a makeup artist.
“I thought it through, and I really want to take the job. Although it would take time away from you, it’s only two hours a night, and that’s just too much money for me to give up when I’m trying to save for school.” She pauses to take a sip of water from her bottle. “And it’s not like I’m stripping or anything.” The thought makes me growl, but she ignores me. “I’m doing what I love, actually using my skills as a makeup artist. And then I’ll be home before they even turn the music on and throw the first dollar bill.”
I hand her the phone back with a sigh, knowing I can’t really argue with her logic, and if I were to take out my feelings about having to share her during the time I usually get with her after work, then I would agree this is an amazing opportunity.
“Fine, but I get to go with you the first time to scope out the place,” I tell her, and she crosses her arms and cocks her hip.
“I think not, Neil,” she snaps, and I lift a brow. “One, do you really think I want you going into a strip club, where girls will be in next to nothing while I do their faces? Especially after the way a group of those exact women were eye-fucking you at that first barre class?”
“Goddess, you do realize I’m part owner of a club that, not only do the women walk around in next to nothing, but they’re also permitted to wear nothing at all… not to mention while being fucked behind closed curtains or in front of everyone, right?” I smirk.
“That’s different.”
I scoff. “How?”
“Because those women like, belong to someone. They have Doms who like… keep them on a leash to keep them from going up to you. Literally and figuratively,” she says with conviction, but as the words leave her mouth, she doesn’t seem too sure.
“Not all the women have Doms, baby,” I inform her gently. “There are subs who are single, the same as there are Doms who are as well. It’s not a requirement to be in a couple in order to be a member.”
Her face falls at that, and she looks to the floor. “I guess… I just thought…”
“That I was off-limits while I was at the club?”
“Well, yeah.” She pouts, and it’s so adorable I decide to put her out of her misery, even though it means it’ll be another point in her favor.
“I am, goddess. Not only because subs do not approach Doms but wait to be courted by them instead, but because I belong to someone else, and I’ve made that known for a year,” I tell her, reaching out to drag my knuckles gently along her jawline.
She visibly melts, her head tilting toward my hand, and she lifts her dreamy eyes to mine. Yep, worth losing this battle just to see her look at me that way.
But the look doesn’t last long, because she perks up with her second argument. “Ha! See? Those bitches at the strip club don’t have any rules holding them back, and it’s not like they’d care if you’re taken. Look how Crystal acted at the gym while you were there, rubbing her big ole titties all over you. Nope. Not happening.” She shakes her head. “And two, I’m twenty-seven years old. I don’t need you holding my hand and walking me into my workplace like I’m a kindergartener and it’s my first day of school, Dad.”
She’s right. I know she’s right. I can’t very well be doing everything in my power to teach her how to gain confidence and be independent and then not let her go to work on her own. I would be the world’s biggest hypocrite, sending completely mixed signals, and confuse the hell out of her by not letting her practice what I’m preaching to her.
“Fine,” I state. “But let’s make a deal. We won’t go full kindergarten mode, but at least let’s go junior high mode and let me drop you off and pick you up. And I promise not to make you kiss me goodbye in front of all of you friends.” My shoulders droop.
She smiles widely, stepping up to me and molding her front to mine. “That sounds like a deal. But I’m definitely kissing you goodbye in front of all my friends, because you’re the hot daddy, and I’ve gotta mark my territory,” she purrs.
“Mm, Daddy, huh?” I