Sloane turned her attention back to Marley. “So you and James? Wow, that’s cool. He hasn’t had a sub since Karen ran off with that old guy. I thought he’d given up on women.”
Marley smiled, shifting in her chair.
“Tell us about yourself, Marley. Are you from Dallas? How did you meet James?”
Maybe they didn’t know. Good! “I’m from Abilene, and his assistant Milton introduced us. He thought we might hit it off.”
“Obviously ole Milty was right. You moved in with him. Is that right?” Sloane leaned forward.
“Sloane! We don’t need to give Marley the third degree,” Kimberly said, smoothing a napkin in her lap.
Shaking her head, Marley replied, “No, Kimberly, it’s okay. Yes, we’re living together. I moved in a couple of weeks ago.”
“Damn, he works fast. I’ve never heard of you, and James and I go back forever.” Sloane furrowed her brow.
“It was rather sudden.” She laughed nervously. “So how do you and James know each other?”
“College. We both went to the University of Texas in Austin. It just doesn’t seem like him… such a workaholic. He never goes out with us anymore. I didn’t think he had time for women.” The waiter brought their drinks and Sloane took a big sip.
“Sloane, not everybody needs to work all the time like you,” Kimberly pointed out.
“Well, I know that, Kimberly, I just thought… well, anyway, I’m happy for you two. If anyone deserves a good woman, it’s James. He’s a great guy.”
Marley beamed. “He is.”
Two more young women walked through the door. They waved when they saw the group and approached their table. Kimberly introduced them as Carmen and Nellie.
Carmen mouthed ‘hi,’ waving as she came toward the table. A halo of chocolate curls surrounded her cherubic face. Marley liked her right away.
“You wouldn’t believe the traffic! Are we the last ones here?” Nellie’s entrance was more dramatic. She spoke louder than was necessary with a thick Southern accent. She reminded Marley of a beauty queen, poised with ‘fixed’ blond hair.
Nellie flounced the latest Louis Vuitton bag onto the floor beside her seat and peered intently at Marley. “You must be Marley!” Her broad smile seemed rehearsed. Marley hoped it was genuine because this one intimidated her.
Marley nodded wordlessly.
Sloane addressed Nellie’s question. “Charmaine’s supposed to be coming. You don’t really think you’d be later than her, do you?” She rolled her eyes.
Nellie twittered. “Oh no, I guess not.” She fussed with the napkin she’d just pulled into her lap. “What are you girls having?”
“Tea and Long Island iced tea,” Kimberly answered.
“Ooh! I’ll have one of those,” Nellie said.
“Sweet tea for me,” Carmen said. “I have to work this afternoon.”
“Oh? What do you do?” Marley asked, seizing the opportunity to take the attention off her.
“I’m an artist.” Carmen said.
“Fascinating. What kind of art?” Marley asked, determined to steer the conversation.
“Painting. Portraits, among other things. I have a deadline so I’m working a lot lately. Can’t believe I came out to lunch today.” She fidgeted with her fingers.
“Carmen, you can’t stay in that loft all day long every day with all those paint fumes and never leave your studio!” Nellie shook her head, beseeching the other girls, “Am I right?”
“It is important to take a break every once in a while,” Kimberly agreed.
“I know. I know. That’s why I’m here today. And to meet Marley.” She smiled at Marley.
The attention was back on her. A droplet of sweat rolled down Marley’s back. She smiled at the group.
“Lucinda’s on tour, but you know she knows James,” Nellie said to Marley.
“Oh, who’s Lucinda?” Marley asked.
“She’s a member of the club, too. She’s a pianist, a former student of James’ mom. She and James have known each other forever. I think she started lessons around age five. James is kind of like a big brother to her,” Sloane said.
So James’ mother was a piano teacher? And this Lucinda was like a sister to him? Why hadn’t he mentioned that to her?
Thrown, Marley nodded. “Oh. So y’all have a club?”
They nodded. Nellie said, “Yes, it’s loads of fun! We tell each other everything.” Nellie had been a cheerleader and a sorority girl in school. Marley would lay money on it.
