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Cinderella's Daddies 16
My apartment is six blocks from here. I don’t feel great walking around the Bellefleur District at night, but I’ve learned a few tricks, ways of protecting myself from unwanted attention. Mostly, I’ve learned how to walk quickly and remain beneath anyone’s notice.But once I’ve already attracted notice, what then?I have no fucking clue.I fall back on one of my usual tricks—sticking close to other crowds of people, so I don’t look like I’m alone and defenseless. There are plenty of groups around because it’s only ten p.m. Two strip clubs line the next block, as well as a karaoke bar and a late-night diner. I hurry toward them, hoping that the men from table thirty-nine remain where they are.After walking a few yards, I bend down and pretend to adjust my shoe while I peek beneath my arm.They’re following me. Shit.A neon sign lights up the window of the karaoke bar. Kitty Cat Karaoke. A crowd of people loiters in front, talking and laughing. They aren’t waiting to get in, but social
Cinderella's Daddies 17
She’s beautiful, bracketed by two men, their voices rising and falling with the melody. A pang of regret washes through me, that I’m not standing up there with her. But it’s too risky—I don’t want to ruin the one place where I can hide out and relax, unknown to everyone around me.The guys have decent voices, but they’re not half as talented as the maid. When the song is over, they all step down even though the audience is asking for more.Always leave them asking for more, that’s what my agent used to say. Wow, she’d be pissed to hear I’ve been hanging out in a karaoke bar and not even singing or drumming up interest for my old albums.The two men with the maid try to talk her into sitting down with them, but I stand up again and catch her eye. I look pointedly toward the seat across from me in the booth.I’m not asking her to join me, I’m telling her.And she fucking comes over, her hips swaying in those jeans that are snug against her curves.Once she’s seated across from me, I sit
Cinderella's Daddies 18
EllaWhen Sebastian said he’d drive me home, I thought that meant he’d do the actual driving. But no, like a rich prick, he has his own driver. We slide into the back seat.I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend.If I say it often enough, I’ll remember it the next time Sebastian tries to flirt with me.There’s something familiar about him, beyond the fact that I’ve seen him at the Tyler building. I wish I could figure it out, but no matter how hard I stare at his face, it’s not coming to me.It’s not as if staring at his face is a hardship, though. He’s so handsome, it makes my chest ache. Those hazel eyes of his seem to see right through me, and he looks at me like he wants to know everything. Ever fleeting thought, every filthy desire.And looking back at him, at his well-muscled physique stretching out his dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up slightly to bare tattooed forearms? Holy fuck, I am feeling a lot of filthy desire.I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfr
Cinderella's Daddies 19
EllaJoel’s office is empty for the fourth night in a row. I keep walking past it, as if he might poof into existence all of a sudden.But nope.I go through the motions of emptying wastebaskets, cleaning the bathrooms, tidying the break room and washing down the snack counter. When Joel still hasn’t shown up by the end of my shift, I slump down at the table in the break room and pull my phone from my dress pocket.The maid uniform might be as ugly as sin, but at least it has pockets.I don’t get to go to the gala. I can’t afford the gown I picked out, and what’s worse, I can’t afford any gown because my absolute idiot of a brother stole the last of my money. Already I won’t be able to eat very well over the next month, but I could’ve gotten through it on the memories of attending the Tyler Gala.I dial Joel. I would rather share this news in person, but it’s been three days, and if the shithead won’t come to work so I can see him, then I guess I’m left with the phone.If he doesn’t p
Cinderella's Daddies 20
EllaTonight is my one night off. I’d hoped, maybe, that Joel and I could do something, and when I texted to suggest a walk in the park in downtown San Esteban, because it’s free entertainment, he wrote back that he’s working.I could be there, now, if I had a shift tonight. I could go into Joel’s office. He’d close the blinds, then unfasten the buttons at his sleeves and roll the fabric up. His forearms would be thick and powerful, and he’d push me against the desk, spinning me around so I’d have to slam my hands down to catch myself.He’d hold me down, his hand firm on the back of my neck. While I pant for him, squirming, begging for his touch where I need it most, he would lift up my dress and see my lacy panties.His deep, rumbling voice would be amused as he says, “Naughty Ella. These panties are so sexy. And soaking wet. What a sweet little slut you are. Tell me, are you trying to tempt other men to want you?”“No,” I would say. “They’re just for you, Mr. Tyler.”Abruptly, I lea
Cinderella's Daddies 21
I hesitate, worrying that Tommy will bother the hell out of everyone else if I don’t show up.But he didn’t make plans with me. I’ve told him a hundred times that I prefer a head’s up when he’s coming over, because I get so little sleep as it is, it’s nice to know beforehand.Maybe if I’m not there, he’ll take the hint and start calling.I need to accept Mrs. Dali’s invitation—to be kind to myself.“Yes, thanks,” I say, taking the remaining steps between us and going into her apartment.I’ve rarely taken the time to look around her place, because usually I’m doing something fast, like dropping off her groceries or changing a lightbulb, or other things the landlord should be doing but never helps with.It’s cheerful in here, with bright rugs and throw pillows, and loads of photographs hanging on the walls. Many of the photos are black and white, but a few are in color.“My family and friends,” Mrs. Dali says fondly, when she sees me inspecting them.“You must have had a big family,” I
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SebastianA night at Vice with Kingston has lost all appeal. He doesn’t so much as look at the beautiful women who parade in front of our booth. They’re each trying to attract his notice, or mine. Or, the more daring and adventurous ones are trying to attract us both at once.But Kingston doesn’t care about any of them. And to be honest, neither do I.Finally, I set down my iced tea and face my friend.“You want her,” I say. “I want her. What’s to stop us from having her?”“Who are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb, asshole.”He taps his fingers on the side of his tumbler. “She’s with Joel.”“But is Joel with her?”He just shakes his head. He’s getting more and more pissed about this, but I have to push. If I don’t, he’ll accept a defeat that only ruins things for both of us.And possibly ruins things for Ella, too. Because I want to give that little princess the motherfucking world.“Look,” I say. “We both know Joel is a fuckboy asshole. I’m not sorry for saying it, because that’s
Cinderella's Daddies 23
Around four a.m., I tried to go back to my own apartment, but my brother was sleeping outside of it, leaning against the door. I just couldn’t deal, and when I returned to Mrs. Dali’s apartment, she was kind enough to offer me her couch.But I don’t want to take advantage of her already generous hospitality, so it’s time to get going.I turn around to look at where we left the dress last night, and gasp in surprise. “You’ve done more with it.”Her brown eyes crinkle at the corners and she gives me a smug smile. “Yes, I always wake up early, so I slept for a couple of hours and then I was awake at six. I haven’t been able to leave the gown alone.”“It looks incredible,” I say.The plunging neckline is far more risqué than anything I would ever choose to wear. It’ll land halfway between my breasts and my belly button. The wide band going across the waist is no longer covered in a mishmash of beads, lace, and fake flowers; it’s now a single fabric panel with two silk ribbons sewn at the
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