Next Door Daddy

by Amy Brent

  He reminded me of a frat boy in the bedroom as well. He was a touch greedy and all about himself, making me wonder if I was too demanding or maybe not as reactive as I should have been. I’d slept with a couple of guys before Brian, but that was late in high school and early in college. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have that elusive mind-blowing orgasm I always read about in books. Maybe it didn’t exist, a thought that made me frown as I started my modest Camry and pulled out of the parking lot. I lived in a smaller apartment in the city close to my new job, and I had no intention of living with anyone in the next year while my lease carried on.

  It was bright and cool in the city today, and I smiled with anticipation as I parked in the garage that had been purchased for the firm, which we shared with the entire building. I ended up on the third floor. I opened my door and slid my hands over my outfit to smooth it as I took a slow, trembling breath. I slipped my pink thrift store purse over my body and grabbed my coffee before I closed the door.

  I thought about my parents as I walked to the building, wondering if they would have been proud of me. I lost them in a plane crash when I was fifteen and had been raised from then on by my aunt Amy. Amy was thirty-five, just a couple of years younger than my mom, and one of the kindest people I knew. We had always close, but neither of us ever expected to be the way we were now. It was nice to see her dating someone seriously now since she’d taken raising me so zealously for the years I lived there. I glanced up as the light turned green and walked with the crowd toward the building as the wind blew my hair around, making me happy I had a band around my wrist to secure it if needed. I was growing it out and it was at the awkward stage.

  The lobby was large and open, surrounded by glass that let the light in. It felt comfortable here, but I contributed that more to the fact that I wasn’t here for an interview this time. That was a mess in my head, but I was here, so something must have impressed them. I walked across a floor of alternating shades of gray marble to the elevator, taking that to the seventh floor with several others who got off on floors before mine. The last person with me was a blond woman, and she smiled at me when the door opened on my floor. “Are you new? I haven’t seen you before.” She led the way off the car and I followed with a small nod. “I’m Lauren. I assist one of the attorneys here.”

  “I am the new assistant to Mr. Landon,” I explained as she gave me a knowing smile.

  “He’s hot,” Lauren said in a low voice, glancing around and giggling. “Like I’m the only woman here to have ever said that. It’s true, though.”

  “He’s not the type to do that sort of thing here, is he?” I whispered as she laughed and shook her head.

  “Not that I’ve heard, but he is busy outside the office.” She paused as she glanced to her left. “I’m this way, but would you like to have lunch today?”

  “Yeah. That would be great.” Lauren waved and walked down her hall while I continued forward. I’d been given a thorough tour the day I came in to fill out paperwork, and I glanced at the clock to see that I was ten minutes early.

  I walked up to the large black desk that was going to be mine and moved around to the back of it, looking over the floor. I could see most of it, and I was relieved that there was a window to my direct left, so I could at least see the outside world. I set my coffee on one of the coasters and opened the large drawer on the left to set my purse inside it.

  On the desk, there was an impressive computer and keyboard, as well as a phone that looked like it might take a bit of time to figure out. “Miss Neil,” a voice said as I glanced up and smiled nervously. It was Landon, looking handsome in a fitted black suit with a white shirt and a black tie that was draped around his neck. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” I greeted, taking in the casual state of his clothing as he looked at my desk. “Thank you again for hiring me, Mr. Logan.”

  “Call me Landon. We’re going to be working together a lot, and I like a casual work environment. We can save the formality for clients.” He looked into my eyes and smiled, making my body react in a way Brian never did.

  “I’m Lily, in that case.” He seemed to consider that before nodding, inviting me into his office to go over a few things. I closed the drawer that held my purse and looked around for a moment, uncertain whether I should leave it there. My bank account was small, but I needed everything in it.

  “There is a key in that drawer right in the middle to lock that. I trust everyone in this office, but it is such a hassle to cancel all of the cards and go to the DMV,” Landon told me, and I reached for the small drawer that was right under the center of the desk.

  “Wonderful,” I said as I found the small gold key and secured my things. I followed him into his office, taken off guard by the wall of windows that offered a beautiful view of the city. “Oh, my stars.”

  “It gives me a lot of peace in my days,” he said as he followed my gaze. Beyond just the view, the office was huge, and it even had a black leather couch and a coffee table against the wall opposite the desk. “My first job here was in this tiny space with just one window. I am grateful every day for what I’ve accomplished. I am glad that I get to sit here every day.”

  “You’re partner. That’s amazing,” I told him as he smiled, but what appeared to be bitterness crossed his face.

  “It is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?” His eyes lifted to look back at my face as I smiled weakly and nodded. “Have a seat. I have some items for you.” Landon gestured to the seat across from him as he took a seat in the large chair at his desk. “You were hired as my assistant, as you know. I have provided you with a top-of-the-line computer, but you also get this tablet with a keyboard if you prefer that as well as a cell phone. I would prefer to be able to reach you at any time for business, though I try to avoid calls at three in the morning if I can.” He smiled, and I giggled as I felt heat wash over my skin.

