Page 3 of Daddy's Naughty List

“No, Sir. I’m sorry.” She didn’t dare call him Famine like everyone else did.

Although Jake was a great boss and had never been anything but patient and kind, he got irritated when the staff didn’t take their scheduled breaks.

“You don’t need to apologize. Being Santa’s elf is a big job.” His stern expression softened as he put his hand on the middle of her back to steer her toward Walt. When they reached him, Jake said, “There’s food in the break room. Olivia even set out a bottle of wine for you and Susan to share as a thank you for helping out tonight.”

“Oh?” Walt took off his Santa costume, revealing a black T-shirt and jeans, but kept the furry red hat. “What’s on the menu?”

His muscular arms flexed as he untied the thin rope holding the pillow to his abdomen, and it took Susan a lot longer than it should have to stop gawking at him and help.

“Olivia’s comfort food special. Potato soup, braised lamb shanks, steamed broccolini, green salad, and whole-grain rolls. Hit up the cookie-decorating table in the dining room for dessert.”

Susan swallowed a moan. After a lifetime of beans and rice with the occasional piece of boiled chicken or pork, she’d gained almost twenty pounds, and adored her new, healthier body almost as much as she loved Olivia’s cooking with its liberal use of fresh produce and unfamiliar but delicious herbs.

Jake’s food was always wonderful, but Olivia cooked from her heart as if she knew how to warm Susan’s soul.

Walt grinned as he folded the costume. “You had me at Olivia’s comfort food.”

“Asshole.” Despite the insult, Jake laughed. “I’m the chef here, remember?”

“Yeah, but I only remember on Saturdays when you do smoked prime rib.” Walt offered Susan his hand. “Supper awaits. Will you join me, little elf?”

“I…” His brilliant blue eyes caught her, and she forgot what she wanted to say. After scrambling for a few words that didn’t sound stupid, she took his outstretched hand. “I’d like that.”

Chapter Two

Walt

“Are you enjoying the party?” Walt asked as he escorted Susan to their meal. Her hand felt way too good in his, and even though he shouldn’t have been touching her at all, he didn’t want to let go.

“Um… yes, Sir. It’s very nice.” She glanced up and gave him a shy smile. “I like giving out presents.”

He was still kicking himself for not getting her a gift. That would have given him an excuse to have her sit on his lap—not that he should have been thinking about having her deliciously curvy bottom perched on his knee in the first place.

Then again… Would it be so wrong to ask Susan out?

Walt forced himself to stop and think. There were plenty of happy May-December couples, including Ryan and Carrie Wood. Pestilence, as Ryan was known in the Club, was damned lucky to have found such an amazing woman.

In fact, he knew three brothers in Charleston, South Carolina who were all in Daddy Dom relationships with women half their age. Well, four, he corrected himself. Desmond and his partner Bastian were Daddies to their babygirl, Titania, and planned to make things permanent when she graduated from college.

Braden had hooked up with Lottie, who was the daughter of his best friend, and even that old reprobate Damian had managed to convince sweet Emily to take a chance on him.

Thinking of Braden, Desmond, and Damian reminded him to give Sean a heads up about Club BDE’s unauthorized auctions. The brothers were lucky no one had gotten hurt—especially since they hadn’t managed to catch the person running the auctions behind their backs.

The thought of Susan going through something like that… Just hell to the no. Forcibly calming himself, he wondered if she’d ever seen the ocean before. Maybe he could take her to South Carolina to visit the Elliott brothers and their ladies.

That led him to another problem. If he was going to ask her out, he needed to figure out a gift for her. Unfortunately, he had no idea what she’d want. She had a tiny apartment in Winslow, which the Caroline Foundation furnished. Jewelry seemed too intimate, flowers too temporary, and gift cards too impersonal. He didn’t know if she had any hobbies, and although he’d never married, he knew better than to give a woman household appliances unless she specifically asked for them.

Merry Christmas. Here’s a can opener.

That particular event hadn’t ended well for his father. Walt smiled at the memory of him sleeping on the couch until well after New Year’s. His mother got diamond earrings for the next Christmas.

“Giving presents is the best part of Christmas,” he said, turning his attention back to their conversation. He held the door to the break room for her and tried not to drool at the scents wafting from a trio of slow cookers keeping things warm. “And you were the best elf a Santa could ask for.”

Her cheeks turned pink, but she smiled as she gathered tableware from the stacks next to the slow cookers. “Thank you. You were a great Santa too.”

“Thanks.” He took the plates she offered and loaded them with salad while she filled two bowls with soup. “One more party at the Caroline for the kiddos, and then I can shave off the beard.”

“I like the beard.” Her flush deepened. “I mean, it makes you look very distinguished.”

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