14. Paisley

14

PAISLEY

" Y ou absolutely have to get that dress for the party," Chloe says, tipping her champagne glass toward me.

I thought we were going to go shopping at the mall, but we're at a shopping plaza I've never even seen before. All the stores are high-end with price tags to match. I've never been to a store that serves cocktails while you shop. I can see why Cali and Scarlet chose this place.

"Really? It's not black, though. Do you think they have it in black?" I glance down at the silk dress, and then scan the store for the same one in my favorite color.

"We don't carry it in other colors, dear. That's the only one. It's a designer line. With how it fits you and how stunning it looks against your shiny black hair, it's one of those meant-to-be things." The older woman who's been helping us smiles and nods before she walks away to do whatever it is she does every time she disappears. She pops up like a fairy godmother whenever one of us needs something, and then poof , she's gone.

Cali and Chloe have already found their dresses. I have a feeling Bash is going to go all possessive caveman when he sees Chloe in hers. Talk about sexy.

"You guys all think I should go with this one?" I glance down at the price tag and wince.

Maybe I should have accepted that shiny black card from Kieran. My savings account is definitely going to take a hit with this. I don't want his money, though. And I meant it when I said it was important to me to buy my own outfit for the party. But also, I don't want to get used to him taking care of me. It would be so easy to do. Every time he does something sweet or kind, I feel special. But the thing about feeling special to someone is that it's addicting. Eventually, this will end between us, and I'll be reliant on myself like I've always been. I had a hard enough time accepting the help that Bash and Chloe offered. Bash didn't give me much choice when he went behind my back and paid off all my student loans. He's a sneaky bastard with a good heart.

"That dress was made for you," Scarlet says when she walks out of the dressing room in a hideous frilly thing that looks like a bath poof.

We all go silent as we stare at it.

"It's, um," I murmur. "Well, it's something."

Cali brings her hand up to cover her mouth while Chloe starts coughing.

"It's hideous. Who picked this out?" Scarlet says.

I snort and point toward Cali. "Your sister."

Scarlet glares at her as Cali bursts out laughing, doubling over and holding her stomach. "Sorry! I saw it and had to have one of you try it on."

We dissolve into giggles with her. Maybe we've had a little too much to drink, but I'm having so much fun with these women. They make me feel like I've always belonged with them. Like I'm part of their family with no questions asked. It makes my heart squeeze every time I think about it. In my whole life, I've only had one person who has actually loved me, and that's Chloe. Now, it feels like I have two more.

It takes several minutes before we're able to get our laughter under control, and Scarlet decides she's going with the dress she tried on before the hideous one.

"Okay. I'll get this one," I announce before I go back into the dressing room.

Chloe squeals. "Kieran is going to die when he sees you."

"Did you see the vein in his neck earlier when she wouldn't take his credit card? I thought it was going to explode for sure," Cali says.

I smile at the memory as I step out of the dress. He was a little upset, but the fact that he backed down when I explained why it was important to me meant a lot. It showed a softer side to him that he doesn't let show very often.

Once I'm dressed in my black skinny jeans and worn black band T-shirt again, I slip on my checkered Vans and grab my purse. I check my phone, and my heart starts racing.

Kieran: I already know you're going to be the most beautiful woman at the party, and I can't wait to see what you're wearing.

My smile turns into a wide grin as I type a response.

Paisley: Aren't you supposed to be working?

Kieran: How can I work when all I can think about is you?

Paisley: Who knew you were a sweet talker?

Kieran: You're staying at my place again tonight.

Rolling my eyes, I slide my phone into my back pocket and meet the girls at the cash register where I take several deep breaths before I hand over my credit card.

My phone vibrates as we walk out to the waiting SUV. Declan must have known we would be drinking because he insisted we have a driver for the day. Once I'm buckled in, I open the waiting message.

Kieran: Paisley. Daddy expects a response when I message you. Especially since it shows me you read it. That's a rule.

Chloe leans over, reads it, and then starts giggling. "Oh, he's got it bad. Giving you rules and everything."

Heat blooms over my cheeks and spreads through my entire body. Part of me loves the text he just sent, and part of me wants to be sassy back to him.

