Page 17 of Forbidden Fruit (Sweet Treats 7)

I merely smile at him and shrug.

“Well, since we’re keeping secrets from one another, why don’t you tell me about Dads and Daughters?” I ask archly.

James stares at me, his bronzed skin flushing a bit. His jaw hardens and his blue gaze pierces me. But I’m not intimidated. This is my dad we’re talking about, and I want to keep things level.

“What did Owen tell you about the club?” he asks in a low voice.

“He told me everything that I need to know. How long have you been a member?” I ask.

My dad looks like he doesn’t want to answer, but then something indescribable crosses his face. James’s balled fists relax a bit, and he looks me straight in the eye.

“For a long time, Kristy.”

“Since I was born?” I press, looking straight at him.

“No, but ever since I became a trucker,” he says in an even tone. “I’ve been working as a long-haul trucker for years now and I joined Dads and Daughters shortly after I started my career.”

I stare at him.

“So you’ve been sleeping with girls in different cities for decades then?”

My dad’s jaw tightens. He looks like he doesn’t want to answer, but then James nods slowly.

“Maybe not for decades plural, but yes, for at least a decade. It worked for me. I was a single dad, and being a good father has always been my first priority. I didn’t want a relationship with a woman, and yet I had physical needs. As a result, I turned to Dads and Daughters. No one gets hurt, and everyone walks away happy.”

I look at him evenly.

“I’m not totally sold on that statement yet, but let’s not go there for right now. Why didn’t you tell me about your membership?”

My father looks at me evenly.

“Because no father wants his daughter to join. Not really. In fact, I didn’t go to June Merchant’s initiation last night because I was getting ready to quit.”

That’s when I jerk forwards.

“Quit? Hell no, Daddy. After what Owen’s told me, I want to join and I want your support in doing so.”

Immediately, James shakes his head.

“Definitely not. You’re not joining, Kristy. I thought I made that clear.”

“You made nothing clear,” I retort stubbornly. “I want to join, and I want Owen to be my initiator. You can make this happen, Daddy.”

My father is utterly confused now.

“Wait, how did this happen? I don’t get how we went from step one to step twenty. You only just learned about the club. Why do you want to join, and why do you want Owen as your initiator?” he asks. “You don’t even know the guy! Do you even know what happens during an initiation, Kris?”

“I do,” I say smartly. “Owen told me about the ceremony, and we want to go for it with him as my initiator. But we need your help, Daddy. I want you to put my name forward as a potential member.”

James looks utterly confused now.

“Sweetheart, you’re not answering my questions. Do you understand what the daughters do during their residencies with Dads and Daughters? I feel like we’re missing something here. Something major.”

I let out a small laugh then.

“Oh yes, but I’m not going to do that. No, Owen and I want to be exclusive. But I want to join regardless because it feels right. Also, there’s a place called the Lodge in the woods that sounds amazing. It’s filled with lots of fun toys and activities? Something along those lines?”

My dad grows flushed again, and the line of his jaw is hard.

“Yes, there’s the Lodge,” he says in a slow voice. “But what about everything else Kristy? Even if you’re not shared among the truckers, still, you don’t need to join in order to be with Owen. That asshole can quit the club and be with you. It’s as easy as pie.”

But I merely smile enigmatically at James.

“No, I want to join, Daddy. The world is opening up to me, and I want to see what it brings. Last night I was a girl, but now I’m a woman. One night made all the difference, and it’s because of Owen, Daddy. Plus, I think it’s fitting that I join Dads and Daughters. You’ve been a member for ages now, and it feels right to pass it down through the generations. The transition to womanhood has begun, and it’s just right.”

My dad sits stock still at the kitchen table, his big form unmoving. His shoulders look like boulders, and he grits his teeth. I can literally hear them gnashing together like rocks.

“Sweetheart, you’re so young,” he begins.

“But this is what I want,” I finish for him. “I’m sure of it, Daddy. Please?”

James shakes his head curtly again.

“But you don’t really know,” he begins again.

“Yes,” I say firmly. “I do. Please Daddy. For me?”

I can tell James still wants to argue, but he’s also a big teddy bear when it comes to his daughter. My father usually gives me what I want, and this time is no exception. Although his expression is still conflicted, he nods slowly and agrees.

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