by J. L. Beck
The smile that pulled at Zane’s full lips made him look evil. A shudder ran down my spine. I didn’t want the man I loved making deals with his father, a man that couldn’t be trusted but what else did we have? If we wanted them off our backs and out of our lives we had to use whatever it was we could get our hands on.
“I don’t want you making deals with your father. He can’t be trusted Zane.” I voiced my concerns but Zane seemed too caught up inside his own head to care. All I could do was pray that everything worked out for the best because if it didn’t, I wasn’t sure what Zane and I would do. Our parents had a strong hold on both our futures, and now our baby’s.
“I swear to you Brooke, I’m not him. I’m doing this for us, for our baby…” His hand trailed down to my belly resting against it gently.
I bit my bottom lip in indecision. I wanted him to do whatever he had to do to get them to leave us alone but I didn’t want to lose the man I loved to his father.
“I can’t lose you again…” I confessed, my voice soft. Zane’s fingers gripped me by the chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. Love like I had never seen before swam in those seaweed blue eyes of his.
“You won’t Brooke baby… I’ll always be here. I’m not going to make a deal with the devil. I’m going to force his hand in a matter that I know I have the control over. If he wants his company to land in the right hands then he will do as I say. If he refuses to listen then I’ll walk away.” A little bit of relief washed away the anxiety I was feeling but still, the fact that Zane would be negotiating our future with his father terrified me.
Resting my head against Zane’s chest I listened to the steady beat of his heart beneath all the skin, bones and tissue that separated us. He was a part of me and I couldn’t lose him. Not now, not ever.
Chapter Ten
Zane
“You can’t be here…” My father’s office assistant called out to me as I shoved past her and in the direction of his office. I didn’t care what she said, or whatever rules he had in place to keep me away. I was going to plead my case and if he refused to give in to my demands then I would walk away just as I had the first time.
“Father…” He looked up at the sound of my voice, his eyes growing large with dare I say a smidge of fear?
“Zane what a surprise it is to see you here.” The shock on his face didn’t meet his voice so he wasn’t that shocked.
“I’m here to cut a deal. I want you to leave Brooke and me alone.” I spoke with conviction refusing to take no for an answer. Brooke and my future counted on this deal. My father tapped his fingers against his desk lightly.
“I’m not really in the mood to cut deals Zane. Sandra and I have concerns about you two being together and obviously now that you’re having a baby those concerns have changed.” He smiled at me like he had the upper hand or something.
I leaned against his desk, staring him straight in his evil eyes. “I know you need me. I’m not stupid. I’m the heir to this corporation. It’s the reason you pulled me from college and offered me a high paying salary.” I narrowed my eyes. “I know that without me you’ll be forced to sell the company or sign it over to a colleague.”
The look on his face changed from cocky and knowing it all to pure anger. He hated that I was right and I knew I had him right where I wanted him then.
“It would be a grave mistake to pass up on such a large fortune don’t you think?” he snarled. There was no convincing me to stay unless he did what I wanted and that was leave Brooke and I alone.
“No. I think it would be stupid to sell it to someone that you don’t want to… There’s nothing like working for years to just hand it over to someone else…” I sneered hitting him right where it hurt.
He signaled to someone behind him and I turned on my heels taking notice of the two guards that were out of breath and heading down the hall.
“What awesome security you have…” I pushed from his desk and settled into a chair in front of it instead, letting him simmer on everything I had said. If he thought he could get me to break, he thought wrong. I was playing for keeps with the things I already had. I didn’t need this company. I could take a job somewhere else making just as much money, if not more.
“What do you want?” His voice was grating against the headache that was starting to form behind my eyes. All of this was a ton of stress and I was doing my best to hide the fact that he was stressing me out.
“I want you to leave Brooke, me, and our unborn child alone. Sandra called and told Brooke she needed to get an abortion this morning and that’s not something that she should have to deal with.” My father’s tongue darted out onto his bottom lip as he examined my face for any cracks in the wall I had put up.
“Truthfully, if you were smart you would make her get an abortion…” he started but I cut him off.
“Say one more word about Brooke and I’m leaving. I don’t have to give you my time. I can find a job working for one of your competitors. I can take care of my family and be the best man possible…” I snarled showing my teeth. Maybe it was in what I had said to him or maybe it was the fact that he knew I was serious, I didn’t know right then but he seemed to realize I was really going to leave and he was going to be forced to sell out to someone who didn’t give a fuck about his company.
“I’m not doing this for you…” he hissed, the wrinkles that marred his features became more evident as he started at me. “I’m doing it for the company because even if I hate you, I would rather my company be in the hands of family.”
A smile pulled at my lips, it was my turn to have the upper hand and I would. “Good, then you’ll do as I want or you’ll be leaving your company in the hands of those that couldn’t care less about it. Understand?” A part of me died that day because I knew having to make a deal with my own father meant that our relationship was over, or whatever was left of it was.
