Disciplining Little Abby Read Online Free PDF Page B

Images of a strong, steady man slightly older than her came to mind. A banker perhaps, or maybe a doctor. She suspected the cost of Mr. Green’s service would be prohibitive to all but the very wealthy. The idea was intimidating, but she supposed that was natural. Mr. Green didn’t promise to find her a boyfriend, but someone to nurture her. A daddy , she thought, and daddies weren’t supposed to send your heart into your throat or make your tummy do flip-flops. They were supposed to take care of you. Boyfriends came and went, but a daddy would always be there, and she could use a little security in her personal life.
    So why did she feel so disappointed at the prospect now?
    Trying to imagine what he would be like helped the rest of the afternoon pass by quickly. Abby felt coiled and poised to spring the entire last hour, eager to escape her office and the balloons that came from one man but only reminded her of another. The five o’clock buzzer sent her into a sprint all the way to her car, and she raced home in a reckless rush, blowing two red lights and nearly sideswiping a cyclist before finally arriving home. She showered quickly and blow-dried her hair as fast as she could, then carefully pulled it up into ponytails high on either side of her head, with her bangs straight in the front and falling just below the bottom of her eyebrows.
    She decided on her favorite t-shirt, a well-worn black one with a purple and white graphic for The Cure across the front, and a ruffled skirt she’d splurged on but hadn’t had a chance to wear yet. It was black lace and ruffles across purple satin, with black ribbon crisscrossing over it and connected by silver metal rings. The outfit was too outrageous for work and too brave for family dinners, even on her most defiant days, but something told her it was perfect for tonight’s appointment. Black tights and a pair of black and purple skate shoes finished off the look.
    Abby studied herself in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. She’d avoided the sun her whole life, and it had kept her face looking eternally young. Dressed as she was, she could have easily passed for eighteen, younger even if the lights were right. She was lost in the mirror when her cell phone chirped, causing her to jump. It was the driver, ready whenever she was.
    “This is it, Abby,” she told the sassy Lolita staring back at her in the mirror. “Time to walk on the wild side.”
    The ride seemed much faster than the first time. Abby was still trying to convince herself it wasn’t all a crazy, very bad idea when the driver opened her door and held out a hand.
    “This is still nuts,” she told him as she stepped out. “Maybe not murder palace like I first thought, but it’s definitely nuts.”
    “I hear that a lot,” he chuckled. “Relax, Abby. Just remember, you can always say no and no one will be mad at you for it. But,” he added as he opened the building’s front door, “I promise you’ll be glad if you say yes.”
    I can always say no. The reassurance settled her nerves considerably as she walked silently down the empty hall to the third door. Standing before it, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, one hand fiddling with the ribbons on her flouncy skirt as she screwed up the courage to go inside. I can always say no .
    Mr. Green was seated in his usual spot when she stepped inside, but now there were two chairs where before there’d been one. The one on the right was empty, waiting for her arrival. On the left with his back to her was what she assumed must be the mysterious Mr. Chris A. My new daddy . Her breath caught when she saw the dreads pulled back to a loose ponytail that fell just to his shoulders and ocean blue eyes that turned to greet her with a knowing twinkle.
    “Yes, you’ve met,” Mr. Green quipped, his voice betraying annoyance as he glared across his desk at the tanned, tattooed man staring intently at her. “Highly irregular, and I apologize profusely Miss