Falling for My Dad's Best Friend Page 2

  “Mom, I can’t, how about this instead?” I asked quickly, pulling out a blouse from my closet. It was a nice blouse, sheer and silky. If I paired it with palazzo pants, I’d be dressed up enough. “It’s perfect for graduation, it’ll make me look sophisticated and dressy.”

  But Linda shook her head.

  “No honey,” she said firmly. “You’re eighteen, not thirty-five. That outfit is for a woman my age, in the middle of life, leave blouse and pants sets to me.”

  I protested some more, but it was all futile, Mom was dead set on me wearing a dress. And given that the party had already started downstairs, I gave in. This wasn’t the time to make a scene, and sometimes it’s just easier not to fight, to let Linda have her way. Oh god, this dress was about ten sizes too small and I wasn’t even sure how I was going to get it on, it was gonna be so awkward.

  So with a resigned sigh, I grabbed the dress and stalked into the bathroom. Might as well get this over with. Yanking my sweatshirt and jeans off, I struggled into the tight fabric, the material stretchy and just a bit shiny. Shit, my head was lost in the maze, my arm was poking out haphazardly, I couldn’t even get this thing on.

  But finally, my face emerged from the fabric and I yanked the purple material down unceremoniously. Pausing, I gasped in the mirror. Holy shit, what a difference the right clothes can make. Because suddenly I wasn’t little girl Mandy anymore, I was Amanda, a woman had arrived, curvy and seductive. The neckline, which I’d thought would be indecent was actually okay, showing some décolletage but not letting my girls hang all the way out. And the skirt was flirty and feminine, showing off my thighs to an advantage, making me feel warm and very female. Holy shit, holy shit. Could I go downstairs like this? I was blown away by the transformation and futilely tried to get my curls in order, brushing them behind my ears.

  And seeing me emerge from the bathroom, my mom nodded approvingly.

  “You look beautiful honey, so gracious and grown-up,” she clucked.

  I sighed, exasperated.

  “But Mom, I thought you didn’t want me to look grown up and sophisticated, that’s why the blouse and pants were out,” I retorted pointedly.

  Linda just shrugged.

  “Honey, you’ll see,” she patted my hand comfortingly. “When you’re my age and have a daughter, you’ll know what grown-up means. For now, though, baby you look beautiful,” she said again. “My little princess.”

  And I felt bad because Linda’s eyes were literally starting to tear as she looked me over, brimming up and growing slightly pink.

  “Ma!” I rolled my eyes, putting an arm around her shoulders. “What’s wrong? It’s just a graduation dress, it’s not my wedding gown or anything, no reason to cry.”

  Linda sniffled a bit, wiping at her eyes.

  “I know honey, but seeing you here like this. It just reminds me that my little girl is all grown up and flying the nest. My little girl who I used to rock to sleep every night, singing lullabies, is now all grown up and going to college, of all things! I’ll miss you honey, me and your dad both, we’re really going to miss you.”

  And I gave my mom a heartfelt hug then. Because Linda and Ray have been amazing parents, really excellent in every way. They’d given me enough space and air to grow, to reach like a vine towards the sun, never holding me back, allowing me to develop at my own pace while still nurturing my roots down below.

  And now I was leaving them. My graduation party was the last hurrah before I took off for Hudson University in the fall. So I hugged my mom tighter.

  “No worries Mom, it’s gonna fine,” I said in a comforting voice. “Come on, it’s gonna be fine, you and Dad did a great job as parents, and this is the next step, it’s natural, all baby birds leave the nest. It’s hard, I know, but you’ll love the extra space. Weren’t you going to make my room into a den, or a sitting room to do your sewing? This is your big chance, think of how much you’ll enjoy it.”

  And my mom sniffled a little more then, head bent, greying hair in a neat bob.

  “I know baby, I know,” said my mom. “It just happened so soon, you know? I still remember you in diapers with a poochy tummy and big smile,” she sniffled again. “But it’s not about me, today is about you. Now go down there and enjoy yourself, the first few guests have already arrived.”

  I smiled and hugged Linda one last time.

