by Dukey, Ker
“You don’t have to call me Mr. Hayes.”
“What should I call you?”
“What do you want to call me?” I ask, tugging at my thick length. Cum beads at the tip, glistening as I slide the pad of my thumb over it. Up and down in firm strokes, imagining Sofina is rubbing at her cunt as I do.
“I don’t know…Sir?” She laughs, and then her breath hitches. “What do your friends call you?”
Damn, I want it all from her, her words, her giggles, her voice, her orgasms.
“They call me Ronan,” I grunt. “Or sir,” I add with a grin.
“Are we friends?” she asks.
“Do you want to be?”
“So much so. Good friends. Really good friends.” She cries out, “Oh God…”
“Some people call me that too,” I tease.
“What does the girl from your office call you?”
“Eve, my receptionist?”
“No, the other one.”
Ahhh, jealous little girl.
I know she means Starla, but I like to torment her.
“You really want to know?” I growl, jerking my cock harder, listening to her making beautiful little sounds down the line. I want to reach through it and lick every inch of her. I shouldn’t still be here. I should be hunting her down like the animal I am and devour her. Feeling her coming undone with me inside her.
“Yes.”
“Daddy.”
A lot of girls balk at that name and say it’s gross, but not all of them.
The good ones like it.
“Daddy,” she cries out like the perfect little woman she is.
My cum spurts from me like creamy ribbon streams. “You’re a good girl, Sofina.”
I find myself staring at the money stuffed back in my purse and biting my nails anxiously. How am I supposed to know what it is Ronan is expecting me to buy?
After last night, I feel like I’m floating on a cloud that might disperse at any minute. The money was given to me for a purpose, and I feel like if I don’t do as he wishes, I’m a fraud in some way. I zip up my purse and go to my wardrobe, but pause when I reach for a black shirt.
Edgy. Dark. Heavy makeup.
He’s right. I do hide. When I was growing up, I was obsessed with Adele. Her voice was majestic and she was classically beautiful—still is. Her voice stole the show, not her style or looks.
I drop my hand and look down at the vest top I’m wearing. It’s gray, dull, boring. On a whim, I change into a navy dress that feels a little more airy and girly. I could use more outfits like this one.
Maybe a shopping spree is exactly what I need.
“I need you to take a shift today. Hollie is out sick,” Lucca barks from the kitchen.
Ugh.
I swear, my brother has a radar anytime an inkling of happiness or excitement flitters through me. It’s like he homes in on it and tries to squash it like it’s a pesky bug.
“No,” I tell him as I make my way into the kitchen. “It’s my day off. I have plans.”
“I’m not asking,” he fumes, pouring a mug of coffee.
“No, Lucca. You can either ask nicely and sweeten the request, or you can find someone else.”
“You’re a fucking brat. You know that, right?” He slams the coffee mug down, making the brown liquid spill onto the counter. “Fine, you can have the stage for an hour.”
My heart skips and my stomach flips. “Really?”
“I’ve never questioned your talent, Sofina. Only your expectations of an industry flooded with talented people willing to do shit to further themselves in it. It’s a dog eat dog world out there.”
“Maybe I’m a wolf,” I tell him bravely. “Or one of the lucky ones who catches a break.”
“Maybe,” he says with a shrug, sipping from his mug. “But until you fly off to stardom, you have a job and work for me. And I need you to cover at the bar tonight.”
“Fine,” I concede. “I’ll be there by eight.”
“Seven,” he barks.
Dick.
The mall is bustling when I get there and I feel a little out of sorts wandering around alone trying not to feel like I have a bomb in my purse rather than a load of cash.
I see a shop I’ve always admired, but could never afford to go inside before.
Lucca loves window shopping, but for me, I always hated it. If I can’t have those things, I don’t want to see them. It’s cruel.
Pushing inside, I discover it smells of expensive perfume and wealth inside. Gloss white floor shiny enough to reflect your image back at you holds racks of clothing more expensive than the average person’s rent.
Yikes.
I bet Adele shops at places like this.
I bet Ronan does too.
Walking over to the formal section, I bite my lip, taking in all the pretty gowns. So many glitzy, sparkling dresses beg for my attention. Suddenly, I feel as though I’m a little girl once again, wanting to be a big music star.
The dresses are pricey, but my purse is heavy. For once, I give in. I try on all the beautiful dresses without any regard to the price tag with help of an elegant shop assistant. At first, she frowned at me and followed me around the store for the first few minutes until I opened my purse to get my phone out and my stack of cash flashed in her eyes. She was like the best friend I never had after that.
Eventually, I end up with a fitted, shimmery black number with long sleeves and an open back. It’s classic and sexy. Within an hour, I’ve chosen jewelry and shoes to go with it.
One outfit.
I’ve come up with one outfit.
This is harder than I thought.
When I’m tired and think I may quit for the day, my phone buzzes.
Ronan: Did you buy anything yet?
My heart flutters thinking of seeing his name in my phone for the first time after he added it. My cheeks heat thinking of our call last night.
Me: I found a beautiful black dress, Mr. Hayes.
He replies back immediately.
