In Love With My Father's Best

[Elena's POV]

I didn't realize I had entered the wrong bedroom.

Not the one I had been told to use after the heavy rainstorm.

Work had run late on my first day, and by the time I was done, everything felt rushed and confusing. So my father had to ask his best friend for help. Apparently, it was his company.

And here I was-completely naked, the shirt I was supposed to change into clutched in my hands-when the door opened with a faint creak.

My heart skipped. My fingers loosened, and the shirt slipped from my grip, falling to the floor.

It was him.

Hardin Kings.

My father's best friend.

The man I loved.

Standing in the doorway, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He didn't look away. He stared-openly, intensely, sending a strong shiver down my spine. I bit my lower lip, trying to control myself.

My chest tightened, reminding me that he was my father's best friend. The man I shouldn't even be standing in front of like this.

But I wanted him to notice me. Would he finally notice me now?

"This is my room, Elena. What are you doing here?"

His voice was low. Deep. Laced with something dangerous that made it harder to control my feelings.

His gaze didn't shift. He remained almost nonchalant, as if nothing about this situation bothered him.

But no. He couldn't completely hide the tension lingering between us.

"I..."

"I thought..."

My voice trembled, no words could undo the moment.

"You said the first room." I forced the words out.

"The first floor," he corrected quietly. "And you should have locked the door."

Why didn't I do that?

Was I... Waiting for this moment?

I swallowed.

A crooked smile curved his lips.

His gaze moved slowly over me, taking in every inch of my exposed skin as if he owned it all.

Then it hit me, I was naked.

I tried to cover myself, but it was too late.

He had already seen everything.

My gaze dropped, but I could still feel his eyes on me. My breath trembled as I slowly looked up again, our eyes locking.

In three slow, deliberate steps, he closed the distance between us.

I didn't move. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air between us thicken. His fresh, strong scent filled the room and my senses.

My eyes met his-dark, and filled with something I couldn't ignore.

My mind went blank. I could be this close to Hardin?

"What are you up to?" he whispered.

Heat burned down my skin. This was wrong, I should step away, but I couldn't.

"What do you mean?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

His stare held something palpable.

His hand shot out-gripping my jaw, as if he expected me to pull away. But I didn't.

Then he pulled my face closer to his. We shared the same heavy air, his warm breath brushing against my skin.

His eyes dropped to my lips, then to my