“What is that you want? I will order Sandra to leave Brooke alone.” I rubbed at my chin for a moment before speaking again.
“I want Brooke to be able to finish her degree, I want the cottage put in our name and I want my income to stay the same. I will not work in the office but instead from home.”
“That’s quite a list you have…”
“Do all that I asked or I will walk out of this room right now and never turn back around. I don’t need you. You need me.” I pointed at him, watching the flames flicker in his eyes. I wasn’t going to negotiate with him a second longer if he refused to agree then I would do just as I stated.
Seconds ticked by without a word said from him. I needed to call his bluff because he didn’t think I was serious. I stood shoving from the chair and heading toward the door. As soon as my foot met the threshold he spoke.
“I’ll do it. I will have my lawyer draft up the documents and send them to you.” I twisted around, elation filling my belly. Brooke was going to be so fucking happy and we could finally do whatever we wanted without a worry in the world.
“Good choice Dad.” I smiled. He blinked at me, his fists clenched on his desk. He hated being forced to do something that he didn’t want to. I gave him one last glance before walking out of his office.
The man wasn’t getting any younger and I prayed some day that he would come around and be the dad that I had always wanted him to be. For now though, I had my own child to get ready for and a future with Brooke to focus on. With my pride still intact I knew exactly where it was that I was going to go now.
***
I walked around the jewelry store looking at all the sparkling diamond rings. Each one was different and though they were beautiful they weren’t the right fit for Brooke. I knew the moment that I saw her ring that it would be the one.
“Can we help you sir?” A salesman questioned, and I lifted my eyes acknowledging him.
“Yes. I need something that is elegant but somewhat old fashioned.” I continued to eye the rings in front of me while the salesman walked away and came back a second later.
“That’s perfect. I’ll take it.” I would bring the ring in to be sized perfectly as soon as I got done using it to propose to her. I wanted her to know that I meant what I said. She was important to me and the baby that was growing inside of her was too. This ring would signify that importance.
“That will be twenty five thousand dollars.” The salesmen smirked as if he didn’t expect me to have the money to get the ring. I ignored him, having dealt with enough bullshit for the day and pulled out my credit card handing it over.
Shock filled his features as he walked away to run the card. The ring sparkled as I moved it back and forth in the light.
It was perfect, absolutely perfect and it would look great on Brooke’s finger showing every man in the world that she belonged to me.
I was a happy man. I had the girl and I had saved us from a gloomy future.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Brooke
The nursery for little Ellie Mae was coming along perfectly. The crib was put together and all the clothes were hanging in the closet. It had been months since we last heard from Gerald or my mother. According to Zane, a deal his father couldn’t refuse had been made.
Whatever the deal consisted of, I didn’t care to know. Zane was home every day all day with me and I was still taking classes at least until our little girl decided to make her appearance. Life was good and I wasn’t sure it could get any better.
“Brooke baby…” The sound of Zane calling to me made my heart skip a beat. I turned in the direction of the door waddling my way to it.
“Yes honey,” I cooed as he came around the corner. There was a tiny black box in his hand and for a second I wondered what it could be.
“I’ve thought about this day for what has seemed like months.” I bit my lip to stifle the cry that wanted to spill from my mouth. There couldn’t be a ring in that box, could there?
“Oh God, that’s not what I think it is, is it?” I questioned my eyes dashing from the box and up to his. The smile on his face grew and I knew then that he was going to ask me to marry him.
“It is and it’s an extension of my love. I’ve wanted to be with you since the moment we first met. Dealing with our hateful parents was harder than I thought it would be but it was so worth it because it pushed us together. It gave me the courage I needed to take that step with you.” He dropped down to one knee in front of me, his eyes full of love.
My hands were shaking as Ellie took to kicking the crap out of me. Never in a million years did I think this is where Zane and I would be. He had me wrapped around his finger and honestly I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
“Will you be my wife Brooke? You’ve been my best friend and girlfriend but will you be my wife?” Tears sprang from my eyes.
“Of course I’ll be your wife,” I choked out, my emotions getting in the way of the words that I wanted to say.
The boxed flicked open and my eyes honed in on the beautiful diamond that was snug between two pearls.
“Jesus Zane, this is beautiful. It had to cost you a fortune though…” He plucked it from the box and placed it on my ring finger. I examined it as it sparkled even in the dim lighting of the hall.
“What it costs doesn’t matter. I bought it six months ago, the day I made the deal with my father. I knew then that I was going to marry you and now I finally asked you.” He pushed from the floor coming to a standing position. Both his arms wrapped around my swollen front.
“I love you Zane and I’m thankful, we’re thankful for you.” I hoped that he knew how much he meant to both Ellie and me.
“It’s not you that needs to be thankful. You’ve strived to do the right thing so much and this time it’s me who gets to return the favor. Having you as my wife will be the greatest gift ever.” His words sealed our fates together. I knew I wanted him as my husband and to be the father to my kids. Pushing up onto my tiptoes I placed a kiss against his firm lips, his fingers delving into my hair making me moan as tingles of pleasure zinged down my spine.
