Page 159 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
He doesn’t respond immediately, but after a minute, as I walk up the steps of my building, a picture pops up on my screen. Black briefs covering a skinny ass. Hairy thighs crisscrossed with too many thin, red welts for me to count.
De Leon: Sent with consent.
I swallow against the pressure in my throat. I understand that people like Brenna and Emily and, I guess, Lindy, want that kind of pain, but I won’t ever be able to stomach it. We play rough and the biting and spanking stings a little, but I’d be fucking horrified if I left marks on my bumble that look like that. I’m so glad Cynnie’s not a masochist.
Is he sorry?
De Leon: Not enough yet. But he will be by Tuesday.
I just wanted to let you know I feel safe today. And to say thank you again.
De Leon: You’re welcome. Lindy’s not going to be able to sit down by Tuesday. Pizza and beer at my place after class?
I shake my head at the screen and text him back before taking the stairs up to my apartment for a little exercise.
Yes.
After a couple of hours of Dutiful with my favorite wingman and a light dinner, since my stomach’s starting to do a two-step at the idea of being introduced to Cynnie’s family, I dress for the party. Spit-shining my dress shoes amuses Ty no end.
He shines my cufflinks (although he refuses to use spit), ribs me about my monkey suit, and watches avidly as I do a Windsor knot in my tie. He vetoes a pocket square, but I like to have a handkerchief with me to clean up my bumble. She’ll be big tonight around her family and their guests, so she might not need it, but I like to be prepared. I tuck a handkerchief in my pocket, fasten on the gleaming cufflinks, and shoot my cuffs.
“What do you think?” I ask.
Ty sniffs. “You look like a grown up.”
“I am a grown up.”
“Naw, you’re cool most of the time.”
“You’re telling me my Dolce suit isn’t cool?”
“Eh. It’s dull. If it was orange, that would be cool.”
I look down at the three-piece, silver-gray, slim-fit, silk suit. “If it was orange, I’d look like a traffic cone.”
Ty sniggers. “You look like you work in an office.”
I ruffle his sponge twists. “I’ll take that. It’s a business party.”
“I thought it was for Cynnie’s gramma?”
“It is. Her whole family’s involved in their business, so it’s a business-birthday party.”
“That’s weird,” Ty opines.
I ruffle his hair again. “You staying and playing Dutiful until we get back?”
Ty shakes his head and his face splits into a huge grin. “I’m taking Dakota to the movies.”
“Yeah? What are you going to see?”
“Killer Bunnies from Heck. It’s, like, a horror movie with comedy.”
“A horror movie with comedy?”
“Yeah. She’ll hide her face against my shoulder during the scary parts and want me to put my arm around her but she’ll laugh at the funny parts and be in a good mood when the movie’s over.”
I hold out my knuckles for him to rap. “My man,thatis how you plan a date.”
