Chapter 1
CONTAINS TWO NEW CHAPTERS (PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON THEIR OWN). I WILL BE ADDING MORE NEW CHAPTERS SOON.
THIS STORY WILL BE FREE IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR
Preface
I never expected to have these feelings or to love this way.They disturbed and enthralled me with their intensity and the love and acceptance I found for myself in expressing them.I did not choose them.They found me and moulded me in to everything I am today.There was no choice.They demanded my surrender and I felt compelled to give it without question and remorse.I am what I am now because of them, because of HIM.
HE made it easy of course.Just as he always does.HE saw all that I am beneath my camouflage and stripped me bare until I saw and accepted the truth, until I faced every fear.I am forever naked to HIM.There is nothing I can hide.We are interconnected, woven together through time and space.There is no other for me.I belong to him unconditionally, forever learning, forever loving, forever trusting.I am Daddy’s Little Girl.
Chapter One
HIS presence entered my life when I least expected it.Isn’t that always the way? Daddy came when I felt all hope was lost and I believed my life was a prison sentence that I would never escape from.When I no longer saw the windows on my home as clear unhindered portals to allow light and the outside world to flood in but with bars.They were now barriers reminding me of what I could not have.Freedom.
Everyone wants the best for their child.They will sacrifice all that they have, even their life no matter how many others find their actions insensible.My marriage was over but my duty to my child remained.Until she finished school and was able to move on with her life I would remain at the marital home pretending to be the dutiful wife with a husband who would not accept I would eventually leave despite my constant assertion.He could not understand why my love for him had died even though the evidence of the reason was plain for all to see.But he would never let go.Perhaps he couldn’t.Perhaps he was too frightened of what would happen if he did.
It was one early Friday morning when I entered a restaurant serving breakfast and coffee to early morning shoppers.I’d decided I needed a break from writing that morning and I could afford the time for a change.As a nervous person it was no easy feat for me to accomplish.Sitting on my own I usually worry if anyone is watching me and I spend the rest of the time thinking how stupid I look.I know, crazy right?As if they could be bothered to watch me.But there it is.It just so happens that this time someone was doing.
I ordered my usual, a rich bean latte, eggs and mushrooms on toasted Italian bread.While I waited for my order I pretended to be preoccupied with my mobile phone.And then I felt it.Those dark eyes looking at me, boring in to my very soul.
The feeling of being watched was so strong it forced me to look up and seek out the threat.My eyes locked with black eyes.They belonged to a man younger than myself in age yet they bespoke a wisdom I had never attained.To say he was handsome would be an understatement and to do him a disservice.He had thick black lustrous hair that shone under the light.It was cut short and business like just like the rest of him.My admirer wore an immaculate black suit.There was no doubt in my mind it was designer.His tie was silver and clearly silk and he wore a large but elegant expensive Rolex watch.Everything about the man said money with a capital M.
The man sat at a table in the corner surrounded by three men and two women in business suits.They were talking loudly in French amongst themselves and referring to two large plans they had stretched out across the table.He was not paying them any attention.Leaning back in his cream booth seat he studied me closely with his arm and elbow resting on the table, exposing his crisp white shirt’s cuff and silver cufflink.The pose displayed his dominance and power to perfection.Although I was not fully aware of the reason for this strange feeling at the time, I felt my whole body soften, ready to submit to it.
Something drew me to his hands.They were well manicured, large and enticingly masculine.For a moment I found myself imagining them caressing my body, my bare bottom in particular.I wanted to feel his smooth palm tracing the soft delicate skin and circling his fingertips over it as though it belonged to him.Then I wanted to feel it slapping at my buttock making it jump and quiver as I cried out with the pain and the strange pleasure the action enforced in my mind.
But it was nothing to the sudden image of me kneeling naked and submissive at his feet.The urge to be made to kneel before him was compelling and strong.I had never entertained such thoughts or images in my life.They made me angry, disturbed.I could not, would not feel subservient to a man.I was a feminist who ranted and raved not someone who knelt naked and pliant at a man’s feet welcoming his dominance and mastery in my world. Yet the gentle dampness between my thighs showed my betrayal of all that I believed I had become as a woman and told me otherwise.
The heat of a blush at my unexpected thoughts rose in my cheeks forcing me to turn away.My heart pounded with frustration and annoyance.But the magnetic pull of his eyes quickly drew me back.He smiled gently at me when my gaze returned to his face.There was triumph in his dark eyes as though he knew all of my damaging conflicting thoughts.I had a sensation of feeling captured by a clever hunter and caged.
Thankfully, I was to be distracted by the waiter bringing my food and latte.He smiled sweetly at me unlike the beguiling handsome devil figure in the corner casting his eyes over me as though I was his captured prey.I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes when I discovered he was still looking at me when the waiter left and unblocked his view.Determined not to allow him to ruffle my feathers any longer, I lowered my head and began to eat.But I was not allowed to escape that easily.
