Quite Frankly: Dilf Mania (Beech Grove Book 5) Read online

  “Frank.” I said his name gently.

  “Invite me in, Karina.”

  “What about work and—”

  “It’s waited this long. A couple more hours won’t hurt.”

  “A couple more hours, and it’ll be Monday,” I pointed out.

  “Then it’ll wait for Monday. Invite me in, baby,” he repeated, his hand squeezing mine.

  Something had changed.

  Something big and unnamed.

  Something so big I didn’t want to think too much about it in fear of putting my hopes up so high it would be one hell of a free fall when I fell.

  “Frank, would you like to come in?” I asked and felt the relief in his eyes in the left side of my chest.

  “Thought you’d never ask.” He winked. “After you.” I stepped inside.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I offered as I took my duffel from him and watched as he tossed his along with the hoodie he had been wearing this weekend on an old recliner I had bought on a whim. “I have coffee. Wine. Cider. Tea,” I nervously rambled, and he smiled and shook his head.

  “I’m good, Karina. How about a movie?”

  “I don’t have a TV out here.” I winced and bit my lip. “But I have one in my bedroom,” I offered somewhat shyly. I am an idiot. Frank Titan knew every inch of my body. Any reason to be shy flew out the window way before our romp in the cabana.

  “You trying to seduce me, Miss Castillo?” He wiggled his brows, and I rolled my eyes.

  “I’m serious. I work out here, so I didn’t put a TV in the living room. Too much of a distraction.”

  “That’s good thinking on your part.” I didn’t know why I liked that he approved. “Sounds good. Not like I would say no to going into your room. Let me get some water, and I’ll be right there.”

  “What do you wanna watch?”

  “Anything.” He shrugged, and I bit my lip.

  “Okay. I could get the water for us if you want.”

  “I got it,” he said over his shoulder as he unzipped his duffel bag. “Go get comfortable, baby.” He winked, making his way around the kitchen with a pair of gym shorts in his hands. That’s when I noticed the kitchen had been cleaned, and I knew he had something to do with it, but I wasn’t going to argue. I would have to figure out a way to make It up to him.

  Surprise him somehow. With that in mind, I stepped into my bedroom and scrounged through my pajama drawer. I couldn’t figure out what to wear.

  It wasn’t like I’d prepared to have him over. Or had a chance to buy something slinky and sexy that would somehow entice and seduce him. With a sigh, I grabbed a pair of short shorts and a tank top and went to change. Mentally making a note of ordering something sexy online first thing tomorrow to surprise him with soon.

  Stepping into my bedroom, I should have been prepared to see him, sprawled out in my bed looking like he belonged there just as much as the pillows did, but I wasn’t. Not at all.

  “How is it fair you’re that freaking hot?” I said out loud, and I watched his cheeks turn pink, making him even more endearing. He seemed younger in that moment.

  “You’re one to talk. Come here.” He crooked his finger before patting the bed beside him, and I went without a second thought, snuggling up next to him.

  “Ironman cool?” he muttered as he played with the remote, looking through the digital movies I owned on my Apple TV.

  “Very,” I whispered, settling my head against his shoulder, enjoying the way the tips of his fingers played with the small amount of exposed skin on the side of my torso.

  “Karina?” he broke the silence halfway through the movie.

  “Hmm.” I stroked the skin between his pecs.

  “In case you were wondering, I had a really good time this weekend.” I smiled and planted a kiss above his nipple before pulling away and looking up at him, not surprised his eyes were already waiting for mine.

  “I did, too, Frank.”

  “No, I mean…” He frowned and licked his lips. “I had the best time I’ve had in longer than I would like to admit. Every minute that passes by with you, baby, you gotta know, it’s better than the last.”

  “Frank,” I whispered. “See, this is what I’m talking about,” I said softly, sitting up and cupping his face. “How can you not have dated in the past and be this good at it without a little experience?”

  “Karina.”

  “I’m serious. You’re so sweet and sexy. I have to be honest, it’s freaking me out a little bit.”

