Page 9 of Daddy Says

“Well, no.”

Sarah shook her head. “Honey, you didn’t terminate the session because you can’t be what he wants. You terminated it because you got scared.”

“I did not!”

“Say that loud enough and maybe you’ll convince yourself,” Sarah said, standing and gathering up their coffee mugs before heading toward the kitchen. “You can’t possibly deny that there was some sort of instant connection the moment you met. Hell, there were practically sparks shooting between you two. You can’t tell me that you weren’t beyond excited, that you weren’t practically glowing with the anticipation of starting on a journey with this man.” She returned with fresh mugs of coffee. Settling on the couch again, she handed one to Jane. “And just by looking at you right now, I know you are wondering if you’ve made some huge mistake by not taking a chance.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s over and I’ll never see him again,” Jane said, standing. “Thanks for the coffee and thanks for caring, but, Sarah, please just let it be, okay?” Ignoring the sympathy in her best friend’s eyes, she continued, “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up in time to get ready for work.”

* * *

Jane could not believe her eyes. She stood frozen, watching as Sawyer Masterson gave her a smile and a nod as he was escorted to the same table he’d occupied the night before. Despite her terminating the questionnaire, he’d not asked to be seated at any one of the empty tables scattered around the restaurant. No, he’d evidently asked to sit in her section. Instead of approaching, she turned and fled back into the kitchen, running into Sarah, sending the items on the board she’d been holding flying.

“I’m so sorry,” Jane said, instantly dropping to pick up the loaf of bread and the small pot of whipped butter.

“You know better than to blast through the… wait, are you okay? You’re white as a ghost.”

Jane stood, her fingers pressed into the soft dough. “Look, I need you to do me a huge favor. Take table twenty-three.”

“Why? Are you ill?” Sarah asked.

“No, well, not exactly,” Jane said.

Sarah opened the door a bit and peeked out. “Table twenty-three? So much for not seeing your hunk again.”

“He’s not mine. I told you, I’m not interested.”

Sarah shook her head, a small smile on her lips as she tapped the bread board against her thigh. “You know, if I was into topping, you’d be in so much trouble right now, young lady.”

Shocked, Jane just stared at her for a minute, until she asked, “What does that mean?”

“It means that if I was a domme, I’d have you over my lap, and I’d be spanking your little ass for denying what you are desperate to experience.”

“Look, I don’t want to talk about it. Please, just do this for me without asking any more questions.”

Sarah shrugged. “All right, but while I have no problem picturing you as a little princess, I’ve never really considered you a queen before now.”

“Queen?” Jane asked.

“You know, the Queen of De Nile?”

Jane could feel herself blushing as she instantly understood the reference. “I’m not the one in denial, you are if you think I want a daddy. Are you going to help me out or not?”

“Of course. Go take a break before you pass out.”

“No, I’m fine now.”

“Honey, you’ve shredded that poor bread and don’t even realize it. Take five and get yourself together.”

Jane looked down to see nothing but crumbs left in her hands. Dropping the ruined loaf of bread in the trash, she said, “Thanks. I guess I can use a short break.”

After spending a few minutes in the break room, reminding herself that she was a grown woman and not some little girl, and immediately feeling her face heat just thinking those words, Jane knew she needed to prove it. She was just about to push through the door when it swung open to reveal Sarah.

“Oh, good, you’re looking better,” Sarah said. “Look, I’m sorry, but your hunk isn’t interested in ordering—”

“So he left? Well, thanks anyway, and stop calling him that!” Jane said, feeling relieved and disappointed.

Sarah shook her head. “You didn’t let me finish. He said it was his understanding that he was sitting at one of your tables and would like it if you’d serve him.”

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