Bella
Oh my God, what have I walked into? What have I done? My breast is out, my pink nipple stiff even as Marcus pinches it playfully once more.
“Come on in,” he chuckles, not at all embarrassed. “Girls, you already know one another.”
Meanwhile, I tuck myself back in quickly, my face red with shame. Yes, Faith and I are best friends, but I’m sure she didn’t expect to see me do that with her dad!
When I sneak a glance at my friend, I see that she hasn’t moved yet. She’s still pale and frozen with surprise, barely able to digest what just happened. Finally, I get my clothes straightened and chance another quick glance her way.
“Hi Faith. Um, are you okay?”
She lets out a choked gurgle that doesn’t even resemble a sentence. Marcus chuckles deep in his chest and puts an arm about my shoulder.
“Let’s go into the living room,” he growls, guiding me on my stiff legs. Meanwhile, Faith follows behind us, completely silent.
My stomach sinks. Is my buddy mad at me? I can’t lose my best friend over a guy, and yet, this is the man I love, who also happens to be her father. The connections are dizzying, and I shiver. Oh god, what’s about to happen? I’m certainly not looking forward to this confrontation.
Faith takes a seat on the sofa gingerly and stares at her dad, shooting daggers with her eyes.
“So, when you said it would all make sense in a minute, this is what you meant.”
Marcus nods, still looking casual and relaxed. “Yep.”
“So you guys have been using these together?” she asks, pointing to a heap on the couch. “No need to tell me how, but those are yours, correct?”
Now, it’s my turn to let out a horrified gasp as my cheeks flame red. Oh no, is that what I think it is? Marcus keeps our assortment of sex toys in his closet for when I come over for hot play. I begged him to lock them up, but he said that no one ever goes in his closet anyways, so they’d be safe. Clearly, they weren’t safe at all, and now we have a lot of explaining to do. I open my mouth to begin apologizing, but Marcus beats me to the punch.
“Faith, it’s time that you knew. Bella and I have been dating for the last few months, and yes, we have an active and inventive sex life. We enjoy using toys because they add a depth and excitement that’s difficult to describe.”
I go completely red. I can’t believe this is happening. Not only are we outing our relationship to Faith, but now she knows what her dad and I like to do together in bed! I cringe while the hot pink butt plug seems to stare at me from the plastic baggie. Why did I have to pick hot pink? It seemed so fun when we were browsing on line, but now it’s an eyesore that I can’t look away from.
Judging by the look on Faith’s face, she’s totally revolted.
“Ugh,” she says.
OMG, I wish the Earth would swallow me up whole and I shoot my boyfriend a panicked look. How do we get ourselves out of this mess? How do I explain that I love having sex with her dad, and that in fact, I’m pregnant with his baby right now?
“Faith,” I begin. “I’m so sorry—”
But she cuts me off.
“No, it’s okay. I’m the one who needs to apologize because Dad, clearly, I was completely wrong. You’re not gay at all.”
I stare at her before turning my gaze to Marcus, nonplussed. Gay? Where is she getting that from?
“No,” Marcus agrees with a wry smile. “I’m not gay. I wasn’t using dildos and butt plugs on myself, while diddling rent boys while overseas.”
The breath whooshes from my chest. Excuse me?
Then, Faith turns to me and there are tears in her eyes.
“I’m so happy for you, Bella. I always thought of you as a sister, but I guess this is even better. You’re more like a stepmom now!”
I gulp, trying to find air for my lungs. Stepmom? This situation is getting crazier and crazier. But my friend continues.
“Dad, you’ve been single for way too long, and I admit, I was surprised by the naughty collection in your closet. But this all makes sense now, and I couldn’t pick a better person for you than Bella. She’s amazing! And I’d know because we’ve been friends for years.”
Marcus takes my hand and squeezes it gently.