  “That’s a good thing.” I reached for the tablet first, an incredibly thin device that was already on, and I felt him lean forward. Landon explained the basics, telling me that this would be used for notes and meetings as opposed to a bigger laptop. Of course, he offered me the choice since he had a laptop available at any time. He turned the phone on and told me he already had it connected to the tablet as well as any programs on my work computer that I would need while away from the office, but I was welcome to add anything I wanted to for personal use. I swore his eyes darkened when he said it couldn’t be used for anything illegal or sexual, making me blush. “Of course not.”

  He went on to explain that they handled businesses and represented them in court should a client take an issue too far. Much of this was financial and involved unpaid contracts that the clients just weren’t dealing with, something the firm was known for. They always got the money, and often the client paid with just the threat of a court case with their attorneys. They also handled the selling of businesses with another company in the city, seeing to all the details.

  There was an intensity about him that was thick in the air with every word he spoke. He was intelligent and confident in his position in life, making me sense he had an alpha personality as well. I wondered when he used that for a moment as he excused himself to make some coffee, asking me if I wanted some as well.

  I still had mine on my desk, so I shook my head as he stood, leaving the office with the door open as I stared out the window.

  Landon

  I strode out of the room to the large break room, longing to add some liquor to the strong black blend I started most mornings with. I was already feeling the attraction to Lily after the hour or so I’d spent with her, and it had been making me lose my senses as I sat across from her. I stayed for a moment longer than necessary in the room, listening to conversations around me before I left and returned to Lily.

  She was standing at the window when I walked back in, staring outside. I took in her ass in the fitted skirt and the legs I’d admired at the bar over the weekend before closing the door gently, maki
ng her turn around and flush pink as she hurried to her seat. “I’m sorry. It’s just so pretty.”

  “No worries. I agree,” I assured her as I walked around to my side of the desk and looked at the column of her neck as she tossed her hair back, sighing softly. I sensed she wasn’t happy with her appearance, at least not completely. That was crazy to me, since she was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. “So, you will be helping me research some of the clients, taking detailed notes on each case. It will keep you busy, but you will learn a lot and I expect that you’ll move up in the company.”

  “Isn’t assistant to a partner impressive already?” She teased me as I smiled. Touché.

  “It is, particularly since we are one of the best firms in the city.” I was proud of that fact. She would get a great reputation working, here but I was thinking about a lot more than the job as I shifted in my seat. Her eyes drew me in, her full, glossed lips looking utterly edible as she smiled and nodded. Fuck, I was going to be in trouble over this one.

  I covered a few more things before I told her to look over everything at her desk and familiarize herself with the software. I watched her leave, waiting her to close the door before I dropped my head back and moaned. I needed to rein this in and keep it professional. I could fuck every girl on the street, just not this one.

  I focused on reading some emails, and then I knotted my tie before I went to meet a possible new client for lunch to go over the company. I reminded myself to talk to Lily about that as I left and told her to take her own lunch whenever she was comfortable. I knew I would be gone for a bit since these things could run long. I’d endured several of them, catering to the client to some degree. I drew the line at places like strip clubs during the day, but depending on the personality of the client, I’d pushed the boundaries after hours. If they could keep their mouths shut, I was willing to show them a good time, and it often worked.

  All the partners did that from time to time. Usually it was a fancy dinner or lunch and a few drinks as we talked numbers. Their main concern was what we could do for their company, and it was rare that I wanted to spend time outside work hours with a client, apart from some of the social events we hosted throughout the year. A large part of my job was social, but I liked that. I could handle it well and I had a high success rate with clients, probably the best among all of the partners. I did my job well.

  Today the client and I met at a classy seafood place and ordered whiskey before the meal. The client, Jack, owned a successful graphic design business, and he was looking for protection with clients as he started doing better. I was aware of the company, having researched it on my own before the meeting, and I explained in detail about our fees and services.

  We were there for over two hours, and I left with a new client in the books. I walked back toward the office with a grin and noticed Lily walking with Lauren, more than likely returning to work as well. That hadn’t taken long. Lauren was a nice girl, but she had hit on me heavily when she started working for the company five years ago, taking it so far that she got me into a dark office at one of the parties we had for the holidays. Her lips had been on mine before I pushed her away, explaining that I didn’t mix business with pleasure. Lauren was pretty, with pale blond hair and piercing blue eyes, but I knew she was dangerous, which made me wonder what she was telling Lily right now. Their laughter carried back to me as they headed for the door and walked inside, making me take a moment to pause.

  By the time I returned to my office, I was on the phone with my divorce attorney as I walked past Lily at her desk. I knew my voice was a little angry, and I glanced at her concerned expression before closing the door. “Damn it, Mark. I can’t believe what she’s asking for. She didn’t lift a finger to build my career.”

