Falling for my Friend's Father

The storm outside didn't decrease, the rain banging against the estate's window. Lightening and

thunder sounding in the sky. The mansion creaks as the wind passes through the trees violently.

Serena sighed slowly as she hugged the borrowed pyjama shirt tighter around herself. She

walked out of Isla's room toward the guest room, where she would be sleeping. Isla had tossed

the clothes at her without looking, too busy complaining about Julian's texting habits.

She knows Julian is Isla's fiance but she just couldn't understand why Isla has nothing to talk

about except Julian. Every time it's Julian this, Julian that.

She sighed. "The world doesn't revolve around Julian."

Now, Serena wished she had checked what she was wearing.

The shirt was too big—way too big. The fabric draped over her frame, the scent of fresh laundry

mixed with something faintly familiar. A scent she had only ever noticed in passing, a scent she

had tried to ignore.

Dominic.

Her stomach twisted.

Was this his shirt?

No. It couldn't be. Isla had given it to her, right?

But the more she inhaled, the more she knew.

This was his.

And that realization sent a hot wave of panic through her.

She needed to change. Now.

She turned the corner, ready to rush back to Isla's room and demand another shirt—

And froze.

Dominic was coming out of his study, his shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and his forearms could

be seen as his sleeves were rolled up.

She was about to leave but he already spotted her.

His gaze flicked down to her.

Then, it darkened.

Serena's breath caught.

A slow, burning silence stretched between them.

His eyes roamed over her, staring at the oversized shirt she was putting on.

"That's obviously my shirt." He thought. "Did she wear it knowing it was mine or was it just an

accident?"

Her cheeks heated instantly.

She watched as he strides towards her in slow, deliberate steps.

Each step closer sent her heartbeat into chaos.

He stopped when he reached her.

"That…," he murmured, his voice impossibly low, "…is my shirt."

Serena swallowed hard. "I—"

His lips curved into something between amusement and something darker. "I should have

guessed. It looks better on you than it ever did on me."

Her face burned.

She opened her mouth to respond, to say something, anything…but nothing came out.

The fabric slid off her shoulder, and Dominic eyes were stuck on her exposed skin. His eyes

were full of amusement as he stared without taking off his eyes.

Then, he reached out.

Serena took a sharp breath as his fingers touched her collarbone.

"Did Isla give you this?" he asked, voice low.

Serena awkwardly nodded.

"Thought so"

He withdrew his fingers but Serena could still feel the sensation.

Serena took a shaky step back. "I—I should probably change."

Dominic didn't move, his expression unreadable. "You could," he said, his voice dropping

slightly. "But then I wouldn't get to see you looking like this."

Serena's brain short-circuited.

Was he—was he flirting?

Dominic Blackwood, the man who was always in control, always calm, was teasing her?

Her pulse was out of control.

This was dangerous.

Too dangerous.

She needed to leave.

Now.

But before she could, he turned, nodding toward the study. "Come inside. The storm's getting

worse."

Serena hesitated.

Being alone with him right now? Bad idea. Terrible idea.

But her feet moved anyway.

She followed him inside.

Serena stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"Should she sit or what, why were they in his study? Why didn't he send her back to Isla or to

the guest room, has he forgotten what happened here the last time she was here?"

Serena thoughts were in a mess.

The study was warm and cozy and the storm outside couldn't be heard.

Dominic closed the door slightly making sure it was a bit ajar.

"Sit"

Serena knew this wasn't an offer but a command.

She sat on the nearby couch waiting for his next words.

But none came. Seconds later…

"Do you believe in second chances?" She heard him say.

"What?"

"Second chances. Do you think people deserve them?"

She hesitated before answering. "I think… it depends. Some people change. Some don't."

Dominic hummed. "And if they do?"

Serena frowned. "What do you mean?"

He looked towards the window. "Nothing. Just thinking."

Serena studied him for a moment.

For the first time ever, she saw him in a different way.

He looked… tired.

Lonely.

"Second chance…Do you think you deserve one?"

Dominic stilled.

He stared at her.

Serena's throat went dry.

She should look away. She should get up and leave.

But she didn't.

Instead, she leaned forward. Just slightly.

Dominic noticed.

His eyes flickered to her lips.

Serena's breath hitched.

This was a mistake.

A huge, unforgivable mistake.

But neither of them stopped.

If he moved just an inch closer—if she tilted her head up—

Their lips would meet.

Serena couldn't arrange her thoughts as her pulse increased rapidly.

His fingers tightened slightly on her knee.

This was happening.

This was—

A loud crash echoed downstairs.

They both jerked apart.

"What was that?" Serena asked as she steadied herself.

Dominic's expression darkened.

Without a word, he stood up.

Serena followed.

"It's quiet…"

Then—another sound. A shuffle.

Someone was in the house.

In an instant, Dominic changed. The teasing, the flirting—gone. In its place was sharp focus,

cold and dangerous.

He reached for something inside a drawer by the door.

Serena's stomach dropped when she saw what it was.

A gun.

Dominic held it like a professional. She tried to read his face but couldn't.

"Stay here," he told her.

Serena grabbed his arm. "Dominic—"

He was about to snap at her but controlled himself. He then

Repeated, "Stay here."

And then he was gone.

Serena stood frozen, her breath shallow, her body still buzzing from what had almost happened

between them.

The night had started with a storm.

But now, something far more dangerous was inside this house.