by Hamel, B. B.
He’s quiet for a long moment. “I don’t know,” he says. “What I do know, Klara, is that I want you. And you’re carrying my child. I’m not going to sit here and pretend like that’s not happening.”
“I’m not asking you to do that.” I let out a breath. “I just don’t think we should get married.”
“What do you suggest instead?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you don’t want to get married. What should we do instead?” He moves closer to me. “Should we go home and fuck right now? I bet you could ride my cock until you came again and again. And this time, when I fill you up, you won’t get pregnant. At least we don’t have to worry about that.”
I stare at him but force my desire away. I can’t let my body react to him, not right now. I need to use my head.
“No,” I say. “But maybe we can be friends.”
He laughs like I just made some bad joke. “I don’t need another friend,” he says. “What I need is you. And our baby.”
“My baby,” I correct. “Look, Shaun. I want to turn my father’s company into something good, okay? I can’t get distracted from that. I’ve worked so hard to get this far.”
He nods and watches me. “I can admire that, really, and respect it.”
“So you’ll let this go?”
He laughs again. “Absolutely not.”
I stop again and glare at him. “What do you want from me?”
“I already said.”
“It’s not happening. I am not marrying you, Shaun. I don’t care how rich you are or how many hot models you’ve dated.”
“Is that a problem?” he asks. “Are you jealous of my history? If you want, I’ll throw my phone into the ocean. Lose all their numbers.”
“No,” I say quickly, feeling stupid, “that’s not what I meant.”
“I understand feeling jealous. But let me tell you something, little Klara.” He comes closer again and I don’t back off this time. I let his lips brush my cheek. “Not a single one of them made me come like you did,” he whispers in my ear. “Not a single one of them made me feel half as good as you.”
I step back, my heart racing. He smiles at me and tilts his head again. It’s such an endearing habit. I realize I’m starting to notice those little things about him.
“No,” I say. I force myself away. “I can’t.”
“You can. But you’re not letting yourself.”
“I’m sorry.” I start to walk and I don’t feel him follow.
“I’m not letting this go,” he says.
“I don’t think you will,” I answer, and hurry away. I leave him there on the beach and practically run back to my car.
I don’t know what I’m thinking. I sit down behind the wheel and catch my breath.
That moment, his lips so close to mine… every inch of my body was on fire. I wanted him so badly. I wanted him to throw me down on the sand and ravish me, take me, fill me up and give me pleasure. I know he can do it, I know what he’s capable of.
But I can’t go down this path. It’ll consume me.
And I can’t let myself fall for a man like my father.
No matter how good that man makes me feel.
God, what a nightmare.
I start the engine and drive off.
4
Shaun
“I’ve never proposed to a girl before,” I say, my legs up on my balcony. I lean back in the chair and sip my whiskey, my phone cradled between my ear and my shoulder.
“You can’t just… throw it at her like that,” Delia says, laughing. “That’s crazy. You guys don’t even know each other.”
“So what? She’s pregnant with my baby.”
“This isn’t, like, the 1800s. You don’t have to rescue her honor by making her a legitimate woman or something.”
I chuckle. “That’s not what I’m doing.”
“So what are you doing, Shaun?” she asks softly. “You’ve never once made it seem like you’re interested in a family. Why ask that girl to marry you?”
“She’s pregnant with my baby,” I say, but I know that’s not all there is to this. “And I like her.”
“What, is she really hot or something?”
“Yes,” I say and laugh. “But that’s not it, either. She’s funny and smart and ambitious. She doesn’t want anything to do with me because she thinks I’ll hold her back. Can you picture that?”
“No,” she admits. “I can’t. People usually want to use us for our money and connections.”
“And apparently, none of that matters to her.” I laugh again, shaking my head. “Not that I want it to, but still. It’s amazing.”
“Look, I think the marriage thing was maybe a little much,” Delia says.
“Okay, fine. So it was a little far. But you know me, no half measures.”
“What are you going to do now?”
I shrug, although I know she can’t see it. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I thought maybe you’d have some advice.”
She’s quiet for a long moment. “I mean… why don’t you just ask her on a date?”
I snort. “A date? What, are we normal people now?”
She laughs. “Come on, Shaun. Most people just want to go on dates to get to know each other before they get married. So why not start with that?”
I let out a breath. “I guess I could try it.”
“There you go. Be a normal person for a change.”
“I hate normal people,” I grumble.
“Oh, please. If you weren’t born rich, you’d be just another normie, just like everyone else.”
“I doubt it.” I sigh and stretch. “I’m exceptional.”
“Go ask her on a date. And don’t be a dick like normal.”
“I’ll try. Thanks, Del.”
“Sure.”
“Hey, how are things at home, by the way?”
She groans. “The usual. I hate being here, but we’re getting the kitchen redone and it’s just easier hanging around the manor.”
“Lucky you.”
“Oh, like you’re so hard up out there in perfect weather in your gorgeous little beachfront mansion.”
