When we reach the kitchen, he sits on a chair and guides me to his side. “I’m going to spank you first for your sassy attitude and defiance. It’s going to hurt. Tomorrow you’ll get out of bed when I tell you to.”
“Yes, Sir.” I have no doubt his spanking is going to hurt, nor do I doubt he realizes I’m going to need to come. Will he let me?
He takes me over his knees, pushes my dress up to my shoulder blades, and holds me down with a hand to the small of my back. “Knees wider, Evelyn.”
I spread my thighs, unable to breathe when he calls me Evelyn. Every time he does that, I will slide into subspace. It’s so arousing. My full name is filled with complete domination that makes me more submissive than ever.
Colt palms my bottom. It’s still pink from last night, but that’s only going to make this more arousing. He’s more confident today. He starts out gentle, but doesn’t waste time picking up the pace, peppering my bottom with his swats until I’m panting. The last few land at the junction of my bottom and my thighs, making me cry out.
He stops abruptly and stands me on my feet.
I’m swaying, unable to support myself, dizzy with need and so much more.
He steadies me with his hands on my biceps until I finally stand still. His next act takes me by surprise. He stands and leads me to the corner of the kitchen, angling me toward the junction of the two walls. “You’ll stand here in a timeout while I cook breakfast. Use the time to think about how often you want to be defiant today.”
I’m shaking with arousal. So out of my element. He’s caught me off-guard. I’ve never been put in timeout before.
“Pull your dress up to your chest, Eve. I want to see your pink bottom while I cook.”
My fingers tremble as I gather the material and clasp it just under my boobs.
He shuffles away but returns a moment later, squatting down behind me. “Spread your feet, baby.”
I step out.
“Farther.”
Wetness is leaking out of me. It’s going to run down my thighs.
When he’s finally satisfied with the width of my feet, he sets a wooden spoon down between them, end to end. “Keep them this wide. Don’t move.” He rises and leaves me standing here. In the corner. Horny. Wet. My bottom is burning. Exposed. Tingling.
I’m whimpering because I can’t help it, but he doesn’t say anything. I stand as still as I can while I listen to the sounds of him making breakfast. The scent of bacon fills the air, making me realize I’m starving. I listen to the sizzle until it subsides and something else goes into the pan, reviving the frying sounds.
Finally, he speaks. “Breakfast is ready, baby. You can come to the table.”
I release my dress and glance down at the spoon on the floor as I step back.
“Leave the spoon. I have a feeling we’ll need it again today.”
I hope not. Timeout wasn’t my favorite pastime.
Daddy pulls out a chair and lifts me onto it, yanking my skirt out from under me before I’m fully seated. “Sit on your bare bottom, baby.”
I wiggle. The cool chair feels good, but I’m going to get the seat wet.
“Stop squirming. Knees wider.” He scoots me in as I comply. I’m so aroused that I could probably come if he ordered me to.
I grin as Daddy brings our plates to the table. Mine is a pink Mickey Mouse-shaped plate with two pancakes on it. Daddy cuts them up into bite-sized pieces and drizzles syrup over the top before sliding the plate toward me and handing me a chubby plastic fork.
“How do you know so much about what I like?” I whisper in awe as I pick up a piece of bacon.
He chuckles. “It’s not rocket science, baby. You own two boxes of pancake mix, which tells me you like them well enough to have a backup box. I assume you don’t own all those dishes if you don’t normally use them. And…” He reaches over and tweaks my cheek. “Based on the dishes and clothes and toys you own, I’m guessing you’re not old enough for knives, so there you have it.”
I grin. He’s amazing. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, baby. Now eat before it gets cold.”
I pick up my sippy cup and down half of my milk before continuing.
Chapter 23
Colton
My phone rings as I’m cleaning up the kitchen. I glance at Eve. She’s busy coloring, which I’ve determined is her favorite pastime. I kiss her forehead and meet her gaze. “Daddy has to take a call in the other room. You stay here at the table, understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
I tap the screen as I walk toward the master bedroom, not wanting her to listen to my conversation with my boss. “Hey,” I say by way of greeting. “Please tell me you’ve got something on that damn stalker.”
He sighs. “No. Not yet, but I have something else you’re not going to like.”
I stiffen as I perch on the edge of the bed. “Give it to me.”
“Got another tip.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“I wish I was. Came from someone who saw you with her last night.”
“Fuck.” I fail to keep my voice down. I glance at the door and hope Eve chooses to obey me. I stand and start pacing, rubbing my forehead with two fingers. “What did they say?”
“Guy left a message with the non-emergency line. Jane just brought it to me a few minutes ago. I’ll read it to you.
I know you’ve got a man guarding Eve. I saw him with her last night. Tell him not to let his guard down. These assholes still have her on their radar. First chance they get, I think they will still grab her.
“Fuck,” I mutter again.
“You with her now?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t fucking leave her side.”
“Wouldn’t think of it.” I’m seething though. This means someone at Surrender knows about this, they saw me, and they knew I was undercover. What the fuck?
“Wherever you went last night, don’t go there again.”
