Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 509 -

*Tallon*

I leaned over my desk looking at floor plans, but I couldn't focus on them at all. The only thing I seemed to be able to think about these days was Natalia's striking blue eyes and the way her silky brown hair perfectly framed them. I sighed and rubbed my forehead, feeling like an idiot. She probably didn't even remember me. We had exchanged numbers but I hadn't heard from her in over a week. Although I wanted nothing more than to call her and ask her on a date, I also wanted her to take the lead.

It was clear from our conversation that she was impressively independent, and the last thing I wanted was to stifle that. But as the days drew on and I found myself unable to tear my mind away from thoughts of her, I decided it was time to contact her.

I pulled out my phone and called her before I could chicken out. The line rang three times, then went to her voicemail. Damn, had she ignored me? I couldn't afford to let myself spiral, so I turned back to the floor plans in front of me. I had to get this shit done.

Two weeks passed and I had almost managed to get Natalia out of my mind. I was walking downtown trying to decide where to stop for lunch when I glimpsed a familiar head of dark hair. I stared hard, trying to figure out if the woman walking right in front of me was Natalia or if I was just starting to go crazy.

Just as I was sure that I was finally losing my grip on reality, she looked up from her phone and grinned at me. I would have recognized those blue eyes anywhere. I grinned back and waved at her before jogging over. I didn't care if I looked like a lost puppy dog.

She was worth it.

"Natalia!" I said, relishing the feel of her name on my lips. "How are you? I never heard from you."

"Hm, I could say the same about you," she responded quietly, a coy smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

"I called you, but you never picked up," I said, vaguely aware that I sounded slightly pathetic.

"You didn't leave a message. I'm sure I would have remembered." Her smooth voice was heaven to my ears. I would do anything to keep her talking.

"Well, I was just going to get lunch. Do you want to join me?" I asked, hoping and praying that she was available.

"Oh, I would love to, but I just ate. Maybe another time, okay? Call me, and leave a message this time!" She chuckled as she walked away without a second glance.

I stared at her open-mouthed. I had never met a woman who so easily put me under her spell. Hell, I had barely even interacted with her, and yet I found myself craving her, wanting nothing more than to be close to her.

This time I didn't wait to call her. As soon as I got back to the compound, I called. As I expected, she didn't pick up, but this time I was sure to leave a message. "Hey, Natalia, it's me, Tallon. I would love to take you out on Friday. What's your favorite restaurant? I'll take you there. Just let me know what time you're available. I'm free on Saturday too! Just let me know. Okay, bye." I forced myself to end the call before I could ramble any longer.

Fuck, this woman was going to be the death of me.

The weekend came and went, but Natalia never called me back. I was beginning to think she enjoyed this little game of cat and mouse that we had going, but I wondered if it would ever end. Was it possible that I had any chance with this woman? Either way, the ball was in her court. I wasn't about to call and leave a second voicemail.

Sunday afternoon, my phone buzzed and Natalia's name flashed across the screen. I grabbed it and opened her text.

"Sorry I never called back. I was busy."

I stared at the words, willing her to type more. I had no idea what the hell to say back to her, but after ten minutes, it was clear that this was all she intended to say.

"That's alright. I hope you had a good weekend." I finally typed out, hoping it sounded more casual than my beating heart felt.

The little check mark popped up to indicate that she had seen the text, but she didn't start typing again. I slid my phone back into my pocket with a sigh. It seemed that she was always just barely out of reach.

That night, I dreamed of Natalia. I dreamed of her body pressed against me and her curves under my hands. I woke up just before I had the chance to kiss her. I got out of bed and went directly to take an ice-cold shower.

This was getting ridiculous. I was pining after her like a teenage boy. I had never been the type to fall head over heels for a woman. There had been women here and there, but nothing like the electric pull I felt toward Natalia. The next weekend, I was moping around the kitchen when Vinny walked in.

"What has gotten into you?" he asked when he noticed that I was still in my pajamas instead of my usual suit. "No, no. Don't tell me you're still hung up on that girl!"

I sighed, unable to work up the energy to come up with a compelling lie.

