My Father’s Best Friend
Fiona Davenport
Copyright
© 2016 Fiona Davenport
All rights reserved.
Edited by PREMA Editing
Cover design by Elle Christensen
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing. For permission requests, please send your email request to [email protected].
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons or living or dead, events or locales are entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/ Use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
My Father’s Best Friend
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Fraternization Rule
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
Books By This Author
About the Author
My Father’s Best Friend
When Ethan Parker’s investigation leads him to Delilah Brooks, he hopes he’s finally found his best friend’s long-lost daughter. What he wasn’t expecting was to want her for himself—with an intensity that drives him to get her pregnant before her father finds out about the two of them.
Delilah falls hard and fast for Ethan. But she isn’t sure what to think when he confesses his connection to the father she’s never met. Or how her father is going to react when he learns she’s having his best friend’s baby.
Prologue
Bonnie
I stared down at the cashier’s check, the white paper stark against the gleaming dark wood of the desktop. I could barely process what was happening. Holy cow. Apparently, getting rid of me was worth a whole lot of zeros. Despite my shock, anger rose to the surface and I glared at the stuffy man in the immaculately pressed suit sitting in front of me.
“I don’t know what makes you think I can be bought,” I said defensively. “But, I’m not with Sam for his money. We’re getting married, becoming a family, and raising our baby together.”
He laughed and shook his head, then smiled at me sympathetically. “Everyone has a price, Ms. Hart. Samuel isn’t the type to ever settle down. Much less at twenty-two. Do you think you’re the first woman who showed up claiming to be pregnant and demanding marriage?”
I gasped and recoiled in my chair. “I never once brought up marriage, it was Sam’s idea. He loves me.” Even I could hear the note of uncertainty in my voice. Sam had a reputation as a ladies’ man, but he’d settled down when he met me. We were in a committed, monogamous relationship. Weren’t we?
Sam was the most affectionate, loving man I’d ever known. He made me feel like I was the center of his universe. He was certainly the epicenter of mine. The last few months had been a dream and I clung to it desperately.
“Ms. Hart, I’m doing you a favor here. I have no doubt Samuel will marry you and stay married just long enough to be able to easily gain custody of your child when he eventually files for divorce.” He paused and pushed the check a little further towards me. “Take the money, go somewhere he won’t find you, raise your baby in peace.” His voice was gentle but I wasn’t fooled, the snake was poised, ready to strike any moment. “I’ll even help you change your identity so that he won’t ever be a threat to your daughter.”
At my continued hesitation, he sighed and pulled out a sheaf of papers, laying them on top of the check. “This is the prenuptial agreement he had drawn up. I can only imagine that he assumed you wouldn’t read it thoroughly.”
With shaking hands, I grasped the stack and lifted it to scan the contents. Pieces of my heart chipped away with every turn of a page. Until I reached the section that broke it altogether. It was buried in legal jargon, but I was smart enough to recognize the basic points. In the case of divorce, I had to prove my ability to provide for my child, in equal measure, what could be provided from her father. Otherwise, custody would default to the paternal parent.
I would receive a tiny settlement, but it wasn’t even in the stratosphere of what I would need to fight for my baby. There was more, but I couldn’t continue reading through my tears. It didn’t matter anyway, there was no way I was going to sign this document. I took a deep breath and calmly tore the packet down the center before flinging it on the desk.
Jumping to my feet, I threw my shoulders back, gathered my coat and purse, and snatched the check. Carefully, I smoothed over my face, leaving no expression. It was easy since I had no feelings to express, my heart had turned to stone.
“I’ll handle the details. I certainly don’t want anything more from you, or anyone associated with Samuel Wentworth.” Spinning on my heel, I marched out of the office and into the pouring rain. I stood for a moment, letting it cleanse me, while my hand rested tenderly on my belly. We’ll make a fresh start, baby. Just you and me.
Chapter 1
Ethan
Bonnie Hart (Hanna Brooks), age thirty-eight, passed away on June 3rd at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. At age twenty-five, she received her degree as an RN and spent her life caring for others, even after she was forced to stop working due to her cancer. She was a loving mother and loyal friend. Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Delilah Brooks.
Services will be held...
I read the obituary twice more before reclining in my desk chair. My head fell back and I stared at the white ceiling, contemplating my next steps.
It was about fucking time.
I’d been waiting ten years for this, for the moment when the name Bonnie Hart was flagged on my system. Obviously, I didn’t expect her to be the only woman with that name, but this time, things lined up. The ages matched. The picture printed with the obituary resembled the picture Samuel had given me the day he hired me to continue his search for her.
