Next Door Daddy Read online

  “Awesome, I’ll call and remind you. I know how you get so busy you forget to eat.” She did know me too well, but I had a feeling I would be anticipating the meet and greet.

  Chapter 5: Grant

  Halle’s ringtone sounded so I shut off the shower and stepped out as steam billowed around me. I wrapped a towel around my waist as the air chilled the droplets on my skin. I didn’t make it to my phone in time, so I left it on the counter of the bathroom and found my robe. Halle could at least until after I was dry and my facial hair was in check. I’d learned keeping a permanent stubble was best for me and spent less time grooming that look than I should have. I wasn’t the metro type, but wanted to be desirable. It helped with my cravings and I’d never had any complaints.

  Halle had only waited five minutes before her tone sounded again and this time I put her on speaker and said hello.

  She greeted me with a huff. “Where have you been?”

  Since I’d only spoken with her an hour before I assumed she’d only meant since. “I had to wash the stink of the day off me.”

  She huffed again. “Like you’ve ever sweated a day of my life outside a gym, I was referring to yesterday when you said you’d been at the club.”

  “I was at the club.” My back stiffened at her tone. “What is this about?”

  “I was told you weren’t on the greens when I called the clubhouse.”

  “Are you checking up on me now? Isn’t this recent role reversal getting a little old?” My daughter had taken to asking strange questions of my whereabouts for the past few months.

  “Daddy, I’m worried about you. You aren’t in the office and you aren’t spending as much time on the green as you say you are. I want to know where you’re spending your time. You can talk to me.” Her voice was pleading, but this was one conversation I wouldn’t get into with her. Not the truth anyway.

  I walked to the bedroom and sat on the bed. “I’m a grown man, Halle. I’m your father and I don’t have to check in with you or tell you where I’ve been.”

  “Are you seeing someone?” The break in her voice made me image the expression on her face as if I could see those concerned blue eyes right in front of me.

  “It’s nothing like that. I have a few companions I like to visit but it’s nothing serious.” It was time to turn things on her. “Are you afraid I’ll replace your mother?”

  “No daddy. It’s been two years now and I’m hoping you’ll settle down a bit. But with a nice woman, not some gold digger.”

  “I can assure you I’d know if someone was only using me for my money.” She didn’t need to know what they were using me for.

  “People talk, Daddy.”

  “Are people talking to you about me? Is that what this is all about? Perhaps if you tell me what they’re saying I can resolve the issue.” I’d asked her this before only to be faced with denial and from the silence on the other end I didn’t think she was going to enlighten me further on the possibility.

  Her long breath sounded through the phone. “Daddy, if I suggested something would be open about it?”

  “I like to think I’m a man with an open mind. Your mother always seemed to think so anyway.”

  A half-hearted giggle escaped her throat. “She asked me to look out for you, you know.”

  The words were like an arrow to my heart, killing all of the frustration and annoyance that had built up since I’d answered the phone. That was my girl, always making me break weak. “I know, as she did the same to me about you.”

  “I want you to see a counselor. Someone who will listen to you and help you work out any issues.” The words spilled from her lips like that would keep me from refusing.

  I raked my fingers through my hair and then scrubbed my face with my palm. I didn’t like the idea of counselors or therapy, but Halle knew I’d walk through fire for her. I’d always given her anything she’d asked for and I didn’t see any good reason to change that now. “I’ll consider it.”

  “Daddy,” I closed my eyes and could see my daughter’s pleading face. “Let me make arrangements for you for one session. If you hate it, you can stop at any time. Please.”

  “One session and I’ll take it a session at a time after that. No promises. Make the appointment for me and I’ll show up.” The squeal through the phone pierced my ear and I told her I loved her and hung up the phone before she could talk me into anything else.

  Aside from the counseling thing, something else weighed on me. Someone was telling my daughter things about me. I thought through my list of companions and couldn’t think of a single connection. I refused to date young women her age, and I never dated any of her friends. The only person who could have said anything was Katie, and the only thing she’d seen was the episode on the veranda. I wasn’t convinced it was her. Things had been strange long before she moved in.

  Mila from the golf course, the sweet thing with the oral fixation was a good six years older than my Halle and well below our class to be friends with her. Not that I’d ever felt we were better than anyone, but I didn’t think Mila had been to any private schools or colleges other than maybe a frat party or two in her day.

  Then there were the women in the group; five in all and each with a special hunger and all in the same boat as me where discretion was everything. The only problem I’d had with any of them had been Sylvie, but she was only confused. Discretion meant everything to her considering her wealth and who her father was.

  Other than that, I’d had a few one-nighters here and there, all willing and eager, but nothing I was interested in repeating. I couldn’t imagine anyone running their mouth to my daughter other than Katie, but I’d imagined she’d been so embarrassed she’d probably kept it to herself.

  I wondered what her reaction had been. Given the length of time she’d watched, even after I stared up at her, she hadn’t been too repulsed by what she saw. I wondered how long she’d watched before that and if seeing me the act had turned her on. I remembered my cock twitching in response and wondered if her pussy had tingled. Too bad she was off-limits. Halle would never forgive me, which is why I made myself behave more often than not.

