Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 614 -

*Caterina*

I hung up the phone, annoyance brimming in every inch of my body. I hated the way Elio treated me like a child-not telling me where he wanted to take me, playing games with me, and dodging my questions, acting like I'd do anything he asked with no regard for my own choices.

And I hated how I fell for it every time.

Even the dad-like comments he threw in would set me off. Wear a jacket... really? Like I wasn't an adult who couldn't be told what to wear? Like I didn't know how to wear a jacket in the cold November air, even in California? I huffed, setting my phone down as I glanced in the mirror. I had planned on staying in, so my hair was a bit of a mess, and I wasn't dressed to go anywhere at the moment.

I didn't know where he wanted to take me or why right then, but I had a sneaking suspicion and dread that he wanted to discuss the kiss. I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, but I still didn't want to talk about it.

I rubbed the skin around my elbows, feeling a bit of a chill all of a sudden. But despite my hesitations about where Elio wanted to take me, or why, I still headed to my closet, choosing a relatively nice but casual outfit.

I picked a gray sweater dress with leggings underneath and a warm scarf that hung around my neck. I glanced in the mirror, pursing my lips as I pondered over my appearance.

I pulled the ponytail out of my long hair, letting it cascade around me and I brushed it away from my shoulders and scarf, finally satisfied with my appearance.

I pulled on my boots and turned my phone on silent. Anna was meeting with her boyfriend Daniel tonight, so she wouldn't need me, and I knew for a fact that Mom had gone to bed early. She had to work tomorrow morning.

I glanced at the jacket I'd left sprawled out on my bed and just out of spite, I turned away with a huff, heading to the door as I tucked my phone into my pocket.

But before I could leave, my hand paused on the door handle, that annoying little stubborn voice in the back of my mind peeked up, the one that sounded a lot like Elio as I could almost hear him in my head.

"Make sure to wear a jacket," his smug voice taunted me, circling my head like a vulture in the desert.

"Fucking bastard," I grumbled, hating myself a bit as I descended the stairs, feeling a little too warm with the jacket I'd stuffed on top of my outfit. It wasn't even cold enough to need it, but my stupid brain wouldn't let me leave it, not when Elio had specifically asked me to wear it.

I bounded down the stairs two at a time, the pit of my stomach fluttering with butterflies despite my sense of stubborn denial that pulsed through my veins. I ignored the feeling, pushing it away as I landed on the bottom step with a thump. As I did, I heard the jingling of the lock and the door opened, and in walked Elio, dressed simply in black but still looking just as good. Our eyes met as he walked in like he used to do all the time-like he owned the place.

He tilted his head, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets as he slowly gazed at me up and down. My cheeks heated, feeling a bit self-conscious as I shifted on my feet. I suddenly felt like zipping up the jacket and pretending I couldn't see him, though I knew how ridiculous I would look.

Finally, he caught my eye, giving me a little sly grin. "You wore the jacket."

"Let's just go!" I interrupted loudly, my cheeks burning red as I pushed past him and out the door.

As soon as I stepped outside, the chill of the nighttime hit me and I shivered, glad I wore the jacket now, despite how annoying Elio was being about it.

I heard him chuckle behind me, locking the front door behind us and he stepped ahead, spinning on his heel to face me. Elio had always been the honest type, and I couldn't stand the soft look in his eyes as he gazed at me.

I looked away, biting my bottom lip and refusing to analyze the emotions beaming toward me. I had my father's stubbornness, after all.

Elio held out a hand, bowing his head as he sent me a mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling under the porch lights. "Ready for our date, m'lady?"

"It's not a date," I huffed, glaring at him, but I couldn't help taking his hand anyway. His large hand was warm, and I swallowed at how easily our hands fit together, like pieces from two different puzzles that you would never expect to go together.

We walked over to his driveway, and he held the door to his car open for me.

"So where are we going?" I asked, ignoring the silly grin he sent me as he let go of my hand.

I instantly missed the warmth of his touch and tried not to show it.

"Well, it might be out of the blue, but a date"

"Not a date," I said firmly.

He just smirked. "A date doesn't need a destination, does it? Can't I just want to take you out?"

"No," I rolled my eyes, giving him a serious look. "You always have some kind of ulterior motive, so don't play with me. You're not that charming, Elio."

"Ouch." He laughed. "I happen to think I'm rather charming myself, but I guess I'll have to step up my game."

I gave him a narrow-eyed stare before I got in the car.

We drove up the hill to a small, quiet neighborhood park that overlooked the city.

"I thought a nice walk would make a good date," he said softly.

"Not a date," I said again, but it was little more than a whisper.