“Nellie! Marley does not have to tell us everything. You’ll scare the poor girl off,” Kimberly said.
Thank God for Kimberly. Marley exhaled.
“A few years ago, I met a few girls who were in relationships similar to mine. We talked about how our other girlfriends didn’t really understand the daddy/little girl dynamics we had in our relationships,” Kimberly explained. “So we made a point to get together. It evolved slowly, but eventually it became a kind of club. Nothing formal. Just a way for us to be around other girls who have similar interests.”
“So how did you know that you wanted to be in a relationship like that?” Marley asked.
Kimberly laughed. “I didn’t. For me it just kind of evolved into that.” She shrugged.
“I met my daddy, and he showed me the ropes,” Nellie said.
Sloane snorted. “Ropes.”
The other girls laughed. Marley did too. She’d been shown some ropes. Recently.
“I’m between daddies right now,” Sloane said. “So is Charmaine. Where is that twerp? It would be nice if she could be on time just once.” She glanced at the diamond watch that dangled from her thin wrist.
Kimberly explained to Marley, “Charmaine’s a professional party girl. She usually sleeps all day.”
“She doesn’t have a job?” Marley asked.
“Oh, no. Charmaine has a trust fund. A big one. I can’t picture her working. She’d be a disaster.” Kimberly laughed.
“What about you, Carmen? What’s your daddy like?” Marley asked.
Carmen gazed at Marley with eyes that were either green or blue. It was hard to tell.
“Carmen has the Mac Daddy!” Nellie giggled.
“What?” Marley knitted her brows.
Sloane looked around to be sure she wasn’t overheard. “Carmen’s daddy plays for the Dallas Vipers.” She put a finger to her lips. “We keep quiet about everybody’s business, because it’s the right thing to do, but also because some people in the club date celebrities.”
“Oh.” Marley’s ears perked up. “What position does he play?”
“Wide receiver,” Carmen said.
“It’s not Natron Dakers, is it?” Marley teased.
Carmen nodded reverently.
“You’re kidding!” Marley squealed. Natron Dakers was one of the most famous football players in the country. Even though Marley wasn’t a huge football fan, she knew about him. The man was featured in at least three commercials every time she turned on the television.
Carmen weighed a good thirty pounds more than the swimsuit models most celebrities seemed to prefer. Good for her. Hell, good for him! Carmen was darling, and she exuded a great energy that made Marley want to get to know her better.
Just then, one of the most gorgeous girls Marley had ever seen stepped inside the door and removed her sunglasses. Charmaine. Had to be.
The beauty stalked over to their table and tossed out an unenthusiastic, “Hello.”
The girls greeted her and introduced Marley.
Charmaine smiled wanly at Marley, then slunk down into a chair and slipped back on the sunglasses.
“Really?” Sloane asked. “You’re twenty minutes late.”
“Sorry,” Charmaine mumbled.
“Hungover?” Carmen asked sympathetically.
“God, yes. Who do you gotta screw around here to get a Bloody Mary?” Charmaine bellowed. A waiter scampered over and took her order.
“What’s got you so g
rumpy?” Sloane asked.
“Nothing. I was just up all night. I could use some sleep, that’s all.”
“What did you do last night?” Kimberly asked cheerfully.
“Went to hear that new band, the Plaid Richies,” Charmaine said with little enthusiasm.
“How was it? I heard they’re amazeballs!” Nellie said.
“They are.” Charmaine sipped her Bloody Mary, which arrived in record time. “Amazeballs. Don’t let me interrupt. What were y’all talking about? Anything juicy?”
“We were just telling Marley about our club,” Kimberly said.
Charmaine nodded. “These are some good girls, Marley. You’ll like them.” She offered Marley a crooked grin. “So where’s Lucy?”
“On tour,” Kimberly answered.
“Figures. I wanted to know what’s up with that dom of hers.” Charmaine slid a celery stalk between her full, red lips.
Marley thought Nellie had high maintenance hair. But she couldn’t stop staring at Charmaine’s. It was impossible to tell what the original color might be. Charmaine’s hair was streaked with several shades of golden brown and honey blond. It was striped. Like a tiger.