I ate hurriedly, nervously knowing he watched every action, every glance I made around the room.Intimidated I put down my knife and fork and pushed my still full plate to the side to bring my latte in front of me feeling defeated. I dipped my head and watched the swirls of milk in my drink idly thinking of Carly Simon’s song, Clouds in my Coffee.Then a tall shadow startled my vision and the scraping of a chair being pulled out on the opposite side of my small table forced me to raise my head.
It was him.He sat down without waiting for me to give him permission.Fresh pine, mandarin and lime flared my senses.His power was even more potent close up.I could barely look at him for feeling coy and a strange reverence.It was as though I awaited his permission to do so.
He held out his hand.
“Hello, my name is Valentin Coudray.And you are?”
I was shocked, startled so much so I automatically took his hand and shook it as though there was nothing wrong or out of place with his direct behaviour.
“Gabrielle Charles,” I gushed nervously.
“Something wrong with your breakfast?” he enquired with a smile.
“No, no.I just don’t feel as hungry as I thought I did,” I said listening to my heart thud loudly under my breast.
“You know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.You should eat something.”
There was a strong firm command in his words.His English was perfect but the gentle French lit weaving its way delicately through his speech made me soften and ignore the inner voice that was screaming anger at his presumption in sitting down at my table and telling me to eat.Yet I liked it.A warm feeling of being cared for, perhaps even protected swept over me with force.I lowered my eyes with a smile.
“It will be cold now.”
“Then I will order you some more.Waiter,” he called out.
My eyes widened but I said nothing.I noticed that the waiter came over quick and prompt.Valentin ordered me some more hot food and a round of two coffees.
“I couldn’t help but notice you seem lost and forlorn sitting on your own.I do not like to see a woman alone,” he said softly.“A beautiful woman should always be accompanied.”
I blushed.I couldn’t help myself.Nobody had paid me that kind of attention or compliment for a while.I had never thought of myself as beautiful but plain.A plain Jane and a slightly overweight one.Well, if you weren’t really skinny and size zero these days you were made to feel overweight in my eyes.
“I take it you are alone?”
It was a direct question.He wanted to know if I was attached to someone.My conscience wouldn’t allow me to lie.
“I am married.”
To my surprise and alarm he did not appear to be deterred.There was no change in his handsome facial expression.
“I don’t see a wedding ring.”
To be honest I couldn’t remember where I had put the damn thing.I had taken it off and put it somewhere safe but I couldn’t remember where it was.My intention was to never wear it again so its disappearance was probably a blessing in disguise.
“My marriage is over,” I answered truthfully.“It is one of convenience for the sake of my daughter at the moment.Nothing more, nothing less,” I confessed hurriedly shocked I was revealing such personal information so easily.
“I am sorry but sometimes it is necessary to move on and start again,” he said gently watching the waiter put my new hot breakfast down in front of me.“Now enough talking, eat.”
There was no mistaking the firm parental tone in his voice.I straightened unsure whether to accept it or issue a rebuke but quietly, obediently I picked up my knife and fork and began to eat.
Valentin sat patiently, watching me eat like an adult making sure a child took nourishment, sipping his coffee at intervals.And like a child I felt compelled to clear my plate in case I was to suffer any consequences.It felt strangely safe and loving.I was at a loss as to why I was experiencing these feelings.All I knew was that although a large part of me feared and disputed them an unheard part of me craved them.
My breakfast was hot and appetizing the more I ate but I dared not look at Valentin as I did so.He did not speak to me.I felt the heat of his gaze upon me with every morsel I slipped in to my mouth and I did not look up at him until I had dutifully cleared my plate and put down my knife and fork.
“Good girl.I get the impression you don’t eat breakfast every day.That will have to be remedied,” he informed me briskly without waiting for a reply.
He was right of course.I didn’t eat breakfast on most days and my tummy grumbled a lot because of it.I had a preoccupation with weight and I stupidly believed by skipping meals I could reduce it.But it was a false economy and I never saw any difference in the mirror.I only ever saw a large woman and never how others reassured they saw me.
I said nothing wondering what he meant by his words.
“Where are you going after this?” he asked out of the blue.
I paused wondering whether I should tell him.
“Just around the shops and then back to work.”
“You work in an office near here?”
I smiled feeling anxious at telling him.
“I am an author and I write at home.”
“Interesting.Would I have read any of your work?”
“Not unless you read romantic fiction with a paranormal twist.”
“Maybe I should start to.That way I can find out more about you.You seem a very interesting person, Gabrielle.I would like to know you better, enough to bare your truth.”
His words were as dark as velvet as he spoke.There was no smile but intense scrutiny as though he were trying to see in to my soul again.I found myself taking a breath as his power brushed over me and demanded my surrender.Meekly I gave in to the warmth and security that swept through it.
“I would like that too,” I agreed with a small voice.
“Good.Then there is no time like the present.We will both make the day free.I will walk with you around the shops and then take you for lunch.We can make plans for the afternoon after that.How does that sound to you?”
