Next Door Daddy Read online

  Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I know that was a hard time. She was an amazing woman.”

  “Yes, I suppose you knew her a tad better than you knew me?”

  She nodded. “Yes, she used to come by the apartment when we were in college and get onto us for living in such a pig sty because we hadn’t caught up our laundry or made our beds.”

  She smiled fondly and before the mood got too dampened by talk of my late wife, dinner was served and Halle joined us.

  After we finished dinner Halle asked if we could have our drinks out on the veranda, and even though I saw Katherine’s cheeks redden, she agreed it was a good idea.

  I followed them out and Halle pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table, while I chose to hover with our guest. She met my eyes and lifted her chin. Then she took the glass of wine to her lips and took a sip. She motioned to the window and my heart stopped for a moment until she spoke. “Did Halle mention to you that I’d like to do some planting between our houses?”

  “No, she didn’t.” I glanced to my daughter who sipped from her own glass before giving me an apologetic look.

  “I meant to mention it. I think it would add value to both your properties and give a tad more privacy.” I wondered what brought the conversation on and if maybe Katie had told my daughter what she saw.

  “I think it would help cut down the noise level as well.” Katherine’s eyes burned on mine and I couldn’t believe how bold she could be.

  “Has Daddy been noisy? Please tell me you’re not playing that awful music again.” My daughter hated my taste in music and had walked in on me once blaring it so loud it shook the chandelier in the front room.

  “Oh, no. It’s nothing like that. I only wanted to make sure that I’m not a bother to him.” She met my eyes and smiled and I realized she hadn’t told my daughter anything. I wondered what was going on in her head and stepped up to the table where I’d stood on that night and when I met her eyes again she was tugging at her blouse again and fidgeting with her hair.

  “Well, if you ever have a problem, feel welcome to come on over and tell me about it. I’m always here when you need me.” I rocked forward on my feet and back and her mouth fell open as she looked away. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t help myself and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  Halle’s phone went off again and this time she jumped up and ran in the house like her ass was on fire. I turned to her friend. “Do you know what’s gotten into her this evening? Is she seeing someone?”

  Katherine shook her head. “I haven’t the slightest. I don’t really get too involved with my friend’s personal relationships.”

  “Well, you certainly seem mature for your years. I’ve never met anyone my daughter’s age that had your poise.”

  “She’s hardly a child, Mr. Roberts and I’m not exactly her age.” She took another sip of her wine.

  “Call me Grant if you like. I mean, we are both adults.”

  “Certainly, Grant.” My name was uttered like a purr from her lips and I found myself wanting to hear it at the top of her lungs, preferably while I bent her over the table in front of us.

  “How old are you?” I had to know and hoped like hell she wasn’t going to have me wanting to break two of my rules.

  She smiled and then pulled her lips in tight before answering. “I’m two years older than your daughter. I started college the same year because I had to wait until my inheritance came through to go to a better college. Halle never minded that I was a bit older.”

  “Two years older isn’t that much.” I had hoped she was at least five away from Halle. Then I wouldn’t feel like such a letch for imagining her naked beneath me. The blood flowed again and this time it hardened my length considerably. I adjusted and kept close to the table. She didn’t seem to notice it punching at my pants.

  “I’ve always been the more mature between us.” She lifted her shoulder and cut me a sideways glance.

  “I can see that. You’ve definitely grown into quite the woman. I bet your making some young man quite happy.” It was a dirty suggestion, but I needed to find out if she was in a relationship.

  “I’m not seeing anyone. My last relationship ended over a year ago.” She met my eyes directly again and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was part of her line of work, to look people in the eye. My ego wanted me to believe she wanted me as much as I wanted her, but that was a ridiculous thought. What would she want with me when she could land any man she’d want?

  “Well, if you ever want any company come on over.” Her eyes widened and she giggled as the blush hit her cheeks and I found myself clarifying. “You know, to visit. Hang out. Maybe watch a movie? I have a home theater.”

  “Oh of course.” She nodded like she hadn’t made any assumptions but the two of us shared another laugh as Halle entered the room.

  “I’m afraid I have to go, Daddy.” She turned to Katherine and apologized. “I’m so sorry I have to bail. But it’s a personal issue. One of my friends is having a meltdown and she needs me.” She kissed us both and hurried out leaving us alone.

  “So you started college late? You sure crammed in studies to be in your field.” She glanced up at the sky and then toward her window and back.

  “Actually I started college at eighteen, but changed schools when I moved in with your daughter. I haven’t been in practice but for a year now. I finished up my internship with the office I recently left and they offered me a job.” She seemed so confident, nothing like the young girl that had refused to go on the zip line. I wondered if she remembered that, but she yawned before I could bring it up.

  “I’m sorry. It’s been a long first day at work. Whoever said working from home was easy, was a liar.”

  “I think that depends on the job.” We shared a laugh and then much too soon she thanked me for a lovely dinner and excused herself out the side gate and crossed the small distance to her own house. And I finished my wine as I watched her walk away.

