17. Camilla

17

CAMILLA

I hope this is okay. I adjust the collar of my dress as the elevator takes its smooth journey up to Jack's apartment.

He's not expecting me. I couldn't help myself.

I spent some of my day off shopping, needing to refresh my wardrobe for investor meetings and the like. However, I got sidetracked. I ended up abandoning my search for business attire and turned my attention toward pleasure.

I browsed with Jack's eye, looking for pieces that might please the Daddy in him. Flouncy dresses, delicate fabrics, innocent silhouettes. All said and done, I spent the budget I'd set aside for business clothes all on new pieces for playtime with Daddy.

As I was hanging the pieces up in my closet, anticipation flooded through me. Call me impatient, but it felt unfair to myself and my new beautiful garments to shove them away.

I donned one of my new dresses, a frilly pink thing that makes me look like a porcelain doll, and headed right to Jack's penthouse.

When the elevator doors open, my heart leaps into my throat. I have never surprised him. Not like this. Now, I'm nervous.

I step up to his door which is directly across from the elevator. The only door up here. I unbutton the front of my coat to give Jack a full view of the dress when we're face to face and tuck my hair out of my face, inhaling to gather my courage.

I have a key, but I'd much rather see the surprise on his face when he opens the door and is face-to-face with me .

I press the doorbell inlaid in the wall and wait, holding my purse in both my hands at my knees.

The door flies open. I paste on my biggest smile.

Except it's not Jack I'm faced with.

It's a really tall, buff guy with tattoos climbing up his arms. He smiles at me, though there's confusion in his brows. "Uh, can I help you?"

I pull my coat closed as a reflex which is silly. I'm not wearing lingerie. Just a dress. Still, though, this wasn't meant for anyone but Jack. "Uh…hi."

The man stares at me, waiting for more.

"I'm–uh–" I shove my hand out to him. "I'm Camilla Graff. Jack's business partner."

"Oh, shit! You're Seth's–yeah!" The man grabs my hand and shakes it, his smile easing up. "I'm Mason."

Mason. That's a familiar name to me. If I recall, Mason and Jack's brother, Nate, are both in a relationship with the same woman. I have to meet this woman and ask her how she did it. Because Mason is very attractive and if Nate is half as attractive as Jack, she's hit the jackpot. Not that two men at a time has ever interested me.

"Nice to meet you. I was coming by to go over some paperwork with Jack."

Mason's eyes drop to my very small purse which doesn't hold more than a phone, wallet, and lip gloss, much less paperwork. "We're having a guy's night, right now."

"Right! Of course, he's–it's guys night." I'm starting to ramble. Great. "So, I'll go, and you all can enjoy!" I say as I start to back away. This is so embarrassing.

"No, no. You should at least come in and say hi! I'm sure Seth and Jack would love to say hi."

I take another step away. "No, really. It's all right. This was spur of the moment. Out of the blue. I should have let him know I was thinking of stopping by, but my brain is all work, work, work and–"

"Nonsense!" Mason scoops his arm around my shoulder and pulls me inside.

"Really, it's fine, I'll just–" I try to wriggle out of his grip and get back to the door, but it's too late. I am pulled into Jack's open concept apartment which means all eyes are on me.

Seth is the first face I see. He looks up from one of the couches, a hockey game playing on the television behind him. He is surprised but welcomes me with a bold smile. "Graff! What are you doing here?"

There's a blonde man next to him who also looks up, giving me an affable, golden retriever-like, "Hey!"

"I just had some…" I scan the room until I find Jack who is leaning at the end of the long island that separates the kitchen and living space. I lose the ability to speak that very second when I see him.

I've never seen him so casual and laidback, wearing a band tee and some gray sweatpants so low slung on his hips all it would take is a strong gust of wind to knock them down. "Paperwork. To go over. And I thought I'd stop by, but you're busy."

Jack stares at me and says nothing. His Adam's apple bobs.

Great job not being suspicious, jackass.

"At least stay for a drink," Seth says. "We're just watching the game, anyway."

"No, really, it's fine, I can just–" I grab the too small purse. "Save the paperwork for the office tomorrow."

Mason rubs my shoulder. "Oh, come on, stick around! It'll be fun. We want to hear about how Jack is handling life as a businessman."

"And your side of your fake relationship," the blonde man, who I assume is Nate, blurts.

I zip every muscle in my body together in an attempt to disappear, looking to Jack for some sort of answer.

"My mom told my dad about the whole thing, so I had to tell him it was fake and now I guess he's gone and blabbed," Jack says without any humor.

"Come on, don't be so sour-faced about it. It's funny," Nate says, climbing up onto the back of the couch to join in the conversation better.

Jack chews on his lower lip.

Seth rolls his eyes. "I got you an assistant, Jack, not a girlfriend."

"Business partner, actually," I say with an assured smile.

Seth grins. "Atta girl."

"Here, give me your coat," Mason says, wrapping his fingers around the collar of my jacket. "And Jack will get you a drink and you can tell us everything."

