Page 5 of XOXO, Daddy
“It’s been a thing most of my life — not fitting in.” I shrugged, my eyes lowering.
“Hey.” His voice, quiet yet firm, pulled my attention as his fingers touched my chin, lifting my eyes to his. “First and foremost, this community is built on trust and acceptance. I can tell you that for certain. Second, you should never have a reason to feel you do not fit in. You are perfect just as you are.” His eyes darkened, narrowing slightly in a way that made me gasp. “And anyone who tells you otherwise? Well, you just send them to me, and I will deal with them.” There was an edge of darkness to his voice, something that made a shiver of fear and delight run through me.
I barely managed to nod.
“Hewwo,” a small, timid voice called from beside me.
“Good job, Brody!” The man sitting above him whispered just loud enough for me to hear. Nerves clutched me, but Adam’s hand touched my shoulder, squeezing in encouragement.
I could only manage a wave at the boy, but it was a start.
A very good start.
“Go make a new friend, Bunny,” Adam whispered. “I need to attend to something, but if you need me, just find a Dungeon Monitor and tell them you are looking for Adam. They will know how to find me. The Monitors all wear those vests, you see?” Hepointed out a Dungeon Monitor in the far corner, wearing one of those bright green and orange vests like a construction worker.
“Okay,” I replied softly, nodding. He urged me with a hand on my back to go talk to the boy.
“Want to play Legos with me?” I asked, biting the bullet and putting myself out there. Brody quickly looked up to his Daddy, who nodded. The blocks were quickly spread across the floor for us to play with.
My eyes looked up with a smile, searching for Adam. He stood in the doorway, a smile on his handsome face as he gave me two thumbs up.
I decided to pretend that his approval didnothave my thighs clenching in desire.
No, that certainly wasn’t what happened.
Not at all.
Chapter Three
One full weekat the new job, and I felt more isolated than ever. The CEO had me bogged down with onboarding crap for my entire first week. A full week, sequestered in my new office, going over pile after pile of paperwork. And not once did he think to even introduce me to my staff. He introduced me to the board, sure, but not my staff.
That would change today. It was my first meeting with the marketing department. Nervously, I looked over my presentation yet again, shuffling papers to have something to do with my hands. Nerves were a bitch.
Deep breath, Willow. You know what you’re doing.
My internal pep talk was interrupted as people began shuffling into the large conference room. Forty-eight people, all shoved tightly into the space, made it feel cramped. It was suffocating. As they each settled into their seats, I plastered on what I hoped was a welcoming smile. There was nothing worse than having a new boss who was fake and distant. I wanted this team to know that I was one of them; that they could come to me. I needed them to trust me.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m so happy to be here and to be a part of this incredible company. You’ve all heard the same spiela hundred times I’m sure, but that’s not what you’re going to get from me. I have packets here outlining the changes I’d like to see in the department, but the most important thing to me is employee well-being. One of the things I was brought in to do is to better manage employee well-being and help find a more suitable work life balance for each of you. So with that in mind, let’s take a moment to get to know each other just a bit. My name is —”
“Willow Ashford?! Is that you!? Oh Em Gee!” With a loud squeal and a flash of dark brown hair, I was nearly tackled to the ground in a surprise attack of hugs.
One week of onboarding? Check.
Being assaulted during my first meeting? Check.
What the hell was happening?
Arms finally released me, and a face came into view.
Shit.
“Alyssa! Oh, um… hi…” I babbled awkwardly.
Alyssa Stone was here.
In my conference room.
As my employee.
