Lily’s Choice: A Dad’s Best Friend Story

Excerpt:

After an accidental fire destroyed the dorm building where I was staying, I needed a place to stay and quick. I was running out of options when Steele, my dad’s best friend since their college days, invited me to stay in his garage apartment.

My friends all warned me about living with a cop saying that he’d be uptight and by the book, but I don’t care. I was desperate, the price is right, and what none of them know is I’ve always had a raging crush on Steele ever since I can remember.

Not that I think anything will happen here, even though I’m now an adult, but he’s still off limits. He’s twice my age and my dad’s best friend after all. But he’s still really hot, plus it makes me feel safe knowing that’s he’s only a few feet away at any time.

“Hey, can we swim in the old man’s pool, now that we’re done moving you?” Jason asks.

I shake my head and narrow my eyes at him. “He’s not an old man, just because he’s older than us,” I insist.
“Yeah but he is your dad’s age, right?” Tom reminds me.

“Okay, so he’s twice our age but I bet he’s still in better shape than either of you clowns,” I point out.

“Ohhhhh, just because he’s SWAT he’s in good shape?” Jason mocks. “And why do you want to live right next door to the popo anyway man, you’ll never get to have any fun!”

“I don’t need to have fun,” I tell him. “I need to do well and graduate, that’s what I need.” I playfully punch him on the arm, and he dodges out of the way, pivots and then picks me up and throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.

Even though I tease them about not being in as good of shape as Steele they’re certainly no slouches. They both play on the college rugby team and they’re in amazing shape. We’ve been friends since the first week of school when I helped tutor both of them in biology class.

They’re hot too, and several of my friends are bewildered over why I’ve never dated either one of them, but I guess I just have a thing for hot older guys, not hot guys who are my age.

I really don’t date anyway, too focused on my studies. “Off to the pool princess!” Jason announces as he smacks me on the ass and marches out the door.

“Hey!” I protest. “Don’t forget I’m living with a cop now and I can file a complaint!” My warning falls on deaf ears as he marches down the stairs with me still on his shoulder.

The two of them push a squeaky gate open that leads to the pool area while Jason sets me down on my feet. “I need to get my swimsuit,” I start to tell them when Tom picks me up and promptly throws me in the pool.

I come up spluttering, “You guys! I’m in my clothes!” They ignore me as they pull off their t-shirts and their chiseled abs and broad chests don’t escape my notice. They both dive into the pool and swim underwater straight toward me.

When Tom resurfaces, he wipes the water from his eyes. “We can help you get your clothes off if you want.”
“Get away from me!” I laugh and splash water at them.

“C’mon, nobody wants to swim in their clothes. We could have a skinny dip party if you want,” Tom teases as he tugs on the strap of my tank top and slides it down my shoulder.”

“You can skinny dip all you want but I’m keeping my clothes on, even if they are soaking wet now,” I tell them when I’m surprised to see Steele appear at the gate. My stomach does a flip flop at the sight of him.

He’s dressed in his work uniform and damn if he doesn’t look hotter than ever. He pushes open the squeaky gate which causes Tom and Jason to turn and when they see him, they both back away from me.

I have to admit; Steele is a commanding presence no matter who you are. He strides toward the pool and then stands at the water’s edge his arms folded across his broad chest, his sunglasses make it hard to tell if he’s mad or just watching us.