  Chapter 8: Katie

  I got up and poured another cup of coffee before my last session of the day. I’d booked Mr. Roberts—Grant as my last client of the day. I hoped that we could take our time and make the most of it assuming he showed. Surely Halle had dropped the bomb about who and where the sessions would take place and I waited for a call any moment to tell me he’d cancelled.

  That call never came and minutes after I sat down with my fresh cup of black, the doorbell announced his arrival.

  He stood on the front step looking gorgeous as always with a fresh scent of cologne penetrating my nose. His clothes were casual, but he was still more put together than most men I knew, with his hair perfectly styled and his jeans dressed up with a nice jacket and tie. But most stunning of all were his eyes, steel gray and heavily shadowed by his thick, dark lashes. Despite the fact that he seemed uncertain, my heart skipped a few beats as I welcomed him inside.

  “Surprise.” I said as he walked in still giving me the side eyed expression from the door.

  “Yeah, that daughter of mine is a bit tricky at times. Remind me why I spoil her?” He took a seat and I leaned against my desk beside him.

  “Because you love Halle and you’d do anything for her?” I folded my arms and gazed into his eyes waiting for his smile that was teasing around the corner of his lips.

  And then it beamed and he nodded. “Yes, you’re absolutely right. So tell me, Katherine, this doctor/patient relationship, how serious are you about keeping things discreet?”

  My core burned with a sudden heat as the word left his lips. “Discretion is everything, so you can be assured that I’ll not share any information you disclose to me in our sessions with Halle. As a matter of fact, I’ve already explained as much to her when she asked me to see you. My concern is that you would have a problem opening up to me since I’m her friend.”

  He leaned back in his chair, his posture open to me, as if to let me know he was more than okay with it. “I like you, Katherine. You’ve surprised me.
You’re not as childlike as my daughter. She’s always been immature for her age, and while I know how close the two of you are, I can’t quite see you on the same level.”

  “I guess that’s a plus, considering what we’re about to delve into together.” I stood straight as a smile spread his lips and I wondered what was going on in his mind. Part of me wondered if I should counsel him at all considering I was more than attracted to him, but I had to do it for Halle. She needed me and I wasn’t going to let her down. “Would you join me over here? I don’t like to work from my desk. This is a bit more relaxed.” I gestured to my sitting area near the big window and he followed me over and lowered himself to the small loveseat, moving a throw pillow to the other side as I sat in the chair beside him.

  He grinned and gave me a sideward glance. “Would you like me to lie down? If so, this little couch is going to be a bit short.” The thought of his spread out on the sofa had me adjusting the front of my blouse, as if everything I wore was suddenly a bit tighter.

  “No, you’re fine.” I crossed my legs and his gaze slid down their length but he met my eyes quickly. I couldn’t help but smile, but I had to get things kicked off. “So, how would you say things have been going lately with life in general?”

  “You mean since my wife died?” He leaned back, again his open posture telling me he was relaxed. “I’d say things have been good. I mean, I went through a long period of grief and then eventually I found other things to occupy my time.”

  “Things like?” I lifted my chin and waited for his response.

  “Hobbies, I play a lot of golf, work when I’m needed.” He stared at the ceiling as if it helped him think.

  “So do you feel like you’re needed? I mean, as far as your work and your family?”

  His smile spread wide as it always did when he thought of his daughter as if she was his true light in life. “I do. I don’t have to pound the pavement as much as I used to, now that I’ve made an insane amount of money I have more time for hobbies and other things. But I do still have to keep the companies afloat and you know Halle, if I don’t keep her in line, she’ll run a bit too wild. We keep each other sane.”

  “So those other things you were talking about, are those relationships?” I was eager to find out if he had a girlfriend or if the woman on the balcony was the type of self-therapy I imagined she was.

  “I haven’t really been in a serious relationship since my wife died, but I have relationships.” He lowered his chin and bit his lip as he grinned. “I’m sure you’re wondering about the woman the other night?” He met my eyes and seemed to search for my reaction, but I kept my poker face in check.

  “Yes, but since you don’t do serious relationships, I’d have to assume that your relationship with her is purely sexual.”

  “I don’t have a relationship with her.” He sat up and rested his elbows on his knees and steepled his fingers in front of him as if he wanted me to challenge his answer.

  “How often do you two hook up?”

  “Here and there.”

  “Whenever you need a release?” I needed to know the nature of their relationship to see if my speculation was right.

  “No, not that often.” He brushed out the front of his pants and then sat back.

  I raised a brow and smiled, breaking my resting bitch face. “How often do you feed your sexual needs?”

  “Every day in some for or fashion.” He searched my eyes as I nodded, keeping mine fixed on him.

  “Such as?”

  “I have several sexual partners, women I meet at random, weekly appointments, and I’ve even been known to hook up in public now and then. I like people to watch.” He leaned in again. “You know, like the other night.” He took in a long breath and then his eyes narrowed. “How long did you watch me?”

  I smiled and wagged a finger at him. “We’re here to talk about you, Grant.”

