Single Dad's Christmas Present: A Dad's Best Friend Romance

by Amy Brent

  “Sorry man.”

  “It’s okay, we’ve been arguing lately, and she hit a nerve the other day at breakfast. Told me she’s considered marrying this one.” He shook his head and gave me a sympathetic look as we went to clean up.

  After, we headed to the office where the temp seemed eager to see me.

  She got up as I walked in the door and hurried over with her fingers wringing together nervously. “Mr. Porter, you have a Gemma Cassidy in your office. I’m sorry to let her in without an appointment, but she says she’s like family and that you’d want to see her.” She gave me a hopeful look.

  I held up a hand and nodded. “Yes, it’s fine, Gemma is my daughter’s best friend.”

  She let out a sigh, and her shoulders dropped as she relaxed and headed back to the desk. “She mentioned the secretary job. Maybe you’ve found my replacement.” She gave me a smile and returned to her work. Dammit, Lila.

  She had to have told her about the job and even though she’d promised me the other day she wouldn’t there was no other explanation for Gemma’s visit.

  I took a deep breath as I opened the door and found her sitting at my desk instead of in one of the chairs in front of it. She looked like she belonged there with her head held high and a determined look on her pretty face. I’d seen that look before. This time I didn’t know if I could refuse her anything.

  I walked in dropping my briefcase by the door. “Gemma, how are you, dear?” I wasn’t going to let her know that she’d ruffled my feathers.

  She got to her feet, and we closed the distance between us. “I’m fine, Mr. Porter. I was in the area and thought I’d stop by.”

  “It’s been a while, have you forgotten where we live?” I took in her bright blue eyes and noticed the set of her brows, lifted high and spread apart as if she were sizing me up.

  “I’ve been busy graduating. I’m sorry you missed it.” She poked out her bottom lip as she stood and suddenly she was that little girl again, standing in front of me with a gleam in her eye. “Lila told me you had to go out of town.”

  It had bothered me to miss her graduation, and despite everything, in many ways, she’d been like a daughter to me too. She’d spent more nights at my house than not in those last years of high school and at least two beyond. Even after things had been awkward, she’d still been around for Lila, keeping our secret.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. What can I help you with today?” I let my eyes trail down her body, taking in the swell of her breasts which threatened to spill out of her top because she’d not buttoned her shirt all the way, and the tight pencil skirt that showed off all of her curves. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine or between the pages.

  She cleared her throat and met my eyes directly. “I heard about the position and wondered if I could ask you for the job. Money is a bit tight, and with my grandmother abroad, she’s not sending money as often as she used to.” I hated to think of her struggling and wished she’d just asked for some money instead.

  I took a moment to pause and choose my next words carefully. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings or seem like I was coming up with an excuse because of what had happened between us years ago. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate for you to work for me, being that your Lila’s friend. If it didn’t work out, then it would only cause problems.” I was already thinking of how easy it would be to bend her over my desk and push that fucking skirt up over her ass.

  She put her hand on her chest. “I thought that would be the reason you’d help me. I mean, we’ve known each other a long time, Mr. Porter.”

  “That’s why I’d like you to let me write you a check, Gemma. Consider it a graduation gift.” She glanced up, and her eyes were hard, her lip curled back.

  “With all due respect, I don’t want your money.” She turned and walked to the window, and the light shone through her hair, catching every strand and making it look ablaze. I had insulted her.

  “I don’t mind helping, Gemma, please don’t be offended.” I stepped up behind her, and she turned, standing so close I could kiss her.

  “I’m qualified, Mr. Porter, and you know I’m loyal.” She met my eyes with a hard stare, and I took it as a challenge.

  She was so beautiful and seemed so vulnerable, that I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. I’d always wanted to take care of her and deep inside I knew I’d always felt guilty for not giving her what she wanted that night.

  I was certain she wasn’t standing before me in the same pure form and that some gangly young man had no doubt been given her virginity. She lifted her chin defiantly and met my eyes. “I want this job. Please, Mr. Porter. I’m behind on rent, and I don’t know what to do. I want to earn my living.” She gave me the same pleading look as she had all those years ago. I couldn’t refuse her again, not this simple request. I had to respect that she wanted to earn her own living and wished Lila had this much determination.

  I placed my arms on hers and pulled her close. “Okay, Gemma. It’s yours, but first, you tell me the truth, how did you find out about the job? Did Lila tell you?”

  “No, sir. It was posted online.” I let out a sigh and realized it had been posted. I’d ordered that be done myself in hopes to find a permanent replacement. “I won’t tell her if you don’t want. I know you keep secrets.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll tell her.” I figured she’d be pleased and then maybe I could score some points with her.

  “Thank you, Mr. Porter!” She fell into my arms, and I stood stroking her arms and rubbing soft circles on her back.

  “It will be okay, Gemma.” I stepped away and got her a tissue off the desk, and she wiped her tears, and I smoothed down her hair. She was so much prettier than I’d ever imagined she’d turn out to be, and though my daughter was a beautiful young woman, Gemma was a knockout. She had filled out in all of the right places and had a certain sex appeal in the way she carried herself. I had a feeling she’d turned out promiscuous considering how she carried herself and I scolded myself at the thought of having her.

