My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 222

Evelyn

Clara had given me a bunch of tips as she came downstairs, whilst I was still blushing from the moment Jacob had fed me fruit salad. Within the hour, both she and Dad left, and suddenly, the house felt too quiet.

The silence had been comforting when they were around. Even though Jacob worked from home most days now, we both craved the presence of familiar company—especially me. I loved when Bianca visited, or when Rosaline and Enzo surprised us with bags full of pastries and endless stories.

But now, it was just me and Jacob. And the quiet felt... hollow.

Jacob glanced up from his laptop, noticing the bored expression I wore as I absentmindedly picked at the snacks in my lap. Without hesitation, he closed his laptop and made his way over to me.

"Done already?" I asked, surprised as he plopped down beside me and effortlessly pulled me onto his lap. These days, I wouldn't be surprised when he did that—he'd been doing it that fucking often.

"Not exactly," he murmured, brushing his lips along my jaw before placing a soft kiss at the corner of my mouth. "But work can wait. I can't have the love of my life sitting here bored and lonely, can I?"

"You shouldn't neglect your work because of me," I mumbled, though I buried my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of him. My fingers traced lazy patterns over the tattoo on his chest, something I had memorized long ago.

“I'm not neglecting anything, baby,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple. “It's just a short break. I'll finish everything before night, so don't worry."

I hummed softly, my gaze falling back to the inked designs on his skin. I didn't know why they suddenly felt so mesmerizing, considering I had every detail burned into my memory.

“You're really pretty," I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips as my fingers ghosted over the lines of his tattoo.

Jacob chuckled softly. "Oh, am I?” he teased, pretending to be surprised. “And what made you realize that all of a sudden?"

little crush on you when I was a

His voice dipped, sending shivers down my spine. “And how could I forget

smirk. “Oh well... can

so fucking glad I finally let go-let go of that twisted control, that bullshit sense of right and wrong." His hand wrapped around my throat, firm but gentle, as his lips brushed against mine. "But there's one thing I hated— every agonizing second I had to hold myself back while you stood there, tempting me, begging to be claimed. Every time I saw you, I fucking shattered inside, dying

pounding against my ribs. "Speaking of which," I whispered, locking

night, baby," he chuckled darkly. "I remember every filthy detail of how I

smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Funny...I don't remember a thing," I teased, though the memory blazed through me, igniting

fire. Without another word, he lifted me effortlessly into

carried me to the bedroom, ready to make me forget—and remember-all

***

you'd be too sore to

we strolled along the quiet pavement. The evening sky, painted in hues of amber and violet, cast a soft glow over us, while the gentle breeze kissed my skin-It was comforting. Mostly because I had the love of my life beside me. "But here you are-walking

escaped me. "Or maybe," I teased, arching a brow, "you've lost some of that strength.

to be offended, maybe even challenge me back. Instead, he swiftly pressed me against the cool brick wall, his

hovered dangerously close to mine, his breath hot and tempting, "Are we really going to pretend you don't know I went easy on yo@because of our baby?" His voice was low, gravelly, every word a deliberate stroke against my already burning skin. "You and both know that if I wanted to you wouldn't be able to

Oh, I had. Vividly.

have to try anymore. Pregnancy had turned my body into a live wire. All he had to do was exist, and I was aching

with realization as he caught me

he whispered,

find out?" I dared, my voice barely above a

me harder into the shadows of the corner, shielding us from prying eyes. "Don't tempt me. Because if I do,

to ruin me the way he used to—raw, unrestrained, and merciless. But lately, he'd been careful,

wait, then," I whispered, forcing myself to rein in my spiraling thoughts-the kind that were dark, dirty and oh so detailed Memories trashed through my mind, unbidden and sinful. Every touch, every moment we had stolen since that destination weddingpall of it crashing