  I’d had several younger women pursue me, but I’d always steered them away with a polite decline. It wasn’t that I couldn’t imagine myself fucking them, there was no problem with that, and since they were all of legal age, there was nothing much deviant about it, but I didn’t need anyone going to my daughter with anything.

  The last who’d shown interest had been a girl named Willa who was more than willing with her bag of toys and daddy issues. She’d tried to seduce me with gadgets, but I’d never been much for that. The only tools I needed came attached. She was an interior designer and had started specializing in sex romp rooms. I had bought a few pieces of sex furniture from her catalog as well as some straps and cuffs. I hadn’t seen her in months, but the girl seemed to be level-headed about rejection.

  I’d have to be more careful and make sure that Halle didn’t find out about my habits. I’d thought I’d done a pretty good job so far, but maybe she didn’t know anything and I was being paranoid. I’d go to this appointment and hope that she finds a therapist that wasn’t a quack or worse, someone she was dating. The last thing I needed was some asshole analyzing me to get in my daughter’s pants.

  The thought that there were men out there like me with twisted fixations who she might fall prey to, had always scared me.

  I placed the phone on my bed and scrubbed my face with my hands again. I’d dried enough to slip into some joggers and a clean t-shirt and with any luck I’d get to sleep without any more worry about my daughters concerns for me.

  I buried my face into my pillow and reached my hand over to my wife’s side of the bed. I still did it knowing I’d never touch her again, but somehow the gesture made me feel close to her. Before the pain could take me, I took a deep breath, pulled my hand away and thought about Katie being right next door. I wondered if she’d stepped in front of that window
since hoping to catch a peek. Somehow the idea of that piqued my interest.

  Chapter 6: Katie

  “Thanks again, Ms. Collins. I’ll try what you told me.” My last client of the day walked out the door and down the narrow path beside my home to where his car was parked and I waved from the door until Halle approached from her dad’s.

  “Hey you, are you keeping a secret romance I should know about?” She gestured to the car as it slowly drove away.

  I gave her a scolding glance. “That’s my client.”

  “No wonder you wanted to host your sessions from home. He’s a total hottie. Nice car too.” She walked past me and into the foyer stopping just outside my office door.

  “I don’t date clients.” I swept my arm and waved her to the kitchen. “Would you like to have a drink?” I entered the room behind her and she took a seat at the large island in my kitchen.

  “Yes please.” She waited as I poured two glasses of bourbon.

  I didn’t waste time throwing mine back and she gave me a wide-eyed look as I shrugged. “I needed that. Long day.”

  “You know, I might need to talk to you in your office.” She tapped her long fingernail against the rim of the glass.

  “Is everything all right? I figured you came to remind me about dinner, but if things have changed I can always order out.” I searched her eyes which met my own.

  “No, dinner’s on. It’s just well, I hate to mention this before we go over. The last thing I want is for dinner to be awkward, but I told him I’d try to make arrangements.” I didn’t understand what she was saying and shrugged to show it. “I’d like you to counsel my dad.”

  I hadn’t expected that and my eyes widened as it sank in. “Are you sure you’d want me to do that? I can always recommend someone else. What’s the problem?”

  “He hasn’t sought out any type of counseling since mom died, and I really think he could use someone to talk to. With Dad’s reputation and wealth, it’s best he use someone we could trust. I was hoping that you could help.” Her brows curled in a worrisome arch. “He said if I made the arrangements he’d attend.”

  “Does he want counseling or is he only doing this for you? I ask because most of my clients make their own arrangements and of course I’m sure you’ve heard that admitting you have a problem and need help is a first step.”

  “I thought that was for addicts.”

  “Well, it helps if anyone admits that they have a problem before seeking help, no matter if it’s an addiction or not.” I wondered if the display I’d seen was part of his issues and how much of that taste for healing his daughter knew about.

  “I’ve been hearing things, Katie. Talk about his preferences and how he’s coping with my mother’s death.” Her face blanched white and she averted her eyes. “I don’t want my father getting a bad reputation any more than he’d want the same for me. I’d like you to find out if what I’m hearing is true.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and felt the need to set her straight immediately. “I wouldn’t be able to tell you anything about the sessions with him. Not even if what you’re hearing is true.”

  She lifted her hand in a halting motion. “Oh, I know that. But I’m hoping if he talks about with someone he’ll realize that it’s not good for him and maybe he’ll change.”

  “What makes you so sure I can help with such a request? It’s your father, Halle.”

  She reached across the counter and placed her hand on mine. “If anyone could help me, it’s you. You’re the only counselor I know and the only one I trust with this. And, well, you’ve never let me down, Katie.”

  I shook my head and released a long breath. “I’m not sure.” I thought of the scene on the veranda. I was certainly interested in seeing more of him, but not like this. Guilt burdened me as I looked up into her eyes and remembered the way I’d pleasured myself to what I saw.

  “Please, Katie.” I looked into her big blue eyes and nodded.

