Daddy, Be Mine E-Book

Mia Kingsley

• Herausgeber: Black Umbrella Publishing
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 191

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Daddy romance meets horror movie—Happy Valentine's Day!   After breaking up with my boyfriend not too long ago, getting out of town for work over Valentine's Day didn't sound like a bad idea at all. Working for a production company, I was to oversee the production of the new dating show "Daddy Wanted" on Valentine Island. Twenty contestants fighting over a sexy daddy, and I'm practically getting paid to watch? Of course, I'm in! Unfortunately, the island is not quite as romantic as it sounded in the brochure—the contestants are all nasty, and "Daddy" has no desire to be on the show at all. Oh, and then there's the madman who wants to kill us all while we're stuck on a freaking island with no way out...   This book is part slasher (enough to give you goosebumps) and part romance (enough to make your toes curl)—you've been warned!

Leseprobe

DADDY, BE MINE

A VALENTINE’S SLASHER

MIA KINGSLEY

A DARK DADDY ROMANCE

CONTENTS

Valentine Island

Daddy, Be Mine

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

About the Author

VALENTINE ISLAND

DADDY, BE MINE

Daddy romance meets horror movie—Happy Valentine's Day!

After breaking up with my boyfriend not too long ago, getting out of town for work over Valentine's Day didn't sound like a bad idea at all. Working for a production company, I was to oversee the production of the new dating show "Daddy Wanted" on Valentine Island.

Twenty contestants fighting over a sexy daddy, and I'm practically getting paid to watch? Of course, I'm in!

Unfortunately, the island is not quite as romantic as it sounded in the brochure—the contestants are all nasty, and "Daddy" has no desire to be on the show at all.

Oh, and then there's the madman who wants to kill us all while we're stuck on a freaking island with no way out...

This book is part slasher (enough to give you goosebumps) and part romance (enough to make your toes curl)—you’ve been warned!

CHAPTER1

BAILEY

"Does anyone else have any questions?" I demonstratively closed my folder.

Jeremy raised his hand. "Isn't the title kind of stupid? I mean, Daddy Wanted, that sounds like we're looking for a sperm donor. Wouldn't something like Fuckboy Wanted be better?"

Jessica sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose theatrically. "You'd really be better off just focusing on the camera, Jeremy."

His ears began to turn red, as they always did when he was upset about something. "What did I do now? It was just a question."

She leaned in his direction. "Of course, someone who still lives with their mother wouldn't know the difference between a daddy and a fuckboy. Little hint: you fall into the second category."

Jeremy looked at me like he expected me to rein Jessica in.

Instead, I cleared my throat loudly. "Alright, if everything is settled, I'll see you all on Friday at the ferry terminal at eleven o'clock sharp. Remember, if the ferry leaves without you, you'll have to pay for the next trip out of your own pocket and forgo your pay for Friday because I have the tickets, and the next crossing won't be until Saturday."

Patricia nodded and was the first to get up. She had announced beforehand that she would have to leave early because she was filling in for the editing of My First Dog Wedding before joining our team for the production of Daddy Wanted.

My employer, Talk Inc. Productions,had made a name for itself in the field of obscure afternoon shows after the success of series like I'm Looking for a Bride for My Stepdad, Your Collection or Me, and The World's Most Aggressive Hamsters. With Daddy Wanted, we were making our first foray into evening prime time programming. Since formats like In Love With the Best Man and Blind Wedding were already doing extremely well, a dating show seemed like the right concept.

In four days, production would begin on a romantic little island off the coast of Maine.

Our set specialists would transform the tiny island into a winter wonderland, and twenty contestants had applied to be "Daddy."

My mother had stared at me in complete horror when I'd told her about the concept. But, admittedly, she was easily shocked. The Big Eat XXL and My Life as an Undertaker had horrified her as much as the idea of calling a man "daddy" during sex.

