by S. E. Law
“I’d like to do some shocking now. Are you ready, Kristy? Does my little girl want her big Daddy Dom to be a savage tonight?”
I laugh while my curves melt against his hardness.
“No, not yet,” I whisper. “Because I’m expecting again. Little Rose is going to have a sister or brother in about seven months, so tonight would be a great night for gentle loving.”
My man’s blue eyes widen with shock at first, but then his strong arms grow even tighter around me.
“A baby? Oh sweetheart, thank you. This is the best gift ever,” he says in a choked voice while looking into my eyes. “I love you, Kristy, and a second child is proof of that love. You belong to me,” he growls, his tone fierce. “You and the children both.”
With that, I sigh and melt into his arms because this is where I belong. This is the man who saved me from an awful prom night, but also so much more. He opened my eyes to the ways of the world and showed me what it’s like to live as a mature woman. People will always have their flaws, but we take them as they are, and forgive their transgressions to the fullest extent possible. I only wish the best to Ryder and Kaylee because you know what? What I have with my man is a thousand times better, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
THE END
More in the Sweet Treats Series
I botched my initiation but the handsome Connaught brothers stepped in to comfort me. The Dads and Daughters saga continues with Band of Brothers, available here.
Italian stallions know just how to please Melissa in this tale where the meat meets the pasta. Her Italian Wedding is available here.
If you like washing machines that go thump and MMF bisexual romance, then you’ll love Naomi’s story, Please and Tease, available here.
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Band of Brothers
By S.E. Law
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About This Book
Relax, the brothers whisper in my ear. You’ll enjoy it more if you let go.
I’ve always had a bad attitude.
My dad wanted me to join a club called Dads and Daughters, but I stormed out in a huff.
Absolutely not. I’m an independent spirit, and I want to keep it that way.
But my father has a plan up his sleeve.
He arranges for the Connaught Brothers to talk with me about my future.
Finn, Fred and Forest are hard and hulking, with wide, muscular chests and perfect six pack abs. The handsome truckers have drive shafts that make me go *wild*, and soon, the brothers and I are doing more than talking.
But what happens when the band of brothers put a baby in my belly? Will they be a trio of daddies, or is our romance done for good?
June is our favorite rebel. The sweet, sassy girl likes things a certain way, but Dads and Daughters helps her see the light. Indulge in another dose of hot, OTT alpha male truckers with the latest installment in the Sweet Treats series! No cheating, no cliffhangers, and always an HEA for my readers.
90
June
“Dad, I’m not sure about this,” I say slowly. “Do I seem like the typical debutante to you?”
Owen shakes his head and grins.
“No, you don’t,” he acknowledges. “But June, I think you could get something from the group. You’ve been rolling with a crowd that runs fast and loose. What are your friends’ names again? Cloak and Dagger?”
I stare at him.
“Their names are Coke and Danger,” I say.
Owen merely shakes his head.
“See?” he says. “What did I tell you? Even their names are ridiculous. Who has a name like “Coke”? Is that in reference to the drink or to the narcotic? And what’s up with the name “Danger”? Is it like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog? Am I missing something?”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. The kitchen light seems to be particularly bright tonight, and I glare over the table at my dad. Seriously, Owen is being way too judgmental. He’s an old person, so I get it. Sometimes, elderly people get stuck in their habits and they can’t get themselves out no matter how they try. But Owen’s not that old. He’s probably only forty-five, which is hardly over the hill.
“For your information, Coke’s real name is Corinna, but people were calling her Cokie and she didn’t like it. So she asked people to shorten it to Coke. And Danger is just Danger. She was named by her parents, who are hippies who came of age at Berkeley. She can’t legally change her name until she’s eighteen, so what is there to do in the meantime? Ask people to call her Danielle just for kicks?”
My dad shrugs his wide shoulders, and his blue eyes glint.
“No, but June, this is exactly why I’m worried for you. Your friends are weird. Why don’t you ever hang out with the normal girls, like Jane Easton from down the street and Rebecca Milnard, who’s in all the Sunnydale school plays? They’re normal girls from normal families. What’s wrong with them?”
I roll my eyes again.
“Are you really asking that?”
My dad snorts and his expression grows even more severe.
“June, I’m just concerned about you, okay?”
I cut him off.
“But why? And for your information, Jane and Rebecca are strange people, even if they don’t seem like it on the outside. Jane is still a Girl Scout even though we’re seniors in high school. Who does that? I understand that Girl Scouts is a great organization, but Jane is literally still going door to door selling cookies even though she’s way too old. And Rebecca? She is definitely not normal. She’s super into drama, and that crowd of kids is weird. If you think me and my friends are strange, you should get a look at the drama kids. They burst into song at random moments, including when they’re using the toilet at school. Now those people are off-the-wall.”
My dad merely shakes his head again.
“I just wish you were more mainstream, June. I’m not trying to criticize, even if it’s coming out the wrong way.”
“But what do you want me to do?” I ask plaintively. “Get a new personality?”