Charmaine took her sunglasses off again, this time zipping them into her purse. Her blue eyes were bloodshot, but they were a striking blue so deep, Marley wondered if they were contact lenses.
“Lucy’s dom?” Marley asked.
“Yeah. Her daddy.” Charmaine placed her menu in the center of the table. “Have y’all ordered? I’m dying for a cheeseburger.”
After they ordered lunch Marley asked, “So what’s going on with Lucinda’s daddy?” It might not be fair to talk about Lucinda when she wasn’t there, but it was safer than asking the girls about their own situations.
Sloane cut her eyes at Charmaine. “We really shouldn’t talk about Lucy when she’s not here.”
“Fine.” Charmaine turned to Marley. “It’s nothing. Last time she complained that her daddy was too controlling.”
“I know I’m new at this, but isn’t that how they are, these daddies?”
Charmaine choked on her drink. When she recovered, she said, “Good point, Marley.” Looking at the other girls, she added, “I like her.”
Kimberly said, “Yes, Marley. That is one of the points. But every relationship is different, and all of us have different levels of control we’re comfortable with. For example, some of the things that define my relationship with Charles might not work for some of the other girls. Some of the things Mason does with Nellie might creep me out. There are degrees…”
Nellie pursed her lips. “What does Mason do to me that creeps you out?”
Kimberly sighed. “Nothing. It was just an example.”
“If you say so,” Nellie pouted.
“I see,” Marley replied.
“Sorry I brought it up. What else is new?” Charmaine asked.
Sloane told them about her upcoming fashion show and asked them to mark the date in their calendars. Kimberly shared her problems getting her wedding plans started. Charles’ ex-wife had stalled progress by not cooperating about committing to a date for Charles’ son to be available to be in the wedding.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to get the lawyers involved,” Kimberly sighed.
“That’s what my father does. With all his ex-wives. Easier that way, and less messy,” Charmaine said.
“But that’s so cold,” Kimberly said.
Charmaine raised a shoulder as if to say, “So what?”
Carmen talked about her current project, a portrait of a country music star and the young soap opera star he was engaged to marry. “It’s supposed to be a surprise for her birthday so I’ve got to make it happen.” She sighed. “You can’t exactly move someone’s birthday. I’m having trouble with her nose. If I could just get that nose…”
“Nellie, what’s new with you?” Sloane asked.
“Not much. I’m redecorating the downstairs, we’re getting new hardwood floors next week, and Mason’s taking me to Paris in the spring. I’m trying to learn French before we go.” Nellie said.
“Must be nice,” Kimberly said.
“Oh, it is. What about you, Marley? You don’t work, do you? Maybe you and I can have some fun. Do you like to shop?” Nellie’s face brightened.
“No. I’m not working right now. I’m going back to school in January,” Marley said. Going shopping with James had been fun, but she wasn’t sure about spending an entire day shopping with Nellie.
“What about shopping? Do you like to shop?” Nellie pressed.
“A little. James took me last week. I don’t think there’s much else that I need, thanks.” Marley fumbled over the words. She didn’t want to offend Nellie.
“Oh. Well, maybe we can do something else,” Nellie said, undeterred by the attempted brushoff.
“Don’t worry, Marley. No one likes to shop as much as Nellie. Not even me,” Charmaine noted. Marley was grateful for Charmaine’s intervention. Something drew her to the surly girl of the bad attitude.
“Okay, enough with the boring stuff—I want to know who’s got something juicy to spill,” Charmaine said.
The girls all looked at each other.
“Nothing? C’mon. I haven’t had sex in weeks. Surely someone’s got something fresh to tell me about,” Charmaine prodded.
“Natron’s either practicing or on the road this time of year. We barely see each other,” Carmen said.
Nellie shrugged. Kimberly shook her head.
Marley spoke up. “What about punishments? Do you guys get lots of punishments? I’m kinda worried about that.”
“Only when I’m naughty. Or bratty. Which happens about once a week. I usually get a spanking, but if I’m really bad, Daddy will withhold my orgasms. I hate that!” Nellie shook her head slowly. “That’s the worst.”