"You can't let him walk all over you, though," Chloe adds. "He's an amazing guy, but he's so damn hard-headed sometimes. Has a temper on him, too."

"Ya think?" Cali asks. "The guy is a total control freak, and if something doesn't go his way, he stomps around the estate like a pissed-off animal until one of us tells him to get over himself. He's also one of the most thoughtful, kindest, loving men I've ever known.

"When Scarlet and I had to go to separate safe houses, Declan was trying to manage the threat, so he was gone a lot. I missed Scarlet so much, and I was scared, so Kieran would sit by my bed and watch Beauty and the Beast with me until I fell asleep. He never complained. He'd just show up at my bedroom door because he knew I needed him."

I sniff and blink back the tears welling in my eyes. That is something I could totally see Kieran doing.

Scarlet grins and leans her head back. "He's just like Beast. Big and scary on the outside, has no manners or social skills, but deep down, he's good."

"He does, too, have social skills," I reply with a smile. "They're just a bit rough. He saved my ass last night at that party and was a total gentleman."

Chloe's eyes widen. "Okay, we need all the deets, minus anything kinky you did because, ew, that's my brother."

We burst out giggling, but I spend the rest of the drive to the nail salon telling them all about my run-in with Jeremy and Mercedes while Cali, Scarlet, and Chloe listen intently with sparkling eyes.

"Well, I'd say Kieran is a huge step up from your asshole ex. He sounds like a real douche canoe," Scarlet says.

I bob my head because, yeah, Jeremy is a douche canoe.

Chloe smiles at the driver when he opens the back door for her. "Come on. Fuck our exes. Let's go get pampered."

"And drink some more," Cali adds.

Sounds like a great plan to me.

I can't stop smiling whenever I look at my nails. They're long and pointy and something I probably won't have for long, but they'll be fun for the party. Hopefully, I can still function with them. I didn't really think of that. Oh, well. I'll figure it out.

"A nap sounds divine right now," I tell the girls as we ride back to the estate.

We had more alcohol while we were at the salon, and I think we're all feeling pretty dang good at the moment.

"Oh my gosh, it does," Cali squeals. "Who knew the things I would love most about being an adult are getting spanked and taking naps?"

We giggle hysterically and agree while the driver sends us a look of exasperation in the rear-view mirror. It's possible we've been a bit loud and obnoxious back here, laughing at stuff that probably isn't all that funny.

As soon as the SUV approaches the thick metal gates of the estate, they open, and a guard waves us through. Every time I come through the entrance, I feel like a princess. The stone walls around the property and the high-level security with huge, intricately designed wrought iron gates make it feel like a castle.

"You didn't ever text Kieran back, did you?" Chloe says quietly.

I glance up from my nails to look at her. "No. I didn't. You told me not to let him walk all over me. Why?"

Scarlet's eyes widen as she stares through the windshield. "Probably because Kieran is standing at the bottom of the steps with his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he sucked on a lime."

What?

My gaze swings around. Sure enough, the man who fucked me roughly and then took care of me tenderly last night is right there. And he doesn't look happy.

Uh-oh.

Of course, the driver pulls right up and stops, so the back door is directly in front of Kieran. I swear, when I glare up at him, he smirks back at me. Rude.

The door swings open, and Cali quickly scoots out, giving Kieran a wide berth. Without giving the other women a chance to exit, he reaches in and undoes my seatbelt, then yanks me out of the car.

"Hey!" I squeal. But before I can say or do anything else, he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder, then makes his way toward his house.

"Okay, bye! It was fun hanging out," Cali calls, waving at me with a grin on her face.

I give them all the middle finger, and they bust out laughing. So much for friends. They just let this big ogre kidnap me.

"Put me down!" I smack his back.

I should have learned that lesson last night because as soon as I do, he smacks my ass. Even through my jeans, it stings.

"Kieran!"

"What?" he demands.

"I missed you," I say with a grin because, for some strange reason, this feels funny right now.

He stops abruptly and sets me down, his dark green eyes narrowed. We're near his house and all alone with nothing but gardens surrounding us. It's quite pretty. Other than the scowling man in front of me.

