Father & Son: Book two of the Jensen Family Series

by Michelle Day

  “What’s wrong?” He asked, his voice soft, his eyes searching hers.

  Hands still firmly on his chest, she could clearly feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. “I just don’t like to kiss with tongues, it’s nasty.”

  “Ah, that’s because you’ve never been kissed properly before. Just let me try this one time, if you still don’t like it, I won’t do it again.” He pressed a soft kiss to the tip of her nose, “I have skills Eve, I’m not just going to plunge my tongue straight down your throat although sometimes that’s pretty hot in the heat of the moment.” He grinned as she giggled slightly and bowed his head. She sighed as his lips ever so softly caressed hers in the barest hint of a kiss.

  The rigidity of her hands on his chest softened and he pressed his lips more firmly to hers, taking a step closer, sandwiching her between the balustrade and his body, he let his tongue trace the seam of her lips before returning to gentle kisses on and around her mouth. She was beginning to sigh with each breath she took and one hand slid into his hair as his tongue finally made it into her mouth with gentle caressing strokes to the roof of her mouth, tongue and lips, she gradually relaxed against him, one hand now firmly grasping his hair while the other had slipped around to his back.

  Her tongue tentatively touched his. Soft, hesitant touches at first as she fisted his hair. He moved one hand to her waist and pulled her against him as he cupped the back of her head with the other and deepened the kiss. His t-shirt tightened against his body as she wrapped it around her hand in the small of his back and he groaned into her mouth. Just as she began to get really into it and things were becoming heated, he withdrew. He returned to pressing feather light kisses to her lips before pulling back and running his tongue over his own lips while looking at her. She stood with her eyes closed, her cheeks were flushed and her lips still slightly parted.

  Opening her eyes, she gazed up at him, taking in his features, his beautiful eyes, rimmed with thick dark lashes, straight nose and full, beautifully formed lips now swollen from kissing her. Oh hell, she was a goner. She wasn’t supposed to fall for him but she had never been kissed like that before. She would very much like to be kissed like that again.

  He didn’t say a word; he knew he’d won her over from the way she was looking at him. He turned, took her hand and they continued to walk. He was thankful for the chill in the air as his brain was ticking over the possibilities of finding a hotel room and really pushing her boundaries and his cock was in full agreement although with the loss of her body heat against him, little Paul was rapidly deflating and going into hiding.

  Chapter Twenty

  Paul insisted that they get some food and take a break from the chilly London air and walked her to a quaint Bistro in a side street. She was impressed when the owner came to greet him upon learning of his presence in her compact Bistro. She enthusiastically kissed him on both cheeks and gabbled away in a language that certainly wasn’t English. She was shocked when Paul responded in the same language and was impressed by his fluency, there was no hesitation in his speech and his accent matched that of the Bistro owners perfectly.

  Sitting opposite her at a somewhat rickety table, Paul knew she’d never in a million years be caught dead in here if it wasn’t for him but she wasn’t protesting, in fact, she was looking around at the decor with interest.

  “Sorry about that, we’re old friends.” Noticing her hands were a little blue, he wrapped his own around them to warm them.

  “I didn’t know you spoke....What was that you were speaking?”

  “Spanish. I’m half Spanish on my Mothers’ side.”

  She nodded, of course, she remembered reading that fact somewhere and his looks were a dead give away to his heritage. “You are fluent.” She stated.

  “I’ve spoken it all my life. It’s actually my preferred language. Didn’t go down too well in English speaking schools.” He smiled and released her hands.

  “Thank you.” She blushed, placing her hands in her lap.

  Paul ordered for both of them. Not something he would usually do but he could see she didn’t have a clue about the reasonably artisan menu. She surprised him by tucking into the simple meal with gusto, moaning with delight as her taste buds lit up. He’d very much like to hear her making those noises while she was naked and sweating beneath him but one step at a time. He’d got some tongue action; he’d be satisfied with that for now.

