It's Complicated (Awkward Love 1)

“Right. I’ll see you around,” I say, heading back to my car.

So much for my new technique. I hope my flirting skills are better than my parenting.

She thinks you whack yourself off to Grand Designs. Yep. Things aren’t looking good.I drop the kids off at school and then head straight into work. Shirley is off for the day, which is good because I don't think I'm going to get too much done today. The last thing I needed was her input as to why my head isn’t in it.

I'm struggling to focus when Dan walks in. I look up and frown, trying to think up an excuse to get rid of him. Any other day I'd be happy to catch up with my friend, but I'm embarrassed about what I'm feeling toward his daughter. I feel so sneaky even speaking to her, even though nothing has happened apart from a few misconstrued comments. Unless you count the fact that she’s seen my cock. And I’ve jacked off to her in the shower. See? Nothing.

“Hey,” he says, throwing himself down on the couch in the waiting room outside my office. He rubs his head and sighs. “Got any whiskey in there? I need a drink.”

I grab a bottle of scotch off my shelf and wander in to join him. He grins as I hand him the bottle, twisting the cap off to take a mouthful.

“Help yourself.” I grin. “Shouldn't you be at work, or something?”

“Or something,” he nods. “I had a client book me for the whole day, and then they cancelled at the last second. All good, because they paid in advance. So, I thought I’d come and annoy you.”

“Thanks, but I'm really overloaded here,” I mumble, trying to sound distracted.

“You sure everything is okay?” Dan sits forward and looks at me, concerned. “You seem kind of distant.”

“I'm fine,” I assure him. “I just have more work than I can handle and two kids who insist on pushing my buttons. Add to that my house is a mess, and things are fucking awesome.”

None of those things were really that true—except maybe for my house being a mess, but I thought of a way to get rid of him, and I’m committing to it. The only way I can think of to have him leave me alone is to pretend that I don’t have time to even breathe.

“Well, if you’re that busy, maybe you need someone to help you out?” Dan suggests.

“Are you offering?” I chuckle. “Because you can’t clean for shit, and I wouldn’t trust you with my kids.”

“Thanks,” he retorts. “No. I mean hire someone to help you. A babysitter or a housekeeper or something. It might even leave you more time for sex, then maybe you’d be less of an asshole. You know, considering all the women you have lined up to ride your ride.”

I groan and sit down while Dan laughs.

“You heard,” I say flatly.

“Bit hard not to.” He chuckles. “You’re all anyone is talking about, according to Mandy.”

“Fan-fucking-tastic,” I mumble.

“Hey, you should be flattered. I’d love to have women lining up to fuck me, no strings attached. Hey, maybe you can start a rumor about your friend who’s bigger than you are?”

“Fuck no,” I say dryly. “And I'm sure Mandy will be thrilled to hear that.”

Dan and Amanda have been going out for around six weeks. It was the longest relationship I’d known the guy to have, so there must be something special about her.

“So, can I get back to work now?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

“I'll let you get back to it in a minute.” He waves his hand as though my job is an inconvenience. “But first, I’m going to do you a favor.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” I say, distracted.

“I'm giving you Anna,” he declares.

My eyes widen. That gets my attention. He couldn’t know…could he? But if he did, he wouldn’t…would he?

“What?” I bark, shocked.

“Not permanently,” he growls. “Like, you can't keep her. I want her back, but she’s yours for as long as you need her. Use her as you please and all that.”

I stare at him, my mouth not working. I can't seem to find the right words—or any words at all—to respond to that. Is he suggesting…? God, I have no idea what he’s suggesting. We were talking about all the women that want to fuck me and the next second he’s giving me his daughter? What kind of fucked up—?

“She's great with the kids. She can help you out at home, give you a little more time to yourself. Maybe in return, you can help her with a couple of her classes?”

Ohh. The house. She can help me around the house. That made more sense.

I shake my head. I know I have to say no, but I don't know how to turn down his offer without making him suspicious as to why I’m turning down free help.