My Dad's Bestfriend

Sienna

Calm down.

You hate him. Yes, Sienna, you fucking hate him—just remember that. Only that.

But those abs... hating them seemed unfair to god-to his creation.

I held my breath as he glanced at what looked like a mirror, drying his hair with one hand while holding the phone low with the other. And if I had to describe it as best as I could-I caught a glimpse of his side, the sharp line of his waist, a teasing hint of that V, the sculpted perfection of him. The angle... it was a straight- up thirst trap, the kind that clogs your feed with stupid reels-but Alex wasn't an influencer. He didn't have to try. Just existing, he made one. Perfectly.

God! His jaw was so fucking sharp.

"I almost thought you wouldn't pick up." He raised the phone, grinning, water droplets trailing down his neck. My brain immediately betrayed me. I did not want to think about those droplets let alone dreaming of being one of them.

"Well..." I forced logic into my panic. Think with your brain, Sienna, not... other parts. "...I wasn't planning to, but my finger slipped."

He chuckled, stepping out of the bathroom and into his bedroom. "I believe that." He ran the towel through his hair again, and my fingers twitched, aching to do the same. My mind replayed my touch at his desk when I'd fisted at them while he had his mouth on-and then he spoke again, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"By the way-you shouldn't leave those curtains open like that. I was watching you... maybe half an hour ago. The view? I don't mind. But the idea of other people seeing it? Not okay."

"I do whatever the fuck I want with my curtains, Grayson." My frown stiffened my jaw. "Don't lecture me."

"Sure." He shrugged, tossing the towel aside and flopping onto his bed. "Just so you know—I saw that beautiful ass of yours, wrapped in tight strawberry-printed shorts. Looked... delicious. There are plenty of men like me around, but they wouldn't just watch-they'd probably jerk off to you too."

I cringed—not at his watching, but at the thought of other men.

I huffed. His grin widened, smug, satisfied. He already knew I wouldn't keep my curtains

coming from your lips," he teased,

'asshole' sounds even

That bicep alone was bigger than my face. To think I was talking to a man this big, this dominating, dangerous,

Alex's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "That I have secret fangs and

humor?" I arched an eyebrow. Was this fucker reading my mind? If yes... I couldn't risk

Penelope's Obsession? Pretty sure she wasn't handing

I froze.

he knew

barely noticed outside a small

you... know about that?" I whispered, heart

tabs on you, Sienna," he said, casual,

"I know more about you than you

serious, Alex," I said, my voice tighter now. "That painting... it was sold to some small company

whole time?" He raised an eyebrow, smirk playing on his lips. "Like I said I

Why do you never answer anything straight?" I

the fun in that?" That smirk widened. "Besides... a little mystery always makes

"You goddamn piece of―"

habit-cursing when you're mad-it doesn't suit an artist's personality. You should be more soft-spoken. Jacob not teach you that

lips. And he laughed.

"You're funny," he said.

Funny? I

your humor's clearly broken, because I wasn't trying