Charming Colton Read online

  I grit my teeth.

  When Owen leads her away from the bench, I watch them go, but don’t move.

  “Stay put,” Davis insists.

  I nod, but it’s hard to do as he suggests.

  In a moment they’re out of sight and the crowd disperses.

  Davis is grinning at me. “You broke her. You stud.”

  I don’t think this is funny. I scowl at him. “I didn’t do shit. What the hell are you talking about?”

  He shakes his head. “Don’t get all defensive. I meant that in the nicest possible way. She couldn’t get into it. I’m sure it’s because you’re all up in her head. That’s not a bad thing.”

  “I need to see her.”

  Davis sighs and follows me as I head toward the same room where Leah had gone for aftercare. Sure enough, Eve is in there. She’s sitting in the corner of a loveseat, her knees drawn up to her chin. A blanket is draped around her, and she’s rocking forward and backward slightly.

  Owen is squatting in front of her, his hand on the armrest. He’s speaking in a soft tone. I can’t hear him.

  I shouldn’t be here, and I know it, but I can’t help myself. At least I have the good grace to stop in the doorway. I just want to be sure she’s okay. I need to know. Even if I can’t be the one to comfort her, I need to see her.

  She spots me and smiles. When she reaches out a hand toward me, my heart stops. Thank fuck.

  Owen turns to glance at me and smiles also. Weird. He stands as I approach apprehensively. Davis has remained in the doorway.

  In the oddest twist of events, Owen reaches out to shake my hand. “You must be Colt.”

  “I am.” Call me confused, I want to add.

  Owen sighs. “Eve told me a little about you.”

  “She did?” I glance at her. She’s smiling sheepishly.

  “Not much. Enough though. I could tell she wasn’t into our scene. She was apologizing to me, though it wasn’t necessary. Said she’s actually met someone and he was watching and she couldn’t get out of her head to enjoy having me spank her.” Owen shrugs. “It happens. I’m happy for you.”

  I glance at Eve again.

  She lowers her face and starts rocking again. She’s stressed. It’s palpable. Does she think I’ll be mad?

  Owen turns back to her. He squats down again to meet her gaze. “Eve? Will you be okay if I leave you with Colt?”

  She nods.

  “You sure?”

  She nods again. I’ve only been dominating her for a few days, and I would never let her get away with a non-verbal. I have no idea why. It’s instinctive. Or maybe I just like to hear her voice. I love the tremble in her tone when she submits to me verbally.

  Owen pats her shoulder and stands. “Come find me if you need me.”

  She nods again. “Thank you,” she murmurs. No Sir. Just thank you.

  I’m dumbfounded as Owen leaves after patting me firmly on the back.

  I ease around next to her and sit at her side, putting my arm around her shoulders.

  She leans into me, burrowing her face in my chest. “I couldn’t do it,” she murmurs.

  I hold her close, kissing the top of her head. “It’s okay, baby. Why are you so upset?”

  She shrugs. Nonverbal.

  I let her get away with that for a few minutes, holding her close as she pulls herself together. Finally, I lean back and tip her head so I can see her eyes. “Talk to me. Use your words, baby.”

  “Are you mad?”

  I frown. “Why on earth would I be mad?” I’m elated. I’m seconds from thrusting my chest out and going all Tarzan on her.

  She swallows. “Because the plan was for me to go about my usual routine so you could observe. I’m ruining it.”

  I slowly smile. I lean down to kiss her gently on the lips before responding. “The only thing you’re ruining is the likelihood that I might have eventually lost my mind and punched a hole in the nearest wall from watching you perform with another man. If anyone should apologize, it should be me.”

  She giggles. “You wanted to punch a wall?”

  “At least one.” I smirk. “Don’t let my possessive jealousy go to your head. It’s not very responsible of me. I should have been able to observe without putting off vibes so strong that Davis had to call me off like a pack of rabid dogs a few times.”

