Ella, I want to make this very clear to you. I love you, and I want you to be in my life forever, but I am not willing to risk your relationship with your parents. So, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure your father is okay with us, alright?”

I nodded. “What do you think about that?”

“About what?” He kissed me again, this time a bit more sensually than I was used to at work.

“About being as old as my dad and him having a grandchild, while you’re having a baby.” I snickered, drawing a smile on his lips.

“Are you calling me old?” He tickled my side and I squealed, jerking and pushing his hand away from my side. “And I’m two years younger than your father, thank you.” Alan kissed me again, a lingering passionate kiss I couldn’t escape from.

This man was my entire world, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. I ached to feel his entire body against mine, but now was not the time nor the place, so I settled for the kiss which he deepened. And when the door opened, he didn’t hear it, but I did. I hesitated but let him kiss me one last time as Heather cleared her throat. Alan’s face was shielded from her view, and when she cleared her throat a second time, he smirked and winked at me. Then kissed me one more time and turned his chair so he could see her.

“Did we forget how to knock?” His question drew a scowl from her.

“Sir, the board would like to call a meeting this afternoon. They’re finally all on the same page regarding the hotel chain. It’s time to move forward.” She had her hands clasped in front of her, her lips drawn tight in a line.

“Thank you, Heather. I’ll clear my schedule for whenever they’re ready. You just have to let me know a time.”

I didn’t even budge. I wasn’t sure what Alan had told the office staff about my week off, or why I was sick. I didn’t know if they knew that I was pregnant, or that we were officially seeing each other, but when I made a move to stand, Alan’s grip on my body tightened.

“Sir…” Heather sounded annoyed, with a hint of feigned concern in her tone. “Don’t you think that this is a bit inappropriate? I mean people in the office—”

“Will be fired if they stick their nose in my personal business.” Alan straightened and let go of me, so I stood and fixed my skirt. He leaned forward over his desk. “Heather, I spent the last ten years alone. I was lonely, depressed, and focused only on this company. When Kirsty left me I thought life was over. I had a thousand women throw themselves at me, and not a single one came anywhere close to my standards.

“So, pardon me if I just enjoy my life the way I want to. Ella and I are in love. In fact, she’s going to have my baby. She lives with me. And one day she will be my wife, and if you or anyone else in this office has a problem with that, you can just pack your bags and leave. Because not only that, but she is also going to be your boss one day, as partner to this entire business. Get used to it.”

Heather scoffed, eyebrows raised, and took a deep breath. The way she whipped around and stomped out made me snicker. Isank back onto his lap and kissed him again the moment the door was shut.

“I love a man who stands up for me…. Especially when he’s assertive.”

He kissed me back. “Well, wait until we go to bed tonight. We’ll see just how assertive I can be.”

I got the feeling that it energized him to tell Heather to fuck off just as much as it had impressed me. I knew we were perfect for each other.

26

ALAN

Caviar was set out; a bottle of sparkling grape juice sat next to it. Ella had arranged a tray of cheeses and grapes, a meat tray, and a cheesecake for a sweet touch. I loved that she was thoughtful like that. We’d had the yacht cleaned, though we soiled the bed with a little love making earlier this evening well ahead of the time Todd and Elaine were expected. I felt like a teenager again, which wasn’t a bad thing at all.

We sat in the small brown wicker furniture on the deck. The sun had set, and the string lights hung on the railing, along with a few well-placed candles, lit the space. It created a calming ambience for our discussion. We’d decided to forego an entire meal and opted for finger foods. I wasn’t sure anyone would eat anything, except Ella who happened to have a ravenous appetite. She shoved a slice of cheese in her mouth and leaned forward, hands on knees, tapping her foot.

“When will they just get here? This is torture.”

I rubbed my hand over her back to comfort her, though I felt my own level of anxiety too. Even the afterglow from sex wasn’tenough to keep me calm, so I understood why she was so on edge. Our entire future was riding on this conversation, and she knew it. I’d never leave her. I wanted her in my life forever, but if having her meant destroying her relationship with her family, I couldn’t do it. They all deserved better than that.

---