I wasn't sure how I felt about it myself. On paper, it sounded quite nice, but I feared that the candidates were more on the hunt for a wealthy sugar daddy. Personally, I couldn't imagine that at all.

The fact that Kelvin and Christina were standing together in front of me snapped me out of my thoughts.

Not again, I thought and barely managed not to sigh. "How can I help you?"

"Which one of us is the boss?" asked Kelvin, looking at me as if there was only one answer to that question.

"You're supposed to decorate an entire island—isn’t it logical that we need two people to do the set dressing?"

Christina clicked her tongue. "But who has the final say? Who's higher up in the hierarchy?"

God. I hated having to work with these two. They were—each in their own right—capable, competent, and reliable—as long as you didn't have them working together on a project because they couldn't stand each other.

There was only one way to solve the problem. I smiled at them. "Me."

"What?" Kelvin's eyes grew huge. "You?"

"Yes."

Christina crossed her arms. "Don't you have enough to do as producer?"

"Did you come to me to ask who the boss is, or did you ask someone else?" I looked around the empty room demonstratively.

Kelvin jutted his chin. "Yes, but..."

I raised my hand to cut him off. "There's your answer. If you two can't agree, you come to me, and I'll have the final say."

"Yes, boss." Christina winked at me. "I have no problem answering to a woman."

"Oh please, bitch, you think I would have a problem with that? Nice try." Kelvin rushed out of the room with his head held high.

"Can't you leave him alone for once?” I asked.

Christina shook her head. "Not as long as he keeps stealing my yogurts and claiming he didn't do it. I know for a fact he's the culprit."

I just snorted disdainfully, knowing it was Patricia who always helped herself to the yogurts—though I had also seen Christina steal someone else's sandwich. My colleagues really deserved each other.

My cell phone rang. Relieved, I pulled it out. "If you'll excuse me," I said, picking up my clipboard and leaving the room. "Hello?"

"Hey, babe." Longing resonated in Cameron's voice.

I immediately wished myself back into the conversation with Kelvin and Christina. "Cameron. Do you have a new number?" I asked, trying to sound cool. If I'd known he was on the other end, I would've ignored the call.

"Yes. You stopped responding to my messages. Can we meet? I want to talk to you."

"Cameron, you need to stop doing that. We've been over this. It's been four months. Please just leave me alone already."

"Just a chat, babe, please."

"No." I hung up and couldn't wait to leave the mainland behind on Friday. This close to Valentine's Day, this shoot was the best thing that could've happened to me.

A few months ago, I'd realized that my feelings for my boyfriend Cameron had become platonic at best. I had brought up the subject and clearly expressed what was bothering me. He had dismissed my wishes with a laugh and claimed that everything was wonderful the way it was.

I had played along with his little game for two more months before I packed my bags. I didn't think my desire for more intimacy and a touch of adventure was too much to ask.

Cameron loved his life, which took place entirely within the same two blocks. That's where he went to work, eat, and drink. It was out of the question for him to try a restaurant in another part of town, let alone go on vacation. I wanted to see Europe. And South America. And Asia. And... everything. Just everything.

Cameron wanted to sit on the couch, have boring sex once a week, and was happy with that.

I wasn't.

Ever since I broke up with him and moved out, he'd been following me around like a puppy, vowing to do better.

I was smart enough to know that it wasn't me he was after—it was the routine. It didn't fit into his plan that I had escaped.

He had found out where I lived and would show up outside my apartment at regular intervals. Often with flowers and chocolates.

I didn't like chocolates because I preferred salty snacks. If he couldn't even remember that, I didn't see a future for us. I was completely serious about that. My snacks were sacred to me.

The cell phone rang again—the same number as before. My thumb hovered over "Block," then I pressed the button.

The production of Daddy Wanted was going to be elaborate and labor-intensive, but at this point, I couldn't wait.

CHAPTER2

NASH

"Nathan?" I called out as I returned to the office with the coffee. No answer. "Boss?"

His desk was deserted. Stephanie had also switched off her computer and had obviously started the weekend early.