Owen looks uncomfortable. My dad is a strong alpha male, and it’s hard for him to have a conversation like this. But he takes a deep breath and looks at me.
“Well, for example, what’s with your hair?” he asks. “How can your current style be attractive?”
I shake my head a bit, the brown curls jouncing merrily.
“You mean, the highlights I got last week?” I ask.
My dad nods.
“Yeah, sweetheart. I mean, I’m not an expert when it comes to fashion, but is it supposed to look like that? You know, with one piece blonde and the next one brown? They almost look like zebra stripes. You could be so pretty if you tried, June. Why don’t you do yourself up like a regular girl?”
I roll my eyes again.
“For your information, chunky highlights are back, Dad. I know you were alive in the 90’s, so you know the look: it’s Friends mixed with some Smashing Pumpkins. I know it doesn’t look “natural” per se, but it still looks good!”
Owen merely shakes his head, looking more and more confused.
“But your clothes, Junie! What’s going on with those fishnet stockings and the big combat boots? You’re not going off to war or working at a construction site. And why do you have so much black eyeliner on?”
I roll my eyes again.
“Daddy, it’s a “look,” okay? All my friends are doing it, and for your information, these combat boots are very utilitarian. They’re not expensive either because I got them half off at Dilley’s downtown.”
Owen merely shakes his head again. I don’t know what is wrong with him, but he’s got a bee in his bonnet tonight. His handsome face is drawn and
his fingers relentlessly tap at the table.
“Come on, Daddy,” I urge. “What’s the problem? Why are you so upset tonight? Out with it. You’re nit-picking on stuff that doesn’t matter in the long run. I get good grades, and I’m doing my college applications as we speak. Maybe I won’t get into one of the Ivies, but it’s fine. I’ll at least get into Sunnydale Community College, and that’s a good school. They have a lot of programs that look interesting. So what’s up, Owen? Why are you trying to push my buttons today?”
My dad looks down at the table still, and his blue eyes won’t meet mine. But then he sighs again and finally tilts his head my way.
“Sometimes, June, I just don’t know if I’m a good father,” he says slowly. “After your mom left, things were so unclear. I tried to be a stellar parent, but there’s no manual for raising kids. Much less as a single dad to a daughter with an independent streak.”
I shake my head and smile encouragingly while taking his hand in my own.
“But Daddy, of course you’ve been a good father. When Mom left, I barely even noticed her absence. She’d been out of it for so long, and was hardly even living in the house anymore. You did everything, and I’m proud of you, Owen. I’ve turned out fine! You don’t need to worry.”
But my dad still looks unconvinced.
“I’m just not sure,” he begins again.
I nod encouragingly.
“But about what? Spit it out Daddy.”
Owen looks like he’s got the words at the tip of his tongue, but then he shakes his head again.
“I want you to talk to some people,” he begins.
I stare at him with disbelief.
“What? Why? No!”
He holds up one big hand, and his blue eyes are troubled.
“I think it would be for the better, June. You’re a teenage girl, and god knows, but I don’t know my way around adolescent girls. I’d like you to talk to a couple people to get some perspective and guidance.”
I stare at him.
“Okay, but about what? And who were you thinking? You’re not thinking of shipping me off to a mental hospital, are you? You know that psychiatrists are quacks. They’re just looking to prescribe medication, and trust me, Zoloft and Prozac are not miracle pills. You have to address the root causes of your ailments before attempting any medical intervention.”
He shakes his head.
“I know, and I’m not sending you off to see any doctors. But I do know some older girls you could talk to. They might be able to offer some … uh, guidance on womanly issues.”
I squint at him.
“Womanly issues? What is that, pray tell? And you’re not thinking of having me talk to Jane or Rebecca are you? Trust me, I know more than them. Jane is just clueless, and Rebecca’s always floating around in her drama world. I think she’s even more lost than me, to tell you the truth.”
Owen shakes his head uncomfortably again.
“No, not them.” He looks down for a moment, and then looks up with determination. “I belong to a club, June. It’s a very private, discreet club that helped me after my divorce. It’s really only for adults, which is why I never told you about it.”
I stare at him.
“Really? A club? Like the Freemasons or the Rotary Club?”
My dad looks pensive. His handsome features are tense, and his fingers drum a steady beat on the kitchen table.
“Sort of. Well, no not really. You see, this is a particular club that helps long-haul truckers. Most of the members are men, but we also have a contingent of attractive women.”
I stare at him.
“What do you mean, ‘attractive’? Why is that even relevant?”
Owen looks uncomfortable and clears his throat.
“I misspoke, sweetheart. I meant ‘accomplished,’ not attractive. But regardless, the women are well-rounded and very friendly. I’d like for them to talk with you a bit and offer some life advice.”
I stare at him.
“This is not going to go well, Daddy. I don’t need any counseling and I’m perfectly sane. You’re overreacting, Owen, and I don’t even know why. What’s behind all this?”