  Her face is lit up and she reaches her arms toward me.

  I pull her into my lap and hug her closely, nuzzling her neck. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “Me too.”

  I lean back a few inches so I can see her face. “So, we need a new battle plan. And this is totally unfair and irresponsible of me too, but can you live with people at the club believing you met me recently and we’ve entered into a D/s relationship?”

  Her smile melts me. “Yes, Sir.” She flushes. “I mean you can’t stop that train now. It left the station. People saw what happened with Owen and people are aware you and I are sitting here together right now.”

  I take a quick glance around to make sure we are still alone, stroke her cheek, and search her gaze. “I’m no less concerned that someone here might be watching you.”

  “Surely you don’t still suspect Owen?”

  “Not really, but if people are watching you, there’s a good chance one of them is inside this club either planted recently or even an older member. I’ll feel much better if I always have my eye on you.”

  “Okay.” She sounds very little when she says that one word.

  “I have a question.” I hold her gaze, hoping she won’t be offended by my inquiry.

  She widens her eyes. “What?”

  “How come Owen was allowed to call you Evelyn?” I need to hear her tell me.

  A slow smile spreads across her face. “Because, silly. I was in trouble. Didn’t your mama call you by your full name when you were in trouble?”

  I chuckle. “Yes.”

  She shrugs. “If you ever call me Evelyn, I will know I’ve been very naughty.”

  I stare at her in awe before giving her pigtail a tug. “I’ll keep that in mind. Also, I took the liberty of letting Davis book us a private room. He’s going to monitor me so I can spank your bottom until it’s a delicious shade of pink and you’re squirming off the bench.” I grin.

  Her eyes light up. “Tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  She claps her hands together.

  “And you don’t even have to pretend to misbehave. The list of reasons why you deserve a spanking from me is long from the last few days.”

  She giggles. “Okay.” That one word is a whine.

  I lift my usual brow.

  She corrects herself. “Okay, Sir.”

  I pat her bottom. “Good girl. Now, I have another question.” I set her on her feet as I speak.

  “What?” Her brows furrow with curiosity.

  I pinch the edge of her dress. “Is this a twirl dress?”

  She smiles broadly. “Yes. Want me to show you?”

  “I do.”

  She takes a step back and then excitedly spins around and around. The hem of the dress flares out so wide that I can see her panties and even her belly.

  When she’s about to topple, I reach out and grab her around the waist, pull her against my chest. Since the hem of her skirt gets caught up high on her waist, I take the opportunity to tickle her tummy, making her squirm and giggle.

  She is truly delightful.

  Chapter 19

  Evelyn

  * * *

  Colt escorts me back to the daycare even though I’d rather stay with him. He says he needs to do his job, which means he needs to wander around paying close attention to everyone in the club. He can easily do so under the not-fake guise of learning the ropes of the community since he’s a guest of the club and a potential new member as well as being a newer Dom. My Dom.

  I pout anyway when he returns me to the daycare. He sits me down at the same table where I was coloring earlier, sets his hands on the surface, and l
eans in close. “Pull that lip back in, baby. I can’t focus on my job if you’re tagging along with me.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He nods toward the entrance to the daycare. “Don’t look, but did you notice the large man at the entrance?”

  “Yes. I don’t know him.”

  “Roman hired him to keep you safe. You can trust him.”

  My eyes go wide. “Seriously?”

  He nods. “Yep. Not just you, baby. He needs to know that everyone in this club is safe. It’s in his best interest.”

  “Okay.”

  “As long as you can see Craig, you’ll know nothing is going to happen to you.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He taps the coloring book in front of him. “Color me a picture. When it’s our turn in a private room, I’ll come get you.”

  I smile. I’m beyond excited about this plan. So excited that I bounce in my seat.

  He kisses the top of my head and leaves me in the daycare.

  Lucy is still nearby and she joins me at the table. “How did your scene go?”