“Bye, Del.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and stare out at the ocean. My sister’s right. I should just ask Klara out on a date and show her that I’m serious.
I stand up and check my watch. I dump my whiskey over the balcony and into the sand then head inside. I put the glass in the dishwasher, grab my jacket, and head out to my car.
Truth Hurts Productions is housed in an office on the edge of town in a decent neighborhood. It’s not a beautiful building, but it’s relatively modern at least. I’d bet the rent is reasonable and the commute isn’t so bad, a very tasteful place to have an office.
I park and get out. I whistle to myself as I walk across the lot and head into the office.
The secretary that greets me is young, blonde, with huge boobs, and a low-cut top. She smiles and tilts her head. “Hiya,” she says. “Can I help you?”
I lean on the counter. “Is this Truth Hurts Productions?” I ask.
“Well, it sure is, sweetie,” she says.
I grimace. God, she’s way too perky. I bet she’s an actress that wants to get on a Divas spinoff or something.
“I’m here to see Klara,” I say. “My name’s Shaun Lofthouse.”
She frowns and looks at her computer. “Do you have an appointment?”
“I don’t, but we’re friends. Would you mind letting her know that I’m here?”
The secretary frowns at me for a moment then shrugs. “Okay, sure.”
I smile and lean against the wall, waiting. That was way too easy. She picks up her phone, dials a number, and talks quietly into the receiver. When she’s done, she hangs it up. “Ms. Funk will be with you in just one moment, if you want to take a seat.”
“Thanks a bunch.” I sit down and kick my feet up. They have all the entertainment magazines spread out on
the coffee table, along with some of the tabloids. The waiting room is simple and sparse, which is about what I would have imagined from a place like this.
I don’t have to wait long. Klara comes out a minute later, looking flushed and surprised. “Shaun,” she says. “Hey. I, uh, didn’t know you’d be coming in today.” She glances at the secretary then back to me.
I stand and smile. “I thought you could use a break,” I say. “Maybe some lunch?”
She hesitates. “I don’t know.”
“Ah, come on. You should show your boyfriend a good time.”
She chokes and stares at me. “Boyfriend?”
“Sorry, I didn’t know we weren’t using that label yet.” I smile at her sweetly, and her face turns red. At first she’s embarrassed, but then she’s annoyed. She just realized I’m saying all this for the secretary.
“Come here,” she hisses, and walks over toward me. She grabs my elbow and yanks me away from the entrance and out through the front door. She crosses her arms and glares at me. “What are you doing here?”
“I want to take you to lunch,” I say. “I thought I was pretty clear in there.”
“Yeah, I heard that. I also heard you refer to yourself as my boyfriend, which you definitely aren’t.”
“Right, well. Not yet at least. I think it’s just a matter of time before you’re throwing yourself at me.”
She rolls her eyes. “Are you just being a dick on purpose or can you not help yourself?”
“Look, come on. Let’s go to lunch and get to know each other. Call it a date.”
She hesitates. “You want to go on a lunch date with me?”
“That’s exactly it. No other motives. I just want to spend some time with you.”
She chews her lip and stares at me. I love the outfit she’s wearing, this cute simple white top tucked into dress slacks and tasteful shoes. She looks so fucking professional. I’d love to unwrap her from those clothes right here and now.
“Let me ask you something,” she says.
“Go ahead. I’m an open book.”
She snorts but goes ahead. “If I weren’t pregnant, would you want to take me out to lunch right now?”
I hesitate. That’s a good question. “Yes,” I say. “I definitely would. But I’d also try harder to get in your pants again.”
She smiles a little despite herself and I smile back. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“I get that. But ever since that time we spent together, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.”
“I definitely don’t believe that.”
“Let me prove it then. Come to lunch with me. We’ll talk, I’ll make you laugh, you’ll have fun. And at the end of it, I won’t even try to kiss you.” I smirk at her. “Unless you want me to.”
“I definitely won’t,” she says, but she’s smiling a little. “I don’t know.”
“Come on. Just lunch. I’m paying. You can pick the place.”
She goes to say something but stops herself as the door to the office opens and a man steps out. She steps away from me like I’m made of radioactive uranium or something as his gaze takes us in.
He’s an older guy, wrinkled and grizzled, I’d guess he’s in his sixties. He’s tan as hell, almost too tan, and his hair’s pushed back in this enormous dyed-black mess. He’s wearing casual clothes, jeans and an untucked denim shirt that’s tastefully faded all around his elbows. He looks like some aging rocker that just can’t let go of the glory days.
“Dad,” Klara says, and it’s my turn to snort.
He looks right at me and nods. “Who’s this?” he asks. His voice slurs just a tiny bit.
“This is, uh, Shaun,” she says. “A friend.”
“A friend.” He steps forward, hand out. “Nice to meet you, Shaun.”
I take his hand and get a nose full of alcohol on his breath. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Funk. I love Divas in Space.”
