Page 5 of Her Honey Pot (Sweet Treats 3)

Holy shit. My dad’s part of some swingers club with his buddies and their daughters.

“You must be shitting me,” I say slowly.

Brent shakes his head.

“No, I’m not. You’ve already seen the evidence.”

Holy cow.

“How long have you been doing this?” I demand.

Brent looks me full in the eye.

“Ever since your mom and I got divorced. I swear, before that, I never touched another woman. I’ve know about Dads and Daughters for years now, but I never stepped out on your mom. It was only until the divorce became final that I activated my membership.”

I’m still so surprised that I can hardly move.

“Did Regina know about Dads and Daughters?” I ask in a choked voice.

He shakes his head.

“No, never. The group only offers membership to single or divorced men. Even if a man is separated, that’s not enough. We’re a small, close-knit community, sweetheart, so we don’t want to trample on anyone’s emotions. We vet our members thoroughly, and we’re very careful about who can join.”

“So you’ve been … um, having relations with young women for the last year when you drive.”

Brent nods somberly.

“It makes my job that much better, sweetheart. I know this is a shock to you, but my job is difficult. I’m on the road by myself for weeks at a time, eating greasy take-out while listening country music. A man gets lonely, and it’s not easy to find companionship. Would you rather I hired a hooker?”

“No!” I almost scream. “Of course not. But I had no idea that a dirty club like this could exist.”

Brent nods.

“I know, Marni. You’re young and innocent, and this kind of thing isn’t for a sweet girl like yourself.”

I stop him right there.

“But why is Jessica in it?”

He pauses for a moment.

“Jessica is in Dads and Daughters because she asked to be included,” he says delicately. “She’s been aware of Dads and Daughters for a while now, and she’s been bugging Tex to sponsor her ever since she was sixteen. Of course, he refused because it’s against the rules, not to mention illegal. But after she turned eighteen, Tex sponsored her, and now Jessica’s begun her trial membership. She’s going to try it out for a few months, and then we’ll decide as a group whether to extend her permanent membership.”

I choke.

“Wait. So Jessica’s a member, but I’m not?”

My dad looks frustrated, and a little sad.

“Yes, Marni, and that’s how I’d like to keep it. You and Jess may be best friends, but you’re nothing like one another. Jessica’s a wild child who loves going out and meeting boys, whereas Marni, you’re still reading romance novels where the heroine is whisked off by Scottish Highlanders.”

“Don’t make fun of my books!” I say indignantly. “At least I read!”

My dad nods.

“Yes, but that’s my point, honey. You’re a bookworm and not ready for Dads and Daughters. You’re not the kind of girl who’s ready for this lifestyle. Imagine it honey. Truckers pull into our little city, or the city next door. You show up at the truck stop to meet him, exchange a few kisses, and then bam! You’re in his cab with him. Is that what you want?”

My dad’s right. This is nothing like the books I read. In my romance novels, usually the heroine’s dating a man who’s a prince or a billionaire. She’s generally whisked off to a castle, or at least a ten-figure penthouse in New York City. Making love in a truck cab on a grimy mattress doesn’t really figure into these fantasies.

But this is real life, and there are real-life concerns.

“Are they going to let you stay in the Dads and Daughters club if I don’t join?” I ask slowly.

Brent sighs for what feels like the umpteenth time.

“It depends. They know that you turned eighteen a couple months ago, but I asked for an extension on your behalf. I explained to them about you, Marni. You’re just not ready. You’re not the type, full stop. This is a group where dads and daughters share, and you’re not like that. You’re going to go to college and be a professional woman. Hell, you might even be President one day!”

I snort because no job seems worse than being President of the United States, although I’m flattered my dad believes in me. But still, I have to think about this.

“Dad, this has been a huge shock to me,” I say slowly. “I can’t believe you’re part of a dirty swingers club.”

Brent shrugs and his expression is grave.

“I know, Marni. But a man has needs and this group has been around for decades, if you can believe it. They’ve been swapping daughters for years now, and some of these daughters grow up to be very happy, well-adjusted women. They span the gamut, from high-powered professionals to stay at home moms. There’s no permanent damage, and everyone benefits.”

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