Page 3 of Sold to My Best Friend's Dad

He couldn’t fall for an eighteen-year-old girl. It was wrong in so many ways. She was his daughter’s fucking best friend, for God’s sake. So, he put up his walls and pushed her away. Any relationship with a girl over two decades younger wasn’t something he’d ever contemplate. Besides, she was young and likely fickle. He’d had enough of that from his ex. April’s mother decided life as a wife and mother wasn’t what she expected. She craved her freedom and ditched them when April was only six months old. He’d never trusted women since.

Over three years had passed, and his original problem remained. April was still friends with a girl who made his cold heart race. It pissed him off that there was no hope of anything happening between them. Never in his life had he felt such intensity being near another woman. But it only fueled his need to push her away for both their sakes.

It seemed the crueler he was to her, the more she pushed back. Maybe she had Daddy issues. He didn’t trust easily, and his wealth had to be protected, so he’d done a complete background check on her from day one. She lived alone with her mother in a sketchy part of the city. Her mother was drowning in debt and Clara went to school full-time on a scholarship and worked almost every extra shift she could get at a donut shop.

Some part of him wanted to protect her, to be her savior, but he knew it was best for him to keep his distance. His intentions weren’t wholly honorable. He wanted to own Clara, to claim her virgin pussy and make her his. He was a sick bastard for fantasizing about it. And every time she showed up at the house, he sunk back down to that dark pit he was trying to climb out of.

Work was safe.

He’d put all his energy into his business after his wife left them. It gave him purpose and focus. He needed that control of his business and finances because the personal side of his life was a shitshow. He rarely dated, partly because he couldn’t trust again, also because no woman could compare to Clara—the one girl who had to remain off limits.

Almost two hours later, he heard the girls coming upstairs. He’d been itching to get into the gym, his daily morning ritual. But no way in hell would he venture down when she was there.

He was ready, doing some simple stretches until he could get downstairs to vent his frustrations with the weights.

“We’re done, Dad,” April said. Grayson turned to find both girls standing there. Clara’s cheeks were flushed, her long hair in a sweaty ponytail. She looked incredible. He wasn’t sure how long he’d stood there spellbound until she spoke up again. “Dad?”

“Sorry, just thinking about something at work.” He grabbed his electrolyte water off the counter and headed toward the doorway.

April had already rushed off, probably dying for a shower. Clara was still there, standing and watching him. Why wasn’t she following her friend? How much abuse could she take? It seemed nothing he did pushed her away and he couldn’t trust his own willpower forever. He hoped their friendship would falter once April graduated, but nothing had changed.

Grayson had no choice but to face her. His heart raced, his palms growing clammy. Clara was a rare beauty, all natural and perfect. The way she looked into his eyes tore at his guards. For several seconds they said nothing.

“Maybe you shouldn’t use the gym if you can’t handle it,” he said.

She frowned. “I’m not a whore,” she whispered. “Whatever you think I am, you’re wrong.”

Then she turned and walked away, not looking back.

Chapter Two

“Mom, what is all of this?” Clara asked, staring at the scary large red, capital letters. There were so many of them.

“Oh, honey, don’t worry,” her mother, Catherine, said. She rushed into the room to take them from her.

“Mom, they’re final warning notices. Debt collectors.” She’d been studying business and knew the protocol. Even though she hated all things to do with money, she wanted to help her mother. Maybe one day start her own business, and not have to worry about relying on other people.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart. These are all old, and you don’t have to even think about it. You’re way too young to be worrying your mind over all this money nonsense.” Catherine leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Now, go on and have some fun with April.”

Going over to April’s house for a girls’ sleepover was the last thing she wanted to do. April had insisted and Clara didn’t have the heart to deny her, which was why, three hours later, she was sitting on April’s bed. She browsed through one of the expensive catalogues, her mind elsewhere as she wondered how to solve her mother’s problems.

“That would look so cute on you,” April said, looking down at a spaghetti-strap dress. It was red, and there would be no way for her to wear a bra.

“It’s cute.”

The price was way too expensive for her. Clara couldn’t remember the last time she had bought new clothes for herself. To help her mother, she often went to the thrift store and attempted to repair her clothes. She wasn’t the greatest of sewers, but she had learned not to care about the nasty jibes about her clothes.

“Clara, what’s wrong?” April asked.

“It’s nothing.” The last thing she wanted to do was tell April about her money worries.

“Guess what gossip I heard.” April bounced on her bed with her legs crossed, sounding all excited.

Clara laughed. This is what she loved about April. The woman in front of her was just so full of life, and she always seemed to have a smile on her face. “What?” she asked.

She’d never been much of a gossip. In most cases, the rumors were all wrong, but April loved some good gossip, and who was she to deny her best friend the chance to spill the beans.

“Lindsey, you know the sweet girl from Graphic Design? Well, someone claims to have seen her … you know.”

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