"Glad to see at least someone's working here," I said into the silence, shaking my head.

On my way to my desk, I sipped my black coffee and opened my jacket. Snowflakes fell from my shoulders as winter still had a firm grip on New York.

To my great surprise, there was a thick file in the middle of my desk. A sticky note was stuck on the cover. My boss had written "IMPORTANT" in his typical energetic handwriting.

I took another sip of coffee. How long had I been gone? Fifteen minutes, possibly twenty, but Nathan hadn't mentioned the new assignment at all before.

"Any news?"

"No."

That's pretty much how the conversation had gone.

I frowned and flipped open the file. At the top were airline tickets, a ferry ticket, and confirmation of a hotel reservation at the "Island House." Apparently, a production company was planning a show on a small island called Valentine Island and wanted to know if there were any reasons the insurance company in charge didn't think they should. It all sounded rather ominous, but I had gotten used to it at this point in my career.

My eyes fell on the flight date, and I cursed. Was this supposed to be a joke? If I wasn't wrong about today's date, I should be on a plane in six hours.

"Nathan?" I called out again, hoping he'd pop out from around the corner and yell, "Surprise!"

Of course, I had complained that I didn't feel like going through all the Valentine's drama, but now it looked like I would've been better off keeping my mouth shut.

It wasn't the first time Nathan had sent me on trips like this on short notice, but he usually had enough decency to at least tell me in person.

I grabbed the file and my coffee cup, turned off the light, and locked the door behind me.

To save time, I called a taxi. I'd add the cost to my boss's bill later. Unbelievable, this guy.

It took us a scant twenty minutes to get to my apartment, and I gave the driver a generous tip. A very generous tip, which I would also get back from Nathan. Once at the airport, I would inquire if I could upgrade the ticket to business class since I had the company credit card at my disposal. The idea soothed me.

I unlocked the front door and saw a shadow disappear into the kitchen. Spike really had a sixth sense when it came to things like that.

"Come on out, old boy," I said in an ingratiating voice, picking up the cat carrier from the top shelf of the coat closet. "I just want to cuddle you," I lied.

Since my cat remained in hiding until I'd packed my travel bag, I had to bring out the big guns and get the salmon crackers out of their hiding place. I shook the box, and Spike came scampering up.

"You know the deal," I said, flipping open the door to the transport box.

Spike eyed the salmon crackers, the box, and the crackers again. With a soft purr, he resigned himself to his fate and trotted into the carrier. I closed the door and fed him five crackers before hiding the box again.

With the travel bag over my shoulder and the carrier in my hand, I made my way to Mrs. Crawford's apartment. The old lady lived one floor below me and always looked after Spike when I had to go out of town.

It took her a while to get to the door. "Oh, Nash, are you bringing me my date for Valentine's Day?"

"Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Crawford, but my boss just let me know today. The plane's leaving soon. Can you keep an eye on Spike?"

"I'd love to. I got the... you know what," she whispered conspiratorially to me. "Maybe he'll finally want a cuddle."

I nodded at her. Spike would do anything for salmon crackers. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I handed her the carrier. Now nothing stood in the way of my trip to Maine.

CHAPTER3

BAILEY

The whole trip had the feeling of a school trip about it. Apart from the production team, the captain was the only other person on the ferry. I'd been one of the first to board and hadn't been sure what to expect.

The crossing was to last a scant ninety minutes. I'd imagined it would be relatively romantic because I'd already gotten into the mindset of the show—kitsch, romance, and some more kitsch.

In truth, the wind was icy, it was drizzling, and I quickly lost feeling in the tip of my nose. But I didn't want to go inside because Sharon and Joanne were nestled there, subjecting anyone who got too close to them to a style critique. They were also gossiping at a deafening volume so that everyone could hear who they were gossiping about. I preferred my silence.

Hands shoved deep into the pockets of my coat, I wondered if the coming week would finally provide enough distance from Cameron.

