Daddy's Searching

A low-slung Italian sports car flashed its lights as they approached. Belinda ran her free hand over the shiny black paint. “This is yours?”

“I confess I have a weakness for powerful machines. I don’t get to drive her often. Want to live on the wild side with me?”

“Only if you won’t go at even half the potential speed this beauty could reach,” Belinda joked.

She’d never ridden in such a fancy car. It both surprised her and didn’t that Pedro owned this vehicle. He definitely made enough money to afford anything he wanted, but Pedro didn’t seem like an adrenaline junkie.

“I assure you I would never risk your safety.”

Pedro helped her into the vehicle and reached across her to fasten her seatbelt into place before closing the door. His assistance occurred so quickly and smoothly that Belinda didn’t protest that she could do it. A flare of jealousy arose inside her.

How many women has he taken care of in this car?

She glared at him through the tinted windshield, sure that he couldn’t see her. Schooling her expression as he slid inside, Belinda tried to push away her jealousy.

“How does the seat feel? You are my first passenger.”

“What? That can’t be right,” Belinda protested, feeling guilty for scowling at him. How did he know what she was thinking?

“I assure you, you are the first to sit in that seat. My excursions are always solitary when I get to drive her.”

“It feels good,” she answered before steering the conversation into safer territory. “So tell me, what are your first impressions of our risk level?”

“Rule number one, no talking about work after hours unless it’s an emergency,” Pedro stated firmly.

“Number one? Will there be a lot of rules?” she teased.

“A few,” he said noncommittally.

“Does that mean I get to set rules, too?” Belinda dared to ask.

“With my approval, yes.”

“You’re in charge?” she asked rebelliously, even as the desire inside her flared hotter because of his dominance.

“Daddies always take care of their Littles. It’s their job. You need a break from all your responsibilities,” Pedro answered in that deep voice that did things to her inside.

“What do you mean by Daddies?” Belinda asked, pretending that she’d never heard of that term.

“My gut tells me you know exactly what I’m talking about but are trying to hide who you truly are. I won’t allow you to do that,” Pedro stated evenly. “We are here, however, and I think you’d prefer to discuss this privately?”

He glanced over at her as he drove to the valet station. Belinda nodded her head vigorously. She definitely didn’t want to talk about that in front of an audience.

Pedro circled the car to help Belinda step smoothly onto the pavement before handing his keys and a tip to the young man, who jumped immediately to get the chance to drive the stunning car.

“Be careful with it, please,” Pedro requested as he placed a guiding hand at the small of Belinda’s back.

“Of course, sir. This is the G.O.A.T. I’ll take care of her.”

“Thank you.”

Belinda loved the smile of amusement on Pedro’s face as they turned to the entrance. “Pretty spectacular to drive a car the valet thinks is the greatest of all time.”

He winked at her as if it were an inside joke between them. “I would bet a few pictures will appear on that young man’s social media sites tonight.”

With his warm hand remaining pressed against the small of her back, Pedro escorted Belinda into the beautiful restaurant. She looked around in fascination. A meal at Les Trésors de la Mar had been on her bucket list since hearing Sharon describe how wonderful it was. The interior was gorgeous. She was super glad she’d abandoned those jeans on the bed and dressed up a bit more.

“Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?” the maître d’ asked as they approached the podium.