Daddy Morebucks (6 page)

Okay, damn it, she liked him. Shaking her head, she admitted it. She’d developed a crush on the handsome dom. Images of him flashed through her mind. His thick head of black hair. Those piercing dark eyes. Something fluttered in her gut.

He was a sexy man. He turned her on more than any man ever had. But it was more than his obvious physical attributes… It was like they had a connection.

How had that happened?
She was so careful to keep a wall up between herself and other people; she needed to protect herself.
Life throws you enough pain as it is. Why go asking for more by investing yourself in others? You’re bound to get hurt.

Yet, she’d let down her defenses. Being honest with herself, she had feelings for Daddy Morebucks.

It’s okay. I doubt I’ll ever see him again. He hasn’t called.

It occurred to her she didn’t have a phone.

Probably should get one. She had to be one of the few people with a job who didn’t even have a phone. But she could pay her electric bill for six months for what they wanted for the latest phone these days. She shrugged.
Anyway, who would I call?

She left Abilene with the intention of never coming back. When she first got to Dallas she had a roommate, but she and Sarah hadn’t been fast friends. Once they got evicted, they parted ways. Sarah was living with a cousin in California last Marley had heard.

Sarah was a kind person, but they’d both been working double shifts to pay the bills, and there was never much time to develop a friendship. They were both either sleeping or working.

Besides, getting close to people was something Marley avoided. It annoyed her that she couldn’t keep her mind off James.

She reached her apartment door, cursing under her breath while she fumbled for the key in her purse.
Why can’t they have better lighting?

“Hi,” a low voice said from the darkness.

Marley whirled around, aiming her handbag toward the voice. “Stop right there. I have mace!”

“Whoa, whoa. No need for that.” James stepped out of the shadows under the dim, flickering glow.

Her hand flew to her chest. “Oh my God! You scared the crap out of me!” She punched him in the arm.

“Ow, sorry.” He rubbed his bicep where she’d struck him.

Marley scowled, still shaken. Grudgingly, she invited him inside.

They sat down in the living room, her only room. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“You know, you could really use some work on your manners. How about ‘Hi, Sir, it’s nice to see you’?” he said, disapproval written all over his face.

Her shoulders rose and fell as she exhaled. “Okay. Hi, Sir, it’s nice to see you. Now, why are you here?”

“You are suspicious, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I
am
,” she said, folding her arms smugly.

“Okay, I missed you, and since you don’t have a phone I didn’t have a choice but to drop by unannounced.”

“Oh.”

“And I’ve been thinking… I have a proposition for you.”

“A proposition?” One eyebrow shot up quizzically.

“Yes.” He reached across the space between them and picked up her hand. She didn’t shy away.

“I’d like you to come live with me.”

Her jaw fell open. “Live with you? What do you mean?”

“When you came to the hotel that night and we played—it was amazing. Since then I haven’t wanted to play with anyone else.”

A tingle spread through her down into her extremities, and she smiled in spite of herself.

“I know you’ve started a new job and you just got this apartment, but I can get you out of your lease and you won’t have to work at the restaurant anymore.”

Her forehead creased. “I won’t? Why not?”

“Because I will pay for your expenses.” He lifted his shoulder in a half shrug, tilting his head.

“You mean be a kept woman. And what would I
do
all day?” The idea was slightly offensive, but considering her previous career, righteous indignation didn’t feel like the best response.

“I don’t know. We’d think of something. How about go to school? How far did you get in high school?”

That he’d used the term ‘we’ was not lost on her.

“I have a high school diploma,” she huffed.

“Good. Then you can attend college. What kind of grades did you have?”

“Mostly B’s with a few A’s and C’s.”

“Great.”

“What if I don’t want to go to college?” A thundercloud settled on her face, her lips jutted out.

“Then we’ll figure out something else for you to do.” He patted her on the knee. “I only want what’s best for you, Marley.”

For some reason, she believed him.