He grins. I knew he’d like that. “Call me Aldo,” he says. “Mr. Funk was my dad.” We stop shaking and he laughs like he just made some great joke. Klara looks absolutely mortified and I can’t help but love it. “So Shaun, I hear you’re dating my daughter.”
“No!” Klara says. “Jesus, Dad. Who told you that?”
“Lucy,” he says. “She overheard you two.”
“I assume Lucy is the blonde girl inside?” I ask.
Aldo nods. “Blonde girl is putting it mildly. I mean, you saw the cans on her, right? Big and just—”
“Dad,” Klara says. “Stop it. We’ve talked about this.”
“Okay, okay,” he says, putting up his hands. “I get it. Different times. Can’t talk about a broad’s big tits anymore, right, Shaun?”
I give him a withering smile. “Sure.”
“Anyway, she said you two are dating. Is that true, son? Are you dating my beautiful daughter here?”
I grin and nod the affirmative but Klara speaks up.
“We’re not dating,” she says. “And please tell Lucy to stop spreading rumors.”
“Okay, okay,” Aldo says and laughs. “Looks like you two have some things to discuss, huh?”
“I think we do,” I say. “I have a feeling your daughter’s trying to break my heart.”
He laughs, deep and loud. Klara looks like she wants to murder both of us, and I grin along with him.
The man is skeevy and slimy, but he’s still her father. I’ll charm him, at least enough to get him on my side. Beyond that, if I never have to see this man again in my life, that would be perfect.
Any guy using the word “broads” to refer to women should have to serve at least a year under house arrest. “Dames” gets three.
“There’s no heart to break,” she says, which only delights her father more.
He lingers there and doesn’t seem like he plans on leaving any time soon. Obviously, this is some pretty good entertainment for him, which makes sense. He runs a reality TV production company, after all.
“Let’s get going before you decide to break off the engagement too,” I say to Klara.
She snorts and shakes her head. “You’re impossible.”
“I know. I really am.”
“Oh, go on, honey,” Aldo says. “The guy’s throwing himself at you right now. And he’s handsome. You might as well have a nice lunch.”
She shoots daggers at her father but turns to me. “Fine. We’re going to Chico’s and I’m buying the most expensive thing on the menu.”
“Buy it twice,” I say and nod to her father. “You want anything? We can bring you something back.”
“I’ll text her my order,” he says. “Have fun, kids.” He turns and heads back inside.
I watch him go then look back at her. “Charming,” I say.
She sighs and rubs her eyes. “I know, he’s a delight.”
“So that’s your dad, huh.”
“I know.” She gives me a look. “I’m not like him.”
“I don’t think you are.” I gesture at the parking lot. “Shall we?”
“I never agreed to this, you know,” she grumbles. “Well, I did, but I don’t know how.”
“You’re utterly charmed by me and can’t help yourself,” I say.
“Must be it.” She slips me a little smile and shakes her head.
I’m grinning the whole way over to my car.
5
Klara
Chico’s is a small Mexican place around the corner from our office. It’s owned by a nice old woman and her husband, although the husband mostly sits at the bar and drinks tequila. The hostess is a bored teenager and barely glances at us before giving us a booth in the back corner.
Shaun slides into the seat across from me and looks around. “Nice place.”
“I know, it’s not much. But I like it here.”
“No, I’m serious. I like little places like this. They always have the best food.”
The waitress appears with menus. We both ask for just water and she disappears agai
n.
“You come here much?” he asks.
I shrug. “Sometimes. I take meetings here too.”
“You take a lot of meetings without your father?”
“Not really,” I admit. “Sometimes he’s too drunk or high to come out. Those are the best.”
He laughs softly. “Must be hard, working with your old man.”
“I don’t really know,” I admit. “It’s hard working with my father, but that’s because he’s an asshole. I can imagine more stable families wouldn’t find it too hard.”
He smiles and looks away. “Maybe.”
“Are you close with your family?”
He hesitates. “Something like that. I’m close with my siblings. The rest of them are a little… well, like your father.”
“Crass animals?”
“I was thinking more insane assholes.”
I laugh again. “Even your mom and dad?”
“My father isn’t so bad,” he admits. “He’s mostly checked out, though. He wants to travel the world, go hunting, play golf, and listen to his obscenely expensive stereo system. As far as the family business goes, that’s all on my mother.”
“Interesting,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Sounds like someone I want to meet.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No, you really don’t want to meet my mother. Trust me.”
“Why? How bad could she be?”
“Let me just say this… Sylvia Lofthouse is the head of one of the country’s most prestigious and wealthy families. She does not fuck around.”
I roll my eyes at him but laugh again. “Like I said, I want to meet her.”
“Maybe you will, if you play your cards right.”
“Oh, what, if I don’t break off our engagement?”
“Exactly.”
The waitress returns and we order. True to my word, I ask for the most expensive thing on the menu, and ask for two more for my father to go. The waitress shoots Shaun a little look and he winks at her before she walks off.
“That woman thinks you’re taking advantage of me,” he says.
“I totally am.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Can you really take advantage if I’m letting you?”