  “I agree. What do you want to barter with?” he asked as I ran a hand through my short hair.

  “Offer her the apartment. I never cared for it that much to begin with. It’s paid off and I’ll get the few things I need from it and walk away. I prefer this place, to be honest.” The brownstone was a large four-bedroom apartment with all the bells and whistles, and it was a catch for her. Maybe it would shut her up and she could let me move on in peace. Nadine had worked as a model the entire time that we’d been together, so she did fine financially. Mark agreed to contact her lawyer. I set my phone down on the desk and turned around to look out my window, my thoughts returning to Lily.

  Over the week, I noticed Lily excelling and organizing my business affairs well, which meant she spent a good amount of time in my office. I always took a moment to admire her, noting her quirky style in the scarves she’d wear or perhaps a piece of jewelry. I also noted the curve of her ass on a daily basis, as well as the way her shirts clung to her firm tits.

  Lily was gorgeous, and I frowned as I passed her desk on Friday and heard her on her phone as she typed up a report. It was clearly a boyfriend of sorts. Lily didn’t sound happy as she talked, and I continued to get some coffee as I wondered what he must be like. I knew she was twenty-four and probably dated in her age range, which could mean she was dealing with immaturity.

  When I got back to her desk, she was off the phone and focusing on her work again. “Everything okay? You sounded angry when I passed by earlier.”

  “It’s the price that I pay for my boyfriend being twenty-three,” she said as she shook her head. “I must be wired differently, as a night at his house with the guys doesn’t sound that fun.”

  “You deserve a night out: dinner, some good wine, and a man who spoils you,” I told her as she lifted her face to meet my gaze. “That seems more your speed, a man as intelligent and complex as you are.”

  “Maybe I was born in the wrong time,” she murmured as she looked back down and I returned to my office. I glanced at my calendar on my computer, organized and flawless thanks to my assistant. She helped me in many aspects of my job, and I mulled an idea over in my head.

  Coworkers could eat together without it meaning anything, couldn’t they? I knew for a fact that some of the staff met for drinks at a bar nearly every weekend, and I could end the night that way, keeping it public and casual.

  I grinned as I picked up my phone.

  Lily

  I heard a chime and looked around, wondering if Brian was bugging me again. It was the iPhone Landon had given me, and I picked it up to see a text from my boss. I opened it, glancing around for a moment before I read the words. He told me a client had backed out of dinner, leaving him with reservations at one of the best steakhouses in the city. Would I like to join him for some good food and drinks?

  I made most of his reservations and that one was a mystery to me. I wondered if this was a ruse as the devil on my shoulder whispered that it wouldn’t hurt anything to have dinner with the man. It could prolong going to Brian’s, and I’d get much more intelligent conversation from Landon than from sitting and watching Brian and his friends play video games.

  I let my fingers pause over the screen before I told him that sounded great. It would likely be more of a business dinner since we’d discuss the firm. I wasn’t going to ask him a lot of personal questions even though I’d seen him stressed out a few times over the week. There was a part of me that wanted to know what made Landon tick, what kept him up at night. I wanted to know what turned him on, and I jumped as he sent another text, dropping the phone on my desk as I looked around with wide eyes.

  This was getting inappropriate.

  He suggested leaving at five and going over to make the reservation, with some time to spare for drinks. I agreed and turned up my music a bit as I finished my report.

  Before we left the office, I sent Brian a text saying I was held up at work for a bit. I told him that I’d text him later, feeling a little bad about the entire thing as I cleaned up my already tidy desk for the day. I was slipping on my sweater when Landon stepped out of his office, holding his briefcase. “Are you ready?”

  “I am,” I replied as I put my work phone on mute, a
s well as my personal one. I stood and we walked to the elevators together, a few other people joining us as we waited.

  “Hey, you,” I turned to see Lauren approaching and smiled at her. “What are you doing tonight?” I wasn’t sure what to say, but Landon handled it, explaining that we were going to a business-related dinner at the moment. I didn’t understand the frosty look in Lauren’s eyes as she glanced from him to me before smiling.

  “We’ll all be at the Corner for drinks if you want to stop by. It’s close by,” she said as I nodded, knowing it from the night I first saw Landon.

  “I know it. I’ll see, okay?” I asked, and she nodded and turned her attention to the girl beside her, talking in a low voice. I felt like the conversation was about me, and I frowned as I watched the door slide open. Landon and I were in the first group to head down, and I looked at Lauren as the door closed, seeing the smirk on her face.

  I was quiet as we walked to his car, a big SUV that was parked on the lowest level of the garage. Landon opened the door for me and I slid inside, wondering if the friendship that had been forming with Lauren had been fake to begin with. I didn’t have a lot of female friends and never had, so this thing with Lauren had been a nice change.

  “Are you okay?” Landon asked as he started the engine, looking at me.