My Dad's Bestfriend



Evelyn

My heart skipped a beat the moment our lips met, and suddenly, the...world stopped. It stopped totally, completely and utterly.

His lips, his scent, his warmth-I was here, in this moment, with him again. This time, there was no need to restrain myself. No need to hold back, no lingering ache in my chest as I walked away, haunted by the weight of unsaid words and unfulfilled desires. I wouldn't have to endure the days, weeks, or months spent craving his touch, consumed by the thought of him, wondering what it would be like to feel his arms around me once more.

There was no stopping now.

No pullback. No restraint. No obstacles. No judgment. No fear. No pain.

It was just love. Love, all over again.

Jacob's body froze the second our lips touched, as if time itself had stilled for him. But as I kissed him, I could feel him slowly awakening to the moment, his hands sliding around me, pulling me flush against his chest. The heat of his body enveloped mine, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. God, I missed this. So much that it hurt to even think about how far we'd drifted apart. And no matter what happened in the uncertain future, I couldn't go back to that emptiness again. I didn't want to be without him—not for another second.

The month we'd spent apart felt like years, each moment slipping through my fingers like sand. I needed him close every second of every day if only to make up for the time we'd lost.

I kissed him with the hunger that had been buried deep inside me, fueled by the pain I had suppressed, the desires I had denied myself. Every touch of our lips was a plea for the warmth I had been aching for, the connection I had been deprived of. I kissed him like it was the only thing keeping me alive, and truthfully, I didn't want to stop.

But oxygen had other plans, and I reluctantly pulled away, our heavy breaths filling the silence between us.

His eyes, wide and intense, locked with mine. We were both breathless, as if we had been holding onto something too fragile to name, something that had just come crashing down around us. The wind caught my hair, and it whipped around us, doing the same to his perfectly styled, silky strands. "Was... was that another goodbye kiss?" he asked, his voice barely steady, his eyes pleading silently-please, don't say yes.

A soft smile curved my lips as I leaned in, pressing a delicate kiss to his swollen lips. My fingers traced his stubble, brushing against the warmth of his skin, as my thumb caressed the lips I'd missed so much. Just as soft as I remembered.

"You're still terrible at reading people," I teased softly, a chuckle escaping me. "That wasn't a goodbye kiss. It was a kiss to stop you from leaving your home." My hand rested on his chest, feeling his heart race under my palm, echoing the wild rhythm of my own. "And it was a kiss to stop my home from leaving me."

His expression shifted, but he was still lost in disbelief. I could see it in his eyes-the doubt, the confusion, the overwhelming relief. He was trying to piece together whether this was reality or some beautiful dream, his lips parted as if he were afraid to breathe too deeply in case it all disappeared. "Please tell me... this isn't a dream." His voice trembled, barely a whisper as he cupped my face, pressing his forehead to mine. His eyes slid closed, and I could hear the ache in his voice, the vulnerability he tried so hard to mask.

God, I'd made him wait far too long.

But I wasn't going to waste another second.

"It's not a dream, Jacob," I whispered, fighting back the tears threatening to spill over. "I want you back. I've wanted you back since the moment I boarded that plane. The second I set foot in America, my heart was already crying out for you, begging me to come back, to forget everything, and run to you before it was too late. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get you out of my mind. I couldn't hate you, not even for a second. And as hopeless as it is to realize I'll never escape this love, and I'd never be able to worship another man if it's not you, it's also the most beautiful thing— because the man I can't let go of is you. My Jacob."

I took his hands in mine, squeezing them gently. "I'm sorry I made you wait."

He opened his eyes slowly, and the soft smile that spread across his face made my heart flutter. "So... this isn't a dream?"

"No," I murmured, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, "This," another peck, "is," this one firmer, "not," a slower, lingering kiss, "a dream." His grin spread against my lips, and without missing a beat, I pulled him in for a deeper kiss. This time, he didn't hesitate he kissed me back instantly, like he'd been starving for this moment. And Jacob Adriano just fucking dove right into me.

With a swift motion, Jacob turned me around, lifting me effortlessly, and sat me on the hood of his car. And then, he dove in.

His kiss was everything-raw, fierce, pouring every ounce of his passion, hunger, and longing into it. It was like he was trying to make up for every second we'd spent apart in that one kiss.

"You have no fucking idea, Evelyn,” he breathed, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine, "how long I've been waiting for this. For you to come back to me and say I can call you mine again." He kissed me again, his lips rough with urgency, stealing the air from my lungs.

"Say it," he demanded, biting down on my bottom lip. "Say you're mine."

"Yes," I whispered, breathless, "I'm yours. Only yours."

"No Cameron?" He cocked an eyebrow, challenging me, his expression daring me to say anything different. This man.

I couldn't help but laugh. "No Cameron," I chuckled, "but you'll have to tolerate him a bit-he's my friend."

"Fine," he grumbled, "but no other boy toys."

"Agreed. No more boy toys."

"And no more leaving," he added, his voice serious now. "Even if I piss you off, you'll stick around, beat me into sense, whatever it takes."

I smiled, nodding. "Okay. Done."

“And... one kiss every ten minutes for a month."

I burst into laughter, raising my eyebrows in disbelief. "Don't you think that's a little much?"

He gave me that smoldering, determined look. "Yes or no?"

"Well-"

"I could still leave for Italy, you know. Probably catch a flight if I head out now," he teased, his expression entirely too smug.

My jaw dropped, "So you're blackmailing me now?" I couldn't believe his audacity. This man!

"I know I screwed up in Italy, but let's not forget-you put me through hell. Hanging around with your boy toy all day, making me watch while my heart broke into a thousand pieces." He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear, voice low and rough So yeah, I think I deserve a little more than what I'm asking for, don't you think?"

Okay. He had a point.

Whatever happened in Italy, he'd apologized for it. He meant it. And yeah, I did pull Cameron into all of this, probably more than I should have. A kiss every ten minutes? Not the worst deal.

"Fine," I sighed, a chuckle slipping

out. "Now get over here and kiss me,

idiot." I slid my arms around his

neck, pulling him in when suddenly, a car screeched to a stop beside us. The window rolled down, and an older couple peered out. The woman looked amused, while the man-well, not so much.

"Hey, you two!” the man groaned, voice full of irritation. "This is the middle of the road, not a place for... this." He gestured vaguely at us. "Get your asses back in your cars before the cops catch you."

Before either of us could react, the woman beside him chuckled. "Oh, get over it, Bob! Let them have their moment. You can't just go around scolding young people all day-it's their youth, let them enjoy it. Sorry, kids carry on with what you were doing!" She waved dismissively, rolling the window up with a grin.

"Rina-!"noveldrama

"No buts, Bob! Have fun, kids!" she called, her voice muffled as the window finally closed. We barely heard Bob groan as their car pulled away.

Jacob and I just stared at the empty street in shock, glancing at each other before bursting into laughter.

"What the hell was that?" I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief.

Jacob snickered, running a hand through his hair as the wind tousled it even more. "Some solid advice, I guess."

I giggled, brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Which one do we follow?"

"Bob's, probably," he replied with a chuckle. "Cops might actually be on the way, and let's not forget the cop of our house, AKA your dad, is probably waiting for you."

I rolled my eyes but smiled as Jacob scooped me up, making me yelp in surprise, though I couldn't stop laughing as he carried me toward the car. God, I missed this.