Page 57 of Daddy's Pursuit
“There are plenty of rooms we can change in,” Macy said. “Let’s go to the third floor. Hardly anyone ever goes up there.”
There was a back staircase around a corner that Macy knew about, and she led the way to the upper floor.
“It’s a lot quieter up here,” Iris pointed out.
She was glad. There was something about all the people and noise below that made her nervous. It wasn’t that she didn’t like fun. Having a good time was awesome! This party, though, just seemed off to her.
More and more, she was wishing she would have listened to her gut and stayed home.
You don’t have a home. Remember? You’re living with Auntie Athena and that’s why you need this money. Just stay until midnight. It won’t be long. Maybe you’ll even have some fun.
Steadying her nerves, she followed the other girls as they found rooms to change in.
“Meet you all back out here in a second,” she told the others before closing the door.
Inside the room—which looked to be an office of some kind—she shimmied out of her regular diaper and into the swim one. She then got out of her dress and put the two-piece swimsuit on. It was a surprisingly good fit, though it was just a tad too big.
Gathering her things, she opened the door to leave but backed up when a group of five men walked in.
“We’re sorry, little lady. We didn’t know anyone was in here,” the guy in the lead said.
She gulped. “I’m sorry, sir. I was just changing so I can swim.”
The tall, muscular, handsome man’s smile reached his dark eyes. “No need to apologize. Make yourself at home here. What’s your name, honey?”
For some reason, Iris wasn’t sure how much she should reveal to this man. Suddenly, she felt very alone and vulnerable. Five big guys were here and she was just little ol’ her. What could she do if they decided to… well, do something awful?
You don’t have to be afraid of everyone. They’re probably just nice guys who are here to have some fun. Calm down.
“Iris,” she said after a long, tense few seconds.
“That’s a very pretty name,” the man said. “Don’t you think, guys?”
The other four men nodded and voiced their agreement.
Just as Iris was wondering if anything bad was going to come of this, the sea of men parted, giving her access to the door.
“You have fun in the pool, honey. And be careful. I’m sure you have a Daddy who wants you to stay safe.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said with relief.
See, Iris. You misjudged them.
Back in the hall, she found Elena and Macy waiting for her.
She tried to inject as much cheer into her voice as possible. “Let’s go have some fun.”
But inside, even though she was walking away from the men and going downstairs, that sense of dread was still gnawing away at her. Something wasn’t right here.
She just hoped she didn’t figure out what it was too late.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Iris watched Elena and Macy take a running jump and then splash into the pool.
Some of the other Littles around cheered but then went back to their conversations and drinks.
“Hey, Iris,” Elena said. “You gonna get in?”
