Daddy’s Bad Girl (Love for the Holidays #12)

Chapter 1

Emma

I grab my scissors and snip carefully at the red cord before holding up my new creation. From the crimson string dangles a puffy enamel heart, and I smile because this is the culmination of my hard work: a gorgeous piece of jewelry that I’m going to sell through my Etsy shop, Redline and Roses.

It’s a simple concept, actually. A string tied around the wrist has a variety of meanings, depending on the cultural or spiritual tradition.

In some instances, the cord symbolizes protection, good luck, in addition to warding off negative energies.

In other traditions, like Kabbalah, it’s seen as a connection to the divine or a symbol of redemption, and celebrities from Madonna to Demi Moore don the red cords as talismans.

But it’s not about celebrities and famous people for me because I’m not in it for the money.

I’m in it for the karma. I want to spread good vibes, and it’s working because my pieces are being snapped up, and business is booming as a result.

But Redline and Roses isn’t my full-time gig because my real focus is getting through a heavy load of pre-med classes at Evergreen State College.

It’s a slog, and after two and a half years of all-nighters, blood shot eyes, countless cups of coffee, not to mention quite a few sessions of tears and ugly crying, I’m nearing the culmination.

The medical school admissions test is on my calendar, so I’ve been hitting the books even more than usual.

In addition to my regular course load, I’ve been taking a prep class and putting in extra hours reviewing study materials.

Obviously, I’m frazzled, wired, and stressed out to the max, with chemicals and compounds practically pouring out of my ears.

“That looks gorgeous,” my roomie Minnie remarks from her desk while glancing at the necklace. “It’s really beautiful, Emma.”

“Thanks,” I smile. “I think I’m going to offer it for twenty bucks on my store.”

“Only twenty bucks?” Minnie asks in a wry voice. “Em, that’s too cheap. I’ve been watching you labor over that piece for at least two hours. Surely, your time is worth more than that!”

I cock my head to the side, a small smile playing at my lips.

“Yeah maybe, but my business is about more than money. Redline and Roses is also about spreading good fortune and bringing good karma to those who deserve it, so my main goal is to get these pieces to the people who need them. I want my stuff to be affordable for customers, and I think it only brings good luck back to me by making sure that my products land in the right hands.”

Minnie lets out a low whistle, nodding with appreciation.

“Wow, girlfriend. You’re such a do-gooder and I really admire you. But then again, I guess it’s to be expected because you are pre-med. You’re going into a profession that’s all about helping people, so this is totally in line with your overall life goals.”

I smile wryly at my pretty blonde friend.

“Yeah, except that the pre-med stuff is driving me crazy,” I say. “I mean, I pulled three all-nighters this week. Look at me! My eyes have wrinkles at the corners, my skin is sallow, and I swear I’ve put on ten pounds from the three bags of Cheetos I ate during those marathon study sessions.”

Minnie shakes her head.

“Yes, but you’re gorgeous, Em. Everyone knows it.

You’re the perfect representation of a modern woman because you’re super-smart yet beautiful, and you’re going to save the world too!

Who cares if you have extra poundage? No guy wants a stick figure in bed, and you have plenty of the good stuff to keep them coming back. ”

I shoot my friend a wry smile.

“Yeah, except I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“But that’s because you don’t want a boyfriend,” Minnie sings. “Guys definitely ask you out. I mean, there was that guy from the other dorm, what was his name? Oh yeah, Harald. He looks like a blacksmith from a Disney movie, he’s so handsome!”

I giggle at the description.

“He’s a blacksmith? Not a prince?”

Minnie gives a small snort of laughter, her bangs blowing up from her forehead in the process.

“Listen girlfriend, sometimes the hunky blacksmith is a better catch than the prince. I mean, Prince Charming can be fey. I really mean it because all he does is attend banquets and pull out his sword at ceremonial events. Meanwhile, it’s the blacksmith who’s athletic and powerful, manipulating molten metal while working with heavy anvils, hammers, and tongs.

That’s sexy, girlfriend. I don’t want a fake alpha male. I want the real thing .”

I let out a low whistle.

“We all do, Min. And let me know when you find him because I don’t think he’s here, at Evergreen College. He’s elsewhere, like hiding under a rock.”

My buddy lets out a peal of laughter, which is interrupted by her vibrating phone. She reaches for it, and then holds one finger up.