We walked quietly for a while, admiring the view of all the twinkling lights below, then he paused in the middle of the sidewalk, tugging me to a halt as well.

I flinched out of instinct when I saw something moving from the corner of my eye. He stepped closer, a smile on his lips as he brushed my hair from my face, leaning over me as we stood underneath the streetlight.

My heart leaped to my throat as my eyes flicked to his lips, remembering the heat and passion of our tongues intertwined, the taste of him echoing in my mind. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me as he leaned closer, my eyes fluttering closed until I heard a soft flick of his finger.

"Were you expecting something?" he whispered, the heat of his breath brushing over the top of my ears and sending a chill down my spine. "Hm, Cat?"

My eyes flew open, and I swallowed uncomfortably as he sent me a wicked smirk, pulling back and showing me the dead leaf in his fingers. Realization poured over me like hot water and I blushed, pulling my hand from his as I instinctively checked my hair.

He smirked again, smug and confident just like always and I fumed to myself, cursing in my mind for having gotten lost in the moment. His eyes had drawn me in and with a pang of misery, I realized he was teasing me again. And I had fallen for it, just like always.

I stormed ahead but Elio caught up quickly with his long legs, strolling casually beside me.

"So, UCLA."

I stared straight ahead at the sidewalk, ignoring his heated gaze on me.

I inhaled sharply, hyper-aware of him walking right beside me, our shoulders brushing with every movement. I had a sudden urge to run, to pull the ripcord out of this conversion.

"What about it?" I asked, making my voice sound neutral despite the anxiety buzzing in my chest.

"You were pretty adamant about going to the university you picked out, yet you come back and transfer to UCLA out of the blue."

I fell silent, clenching my hands tightly, enough that I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

"So what?" I tried to shrug it off.

"So why aren't you going back to your school, Cat?"

"I wanted a change," I said vaguely, not lying one bit. "They have a new business program here that I want to join."

"Hm," was all he said.

I had no idea whether he believed me or not but luckily, he dropped the subject. Unfortunately for me, he dropped it for an even more awkward question.

"So, are we going to talk about that kiss?"

I tripped over myself, nearly kissing the pavement had it not been for Elio's arms wrapping around my waist and holding me in place. I could feel his strong body against my back even through the thick layers of my jacket and sweater. In the mess, my scarf fell off my neck, hitting the pavement in my stead, and I stared at it for a moment, unwilling to push him away to grab it.

"I'm fine," I said sharply, pulling out of his grasp.

He let me go easily, giving me a soft look. We had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, inches away from one another and to anyone else, the scene would have been easy to misunderstand.

I swallowed, gazing into his eyes, and bit my bottom lip out of habit. I could see his eyes follow my movements, darkening.

I turned away in a hurry.

"I don't think we should," I said coldly, regaining my composure as I completely turned my back on him. "It happened and it's done. We can't take it back, but it's not going to happen again."

I saw him bending down from the corner of my eye, my bright red scarf held in his hands as he brushed it off with his large hand. He gave me an unreadable smile, stepping forward, and I nearly took a step back before I remembered myself.

I held my ground, staring at him firmly to make my stance on this clear. He took a step forward, leaning down. He was so close I could feel his hot breath brush against my cheeks as he gently wrapped my scarf around my neck once more. He leaned back, shoving his hands into his pockets as he gave me a smoldering look.

"If that's what you want."

Despite how red my cheeks were, Elio didn't call me out on it.

We returned to the parking lot, and he held the car door open for me again, and we drove back quietly while I tried to force the blush off my face.

When we got back to my house, Elio walked me up to the porch. It was a bit nostalgic, with how many times he'd walked me home when I was in high school.

I paused at the front door, unsure of what to do from there.

"Uh, goodnight," I said awkwardly.

"Thanks for accompanying me on our date," he said with a grin.

"Not a date!" I protested immediately, crossing my arms over my chest.

He just chuckled, and there was a moment of something that flashed in his eyes.

I sobered quickly, my breath catching in my throat as he took a step forward and gently brushed his hand over my cheek.

My heart pounded in my chest, my whole body heating up. There was a flash of thought in my head. Stop him. Turn away. The warning signs flashed, but his eyes smoldering with heat overpowered my senses.

His hot lips landed on my cheek, and I felt his breath against my skin as he lingered there for half a moment.

My eyes glazed over, and my hand gripped onto his shirt without me realizing it and everything was a blur.

The next thing I knew, our lips were connected in a fiery passion as he pulled me away from the door and back toward his car. His strong body and passionate lips enticed me to follow, my common sense flying out the window and before I knew it, I was sitting in his lap in the driver's seat, his arms around my waist and the back of my head as his tongue devoured every inch of me.

Dammit.

I'd fallen for it again.