“Obviously.” I scowl. “But we were at a club. The owner needs to know one of his members is involved.” I pace some more. “Jesus. This is fucked-up.” Why would someone who knows Eve is being stalked call in tips to the cops? Why not just fucking walk into the police station? Why the hell does this guy feel the need to stay out of it? I have more questions than answers. “We really need an ID on that stalker.”
“Guy’s not in the system. You know it takes time.”
“What if Eve doesn’t have time?”
My boss pulls in a breath. “You sound overly concerned, Marshall. Please tell me you aren’t involved with this woman.”
I have never lied to the captain. Nor have I ever gotten personally invested in anyone on the job.
“Shit,” my boss murmurs when I don’t respond. “Do I need to fucking pull you off this case, Marshall?” His voice rises. “I’ll yank you out of there in five minutes if you’ve gotten involved with this woman. You know better. Christ, Marshall, you can’t keep her safe if you’re fucking her.”
I wince. “Don’t talk about her like that, man.” I don’t like the tone of his voice or the implication.
Silence. Finally, he responds. “Shit.”
“And don’t even think about pulling me off. It’s not an option. If you do, you’ll find my resignation letter on your desk before the end of the day. She’s my responsibility. I’m keeping her safe. No one else.”
“I don’t fucking believe it. Ten years you’ve been working for me. Never once have you made such a bad judgment call. This woman’s life is at stake, Marshall. Do you get that?”
I stop pacing, facing out the window. I’m seething. I grit out my next words. “I understand that better than anyone alive, and I won’t let anything happen to her if it’s the last damn thing I do on this earth. You hear me?”
“Oh, I hear you. I just know you’re wearing blinders now.”
I close my eyes, my jaw so tight it’s a wonder I don’t break a tooth. “I’ve got this. Just fucking get m
e an ID on that guy.”
“I’m doing my best. Please, for the love of God… Oh, Christ. You are not going to listen to me, are you?”
“No.”
“Great,” he drawls out sarcastically. “Be careful, Marshall. I mean it.”
I end the call and drop my chin toward my chest.
“Daddy?” The timid voice behind me makes me spin around. Eve is standing in the doorway. She’s shaking and looks like she might cry at any moment.
I rush over and sweep her off her feet to carry her in my arms back to the living room. I poke her belly as I sit in the armchair with her on my lap. “You weren’t supposed to leave the table.”
Her lip trembles. “I didn’t mean to, but you were shouting and cussing and… It was about me, wasn’t it?”
I sigh. “Yes, but I don’t want you to worry. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Should I tell her everything that I know?
“Okay.” Her eyes are wide, and I don’t think she wants details right now. I don’t think her little can handle them.
“Listen, Daddy needs to make a few more calls. Can you be a good girl and watch cartoons while I do that?”
She nods. “Yes, Daddy.”
I lift her up and swing her around in a circle until she smiles. Finally, I settle her in the corner of the couch before grabbing the remote and flipping through the cartoon channels. “Which one do you like best?”
“That one,” she announces when I pause at one with a pink pig.
I head back to the bedroom, find her stuffed unicorn, and return to snuggle it in her embrace. I lean over and kiss her forehead. “Stay right here. I mean it. Give me ten minutes.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She leans against the arm of the couch looking very small, her legs curled under her, her unicorn clutched tightly in her arms.
This time when I enter the bedroom, I close and lock the door before heading for the bathroom and lifting up my phone. I don’t want her to hear me. I’ve done enough damage for one day.
The first call I place is to Roman who picks up immediately. “Colt. Everything okay?”
“No. Not even close. We need to talk. You have some free time today?”
“Absolutely. Can you come here to my home?”
“Yes. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I assume Eve is with you?”
“Yes. She’s…little.”
“Good. Lucy is always little at home. They can play together while we talk. Anyone else you think needs to hear this?”
“Yes. Julius, since he’s your manager. Davis because he’s been in the loop from the beginning.”
“I’ll call Julius. You call Davis. I’ll text you my address. See you in an hour?”
“We’ll be there. Thanks.” I end that call and hit up Davis next.
Luckily, he too answers on the first ring. “Hey, Colt.”
“You free this morning?”
“Of course. What can I do?”
“Meet me at Roman’s. He’s calling Julius too. I’ll explain when we get there. The girls can play while we talk.”
“Sounds good. See you soon.”
I draw in a deep breath and head back to the living room. When I pick up the remote and turn off the television, Eve groans. “Hey, I was watching that.”
I sit on the coffee table and level my gaze at her. “Television is a privilege, not a given, Evelyn. I turned it off because we need to go.”
She humphs and crosses her arms. “Where are we going?”
“Master Roman’s house.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “Like a playdate?”
“Sort of. You can certainly play with Lucy. Britney will be there too.”
“There’s stuff you aren’t telling me.”
I take her hand and hold it lightly in mine. “Yes, there is, baby. I need you to trust me to tell you later, okay. You’re not in the headspace for it now, and it’s not urgent.”
“Am I in danger?”
“No more than yesterday, and you have my word that I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Now, let’s get some panties on you.” I smile.