But my father won’t say. He merely gets up from the table and stands while looking at the ground. My dad is huge and his head seems to block out the light. His features are severe, and his black hair seems even darker than usual. He looks like he’s about to say something, but then shakes his head and changes his mind again.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about, June. Now, I’m going to go hit the gym. I just got back from a long road trip, and it’s time to get some weight-lifting in after all that travel. But be ready, okay? I think I can set up a time for you to speak with some older girls next weekend. Would that work?”
I don’t bother to tell him that Danger, Coke, and I were going to study for a mid-term then because it wouldn’t matter. Owen would get all prickly from even hearing the names “Danger” and “Coke.”
“Sure,” I say with a wan smile. “It’s no problem. I’ll keep my schedule open.”
Owen nods and throws me another impossible-t0-decipher look. What is up with my dad? Why is he behaving so weirdly? But he merely strides to the hall closet and opens it to grab his gym bag, which is already packed on the floor. My dad works out a lot, and the discipline looks good on him because he’s tall, strong, and very handsome. But still, that doesn’t explain his uneasiness.
“Take care, okay June? I’ll be back later tonight.”
“Sure no problem,” I say with a cheerful wave. “Bye Dad! Don’t kill yourself trying to lift a truck,” I joke.
The screen door bangs shut, and I can hear Owen’s heavy footsteps going down the front path. Then, his car revs and pulls out onto the street before disappearing in the distance.
Silence strikes the kitchen as I stare at the faded brown wood of our table. What was that about? Why would my dad want me to talk with some older girls? And what was making him so uneasy in particular?
I understand the part about “female guidance.” My mom left when I was a kid, but when I said I almost didn’t notice, it was true. My mom was always a wishy-washy person, and although she loved me, she was also the type who often forgot to pick me up from school.
As a result, Owen had to step in. He was my mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, brother, and sister all rolled into one. Owen took care of everything, from packing my lunch each day to shuttling me to ballet lessons. That is, when he wasn’t at work. When he was on the road for his job as a long-haul trucker, our neighbor Midge helped out, and it was fine. I developed a wonderful relationship with Midge, and treat her like family.
But now, Owen’s got something on his mind, and I can’t help but wonder what it is. It’s not menstruation because we got through that years ago. It can’t be boys because I’ve never really dated anyone. He says it’s the clothes I wear and the way I present myself, but my look is “cute goth” and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with it. I wear a lot of black, but the look is sexy and appealing in its own way. Maybe I could stop with the chunky highlights, but it’s not like I’m pancaking my face with white foundation and using scary black lipliner. Instead, I merely use a touch of cosmetics, in addition to some vampy red lipstick on my pout. It’s sexy, and not trashy.
I sigh, slumping a bit in my chair. This meeting with the so-called “older girls” is not going to go well. I can already picture it in my head. It’s going to be women who look like they’re straight out of Love Island giving me lectures on how to put together an “appropriate” outfit. They’ll probably want me to date jocks raging on steroids or some baby investment banker with too much gel in his hair. Whatever it is, it’s going to be painful, and I slump even further in my chair. Ugh. This isn’t what I want at all.
Because what I do want is crazy. A slow smile creeps over my lips as my secret fantasy comes to mind. It’s not that I don’t appreciate handsome men; I do. It’s just that I want more than one. I’ve seen the clips on-line wh
ere a woman is adored by two or more men, and it always looks so amazing. Her expression is often blissful with a moan coming from her throat while the guys use her body like a toy. What would that be like? What would it be like to be shared among a group of men, all of whom adore you?
I sit up and stick my tongue out at nobody. Unfortunately, I’ll never find out because right now, we live in little Sunnydale where nothing exciting ever happens. It’s just a boring, suburban life … or is it?
91
June
“What?” asks Danger. “Why do you have to talk to someone? We can give you good advice.”
“Yeah,” adds Coke. “Seriously. Your dad is off the reservation. You were on honor roll last semester. What is up with Owen?”
I shake my head.
“I have no idea. He’s hell-bent on making me talk to some older girls for ‘life advice,’ and it’s going to be painful. I’m literally envisioning someone with frosted hair and a fake tan trying to give me pointers on my wardrobe.”
Coke shudders.
“It could be worse. He could have made you sign up for dance lessons or cooking lessons or something.”
I shudder as well.
“Eeew. Well, I’m definitely not going to be a master chef any day soon, that’s for sure. Okay, what were we talking about with this book?” I ask brightly. “What is Jay Gatsby looking for in life?”
My friends and I turn back to the assignment. Despite looking like goth girls, we’re actually very academically-oriented. In fact, Coke is currently at the top of our class, and Danger isn’t far behind. I wouldn’t be surprised if they graduate one-two as valedictorian and salutatorian. Wouldn’t that be a shock to my dad?
But right now, I just want to focus on my own grades. While I’m not a genius, I’m still smart enough to get onto Honor Roll most semesters. I like to read too, and if anything, reading has been my outlet all these years. After my mom left, I buried myself in books day and night. As a result, I’ve read The Great Gatsby many times in the past. Re-reading it as a part of our English course has been fun and easy.