Charming Colton (Surrender Book 8)

by Becca Jameson

  I shake off the emotions that suffocate me as I follow Lucy and Britney up the back staircase that comes out next to Lucy’s little girl room on the second floor.

  The three of us change back into our dresses and panties, each of us using the toilet as we’ve been told. Evelyn has set our shoes and socks in the bathroom too, and I sit on the floor to put them on.

  “Today was so much fun. I wish you could stay longer,” Lucy says, her voice sorrowful.

  Britney giggles. “That’s because your Daddy is going to spank you good as soon as we leave.”

  Lucy sighs. “Yeah. That too.” She leads us back downstairs, and we find the men near the front door.

  “What do you say to your friends, Lucy?” Master Roman says.

  “Thank you both for coming. I had a great time.” Lucy beams.

  “Thank you for having us,” I return.

  “Yes. Thank you, Lucy. It was most fun,” Britney adds.

  Evelyn comes rushing from the kitchen holding something in her hands. She also has Jessie tucked under her arm. I almost forgot my unicorn.

  I take her from Evelyn and hug her tightly while Evelyn holds up baggies of the cookies. “Don’t forget to take some cookies home with you.” She hands a baggie of cookies to each Daddy before turning toward me and Britney. “You girls make sure you have permission before you eat those. You’ll end up with a tummy ache if you eat too many.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” we both state at once.

  “And please come again. You were a delightful group.” Evelyn smiles broadly. I know she really did enjoy having us.

  Daddy helps me into my coat and holds my hand as we head to the car. He even lifts me into the seat and buckles me before rounding the car.

  My heart is full as I watch him. I think I’m in love with him, and I’ll never even have the chance to tell him.

  Chapter 27

  Evelyn

  I’m nervous when we get back to my apartment. I’m not even sure why. It’s been an amazing day so far, but I feel like something is about to change. Colt is quiet on the drive home. He holds my hand and strokes it often, but he’s tense. I don’t like the vibe.

  The moment we’re inside, I decide to tackle whatever is on his mind. “Is something wrong?”

  He turns toward me, combing a hand through his hair. When he’s done, he reaches for me, grabs my hand, and tugs me closer. As he removes my coat, he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “No, baby. Nothing new.” He tugs me against him with his hands on my hips. “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Okay.” I’m worried. Scared.

  He slides his hands up my arms and cups my face, meeting my gaze. “I need to talk to Evelyn the adult. Can you do that for me?” His brow is furrowed.

  I nod. “Yes. Of course.”

  He blows out a breath as if he’s been incredibly worried to ask this of me.

  I frown. “I can do it anytime you want, Colton.” I wrap my arms around him, calling him by his full name like he’s done to me. “I cherish every second of our time together, and I can’t ever thank you enough for letting me be authentic with you. It’s been amazing. The best week of my life. I’ll never regret it. But I have two sides. I can flip into my other self. I did it every day before I met you. I can do it with you too. Give me ten minutes to change and shift my headspace okay?”

  He stares at me in awe as if I’ve stunned him with this information. Finally, he kisses me on the lips and then nods. “Thank you.”

  I slip from the room when he releases me, calmer than I was five minutes ago. This isn’t too much to ask. I should be worried, of course, but the truth is that he hasn’t told me yet what happened this morning, so I should be expecting him to explain that, and it’s logical he would want to talk to my adult self.

  When I reach the bedroom, I close the door and remove my clothes. I drop everything in the hamper and head for my closet. Granted, my casual wardrobe doesn’t consist of many things that are adult, but I’ve managed with Colt before, and I can do it now.

  I grab a thong and matching bra from my dresser drawers and a pair of jeggings and a black sweater from my closet. I head to the bathroom next to comb out my still-damp hair and add a touch of lip gloss. I don’t think Colt needs more than this.

  I’m barefoot when I head back to the living room, but my head is in the right space.

  Colt is sitting on the couch and he stands when I enter. His gaze roams up and down my frame, stopping at my feet before he grins.