  “Why?” His lips twitched slightly, but I could tell he was trying not to full on smile. He wanted to make sure he tried to take me seriously.

  “Because I’m not sure how to do the relationship thing, and I don’t know what you see in me,” I admitted, and he frowned. He opened his mouth, but I laid a finger on his mouth and my free hand over his heart. “I’m not fishing for compliments, and I’m not being insecure, or at least I don’t think I am. I just… I don’t know. I feel absolutely lucky you see something in me that makes you want to share your time with me. I like you, Frank. I like you a lot.”

  “I like you, too.” He kissed the tip of my finger. “Fuck, babe, I want to spend all night showing you exactly how much I like you, but we both have to be up early tomorrow.” I grinned at his words.

  “Rain check?” I suggested.

  “Yeah.” His eyes were on my fingers, but I knew his mind was somewhere else, and I wondered if I had said too much too fast. God, I suck at the dating thing. “I should—”

  “Stay?” I offered and thankfully, he didn’t make me wait too long.

  “Sounds good. Lie down,” he ordered in a playful tone, and I did as he said.

  I lay on my side, being the little spoon to his big one, and before I knew it, I was sleeping. Completely content and feeling safe in his arms.

  Chapter Eight

  Karina

  “KARINA? YOU UP?” A FAMILIAR VOICE called out. I snuggled deeper into the warmth behind me.

  “Karina?” A knock at my bedroom window sounded, and I stilled. And so did the massive body behind me.

  “Karina?” the voice called out again with a knock. “Wakey, wakey, slow poke.”

  “Shit.”

  “Fuck,” we both cursed as I glanced at the man behind me.

  “It’s Ruby!” I whispered in a panicked tone.

  “Breathe, baby,” he calmly whispered back. My eyes felt like they were going to jump out of their sockets.

  “Breathe?!” I exclaimed. “How am I supposed to breathe? I’m in bed with my best friend’s dad!” I hissed lowly.

  “Breathe,” he repeated. “Go open the door in here. I’ll be slip out through the front door.”

  “Okay,” I agreed and watched him sit up and stand, my eyes unable to tear themselves away from his perfect body. He was fit. There was a beautiful muscular definition to his body. It said he took care of it yet enjoyed a good meal and strong drink. The somewhat hairy chest only added to the sexiness, and the fine happy trail that led to an even happier place made me feel him all over. But that wasn’t for now or here. Not at this exact moment at least.

  “Your bag!” I shrieked.

  “I’ll get it, beautiful.” He winked before leaning in to kiss my lips, obviously not worried about things like morning breath or his daughter lurking just outside the room!

  “Frank.” I didn’t know what I wanted to say. No, that wasn’t true. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. The problem was, I didn’t know where I wanted to start, and we had no time.

  “Breathe and go.” He kissed my forehead, and before I knew it, Frank slipped out of bed and was moving toward the living room.

  I quickly stood and walked over to open the curtain. Thank goodness, I’d shut it! Ruby stood there, bright and cheerful, holding a drink carrier in one hand and a bag in the other.

  “Hey.” I smiled nervously as I opened the French doors.

  “Hey, stranger! You slept in!” Ruby skipped into my bedroo
m, and I hoped to God Frank had left like he had planned.

  “I did?” I wondered out loud as I looked around my bedroom for a clock. Holy crap, it was past ten am on a Monday morning!

  “Do I even want to know how late you stayed up last night?” Ruby teased. If she only knew.

  Last night. Last night had been perfect.

  What had seemingly started off innocently enough had turned into more. There were so many things Frank was good at. He was amazing at dirty and hot, but slow and intimate took us through uncharted waters. I had no idea who had reached for whom, but it had been amazing. Half asleep but craving what only the other could give had been just as good as when we got dirty.

  Damn. I was falling deep for the man, and it wasn’t just the sex. Thankfully, I didn’t have much time to dwell because Ruby was standing in front of me.

  “No later than usual,” I managed to say, and it wasn’t a lie. Frank had been keeping me up pretty late the last couple of days.

  We walked in and through the house to the kitchen, where she sat the coffees and what looked like a pastry bag down.

