“Next time, say something, we’ll stop on the way,” he tells me, “you keep in mind what I said about eating.”
I nod again, “Sorry Daddy, it won’t happen again.”
“You feeling alright about all this Kade business?” River asks, “You seemed a little uneasy when Cas mentioned him.”
“Kade is my friend, my best friend, I never wanted to hurt him. Like Cas said, Kade and I have been friends for years. He was my first employee and we were instant best friends.”
“But, him kissing you before he left really changed things for you,” River says, petting my hair.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “I’ve only ever seen him as a friend. He kissed me, gave me the tattoo machines, and left. That was pretty much that. He never mentioned it and neither did I. Like I've told you, he's just a friend, that’s all I’ve ever seen him as.”
“And like I have told you, princess, you can’t be sorry for how you feel. He shouldn’t be upset by that.”
I toss the mail onto the counter. “Knowing that doesn't make it any easier though. I know how I feel is just that, how I feel. I can’t change that and neither can he. But I don't like how much tension is between us. I hate tension and drama anyway. It drives me insane.” I admit, leaning against the counter, crossing my arms.
“I think it’ll all blow over soon. He’ll remember that you're his friend and that you've been through a lot worse than this. He’ll realize what he’s missing by not talking to you.” River tells me, stepping closer to wrap his arms around me.
“I really hope you’re right because I never meant to hurt him.”
“I know you didn’t and somewhere deep down, he knows you didn’t mean to either,” he tells me, “he's just letting his emotions get the better of him. I’d be upset too if all I ever got was a single kiss from you.” He lifts my chin with his finger and grins. “Smile for Daddy.”
I beam wide and he begins running his fingers through my hair. “That’s my good girl. Remember, it’ll all work out in the end.”
I take a breath and nod.
“Do you care if I run to the back real fast? I’ll be right back, princess.”
I shake my head. “No, you’re fine. It’s quiet here so no worries.” River smiles before going to the restroom in the back while I finish shuffling through the mail. No bills, luckily, just a pile of junk mail, a few magazines that sell supplies for the shop, and a few coupons for places around town. I begin sorting them into a “keep” pile and a “shred” pile when I hear the door open. “Just a second, I’m finishing something up real fast,” I say, “what can I help you with today?” I finally look up and gasp.
“Well, what can you help me with today, Lo?” Kade smiles.
“Kade, oh my God!” I breathe out. His blue eyes are bright and crinkle as he smiles. His usually clean shaven face has been traded for thick stubble that actually suits him quite well. His hair is now shorter and messier. I guess New York City can change people. I make my way around the counter. “Kade, you came back.” I stare at him, unable to believe it just yet. “You’re really here.”
“I’m really here, Lo,” he grins, “it turns out New York was missing a lot that I really needed.”
“Kade, I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. I never meant to hurt you.” I tell him.
Kade crosses his arms in front of his chest and stares at me as though he’s deep in thought. Finally, he offers me a warm smile. “I know you'd never purposely try to hurt me.” He steps forward and wraps his arms tightly around me. “I really missed you, Lo. I missed the shop and Cas, hell I even miss Archer. But, I’ve really missed you the most.” He says softly.
“You know the shop isn’t the same without you,” I tell him, hugging him slightly. “It’s been a hard adjustment.”
“Lo, I’m sorry that I left the way I did,” I feel his arms tighten around me and all I can think about is getting out of his embrace. I couldn’t even begin to think about how to explain this if River saw. I couldn’t imagine that he would be okay with Kade’s hands on me when I’m not okay with Kade’s hands on me.
“Kade, a lot has happened since you left.”
“Yeah, you’re with some fucking douche bag that I don’t even know,” he tells me.
I yank away from him and stare up at him in disbelief. “You don’t even know him.”
“And that douche bag is dating her now, whether you want to accept it or not.” I hear River’s voice as he walks closer to us.
I drop my head and feel my face become warm. With timing like that, he had to have seen us hugging. Well, their first meeting is just going fucking grand. Not even two sentences in and I can already tell that they hate one another.