"You missed me, huh? Missed me so much that you decided to ignore my messages?"

I look around, hoping for someone to come to my rescue. My butt tingles. Shoot. Is he going to spank me again like he did this morning?

"You didn't say please in your message," I answer innocently.

He thinks about it for a second. Then he pins me with his gaze and growls. "Run, Little demon."

I swallow thickly, my heart pounding like horse hooves on a track, and I turn, taking off and running toward his house. His heavy footsteps sound like a stampede behind me. I swear I can feel his breath on my back.

Just as I get to his yard, he wraps an arm around my middle and pulls me back against him.My core clenches as I struggle, panting for air.

"Didn't run fast enough, baby," he says in a velvety tone. "Now, since I've caught you, what should I do with a naughty girl like you? Hmm? Maybe you need to feel the sting of my belt on your ass. Perhaps I took it too easy on you this morning."

"No! No, you didn't. My butt still hurts! Please! I'm sorry I didn't respond. I was going to, and then I was talking to the girls, and they told me not to let you walk all over me, and then we got to the nail salon, and I forgot all about it."

His arm stiffens. "The girls told you that, huh? And what do you think would happen to them if they ignored any of their Daddies?"

My shoulders slump. "Well, when you put it that way."

He steps onto the porch and puts in a code to the front door, then carries me inside with my back still to his front. The Beast is leading me to his lair. Or something like that.

"I did miss you, though," I say.

That gets him to set me on my feet and spin me around, his eyebrows pinched. "I missed you too. A lot. I didn't like you not responding."

Something vulnerable flashes in his eyes, but it's gone in an instant. Insecurity, maybe? Hard to believe he would ever have any reason to feel that way. The man is a god. I'm not quite sure why he would even want someone like me. Which is why I know it won't last.

He's so freaking big in front of me. Untouchable. I'm starting to think that deep down, he's not as bulletproof as he seems.

I reach out and slide my hands inside his suit jacket, stepping up to him for a hug.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. It won't happen again." The words surprise me, but I mean them. I also think he needed to hear them so whatever demon is torturing him right now can settle down.

He sighs and hugs me back, squeezing me tightly. "You're right. It won't. Because if it does, you will feel my belt. It's a rule."

I smile against his chest, a warm feeling spreading through me. A rule. I've never had one of those before. Now, he's given me several. Each time he does, it makes me think he might actually care about me.

"Okay, Daddy. Understood." I run my nails up and down his back. He pulls away and takes my hands in his, inspecting them.

"These are…" he says.

I immediately tense, ready to hear him tell me they're too gothic or too long or too pointy, not ladylike enough, or something that isn't acceptable. Jeremy would have had a heart attack if I'd gotten nails like this.

"These are fucking sexy as fuck."

I beam at him, lifting onto my tiptoes. "Really? I mean, they're not too much? Or too dark?"

His gaze rises to my face, his eyes searching. "No, Paisley. They're perfect, and so are you. I love how you look and dress. My dark girl. In case you haven't noticed," he motions toward the black framed art on the wall and then his suit, "black is also my favorite color."

I had noticed, actually. The very first time I met him, I noticed. Several of the men are fitted in all-black suits on a regular basis, but even at the party last night, while most of the men were in tuxes, Kieran was in his usual all-black Armani suit.

"Do you need to go home to grab some clothes?"

Wait, what? The change of subject confuses me, but then I remember his text. "Yeah, about that. You can't always demand that I do things. You could ask, you know. And saying please wouldn't kill you. I'm not one of your men you can bark orders at."

Clenching his jaw, he stares at me. "If I try to say please more, will you try to not always be a brat and argue about everything?"

I bring my fingers to my chin and tap, a smile playing at my lips. "Hmm. I actually like arguing with you. It's fun. And it's against the rules to lie, Daddy. So, unfortunately for you, I can't agree to that."

Narrowing his eyes, he lets out a low growl right before he snatches me up and carries me upstairs. "You're a sassy little thing. You know what fixes sass?"

"What?"

"A hot ass and a few orgasms. We'll see how fucking smart-mouthed you are once I'm done with you."