“Let me think about it.” She bit down on her bottom lip.

He rose. “Of course. If you agree, you will be my sub. There will be rules. I’ll expect you to follow them. If you do not, there will be consequences.”

She stared at him.
Rules. Consequences.
She hated rules and consequences. But maybe not so much when
he
came up with them…

He pulled a phone out of his pants pocket and handed it to her. “Call me when you decide.”

She stood up to take the phone. “For me?” Her voice squeaked.

His eyes rolled toward the ceiling. “Yeah, it’s a real hassle not being able to get in touch with you. Feels like I need to hitch up my covered wagon to even speak with you. My phone number is in there. It has Internet as well. Knock yourself out.”

“But…”

He touched his index finger to her lips. “Just think about it.” He leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, “I think we could have lots of fun.”

She became aware of the heat between her legs.

Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded.

He kissed her on the forehead, and left.

Marley plopped down on the futon, her mind racing. James wanted her to live with him. Numerous questions popped into her head. Would she have her own room or would they sleep in separate beds? Would she be ‘on call’ for his sexual whims like a live-in prostitute or would she have a say in when she was available?

Did any of that matter? From a practical perspective, this was like winning the lottery. He must have a cool pad. She’d have a nice place to live, her bills paid, time to do whatever she wanted. Live a life of leisure. Maybe go to school. Vast possibilities were in reach.

College had never been an option for her. She needed money too badly. Now it was something to explore. The world was opening up to her.

But there was something bothering her. A niggling doubt played in the back of her head.

He was doing this because he liked playing with her. Naked playing. This wasn’t because he loved her, or really cared about her. This was about what she could do for him. An uncomfortable sinking began in her brain, inched lower and lower until it landed heavily in her stomach.

That’s the way the world works. You don’t get something for nothing.

A small, vulnerable part of her wished James wanted her for herself, not for her erotic skills or her willingness to spread her legs whenever he snapped his fingers.

No sense crying over unrequited feelings. Not when an opportunity this rare stood before her. James didn’t know she had feelings for him. She’d do her best to treat this as a business transaction. Perhaps they could both get what they wanted.

He could use her, but she’d use him too. There were way worse things in life than spending time playing with a handsome millionaire who paid your bills.

Suddenly her feet didn’t hurt so badly anymore. The bath could wait. She kicked off her shoes and started to pack.

* * *

A driver picked her up and whisked her to a massive tower that appeared to climb upwards for days. Shielding her eyes from the sun, Marley gazed up at the monstrous building, feeling like she was in a modern version of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Nerves jangled inside her. Would she be able to pull this off? Could she fit into this world of high rollers and high society? The self-confident air that was her constant companion fled the minute the driver opened her door. She was out of her element. It was one thing to pretend to fit in, another thing to actually have to do it.

The elevator ride to James’ penthouse apartment was surprisingly short. She expected it to take five minutes or longer to reach the top, but it felt more like seconds. Did that thing run at warp speed?

On the top floor, the doorman ushered her into a large apartment with an open floor plan and an incredible view. One edge of the massive room consisted of a wall of windows overlooking downtown Dallas. It had to be stunning at night.

The furniture was oversized, cozy. She expected it to be more modern and sleek, austere. But the huge sectional sofas, and chairs in chocolate and cinnamon hues created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A reflection of their owner. There were crimson accents around the room, and unique art on the walls. A few sculptures graced side tables. The biggest television Marley had ever seen hung over a fireplace on another wall. Above her, a vaulted glass ceiling offered a view of the clouds.

Books lined the bookshelves. Curious, she wandered over to peruse James’ reading preferences. Footsteps sounded and she turned, her nerves on the outside of her skin.

“Hello, Marley, I’m glad you’re here.” James radiated warmth as he closed the distance between them. He held her at arms’ length and inspected her from head to foot before bringing her into his arms for a bear hug. He kissed her on the lips.

