Daddy, Sir (Dirty Daddies 2024 Anthology #6)

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Lily

Lily sat across from her friend Sasha in a small café, stirring her coffee absentmindedly as she listened. Sasha, bright-eyed and glowing, was gushing about her new Daddy, her words spilling out in excited waves.

“He just gets me, you know? Like, he makes me feel safe, but, still like, I can be playful and vulnerable. I never thought I’d find someone like this,” Sasha said, sighing happily.

Lily forced a smile, nodding. “That’s amazing. I’m really happy for you.”

And she was. Truly. But deep inside, a familiar pang settled in her chest, a whispering voice she tried to ignore. She felt too old, too heavy, too… unlovable for something like that. The idea of someone wanting to take care of her as she craved, to cherish her that way, seemed impossible.

Sasha tilted her head. “What about you? Have you thought about trying to find someone again? It’s been a year since your last date.”

Lily shrugged, shaking her head. “Me? I don’t think that’s in the cards for me.”

“Why not?”

Lily hesitated, then huffed. “I just don’t think I’m what anyone is looking for.”

Sasha reached across the table, squeezing Lily’s hand. “Lily… you deserve love, too. You’re incredible. Any Daddy would be lucky to have you as his little girl.”

Lily’s throat tightened as specific memories played through her mind, but she smiled anyway. “Thanks, Sasha. Maybe someday.”

But deep down, she wasn’t so sure. She’d tried to find a Daddy over the years. And she’d even dated a few nice men. They just weren’t the Daddy she needed.

As they left the restaurant, Lily pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped into the crisp morning air with Sasha by her side. She had a lot on her mind from their conversation, including one person in particular. So, when she glanced ahead, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

She saw him before he saw her.

Greyson .

His name hit her like a sudden gust of wind, knocking the air from her lungs. He was walking right toward her, hands in his pockets, broad shoulders filling out his dark wool coat as he spoke with a woman skipping along next to him. The years had been good to him even with the lines at the corners of his mouth, and the silver threading through his thick hair. Despite that, his presence was the same. Commanding. Unshakable. Breathtaking.

More memories surged through her, but these were all good. His voice, deep and patient, calling her his good girl . The way his hands had guided her, cared for her, punished her. The sharp sting of his palm against her bare skin when she’d misbehaved. Then, the soft kisses that had followed, soothing and possessive all at once.

Her stomach tightened. It had been nearly twenty years. Twenty years of keeping her distance, of pretending she was over him, but in a single moment, she knew she’d been lying to herself the entire time.

Greyson turned his head to face her, and their eyes met.

He paused mid-step, and she braced herself for their reunion, for meeting whoever this woman was. She hadn’t even looked at his companion, but out of her peripheral, she could see curly hair and a much smaller frame than Lily’s. Before Lily could find a way to guard herself, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms without hesitation. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The second his arms wrapped around her, she felt it . That spark. That unshakable sense of belonging she hadn’t felt since the day he walked away from their life together.

She inhaled sharply, breathing him in, taking in the faint traces of his spicy cologne, the same one he’d worn all those years ago. Her fingers clenched in his coat, and for the briefest second, she wanted to hold on, to stay in the safety of his embrace.

Then, too soon, he pulled back, his gaze searching hers as if looking for something.

Sasha, standing beside them, cleared her throat, a pointed reminder that they weren’t alone. The woman next to him gasped, making Lily’s cheeks heat in embarrassment. Oh, god. Hopefully, she hadn’t made it obvious that she still had feelings for Greyson in front of his girlfriend.

“Lily!” the woman squealed.

For the first time since seeing Greyson, Lily moved her gaze to look at the person beside him, and as soon as she did, a rush of relief swept through her.

“Carly! Oh my gosh,” Lily replied just as excitedly. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

Carly was much younger than she and Greyson, but even so, Lily had always liked her, and they’d gotten along. It seemed like every few years, they randomly ran into each other and said they wanted to make plans but never did.

“You look amazing,” Greyson said, his deep, velvety voice made Lily react the same way it always had, with butterflies erupting in her tummy.

The heat spread over her cheeks and down her neck, and she peered up at him from under her lashes. “Thank you. You look really good, too.”

She needed to get away from him. Even being in his presence for these few seconds was torture. A reminder of the best love she’d ever had, and then lost. Not that she blamed him. He’d served his country, and she had been so proud of him for making that choice. Despite that, losing Greyson had been the hardest thing she’d ever gone through.

Putting on a chirpy voice, Lily brushed her hair over her shoulder. “We have to get going, but it was good seeing you.”

Greyson’s eyebrows furrowed, and she flicked her gaze away before he could look too deeply. The man had always been way too good at reading her. She definitely didn’t want him to know she was lying about needing to go.

Without waiting for a response, she pulled Sasha away from Greyson and Carly, the entire time her friend stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

“What was that?” Sasha asked. “Because he was one fine man, and he was looking at you like you’re an angel.”

Lily shook her head, not wanting to explain. By the time she slid into the passenger seat of Sasha’s car, a heavy ache had settled deep in her chest. She hated to admit it to even herself, but she was still in love with him, even after all this time.

The week dragged on in a blur of half-finished thoughts and restless nights.

Lily tried to focus on her work, sitting at her desk with a spreadsheet open, but the numbers meant nothing because she couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the ghost of her past.

Greyson .

The way his arms had felt around her. Like he was her home.

It was worse at night, when she went home to her empty house. Lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, memories played on a loop in her mind. His firm hand guiding her to kneel. His gruff voice murmuring praise when she was good, sharp commands when she was naughty. The way he had stripped away the weight of adulthood, letting her sink into the safe, blissful innocence of Little space.

She regretted rushing off and not getting his phone number when they’d bumped into each other. All because she was a coward. Fear had held her back. She had no idea if he was single or even thought about her the way she thought about him.

By Friday night, the weight on her chest was unbearable.

She needed an escape. She needed Little space .

After work, she took a long bath, letting the hot water and foamy bubbles soothe her pent-up anxiety. Then she went to her closet, pulling out the dress she hadn’t worn in months, a pastel-pink one with delicate lace trim and a full skirt that made her feel small the second she slipped it over her head. She paired it with white cotton panties with pink hearts all over them, some white lace-trimmed socks, and her favorite Mary Janes.

She braided her hair into two neat pigtails, tying them off with satin bows.

By the time she stepped in front of her mirror, she felt herself already slipping into her favorite headspace. The Playground was exactly what she needed tonight.

The BDSM club was her sanctuary, a place where she didn’t have to think about the real world. The moment she stepped inside, the familiar mix of low music, laughter, and quiet voices wrapped around her like a cocoon. She made a beeline for the Littles’ play area, where colorful mats and plush toys created a world separate from the darker corners of the club.

Sinking to the floor, she picked up a doll and began brushing its hair, letting herself enjoy being her most innocent self. She wasn’t sure how much time passed, and she didn’t care, either. Then…

“Lily.”

Her entire body froze.

The voice was deep. Familiar. Unmistakable.

She didn’t even have to turn around.

Her breath caught, her heart hammering. Slowly, she lifted her head, hands tightening around the doll in her lap.

Greyson.

He was here.