“She’s not yours, you don’t exactly own her,” Kade snaps.
I look up at him and shake my head. “Kade, what the hell? It’s not your place to run my life for me.”
“And, it’s not his place to run your life for you either, Lo.” Kade shoots.
“You don’t know the first thing about our relationship,” River cuts in, stepping in front of me.
Kade lets out a fake laugh and shakes his head. “I know enough to know that you’re all fucking wrong for her.”
River laughs, “Because you fucking know what’s best for her?”
“And, you do?” Kade growls.
“Yeah,” River says, “as a matter a fucking fact, I do.”
“Guys,” I quickly step in between River and Kade, “this is fucking stupid. What the fuck are you doing in my shop? I will not have either of you acting like two seventeen-year-old little boys in testosterone overdrive.” I snap, shaking my head. “Both of you will respect me and my shop. Yes, Kade, I'm dating River. I'm sorry that things ended up the way that they did, but that’s fucking life. You left.” I look up at River, “and you don’t feed into his shit. I can’t help it if Kade has a stick up his fucking ass,” River lets out a slight chuckle before his eyes narrow in on me. Something tells me that I'm not supposed to talk to my Dom this way, but what else am I supposed to do? This is my shop and I have to make sure that it's running the right way.
Kade brings a hand to the back of his neck and rubs. “Lola, I’m sorry. I just…New York wasn’t a fit for me. I hated it. I missed home. I missed you. Cincinnati is my home. This shop is my home. I came because I want my job back.”
I look at River, who is completely silent but lets his eyes move from me to Kade. River is clearly not happy and I have a feeling that as soon as we get back to his house I'll be getting a talking to.
“Kade, you'll have to understand that River works here now and that he and I are dating. But, the job is yours and I expect you and River to work alongside one another when needed. None of this my dick is bigger than your dick, shit. Do you understand?”
He scowls at River but sighs and gives me a little nod.
“You two will behave yourselves in this shop, I don’t give a shit how much you have to fake it.”
Both of them give me a silent nod.
“For what it is worth, Kade, the shop has missed you. Your repeat customers have missed you,” I tell him, “they’ll be excited to hear you're back.” I smile. Kade looks at River, “Have you taken on my customers?”
“River hasn’t taken on any of your customers, that's been Cas’ job,” I explain. “and that’s only because Cas was here when you left and he knew your clientele.”
“How did you find this guy, Lo?”
“Cas had a friend that knew him, and if you’d pull the stick out of your fucking ass for more than five minutes, you'd see that he’s an incredible artist and a good guy,” I tell him.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt,” he says.
“Says the man who hurt her by walking out,” River snips.
I point my finger at him. “You stop it, now. Both of you. You have to get along for my sake. For the shop’s sake. I run this place drama free and I refuse to have you two acting like this. So, you can shake hands now and fake
getting along or you both will be out of a job.”
Both of them make sour faces, but what other choice do I have? River is going to lay into me tonight so I might as well make this good. They have to respect this business. It’s mine and I built it from the ground up. They both know that I don’t tolerate drama or any other nonsense. I know River said he'd keep being my Dom separate at work, but the look in his eyes right now tells me a whole different story. It's easy to see how much they detest one another. I don't understand how two people who just met can hate each other so fucking much. Men are supposed to be drama free. This is why I hang out with mostly men. To avoid all that drama bullshit that women create. I look at women and generally think they smell like drama and a headache. Men are laid back and easy going. Today, that isn’t the case. Right now, I have two alpha males seated firmly atop their high horses. I can already feel my head beginning to hurt. Christ help me when Cas walks back through the door. Three alpha males under one fucking roof. I may say “to hell with it” and burn it to the fucking ground.
I make another face. “Apologize to each other, right now.”
“Sorry,” I hear River mutter.
“Sorry,” Kade follows suit.
“Now shake fucking hands,” I command.