  Pulling up in front of her house, he lent towards her wanting just a chaste kiss but it was her tongue that invaded his mouth this time. Clasping her head in his hands, he took it a step further, kissing her deeply, thoroughly enjoying himself when there was a tap on the window shortly before the passenger door opened and a face appeared.

  Eve gasped as she wrenched herself away from him, “Daddy! What are you doing?”

  “I was about to ask you the same thing. Come inside darling. You too young man”

  Eve shot him a look of apology before following her father. Paul climbed from the drivers’ seat knowing full well that getting caught cleaning a girls tonsils by her father was not a good introduction. Locking the car, he refrained from putting his hands in his pockets as he joined them in the hallway.

  “Daddy, this is Paul Jensen, remember, I told you I was seeing him.”

  Looking over the tall young man in front of him, Niles Fitzpatrick smiled. His daughter had done very well indeed. “Come with me.” He gestured to the drawing room, turning to his daughter as Paul passed them. “Eve darling, I think perhaps some cocoa would be pleasant.”

  Niles had planned to let her daughter draw this young man in slowly but his financial situation was such that he needed help and he needed it now. He wasn’t so desperate as to go through the usual channels. He needed outside help and rumour had it Paul Jensen was an extremely astute business man. He smiled when he noticed him standing stiffly in the middle of the room. Paul obviously thought he’d be getting an ear bashing for mauling his daughter. No doubt that would come but for now, it could wait.

  Encouraging the young man to sit, he was about to launch into his spiel when his daughter entered the room carrying three mugs of cocoa. Thanking her and then quickly dismissing her, he sat beside Paul and opened a lever arch folder, quite clearly piquing Paul’s interest as he sat forward.

  “It’s come to my attention that you and your, shall we say partner, are in the habit of purchasing struggling companies.” Niles began.

  “If they are in some way financially viable, yes.” Paul answered. His first glance at the papers in front of him told him this company was in deep shit. “I won’t touch a company if it means people lose their jobs or one where I don’t get any recompense from it.”

  Nodding, Niles revealed further financial documents. “I wonder if you would cast an eye over these and let me know your opinion on the future of this company.”

  “Is this your company?” Paul asked.

  Niles stood and began to pace, he hadn’t counted on Paul being quite so perceptive or quite so blunt. “Yes although I don’t own it outright, my partners are as yet unaware of the position we are in.”

  “So you’re the money man? The one responsible for making it work, paying the bills etc?”

  “Yes.”

  “Looks like you’ve messed up.” Paul commented as he flicked through the papers. “Tell me, how do you intend paying your staff at the end of the month?”

  “I was hoping you could tell me that.”

  Paul took a sip of his cocoa; it was decidedly good so he took another few sips before standing and facing the older man. “What is it exactly you want from me?”

  Stammering at being presented with such a forthright attitude, Niles eventually managed to spit out that he would very much like Paul to buy his share of the company.

  “Hmmm, I’m presuming that you would prefer this to be done quickly and quietly and that you are still the one in charge of the purse strings in the eyes of your partners?”

  This boy was
quick, he hadn’t counted on that. “Yes that’s preferable. As you pointed out, paying the staff this month will be a challenge, I need something to happen quickly.”

  “What’s in it for me?” Paul asked.

  “I should hope a healthy profit and of course, continued access to my daughter.”

  Paul chuckled. “If, after I look over the paperwork, I decide this isn’t financially viable for me then there’s no way I’ll take it on.” He stooped to pick up the folder. “As for access to your daughter, she’s over eighteen, she can decide for herself who she sees and besides, she gives me nothing I can’t easily get elsewhere so don’t think that threat holds any sway with me. I’ll look this over and have my partner give me his opinion; I’ll come back to you in a few days.” He moved towards the door.

  “I was hoping you’d get back to me sooner.” Niles commented.