  He chuckled and then looked away toward the window. “So I guess you’re not going to answer.”

  “Is it important to you that I do? What do you think you’d gain knowing that I watched you for a good ten minutes?”

  His eyes lit with surprise. “Ten minutes?” He looked away and pursed his lips as if thinking. “Well, I guess it would turn me on.”

  “Does it turn you on?”

  “Yes.” His answers were as direct as my questions and I kept them coming as fast as he answered.

  “Does that bother you?”

  “That it turns me on, yes and no.”

  “Why yes and no?”

  “Because I have boundaries.”

  “What are your boundaries and why do you have them?”

  “I never fuck anyone close to my daughter’s age and I’d never fuck one of her friends. I think the reason is obvious.” He stared deep into my eyes and lifted a brow. Before I could fire off another question he leaned forward again, closing the distance between us even more than before. “How did it make you feel?” His voice was barely a whisper and the blood rushed from my face and straight to my mound where it ached with need.

  I almost slipped and responded, but I swallowed my words and gathered my thoughts. “We’re here to talk about you.”

  “Fine, so tell me, did you think about me since? You know, in that way.” He reached out and put his hand on my knee and the need inside me throbbed aching for his hand to be elsewhere. He had me shaken, and that was something I didn’t allow in this space.

  “I’m afraid our time is up for the day.”

  “Good, because I’d like to talk to my neighbor now.” He flashed his perfect teeth and the flirting burn of his eyes into mine was almost more than I could handle. “Tell me if you thought about it. I did.”

  “And you’ve already told me that I’m off limits. Does it turn you on knowing that even if I wanted you, you’d never reciprocate?” His smile fell and he sat back. I stood and walked to the door and opened it as he rose from his seat.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll see you next week.” He left without another word and I gave a curt nod as I shut the door behind him.

  Chapter 9: Grant

  I hadn’t heard a peep from next door all week and I knew I’d have to go back into my next session and apologize, but dammit, she worked me up.

  I walked to her door and knocked hoping she’d let me in and not turn me away and tell me to find someone else. Halle had asked me how things had gone and I’d lied about it, but hopefully I’d make things right and we could continue on. If this was the only way I’d get to see her or be a part of her life, I’d take it and I cringed inside knowing I felt that way. I was breaking weak for her.

  “Hello, Grant. Come on in.” She gestured for me to sit on the couch again and this time I took the middle cushion hoping if I put some distance between us, things would end better. She wore her thick dark hair up in a messy bun and the tight knee-length skirt she wore with the plum-colored blouse made her look every bit like a naughty librarian. Even the glasses were an added turn on and I’d never seen her wear those before.

  She lingered at the door. “Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Water?”

  “Coffee is good, thanks.”

  “How do you take it?”

  “Any way you want to bring it.” The words left my mouth before I could think about them because I wasn’t that particular about my coffee. I could drink it any way, but I didn’t want her to think I was coming off as fresh again. “I mean, surprise me, I’m not picky.”

  She smiled and turned away as I thought my recovery wasn’t any better. I couldn’t believe I was more nervous this time than the last, but before I didn’t know what I knew now. That she’d watched me having sex for ten solid minutes and I had a pretty good idea that she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

  She returned and handed me a cup of coffee and I sipped it. “Sugar and cream?”

  She smiled. “Yes, I thought you might like a little something sweet considering how bitter our last session went.” Before I could interrupt she held up a h
and. “Let’s start with a fresh slate.”

  “That sounds fair.”

  “So, considering what we did discuss last week, do you feel you use sex as a crutch in place of grieving?” Her deep green eyes penetrated mine from behind her frames as she waited for a response.

  “No, I grieved my wife. I look at it as a way to move on. A hobby, if you will. I mean, some men build things, others go fishing or play sports. I like sex.” I paused a moment waiting for her to ask another question, but she tilted her head as if waiting for more. “My wife and I had Halle when we were so young and we didn’t really have time to live or experiment or find out what made us tick. I hadn’t ever had sex with anyone other than my wife for all those years, so I guess it’s a way that I can finally live a little. Do something I’ve never done.”

  “So you weren’t ever with anyone but your wife?”

  “Well, I never cheated on her and since we were so young when we met and got together, I’d only been with two other women.”

  “How many women have you been with now?” Her head cocked to the side and she kept her expression unreadable. I had a feeling she was deliberately keeping things professional because of how bad the last session went.

  “I don’t know. I don’t keep count.” Her eyes blinked a few times and then she shook her head. “Sorry, I must sound like a real slut.” I stifled a laugh and raked my hand through my hair. This wasn’t going anything like before and I wasn’t as comfortable with her. She seemed to be a different person.

  “Does it make you feel like a slut to have so many partners? Does it ever get to you or do you think you should stop?”

  “No. I don’t really do it for emotions, I do it for release. So I don’t really care if it’s frowned upon. I’m not doing anything wrong. I don’t pay for sex, I don’t force myself on anyone, things are completely consensual between adults.”