Ronan: Mr. Hayes? You changed your mind about what to call me? And black? I thought we were steering away from the norm…
His admonishing tone through text makes me sit up straighter. I change his contact in my phone to Daddy and snap a picture of the fabric beneath the bag.
Me: Turns out, I was buying the wrong black all along. This black, I think you’ll approve of.
Daddy: Good girl. Can’t wait to see it on you.
My skin flushes at his praise. How is it this man gets inside of me so easily?
Daddy: Make sure to purchase some more casual things. And I’d love to take you to dinner. I have standing reservations at most of the restaurants in town. Dress nicely for those times.
I let out an unladylike snort.
Me: Sure thing, Dad.
As soon as I hit send, I worry he’ll be offended. It’s just that his bossiness had me feeling playful.
Daddy: That’s Daddy to you, sweetheart. Don’t sass me. I’d hate to have to redden that beautiful ass of yours.
Heat pools in my belly and I wonder if my cheeks are blazing red. What I do know is my panties are soaked and I should buy some new ones while I’m at it. Silk…lace…
Me: What do you prefer? Lace or silk?
My phone rings and his name pops up on the screen. I panic and drop the phone. It’s different when I’m alone in my room to being at a store in front of people. His voice does things to me and I know it will be apparent for anyone who looks at me.
Daddy: Sweetness, answer the phone.
His command is sugary, but still that. A command. I find myself straightening and eager to please. What does this man do to me? This time, when he calls, I answer.
“Hello?” I say, my voice breathless.
“Your question was vague, Sof. Are we talking dresses or underwear?” he rumbles.
“Panties,” I whisper as I pick up my things and head to the dressing room to get some privacy.
“Who will you be
wearing them for?”
I freeze at his words. Does he want me to say him? Or…
“For me,” I say after a beat of silence. His heavy breathing and words make me weak with need.
“That’s a good answer,” he praises. “This is all about you. Finding out what you want and like—and taking it.”
Damn, I want him.
Can I go to him and take what I need?
“Mmmm…” I groan. My heart is racing in my chest. “I like the feel of silk against my skin. It’s like a caress without even being touched. Yet, lace is sexy to look at.”
“Lace can empower. Depends if you like to be in charge or if you want to let someone else have the control, to take what they like, and to own you.” His deep voice slides through my veins like a drug, addicting me instantly.
I bite on my lip to keep from saying the word. In the end, I blurt it out anyway, eager to pull off the proverbial Band-Aid. “I want you to own me, Daddy.”
His deep, rumbling chuckle echoes down the line. “Oh, I already do. Now be a good girl and get a mix of lace and silk.”
“Don’t forget the classic cotton for days I’m feeling virginal,” I say with a girlish giggle.
“Where are you right now, Sofina?”
“In a changing room,” I exhale, my pussy throbbing with need.
“I want you to slip out of your virginal cotton panties and stuff them in your purse,” he instructs, making my entire body catch fire. “Tell me when you’ve done it.”
I do as I’m told and feel the wet patch in my panties as I push them into my purse. “They’re in my purse,” I breathe.
“Good girl,” he growls. “Good, good girl. Now get back to shopping. Later, I’ll Facetime you so you can show me everything you bought.”
Holy shit.
“You want me to shop with no underwear on?” I gasp.
“Yes. I want you to feel your arousal on your thighs. I want your pussy to ache and drip with need for me. I want you bare and ready to be taken at any moment.”
My arousal is out of control and my thighs are already damp at the very thought of prancing around with no panties on and knowing he knows it.
For Daddy.
Heat burns across my flesh at the thought. This is silly! But so fucking hot, too.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
I choke down the whine of need, the desperate plea I want to cry out come fuck me, please and instead I say, “Okay, Daddy.”
“Goodbye, beautiful.” With those words, he hangs up the phone. He didn’t seem at all flustered by our little exchange as I am. In fact, he seemed pleased with himself. Knowing I made that beautiful man happy is thrilling.
I’m riding on my high all the way from the mall to the bar. Wondering about what it is Ronan wants from me. He likes my voice. That much was evident. But all this other stuff? I thought, at first, he wanted to make me more sellable for his label. Nothing about our conversations thus far has been that simple, though. There’s a connection between us. Real and sparking. I know I’m not imagining things.
Once inside the bar breakroom, I pull out the huge wad of money. I spent eleven hundred dollars today and barely scratched the surface. I’m scared to count it—to put a dollar amount on what he’s given me.
“What the hell, Sofina? Did you rob a bank?” Rosy blurts, startling me.
I shove the money back into my purse and glance up at her guiltily. “What? No!”
Rosy, always quick to sniff out my lies, narrows her eyes at me. “Where’d the money come from then?”
“Tips,” I squeak, shrugging my shoulder.
“Hmmm, not on my best day, even in my youth,” she scoffs.
“Can we drop it?” I rush out. “I don’t want my brother on my case.”
“On your case for what?” Lucca says, coming into the back room.
Fucking great.
“About my money.” I sigh, throwing my hands in the air, daring him to be a dick.
“I already saw the fucking money, Sof, remember? You were rolling around in it.”
Oh God.
