The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The First Collection by Frost, J (great novels .txt) 📕

I just want Rick to understand why she’s traveling with me. Are we good?”

Rick nods. “You probably think I’m being an asshole. Everyone else in the world knows. But Emily’s never liked me and—”

Before I can counter that, Max growls, “Shows she’s a good judge of character. Are we done?”

I nod, wanting to end this before they go for each other physically. Max has easily fifty pounds and a lot of combat experience on Rick. Rick’s paying our bills. There’s no good way for it to end if I don’t separate them.

Max stalks out, trailed by Manny, who has never been Rick’s biggest fan, either, but a bodyguarding job is a bodyguarding job.

Rick sighs and sinks back into himself after they leave. “Thanks, man.”

“Look, I’m sorry about Max’s attitude. He’s really good at what he does.”

Rick glances up at me. “I wasn’t being sarcastic. I mean it. Thank you. I know you’re not happy with me, but you haven’t dumped me. I’m starting to realize that this shit could cost me more than money.” He rubs his hand through his hair. “Daisy’s saying that without some kind of public statement by Evonne, she won’t cast me again. So much for friendship, huh?”

“I’m sorry, mate.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get it sorted. I only told you what I’ve found. Not what I think. And what I think is that Laurel Whateverhernameis isn’t the one behind this. It doesn’t tally. Both you and Damon Tiger say that the scene and sex were consensual. Playing with a stranger without any negotiation and a safe word might have been stupid, but it wasn’t rape. Tiger’s a witness, and he’s definitely not on EvonneBringsTheTruth’s side. I’m a lot less concerned about prosecution than I was a day ago.”

Rick’s eyes lighten. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. As for the PR side, let’s find Laurel and see what we can do. I was figuring on a pay-out anyway. Maybe instead of a non-disclosure agreement, she’ll sign some kind of statement. One step at a time, mate.”

“All right. Look, about Emily, you know I’m not trying to be a dick, right?”

“I get it. Don’t be surprised if Daisy tells her, though.”

Rick drops his head nearly to his chest. “Fuck. I didn’t think of that. Even if I ask her not to, she’ll probably still do it. She’s pretty pissed at me.”

“She’ll get over it. You’ve been friends a long time. Do a scene with her tonight. Remind her you’re not an asshole. Lucy’s here; so’s Austin. Daisy likes Austin, right?”

“Yeah, although I think Daisy’s in a girl phase right now.”

That would explain her pawing my baby girl. “Keep it to just topping, then. Lucy, Austin, and Justine are all happy to scene without sex.”

“Manny and Jen heading out after the game finishes?” Rick asks.

He knows that Manny and Jen are very vanilla.

“Yeah. After they’re gone, I’m going to do a scene with Emily to show Max that topping doesn’t have to be about pain or impact play.”

Rick snorts. “Good luck with that. He’s got his mind made up.”

“I’ll see if I can change it. Max is a top. Both Emily and I think so. He just needs to let go of his pre-conceived notions about kink.”

I don’t bother to tell Rick that Emily and I both think Max is a daddy, because that wouldn’t mean anything to Rick. Rick’s not a daddy. If there’s a place on the dominant spectrum as far opposite a daddy as it’s possible to be, Rick’s there.

“Whatever,” Rick says. “I’m not sure why you’d take it on yourself to try to educate the fucker, but more power to you.”

“Thanks,” I say wryly. In addition to not being a daddy, Rick doesn’t much care about giving back to the kink community. I’ve never seen him do a demonstration, never heard him talk to anyone about technique. Emily’s right, he is all me-me-me. “You mind sending Emily in?”

I leave on your way out unspoken, but Rick’s not stupid.

He straightens off my desk. “Sure. Thank you, man. I mean it.”

“Always, mate.”

Rick leaves the door open as he goes, and Emily must be waiting in the hallway because she rushes in a heartbeat later. Her eyes flick from my face to my hands, checking for a signal. When I simply beckon, she comes to me. I fold her tightly to my chest and kiss her forehead.

“How are you doing?” I ask, just to check-in. She seems fine, but I never assume with my little introvert.

“Good, Daddy. Is everything okay?”

“Uh-huh. Where’s Sable?”

“Upstairs in my little room. I’ve checked on him. He’s asleep on the day bed.”

“Good.” We were both concerned about how he’d react to so many new people and so much disruption when he’s just getting settled in, but in smart animal fashion, he’s retreated and found a cozy place to sleep. Since he was up yowling half the night, he’s probably knackered. “Gimme a kiss. I need my baby doll.”

She winds her arms around my neck and stretches up on her tiptoes. I take her mouth, slow and gentle to start. Nipping at her lips as she melts against me, then melding our mouths together until we’re fused. Our bodies synchronize. Breath and heartbeats matching. There’s heat, but there’s also peace and soul-deep comfort. I kiss her until I can face anything with a smile. Then I release her.

She drops back onto her heels and blinks at me, her eyes glazed. “Better, Daddy?”

“Much, much better, little love.” I lower my head until I can rub noses with her. “Don’t make any plans for tomorrow, huh?”

“Okay.” She doesn’t ask, but I can see the question in those big eyes.

“Daddy might need a lot of attention,” I tell her.

She grins. “Too much people?”

“Getting there.”

Emily and I barely had a minute to ourselves right after my injury. For weeks, we were inundated by well-meaning but less-and-less welcome “helpers.” Once I could get around again, the helpers trailed off and we’ve been on our own for the last three weeks.