Both men extend hands and embrace in a strong handshake. There’s no doubt in my mind that the handshake is a physical test to see who’s stronger and I would be willing to bet they’re squeezing the hell out of each others’ hands. I can’t even imagine how life in the shop will be now. River, my boyfriend, Dom, and employee, working alongside Kade, my best friend, who apparently has a thing for me and doesn't bother hiding it. This has drama and a headache written all over it.
I’ve been sitting in my recliner for the better part of an hour. Lola is on her knees in front of me, her head dropped and her hands folded in her lap while she pouts. Kade returning to Skin Deep has stirred the pot. He can’t stand me and I can’t stand him because he wants what’s Mine. Lola has been whining and pouting, saying that he is her friend. She promises to keep it that way and make it clear to him that she's Mine, but I still don't like it. Kade doesn’t give a shit that she and I are dating. I think if he knew that she and I were in a BDSM relationship, he would throw a fucking hissy fit.
“Princess, stop making that face,” I tell her sternly. “If there's one thing you'll learn, it’s that pouting won’t always get you what you want from me.”
“But, Daddy, I -”
I interrupt her, “Stop it. This is serious. I don't like how he talks to you. I don’t like how he talks about me. And you hired him right back into the shop.”
She makes another pouty face and I see her bottom lip quiver. It kills me seeing her like this, but it’s in her best interest that I keep her away from Kade. I don’t trust him with her. And for good reason too.
“But, Daddy, I need the staff in my shop.”
“I know you do, which is why I'm trying to make the best decision possible. I need to ensure that you are protected and that your shop is covered.” I explain. “I understand that we have a bit of an unusual situation and that I have to take care in what I decide for you. Whatever I do decide, I need you to know that it is in your best interest.”
She sniffles and gives me a little nod. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Which is why I'll allow Kade to come back to shop. But the relationship will be purely professional between the two of you. You'll only be allowed to see him inside of work, seeing him outside of work is strictly forbidden. Failure to comply will result in punishment.” I tell her in a smooth, stern voice as I lift her chin with my fingers. “Do you understand me, princess?”
“Yes, Daddy, I understand,” she whimpers.
“That’s my good girl. You have to know that I'm doing this for your safety. I'm looking out for you, princess. I don't trust Kade, and while I understand that he was your friend before, I don’t believe that’s the case now.”
“If you would just give him some time and get to know him -”
“Fine, I have an idea…a compromise, if you will.” I cut her off mid plea, remembering to keep my tone as flat as I can. “You are not to fraternize with Kade outside of work until I have “gotten to know him better” unless I am there. This is the only bargain I’m willing to give baby.”
But, Daddy…what about -”
“No, Lola, that is my decision and that is final.” I say, “Do you understand me?”
She nods.
“Do you understand me, Lola?”
“Yes.” She concedes with a sigh.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Daddy, I understand.”
I place a hand tenderly on the back of her head and draw her head to my lap where I begin petting her hair. “I'm only looking out for you baby. I'm doing this for your sake. You just have to trust me on this one.”
She gives me a little nod as I begin running my fingers through her hair. “Daddy cares for you princess and he only wants what’s best for you. I’m worried that if you continue to have a relationship with Kade, as you did before, that you'll only end up hurt.”
“But, you don’t even know him, Daddy.”
I take a deep breath and release it slowly. “Just trust Daddy. You do trust Daddy, right?”
“Yes, Daddy, I trust you,” she replies softly to me.
“Daddy knew someone like him once,” I tell her, “I'm worried that if things continue as they were before he left, you'll end up getting seriously hurt.”
She snuggles her head into my lap and gives me a little nod. I know she's upset by the entire situation, but she certainly served both Kade and me our asses on a silver platter today. She made it clear to him that she's with me and made every possible attempt to diffuse the situation, but it is what it is.
“Now that this has all been handled, we can move on, princess,” I tell her, “I'm sorry it had to be this way.
“I'm sorry too,” she says, letting out a sigh.
“It's for the best,” I tell her, “but enough about all of that. Princess, Daddy, has something really special for you.”
She looks up at me with wide eyes and gives me a little smile. “You have something for me?”
