Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“You’ve got it,” Riley promised. As if on cue, a man waved his glass at her for a refill. She headed to the other end of the bar to take care of him.
The next time she noticed, Shelly had wandered off and Milo was back on his stool. She smiled at him as she worked on refilling drinks for everyone, knowing that he was happy to talk to her when she had time.
About a half hour before the bar closed, the crowd had dwindled to two couples deep in conversation. She hadn’t given them alcohol in hours. “Good doms,” she thought before correcting herself to “Dom and Domme.” There was no mistaking who was in charge in each relationship.
Riley scooted around the bar to stand between Milo’s legs. “Do you have time to unfasten me?” she asked.
“Are you sure you can’t come home with me tonight, panda barmaid?” he asked with a convincing smile.
“Not tonight,” she hedged. “Can I stay at your house on Saturday after work?” Surely, he’d tell her about the tattoo he was considering then.
“You are welcome anytime, Riley,” he answered seriously.
She could tell he was worrying about what she was hiding. “Thank you.”
Milo wrapped his fingers around her chest harness and pulled her closer. After kissing her lightly, he began to unwind the rope he’d fashioned around her. “Tell Daddy. How did you feel wearing this?”
“I liked it,” she admitted. “It wasn’t scratchy. The pattern is beautiful. Everyone complimented me on it.”
“I’ve got something special in mind for Sunday,” he promised.
“Really? I guess I’ll have to show up then.”
“You will indeed. Now, turn around for a bit,” he instructed as he freed the rope around her to coil at their feet.
By the time he had her freed, it was time to close the bar. He waited patiently to drive her home despite her assurances that she could bum a ride home from someone.
“Can’t I walk you to your door?”
“No way. Then you’ll want to come in and…” Her voice trailed off as she considered the possibilities. “I’ve got stuff to do. I’ll see you Friday night at Blaze, right?”
“Kiss me, Riley, and reassure me you’re not messing around with anyone else,” he asked, watching her face carefully.
“I wouldn’t do that,” she answered, shaking her head. “I’ve searched for my Daddy for a long time. I’d given up on finding someone special who’d want me just as much as I need him. I promise, Daddy. I’m not seeing anyone else. I just have something I need to do.” Riley crossed her fingers over her chest in a solid vow before leaning forward to kiss his socks off.
“I’ll trust you, panda sweets.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Flash the lights for me when you get to your apartment, so I know you’re inside and safe. Just to let you know, Pandy’s sleeping with me.”
“I’m glad.” She leaned forward and hugged him fiercely before sliding out of the car and running inside. Riley didn’t trust herself to not invite him up to learn her secret. Soon, she’d know if it was safe to share such a private part of her.
Flashing her light switch on and off, she rushed to the window to look out. When he returned the signal with his headlights before driving off, Riley stood staring out into the darkness after him. It was as if a part of her heart went with him.
“Damn, I love him,” she whispered aloud. Milo made everything better.
He’d listened carefully and actually heard her concerns about Shibari. Then he’d shown her it could be better. It would take a while for her to give up that much control to him, but Milo had already taken baby steps to help her.
“I love him!” she repeated, feeling her lips spread in a wide grin.
Turning, she pulled out all the supplies she’d hidden under the bed he’d kept looking at. Riley reorganized her design area and dived into the final section of the tattoo. She’d put off drawing the princess’s face until last. Now she knew what expression to add. Her pencil flew over the paper, adding the details that would elevate the design from good to spectacular.
When her eyes couldn’t focus any longer, she’d tumbled into bed to sleep a few hours before her shift at Little Cakes. Riley knew she’d finish in time to share it with Tatiana. Hugging her pillow tightly to her chest, she dreamed of a handsome man who wove a spider’s web with red, silken rope. The complete opposite of a scary nightmare, the magnetic trap coaxed her gently to it before cradling her securely.
Chapter Seventeen
Riley watched Tatiana roll out the design on her stainless-steel workbench. She held her breath and even crossed her fingers. Please! Let her like it as much as I do!
“Riley…” Tatiana’s voice trailed off. The tattoo artist looked up to meet Riley’s gaze.