Before I can protest any more, Mason pulls my coat off me, leaving me in my cute little dress meant for Jack's eyes only.

"You don't have to hang it up, I won't stay long," I call after him, but it's no use. When I turn back to Jack, it's clear the dress has done the trick. His eyes are indulging in the view, tracing the lines of my curves and the revelation of my legs.

If he had known I was coming by, he probably wouldn't have chosen gray sweatpants because there's already a shadow forming where his erection grows.

I smooth out the bottom of my skirt and take a few steps toward him. "A drink?"

"Yeah, yeah, what do you want?" Jack steps away from me to the fridge and opens it for me.

I glance over at the coffee table crowded by half-drunk bottles of beer. "I'll just have what everyone else is having."

Jack reaches into the fridge, but I nestle into the space in front of him to grab it myself. His arm brushes up against my shoulder, almost like he's holding me from behind.

"I got it," I say with a soft smile over my shoulder.

I bend forward, let my hips bump up against his.

Jack recoils like he's been stung by a bee.

My fingers curl around the neck of the bottle, like they would his dick. Tender, yet insistent.

"Thanks," I murmur and sneak out from between him and the fridge, going to join the guys on the couches.

Jack doesn't follow me. Instead, he presses himself up against the island again, his hips hidden from view. Trying to will his erection to go down, no doubt.

"Here, let me–" Seth takes my bottle from me and snaps off the cap with a bottle opener.

"Oh, thanks." I take a swig, casting a vague glance at Jack.

He's pissed. His arms are crossed over his chest and his jaw is clenched. I try to hide my smile as I take a sip of the beer. I've shown up unannounced, insisted I get my own drink, and had another man take care of opening it for me.

And Daddy doesn't like any of that one bit.

A thrill travels up my spine. I can't explain it. I like being a good girl for him. Like to be rewarded with kisses and compliments.

But every good girl needs to have her bad moments.

Nate settles his elbows on his knees as he leans forward. "I heard you shared a bed. I hope his sleep talking didn't bother you."

Jack glares at his brother. "Dude, shut up."

I hold back a laugh. There's a clear resemblance in the two of them. From their father, of course. The shape of their faces and their lean, yet muscular builds. I am touched for a moment by sadness that I don't know anyone in the world who I can look at and see a resemblance in. I don't know if my bio mom went on to have any more children after me.

I've never seen her face either.

I wonder what it's like to look in a slightly distorted genetic mirror.

Seth elbows me in the rib. "Okay, spill. Whose idea was it and if it was Jack's, how much did he pay you to agree to do it?"

Jack groans. "Seth…seriously?"

"How do you think I became partner?"

The guys burst out laughing. I throw Jack an innocent smile over my shoulder.

His knuckles tense.

Yeah, he's mad.

I like making Daddy mad.

I just don't know if I will like the consequences.

Seth sighs, slapping his thighs and standing. "All right, I should head out."

Mason checks his phone. "Damn, already ten."

"Laney's getting lonely," Nate says.

Mason smiles. "Duty calls."

I stand too, pulling down on my skirt to make sure I don't give anyone a show. "I should get going too, probably."

Jack lifts his head from the chair he's been sitting on, mostly silent since I've arrived. "What about the paperwork?"

My eyebrows jump. "Huh?"

"You brought paperwork. Right? Surely, it won't take long to go over." He stares hard at me, eyes almost black. Whether it's from frustration or arousal, I'm not sure. Probably both.

Seth shrugs on his fleece. "I didn't give you my best assistant so you could work her to the bone, Jack."

I clamp my lips together to restrain a laugh. If only he knew just how Jack is working me to the bone…

Nate runs his hands through his hair. "Just like Dad. Workaholic."

Jack's shoulders rise. "I'm not just like Dad."

Nate holds up his hands. "Okay, dude. Chill."

Mason grabs Nate's arm and helps him up off the couch. They're both a little tipsy.

I don't envy Laney having to deal with two tipsy partners. One would be more than enough for me. "All right, let's get out of here before sibling rivalry pokes its nasty head into the conversation. See ya next week, guys! And nice to meet you, Camilla. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you."

Both Seth and I say goodbye to the boys, but Jack remains silent.

Seth looks between the two of us. "Well, I'm glad things are going so well. With the…business."

The way he says business and his imploring gaze suggests he knows more. Suspects more, maybe. But I won't give Seth that satisfaction. I smile. "You know how it is. A lot to get done, not a lot of time."

"Yeah, I do. Definitely do." He starts to back out of the room. "Seriously, Jack, be good to her."

Jack inclines his head toward his friend. "I will be."

"And you–" Seth jabs his finger in my direction. "Give him hell."

I chuckle. " Bye ."

I keep my eyes fixed on the spot where Seth was until I hear the front door shut for the final time.

The silence that surrounds us is murky. Unknown territory. I want to say something but have nothing to say. So, I wait. And wait.

