Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Kelsey knew she was about to receive bad news before Marco even opened his mouth.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said to the other women, that charming million-dollar smile of his showing off straight white teeth.
They greeted him back, and Kelsey knew they were admiring how gorgeous he was.
It didn’t bother her. She couldn’t blame them.
Marco was so freaking hot, standing there in his slacks, tight knitted tee, and sports coat.
He sort of looked like an updated version of the guys on that Miami Vice show her dad used to watch reruns of—dressed up and stylish but in a relaxed and casual way.
Every movement seemed easy. His swagger was real and not forced.
Put simply, Marco Ruggieri was naturally sexy. He just had… it.
Kelsey didn’t mind other women looking. After all, she couldn’t stop it. But as long as everyone knew that he was all hers, she was good.
Reading the same look in his eyes she’d seen before—the one that said hey, I don’t like this, but we need to...—she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Marco smiled, seemingly amused by the fact that he couldn’t pull anything over on her.
“Nothing is wrong. I just need to go take care of something with Paulie and Benny. No big deal. I won’t be gone long.”
“I’m not coming with you?”
He shook his head. “Not tonight, honey.”
“Why not?”
He straightened a bit and something changed in his eyes. It was subtle and possible the other ladies didn’t even notice it, but Kelsey sure did. Still, she wasn’t going to drop this so easily.
“Because it’s something work related. Something we need to take care of. Like I said, it won’t take us long and I’ll be back home in just a bit. Some of the guys are going to drive you to the apartment. They’ll see that you get in safely, too. Look at me, honey. This part is very important.”
Kelsey blushed a little. She always did that when Marco went “full Daddy mode” in front of other people. But no one else seemed to mind or pay any attention to it.
Once her eyes were locked with his, he said, “You stay with them until you’re safely inside with all the doors locked. And you don’t leave the apartment under any circumstances. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The words came out before she even realized that some of the others might find it odd that she referred to her boyfriend as Sir. But again, no one seemed to really care.
Kelsey had bigger problems weighing on her mind than being outed as a Little with Marco as her Daddy. Her gut instinct told her whatever he was going to do was dangerous. Even more so than usual.
And experience told her there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
Marco was as stubborn as he was protective. There was no way he was going to bend on this.
So, all she could do, she decided, was take comfort in his promise. They would leave this all behind soon. She had no idea how that would happen—or even what they were leaving behind exactly—but she trusted him.
The other men he’d been talking to came in and started chatting with their respective wives—or maybe they were only girlfriends.
Kelsey didn’t know for sure. She didn’t feel as if she was truly a part of that world, and it seemed as if the others didn’t consider her to be, either.
They were all nice enough, just sort of distant, for whatever reason.
Maybe because at twenty-eight, she was the youngest.
Or maybe it was something else.
Either way, it didn’t bother her. That world wasn’t particularly something she wanted to be close to.
Taking advantage of the moment of privacy, Marco asked her, “Are you sleepy?”
“No. Why?”
“No pressure to wait up for me. But if you want to, why don’t you put on your favorite movie and then I’ll finish it with you when I get home. I really don’t think this’ll take very long.”
Kelsey’s face lit up. “The Princess Diaries?”
Marco kissed her forehead. “It’s your favorite movie, isn’t it?”
“Of course!”
“Then get a few stuffies, cuddle up with ‘em, and watch it until I get back.” He paused long enough to flash her a suggestive smile. “And put on something cute, babydoll. Daddy’s going to need some cuddles when he gets back.”
His wink had her giggling, despite that nervousness that still roiled in the pit of her stomach.
Hey, maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“Okay, Daddy,” she said.
“That’s a good girl.” He hugged her tightly and patted her bottom. “Remember, I love you. And I won’t be gone long.”
She knew he was right about that first part, so she said, “I love you, too, Daddy.”
Unfortunately, Kelsey wasn’t so sure about that second part. Something told her this would take longer than either of them wanted.