  I wince. “It didn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  I sigh. “I couldn’t get into it. My headspace is filled with Colt.” I’d told Lucy about my weird relationship with Colt earlier.

  Lucy beams. “That’s so fun. I’m excited for you.”

  I lower my face. “It’s also scary and I’m sad because it’s temporary. As soon as he finds the man trying to sell me, he will be gone.”

  Lucy cringes. “Why? Why does he have to leave just because he solves the case?”

  I shrug. “It’s his job. He works mostly undercover. He says he would never string someone along in his life because it wouldn’t be fair to them. He’s sometimes gone for months. I wouldn’t even be able to reach him.”

  “Oh. That’s awful.”

  “Yeah.” I absently color my picture, but my heart isn’t in it. I’m sad now.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s probably for the best. I’m not myself when I’m with him anyway. He’s shaking up my well-organized life.” I grin at her, though I know it doesn’t reach my eyes.

  Lucy frowns. “Maybe your life needed a bit of shaking?”

  I shrug. “Probably, but it was working.”

  “How was it working? I mean you deserve to have a Daddy more than two hours a week. You’ve kept everyone at arm’s length for years, not letting anyone get close to you. I don’t think it was really working,” she says gently.

  I know she means it in the nicest possible way. I stare at my picture, absentmindedly coloring. Maybe she’s right, but what I’ve been doing was safe. I’ve kept my personas separate for years. No one in my vanilla world is aware of my fetish life and, to a certain extent, vice versa. I haven’t let the two collide. As an adult, I’ve dated—albeit intermittently—but I’ve also given my little what she needed.

  I’ve never considered the possibility that the two could collide in a functional way. I’m not even sure I like the idea. It seems complicated. How on earth would I keep everything straight if I was always submitting to a Daddy even while I was at work?

  And none of that even matters because it’s not an option that’s on the table. It’s not like the perfect Daddy is someone I’ll encounter on every street corner. This is a fluke. And Colt is not my Daddy. He’s a newish Dom who happens to click with me and isn’t staying in my life.

  I need someone’s advice though so I look at her and set my crayon down. “Something is different with Colt. It’s like I can be myself with him. Both sides of me. And the lines are blurring and that makes me nervous.”

  Lucy grips my hand. “That’s okay. You’re evolving.”

  I lick my lips. “I’ve never felt sexual with other Daddies. With Colt… I mean… I get mixed up. My little gets aroused with him. I want to have sex with him and not worry about which side of me is present. Does that make sense?”

  Lucy smiles. “Of course. My little has sex. I’m almost never an adult when I’m with Master Roman. Maybe I’m not as babyish when we get naked, but I still have a piece of me that’s submissive and little at all times. There are no rules. Just do what feels right. Does Colt mind if your little comes to bed?”

  I shake my head. “He doesn’t seem to. I think he enjoys both sides of me.”

  “Then there’s your answer. Maybe he’s just the first Daddy to come along with whom you felt that kind of attraction. Maybe it’s a gift.” She smiles warmly.

  “Maybe.” I try to shake off the maudlin. I also try not to think about how long I might get to have him in my life.

  Lucy gives my hand a squeeze. “Don’t give up. Maybe there’s a way to make things work out. You never know.”

  I don’t respond. I can’t. If I try to say anything else on this subject, I will start crying. I don’t want to cry right now. I’m going to do a scene with Colt, and that’s exciting.

  Lucy colors silently next to me for a while before she nudges me. “Colt is waving at you.”

  I turn my head and light up when I see him. I pick up my picture and skip across the room toward him, holding it out.

  He smiles as he takes it from me. “Love it, baby.” He lifts me over the fence without opening the gate, hugging me tightly. He kisses my forehead. “Ready to do a scene with me?”

  “Yep.”

  He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway toward the private rooms. After glancing through the window, he turns to me. “Davis and Britney are already inside. They said we can watch them and then they will watch us. Is that okay?”

  I nod. “Yes. Sir.”

