The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The First Collection, Frost, J [famous ebook reader TXT] 📗

“Also,” I say, thinking of the wonderful collection of teddy bear clothes Martyn must have made and the way he takes care of the historical treasure that is the inn. “Martyn’s interested in things outside the norm.” I hold out Professor Teddington, who has been tucked under my arm as we’ve walked to the restaurant. Piper’s eyes kindle and I can see from the tension that runs through her hands and arms that she wants to take the bear, even though she holds herself back. “This is Martyn’s. He’s letting me borrow Professor Teddington for the weekend but if you like him, maybe . . .” I trail off, letting Piper’s imagination fill in the gap.

Her eyes light up and she nods eagerly. Bingo. There’s a little under there, whether she’s actually into it as a lifestyle the way I am or just likes comfort-items and has a bit of a daddy kink, it doesn’t matter. And Martyn may not think of himself as a daddy, but he’s been preparing for his little for years if Professor Teddington’s wardrobe is anything to go by.

The next time I offer Professor Teddington to Piper, she takes him and cuddles him to her chest the rest of the way to the restaurant. Daisy holds the door open and as everyone files past, knocks me with her elbow. I step away from Daddy and lean in next to her.

“Are you setting up my date with another Dom?”

“Yes,” I say unrepentantly.

“Emmy—”

“Are you going to see her again after this weekend?”

“Probably not, but never say never, doll.”

“If you develop feels for her this weekend, then tell me to, um, back off.” I catch myself before I say “bugger off,” even though Daddy says it all the time, because I don’t want my mouth washed out with soap ever again. “Otherwise, I’m totally setting her up with Martyn. She’s a bit of a little and Martyn’s a bit of a daddy. You’re not a mommy.”

Daisy runs her blindingly white, coffin-shaped nails through her mane of blonde-and-blue ombre spiral curls. “I’m not not a mommy.”

I squint at her out of one eye, which Daddy calls my inquisitive-owl face, even though it’s not. “So, you’re a quasi-mommy?”

She knocks me with her elbow again. “Until I met you, I wasn’t attracted to littles. Now, I’m not sure. There’s a boy I’m seeing in L.A. who definitely has leanings. And Piper didn’t identify as a little but talking to her before I flew out, I got some of the same vibes I get off you. I’m exploring.”

“Good. The world needs more mommies.” I go up on my toes to kiss Daisy’s cheek—not because she’s that much taller than I am but because she’s wearing her trademark, blue velvet, six-inch platform sandals, yes for a casual lunch—and scoot into the restaurant before a raging daddy comes to reclaim me.

He’s only about three steps inside the door anyway, scowling ferociously, until I tuck under his arm. “Remember that T-shirt?” he grumbles.

“Property of Daddy?” I ask cheekily, knowing that Daddy’s actually fond of Daisy and will never get into a serious tiff with her no matter how much she teases him.

“That’s the one. Think I need to go back to the B-and-D for it?”

“No, Daddy. Can they still seat us together?” I ask, peering around for a server. Owen’s doesn’t take reservations, but when I told them how many would likely come for lunch, they said they could seat us outside at picnic tables they’d put under umbrellas in case of rain.

“Mm-hmm.” Daddy tips his chin towards the back of the open, family-style restaurant where I see Master Javier being shown through a back door by a young man who looks star-struck. I mean, Javier is minor European nobility, so he could have real reason to be. Or he could have just discovered he’s submissive, given what a strong Dom Master Javier is. Javier certainly leaves the club submissives looking like that on a regular basis, a thought that makes me giggle as the crowd of us clustered at the restaurant’s entrance begins to file after Javier.

We get more than a few goggle-eyed looks as we troop through, particularly after Daisy struts in on her heels, looking every inch the movie star she is. A couple of phones appear with the fisheye of the camera pointed at her and Daisy gives them a wave before linking her arm through mine and propelling us out to the back patio. I’d normally be freaked out by the idea of being photographed in my little clothes, with a well-known porn star, but I’m safe here with my daddy, in the middle of our tribe, and I can’t imagine anyone would recognize me in this outfit.

The restaurant has set up three big tables, which will seat all of us, even though we might be a little elbow-to-elbow. The patio’s clearly not used for dining often and I can understand why: it has no view except of a huge dumpster on one side and a high fence on the others. They’ve made an effort, though, putting a screen covered with plastic ivy in front of the dumpster. I appreciate the effort and smile at the server as Daddy seats me and takes his place at my side.

We’re at long picnic tables, so there’s no “head” of the table, but of course Master Javier seats himself at the end of one and as soon as the server has taken our orders and brought us pitchers of water with ice and lemon, Javier stands and taps his spoon on his glass for attention. Sixteen pairs of eyes turn to him.

“Ladies, gentlemen, opponents.” Javier inclines his smooth, bald head at Niall, Warrin and Daddy’s friend Mac. “On the remote chance that I don’t have another opportunity to do this, I’d like to give my warmest congratulations to Logan and Emily. Logan, I’ve known you since you a baby Dom who barely knew how to use a flogger.”

Daddy snorts. He was already well-trained as a