“Welcome, little girl.” For a split second he resembled a wolf salivating over his dinner.

“Thanks, happy to be here. I love your place.”

“It’s yours now as well. I want you to make yourself at home. Let me show you around.”

He took her on a tour of the penthouse. The spaces were so large, each one beautifully decorated. The laundry room alone was almost as big as her apartment. There was a wine closet, a massive walk-in pantry, and two guest bedrooms. The bathrooms were huge. Everything was clean and new. At least it looked new.

The place wasn’t exactly lived in, but it wasn’t too sterile or pristine either.

The kitchen sported all the modern conveniences—two massive stainless steel built-in refrigerators, a high-end cooktop and range, multiple sinks. Warm, brown swirled granite counters sparkled atop cream-colored wood cabinets. An iron pot rack groaned overhead with copper cookware.

“Do you cook?” she asked.

“Occasionally. Sucks cooking for one.” He scrunched up the corner of his luscious mouth. “Maybe I’ll do it more now that you’re here.”

“Sounds nice.” She smiled.

“Why don’t we sit down and go over some of the rules?” He motioned for her to perch on one of the wrought-iron barstools tucked under the overhang of the island.

Sweat tingled in her armpits, and she climbed tentatively onto the seat. He joined her with all the confidence of a man who ruled his castle.

“I guess I should have discussed these rules with you earlier. I apologize for not doing so. If there is anything here that you feel that you truly cannot agree to, we can discuss it. However, these rules are important. For this to go smoothly I’d like you to do your best to follow them.”

“Let’s hear ‘em.” She smoothed her skirt with sweaty palms.

“Okay, first of all, I will be your daddy, and you will be my little girl. You will be mine and only mine. You will do what I say, without complaint. Do your best to be a good girl.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she said, flipping her hair. In part it felt like play acting, answering him this way. At the same time it was like falling into a pit of marshmallows, knowing there was a soft, sweet place to land.

“You’ll need to keep me informed about your comings and goings, who you’re with, what you are doing. You can text me. I also want you to eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep at night. Take care of yourself.”

She nodded. That didn’t sound too bad. Controlling? Maybe, but not too big of a price to pay. It had been ages since anyone had cared about her enough to make sure she slept and ate properly. Was this what it felt like to have ‘security’? It was easy to see why some women craved it.

“No drugs. When drinking, limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks.”

She balled her fists. “Hey, that’s not fair.”

“Why? How many do you think you should be allowed?”

Sticking her lip out, she replied, “As many as I want!”

“I disagree. When you drink too much your judgment becomes impaired, and that’s not good for you. You might make poor decisions.”

“What do you think is going to happen,
Daddy
?” she hissed.

“You will speak to me with respect or you will get a spanking.” The humor was gone from his face.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Well, I still think it’s stupid.”

“Marley, you have every right to your opinion, but you are pushing your luck with me.”

“Tough.” Why was she continuing to push so hard? She was out of control.

“That’s enough. Come here.”

As if in a trance, Marley obeyed. He slid his stool back and laid her over his knee. The stool was so high that her feet dangled, unable to touch the floor.

He flipped up her skirt. She grabbed the spindly iron legs of the stool and held them. Gritting her teeth, she prepared herself for his onslaught.

He pulled down her panties slowly, inch by inch. The anticipation overtaking her, Marley stopped breathing for a minute. Seeing the kitchen from this upside-down angle disoriented her. The smell of his cologne mixed with a lemony aroma coming from the spotless kitchen floor. A ripple of desire skittered through her, and the whole situation took on a surreal quality.

“I hate to have to do this, Marley. But I hope you will learn a lesson about being respectful.” He placed his hand gently on her bottom. She’d underestimated how much she liked feeling his skin on hers.

Then he struck her bottom with his open palm.

She flinched at the blow.

“I will start with twelve swats because I know this is new to you. In the future, bad behavior will earn you more.”