  “It’s no worries Ma, we’ll hang out over the summer and spend some quality time together, okay? We still have a couple months before I head off to college."

  And Linda nodded, sniffling and nodding, wiping her eyes one last time as I went down the stairs. To tell the truth, I was feeling a little weepy too. I love my parents, I’m connected at the hip to the parental units, and they mean the world to me. It’s a little freaky I know, because most teen girls are dying to get away, to establish their independence. But I guess it’s because I’m an only child. With just the three of us, Linda, Ray, and I developed a close bond, and there was definitely a co-dependent element to it all. So it was good that I was leaving home actually. For the first time, I’d be striking out on my own, and hopefully, cut the invisible lifeline that ran between us.

  Shaking my head once more, I walked wobbily down the stairs. There were so many changes coming, and despite my brave words, I was a little apprehensive. It was freaky to leave the comfort of home for Hudson University, where there’d be a million kids partying, studying, smoking pot … and oh god, having sex. But that was the thing. I needed to come out of my shell a little and act more like a woman, rather than a shy teen, and sex was very much a part of it.

  So I forced myself back to reality as I went down the stairs. This was no time to mope about all the things I had to learn, all the things I had to teach myself. Guests were here and it was important to be happy at my own party, play the part of the gracious hostess. And whaddya know, but the doorbell rang just as my foot touched the first floor landing. With a big smile, I swept the front door open, ready to pop out a cheery greeting when all the breath evaporated from my body.

  Because it was Rob Parker, or Mr. Parker as I’ve called him my entire life. My dad’s best buddy was here, tall, gorgeous, dominant, those blue eyes so clear, so penetrating, that I shivered all over. All thoughts of college, leaving home, my parents, whooshed out of my head and I was literally breathless, knees weak, with a shy smile on my lips.

  The feelings were wrong, I know, but I can’t help it. Mr. Parker has always been a part of my life. My dad and he were college buddies together, they were pledge brothers at a fraternity house the same year. I guess pledge rituals are pretty brutal because even now, twenty years later, my dad won’t be specific about what they were forced to do, but it’s fair to say there was plenty of drinking, one dude had to be taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning, not to mention the fire that almost burned down the frat house. Alpha Kappa Gamma was rough then, and it’s rough now.

  But whatever happened during that week, the events glued my Dad and Rob together like brothers forever. Because Mr. Parker has always been around, ever since I was born. When I took my first steps, they took a photo of Rob, young and handsome, holding my outstretched arms as I wobbled around. There are also photos of us together in the pool, me a skinny, scrawny seven year-old with huge bubble goggles and a fluorescent snorkel coming out of my mouth, hamming it up with Rob, bronzed, powerful, grinning carelessly at the camera, big hands under my armpits. So yeah, Mr. Parker has always been a part of my life, as long as I can remember.

  And lately, there’s been a new Rob. Dark, dangerous, and aware, exuding masculine presence. His eyes follow my form, skimming over my curves, eating me up when he thinks I don’t notice. Because I know he’s looking. I know he sees the changes in my body even when I wear loose t-shirts and baggy jeans. I know he’s taking in my womanly shape, the way my curves pop out at the least unexpected moments, heavy and full.

  And the truth is that I kinda like it, even though I’m not used to my body yet. Actually,
I love it, I love feeling Rob’s eyes eat up my curves, skin growing hot under the man’s gaze. I love knowing that visually devouring me, probably doing something dirty with me in his mind. And despite my best efforts, there have been some “accidents.” I dunno, I’m not used to my new body yet, and my ass has accidentally bumped against the big man more than once, hips jiggly and wide. And oh god, there was the time my breasts literally rested on his arm as we peered together at the computer screen as he helped me research schools. I didn’t realize it at first, didn’t even know it was happening.

  “How about Colgate College?” I chirped, pointing to a link on the right. “I hear it’s beautiful and they have a brand new library filled with books.”

  Rob snorted before turning to me, blue eyes teasing.

  “Do you really care that much about books, Mandy?” he asked with a careless grin. “I didn’t know you were such a bookworm. Don’t you want to get out, go on some dates?”