  It was just as wrong now as it had been then, and I was going to have to fight my cravings daily. I knew deep down that I’d not been able to refuse her because I wanted her and was as determined to have her as she had been back then to have me.

  For a moment, I wondered if that had changed, but then I reminded myself that things had to stay strictly professional. I couldn’t have her. Ever.

  “So where do you want me?” Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I narrowed my eyes.

  “What did you say?” Where did I want her? On the desk, over the chair, on the floor, the couch? I could even take her to my private bathroom and put her over the sink, and then I could see the smile on my face as I stroked that sweet ass.

  “I said, when do you want me here.” She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and my cheeks reddened.

  “Of course. Let’s see. How about you come on Monday morning. That will give you tomorrow and the weekend to rest up, and I’ll see first thing. I’ll make sure the temp, Margaret, is around to train you and if you have any questions, you can always pop in on me and ask.” I had a feeling she’d be popping in a lot, and part of me hoped she would.

  “Thank you.” She stepped closer again, and the feel of her close made me breathe in her scent. She still smelled the same. Like fresh rain and crisp, juicy apples. I wanted to take a bite. “You’ve always taken such good care of me, Mr. Porter.”

  “It’s my pleasure. You’re a good friend to Lila. And I meant what I said; I’d like to give you a starting bonus, something to get you lined out on rent and give you a little peace of mind. You’ll work for it. I’ll make sure to keep you on your toes.” I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. This was Gemma, and I’d known her for too long not to feel responsible for her well-being.

  Her grandmother had always been so eccentric that she’d taken off on the girl and I knew that she’d fit right in with Lila and me. I wondered what would have happened
to her if she and Lila hadn’t met and shuddered to think of how she might have ended up. My protective nature kicked in, and I went to my desk to get my checkbook.

  “How’s five thousand?” Her eyes widened.

  “Thank you, Mr. Porter. I won’t let you down, I promise.” She came around the desk and took the check. Leaning in close, she hugged me and kissed my cheek.

  As she left, and I looked down to my lap at the raging bulge tenting my pants, I wondered what I’d gotten myself into.

  Chapter 6

  Gemma

  My morning couldn’t get any crazier as I left for my new commute down to Whitt’s office. Traffic was a mess, there was a run in my favorite stockings, and my coffee which I’d gone five minutes out of my way to get, tasted like it had been funneled through a gym shoe. I had deliberately dressed in my most revealing blouse and another tight skirt after noticing how he’d gawked at me last time.

  I loved his eyes on me and hoped that taunting him would lead to more.

  Once I arrived, I went into his office where his temp was waiting. She had a big smile for me as I walked into the room, but it quickly faded when she got a look at my top.

  “Oh, I’m not sure Mr. Porter will approve of that blouse.” Margaret glanced at my breasts as if they were completely bared to the world instead of tucked into my exposed lace bra which was peeking out of the top.

  “You think it’s a bit much?” I loved it, but she nodded and offered me a sweater.

  I reluctantly put it on, and it didn’t do much to hide my assets. I didn’t have huge breasts, but what I did have, I loved to enhance, and I’d noticed Mr. Porter had appreciated it too.

  I spent the next hour getting instruction, and though I thought the temp would stay with me, she gathered her purse. “If you have any questions, you just call, but really it’s a no brainer. Answer calls, make coffee, and wrangle the pop-ins.”

  I pulled my chair toward the desk. “Pop-ins?” I wondered if he had many friends dropping by and about that time, Mr. Porter’s friend, who I had seen around the house a few times when I was much younger, came into the office.

  She leaned down closer. “That would be one now,” whispered Margaret. Then she straightened and offered him a warm smile. “He hasn’t made it in.”

  “He’s right behind me; I’ll wait.” The man stopped and held out his hand. “I’m Dax Fisher; you look familiar.”

  “I’ve seen you at Mr. Porter’s house.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I’m pretty sure I’d remember a gorgeous woman like yourself.”

  Margaret opened the door to Mr. Porter’s office. “Feel free to take a seat. I’ll be heading out now, Gemma. Call if you need me.” She wasted no time heading out, and I glanced to Dax who loomed over me like a storm cloud, his eyes still shadowed as if he were trying to place me.

  “Gemma does sound familiar; maybe we have met. I must have been drunk. Refresh my memory.”

  “I was out by the pool; it was a sunny day.” I slipped my arms free of the sweater and let it fall around my waist. His eyes lingered around my breasts, and he raked a hand through his sandy brown hair and then scratched his stubbled chin.

  “Now I know you’re pulling my leg. I’d remember that. You’re far too sexy to forget. Did you date Whitt?” He leaned up toward the desk.

  My smile widened, and I felt the blush rise to my cheeks, but I just lifted a shoulder casually, knowing playing aloof would drive him crazy.

  “I’m going to figure you out,” he warned playfully as the opened across the room and Whitt strolled in.

