Taken by My Best Friend's Dad- The Complete Series Read online

  Taken by My Best Friend’s Dad

  The Complete 5-Book Series

  Ω∞Ω

  An Innocence Claimed Story

  Copyright ©2019 Izzy Slam

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction intended for mature readers. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All characters depicted in this story are fictional, not blood related, and are consenting adults over the age of 18 years.

  Table of Contents

  Book 1: Road Trip

  Book 2: The Confession

  Book 3: Doubly Dirty

  Book 4: The Breakup

  Book 5: Oh, Baby!

  Book 1: Road Trip

  Description

  Felicia

  My best friend is supposed to be coming home for the holidays, and I can’t wait to see her. But when a snow storm blows through and leaves her stranded on campus, her dad decides at the last minute to drive up there and rescue her.

  I’m surprised when Mr. Wells invites me along, but with his assurance we’ll be back that night, I readily agree so I can see Molly and catch up on the way back. Unfortunately, the blizzard is much worse than anticipated, and the roads have closed down, forcing me and her dad to check into a motel with limited availability.

  We try to make the best of it, but there’s something happening between us. Something that is so off limits, I don’t know if Molly would ever approve, or ever forgive us…

  Mr. Wells

  I can hear the frantic pleas in my daughter’s voice when she lets me know she can’t leave her dorm. So I quickly make plans to drive up there and pick her up.

  Inviting Felicia was Molly’s idea. After all, they’ve been inseparable since they were little girls, and since Felicia’s dad has nothing to do with her, well, she’s always been like a daughter to me. But the roads are dicey, and the snow just keeps coming down. Looks like Felicia and I will have to hunker down at this motel, taking what we can get with all the travelers doing the same.

  I’ve never allowed myself to look at Felicia “like that.” But when I catch a glimpse of something I know I shouldn’t see, I can’t pull my eyes away, and it stirs something inside of me that demands to be released.

  I can tell she wants it too, so I’m going to take what I want from Felicia, until she’s begging for more.

  Felicia

  “But tomorrow is Christmas Eve.” My mom looks at me with concern, and rightfully so. I’m getting ready to leave town two days before Christmas.

  “I’ll be back later tonight, mom. No worries. Really.”

  “But what if all three of you get stuck in the snow up there?”

  I sling my purse over my shoulder and take mom by the hands. She’s always worried about me, more so than the average mother. But I understand why. I’m an only child, and she’s had to raise me on her own. When it comes down to it, I’m all she’s got, and she’s all that I’ve got.

  “Mr. Wells has an SUV and he grew up in Colorado, remember? He was practically born driving in snow.”

  She blows out a breath, realizing she can’t win this. “All right, honey. But please, be careful.”

  “I’ll pass that on to Mr. Wells.”

  Mom smiles as I give her a hug and kiss, then head outside to wait for Mr. Wells who should be here any minute.

  He’d called me an hour ago, letting me know that a snowstorm had blown through Candle Rock—the small town where Molly’s college is. And since my best friend was too nervous to drive in the snow, she’d called her dad and asked if he could come get her.

  Technically, Connor Wells isn’t her dad, not in a biological sense. She never knew her real dad, and when her mother died, Mr. Wells was a close family friend, and he was gracious enough to take Molly in and raise her as his own, keeping her out of the foster care system. She started calling him “dad” on her own, and he never told her not to.

  When he called and invited me to join him on the unexpected road trip, I was surprised, but he figured we would enjoy catching up on the way home. And since Molly texted me while I was talking to him, begging me to come too, how could I say no?

  I glance at the time on my phone and see that it’s already 2:18. It’s a four-hour drive to Candle Rock, so we should be there early enough that all three of us can grab some dinner on the go and head back home.

  I pull my coat tighter, just as Mr. Wells pulls up in the driveway. He hops out of the car, rubbing his palms together in the cold.

  “Hey, girl.”

  “Hi, Mr. Wells.”

  I let my eyes drift his length. In a black, full-length trench coat, Molly’s dad looks really attractive.

  “Do I need to come in and talk to your mom?”

  “No, she’s aware of the situation,” I answer, getting in the car and out of the cold as fast as I can. The interior smells like masculine spice, and it’s kind of a turn-on, hitting a part of me that takes me by surprise.

  “Wow, it’s really brutal out there,” he says, falling into the driver’s seat and blowing into his hands.

  “You’re not joking. I can only imagine what Candle Rock is like if it’s this cold in the foothills.”

  “Well, we’re going to find out in just a few hours. You ready to go?”

  “Yep. My mom says to drive safe, by the way.”

  He lets out a little burst of laughter as he backs out of my driveway.

  “I learned how to drive in the snow before I learned how to walk, I think.”

  “I told her.”

  “I do understand that parental concern, though. You can send her a text and let her know I’ll drive safely and treat you like the prized possession that you are.”