She glances down. “I’m going to wear this?”
“Yes. And a coat of course.”
“I’ve never left the house little,” she tells me, her eyes wide.
“Today, you’re going to. Today, you’re little all day. Besides, Lucy and Britney will be little also. You can play with them while the Daddies talk.”
I sweep her off the sofa and carry her to the bedroom before depositing her on her feet. After grabbing a pair of panties from her drawer, I help her step into them before I find socks and tennis shoes. She seems okay with my selections. At least she doesn’t say anything.
“Can I take Jessie?” She’s still clutching the unicorn.
“Of course.” I lead her to the living room and find her a full coat, helping her into it before I put on shoes and grab a thick sweater myself. “Ready?”
“Yes, Sir.”
I hurry her down the hallway and into the garage, knowing she will be a bit unnerved until she’s in the car, worrying about someone seeing her.
As I pull out of the parking garage, I scan the area, instantly spotting the same fucker. He’s farther away, but I recognize his size and ball cap. “Fuck,” I mutter. I take a right out of the garage, moving in the opposite direction. He clearly has me pegged by now though because I see him on the move out of my rearview mirror. He’s jogging across the street toward his car.
“Daddy?” Eve glances over her shoulder.
“Face front, baby. It’s safer in case Daddy has to hit the brakes.” I take a left and then another right, hoping by the time he gets in his car, he can’t find me.
Luckily, I never spot him again. I’ve lost him. Just to be safe, I drive around in circles for a while, taking strange turns several times before getting on the highway. He’s not on my tail, and eventually, I sigh and reach for Eve’s hand.
She’s shaking.
I lift her fingers to my lips and kiss them. “It’s okay, baby.”
“It’s not though, not really.” Her tone tells me she’s waffling out of her little space. And that’s fine if it’s what she needs or wants, of course, but it won’t change anything.
When I get off the highway, I pull over into a parking lot and put the car in park, facing her. I cup her face. “You okay?”
She shakes her head. Her eyes are watery.
“Listen, baby, I won’t make this decision for you. It’s your choice. If you want me to tell you everything I’ve learned this morning, I will. Right now or when we get to Roman’s or later today. But, here’s the thing. Nothing has really changed. Not where you’re concerned. I still don’t know anything about who’s after you or who the man is watching your apartment. I need you to know that nothing is ever going to happen to you because I won’t let it. I know it’s stressful, but I bet you’ll handle it better if you stay in your little space and enjoy some time with your friends. I promise if anything ever happens that you need to know for your safety, I will tell you immediately. In this case, I think you should let Daddy talk to Roman, Julius, and Davis first. Can you do that, baby?”
She nods. “Yes, Daddy.” Her voice is small.
“Good girl.” I lean closer and kiss her forehead. “You good?”
She nods again.
I know she’s only marginally good, but, even after spending only one week with her, I feel like I know her well enough to encourage her to stay in her little space, oblivious to the new facts that honestly don’t concern her directly. Perhaps after speaking with the other men, I’ll decide to bring her into the fold, but for now, I’d rather not worry her.
I pull back onto the road, look in every direction, and finish the drive to Roman’s.
Chapter 24
Colton
We pull up to what would most aptly be described as a mansion. Wow. Not what I was expecting. After driving
through a gated entrance, I park in front of the estate and stare at the older brick home for a few moments before removing my seatbelt. Eve does too.
I round to her side of the car and let her out.
She clutches her unicorn as we take the steps up to the front door. Before we reach for the knocker, the door opens. A man in his early seventies opens it. He’s very formal and serious-looking, but he smiles wide as soon as he spots Eve. “Come on in. You must be Master Colton and Evelyn. My name is Weston.”
Master Colton? I shake his hand and then help Eve out of her coat.
“My wife’s name is also Evelyn. She’s the cook here. She’s in the kitchen. I’m sure she’s going to love meeting someone with her namesake.”
Eve grins. “I never meet anyone with my name,” she tells him. “My mama said it was an old name.” Eve flushes the moment those words come out of her mouth.
“Evelyn,” I admonish her.
Weston chuckles. “Your mama is right. It is an old name. Much too old even for my Evelyn. She’s only fifty-seven.” He winks. “I married me a younger gal.”
Eve giggles.
Weston hangs Eve’s coat in the closet and nods over his shoulder. “Come on. We’ll drop your Daddy off in Master Roman’s office and go find the other girls in the kitchen. My Evelyn is so excited to have a houseful of little girls today. She’s cooking up a storm, making you all kinds of treats for lunch.”
We reach the office first, and I glance inside to find Julius and Davis have arrived before me. I reach for Eve’s chin and tip her head back. It seems necessary to ensure she knows who’s in charge here and assert my dominance firmly. “You’ll be on your best behavior, right?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Don’t cause Evelyn any trouble. I know you don’t want my palm on your already sore bottom again today.”
She flushes and ducks her head, but I see the shudder at the same time. In addition, she squeezes her thighs together and her dress is thin enough for me to see her nipples have beaded. “I’ll be good, Daddy.”
Charming Colton (Surrender Book 8) Page 19