“You’re everything Zane…” I whispered against his lips one last time, before bringing our lips together once again.
The End
Daddy’s Best Friend
J.L. Beck & Kylie Carter
CHAPTER ONE
BRIDGET
I had never thought I would be that girl. The girl who fantasized about her dad’s best friend and wanted nothing more than to be taken by him, but there wasn’t any denying that I was, in fact, that girl when it came to Reid. With his buzzed dark black hair, sharp jaw line covered in a dusting of scruff, and piercing blue eyes, with a dazzling smile, I always seemed to be weak in the knees whenever he was around.
It helped immensely in the looks department that he was an ex-marine, making his body bulky with muscles all over. The cords of his neck were built, and he still had that boyish grin even though he was over forty-years-old. His forearms were thick and veiny, and I imagined his cock being just the same and that thought alone caused a wetness to form between my thighs.
Reid had always been a member of the family though lately he seemed to be more distant. He’d only been coming around during holidays and birthdays as of late, and I suppose it didn’t really help that he lived a couple hours away.
I nibbled on my bottom lip, trying to stop my thoughts from turning dirty. I knew the obsession I had with him had to stop, at least some day, but I was still young and hadn’t found a man to curb my needs just yet and a part of me wondered if Reid would be able to help with that.
If he would be the man to claim my virginity like I wanted him to.
“I’ve arranged for you to stay at Reid’s for the next two months while I’m gone.” My father was all business like even when it came to parenting. You did as you were told and you were treated like a good little worker bee. You didn’t, and you got… well, I’m sure you get it.
“Are you sure Reid isn’t upset about this? I don’t want to cramp his style, or invade his privacy.” I licked my lips, the anticipation killing me. I couldn’t let Daddy know how excited I was to be seeing Reid for the first time in nearly a year.
If he knew my plan or about the excitement that coursed through me he’d pitch a fit and probably send me off to a boarding school.
I was eighteen now, and ready to take my feelings to another level. I just needed to get a feel for whether or not it was something he would be interested in?
“I’ve discussed everything with him and he’s fine with it.” Daddy’s eyes softened. I knew he was taking this whole overseas business trip a lot harder than he should have been. I could manage to care for myself after all I was going to have to leave here soon anyway.
“Don’t be sad, Daddy. You know Reid will make sure everything is okay, and that I don’t do anything that is against “Dad’s” rules.” I smirked, wrapping an arm around his mid-section. Dad wasn’t much for hugs, stating there was a time and place for them, but today must’ve been a time because he wrapped an arm around me pulling me into his side, the scent of his cologne filtering into my nostrils.
“I’m a hard ass, I know, but I can’t even explain to you how much you mean to me, Bridget.” His voice was scratchy as he pressed a kiss onto the top of my head. Even if I wouldn’t admit it to him, I was going to miss him greatly. After having my mom walk out on us when I was only five, it left only the two of us to fall back on each other. Dad wasn’t much of a nurturer, but he tried his best and I never went without.
“Don’t tell anyone, but I think I see a tear. A small one, a smidge of one, in your eye…” I snickered, looking up into his deep brown eyes, ones that mirrored my own.
“God, no. I must be growing a heart.” His gruff
laugh warmed me and I squeezed him tighter. If there was one person in my life I didn’t want to disappoint, it was my daddy.
“When are we leaving? I haven’t even packed anything yet.” I joked, wanting to rile him up a bit. His face deadpanned, and he gave me that look that told me I should’ve been following his instructions instead of screwing around.
“Bridget,” He spoke my name in a stern voice, and the grin that pulled at my lips widened.
“You seriously believed that? Do you even know me?” I pulled away, placing a hand over my heart as if I was wounded. He didn’t say anything, just shook his head and rolled his eyes, but I couldn’t miss it, the tiny smirk that pulled at his thin lips, he was so serious, so up tight.
“Get your bags and get out to the truck, we’ve got a three hour drive ahead of us, and I want to get there before nightfall.” He waved me off before walking in the direction of his home office.
I scurried quickly to the spiral staircase that lead up to my bedroom. My hand grasped the crystal knob, and I turned it opening the door. Stepping in, I paused in the doorway to admire the work that had recently been done during the renovation. My room looked like it came out of a magazine, white rustic floors and walls with silver and light pink bedding and decor. It reminded me of what a princess’s bedroom would look like. My phone began to vibrate, so I fished it out of my pocket, seeing a text from my best friend Katie scroll across the screen.
KATIE: Hey! Want to go to the mall later?
My fingers hovered over the keys as I stared at her text before typing out my response.
I can’t. Going to spend the whole summer with Reid.
I had no clue I’d be away for the whole summer, and Katie and I had plans to spend the summer at the beach and con people into buying us pina collada's. Any other time I would have been thoroughly upset to have to be away from my best friend, but when Daddy said I was staying with Reid, we couldn't get to him fast enough.