  I glance his way and he looks at me, his smile melting the moment as he flicks his gaze to my lips. I don’t know what to say so I give an awkward smile.

  “I think we can be there by six if the traffic isn’t too bad,” he says, cutting the tension.

  “Sounds good. I brought a few snacks if we get hungry.”

  “That was sweet of you.” He looks my way, and I do a slow nod.

  I absolutely adore Mr. Wells. To be honest, he’s been like a father to me since mine bailed when I was just a kid.

  Since Molly’s mom passed away when she was young, and Mr. Wells never had kids of his own, he always spoiled her. I’ve never felt any jealousy about the situation either because my mind is filled with so many happy childhood memories of us: birthday parties at the local skating rink, and sleepovers with Mr. Wells right there with us on the couch, watching movies and ordering pepperoni pizzas at midnight. Now that I think about it, I guess he treated me like I was a part of his family. He’s just a really good man.

  Despite that, I’m a little nervous about traveling with him, only because we’ll be alone for four whole hours. I don’t think I’ve ever been alone with Molly’s dad. It’s always been the three of us, or the four of us when my mom tagged along, which she rarely did. Well, she has her own social life that’s pretty full, so it never bothered me.

  “Molly is really excited about seeing you,” Mr. Wells says.

  “I’m excited to see her, too. Can’t bel ieve it’s been two months since I last drove up there. I’ve just been so busy.”

  He nods in my direction, and I start unbuttoning my coat as the car warms up. I feel his gaze sweeping over me, and it makes my heart skip a few beats. I need to get over this if we’re going to spend four hours together.

  “How are your classes going?”

  “They’re great. I’m only failing one.”

  He shoots me another look and I can’t help but laugh. “Joking. I’m acing everything so far.”

  “Good for you,” he chuckles, tapping me on the leg with the back of his hand.

  While Molly had taken off for a four-year education, I’d stayed behind to go to the community college. They have the best forensics investigation program in the state.

  “So … how are things with you?”

  He lets out a manly sigh. “Can’t complain, I guess. Work is keeping me busy, which is nice since the house seems so empty these days.”

  My chest tightens a little. I hadn’t given much thought to how Mr. Wells would be adjusting to the girl he raised leaving for school and not being around all the time.

  “I guess it does. Well, for the next few weeks, you’ll have her back, and you know I’ll be around too.”

  He flicks his eyes at me. “I hope so. I really miss hearing you girls laughing and having fun.”

  “You can count on it. I miss the old days of her, you know, just being right there for me to talk to, or hang out with…”

  “I know, sweetie, I know,” Mr. Wells says, placing a reassuring hand on my leg.

  And when tingles dance up my flesh, I’m left wondering … what the fuck is going on?

  Mr. Wells

  I feel bad that inviting Felicia didn’t cross my mind until Molly brought it up.

  My daughter sounded frantic when she called this afternoon. She should have come home last week, but she got behind in one of her classes and needed to make up some work. Unfortunately, the town where she goes to school got hit with a snow storm, leaving six inches on the ground. Needless to say, Molly was not comfortable battling that much snow.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll hop in the Blazer and come get you right away,” I had told her.

  “Can you bring Felicia, too? I miss her so much.”

  “I don’t know if Felicia will want to leave her mom so close to the holidays, honey. They’re probably spending family time together.”

  “Um, actually, her mom is probably working. Unless… you’re uncomfortable with it?”

  Her question jarred me a little, but only because there was some truth to it.

  Molly isn’t my biological child, but I love her just the same. I took her in when she was in grade school, not long after her mother passed. Her mom and I had worked together and hung out in the same social circles, and I just couldn’t imagine Molly ending up in a home with a bunch of strangers. She had met me a number of times and seemed content to move in with me and let me raise her. By the end of our first week together, Molly was calling me “dad,” making me feel like the proudest dad in the world.

  It wasn’t long after that she and Felicia shared a class together at school, and they’ve been inseparable since then. They’re practically like sisters. And since Felicia doesn’t have a dad, I’ve always thought of her as my second “adopted” daughter.

  So why would having her tag along on this trip feel so strange?

  “I’m not at all uncomfortable with it. In fact, I’ll call Felicia myself and invite her. But don’t get your hopes up.”

  And now here we are, with Molly’s best friend sitting right next to me as we make our way out of town.

  “What’s Santa bringing you this year?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

  “Not much in the way of tangible things. I told mom I wanted money in my college savings account more than anything.”

  “Did you ever apply for that scholarship I told you about?”

  She lets out a sigh. “Yes, and others, too. But the only one I got was that off-the-wall one for left-handed people.”

  “You’re kidding?” I ask, chuckling.

  “No, I’m not,” she says, holding up her left hand. “Got a thousand bucks, and it helped a lot. But it’s still not enough to cover two years’ worth of education.”

