Please Me, Daddy novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: The Photograph in the Garage

Livia's POV

"Two of them are still undecided," Robin said, and slid a seating chart across the cafeteria table.

I had asked her for it as a favor, with a vague story about wanting to impress my boss.

She had asked no questions, which was one of the things I loved about her.

"The man by the window, and the woman with the red glasses. Everybody else voted the way Merrick Elliston tells them to."

"Merrick?"

"He hosts their dinners. He remembers their grandchildren's birthdays." She shrugged. "People vote for the man who remembers."

I folded the chart into my notebook.

That night I took it to Quentin's penthouse and put it on his kitchen counter.

He read it standing up, with his tie loosened.

"Where did you get this?"

"From a friend."

"Livia."

It was the first time he had used my work name inside his own home.

I looked up, and he looked at me very steadily.

"I don't need help with the board," he said. "Not from you."

"Then give me something to do."

"Such as?"

I walked around the counter and put both hands flat on his chest.

"Sit down, Mr. Stroud."

He raised one eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"On the bed. Please."

For a second I thought he would refuse.

Then his expression shifted, going still and dark, and he let me walk him backward through the bedroom door.

I pushed him down on the edge of the mattress.

I slid his tie off over his head and used it to bind his wrists in front of him, and I made the knot snug.

"Gia," he said warningly.

"Hands stay where I put them, Mr. Stroud."

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