  I’d flushed, embarrassed. The truth is that I’ve never been asked out on a date, not even once. Sure, I’ve been on group dates, the kind where a bunch of girls go with a bunch of guys to hang out at the local diner together, but never anything one-on-one. So I flushed, embarrassed to admit the truth.

  “Um, not many boys are interested in me,” I muttered, looking down, cheeks flaming about a million degrees. “I guess I don’t have that much to offer.”

  Rob was silent for a moment before turning those blue eyes to me, gaze suddenly hot, appraising my curves, taking me in fully.

  “Honey, you have plenty to offer,” he rumbled deep in his throat. “More than plenty. Look where your breasts are baby, trust me, you have plenty.”

  And I’d looked down, shocked because I was clueless up until that moment. I didn’t have the spatial awareness, didn’t know exactly where I was in relation to the objects around me. So with a gasp and a twitch, I glanced down and realized that my huge Double Ds were pressed against his arm on the desk, both girls soft, warm, enormous and curvy even under the loose t-shirt.

  And to my shame, my nips hardened visibly then. Right there, through the cotton tee, my tits perked up, pebbling under the soft material, the tips literally jutting out for Rob to see, begging for a kiss.

  He merely rumbled at the sight, eyes alive, that huge male body taut, exuding crackling energy.

  “See little girl?” he ground out, for my ears only. “You’re beautiful and there’s plenty for the boys at school.”

  I jerked back then, hugely self-conscious and more than a little embarrassed, ears in flames as my jugs bounced heavily.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry Mr. Parker.”

  And I didn’t give him time to answer. Instead, scrambling, I rushed up to my room as fast as my legs would carry me, the low sound of his chuckle trailing me from the living room. Holy shit! Holy freakin’ shit, I’d just unwittingly pressed my breasts against the alpha male’s arm, huge sacks of cream dropping against the tanned muscle, the sinew and male strength that was all Rob. But instead of being disgusted or pulling away, he’d called me “beautiful” and said “I had plenty to share.” Oh my god. Did my dad’s best friend, this gorgeous older man, think I was attractive? Maybe even sexy? My breath caught in my throat and I dropped onto my bed, limp, lifeless, just letting the words roll over me.

  Because I was attracted to him, absolutely. He was Uncle Rob, and yet, there was so much more. There was a vitality to the man, something that made the alpha male youthful and vigorous, although he was technically the same age as my parents. And the difference couldn’t be more stark. Linda and Ray were already flabby around their middles, even riding a bike one block would be a challenge, their massive, fleshy forms ridiculously perched on a small bike seat.

  But Rob was a whole different story. Tall, athletic, with just a touch of grey at his temples, he was in great shape, more like a professional athlete than a middle-aged man. Broad shoulders tapered to a vee, with long legs, thick tree trunks that begged to be climbed. And oh god, what lay beneath his shorts I could only imagine. Shamefully, I’d been staring at him down there lately, tracing the bulge with my eyes, literally salivating a bit as I eyed the huge ridge that practically wrapped around his waist, his dick was so obvious.

  So yeah, as I swung open the door to find Mr. Parker there, my body did its usual dance, losing control, nips perking visibly, cunt rushing with warmth.

  “Hi, Mr. Parker,” I said with as much cool as I could muster. It came out small and tinny, like I was a mouse. That would never do. So I cleared my throat and tried again, enunciating like a real woman.

  “Hi Rob,” I said, louder this time. “Thanks for coming to my party.”

  The big man chuckled deep in his chest, blue eyes appreciative.

  “Hey honey,” he rumbled, leaning over to give me a peck on the cheek. “Happy graduation, Amanda.”

  I blushed. God, having him so close made me hot all over, my body was going to explode just from his nearness. And oh god, this dress, it was uncomfortably tight all of a sudden and I silently cursed myself for wearing it. Why had I given into Linda’s demands? I could literally feel myself growing hot, the material scratchy, and shit, but my nipples betrayed me again. Because around Rob, it was like I’d been overtaken with all these urges. I wanted to show him everything, give him everything, let him touch wherever, kiss anywhere he wanted. The thoughts running through my mind made me blush and of course, my tits perked up stiffly, poking out like rocks, impossible to miss.

