Chapter 2

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.”

“Distinguished is another word for old, you know.”

“You’re not old.” She met his eyes, and a hint of a dimple revealed itself in her cheek. “You still have hair and all your teeth.”

He burst out laughing and had to steady himself with a hand on the buffet table. “Touché, little elf. Touché.”

“Anyway, it really is nice of you to be Santa for them. I—” She cut herself off and carried the soup bowls to a small two-top covered in a red tablecloth while he followed with their salads.

“What is it?” Hoping she was comfortable enough to share what she was thinking, he set the plates on the table, then held her chair.

“It’s nothing, really.” She sat and looked at her salad, then fiddled with her napkin. “It’s just that most of the kids are from the Shepherds. They’ve never had Christmas before.”

Walt stilled and tightened his fingers on the back of her chair. “That means you’ve never celebrated Christmas either.”

“I wanted to put up a tree, but I don’t have any decorations.” She waited for him to sit across from her before picking up her fork. After swallowing a bite of her salad, she added, “It’s okay though. I can do one next year. Carrie and Dr. Lopez promised to take me shopping when everything goes on sale.”

No, it was not fucking okay. He wished he could bring Jonas Jamison back to life and make sure he spent the rest of his days in prison.

Jonas didn’t just steal holidays—he stole their joy.

When he didn’t immediately reply, she peeked at him before returning her attention to her salad. “You probably already have an elf for tomorrow, but maybe I could come too?”

Her words sparked an idea to life, and he knew exactly what to give her.

“I would love for you to be my elf. Do you have plans for the next few days?”

“I was just going to clean and do laundry. I have three days off.”

“Good. When we finish with the party at the Caroline, you’ll be getting the full experience.”

She blinked and laid her fork on her plate. “What does that mean?”

“It’s a surprise.” He laid his napkin next to his plate and stood. “Excuse me for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”

Susan

Walt strode from the break room before she could reply, leaving her wondering what kind of surprise he had in mind. She was almost too nervous to eat and only managed a few spoonfuls of her soup before he returned.

“So…” Walt joined her at the table and took a bite of his salad. “Let’s share our bucket lists. I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and visit New Zealand. How about you?”

She nibbled on a piece of bread, then set it on her plate. “I’ve heard of a bucket list before, but I don’t know what it means.”

“People sometimes say someone kicks the bucket when they die, so it’s a list of things you want to do before that happens.”

“That makes sense, I think.” She ate some broccolini and chewed slowly to give herself time to think. “Maybe I need a new one. I already did most of the things I used to dream about.”

“That’s amazing!” The skin around his gorgeous blue eyes crinkled as he smiled in approval. “What was on your list, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“You helped with the big wish.” She lowered her head and studied her food. “I wanted to get out of the Shepherds. I learned to read, and Carrie’s teaching me to drive, and…”

“And?” Walt asked when she didn’t finish her sentence.

“I don’t know. College will be after I can pass the math placement test, but it’s hard to decide what I want to do next.”

“That’s the great thing about bucket lists.” He finished his salad and started on his soup. “You can change them whenever you want.”

“I guess so.” Susan picked at her roll. “I think I’d like to fly on a plane someday.”

“Oh, honey. Go big or go home. Sierra’s partner, Ezekiel, is a licensed flight instructor. I bet he’d be delighted to teach you to fly.”

She swallowed the massive lump growing in her throat and blinked to hold back tears. Walt’s offhand comment reminded her of just how much the Shepherds had cost her.

How was she supposed to make a bucket list if she didn’t know what was out there? She’d never been out of Navajo County, much less out of the state.

“I think maybe I need to finish learning to drive first,” she finally said.

“The great thing about a bucket list is that you have your entire life to make one. Right now, it’s driving.” He ate a bite of his lamb, then smirked. “You’ll graduate from college before you know it. Maybe you’ll take a plane to Paris to celebrate.”

“No. I mean…” She took a huge gulp of wine and tried to calm her racing heart. “That’s a very big thing.”

“Not as big as Kilimanjaro.” He reached across the table and touched her chin to make her look at him. “I want you to do something for me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

When she got to her feet, he shook his head. “No, sit. I’m giving you a homework assignment. Make a list of at least five things you want to do, and I want you to think bigger than a driver’s license or your college degree, which we both know will happen soon.”

“But…” Tears welled, and she looked down before he saw them. “I don’t even know what there is!”