  Paul turned, “If you want this done correctly, you’ll give me a few days. Don’t forget, I’m going to try put right what must have been a monumental fuck up on your part so let me work on this, don’t hassle me or ask Eve to. If that happens, I’ll hand all this back to you and let you sink. Then I’ll pick your company up for a fraction of what it could potentially be worth, break it up and sell it on at a huge profit.”

  Eve was hovering in the hallway when he left the drawing room and Niles behind. He beckoned to her and drew her into his arms after dropping the folder on the hall table. “I hope you deciding to date me wasn’t as a direct result of pressure from your old man.”

  Shaking her head and linking her arms behind his neck, she looked him squarely in the eye. “I know there is something going on but I have no idea what. I started to pursue you months ago before I even had an inkling anything was wrong. You ignored me, remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember.” He lowered his mouth to hers. She accepted his kiss and deepened it, kissing him properly. “I have to go. I’ll call you.” He dropped in on Norman on his way home and they had a brief shuffle through the paperwork he had with him. Norman seemed to think the company was still salvageable and although Paul’s initial investment in it would be vast, he did a few quick calculations that made Paul very happy indeed.

  He woke early the following morning fully intending to hit the gym before hashing out the final details of the deal he was going to present to Niles Fitzpatrick. When he heard female laughter through the closed door of his bedroom, he though perhaps his Uncle had actually bought one of his conquests home for a change.

  What he found on entering the living room was his Mother and siblings. Too bright and chirpy for so early in the day. “It should be a crime to be so happy and loud at this time of day.” He grouched as he poured a glass of orange juice, downing it in one before switching on the kettle and reaching for a tea bag.

  Matt boomed “Morning bro.” While pounding on the work top.

  Paul’s muttered “Arsehole.” Earned him a stern look from his Mother. “What the hell are you all doing here?” He asked.

  Tessa hopped up onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar, “We’re discussing the arrangements for my twenty first.”

  “Do you have to do that here?” He sniped.

  “I do. You’ll come won’t you?”

  “Depends what you’re planning sis.”

  “Well.” Tessa pulled out a place setting map and a menu. “I don’t want a party like Suzanne had; I thought the family and maybe just a few of my close friends could have a nice meal together.”

  “Sounds good. Will Dad be there?” Paul turned away as the kettle boiled and concentrated on smooshing his tea bag. He missed the scowl both his sister and Mother shot him.

  “Of course he will, he’s family.”

  “Sorry, count me out.” Paul threw the tea bag away and added milk to his mug.

  “But Paul...” Tessa began to protest.

  “But Paul nothing.” He turned on her and held his hand up, it still clearly showed the scars from his last encounter with his sperm donor. “Remember when this happened? Remember that I moved out of home as a result of it? I love you sis but I can’t spend an evening in his company. Between his attitude and mine, we would ruin your birthday.”

  Tessa spread out the table plan. “Will you just take a look at this before you give me a categorical no?”

  Coming around the breakfast bar, dropping a kiss onto his mothers cheek as he slid onto the stool, he looked over the table plan. It was hardly going to be what could be classed as a cosy family meal but as he looked at the seating plan he began to see that he could quite possibly attend. The vastness of the table would permit him to be at one end and Michael the other. He put his finger over his name and the comment beside it and looked at his sister. “Plus one?” he asked.

  Tessa smiled, “Rumour has it you are dating Eve Fitzpatrick.”

  “Fuck me that got around quick.”

  “So it’s true?” Tessa asked and Matt came to stand beside her, waiting for his answer.

  “I’ve taken her out a few times.” He confirmed. “It’s early days yet.”

  Matt laughed, “Meaning you haven’t banged her yet.”

  “No Matt, I haven’t. Makes a welcome change actually.”

  “But.” Tessa pushed Matt away “You’ll come to my birthday dinner and bring her?”

  Sighing, Paul ran his fingers thorough his hair and looked around at his family, “I’ll ask her if she wants to come but whether she does or not, I’ll be there.” His family very quickly left him to his own devices after that. Their mob handed approach to getting him to his sister’s birthday meal an amazing success.

