Craving My Best Friend's Alpha Daddy

THEA

What if I dared him?

What would he actually do?

He wanted to forbid me from being near other men while he flaunted another woman in my face? Not a chance.

Without another word, I walked to the edge and jumped into the pool.

The water was a shock to my system, cold and enveloping. I surfaced, gasping, as the group erupted into cheers.

Liana swam over to me, laughing as she helped me find my footing in the shallow end. The boys immediately closed in.

The one who had been flirting with me moved closer than necessary. His hand came up, ostensibly to help me steady myself, but his fingers lingered on the back of my neck.

Another boy brushed past me, his hand accidentally pressing against my ribs, dangerously close to my breast.

I felt a wave of pure discomfort. I didn't like their touch; it felt shallow and wrong compared to the way Rowan’s hands had felt on me.

But I didn't push them away.

I forced a smile, leaning into the attention, keeping my eyes fixed on the balcony above.

I wanted him to see every hand on me. I wanted him to feel even a fraction of the agitation I felt seeing that woman touch his arm.

‘Thea...’ His voice in my head was a low, dangerous snarl now.

I didn't answer.

I slammed my mental shields shut, blocking him out completely.

I turned my back to the balcony and laughed at something Liana said, pretending to be having the time of my life while the boys circled me like sharks.

I looked up one last time and saw him looking genuinely frustrated.

He set his wine glass down with enough force that I thought it might shatter. He leaned over, whispering something sharp to one of the guards standing by the door.

The guard nodded quickly and hurried inside.

I turned away, a triumphant smile tugging at my lips. I was getting to him. I was finally cracking that Alpha mask.

But my triumph was short-lived.

A few minutes later, three massive bodyguards marched onto the pool deck, their expressions grim. The music stopped, and the laughter died down as they reached the edge of the water.

"Alpha demanded everyone to vacate the pool immediately," the lead guard announced, his voice booming. "He and his guest wish to swim in private."

My breath hitched.

My heart felt like it had been dropped into a bucket of lead.

His guest?

"What? Why now?" Liana groaned, splashing the water in frustration. "We just got in! Ugh, Dad has started again with his moods! This is so unfair!"

The boys looked annoyed, but nobody argued with the Alpha’s guards. They started climbing out of the pool, grabbing their towels, and grumbling.

I stepped out of the water, my skin pebbled with goosebumps.

I felt humiliated.

He hadn't come down to stop the boys because he was jealous; he’d cleared the pool because he wanted to be alone with that woman.

He wanted me out of the way so he could enjoy his guest without his daughter’s little friend watching.

I didn't wait for Liana.

I didn't look at the boys.

I just grabbed my cover-up and started walking, my head down.

Liana was calling my name, but I ignored her, my legs moving faster and faster until I was practically running.

I reached the main house and bolted up the stairs. I needed to get to my room. I needed to lock the door, hide under the covers, and stay there until I could figure out how to leave this place.

I burst into my bedroom, drenched and shivering, and slammed the door behind me.

Except, it didn't stay shut.

A hand caught the edge of the door, forcing it back open with a terrifying strength.

I gasped, stumbling back as Rowan stepped into the room.

He didn't look like the calm, collected Alpha on the balcony.

His hair was windswept, his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his eyes were so dark they were almost black.

The beast was right at the surface.

He slammed the door shut behind him, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the large room.

I stepped back, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.

My back hit the wall, and I realized I was trapped.

"Why did you shut me out, Little T?" he growled, his voice a low, vibrating rumble that shook me to my core.

He stepped into my personal space, his scent was raw, male, and furious washing over me. "Why did you disobey my order?"

He took another step, pinning me against the wall with nothing but the intensity of his gaze.

"I told you not to go in that water," he whispered, his face inches from mine. "I told you those boys weren't to touch you. Did you think I was joking?"

I held his gaze and swallowed hard.

“Why do you even care if they touch me? You already brought another woman to the pack.” I tried to sound calm, but my heartbeat kept rising.

He looked at me for a long moment, like he was trying to read every thought on my face. “Did you… jump because of her? Are you jealous of someone I brought to play with? She’s not even my woman.”

My chest tightened.

Play with?

So that was how he saw women?

I stared back at him. “Seriously? Is that really how you see everyone? Is that why you’ve been avoiding me for a whole week? Because you were done playing with me too?”

Rowan stepped back a little and dragged a hand through his hair. He shook his head slowly, like he was already tired of fighting himself. “You’re different… You feel different.”

The words made my heart beat even faster.

I moved closer to him and let the cover slip from my body. His eyes traveled over me before stopping on my face again.

I placed my hand against his chest and slipped it under his shirt, feeling the hard thump of his heartbeat under my palm.

“Since I’m different,” I whispered softly, “why don’t you take me wherever you’re going? Why don’t you use me the same way you use the others?”

A low groan left his throat. He grabbed my hand gently but firmly and pulled it away from his chest. Then he leaned down and pressed a kiss against my forehead.

“Stay inside,” he murmured. “I don’t want another man touching you under my roof.”

I scoffed quietly and watched him turn away. But before he could leave, I grabbed the edge of his shirt.

“Stay with me, Rowan. I don’t want you to go see that woman.”

He carefully removed my hand from his clothes, like touching me any longer would break the control he had left.

“I can’t do this with you right now, Thea,” he said, his voice rough. “You should talk to your friend about your position at the company.”

He stepped back and looked at me one last time before finally walking away.

I didn’t chase after him.

I let him go because I could already see it. Rowan was trying to push me out of his mind, he was trying not to give in to me.

But sooner or later, that control of his would break… especially once he started seeing other men touch me outside.

My door suddenly burst open again and Liana rushed in. “Thea! Seriously? Can you see what Dad's doing now? He chased my friends away!”

I turned to my best friend with a small smile tugging at my lips. “Leave him,” I said softly. “Let him enjoy himself… for now.”