  “Do I need shoes for this?”

  He chuckles. “No, and you have sexy feet. You never need shoes.” He reaches for me.

  I come to him and let him tug me onto the couch next to him.

  “I just want to bring you up to speed so you’re not in the dark.”

  “Okay.”

  “That was my boss who called this morning. They got another tip this morning. Someone called in on the non-emergency line.”

  I swallow. “What did they say?”

  “That they saw me with you last night and knew I was a cop and that someone should warn me that you’re not safe and I should remain diligent.”

  I gasp. “Shit.”

  “Yeah.” He grabs my hand. “I’m not going to let anyone near you, Eve.”

  I nod slowly. “Okay.” I glance at the window. “You think that man who’s following me has anything to do with this?”

  He sighs. “He definitely has something to do with it. The question is which side is he on? Is he working for the seller or is he keeping an eye on you and calling in the tips?”

  “Right. I hadn’t thought of that. But you’re worried someone from the club called in the tip, aren’t you? That’s why you met with Roman, Julius, and Davis.”

  “Yes. Or at least I want them to be aware of the possibility. Part of me thinks it’s not related to the club at all. But someone is watching us. On the other hand, if that’s the case, how has anyone gotten close enough to peg me as a cop?”

  I bite my lip and release it. “Maybe since that same person called in the first tip, they’re just assuming I have a cop with me?”

  He shrugs. “Perhaps. Something doesn’t add up though. I don’t like it.”

  “I don’t either.” That’s an understatement. “What do we do now?”

  He meets my gaze. “You’re not going to like my idea.”

  I cringe. “Tell me.”

  “I don’t want to leave you unprotected during the day anymore.”

  I stare at him. “You want to go to work with me?”

  He nods. “Yes.”

  I groan as I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling.

  “I know you hate that plan, and it’s horribly inconvenient for you, but I can’t in good conscience leave you alone. I can’t be sure someone in your office isn’t the seller at this point, Eve.”

  I jerk my head up. “You think one of my coworkers is going to sell me to human traffickers?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never met any of them. I’ve only seen them once, at lunch the other day. I can’t begin to know that. I just don’t want to take a chance.” He watches me closely before continuing. “Look, I know this will be hard on you. I know that you have trouble staying in your adult persona when I’m around. I get that. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way so you can work, but please let me protect you.”

  I jerk my hand out of his grasp and jump to my feet.

  “Eve?”

  I take several steps backward, putting some space between us. “Colt, my hesitation has nothing to do with your dominance. All you have to do is turn that shit off and I’ll be fine. It’s when you fucking go all Dom on me that I struggle to hold my adult space. You’re not doing it now, and see? I’m fine. As long as you’re my equal, or—God forbid—below equal to me, I can be an adult just fine.”

  He flinches. “Why are you so upset then?”

  I throw my hands in the air. “Colt. You’re not the invisible man. What the hell am I supposed to t
ell my coworkers? Huh? That some asshole is trying to sell me and you’re my bodyguard? Or, wait, let’s not forget that at least one of my coworkers saw us kissing the other day. What will she think? That I’m fucking my bodyguard? And even if everyone did know all that, then what? In a few days or a week, you end this and disappear. Then what do I tell them? That I was fucking my bodyguard and I fell for him and now he’s moved on?” I shake my head. “Because no fucking way, Colton. Not a chance in hell. I’m a respected member of the team. They see me as strong and independent with my head fully screwed onto my shoulders. I’m not the sort of person who needs protection from anything, especially not at work. Already, I have no way of knowing who saw us kissing that morning. If Lacy saw us, who’s to say ten other people didn’t and they just haven’t said anything?”

  Colt stands slowly, seeming to be unwilling to make any quick movements, and that’s a good thing. “Eve, you’re human. Surely no one thinks you don’t have a life outside of the office. Why do you care if they find out you have a boyfriend? Everyone has a life.”

