“I had caught Sean cheating and it was the last straw. I think part of me wanted to leave before that, but I had become so codependent. When I saw him with a student, it was the push I needed. I packed up my most important belongings and started driving. I stopped at a lot of parks and monuments on the way down. Probably stalling more than I realized, maybe if I hadn’t been so scared to confront him I would have gotten here in time.”
Aiden gives me a soft look like his heart is breaking for me, and I shake him off.
“I could have come sooner, Collin could have reached out sooner. There are so many possibilities in life, but I think I’m ready to just start living in the now.”
“Living in the now?” he asks.
“Yes, enjoying my boyfriend’s spaghetti and going on dates with him, decorating my cottage, and working at Kemper’s. Living in the past isn’t going to do me any good. I want to appreciate what I have now.”
“I like that,” he says smiling.
“What part, the boyfriend part?”
“Yeah, I like that part the most, but I like seeing you happy.”
“You’ve become a big part of that happiness, you know.”
“I’m hoping you still feel the same way after tonight,” he says.
“Oh, I definitely will be.”
* * *
I shouldn’t have worried about what I was going to wear, because Aiden bought me the most stunning, deep-red dress I’ve ever seen. It’s tight fitting and shows off my figure amazingly. It has thin straps and a neckline that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
While I’m happy to be the one wearing it, Aiden seems to approve of his purchase as he keeps stroking the material on my back and right above my ass as we check in.
I have to stop myself from staring at him in his suit as well. Aiden dresses more casually at the office, seeing him look so professional just makes me want to obey him more. It gives him more authority, and it fits his body perfectly. He has to clear his throat because I’m staring at him when I should be listening to the receptionist.
I have to fill out some paperwork and sign a ridiculous amount of documents as Aiden’s guest. Even though we discussed not sharing, since I’m not an official member I wouldn’t be able to partake in any activities with anyone else anyway.
The receptionist gives Aiden the details about how I could be added to his account if we decide this is something we would like to do in the future together. The main entrance is just as I remember it. It’s classy and feels almost like a prohibition era bar with the black and gold decoration.
This area is pretty void of people, and when I hand over my phone to reception, I realize that it’s ten o’clock. I imagine the fun is getting started inside. A bubbling of excitement and nervousness is coursing through my veins. Everything Aiden and I have done so far has been relatively tame. I’m asking him to take more control tonight, our roles are stricter and our relationship is going to be put to the test.
Aiden rubs my back as we go to the bar and get a drink before we go inside. “If at any point you want to leave, you’ll tell me?”
“Yes,” I nod my head and take the lemon martini the bartender made for me.
“Yes, what?” Aiden asks in a demanding tone.
My eyes meet his and I take a sip before swallowing and answering with a smile. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good. Now, there may be people here that I know, is that going to bother you?”
I take a deep breath and groan a little bit. “I’ll try to not let it bother me.”
“If you’re feeling any type of way, tell me, okay? Don’t hold it in and let it fester. I’m going to take care of you and part of that is making sure that you’re physically and mentally okay.”
This is what having a daddy is supposed to be like.
I could tell him how perfect I think he is, or how every time he shows me such pure kindness I want to tell him I’m falling in love with him. I know it’s crazy and fast, but fuck if he doesn’t make it impossibly easy.
“Is your brother going to be here?”
“No,” he says plainly. “Lincoln has been going through something—I don’t know what. But he hasn’t been back here since that night.”
I nod my head, glad that his brother isn’t going to see me get my ass spanked red. It sure would make The Bahamas trip uncomfortable. I take the last sip of my drink, and Aiden puts down some cash before helping me off the stool and taking my hand, leading me toward the back section.
