Page 1 of Until Daddy

Chapter 1

Aman with a devilish grin, stern features, and handsome swagger walked straight for them. Carissa tried to ignore him. Surely, he was headed elsewhere. Maybe to the group of giggling women standing behind herself and Jade.

“There’s a lot of people here.” Jade’s voice broke into Carissa’s thoughts.

The man walking toward them paused momentarily to talk with a younger guy wearing a headset. Did his eyes just flicker in her direction while he continued the conversation?

“It’s getting hot, too.” Jade started to fan herself.

Carissa needed to concentrate. She and Jade had ventured to the Mistletoe Madness party together to give each other support. More so because Carissa wanted to support Jade as she finally took a step into the world of BDSM clubs, and maybe finally owned up to everything she really wanted out of a relationship. So her attention couldn’t be on the man stalking toward them again, weaving in and out of the crowd looking not just determined, but possessive.

“It will cool off once they open the play rooms.” Carissa didn’t look at her friend while talking. How could she—his eyes were on her, directing her to keep contact with him.

This was ridiculous. Even if he was headed for her, it wouldn’t matter. Most men who approached her at the clubs didn’t stick around very long once she started to go through her kink list.

“What’s that?” Jade pulled on Carissa’s arm and pointed toward the large lounge area of the greeting room.

“It’s the bar, Jade.” She turned to face her friend, who clearly felt on edge having to wait to get into the play rooms. “Relax. Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll mingle. You’ll find a nice guy to chat with, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get yourself bent over one the spanking benches and have that little public play cherry of yours popped.”

“You say that as though it’s so easy.” Jade screwed up her face with doubt and let out a long sigh. “Fine. You’re right. I need to relax. Whatever happens will happen, right?”

“Exactly. Never think to have the night planned out, as you’ll most often find it’s out of your control anyway,” a deep voice answered as Carissa opened her mouth to say something in a similar vein.

She didn’t need to turn around to know who had spoken the words but she did anyway. Right there, merely six inches from her, stood the devil himself. Or at least, his cousin. He seemed bigger and firmer than she imagined the devil would look. The Prince of the Underworld probably had more of a sinister appearance, angry eyes, bulging muscles, ready to rip apart his subjects. This man stood much taller than she and was built well enough from what she could tell with his suit on, but nothing in his sculpted features showed anything but control. No anger, no pompous arrogance, just confidence and pure dominance.

“Well, that may be true.” Jade didn’t seem the slightest bit affected by him.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He inclined his head, giving Carissa a soft smile but making no move to actually exit the conversation.

“Oh, it’s all right.” She took a small step back, though with the crush of people waiting to be allowed into the play rooms, she bumped into another person and had to apologize.

“It’s really crowded here.” He scanned the crowd. “Almost too much so.” His lips flattened together. “I need to speak to someone.” With an annoyed glance around the room, he placed his hands on Carissa’s shoulders.

She should shove him away. It was what she would normally do if a man started to get handsy before she had even said hello properly. But his hands, the warm touch of his skin against her body, sent a shiver down her spine. The feeling was more comforting than irritating.

“The lounge isn’t as packed. Will you go sit at a table for me and I’ll meet you over there?” His eyes were back on her, the smile had returned as well.

“I don’t— “

“I’m Jamison Croft. Just tell the bartender to give you a drink and put it on my tab. Unless you had other plans?” His left eyebrow arched.

“No, but I came with my friend, and I think I should stay with her.”

“Oh. Of course.” His gaze swept over to Jade then back again.

“It’s fine, Carissa,” Jade said. “I’m better with my nerves on my own anyway.”

Carissa nibbled her lower lip. She didn’t know him, and it was a little arrogant of him to just walk up to her and claim her. Yet that little sensor inside her that warned her when a douchebag was near remained quiet.

“I really do need to get this crowd issue taken care of. If you’d like to have a drink with me, I’ll look for you over in the lounge.” He looked around once more and gave her shoulders a little squeeze.

Just before he walked off again, he leaned down and whispered into her ear, “I’d prefer it if you didn’t have any liquor.”

She felt her brow crinkle. Presumptuous, to boot!

“Of course it’s up to you. I hope you’ll be there.” He gave her another squeeze and pushed through the crowd, heading toward what seemed to be the main offices of the club.

Once he’d disappeared into the office, her feet began to move. She mumbled something to Jade about where she was going, but with the crowd of people and music starting up, she doubted Jade heard her.

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