“I’m glad to hear that, honey, because I’m in love with Bella. And you’re right: she’s a jewel that’s been sitting right under my nose for ages, and I didn’t notice until recently. But we’re the real thing, and your approval means a lot to us. I admit, you had us worried there for a minute.”
“I did?” Faith asks, surprised. “But why?”
I manage to get a hold of myself and interject.
“Well, it’s not every day that you discover your friend’s been secretly dating your dad. And that your dad has an active sex life too.”
My buddy lets out a giggle.
“I know, and I have to warn you that I don’t want to know anything about that aspect of your lives. But I’m so glad you guys are in love! How long has this been going on? And how did you guys even meet? I mean, I know how you guys met, but when did the romance start?”
Marcus and I share a look.
“I’ll tell you everything, but don’t you have a shift at the diner to get to?” I ask hesitantly.
My friend winks at me.
“I do, and you’re right because it’s time I got going. But don’t think you’re off the hook! Afterwards, you’re going to tell me everything! Okay, not everything because I don’t want to know about the sex stuff, but everything but that.” But then Faith turns around while heading out the door, her gaze curious. “By the way, girlfriend, was that you who was making those sounds in the master suite last week? I thought Dad was in there having his own brand of fun, but were you there with him all along?”
OMG, I guess Marcus and I weren’t as quiet as we thought.
“Yes, that was me,” I acknowledge with a silly grin. “I’m sorry if we woke you up!”
Faith merely lets out a peal of laughter and throws her arms up in the air.
“No, you guys go ahead and enjoy yourselves! If anything, this just means that I should get a place of my own, so that you guys can have some privacy. Okay, I’ve gotta roll now because they’re going to kill me if I’m late again, but toodle-oo! We’ll talk soon!” she says while blowing kisses my way.
Then, Faith is gone, and the house is silent after the front door closes.
“Oh my god, did that really happen?” I whisper, staring at my lover with wide eyes. “Did she just give us her blessing?”
Marcus grins, flashing even white teeth.
“She did,” he remarks. “And I have to say, I’m relieved because it was a wild ride. Faith thought I was a gay man hooking up with pretty young boys during my flights abroad. Can you believe that?”
That makes me sputter.
“But why?”
He shrugs, still grinning.
“I guess it was the fact that I’ve never brought anyone around the house. So she thought maybe I had a boyfriend, and was ashamed to introduce him to her because of my sexual orientation. And then, these toys,” he says, tipping his chin at the bag. “I guess Faith associates butt plugs with men, but you like them, don’t you, Bella?”
I blush, because I’ve learned to adore anal in part due to the thorough stretching routine Marcus puts me through using our hot pink plug. But I shake my head because everything’s happened so fast and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.
“But what you said before,” I say in a trembling voice. “You love me? Really?”
He nods and wraps those strong arms around my form, resting his chin on my head.
“Yes, I love you,” he acknowledges in a growl. “You and always you, Bella Samuels.”
With that, I begin to cry from a mix of joy, relief, and happiness.
“Good, because I love you too, and oh! Marcus, I’m having your baby.”
This time, it’s his turn to pull back with shocked eyes.
“You are?”
I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Yes, you’re going to be a daddy again. Is that something you might want? I know this is a shock but we didn’t always use protection and–”
Marcus merely picks me up off my feet and swings me around in a circle before setting me down.
“Sweetheart,” he breathes, his own eyes looking glassy. “This is the best gift you could give me, short of saying “I love you.” I’ve wanted to be a father again for so long, but I never thought I’d get the chance. But now, with you, Bella, anything is possible. Thank you, sweetheart. I’m so humbled.”
With that, we embrace, and I lay my cheek against his broad chest, his heart beating beneath my ear. A sigh escapes my lips, and I feel like I’m home at last because maybe our love is unexpected, but this is where I belong. With this man, in his home, and with his baby in my belly. I used to be his daughter’s best friend, and the truth is I still am. But even better, I’m Marcus Randall’s lover and love all rolled into one.