“I do princess. I’ve had it in the works for a while, but it’s something I had made, just for you. It’s just taken a while for it to get finished.”
She immediately perks up onto her knees. “Oh, Daddy, can I see? Can I see, please?”
I chuckle and tuck her hair behind her ear. For a woman with zero experience as a sub, she certainly is a natural. “Why don’t you go in Daddy’s room, in the drawer of the nightstand, there's a little box. Don't open it, bring it here.”
She nods, stands quietly, and darts to my bedroom. Moments later she returns smiling and presents me with the little black, heart-shaped box as she gets on her knees in front of me.
“You remember how Daddy gave you a collar to wear when it’s just us?”
She nods again, studying the little box in my hands.
“Well, Daddy had something special made just for you, princess. Collars are very special. It’s a way of saying that you're mine. Daddy thought you might like to have one to wear during the day. Something unique and beautiful that says that you're mine.”
Her eyes light up, “Really?”
“Really,” I tell her, “I went to the lady who makes custom jewelry and had her make something just for you.”
“Oh, Daddy,” she sighs, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, just say that you’ll accept it,” I chuckle.
“Of course! You know I will,” she smiles brightly making her eyes light up.
“Would you like to see?”
She gives me another nod and stares down at the heart-shaped box that I'm slowly twirling in my hands. I smile and slowly take off the top. She stares down at the beautiful collar, with it's long chain and light pink lock, adorned with flowers and light pink crystals.
“Oh…” she sighs softly as
I pull it from the little box. “Oh, it’s so beautiful.”
“You like it?” I ask, “I made sure she made the lock your favorite color.”
“You remembered my favorite color,” she blushes.
“Daddy would never forget, princess.”
She studies it carefully and then looks at me, “How do I put it on?”
“I will put it on for you princess,” I smile as I unlock the little heart lock with one of the two keys I have. I remove it from its loop and place it in the box as I let the chain hang on her neck like a little scarf. “This is a locking day collar. This will literally be locked on your neck. I will have one key and you will have the other in case an emergency comes up.” I explain as I take the locking loop and feed it through the other end, pulling it gently up to her neck like a choker. “I am going to make sure that this comes off for bath time so the water doesn’t ruin it and before bed for safety,” I tell her, placing the lock on the locking loop and clicking it in place.
She brings her fingers up to touch the lock and she smiles. “Daddy, it’s so beautiful. Thank you.”
“I was hoping that you'd like it as much as I do.”
“I love it,” she beams.
“Lola, I have to be honest with you. You're doing extraordinarily. I'm so impressed with how you've taken to all of this. I'm very proud of you, princess.”
She blushes a lovely shade of pink. “I really want to make you happy.”
“Princess, you're doing incredible. You've taken to things so well, you’re a complete natural, and I’d never guess that you had never been a sub before this.”
“Really?”
“Really. I'm just me being honest.”
She gives me another smile and places her head on my lap again. I begin petting her hair slowly, I feel her start to relax as she sighs. All things about Kade aside, tonight has ended on a much better note.
It's only been a few days since River gave me my day collar, today I find myself in the shop trying to redo the entire schedule to accommodate all of us. It's by far the most difficult thing I've done in a while. River has made it crystal clear that he doesn’t want me working with Kade if at all possible. At the same time, I can’t always work with River and I can’t always make Cas and Kade open the shop when they have customers who need afternoon and night sessions. Here I am, back to finally having four damn employees and I feel like the schedule is as hard now as when I just had three of us to work with. I rub slow circles on my temples with one hand, the other coming up to caress my day collar chain and lock, I grab it and just hold it. It’s remarkable how I feel in this thing, it's like I have a physical reminder that I'm River's and I'm safe. This thin little chain reminds me that he will protect me. When I woke up for work, I nearly forgot it and almost had a panic attack. I went rushing back for it and River met me at the door, calming me and putting it on for me. Who knew you could become so attached to something you’ve only had a few days? He swears it’s completely normal so I am taking his word for it.
Skin Deep Page 14