The other girls agreed.
“I had one daddy who wouldn’t let me pee.” Charmaine said.
“Oh my God!” Marley exclaimed.
“Eewww!” Nellie squealed.
“Yeah. That was the end of that.” Charmaine laughed and slammed her empty glass on the table. She scanned the room and signaled to a waiter for a refill.
“That’s horrible. You’d get a bladder infection,” Kimberly said.
The other girls nodded.
“Charles mostly spanks me, but sometimes he tickles me. I hate tickling! It’s so perverse that tickling makes you laugh. There is nothing funny about it.” Kimberly shuddered.
“Oh my God, he tickles you?” Sloane asked.
“Yes, and it’s the worst!” Kimberly exclaimed.
Charmaine turned to Marley. “Most daddy doms use spankings and orgasm denial as punishments. There are all sorts of other creative things, and some do whip their subs, but daddies are generally not sadistic doms. They love their little girls too much, and true pain sluts usually want doms who are more into pain.”
“So it’s a dominant/submissive relationship. Just a lighter version?” Marley quizzed.
“I’m not sure if it’s lighter because some of them can be intense, but it usually has less pain involved for pain’s sake,” Kimberly said. “But I’m sure some girls who love pain might find having a daddy dom attractive too.”
“There’s still a power exchange, punishments when you get out of line, and some daddies are into bondage,” Carmen added.
“The bottom line is that you surrender yourself to your daddy. Your main goal is to obey and please him. And a good daddy wants a happy girl, so he pleases her too.” Nellie’s eyes sparkled. “I don’t know why more people don’t do this. There would be fewer divorces if married people put their spouses’ needs above their own.” She frowned.
“Amen to that,” Charmaine said in a bored tone.
“You mentioned bondage… have any of you ever been suspended?” The Long Island tea had given Marley liquid courage.
“You mean with rope bondage?” Charmaine leaned in. “No, but I’ve always wanted to.”
Sloane lifted an eyebrow. “That’s so hot!”
“Charles and I’ve done it. Did James do it to you?” Kimberly grinned.
Marley nodded shyly.
“Well, tell us about it, bitch! God, getting the good stuff out of you guys is like pulling teeth.” Charmaine smacked her hand down on the table. “C’mon. Details.”
Marley recounted the experience, the girls giving her their rapt attention. The more they listened without judging her, the better Marley felt. Maybe she could be friends with these girls. Her heart soared at the thought.
“It sounds like James is really good to you, Marley,” Carmen fanned herself after Marley finished sharing her exploits.
Marley smiled. “He is. I think I’m incredibly lucky.”
Sloane winked at her. “You are. James is a good man. I have something to tell y’all.”
“Ugh. You’ve been holding out on us?” Charmaine scrunched up her face.
“Well, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s just that I saw Rocco the other day, and I think he may have split from his sub,” Sloane said, a twinkle in her eye.
“No way. I thought they were hot and heavy,” Carmen said.
“Sloane has a major crush on this dom Rocco. She’s had it bad for him for years.” Kimberly whispered to Marley.
Marley nodded.
“Where was he? What was he doing?” Nellie leaned forward to catch every detail.
“Pumping gas, of all places,” Sloane said. “I flagged him down from a few pumps away like a giddy schoolgirl. It was embarrassing.”
“Hey, lots of doms like schoolgirls,” Charmaine noted.
“Okay. But I mean I probably made a fool of myself being too eager.” Sloane winced.
“I doubt it,” Carmen said.
“Anyway, I said hi, asked him what was new. He said not much, and when I asked about Angelique, he said they were taking a break.” Sloane grinned. “I said I was sorry to hear that and said, ‘Oh, we’ll have to get together.’ That was too forward, wasn’t it?”
“Depends on if he calls you,” Charmaine said.
“He hasn’t yet. That was about a week ago.” Sloane’s shoulders slumped.
“Maybe he’ll call you real soon, sugar,” Nellie said reassuringly. The other girls made noises, encouraging and sympathetic.
Daddy Morebucks Page 10
