Claimed By My Father's Best Friend

ASHLEY'S POV

“Ashley, do you have plans for tomorrow?” My dad asked me over the phone, interrupting my thoughts.

“I don't have any plans, dad, I will just stay in and watch a few movies, I'm here on a break, remember?” I replied, laying on the cozy bed in my hotel room ‘it's so comfy’ I muttered to myself.

He sighed. “It doesn’t seem that way to me, all you ever did since you got there was business.”

“Touché, but I'm done with all that. And now, I'm going to explore the city of Paris.” I said out of excitement, thinking of all the fun I will have.

“I think it's too late for that sweetheart, I need you here. Micheal is coming back into town, and I'm inviting him for dinner to welcome him home. I need you to be here when he arrives. You've always liked Micheal since you were a child, you will get to see him again and maybe discuss business with him. It's a win-win for you.”

I froze on hearing that name that reminds me of most of my childhood memories. Micheal Kingston. I did not get to see him much because he left New York when I was ten. My father's best friend and business Partner, the one who had always been a father figure to me. He practically watched me grow. I can't wait to see him, but I would like to stay a bit longer in Paris.

“But Dad…” He interrupted me before I could speak further.

“No buts Ashley, Micheal is not just anyone to us, he's family and you know that. I expect you to be in New York tomorrow and that's final.”

“Fine, I will be there. See you soon dad.”

I came to Paris to take a break from work, but it has been all about business since I arrived. But because tonight is my last night in Paris, I'm going to have fun and possibly make new friends before I have to put on a serious face for whatever it was my father had planned for tomorrow.

I entered the finest club in Paris later that night. And the smell of luxury perfumes and expensive champagne hit me as I walked closer to the bar. I was here to have fun and enjoy myself.

I ordered a wine and the bartender slid it to me across the counter with a knowing smile. I glanced around the crowd, It's pretty much what I imagined it would be, different people drinking champagne, smoking expensive cigars, and men flirting with women. I wasn't expecting anything else. Then he walked in.

A tall, well built man with a sharp jawline. He had on an Armani suit that screams luxury, his dark brown hair was perfectly styled and his face showed no expression. He exchanged greetings with the bartender and ordered a drink. He looks kinda old, but his young features make it difficult for one to notice.

He looked at me and our eyes met for a brief moment, I looked at him for a bit longer than I intended. ‘Bitch you are staring’ I muttered to myself.

I shake my head to remove any thoughts of him. Then I took a sip of my wine.

I couldn't help but look at him once more then I caught him staring, he did not look away. He just came over and stood directly in front of me.

“Why is a damsel like you sitting alone in a place like this? you could use a friend, don't you think?” He asked, obviously flirting with me.

I simply glanced at him, pretending like I hadn't been checking him out ever since he stepped in.

“Oh trust me I'm not alone, my boyfriend is out there on a phone call.” I lied, and from the way he's smiling now, I think he knew.

He burst out laughing, holding his drink with one hand as he shook his head. “And you think I will believe that lie of yours? Are you that scared of me?”

I forced a smile, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“What gave it away?”

“This isn't my first time in the club, darling. Most girls say that to get rid of guys. Nice try though.”

I snorted, trying not to smile.

“I'm not most girls, and I'm not scared of you. I'm capable of being by myself.”

“Oh really? He leaned in a little closer “But I can still be your boyfriend for tonight, you know. To help you keep the guys off your back.”

I looked away to hide my face from him. I was blushing to the point of being unable to bear it, but I was certainly not going to let him see that he affected me in this way. “You are being a little too confident, don't you think?”

“I can be anything just to have you darling.”

‘Damn! Why is it so hot here?’ I asked myself.

This man is making me feel all sorts of things, but I knew better than to fall for a stranger's charm, someone who looks almost twice my age.

But for some reason unknown to me, I wish to know more about this man.

Just for the sake of getting to know him, I decided to ask him a few questions “What do you do? it's okay if u dont want me in your business though.”

He smiled, sensing my curiosity.

“It's okay. I'm a businessman. But tonight, I'm here to have fun.”

I raised a brow. “So you do this often? Flirting with girls? That's how you have fun?”

“He leaned in closer to me, his breath warm around my skin. “Maybe, but none of them had my attention like you have right now. Have spent more than 10 minutes with you, which is a good sign. I guess I was just waiting for the right woman to come along and show me what real fun looks like.”

I swallowed hard. He definitely had a way with words, I will give him that, but I wasn't about to fall for his charms so easily. “You will have to do better, those sweet words don't work on me.”

His smile deepened but he appears to be challenging now. “Oh I will, And I don't plan on leaving. Not until you are ready to have some fun with me.”

I moved closer to him, our faces just an inch apart as I whispered in his ear. “I don't give in easily, you will have to try better than that.”

“Is that a challenge?”

He leaned in even closer, his breath fanned my skin. “You are playing hard to get, aren't you?

I shook, my heart thudding against my chest but I forced myself to be calm. “Maybe I am, or maybe I'm just bored.”

“Sweetheart, you are anything but bored.”

Without uttering another word, he pressed his lips against mine, he was hesitant at first, to see if I was going to stop him or pull back, but when he saw that none happened, he allowed his hands to find their way into my hair and pull me in closer to deepen the kiss.

I kissed him back and he moaned into my mouth. I was so caught up in the heat of the moment to care about where we were. All the sensible part of me screamed at me to stop, that I was kissing a man old enough to be my father, but I didn't care. This was reckless but yet, I wanted it.

His phone buzzed with a message which interrupted our moment, we pulled apart for a brief second to catch our breath.

“You want to get out of here? Let's go somewhere private. I booked a place nearby.”

I simply nodded, not knowing how to reply.

“Good” he took my hands in his, leading me to the club's exit.

My mind raced as I followed him, but I didn't pull away, I didn't stop him. I knew exactly where this was going and how it's going to end, but I still wanted it. I might regret my actions tomorrow but I didn't care.

For the first time in a long time, I don't want to care about the consequences. I just want to have fun and enjoy myself.