Even the fact that her daughter didn’t share her name fit the circumstances, since it was likely she changed her name before the baby was born. But. . . Delilah. It was Samuel’s mother’s name.
Bonnie had disappeared without a trace, her cold trail leaving me no clues. I’d basically had nothing to go on when I started my search for the love of my best friend’s life. I questioned why she was being buried under her real name for half a second, then decided to forget it and take the win.
Samuel and I had grown close over the years—eventually becoming best friends—and I’d watched his hope die bit by bit until there was nothing left. He became convinced that she hadn’t loved him after all. But, I’d seen the photos of them together, heard the stories he’d shared abo
ut her. It sounded to me like Bonnie and Samuel had walked right off the set of a sappy, romantic, chick-flick.
I didn’t think she just simply up and left. Samuel was a hard man to fool. I found it hard to believe he’d been so wrong about the woman who’d stolen his heart. I couldn’t give up completely. Something went wrong, and I was determined to find out what.
In all these years, this was the first time I felt that niggling sensation I get when I’m grasping at just the right straw. I needed to get to New York.
***
I stood back, away from the graveside and shadowed by a crop of trees. Waiting.
Even though I’d never met Bonnie, I knew the girl was her daughter. Her long, silvery-blonde hair was pulled back from her stunning face in a low ponytail that hung down to her waist. She wore a black wrap dress that showed off a pair of gorgeous legs and clung to her curves, causing my eyes to linger on them for far too long. I imagined my hands running over those soft hills and valleys, those legs wrapped around my waist as I drove deep inside her.
Whoa! Shut that shit down right now, Parker.
I shook my head to dispel the daydream. She was barely fucking legal, having only turned eighteen three days before her mother died. Not to mention the mental sucker punch I gave myself for forgetting that she was my best friend’s daughter. For fuck’s sake, I was almost twice her age. Seventeen fucking years older than her, Parker.
Samuel had only just inherited his father’s investment firm when he met Bonnie. After she left, it took him years to realize how badly their security team had dropped the ball on the search for Bonnie. He’d wanted someone to give it another go. A mutual friend steered him in my direction.
It didn’t take long for us to develop a friendship. We had similar backgrounds, both of us trust fund babies who grew up to be irresponsible playboys. I’d gotten myself into all kinds of shit, and I’m positive there were times my parents despaired that I would even reach the age of twenty-one. My juvenile record was quite colorful. From what he told me, his wasn’t far off from mine.
We’d both attended Harvard, though five years apart. His wild reputation practically made him a legend. However, he’d cleaned up his life after meeting Bonnie, going on to graduate and keep his family’s company successful. It took me a little longer to get my college career on track. My parents died my freshman year and I’d gone a little off the rails. Partying, drinking to excess, and never fucking the same woman twice.
Maturity crept in there somewhere though and I managed to graduate, a stipulation for accessing the rest of my inheritance. I took the money and opened Parker Security and Investigations. I left behind most of my vices, but I still never found myself sticking with a woman more than one night.
I hadn’t looked too deeply into the reasons behind my lack of commitment, and it was actually Samuel’s determination to find Bonnie—eight years after losing her—that was my wake up call. Though, the lesson learned could have easily been not to give your heart, I ended up learning something else. I wanted what they’d had, with a different final outcome, of course.
Samuel remained alone until a year ago when he met his fiancée, Lola. After I realized what I wanted, I’d dated for a few years, but no one ever kept my interest. I hadn’t even bothered in quite some time. Some time, meaning at least six years. This is what I blamed my runaway thoughts and suddenly hard cock on.
The crowd eventually thinned and Delilah stood alone, head bent, hands clasped tightly in front of her. I gave her a few moments alone, then began to slowly make my way towards her.
I made sure to announce my presence by deliberately stepping on a few twigs. Her head lifted as I neared and my heart ached at the sight of watery pain in her blue eyes. They widened a little as she surveyed me. I wasn’t a small guy and in my black, tailored suit, I knew I looked intimidating.
Stopping a few feet away, I softened my expression and murmured, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her had canting slightly. She looked up at the cloudy summer sky and blinked back her tears. After a moment, her gaze returned to mine and she smiled softly, a dimple popping in her let cheek. “How did you know my mother, Mr...?” she trailed off, looking at me expectantly.
I hesitated, suddenly unsure about the lie I’d prepared. Being dishonest with her didn’t sit well, but until I could confirm her identity one hundred percent, I wasn’t ready to lay everything out in the open. So, I decided on a half-truth.