"Holy shit, Tallon. This is getting out of hand. Alright, you and me, we're going out tonight. And we're going to replace a couple of gorgeous women to dance with and we're going to get trashed."

His plan sounded horrible. I didn't want to dance with a random woman. I wanted to dance with Natalia.

"I am not taking no for an answer. Now, go get dressed so we can get some food first."

I knew if I didn't give in, he'd just hound me for the rest of the night. It was easier to go along. Before I knew it we were being driven to one of Vinny's favorite bars. It was a classy place, but in recent years, some of the local university students had started to make it their usual spot. It was interesting to see how the younger crowd mingled with the old guys like Vinny and me. Sometimes I wondered where all the time had gone; I didn't really feel much older than I had at twenty-one, but somehow the time had passed and brought me with it.

"Two negronis, and keep 'em coming," Vinny told the bartender.

The ancient, solid oak bar was at odds with the house music that was blaring over the speakers, but I enjoyed the juxtaposition.

The bartender handed us our drinks and I drank deeply from mine, enjoying the way the bitter liquid burned just slightly as it went down. As I sat my drink down, a brunette sidled up next to me. I looked down but was disappointed to see that she was a stranger.

"What are you drinking?" She had to yell slightly to be heard over the music.

"Oh, uh, just a negroni." I tried to be polite, but I had no interest in talking to this woman.

"Oh, I've always wondered what those taste like!" She looked at me with expectation in her eyes, but there was no way I was going to let her share my drink.

"You should order one!" I told her, and then I turned back to Vinny.

I felt like a massive asshole, but really I was doing her a favor. Ending our conversation prematurely would keep her from wasting her evening talking to someone who had no interest in her.

Unfortunately for me, Vinny was in the middle of a heated debate with a gorgeous blonde woman.

"I'm telling you, Ringo was the best Beatle!" Vinny practically yelled at her.

"That is just ridiculous. That's like saying the basil leaf is the best part of a Caprese. Does it add to the overall great flavor of the dish? Absolutely! But you would never consume it all on its own. Tell me for real, have you ever even listened to one of Ringo's solos?"

Vinny was speechless.

"Thank you," I leaned over to talk to the blonde. "We've been having this argument for years, and I think you've finally ended it."

She laughed and smiled up at Vinny, clearly enjoying his company. I decided to walk around and give them a little space.

Before I knew it, I found myself being jostled around on the dance floor. I tried to let loose a bit and lose myself in the music, but I was too wound up to really let go-until I felt a hand wrap around my waist. I whipped my head down and was elated to see Natalia. I had no fucking clue how she had found me, but I didn't care.

"Hey," she said, as if we had been planning to meet here.

"Hey!" I said stupidly, unable to make my brain work correctly as long as I was staring into her mesmerizing eyes.

"Want to dance?" she asked.

I nodded, unwilling to open my mouth in case I said something else embarrassing. I was not used to feeling this out of my element with a woman.

She smiled and turned so that her back was pressed against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and followed her movement. I was in heaven. Finally, I had Natalia against me, my hands running over her curves and my body moving with hers.

I leaned forward and pressed a kiss against the side of her throat. She shivered against me, sending shockwaves through my body at every place hers touched.

Before I knew it, she had turned around so that we were facing each other. Unable to stop myself, I kissed her. I held back a bit in case this wasn't what she wanted, but she wrapped her hand behind my neck and pulled me closer.

Still, I let her lead. I forced myself to maintain a respectful amount of control. That is, until she slicked her tongue against my bottom lip and then bit it ever so slightly. I groaned into her mouth and reached up to hold her face in my hands, then kissed her fiercely, pushing my tongue into her mouth and loving the way it felt to be inside her, even in this small way. She matched my energy, and our kiss quickly turned into a wild tangle of lips and tongues and teeth. Too soon, she pulled away. I dropped my hands down to hold hers, but she pulled away.

"I can't do this," she muttered so quietly that I wasn't sure if I had heard her correctly.

"Do what?" I asked, wondering what was wrong.

Instead of answering, she turned quickly and weaved through the crowd until I couldn't see her. I had no idea why she'd left so abruptly, but I knew one thing for sure-I desperately wanted Natalia to be mine.