  “I’ll do it. But please promise you won’t ask me anything specific about the sessions and that you won’t be angry with me for not answering when you do.” I had a feeling she was going to be asking me plenty and I already regretted taking on the task especially when I remembered I was about to go meet him for dinner. It was too late to raincheck.

  “Thank you. I’ll be good, I promise.” She crossed her heart and held up the finger to give her solemnest vow. “He’ll be so surprised, but don’t say anything over dinner. I want us to have a nice evening and then I’ll tell him when you leave. I don’t want anything to be awkward.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.” I did feel a bit better that it wouldn’t be a topic of any heated discussion at the dinner table and hoped for a nice quiet evening.

  “I can’t wait for you to see him again. He’s been through so much and I’m hoping you’ll be a great blast from the past. You remember that time you went to the island with us, that was so much fun.” She released a sigh of relief and finished her drink.

  “I do, but I’m sure he barely remembers me. He was so busy with your mom and we were chasing after those guys that were from the other side of the island.” She had particularly been busy with one of them and I had only been the consolation prize for her guy’s best friend.

  “Yeah, don’t remind me. You know, my dad saw that hickey that guy gave me. He came unglued. My mother had to talk him down from going out to drown that poor kid. He’s always so overprotective when it comes to that sort of thing.”

  “So now the roles are reversed?”

  “Maybe a little. He’s all I’ve got. I don’t want him stuck with some skank who gets herself knocked up so my dad will have to marry her. I want him with someone nice.” She glanced down at her phone which she’d taken out of her handbag and her eyes widened. “We should get to the house. Dad’s chef gets so ticked off when I’m late.” She giggled like pissing off the chef was something she did often.

  “I’m ready when you are.” I took a deep as she dragged me around the counter and led me out the back door toward her dad’s veranda.

  We walked into the house and she called out to announce us.

  “Daddy we’re home.” She giggled and locked arms with me. “Look who I brought.” We entered the formal dining room and she smiled and stepped back from me, sweeping her arm out like I was the showroom prize and her father’s eyes widened as his jaw dropped. For a moment, our eyes locked and then he froze as if he’d lost his words.

  “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Roberts.” I gave him a shy smile and then Halle pointed to the chair she wanted me in and I took a seat beside him.

  “Very nice to see you again, Katie. Or is it Katherine these days? You’ve certainly grown into a lovely young woman worthy of such a strong name.” His eyes stayed fixed on mine, but I couldn’t help but think he’d already drank in enough of me to be thinking dirty thoughts, and there was a certain glimmer in his eyes that lent to strengthen my beliefs.

  “Thank you, but Katie or Katherine is fine.” I wasn’t opposed to whichever name he chose, but something in me wanted him to speak my full name, to regard me as a woman and not someone closer to his daughter’s age than his own.

  “So how do you like the new place, Katherine?” My cheeks burned as I smiled. He smirked and the curl of his lip was so mischievous that I couldn’t help wonder if he was thinking of catching me watching him.

  “I love it. The neighbors are especially nice.” We shared a laugh between us and I glanced over to Halle wondering if she could sense the way her father was looking at me. The air in the room felt thick between us and I tugged at the collar of my blouse to let in a little air. It was certainly getting hot in there.

  Chapter 7: Grant

  Looking into the eyes of this beautiful woman beside me, I couldn’t help but think about having her six ways to Sunday. The young girl I remembered from our trip to the island, the one who had glanced up at me with her wide, innocent, and frightened eyes, had grown into a knock
out.

  “So how do you like the place, Katherine?” I had chosen to use her full name deliberately and I felt like such a bastard doing it. I wanted to see her as more than a woman my daughter’s age and seeing the way she carried herself, with that mature posture and stare, the way she lifted her chin almost defiantly as he answered my questions as if to let me know she wasn’t at all intimidated about what she saw.

  “I love it. The neighbors are especially nice.” We shared a laugh, but she met my eyes directly and tugged at her blouse. My cock responded as the blood flowed to it. Bad idea big guy.

  “Well, she did have the best realtor in the whole entire world.” Halle lifted her chin with confidence and grabbed my hand. “Well, the second-best.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss that brought me back down to earth. This was her best friend and I had to stick to my rules, especially where Katie was concerned. The childish version of her name didn’t suit her a bit.

  “So tell me a bit about what you do? Halle says you’ll be working from home as a therapist.” I suddenly had a thought, but no, Halle wouldn’t set me up with someone so personal. If anything, she’d use the connection to find me someone else more suitable.

  “Yes, there was some issues at my old location, but so far it’s working out. Of course, it’s only been a day, so maybe I’m being optimistic.” She laughed again and the sound was soft and seductive giving my balls the one-two punch again. Down boy.

  Halle’s phone rang and I glanced at her waiting for her to turn it off. We had a rule about cellphones at dinner, but she gave me a pleading a look and I nodded.

  “I’ll just be a moment, I need to take this.” She excused herself and hurried into the other room.

  Katherine glanced around the large room. “You have a beautiful home. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”

  “I only bought the place a year before my wife passed. We spent the last days of her life here, and though it was supposed to be nothing more than a sick house, I’ve decided to stay. It’s everything I need.”