Page 7 of Daddy's Naughty List

“Not a thing,” I said sweetly, giving him a tight smile. “Thanks for stopping by.”

Before he could respond, I turned back to my computer and ignored the way he hesitated for a second before walking away. As soon as he was out of sight, I grabbed my phone, my fingers itching to type out a message to one of my girlfriends to rant about the encounter with Marcus.

But I hesitated and instead ended up pulling up Stefan’s number, and I hit the Call button. My heart raced as I waited, listening to the faint ringing of the call going through before his voice came over the line—low, smooth, and deep.

“Holly,” he said, my name sounding like a secret on his lips.

I was shocked that he knew it was me, even though I had given him my number. I’d texted him that night, so he must’ve saved me in his Contacts.

“Hey,” I said, suddenly feeling a little nervous but determined. I glanced around, like I might be caught doing something oh-so bad. It was almost… exciting. Which was silly, since I was essentially just talking to someone on the phone. “Listen, I figured I could be the one to inviteyouout.” I felt my face heat, and I was glad he couldn’t see me. Truth was, I’d neveractually asked a man out before. “If you’re free, maybe we could go out. Like, on a real date this time.”

Oh my God. I actually said that last part out loud.

There was a pause, and for a second, embarrassment filled me. Would he turn me down? That would be an extra cherry on top of the shit sundae of a week I’d been having.

“An actual date, huh?”

I could almost hear the smile in his voice.

“Yeah,” I said, feeling a small smile start to tug at my lips. “If you have time,” I tacked on.

He laughed. “I’d be crazy not to make time for you, Holly. When?”

I got little butterflies in my belly after he said that. It wasn’t often anyone made me feel like I was even worthy of their time, much less like they’d move things around if they had to in order just to see me. “How about tomorrow night?” I knew my attempts to sound casual were coming off moreweirdthan anything else.

He chuckled again, smooth like an expensive whiskey. “It’s a date. I’ll pick you up at seven.” He didn't phrase it like a question.

“It’s a date,” I responded softly, and I closed my eyes in mortification, because I’d just repeated what he said.

When I hung up, I leaned back in my chair, my annoyance with my asshole coworker completely forgotten.

This time, I wasn’t going to end the date with us parting ways without even a goodnight kiss. I was going to invite Stefan into my bed, not caring if it was a bad idea.

Aterribleidea.

When it was only our first date.

5

HOLLY

The next day, the hours ticked by agonizingly slowly until I was finally done with work. I hauled ass home, got ready, and wasn’t ashamed to say I made sure everything was plucked, shaved, and primed for tonight. Because I had plans for Stefan after dinner and just hoped he didn’t totally close the door on them.

But it had been forever since I had sex—so embarrassingly long that I didn't want to think too hard about it. Surely a man was ready all the time, especially when a woman was the one making the move?

I chose a fitted, long-sleeved black knit dress that hugged my slender curves and finished my outfit with a pair of heels that hurt my feet but made my legs look a mile long. I left my hair down but added some beachy curls to it. All I could picture was Stefan taking it as the hint it was and grabbing my hair while he fucked me from behind.

As I smoothed my hair down, I caught my reflection and felt a flicker of confidence, because I looked good. I felt sexy and powerful, holding onto that strong female energy that said I could go after whatever the hell I wanted.

After admiring myself for just a second longer, I grabbed my coat and purse just as I heard tires crunching over the gravel of my driveway. My heart skipped as I opened the front door and stepped outside just in time to see Stefan climbing out of his truck. Even though I was looking forward to trying to seduce him, I was excited about going on a date with him first, and I feared if I waited for him to ring the bell and I let him inside, I’d be too tempted to pounce before we got the chance to go out.

He rounded the hood and looked up, his step faltering when he saw me already waiting for him on the porch. Even though the sun had already set, I didn’t miss how his gaze raked me over from head to toe, thanks to my porch lights. My long coat wasn’t buttoned and didn't hide what I wore beneath it.

God, he looked great. He wore a dark jacket, which was unbuttoned as well. His shirt was black and crisp and stretched across his broad shoulders, showing me once again that the man was ripped under that material. I felt my libido go crazy and told that bitch to calm the hell down.

Dinner, drinks, and conversation first, then we’d worry about getting some dick.

His dark jeans were snug enough it was obvious this man worked out, judging by his tree-trunk-sized thighs that looked hard as a rock. But it was the intensity in his gaze as he looked at me that made everything else fade away.

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