Page 34 of His Lucky Babygirl

“Just a lot going on this week.” Wes pinched the bridge of his nose wondering how he’s supposed to broach the topic of Melody.

“Oh…kay.” Silence stretched out between them.

With a heavy sigh, Wes looked toward the ceiling and spit out what was on his mind. “Graham, how am I supposed to tell my daughter that her mother–your sister–didn’t want to stick around?”

“So telling everyone she’s dead is a better alternative?”

“I never said she was dead.”

“Implications, Wes. Anytime she’s brought up you act like she died.”

“I always thought that Kat would pull her head out of her ass and come back,” he scowled to himself. “It’s always been the two of us. Not that I’m holding a torch for her. That sailed off long ago.”

“Oh, I know. She’s not going to. She left, and cut everyone off. I’m not defending her by any means, but our parents…”

“I know.” He took another swig of beer. “How the fuck do I tell my daughter that her mother didn’t want her?”

“The universe knew that this kid needed not only to exist but needed you. Chose you to mold and shape the best miniature human possible. It just so happened to involve my sister.”

“Thank fuck we’re not goddamn seahorses.” Both men roar in laughter.

Melody pulled into the parking spot behind INK, grabbing her purse and heading for the back door.

She walked through the back hall, passing the office and headed toward the front desk. Melody paused, her attention caught by Lexi awkwardly standing at one of the empty artist stations. “Lexi, are you good?”

“Hey!” Her smile was forced. “I thought about a change of pace.” She evaded, crying out as she was jolted. “Fuck! Dammit, Noah!”

“Someone earned an electrifying punishment and standing is the preferred position.” Noah arched a knowing brow in Lexi’s direction. “Are you doing your task?”

Lexi’s words were too mumbled for Melody to hear.

“Alexis Rae Hayes…”

“Fuck,” Lexi huffed and pasted a sweet smile on her face. “I am doing my lines, Sir.”

Melody admired them quietly. She loved the way they fluttered together, they were balanced. The chemistry between them was something to watch when they were in their element at the club.

Noah leaned against the wall, observing Lexi closely. With his phone in hand, Melody could see his thumb subtly moved over the screen. His grin widened every time Lexi groaned and pressed her thighs together.

Melody felt someone step behind her. “Don’t think it’s something I wouldn’t do, little girl,” Wes’ darkly whispered words warmed her to the core.

She gasped and Melody was slammed with the image of her in Lexi’s place.

Wes would stand over her holding one of his wooden paddles watching as she wrote lines.

‘If it’s not good enough for someone I love, it’s not good enough for me’

Her eyes closed with a whimper at the thought of the paddle cracking across her ass after every line.

“Thank you, Sir,” she whispered, covering her mouth as soon as she realized her transgression. “Oh, I.”

“Hmm, I’ll remember that.” Wes stepped away, heading into the office and leaving her speechless.

Melody’s face flushed and she hurried to the front desk to bury herself in paperwork. She sat in the neon pink and green leather chair she’d convinced them to purchase when she became an employee. She was only half kidding when she brought it up, but was doubly excited when she’d come in to find it waiting for her.

Once it was dark Melody and Wes were left alone at the shop. With no appointments on the books, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up on any lagging oddities that needed to be done around the shop.

“Okay.” Melody popped her gum, sitting on the desk while Wes stood on the other side. “The boys are booked out for the next three months. Quarter and half deposits have been paid or are pending. Oh, I have two interviews for the empty station coming in next Friday. Does that work for you?”

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