Heat rushes right down to my core, my panties becoming damp.When he sets me on the edge of the bed and kneels in front of me to take off my shoes, I nearly moan as he stares up at me. This enormous man is at my feet, looking up at me with those gorgeous green eyes like I'm a damn queen. I've never felt more beautiful. More desired.

He stands, and I gasp as his erection pressing against his slacks comes into view. I'm still in awe it fit inside me last night. It's so long and thick and it tasted delicious.

I reach out and trace the outline, licking my lips at the same time. He lets out a low growl and yanks my T-shirt up and over my head. While he pulls off one piece of my clothing at a time, I continue exploring, squeezing, and stroking him through his pants.

"You are such a fucking tease, baby, but fuck, I like what you do to me."

Tilting my head back, I meet his gaze and cry out as he tweaks my nipple, tugging gently. Using his free hand, he slides two fingers between my open lips. "Suck."

My clit pulses as he continues playing with my breasts. I never thought nipple play was a real thing until now as I hover near the edge. When I slide my hand between my thighs, Kieran pinches my nipple so hard I cry out, the sharp pain mixing with pleasure and creating a feeling of ecstasy.

"Did I say you could touch your pussy?"

I shake my head, unable to speak with his fingers still in my mouth. He pulls them free and raises his eyebrows. "Who's in charge here, Paisley? Is it you? Or is it Daddy?"

His tone is chastising, but his eyes are glazed with his own arousal. I smirk at him. "Obviously, it's me, Daddy. I'm in charge."

Cocking his head, he chuckles quietly before he grabs me and flips me onto my stomach, then peppers my ass with smacks. "Keep thinking that, Little demon. Keep thinking you're in charge."

I cry out and giggle at the same time, loving this playful side of him. He doesn't show it often.

As suddenly as the spanking started, it stops, and he yanks me up and back by the hips to bury his face in my pussy. He doesn't go easy on me. He licks, sucks, and bites with vigor, spreading my ass cheeks at the same time. When his thumb brushes over my back hole, I yelp and try to move forward, but he doesn't let me budge.

"Make no mistake, Paisley, I will fuck this ass often," he growls, pressing his digit against it.

I let out a whine and shake my head. "You're too big for me."

He bites the back of my thigh. "No, baby. That's where you're wrong. You see, we're the perfect fit for each other, so it doesn't matter where I fuck you, it's going to feel amazing."

Just as I'm about to argue again, he sucks on my clit, and stars appear in front of me as my pussy convulses and an unexpected orgasm rips through me like a tidal wave. Kieran continues to play with me, thrusting a finger into my pussy while he undoes his belt with his other hand.

As he presses the head of his cock to my opening, I moan and pant his name over and over like a prayer. He's so thick, it's a stretch, but the slight sting adds to the pleasure.

"You're so fucking tight, baby. Fuck. You're doing so good, though. Taking my dick like the good girl you are."

A shiver runs through me from his praise. I love being his good girl. "I need more."

"You need more? More of Daddy's dick? You need me to fuck your pretty little cunt and make you come again?"

"Yes! Oh, God, yes," I whine.

He smacks one of my ass cheeks. "Say, please."

Oh, this asshole. I turn to glare at him, and he's fucking smirking at me, so proud of himself. If I weren't so needy right now, I'd probably tell him to get lost, but he does something to me that brings me to my knees for him.

"Please, Daddy. Please fuck me hard."

His pupils dilate, and his nostrils flare. Now I'm the one who's pleased with myself. I unleashed the beast.

"Such a good fucking girl. You were made for me, Little demon. Fucking made for me," he says as he starts thrusting.

"You were made for me." Each time it replays in my mind, I climb higher and higher until every muscle in my body tenses, and I scream out as my climax hits.

Kieran starts pumping harder and faster, his thrusts becoming erratic as he chases his own orgasm. His cock pulses inside me. He lets out a string of words in Gaelic before he leans down and presses a kiss to the middle of my back.

"Mine," he murmurs.

I collapse onto the mattress, my entire body humming. Even if it's only for a little while. I'm his.