Rosy’s eyebrows rise and she then ducks her head before waving goodbye, clearly not eager to be included in that conversation. She was supposed to quit this place already.
Anger surges through me. I never stand up to him. Maybe it’s time I do.
“I went to see him,” I blurt out, my voice only slightly shaking.
“Who?” he growls.
“Mr. Hayes. He wants to offer me a recording deal. He gave me the money to re-style myself.”
Lucca’s face nearly turns purple. “I knew it was him who gave you the money, Sof. I’m not fucking dumb. He already wants you to change who you are? And you think guys like him just hand over cash like that and want nothing in return?”
“It’s my life, Lucca! And it’s part of my offer. An advance.” I lift my chin.
“He’s a phony,” he roars. “Recording labels don’t pay cash! I can’t believe you’d accept his word and not even talk it over with me!”
Tears burn at my eyes. “He’s not a phony,” I defend. “He gave me some money to buy some new things to wear. It’s called being nice. You should try it sometime.”
He snorts and his eyes turn cruel. “This is why you’ve always needed me. You’re too blinded by the starlight to see the shadows creeping in. I’m your big brother, and now that Dad’s gone, the one responsible for looking after you. People aren’t nice. Not without wanting something nice in return. Hayes is a predator who preys on young, innocent hopefuls like you. I can see it from a mile away.”
“Screw you,” I choke out, hot tears running down my cheeks.
“He will,” he tells me coldly. “After he gets what he wants, you’ll be on your ass. And who will have to help you back to your feet?”
Not waiting for an answer, Lucca storms away from me. When he makes it to the doorway, he turns to glower at me.
“Tomorrow, you’re returning that money. You’ll distance yourself from him.”
And then he’s gone.
I slide to the floor, sobbing. For once, I want my brother to encourage me and be happy for me. But that’s asking too much. It’s like he thrives on holding me back.
My phone buzzes and I fish it from my purse.
Daddy: What time is your shift over?
I should end this thing like Lucca wants me to do. It would take out the tension between me and my brother. Life would go on as usual. And I’d drown in the misery that was my life before Ronan Hayes. If he didn’t offer me a deal and wanted to take me out for a drink instead, would that make things better or worse?
Stubbornness burrows its way in my bones.
I don’t want to give up this feeling making me feel alive for the first time in my life.
Lucca wants to treat me like a spoiled brat? Then I’ll be one.
Me: Not soon enough.
He replies back immediately, sending a thrill running through me.
Daddy: What’s wrong, sweetheart? Do you need your daddy to come rescue you?
The fact this handsome, nearly stranger cares about me more than my own brother is surprising. It makes me realize I’ve lived squashed under my brother’s thumb for too long.
Me: I feel like I’m swimming in the deep end without a floatie.
Daddy: It’s a good thing I won’t let you drown.
I swipe away my tears and smile at the phone.
Daddy: I’m on my way.
My stomach does a flop in equal parts anxiety and excitement. Lucca won’t let me leave. It’s my shift and we don’t have anyone to replace me.
Me: I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Daddy: I’m going to take a stab in the dark and guess that your brother is forbidding you to associate with me. But your brother isn’t in charge of you anymore. He’s done a terrible job thus far. Broken your sweet little spirit. And I’d be a horrible daddy if I didn’t come rescue my girl and set the record straight. You’re mine
now, sweetheart.
I gape at his text, my heart thundering in my chest.
Me: I’m not sure I can get away.
Daddy: I think what you meant to say was, “Yes, Daddy.” See you soon.
“Yes, Daddy,” I mutter, shocked at the way my skin seems to come alive.
Holy shit.
I feel like I’ve just opened Pandora’s box.
I’m not sure what’s about to come out, but I’ve never been so thrilled in all my life.
I email the contract to Eve to have her print it off before I leave. The contract is generous in Sofina’s favor. If Ren read through it, he’d make fun of me for being a pussy and giving her everything on a platter.
Generous royalty percentages.
Small fee to the label.
Creative liberties.
Basically, after barely knowing the girl, I’ve given her what most artists negotiate back and forth to get even a fraction of what I’m offering.
But that’s not all I’m offering.
The moment I had Sofina in my office, the world narrowed its focus until all I saw was her. The beautiful girl hiding behind the wrong makeup, the wrong hair, and the wrong clothes. I’m going to help make her right. Teach her to blossom into the gorgeous flower I know she can be.
I need this contract signed and out of the way so it’s not hovering over her decisions. The contract states she can’t be dropped for the first five years of her contract. I’ve put Ren as her manager and given him all decision-making abilities about her career, so it’s not part of what we have. I’m already in too deep to turn away from her now. It’s fast but explosive between us. I’ve never wanted anything more than an arrangement before. And that was always fine.
Until things changed.
Perhaps I sensed it long ago. That someone would come along. Someone I’d never be able to ignore. Isn’t that what everyone holds out for? Someone so alluring and wonderful that you can’t deny it for a second the moment they walk into your life?
The moment I saw Sofina in that bar, I was smitten.
The moment she stormed into my office, I was turned on.
And the moment she belted out the most stunning music I’d ever heard, I knew she was mine.