“The Horsemen gave you a computer and a phone. Do you know how to use a search engine?”

“Um… yes. Dr. Knox taught me.”

“Good girl.” He patted her hand, and his cheery smile sent her stomach butterflies into a whirl of activity. “If travel is your thing, I’d say start with a map of the world, then research the places that appeal to you.”

“What if I want to learn more things?”

“Add those too. You can search for classes, figure out how much it would cost, and make a plan.”

Maybe Walt had the right idea. A bucket list would give her goals—even if they weren’t immediately achievable. The first thing on her list, which she wouldn’t tell Walt, would be to learn where Kilimanjaro was located.

“I want to learn to ride a horse,” she murmured. “Dr. Lopez and Mr. Paxton brought a horse to the Caroline so the kids could have pony rides. She was huge, but so pretty and friendly.”

Walt’s burst of laughter made her smile. “Is Ian still pretending that draft horse is a pony?”

“I guess so?”

“Okay, that’s one thing off your bucket list. I have a sweet little gelding who would be perfect for you. We’ll start our lessons soon.”

“Oh, Sir. I can’t?—”

“Stop right there.” He leaned close and she squirmed under his stern gaze. “Don’t let me hear you say that word again, young lady.”

Walt’s angry tone should have had her running for the hills, but the tummy butterflies descended into her core, and she held back a gasp as her pussy clenched with need.

“Wh-what word, Sir?”

“Can’t. Take it out of your vocabulary right now.” His expression softening into a warm smile, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You can do anything you set your mind to, okay?”

She didn’t quite believe him but nodded her agreement. “Yes, Sir. I won’t say it again.”

“Good girl.” He sopped up the last of the gravy from his lamb with a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth, then glanced at her plate. “Eat up, and I’ll take you home.”

“Um… okay.” She finished the last of her food, then helped Walt clean up.

“Do you have a purse or anything to get before we leave?”

“Yes, Sir.” She scurried to her locker for her purse, but her hands stilled on the latch as her knees shook with sudden nerves.

After living in the outside world for several months, she knew all about stranger danger, and never letting herself be alone with someone she didn’t know. Of course, Walt wasn’t exactly a stranger, but she didn’t know him well.

No. She was getting carried away with scary thoughts. She did know Walt. He’d been the one to sit next to her and hold her hand during all the trials. Heck, he’d even protected her from Edward when he escorted her from the Shepherds’ compound.

His body heat warmed her back as he helped her with her coat. “I already told Mark and Kendra I’d be taking you home.”

“Okay. I promised I’d help load the gifts for the Caroline in the morning.”

“I’ll be helping too, so I’ll pick you up around eight. We can have lunch at the club, then go to the Caroline.”

“Um… okay?”

“Good girl. Ready to go?”

Her belly quivered with an entire flock of dancing butterflies. Although she’d heard Dominants say those words to their female-presenting partners many times, nobody had ever called her a good girl like Walt did.

“Can I ask you a question, Sir?”

“Sure.”

“What did you mean by the full experience?”

“And spoil the surprise?” He grinned at her as she held the door leading to the employee parking lot. “Perish the thought.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You don’t have to call me Sir, Susan.” After hooking his arm through hers, he escorted her to his truck. “Not unless you want to.”

I really want to call you Daddy.

Flushing, she swallowed the words before they came out. “I’m not sure I can use your first name.”

“That’s okay too.” His gaze softening, he opened the passenger door and lifted her in. “You can use whatever makes you comfortable.”

His hands on her waist sent another pulse of desire through her. “Yes, Sir.”

After closing the door, he hurried to the driver’s side and got in. “Ready to go?”

“I think so?” She hesitated, then added, “I’m kind of nervous.”

He reached over the console and gently squeezed her hand. “We’re not going to do anything you don’t want to. All I ask is that you keep an open mind and have fun, okay?”

“Maybe…” Susan closed her eyes and tried not to enjoy his touch too much. “Maybe it would help if you told me what we were doing?”

Chuckling, Walt released her hand, then started his truck and exited the parking lot, heading toward Winslow. “I’ll give you a few hints. After you finish putting five things on your bucket list, I want you to pack a bag for the weekend. You’ll need warm clothes, jeans, and boots if you have them, and you don’t have to worry about anything fancy. We’ll start our surprise tomorrow afternoon.”