  I know all too well how expensive college is. “I know what you mean. If I hadn’t started Molly’s college fund when she was little, I never would have been able to afford it.”

  “Hmm,” she murmurs.

  Fuck, I sound so passive aggressive. Felicia’s mother has struggled for eighteen years, and I’m sure not having any other financial support from her dad has made things tough. And here I am, rubbing her face in it.

  “I’m sorry,” I blurt out.

  “For what?” she asks, her voice so soft and timid as she looks my way.

  I don’t really know what to say, so I just bullshit my way out of being an asshole. “That you have to work so hard to get through school.”

  She tosses her hand up. “It’s no biggie, really. I get to live with mom rent free. And it’s only two years of my life. After that, I’ll have my dream job.”

  “You’re damn right you will.”

  I love her attitude. It’s one of the many things I love about Felicia, in fact. She’s always been a little sweetheart. And right now, I’m so overcome with the urge to hug her, I have to grip the steering wheel and divert my thoughts.

  We seem to be comfortable riding quietly for a while when I notice her getting settled, pulling off her coat and leaning the seat back a few inches to get comfortable. I assume she’s taking a nap, so I turn on the radio to some light jazz to keep me company without waking her up.

  I can’t help but toss her a look every once in a while, imagining what kind of man it would take to walk out on your own flesh and blood. Just looking at Felicia, and taking in her beauty, I can only imagine how adorable she was as a newborn. And oddly, all that innocence seems to still surround her. And it’s making me want to shield her in a way I’ve never felt.

  See, this is probably why I’ve not allowed myself to get too close to Felicia. Hell, raising one girl is enough to rip out your heart and soul. But if I have those same protective thoughts about Felicia, there will be nothing left of me. Particularly if those thoughts go well beyond just feeling … protective.

  But, the thing is, I’ve felt this way about her before.

  This is what I’m thinking as I head north on the highway. And the memory clutches at my chest. A fleeting recollection of Molly and Felicia lying on the couch in the dark just several months ago, giggling as they stare into their phones while the only light that surrounds them comes from a movie on TV. It was just past midnight, and I’d come downstairs to get an aspirin for a mild headache.

  Felicia was the only one who acknowledged my presence, spinning her head to look my way while biting her lip and kicking her legs up in the air. I almost thought she would say hi, but she didn’t. And we had this moment where we were just looking at one another like we were the only people in the world.

  I had a hard time breathing for those few seconds, my core stirring in ways it hadn’t in years. I didn’t understand what it was at the time. Well, I did, but I wouldn’t allow it to go anywhere. I pushed whatever I felt out of the way, and never thought of it again.

  Until now as I watch her sleep so angelically.

  “Fuck,” I whisper, running my hand through my hair.

  She’s only eighteen, and she’s your daughter’s best friend. You cannot have those feelings for her.

  I tell myself this over and over as I roll down the highway, and I am still repeating it silently like a mantra as the first few snowflakes begin to fall.

  Felicia

  I don’t know how long I fall asleep for. Frankly, I’m surprised I could sleep at all. I had simply closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep because I was feeling this intense vibe between me and Mr. Wells, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it.

&n bsp; And here I am, waking up to massive snowflakes hitting the windshield. I pull in a deep breath and stretch as I look out into the darkness. After rubbing my eyes, I can see that the ground is already starting to get covered.

  “What in the world?”

  “Yeah. Looks like we’re headed into the remainders of this snow storm. According to the radar, it was supposed to be moving west, but I think it took a dive south.”

  I look ahead at the road, white flakes covering a majority of the highway.

  “How did this happen so fast?”

  “It’s been cold up here, so whatever falls is going to stick fast. You’re not worried, are you?”

  It’s not that I haven’t seen snow, we just don’t get hardly any back home, so it’s taking me by surprise.

  “Not unless it gets worse than this.”

  Mr. Wells bobs his head. “It probably will. But as long as it’s just snow, we’ll be fine. If it turns to freezing rain, we’ll have to pull over.”

  I know I shouldn’t panic, but the thought of being stranded in this is making me nervous. I lean forward and watch the flakes dive into the windshield before being whipped away by the wipers.

  “Hey, it’s okay. I promise,” Mr. Wells says, putting his hand on my leg again. “I’ve been in much worse than this. We’ll get there.”

  I look his way, but his focus is on the road.

  “Yeah, I know,” I say, feigning comfort. “At least it’s pretty.”

  “It really is. Sometimes I miss it, how everything gets covered in all this white. It’s almost like the world is pure once again, just for a little while.”

  I take in his profile. He rubs his chin, and I get the feeling he’s talking about more than just snow. For some reason, I feel the need to lighten the mood.

  “Too bad we won’t be staying long enough to have a snowball fight.”