My time is at Jack's mercy. Under his control.

As it should be.

"You…" he says, voice crawling up from his belly, low and languid. "You have been a very bad girl."

I force myself to look at Jack across the room.

The lighting is low, casting shadows across his face. He grips the arm of his chair so hard I believe he might be able to rip the whole thing to pieces.

Though he is upset with me, I am relieved. I know telling the story of Hawaii was a risk. I didn't divulge any of the details of our relationship beyond business. Of course, I didn't. Still, though, I played with fire.

Now I get burnt.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," I say in a soft, higher tone. My blood races, flaming my inside.

Jack shakes his head. "That won't be good enough, I'm afraid."

I breathe.

His eyes glint up to mine. "You need to be punished."

"Yes, Daddy."

I do need punishment. I'm desperate for one. My eagerness for consequence sends a thrum through my groin.

Jack sits up a bit straighter, tosses his dark hair out of his face, and lifts his chin. "Do you think a spanking will suffice?"

I resist a smile. Because even in punishing me, he's caring for me. Making sure I am consenting to a territory we have never treaded. "Yes, Daddy."

Jack releases his grip on the arms of the chair and pats his lap. "Come here, baby girl. Lay across Daddy's lap."

I go to him with my eyes downcast. When I reach him, he takes one of my hands and kisses the back of it. The kiss feels like a tattoo across my skin. A claim.

"You know, I don't want to have to punish you, but it's for your own good."

"I know, Daddy."

Jack drapes me over his lap, belly down, my ass in the air. One hand slides down the back of my dress and over my ass. He pulls the skirt up and sucks in a breath when he sees the lacy panties I've chosen. A thong that's tucked away between my cheeks. Perfect for the purpose of a spanking since he doesn't have to pull them down. His touch is soft as he explores the globe of my ass.

"I don't want you to forget that Daddy still…"

Please say loves you .

"Wants to take care of you."

Dammit .

"You understand?"

"I understand, Daddy."

"Good girl."

We linger there a while, his touch warming and tender to me.

"Five."

I curl my toes.

"One for coming to see Daddy without telling him first."

His hand strikes my ass, the sting flaming across my skin.

My body jumps and I gasp.

It's painful, the way a bruise is painful. The way you need to touch to know more about it.

Four more.

"One for wearing this outfit and making Daddy hard."

Another smack, this time to the other cheek. I cry out, an interested, surprised sound from the back of my throat.

"One for not allowing Daddy to take care of you."

Another. This one sends a zing straight to my clit. I grab onto his leg, wrap my mouth around the fabric of his sweatpants.

"One for embarrassing Daddy in front of his friends with stories you weren't supposed to tell."

This time, I tip forward a bit, moaning from intertwining pleasure and pain. I wriggle my hips against him, desperate to rut and make myself come.

Jack's next touch is not another blow. It is a caress that travels down each of my thighs, over my ass. The touch is taunting and, at the same time, worshipping.

His breath is shallow and measured, each drawn out inhale and exhale trapped in the center of his chest.

"And one more because you made Daddy punish you."

My eyes shoot open before the strike. It is his hardest and most intense blow.

I release the fabric from my mouth and whimper. Feels so good being so bad.

"There," he says with a final, releasing sigh. "That's better. Right?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good girl. Now, I hope you learned your lesson and don't make Daddy punish you again."

Jack opens his legs and allows me to fall through them onto my knees before him.

I supplicate, placing my hands against his thighs and tipping my head backward to give him an offering. "How can I please you, Daddy?"

He touches my face with tenderness, using the same hand that just bestowed me pain. "You please me just by being, princess."

I slide my hands up his thighs until they reach the waistband of his pants, rising onto my knees. "Please, kiss me."

Jack does so. Soft and measured.

I hate him for his restraint, only because it makes me crave more.

When our lips part, I whisper, "Let me please you with my mouth."

The shallowness returns to his chest.

"I want Daddy to come in my mouth."

"Jesus, baby girl, I –"

I pull his sweatpants down a few inches, revealing the trail of hair that leads to my forbidden treasure. I kiss that spot. Lick it. Tease it.

Jack's hand slides around the back of my head. He tightens his fingers in my hair and pulls my head back, just an inch so I can no longer taste his skin. "That's not how a nice girl asks for a reward, now is it?"

"Please, Daddy," I huff. "I want you in my mouth more than anything."

His restraint is fading. "All right. Be a good girl and suck Daddy's cock."

He releases his hold on me.

I pull down his pants, relish how his dick bounds free, and take him into my mouth, sucking and lapping at him until he's mewling and whimpering for his impending release. And when he's done and his hot seed floods the back of my tongue and I gulp him down, he showers me with sweet words and affections, pulls me into his lap, and holds me there like I am his precious baby girl.

Like I am loved.

That's not the word he used when he could, though.

I don't know how much longer Daddy's arms will be comforting if the love pent up in my chest doesn't have a safe place to land.