  I shake my head. “No. Not really. I’m in the middle of climbing the ladder in an industry that doesn’t recognize women as equals.” I roll my eyes. “Like all industries. I have to work longer and harder than anyone else to get the same promotion. So, no. I’m not really permitted to have a life. I can have pretty things I keep on a shelf but not anything that might affect my job.”

  He jerks, hurt by my words. Good.

  I stand firm, my hands on my hips, wishing now I’d put on a pair of heels. I’m fierce in heels. “It’s not the end of the world that Lacy saw me with you. She’s a woman. She’s my friend. She won’t mention it to anyone. But men… Colt, men don’t see things the same way. If they got wind that I wasn’t pleasantly single, all they would see when it came time for promotions is someone who could potentially show up pregnant and put a wrench in all their plans.”

  “Jesus, Eve.” He’s staring at me like I have two heads. And so what if I do?

  I’m shaking now. And I sound like a lunatic. A crazed lunatic. It all sounds so ridiculous out loud. It’s not like I ever really considered all of this. I never planned to fall for a man in the first place. Who the fuck would be able to manage me and my duplicity? No one.

  Except Colt.

  Dammit.

  I draw in a slow breath, trying to rein in my crazy side and soften my voice before I speak again. “It’s not going to happen, Colt. No matter how you slice it, it will hurt my career. Even if not one person suspected we were sleeping together, I’d still look weak for needing fucking protection. No one will care what the reason is. All they will see is a damn bodyguard outside my door like I’m a prima donna.”

  Colt’s head drops toward the floor. I’m exasperating him. Too bad.

  “I’m already in way over my head here. I’m already trying to figure out how I’m going to pick up the pieces—both professional and personal—after you disappear. I simply can’t add anything else to my plate, Colt. I can’t do it.” I turn around and stomp from the room. I’m not even close to being little right now. I’m a full-grown adult having a meltdown.

  I head for my bedroom, slam the door like a goddamn toddler and pace the floor, trying to think and calm the fuck down. There are a dozen reasons why I just shouted all that nonsense, and none of them have a thing to do with Colt trying to protect me.

  I’m furious with myself and the situation and the world.

  When I’m worn out, I climb up onto the bed, prop myself against the headboard, and draw my knees up to set my chin on them.

  Eventually, Colt knocks on the door. “Eve? Can I come in please?”

  “Yes.” What the hell other options do I have? Plus, I need to apologize to him. I’m being a brat and I’m not even little.

  He enters cautiously and shuffles over to the bed, taking a seat as far away from me as possible. He hangs his head, then lifts it. “I’m sorry.”

  “I know. It’s not your fault.”

  “I’m not a woman, so forgive my naivete, but do you really think your job opportunities are going to be thwarted because some asshole would like to kidnap you?”

  “No.”

  He jerks back, his eyes wide.

  I sigh. “I exaggerated. My office is a wonderful place to work. Everyone is treated fairly, male or female. I do worry frequently about how much harder I have to work to climb the corporate ladder, but I’ve never seen or heard of any direct evidence that would insinuate that I would lose opportunities with this particular team simply because I got married or had a baby.”

  He’s staring at me. Can’t blame him. I just spent fifteen minutes telling him a giant pile of shit and tore it all down in two minutes.

  “Then…” His brows are raised in confusion.

  “I’m a hot mess because I’m in love with you, and you’re going to destroy me.”

  There. I said it. It wasn’t like I could keep that a secret forever.

  He gasps and doesn’t move a single muscle for several seconds. Finally, he jumps into action, climbs onto the bed, and crawls toward me. He doesn’t say a word as he yanks me into his arms and gathers me against him.

  I’m stunned by his reaction.

  His lips find mine and he kisses me senseless, with a desperation only seen from two lovers who’ve been separated for a year and just got reunited. He cups my face and angles his head to one side, kissing me fiercely.

  When he finally releases my lips, we’re both panting. He looks deep into my eyes, holding my head. “I love you too, baby.”