  “I brought provisions as an apology,” she broke the silence, and I crossed my arms around my chest. Apology? Oh, crap. That was the last thing Ruby needed to do. I was the one who needed to apologize and bring provisions. Though what pastry said ‘I’m sorry for screwing your dad’? I didn’t think a vanilla cupcake would do.

  “No need.” I cleared my throat and rubbed my shoulder.

  “No, I do. I took a double at Hank’s. I couldn’t say no to Wally.”

  “Don’t stress. You know Daisy and I understand.”

  “I know, but well… you know.” She shrugged and took a drink of her coffee, her eyes moving off mine and her brows furrowed together.

  “Oh no! Did you burn your neck curling your hair again?” she asked, her eyes on my neck. My neck? Shit! My cheeks burned bright. Hickeys. From her dad. Oh fuck!

  “Oh, umm, yeah.” I turned so she wouldn’t see the embarrassment in my eyes. “I was watching a YouTube tutorial on how to do this hair thing.” I quickly stepped into the living room, a hoodie catching my eye, and quickly tossed it on so she didn’t scope out the other marks Frank had left behind.

  “You and those YouTube tutorials! Remember when you talked Daisy into spiraling her hair with—”

  “A flat iron and skewers,” I cut in and laughed as I sat down across from her at the small kitchenette table.

  “She looked like an electrocuted poodle!” Ruby added, and we both laughed. “I’m really sorry about last night’s dinner.”

  “No worries. I worked.” Her dad, but that wasn’t something I needed to share.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” I moved in closer, taking my coffee and bagel out. “I love these bagels,” I quickly made small talk.

  “I know. I couldn’t resist this morning, and I knew a carby treat would soften you up.”

  “Soften me up? That’s never good.”

  “I just don’t want you to be mad at me after I tell you I kinda did a thing. By the way, I like your hoodie,” she pointed out, taking a sip, never taking her eyes off me.

  “Oh, thanks.” I patted on the sleeve realizing what I’d done. Shit. I’d put on Frank’s sweater. He must have forgotten it in his rush this morning. Thankfully, he had taken his duffel. There was no way I could have explained a men’s designer duffel bag in my place.

  “So, what did you do?” I asked trying to steer the conversation away from any chance she’d figure out I’d fucked her dad. God, I was the worst friend ever.

  “I mentioned something to my dad about you.”

  “Oh?” I swallowed hard, worried about what it could be.

  “He has this fantastic new position coming up, and they are looking for a new graphic designer,” she went on, and my shoulders relaxed. “You should totally bid on it!”

  “Umm, I don’t know, Ruby. Your dad is already giving me a deal living here. I don’t know about forcing work my way—”

  “Wait, is that my dad’s hoodie?” she asked after taking a sip of her coffee.

  “Excuse me?” I stood straighter, gripping the ends of the sleeves tighter in my fists.

  “That hoodie. It’s my dad’s.”

  “What?” My heart was beating tenfold and about to jump out my chest.

  It wasn’t like I could take it off. If I did, it would make things so much worse. I had fallen asleep with a low-cut tank top that more than showed off the thorough attention Frank had spent on my body.

  “He came by?” she asked with wide eyes.

  “Yes. He, umm…” I licked my lips trying to conjure up a reason. “He told me you called and asked him to stop by. That’s how I knew, umm, about you know not having dinner.” I brushed imaginary crumbs away from the tabletop.

  “And he got comfortable?” she asked, and my head popped up to meet her eyes.

  “Excuse me?”

  “His sweater,” she pointed out.

  “Oh.” I nervously chuckled and shook my head. “Well, it was warm in here. I was working, and you know how I get when I’m, umm, working! Totally focused. Anyhow, I didn’t realize I hadn’t put the AC on, and he, umm, came by and mentioned the job. It was stuffy. I didn’t realize he had left it behind.”

  “Oh! Good!” Good? Jesus, had she figured it out? “So, what do you think?”

  “About?”