  He took his breakfast of toast and another mug of tea into the living room and sat with the figures from Norman and the ones from Niles, his mind a blur with numbers and prospects. Deeply engrossed, his toast went cold as did his tea. He was seeing double by the time his Uncle made an appearance and annoyed him by sitting next to him and riffling through his paperwork, his eyebrows raising as he saw the size of the investment his nephew was planning to make.

  “Paul?” He asked as he pointed to the figure.

  Paul took the papers from his hand. “You saw nothing. My money, my business. It’s sort of legal too so don’t sweat the small stuff ok?”

  “Won’t this leave you rather short on the cash flow front?”

  Laughing, Paul gathered his papers. “Not in the slightest. Won’t say I won’t miss the money because I will but I’ll get back about three times what I’ve invested so it’s a short term thing.”

  “And a sure bet?”

  “Nothing is a sure bet but it’s a calculated risk.” Standing, Paul looked at his Uncle and deftly changed the subject. “I see you are being dragged to Tessa’s birthday meal thing.”

  “I am.”

  “Do you think you and Matt between you are strong enough to pull me off of Dad if I decide to launch myself at him?”

  Coming to his feet, John placed his hands on the younger man’s shoulders. “You will behave with all the cultured dignity your Mother raised you with. You will not spoil Tessa’s birthday. I know this because I know even you aren’t that much of an inconsiderate bastard and because your Father dotes on his daughter he will also be on his best behaviour. Besides, Monica will kick both your arses if either of you misbehave so the question shouldn’t be how strong Matt and I are, it should be how much do you value your relationship with your sister and Mother?”

  Grinning, Paul ducked out from under John’s grasp. “No one likes a smartarse you know.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  As expected, the purchase of his beautiful new Porsche went down like a lead balloon with Carmen. He stomached the comments about it being impractical and somewhat of a penis extension. He kept quiet when she repeatedly complained while driving even though Gavin’s car seat fit comfortably in the back and his buggy just about fit under the bonnet. He couldn’t however, keep the smirk from his face as he drew to a stop outside a BMW garage.

  Carmen had made several
positive comments about his Mother’s car the last time he had driven it here. Although there was nothing wrong with Carmen’s current car, he knew she was finding it difficult having to share it with Helen now that both women were working and with both boys attending different schools, it was creating unnecessary arguments between the two women.

  He remained silent as he got out of the car and retrieved his sons buggy before opening the passenger side door and helping her out then pulling the seat forward and lifting his son from the car.

  Carmen watched him, puzzled by his silence. He was fiery by nature and yet he hadn’t bitten when she had insulted his car. He was calm and...smirking! She watched the care with which he extricated their son from the car and strapped him into his buggy, wrapping a blanket around him as he slept. No longer able to contain herself, she drew a breath,

  “What are we doing here?”

  He put one arm around her waist and pushed the buggy with the other. “We are here to find you a car. You’ve said yourself that sharing yours is becoming a problem. I want to get you a car and then Helen can have your old one. Problem solved.”

  “She won’t be able to afford to run it on her own.” Carmen pointed out; she shut up pretty quick when he shot her a look of exasperation. “Oh, you’ve got that covered?”

  He nodded. “I’m impressed, you’re beginning to realise I don’t do things by halves.” He smiled at the salesman as he approached but turned to Carmen, “Go and pick a car, take a test drive. Gavin and I will take a walk to the park.”

  He and Carmen pulled Helen to one side when they returned home and explained the situation with the cars. Paul added for good measure that both cars would be put on group insurance meaning anyone could drive them and he would also be providing both women with fuel cards so they didn’t have to worry about that expense.

  Helen uncharacteristically, burst into tears and pulled them both into a group hug before finding her decorum once again and disappearing into the kitchen. She repeatedly shooed them both out of the room when they tried to enter and provided them with anything they needed for the rest of the day but made it very clear the kitchen was out of bounds.