Page 14 of Trained By Her Daddy

“I’m not only serious, I’m also buying. The whole day is on me.”

I jutted a finger in the air. “I’ll be right back.”

I’d never been to Austin before, so I was completely overwhelmed with the 2nd Street district, which was a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. It seemed the avenue was lined with boutiques rather than standard store chains and the owners were unbelievably friendly.

John bought me anything my heart desired, and I’m sure people in the stores thought he was my sugar Daddy. After all, he’s almost twice my age, and his demeanor was gentle but authoritative.

“Let me carry those for you, darlin’,” he insisted, taking the heavy bags filled with new clothes off my hands.

“When you said settle down, young lady in the boutique, I thought the owner’s jaw was going to permanently unhinge.”

“Did it embarrass you to be scolded by your Daddy in public?”

“Y-Yes,” I admitted in a small voice. “Did you really have to do that in front of everyone?”

“The next time you argue with me, you’re going to get a smack on your bottom—and I won’t care where we are or who sees it,” he chided, stopping in front of a café. “Now. Shall we stop for a short break before we continue shopping?”

“If we’re stopping so you can hear my life story, I’m warning you it’s not all that interesting…”

He raised his eyebrows while opening the heavy glass door for me. “Everything about you interests me, Lori.”

After we made ourselves comfortable at a table for two and ordered coffee from the waitress, John tilted his head. “Are you ready to tell me the real reason you decided to write a series of Daddy Dom stories? Because anyone would think your placement on the New York Times bestseller list should have encouraged you to stay in the mystery genre.”

Not wanting to make eye contact with him, I twisted my neck and gazed out the window. “I’d fantasized my whole life about being cared for and loved unconditionally, so it seemed like the right time to put my feelings on paper.”

“I understand the D/s genre has exploded in popularity. But it seems you’re also turned on by it, and you must know some readers like to fantasize about taboo sex. So, I’m wondering why you never included much of that in your books? Were you afraid of the truth?”

“Ahh, the therapist in you emerges once again.”

He chuckled and cupped his hand over mine. “Since you’re staying in my home to be trained in this lifestyle, wouldn’t it be a good time for honesty?”

“Uh-oh. Here’s our waitress…”

“A regular black coffee for the gentleman, and a vanilla latte for the lady. Enjoy, folks!” the server announced, before pivoting on her heels to make a quick exit.

As I watched him blow the steam off his mug, the edges of my lips curled. “I hate to change the subject, but you haven’t told me your story yet.”

“Fair enough,” he said, sitting back in the chair. “I married Jeannie when she was eighteen years old, and Jake was born after our first anniversary. While studying for a degree in psychology, it occurred to me that my wife desperately missed having the love of a real father, so I stepped in and became part husband, part Daddy. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

“I’m so sorry to hear about your wife.”

“Thank you. Unfortunately, my son worries that I’m lonely.”

“But your patient schedule must keep you busy…”

Moving forward in his chair, he took a small sip of coffee. “Okay, enough of my past. I’ve been honest with you, so now it’s your turn.”

Once again, I started to swivel my head toward the window—but he gently grasped my chin and tipped it upward. His hazel eyes were serious and striking.

“My grandfather is a Holocaust survivor.”

“Oh...”

“And my father survived him.”

His voice softened. “Ahh, I’ve done quite a bit of research on survivors of the Holocaust. Sometimes, those who’ve been bullied—turn into bullies.”

Though I had told friends about my family history, it was the first time I’d heard such a compelling response. “At the age of thirteen, my grandfather was herded into a concentration camp where he spent the next five years of his young life with Nazis who tortured him physically and emotionally. It’s understandable why he was a troubled soul who didn’t know how to love.”

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