Page 1 of Daddy's Temptation

Prologue

Candace

Masquerade nightat Bidden and Bound is a crazy good success. I look around the club's main room and feel a massive sense of pride at the fact that I helped pull everything together. Honestly, it was a good distraction since my best friend and roommate, Sugar, moved out to live with her boyfriend—now fiancé as of about thirty minutes ago. I can’t be mad at her though because Oliver is perfect for my bestie.

Maybe I should look for another roommate. The thought doesn’t bring any excitement, though. It’s not like I need help with the bills. My job pays well. Plus, even though I told him I didn’t want to be paid, Andre insists on compensating me for helping with designing the club’s theme nights. Not to mention the disgustingly big inheritance I have sitting in an account that my investor excitedly tells me how much he’s made me every quarter. I haven’t spent a dime of that money since my parents signed it over to me.

The apartment is lonely, but having a stranger move in with me isn’t appealing in the least. I got lucky with Sugar. We clicked from the minute we met. What are the odds of finding someone else like that in the city?

Yeah, a new roommate doesn’t sound ideal. Maybe I should get a cat… I travel too much for a cat. A cactus could survive days and days on its own. Plus, it would be as prickly as my newest obsession—Andre. It’s so wrong. We’ve been friends for years, lusting after him is a terrible idea. Nothing good can come of it since the very last thing I want is a relationship. No, I don’t need that kind of distraction.

It’s areallyterrible idea.

But oh so tempting.

I take another sip of my champagne, relishing the cool refreshing bubbles and sweet flavor of the drink. I don’t typically drink at the club because I won’t play when I’ve been drinking, but I haven’t been interested in playing for months. The only person I want to play with is the one person I should avoid. You’d think it would be easier to do since we don’t even have the same kinks, but it’s not. My body wants what it wants.

I down my glass of bubbly and grab another.

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

A shiver skates down my spine as his rough voice invades my senses. The fresh scent of his cologne surrounds me, and I can feel the heat of his body despite the fact that he’s merely standing behind me. It doesn’t matter if he touches me or not. I catch fire anytime he’s near these days.

I shrug, focusing all my attention on the bubbles floating in my glass instead of turning to look at him. “Not like I’m playing.”

I can just see his brown eyes staring me down intently. Analyzing my every word, my every move. A look from Andre always feels like more than it is. I feel stripped down and vulnerable. Another reason why staying away from him is a good idea.

“I think Sugar was surprised, don’t you?” I ask in hopes of distracting him from asking why I’ve picked alcohol instead of playing—again. I’m on my third glass of champagne and don’t trust myself to not blurt out that he’s the reason I can’t bring myself to play with anyone else. It’s been too long since I’ve let myself go into little space… it’s been months since I had a proper spanking. Despite what my friends think… it’s been years since I’ve had sex. I’m all talk when it comes to that.

The men I’ve played with at the club all know the drill with me. Spankings and daddy time only—no happy endings. Sex is messy. The thing they say about women not being able to separate sex from emotions is entirely true for me. I let myself be vulnerable once… it ended poorly. Which is a nice way to say he cheated, just like my dad. Men cheat. Maybe not all men, but I seem to attract men just like my father. Unfaithful workaholics. It’s safer to avoid relationships. No one ever got their heartbroken over a spanking.

Andre chuckles. “Yeah, she was surprised. You did a great job setting everything up. Thanks for that.”

“She’s my best friend. She deserves a memorable night.” I finally get my nerve up and turn around. My breath catches when I see Andre dressed in black leather pants and a tight black t-shirt that clings to his muscles. Heat pools in my core as I imagine touching all those hard muscles. God, I want him so bad I ache.

I finally tear my eyes from his body and look up. He’s smirking at me and how I was not so discreetly checking him out. His smirk doesn’t last long when he sees my outfit for the first time. After the proposal, I lost the black velvet overcoat and feathered mask. I don’t even feel guilty for blowing a month’s worth of rent on the blood-red corset and matching leather hot pants as his eyes eat me alive. My boobs are pushed up and nearly falling out of the leather and lace. I know I look good. I’m not too proud to admit I bought the outfit with Andre in mind.

I want him to look at me. To crave me like I crave him.

Levi, one of the dungeon monitors, comes up and drags Andre’s attention away. When the weight of Andre’s eyes is off of me, I’m both relieved and disappointed. I’m an idiot. I should just leave now before I do something stupid. I go to take another sip of my drink and realize it’s already empty. I snag a fourth glass off a passing tray without a lick of guilt. I’m not driving. I’m not playing. I’m going home to a lonely apartment and an empty bed.

Champagne is my friend tonight.

Andre snags the half-empty glass from my fingertips. “That’s enough of that.”

I give him a dirty look. “You’re not my daddy.”Oh, how I wish he was.

He growls, leveling me with a look that says, ‘dare me.’ My bottom tingles at the memory of the firm swat he teasingly gave me earlier. I know he didn’t mean anything by it, but it still sparked my need. Does he know how much I want him? The dangerous look in his eyes says he wants me too.

I swallow thickly. “I think I should go home now. Yeah, that’s a good idea,” I say, agreeing with myself. I’m now kicking myself for skipping out on dinner. The alcohol has gone straight to my head.

“I’ll drive you.”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. That is absolutely not a good idea. “You’re needed here. I can order a car.”

“I said, I’ll drive you.” Andre has that stubborn look he gets when he isn’t going to be detoured from whatever he’s decided. He wants to take me home, so he’s going to take me home.

Shit.

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