  Embarrassed, I turned like I was headed back into the party so he couldn’t see, calling out over my shoulder, “Come into the living room, Mr. Parker. Come in and join the party.”

  But my voice was throaty and seductive, not that of a little girl at all. And whaddya know but the big man started walking, almost like he was answering my siren call. But it was all my imagination because instead of trailing me into the living room, he disappeared into the kitchen. Oh god. I heaved a gasp of part-disappointment but also part-relief. If I was this flustered from being around him for two seconds, how was I going to manage a conversation later on? How was I going to get my body under control so that I could talk with the older man without looking like a crazy woman, my curves begging him for more, all of him, yes please?

  But I never got a chance to chat with Rob at the party. There were so many guests and I was pulled in so many directions that I never got a chance to talk one-on-one with Mr. Parker. He looked at me multiple times, I could feel that blue gaze on my curves, my skin sizzling with awareness. But the shindig was over before I knew it, and I looked around disappointed, craning my neck, searching for that huge male form. Had he really left? Had he taken off?

  “Dad, did you see Rob Parker today?” I asked off-handedly, faking cool. “Did he come?”

  Ray nodded.

  “He did, honey, but his pager started going off so he left,” my dad replied. “You know how it is, the doctor’s always on call.”

  And I nodded. Rob was a heart surgeon at a prestigious hospital nearby, and it was part and parcel of the job. Heck, I remembered multiple times from childhood when he’d been called to Mercy Medical, some patient or other was having an emergency, something that couldn’t wait and demanded his attention.

  So I nodded again like it was no big deal, but inside, I was disappointed. Even though I’d been shy, the currents that ran through me around the alpha male made my body come alive in a way that I’d never experienced. I wanted to know him, I wanted to have some time with him alone, and god knows, I wanted to check out that package again. I wanted to discreetly run my eyes over the bulge in his pants, to imagine what it could do to a woman, to me specifically, deep inside. Oh god, it was so wrong and I scolded myself. Get with it Mandy, the little voice went. Mr. Parker is a grown man and you’re half his age. Less than half his age in fact. What would he want with someone naïve like you?

  But my soul was cruising, and I figured I’d see him again at some point. Mr. Parker wa
s my dad’s best buddy after all, they’ve been inseparable for twenty years, so why stop now? I was sure he’d pop up somewhere, sometime, in the three months I had left before college started.

  But oddly, Rob never came around. The summer months rolled past and there was always some reason Mr. Parker didn’t show, making his excuses. He had to work, or there was something that came up, or some patient was having their umpteenth medical crisis. My ears steamed even as my heart sank. Was Rob seeing someone? Was there a lady friend, some slinky vixen with her claws out, who wanted him wrapped around her finger? He’s dated before, heck, the alpha male is popular with the ladies, but I’d never known him to have someone serious. It was always the flavor of the week, some dumb blonde bitch. So what was happening? Why was he keeping his distance?

  And slowly, reality sank in. After another couple more no-shows, I realized there had to be another woman. And not just a bimbo, but someone real this time, someone that Mr. Parker was seeing weekly, if not daily. Shit, shit, shit, I was so jealous I could have cried, although it’s not he’d ever shown any interest in me. It’d been my imagination, a teen girl’s fantasies run wild, and Mr. Parker had real things to do in life that involved adult responsibilities, like a job and taxes.

  So reality hit home hard. Between his patients, rounds at the hospital, and dating this she-witch, there was no time for me anymore. There was no time for Mandy Pandy, I wasn’t going to see him again before college, I wasn’t going to be in the vicinity of that imposing male body. Despite the electric contact at my graduation, Rob had never been into me. He’d disappeared into thin air, like I’d never existed, and it made my heart hurt, head pound.

  But I guess that’s what growing up is about. I’m not number one on the alpha male’s list, he’s got beautiful women, patients, friends, acquaintances, people who want to know him, hanging onto every word from his mouth What’s one eighteen year-old girl, even if you’ve known her since childhood? What’s one annoying, clumsy teen with corkscrew curls and a plump behind? The answer was nothing … absolutely nothing.