Page 40 of Big Daddy Christmas
Luckily, she was saved from having to do either by a knock on the door. Turning, they both let out another squeal of happiness as a new arrival stepped into the room.
“Aria!”
The tall, willowy brunette grinned and struck a dramatic pose. “I have arrived! The party may now commence!”
Hurrying across the room, Lottie embraced her friend and stepdaughter-to-be. “Come in! Holden brought muffins and the hotel staff should be up in a few minutes to set up the buffet.”
“Oh, good. I’m starved.”
Lottie frowned as Aria plucked a muffin from the basket. “Did you eat last night?”
Pausing with her muffin halfway unwrapped, Aria sent her a look that was so eerily like her father, it was almost creepy especially considering she had Braden’s eyes. “Lottie, you know I love you, but you’re not even two years older than me. You can’t play mom, it’s weird.”
“Sorry.” Pink crept into Lottie's cheeks. “Force of habit. Ask Frankie, I do it to everyone.”
“She does. She’s basically the mom friend of the group, at least when Cordelia’s not around. Though I guess Cordelia would be the dad friend since she’s?—”
“Anyway.” Lottie’s voice pitched up to a shrill squeak as she shot Frankie a glare. “The point is, I worry about all my people. I promise I’m not trying to be your mom because… ew.”
“Okay, good.” Lifting the muffin to her lips, Aria took a bite and then froze, her eyes glazing over a bit as a soft moan escaped. “Oh my god. This is the best muffin I’ve ever had. What’s in this thing? Fairy dust?”
“I have no idea,” Frankie said with a laugh. “Holden has the recipe locked down tight. He won’t even tell me.”
“Holden’s your husband, right? The hot silver fox I passed on my way over here?”
“That’s the one.”
Tilting her head to the side as she chewed, Aria raked her gaze over Frankie’s body, her mind clearly trying to work out the logistics. “How does he, you know… fit?”
“Oh my god, Aria!” Despite her assertions otherwise, Lottie did sound a bit like a horrified mother as she swatted Aria’s arm. “You can’t just ask people things like that!”
“Why not? My dad owns a sex club. I figure you guys know all about each other’s, ya know, private lives.”
Every ounce of color left Lottie’s face, and for a moment Frankie was legitimately concerned she might pass out. “You know about the club?”
Aria rolled her eyes. “Of course I know about the club. Mom told me all about it. I’ve been dying to go but Dad’s being all Dad about it and finding all these excuses not to let me in.”
“Wait.” The corners of Lottie’s mouth dipped down. “He knows you know?”
“Yeah. I’ve been bugging him to let me visit for like a year now.”
“Excuse me.” Spine stiff, Lottie marched toward the door of the suite and Frankie pulled her phone from her pocket with a sigh to shoot a text off to Holden.
“So much for keeping her stress levels down today,” Frankie muttered as she tucked her phone back in her pocket.
“Shit.” Aria winced. “I didn’t realize that was going to cause, like, a whole thing.”
“It’ll be fine.” Hopefully. “But if you really want to see the club, you should come with us tonight. A bunch of us will be going after the wedding to blow off some steam. There probably won’t be anyone for you to play with, but you could watch, get an idea of what the club is like.”
“Really?” Immediately looking perkier, Aria grinned. “You’d do that for me?”
“Sure. You’re of age, there’s really no reason for Braden to keep you away other than him being squicked out that his daughter is getting whipped and railed within an inch of her life.”
“Whipped?” Now it was Aria’s face losing color. “You guys get whipped?”
Thoroughly enjoying herself, Frankie shrugged. “Holden prefers a flogger, but there are a couple guys there pretty skilled with a single tail. Nasty work, those things.”
“Wait. Does that mean… My dad and Lottie…”