“Parker,” I informed her, holding out my hand. “Ethan Parker.” Her skin was soft as we shook, and I had to stifle the urges to lift her hand to my lips and test the silkiness against them. Instead, I pulled away. “I didn’t really know her. I was in town and came at the request of a friend to pay their respects. I’m told your mother touched a lot of lives.”
Delilah’s smile grew and she nodded. “She was pretty amazing.” A horn honked and drew her attention to a black Town Car idling nearby. She waved before turning back to me. “I’d better go. Will I see you at the luncheon?”
I shook my head and took a step back, a little overwhelmed by the jealousy swamping me. Who was in the car? A boyfriend? Fuck. What was the matter with me? I needed to get the hell out of there. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it.” Disappointment flashed across her face, almost making me smile. In the few minutes I’d been talking to her, she’d telegraphed her every emotion, she was an open book and I found that I liked it. A lot. “It was nice meeting you, Delilah Brooks.”
“Lilah,” she corrected sweetly. “You can call me Lilah. And, I’m glad we met too.” With one last smile in my direction, she turned and hurried over to the waiting vehicle.
I watched until her womanly body disappeared inside, and then headed back to my own car. My plan was to give her a few days, get some distance from the funeral, before approaching her again. It was clear from my body’s reaction to Lilah that I needed to take the time to get my head on straight. To shake off this attraction.
The last complication in the world I needed right then was to fuck my best friend’s daughter.
Chapter 2
Delilah
The apartment was silent. Still. Empty. Just an hour ago, it had been filled with all the people whose lives my mom had touched. They’d come to the funeral in droves to pay their respects. Many had stopped at our place afterwards, bringing casseroles and soups. Pastas and salads. Desserts and more desserts. More food than we needed for the luncheon. So many dishes that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to squeeze the leftovers into the fridge and freezer.
A couple of the nurses who’d worked with my mom had offered to stay and help with the clean-up, but I’d wanted to be alone. Or at least I thought I did. The home I’d shared with my mom had always been my safe haven growing up, filled with her love. Even after we moved to the city so she could start her cancer treatments, she’d made our modest, two-bedroom apartment seem like a cozy home in the country. Only it wasn’t the same anymore. She was gone forever, and when everyone else left, the silence became deafening. It made me second-guess my decision.
A loud knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, giving me something else to focus on besides my loss. I smoothed a hand down my dress, tugging at the front to make sure my boobs were fully covered by the material, and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear as I made my way to the front of my home. Our apartment had a separate entrance from the rest of the building, exiting straight out to the sidewalk. A quick glance through the peephole had butterflies swirling in my belly as I recognized the man standing on my porch.
“Hello,” I gasped as I pulled open the door, clearing my throat afterwards to steady my voice so it didn’t sound breathy when I continued. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again today since you said you couldn’t make the luncheon. Or any other day really since you’re not from around here.”
I didn’t add how much I’d wanted his answer to be different. How much I’d wished he’d said he was coming to the hou
se. How much I wanted to see him again.
My reaction to Ethan Parker was completely inappropriate considering I’d met him at my mom’s funeral. And because my guess was that he was closer to her age than my own. But it was impossible to ignore the impact he’d had on me from the moment I’d lifted my head and found him standing there, staring at me with heated dark eyes. His black hair fluttering slightly in the wind. Tall and imposing in a black suit that looked like it cost more than I’d ever spent on a piece of clothing.
The jacket was gone, and the sleeves of his pristine white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. His shoulders looked broader than before, and I could swear the dark scruff on his jawline had darkened in the hours since I’d seen him. Each time my mind had wandered towards him during the luncheon, I’d tried telling myself that I was exaggerating how attractive he’d been. How wrong I was. If anything, I’d underestimated the impact of this man on my libido, considering he was potent enough to be the first to wake it up—and on this dark day.
“I’m sorry to intrude.” He looked towards the mostly empty sidewalk, huffed out a deep breath, and then returned his gaze to me. “I hadn’t planned on it. But I was out for a walk and I somehow found myself on your street.”
He sounded perplexed by how it had happened, but I didn’t care. I was just happy it had.
“Would you like to come in?”
“As long as I’m not interrupting anything.” His gaze drifted over my shoulder, as though he expected someone else to be with me.
“Only a pity party for one,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “Your timing is perfect. The last of my visitors left about thirty minutes ago, and I’d just realized how quiet the house was. I’d actually appreciate the company.”
“Well, then I guess I’m glad the car had a mind of its own.”
“Me, too,” I breathed out, catching a whiff of his cologne as he walked past me.
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