  He squeezes my shoulder before he opens the door and we step inside.

  “Hey,” Davis says as he lifts his gaze. “Hope you don’t mind, but we’re going to try something new tonight.” He lifts up a paddle.

  Britney is standing near him, her hands clasped behind her back, swaying slightly from side to side. She looks uncertain. I don’t blame her. I’ve never had a Daddy spank me with anything other than his hand. Maybe I would like it. I don’t know.

  Colt leads me to the loveseat that’s along one wall. He sits, but instead of settling me next to him, he spreads his legs and positions me between them, facing out. He wraps an arm around my middle, holding me close against his chest. I’m short enough that his cheek can rest near my shoulder against my biceps.

  Davis tips Britney’s chin back and meets her gaze. “Ready?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Her voice is not strong.

  He chuckles. “You sure?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He leads her toward the bench in the middle of the room. It’s the kind that’s like a pommel horse with four padded sections for elbows and knees.

  Davis grabs the hem of Britney’s dress and pulls it over her head.

  She shivers and pulls her biceps in close to her boobs. I know that look. It’s the same thing I’ve done on occasion if I was artificially embarrassed by people staring at my tits but knew I would get reprimanded for blatantly covering them.

  Davis squats in front of her and tugs her arms away from her sides. He cups her breasts next and thumbs her nipples, making her rise onto her toes.

  My nipples stiffen at the same time as hers, and Colt flattens his palm on my belly, letting his thumb absentmindedly stroke the underside of my breast. My boobs are covered with smocking. I never wear a bra when I’m in my little space, so the only thing between me and Colt’s fingers is the thin material.

  Britney is wearing yellow panties with little ducks on them. That’s all that’s left, and only for another few seconds because Davis finally pulls them down her legs and sets them on top of her dress.

  When he stands, he lifts her by the waist and settles her on her belly on the spanking bench. As he moves around her, attaching her wrists and ankles to cuffs, he glances at us. “Like I said the other night, I don’t usually spank Britney for no reason. It’s not part of our dynamic. What I have been known to do, however, is keep a tally w
hen she’s disobedient and cash them all in whenever I choose.”

  Colt chuckles. “I wondered what that chart was on your refrigerator the other night.”

  “Yep. She has a chore chart and a naughty tally. I enjoy making her stew for a few days, wondering when and how I might discipline her. Sometimes I let them accumulate. I don’t spank her every time she doesn’t make her bed or put her dishes in the sink, but they add up. Tonight, she’s going to experience something new.”

  He finishes attaching her ankles and pulls a strap over her lower back too, cinching it tight.

  Britney whimpers as she tries to wiggle. Her breasts jiggle along the sides of the bench.

  Davis checks the strap to make sure it’s tight. “I don’t want her to have any movement for the first time I paddle her. Wouldn’t want to risk her hands getting in the way or me striking her in an unintended spot because she jerked to one side.”

  Colt is holding me so close and so tight that I feel like I’m just as restrained as Britney. His left arm is around my body, his left hand teasing my right boob. He slides his right arm around my upper legs and smooths his palm up my opposite thigh until that thumb is teasing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh an inch below my pussy.

  I’m panting already and we haven’t watched or participated yet.

  Davis kisses Britney on the lips and cups her face. “Ready?”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  He rounds behind her until he’s standing between her thighs, sliding his hands up and down her skin until he cups her butt cheeks. He even parts them several times, exposing her tight hole.

  She squirms the slightest amount possible.

  “Your bottom is going to be so pretty after I paddle it, sweetie.”

  It’s impossible not to watch intently as he continues to stroke her skin, his fingers coming very close to her pussy over and over but never touching her directly. I’m sure she’s dying of lust. Hell, I am from watching. And judging from Colt’s grip, he is too.

  Finally, Davis picks up the paddle and stands to one side of her. He pats her bottom gently in several places before giving a firmer tap that makes her flinch.