Page 38 of Break Me, Daddy

Chapter14

Frankie

“All right, what does everyone want to eat? I’mstarving.” Picking up a menu, though Frankie knew damn well she could recite the contents by heart, Lottie scanned the offerings. “Frankie, we could split the hummus if you want. It comes with bread, but I could ask them to bring us some carrots and celery if you’d prefer that.”

Guilt swelled in Frankie’s chest at Lottie’s offer. Apparently she wasn’t the only one falling back into old patterns. Back when she’d been in recovery the first time, Lottie had spent hours finding her ‘safe’ foods to eat, whether it was bringing her groceries at home or checking menus ahead of time before they went out for a meal.

But as much as she loved Lottie for it, and as tempted as she was to take her up on the offer, she had a feeling her Daddy wouldn’t be happy with her splitting an appetizer, not after he’d very specifically told her to eat a full meal. “Thanks, but I’m actually kind of hungry. I think I’m going to get the grilled chicken.”

Pride, and not a small amount of relief shone in Lottie’s eyes. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Riding high on the knowledge she was putting her friend at ease, Frankie scanned the side options. “With… mashed potatoes. And green beans.”

Mashed potatoes were definitelynoton her safe food list. So not only was she making Lottie happy, Holden would be proud of her as well.

All she had to do was actually eat it.

“Do you want me to order for you?”

God, how had she not noticed before how much Lottie enabled her? Tears clogged in Frankie’s throat, but she managed to force a smile for her best friend. “Nah. I got it.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“Lottie.” Placing her hand over Lottie’s, she gave it a gentle squeeze. “I love you, but I need to do this for myself.”

Although she didn’t look the least bit convinced, Lottie slowly nodded. “All right. But I’m right here if you need me.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you so much.”

Luckily, the other women around the table either didn’t notice the exchange or were doing a very good job of pretending they hadn’t noticed. And when the server came by to take their order, Frankie’s heart only raced a little as she ordered the mashed potatoes to go with her grilled chicken.

There. That hadn’t really been so hard.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the same when their food actually arrived. Staring down at the scoop of white, mushy potatoes on her plate, her throat seemed to swell shut. So many carbs in that little tiny pile.

Ignoring the potatoes for now, she focused on her chicken, savoring the flavors as they exploded in her mouth. Whoever Braden’s chef was, they did an amazing job of making even something as simple as grilled chicken taste like a five-star meal.

She ate slowly, cutting the chicken into small, manageable bites. Around her, conversation and laughter swirled, but she was only half paying attention. Most of her focus was reserved for the food on her plate.

When the chicken and the green beans were all gone, she was left only with the pile of potatoes. Gripping her fork so hard it would likely leave marks in her skin when she put it down, she glared down at the offending white lump.

“You don’t have to eat them,” Lottie whispered, placing her hand on Frankie’s knee beneath the table and giving it a supportive squeeze. “I’m sure Holden will understand.”

As if he’d heard Lottie’s words, the toy in Frankie’s underwear came to life, sending little ripples of pleasure through her. Not enough to make her freeze the way it had earlier, but enough to get her attention.

Lifting her head, she looked over at the other table, her gaze locking with Holden’s. Even from a distance, she could clearly see the way he raised his brow in silent question.

Are you being a good girl?

She could feel the blush on her cheeks as she nodded and, to prove her point, scooped up a forkful of mashed potatoes for him to see. When he sent her an approving smile and turned up the toy, she forced herself to put the fork in her mouth and chew.

Holy shit, she’d forgotten how delicious potatoes were. Even before she’d relapsed, they weren’t a food she’d indulged in regularly. Now, she let her eyes close as she chewed, savoring the salty, flavorful goodness.

The intensity of the vibrations in her panties increased again, and she nearly had to grip the table to keep from moaning out loud as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. She was teetering on the edge, just about to fall, when the toy turned off again.

Dammit. So close.

But she’d gotten the message, loud and clear. Eat, and be rewarded. So she scooped up another forkful of potatoes, and then another, until at long last her plate was completely clean.

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