  He looked at Dax and then at me and his eyes narrowed and grew darker as they burned on his friend. “I see you two are catching up.”

  He gave me a wink. “So, she tells me that we have met before, but I can’t believe I don’t remember a gorgeous woman like her.”

  Whitt’s tone grew acidic. “That’s because she was only seventeen when you saw her. She’s Lila’s best friend.”

  Dax hopped off the desk and did a double-take. “No way. You’re the little ginger girl with the sweet—

  He turned and looked over his shoulder at Whitt and shrugged. “I remember you now. Wow, you’re all grown up. How old are you now?”

  “Still too young for you, Dax.” Whitt opened the door and pegged his friend with a hard glare, so Dax gave me a wink and ambled into the office. Whitt pulled the door to and walked to my desk where he stood beside me, looking down. I made sure to look him in the eye and smile, but his face was still dark, his features clouded.

  “Gemma, I’d appreciate you covering up.” He pulled the sweater up behind me and pulled it over my shoulders.

  I gave him a pouty look. “You don’t like my outfit? I chose the color because I knew it was your favorite and I wanted to thank you for the advance. I went shopping to buy some new things for work, and I really wanted you to like them.” I wiped my eye and sniffed, and his expression changed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Porter.”

  “Gemma, you look beautiful. It’s just I don’t want men like Dax coming in here and undressing you with their eyes.” He patted my shoulder and rubbed the soft sweater.

  “Do you think he was doing that?” I smiled and pretended to like the idea, and his eyes darkened again. I loved his protective nature, and it made me hot that he cared enough to be bothered.

  “I expect professionalism, Gemma. I don’t need my men distracted with wanting to fuck you.” He turned and stormed to his office and slammed the door. I let out a soft giggle knowing he had hoped to shock me, but the only person I wanted to want me, was him.

  An hour or so later, after untangling all of the paper clips in the drawer and sharpening pencils, which strangely had the names of different Las Vegas casinos, I looked down and noticed that the small tear in my stockings was worse. Dammit.

  I stood up and kicked off my shoes, knowing no one had come into the office all morning, and reached up my skirt to pull off the thigh-high stockings. As soon as I was bent over, with my silky down to my knee and the one I’d already pulled off dangling from my hand, Dax came out of Whitt’s office.

  “Pardon me, Gemma,” he said. I looked up to see him smiling and Whitt’s face burning with anger behind him.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Porter.” My face reddened, but I couldn’t help smile as Dax licked his lips. “I had a run in my stocking.” I held up the one with the run in it as Dax let loose a chuckle and headed out.

  Mr. Porter crossed the room and held out his hand. I dropped the stockings in his hand, and he stuffed them into his pocket and leaned over me. “Gemma, Dax is my best friend. He’s a little rough on the ladies if you know what I mean, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I’m not interested in him,” I let my eyes burn on his and then after what seemed like a long moment of deliberation, he stepped back.

  “Gemma, I think your new clothes are beautiful, but you should really tone it down. Clients might get the wrong idea if they come in here and you’re looking—if you come across too sexy.”

  I kept my chin tucked, but net his eyes with a smirk playing around my lips. “You think I’m sexy, Mr. Porter?” I leaned in, putting my hands behind my back so that my chest stuck out and brushed against him.

  He hissed a breath between his teeth and leaned close enough for me to kiss. “Behave, Gemma.” He turned and went to his office, and I followed.

  “Margaret said that the plants needed to be watered.” I went to the bathroom off of his office and found the container she’d told me was left there to do the job and filled it in the sink.

  “Thank you.” Whitt went to his chair and sat, and I carried the small watering can and took care of his plants, pulling away from the dead leaves and taking my time as he stared at his phone.

  “How old is Dax?” I asked, making small talk that I knew would drive him crazy.

  “Too old for you.”

  “Why do you say that? I like older men. It’s the one thing Lila, and I have in common lately.” I knew th
e remark would get a rise and sure enough, he cleared his throat.

  “What do you think of Daniel?”

  I couldn’t help but grin. Lila’s boyfriend was gorgeous, and if I weren’t in love with her father, I’d be very jealous. “I don’t know. I think he’s sexy, charming, rich. He seems to treat Lila like a little princess. I think he reminds her of you.” His expression went blank, and he leaned back in his chair.

  “Do you think I’ve been a horrible father? I mean, is she trying to compensate for something? Me not being around as much as I should be.” He put his hands up behind his head, and as I turned and looked across the room, I turned over a large ivy, spilling soil and leaf litter to the floor.

  “I’m so clumsy.” I knelt down, feeling like a total klutz. “This sums up my first day.” I had so wanted to be amazing for him, to do everything right, and be his perfect little helper, but that had gone to shit quick. I looked down and rubbed my temples and tried to regain my composure.

  “It’s fine.” I looked up to see he’d come over to help and he knelt down beside me gathering the crumpled leaves.

  “No, please. I’ve got it.” I took the leaves from his hands, and he closed his around mine and looked into my eyes. For a brief moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and my heart raced. Instead, he reached up and brushed a smudge of potting soil from my face.