  “The job.” She grinned, looking at me like I was amusing. “Drink more coffee. You seriously need it. If I didn’t know you any better, I would have thought you had spent half the night getting your brains fucked out.” I choked on my coffee and coughed.

  “Right.”

  “No luck seeing that daddy afternooner?” Jesus Christ on a cracker.

  “That just, umm, no…” I shook my head before I chugged my coffee and put the cup down.

  “So, the job?” she asked, and I was going to thank each and every single one of my lucky stars she had changed subjects.

  “I don’t know, Ruby.” I sighed, scratching the top of my brow. “I shouldn’t.” There was so much I shouldn’t want when it came to Frank Titan.

  “Why not, silly girl? It’s a great opportunity. Especially when my dad and his partners do what they plan to with that place.”

  “He’s your dad, Ruby. It feels wrong,” I said out loud, not missing the double entendre and the way my cheeks heated up.

  “Way I see it, you never know unless you try.” Jesus! I wanted a black hole to swallow me up. If she only knew how many times I’d tried out her dad! She’d kill me, bring me back to life, all so she could hate me for the rest of my waking days. “You should totally put a bid in!” she encouraged, and I looked away drinking the coffee.

  “I guess. I mean, I know you’re right.” I weakly smiled.

  “You sure you’re okay?” she asked, tilting her head, obviously studying me. I suddenly felt like I was under a microscope.

  “I’ve just been working,” I lied.

  “Why don’t you stop by Hank’s tomorrow night. I have a mid-shift. You and Daisy can keep me company until I’m off, and we can have a couple of drinks and catch up.”

  “I’m not into the bar scene, Rubix-cube, you know that.”

  “It’s really chill there. I promise! Plus, you would love the eye candy that goes there!” She stood, and I stood up, too. “Come!”

  “Fine. I’ll be there,” I quickly agreed.

  “I knew mentioning eye candy would sell it. Ugh, the men who go there, it’s not even fair they are that hot!”

  “Hot, huh?” Not that I was interested. I only had eyes for one guy.

  “Maybe we can get you laid!” she suggested giddily, and I laughed.

  “Oh, I don’t know—”

  “Just in case, Lyft and we can get tipsy! You never know where the night will take you.” She winked, taking her drink with her. I followed her to the front door before she turned to look at me and made my stomach drop to the floor.

&nb
sp; “Hey, do you know if my dad’s been seeing anyone?”

  “Excuse me?” I mumbled. I almost felt like every drop of blood drained to the bottom of my feet.

  “Anyone coming and going? I mean, that you’ve maybe seen?”

  “What? I’m not sure.” I shrugged, looking away, unlocking the door, and opening it.

  “Hmm…”

  “Why do you ask?” I couldn’t help asking.

  “He’s been answering his phone more,” she oddly answered, and I giggled.

  “What?”

  “He hardly answers his phone. But he has been. The last two weeks. Anyways, I drove into the drive, and guess what?” Her eyes were wide like they always were when she was about to gossip.

  “What?”

  “He was still home. On a Monday morning!” She laughed, and when her laughter died down, she got a serious expression on her face as she looked toward the big house. “Whoever it is, I hope it works out. He deserves some happy, you know?” She leaned in and hugged me before waving good bye and reminding me about Tuesday night.

  He did deserve some happy.

  The only question was, would she hate it if it was me who helped serve it?

  Frank

  He deserves some happy. That dang kid of mine was a good one.

  I stepped into the living room, away from where I had been hiding and in doing so accidentally eavesdropping.

  “She’s gone,” I said after she closed the door but hadn’t turned around.

  “Oh, my God!” Karina shrieked before leaping up and turning around with her hand over her heart. “But you’re not!”

  “I didn’t have enough time when I remembered my bag.” I shrugged, pulling my duffle up so she could see it.

  “Oh,” she mumbled, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She looked good in my sweater. I liked how it looked on her. Covering her body, it claimed her as mine in a way.

  “Mondays, huh?” I joked, and when she opened her eyes, I walked right over to her. My poor girl had had a stressful morning. “She’s gone. Breathe,” I told the top of her head, my arms wrapped around her waist.