  Tears form in my eyes and fall down my cheeks. It’s like a ten-ton brick has been lifted off my shoulders. We don’t have a single answer that would even begin to solve our problems going forward, but at least we’re on the same page on that one issue.

  Colt swipes at my tears. “Don’t cry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  I chuckle as I reach around him to grab a tissue off the bedside table. I blow my nose, not even remotely delicately, and wipe my tears away.

  Colt eases me down onto my side and lines himself up next to me so we’re facing each other. He strokes my hair from my cheek and forehead. “I don’t have more than that right now, Eve. Not a single answer. Just that I love you.”

  I nod. “Okay.” I get it. He can’t possibly have thought this through.

  “I’m not saying it changes anything, but no matter what, I can’t walk away without you knowing how I feel. The truth. It would be a lie to tell you otherwise. I’ve fallen so hard for you, both of you.” He grins. “I love them both. I love the woman who reigns like a lion in the office and the little girl who curls up in my lap and needs to cuddle.”

  I smile. My heart is racing because this changes nothing, but it’s also everything.

  “Now, my immediate concern is keeping you safe. That’s all that matters. I’ve learned over the past week exactly what I do to make you tick. I get it. As long as I don’t dominate you, you can hold on to your adult persona just fine. I promise I can be the demure boyfriend slash bodyguard who stands outside your door as if I work for you and not the other way around. But you have to let me do that, Eve. Please.”

  I sigh heavily. “Okay.”

  He lifts a brow. It’s different somehow. When I’m little it puts me in my place. When I’m an adult, it signals his confusion. It’s subtle and would be comical to someone else.

  “So, I’m a horrible liar. I’ll have to tell my coworkers the truth. That you came into my life to protect me and I fell for you and now we’re dating. I’m sure half the office will get a kick out of it. Half of them will think I’ve lost my mind. Half of them will talk about me behind my back. And half of them will think it’s romantic and be jealous.”

  He chuckles. “For a woman who spends her days working with numbers, your math sucks.”

  I laugh.

  He draws me closer and kisses me sweetly. His hand runs up and down my back. He searches my face.

 
I lick my lips. “If you’re wondering how often I have an irrational meltdown like that, probably once a year. You won’t have to worry. You’ll be long gone.” I look away, wishing I hadn’t said that. It was snarky and unnecessary.

  “Let’s worry about today and tomorrow for now. We’ll see what we can do about the future after I extract you from this mess, okay?”

  I nod against him and relax into his embrace, my heart rate settling into a more reasonable pace as the minutes tick by.

  Colt kisses the top of my head. “Now, my extensive research and education tell me that I cannot punish you for infractions that occur when you’re in your adult persona, so…”

  I jerk my face up to look at him. “No, you may not.”

  He grins evilly. “I can’t discipline you for cussing or having a tantrum, but I do think you would relax and feel better if you shifted back into your little space and let me spank you.”

  I swallow. God, he’s so right. So very right. It’s scary how well he knows me and how quickly he has understood not just how to manage a little but how to manage this particular little. I nod.

  “Good. I want you to take these clothes off. I’m going to find something else for you to wear, and then you’re going to stand in the corner in the kitchen for a while to get your headspace straightened out. When I decide you’re ready, I’m going to spank you hard enough to chase out all the bad things. Then you’ll be able to calm down.”

  “Yes, Sir.” This is exactly what I want.

  He pats my bottom. “Clothes off.”

  I shove off the side of the bed and strip while he pads across my room and opens a few drawers. He returns to me holding up a pair of panties—pink ones covered with tiny white clouds. He squats down in front of me, and I hold his shoulders as I step into them. He pulls a white tank top over my head next. It’s tight and makes my already hard nipples beyond obvious.

  Colt takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. He points toward the corner. “Stand there until I tell you to move.”

  I shuffle to my spot and lean my forehead against the corner where the two walls meet.