"You've got family secrets? I've got some of my own. So here it goes..."
A little girl runs forward, wrapping her arms around Bang Chan's leg.
"Daddy! I want the brownies."
When she sees me, her mouth drops open.
Holy shit! That's one of the kids who was vandalizing my house!
"This is Olivia. Do you like kids?"
"Oh I love the. But I don't want them for a while."
"Not ideal, I admit, but we don't have to get married or anything. So, about that date...?"
I don't want to agree to a date until I've figured out what to do about his daughter being the vandal.
"I just moved to town."
"Be happy to show you around. Your choice, (YLN). No pressure."
"Oh...um..."
Luckily, Bang Chan gets called away by another patron, leaving me alone with Olivia.
"Please don't tell Christopher what I did!"
"You damaged my property, so I'll eventually need to tell him."
"No! Why? I'll make it up to you!"
"That's good, but eventually, your dad is going to find out."
"But he's not my dad. Not really!"
Bang Chan sweeps back over, shaking his head at Olivia as he looks around to make sure no one heard her.
"Of course, I'm your dad."
"But—"
Bang Chan gruffly throws some money on the table and waves goodbye as he leads Olivia away without another word. As they disappear, it looks like he's reprimanding her for something she said.
"What was that about?" Janet asks curiously.
"Nothing."
"Most people say Bang Chan's trouble, but I like trouble. You should hit that."
"I should." I grin seductively biting my lip as I watch him leave.
"You're already in hot water with the town for your last name and family legacy... Might as well slut it up!"
"I'll keep that in mind. Now, please, help me finish this bake sale."
The next day, I venture into the city council building to beg for a restoration grant for my crumbling house. Marjorie, the protestor from yesterday, sits at the desk, 'BAN BDSM' signs spread across the surface.
"Hello, councilwoman. I need to apply for a grant."
"You! What nerve, Director (YLN)... Well, I can sign your application... If you do me a favor, too. The residents won't like you promoting filth in the community."
"There's been a misunderstanding. I'm not promoting anything."
"You mean to tell me you don't have your filthy sex books in the library's collection?"
"They aren't mine. They were already part of the collection when I got here."
"The hope was that you would bring some dignity to this place of learning."
"They're in a small section far away from the junior literature if that's what you're concerned about."
"You're on my last nerve, (Y/N). To approve your grant, I require the names of every community member who has checked out those books."
"Excuse me? I can't give you that! That's private information!"
"I need to have a discussion with certain individuals to determine what values they are promoting in our town. So I'll be dropping by to pick up that list today."
"I'll be sure to have some porn on display."
"Excuse me! I never!"
In the library, I pore over my most professional outfit."
I need to look professional today, especially if Marjorie is dropping by.
I throw on a cute, high-low cream rust dress with ruffles along the bottom with a thick brown belt.
Sure enough, hours later, Marjorie bursts into the library, startling the old lady's mystery book club group.
"Time to pay up. Unless you want more trouble...?"
"I told you I can't give you that."
"You're messing with a very powerful person here... Hand over the list."
"That's a violation of my patrons' privacy."
"Those books are a violation to our town."
"No, Marjorie. Unless you get me some kind of official requirement, I'm not violating my patrons' right to privacy."
Marjorie's jaw drops open.
"Everyone has a right to read what they want. It is not my job to judge."
"This is a safety concern!"
"You can find me when the police need a book for evidence regarding a brutal murder..."
"I beg your pardon!"
"I'm sorry, you're right, that would be ridiculous. Books aren't dangerous..."
Marjorie's face is tomato red.
"I will be back. The will of the people will not be suppressed."
She storms out, and I breathe a sigh of relief. After a long day of work, I finally head back home to my rundown lake house and change into my camouflage tank top and matching underwear.
I lost my job in the city after I filed a complaint against my harassing boss. When my parents died 2 weeks later, I decided to take a job in Blue Haven instead of selling the house they willed me. But the only way I can afford the high taxes is to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast.
I tear into the wall, a section of the room I want to expand. When my sledgehammer sinks into the drywall, a loud clang sounds. Water floods out of the wall.
"Shit! The blueprints didn't show a pipe here!"
I frantically run to the living room as the den fills with water, soaking all my hard work. I grab my phone and dial the first plumber listing that pops up on my web search. When I hear a knock at the door moments later, I whip it open.
"Someone called about a plumber?"
I quickly lead Bang Chan to the now-flooded den. He works through the deluge to turn off the water.
"This is only a temporary solution. These pipes are really busted. I'm gonna have to redo them all."
"I suppose I have no choice."
"You're taking this rather well."
"Nothing productive will come from being negative."
As I move into the living room, he pulls at his soaked shirt, clearly uncomfortable.
"I'll throw those wet clothes in the dryer."
When I reach for his shirt, his demeanor changes as he playfully steps closer to me.
"Tring to get me naked? I'll show you mine if..."
He winks as he starts to pull off his shirt. The cloth rubs his abs as he reveals the trail that leads under his pants.
"I'm waiting."
Grinning, I pull my own shirt off, revealing the blue lacy bra underneath.
As he closes the gap between us, holding out his wet shirt, his breath whispers against my face.
"Here you go."
Flustered, I take his shirt and turn quickly, excusing myself to throw the clothes in the dryer. When I return, he's lounging on my back porch, holding a book in his lap. As I near him, I realize it's the book I hid from him yesterday, 'Call Me Daddy'.
"I picked up a copy of that book, by the way."
"I see that..."
"Interesting reading. Not a lot of plot, huh?"
"Well it's erotica, so no. Did you like it?"
Fire flashes in Bang Chan's eyes, and he lets out a low murmur.
"It seems we have similar interests."
My heartbeat races at his statement, and heat pools between my legs as I recall the books content.
"You like BDSM books, but how do you feel about BDSM in the real world?"
"Well...I've never found the right partner to help me answer that question."
Swallowing all my courage, I look Bang Chan dead in the eye and mimic his smirk.
"Honest, aren't you?"
"Should I have lied? Where would that get me?"
Bang Chan's voice deepens.
"Punished."
"And what would that look like?"
"You're determined to drive me wild, (YF/LN).
"Am I succeeding?"
He inhales sharply as his hands clench. His voice sounds almost pained from restraint.
"Yes."
He stands and advances toward me, backing me into the closed door of my porch. His lips hover above mine, threatening to capture mine.
"Are you goin' to kiss me?"
"No. You haven't earned that yet."
"Oh? What have I earned?"
"Your Dom should be the only one asking questions. This book has a lot of spanking in it, (YLN). Do you like to be spanked?
"I've never tried it."
"Then bend over, (Y/N)... And call me 'Daddy'... Or are you going to defy me?"