“Hold on, give me one minute,” she mouths while bringing the cell to her ear.

“Hi Mom,” she says. Then, Minnie frowns.

The buzz of her mom’s voice is audible from across the room, and diplomatically, I look away.

It’s hard not to overhear though because Minnie’s mom is obviously upset about something, and my friend looks alternately exasperated, angry, and then resigned.

“Okay, I get it. You have to file more papers because Brad’s being an asshole.

Well, why did you get married in the first place then?

For the lifestyle he could provide, okay.

Got it. Great. Listen Mom, I have to go because I’m studying. Buh-bye!”

Then, she punches “off” with a forceful push of her thumb before rolling her eyes at me.

“Is everything okay?” I ask gingerly. “That sounded rough.”

Minnie snorts.

“My mom’s just being a drama queen, per usual. She’s getting divorced and I think it’s the stupidest thing ever.”

My eyebrows go up.

“Why?”

Minnie rolls her eyes.

“Because Joelle’s such a narcissist. She’s a hot blonde piece even at forty, don’t get me wrong.

But my stepdad is insanely handsome and rich, and it’s clear why she married him: for the sex, and for his money.

I guess that’s not enough though because now they’re getting a divorce.

Initiated by my mom too,” she says in a resigned tone.

“Does your mom have a career of her own? Is she going to be alright financially? Or does she have a boyfriend already? I know it’s sketchy, but sometimes divorced folks have overlap between their relationships.”

My friend scrunches up her nose.

“Honestly, I have no idea about the boyfriend, but yeah, Joelle has her own job. She’s a nurse and it’s lucrative, don’t get me wrong. Especially since what she’s doing is basically getting people high.”

“ What ?” I screech with laughter. “What are you talking about?”

Minnie rolls her eyes again.

“My mom’s a nurse anesthetist, so she’s out giving patients laughing gas and other such drugs.”

“I’m sure she does more than that,” I say in a wry tone.

“Yeah, definitely,” my friend replies. “I bet there’s ketamine in the mix too, in addition to good ole IV narcotics.

But her salary doesn’t even compare to my stepdad!

That guy’s loaded, and so Joelle’s going to plummet back to earth with a hard thud once the divorce is done.

Plus, my stepdad is H-O-T too, like sizzling to the touch.

If my mom doesn’t want him, then I’ll take him. ”

I have to roll my eyes at that comment.

“Really.”

“Yeah, really!” Minnie says with a naughty smile playing about her lips.

“It’s not like Joelle and Brad have kids or something, and I’m not biologically related to him either.

It’ll be taboo, but you know I love that forbidden stuff.

My romances are all taboo reads with the craziest hook-ups you could possibly imagine.

Like professors with their students, the MILF babysitter, and my most recent favorite .

.. grandpas with their step-granddaughters.

Oooh, that super-age gap stuff is so raunchy! ”

“ Grandpas ?” I practically shriek with laughter. “With their granddaughters !?!?! OMG, I have no words.”

My buddy winks naughtily.

“I’ll forward you one of my ebooks. You’ll love it, Ems. The hot grandzaddies are the best,” she proclaims. “The stories are total mind candy and the sex scenes are out of this world. Trust me, the grandzaddies can still bring it, and you’ll feel so relaxed afterwards.”

I have to laugh because my buddy is hysterical at times.

“Serious Min, I don’t need romance novels for stress relief because I get it another way.”

My friend immediately straightens in her desk chair as I head over to our shared closet. Yes, our dorm room is so small that we literally share a closet, and it’s jam-packed to overflowing with sweaters, skirts, dresses, jeans, and god knows how many pairs of shoes.

“Oh my god, you’re going there, aren’t you?” Minnie whispers, her eyes wide. “OMG, OMG.”

I reappear from the depths of our closet with a black mini-dress. It’s not much bigger than the size of a handkerchief, but the polyester material is incredibly stretchy. It’ll cover all my important spots – just barely.

“Yes, I’m going to Club Z,” I say in a nonchalant tone while stripping off my sweater and jeans.

Then, I survey my curvy figure in the full-length mirror before making a face at myself.

Damn, those three bags of Cheetos worked fast because I swear, I’ve put on ten pounds over the last week or two.

Mentally, I curse the orange puffs, but then remember how much happiness they brought me.

I swear, the manufacturer should start a special membership club because I’d definitely sign up for free giveaways of the weirdly orange cheese puffs.