I was getting ready to start dating again. Until now, I'd been apprehensive because of the possibility that I would bring a man back to my place and Cameron would be waiting for me at the front door. I wanted to spare myself and my hypothetical male companion from that embarrassment.

"Aren't you cold?" Sean, one of the cameramen, joined me, breathed on his hands, and rubbed them together.

"Given the choice between cold and claustrophobia, I'll gladly take the cold."

He laughed and leaned on the railing. "I understand that perfectly. I just found out that I wear too many plaid flannel shirts. Yet I don't even remember asking."

I laughed. "In my case, it was grey tights. Joanne thinks I'd be better off wearing only black or dark blue ones."

Sean looked down at my legs. "Uh-huh."

"That's what I thought, too."

We laughed again before falling into a comfortable silence.

Maybe three minutes passed before Sean looked at me, "Are you still engaged to that Cameron guy?"

"Oh, God. We were never engaged. No, we're not together anymore. Haven't been for a few months now."

"I see. There were a few people inside complaining about being away from home so close to Valentine's Day, but I'm glad to get away from the hustle and bustle. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to buy a bouquet of flowers for my sweetheart today."

"I imagine that's doubly annoying." I tried to tame my hair from fluttering in the wind by brushing it behind my ear. It wasn't working very well.

"Why doubly annoying?" Sean's blue eyes looked inquiringly into mine.

"You are gay, aren't you? I'd imagine it's very annoying to be constantly assumed to be straight during this time too. You know—'for your sweetheart'." I accompanied my words with a pair of quotation marks in the air.

"I'm straight," he informed me. "And single."

"Whoops. I must have mixed something up there."

He pressed both hands to his chest. "Please tell me you didn't mistake me for John."

"No." I laughed. "It would've stuck in my mind if you wore mesh shirts instead of flannel."

"Good."

With nothing more to say, I settled for a smile. I wasn't sure if I'd put my foot in my mouth or not by saying that I thought he was gay. He had been casual about it, but maybe he was just trying to be polite.

"I think I need to warm up again. Would you like to come inside?" he offered after a while.

"I'll stay here for a while. Thanks."

CHAPTER4

NASH

I'd looked for a place on the roof of the ferry and had sat on a bench, my bag between my feet. From here, I could overlook the ship. On the flight, I'd read everything there was to learn about Valentine Island. Considering how small the island was, the large number of people on the ferry irritated me.

I quickly counted fifteen people who had a lot of luggage with them and seemed to be part of a group. Maybe some kind of company trip.

I was freezing my ass off and just wanted to get off the ferry and do my job. There was a heated room downstairs, but inside, a bunch of women were talking, one voice shriller than the other.

Besides, I had a nicer view from here.

Down at the railing stood a woman, her long hair blowing in the wind, the dress under her short coat flapping against her shapely thighs. I could have stared at her for hours.

Someone shouted something, whereupon she turned and waved her small hand. Her heart-shaped face was just as pretty as the adorable back view had led me to hope. She turned away again and continued to stare at the water.

I didn't want to watch her, but since I'd already memorized the file on the island and the production company by heart, I basically had nothing better to do.

Briefly, I toyed with the idea of joining her downstairs. I hadn't been on a date in ages, but she looked like a woman I'd make an exception for.

Since I'd been catching up on my college degree while working, there had been little time left for my love life. Right now, Spike was getting all my affection, and he wasn't exactly good at returning my love.

Even Nathan had called me on it before, that I never went out. I was probably out of practice by now.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. No messages, no emails. It was unusual, even for Nathan, to stay silent for so long.

Should I go downstairs?

At some point, I had to take a chance if I wanted a family and children. I looked at her hair, which, depending on the light, varied between dark blonde and light brown with a reddish shimmer in it, and wondered what our children would look like.

Abruptly, I caught myself mid-daydream, and wondered if I'd inhaled too many airplane fumes. I had a job to do, and then I would fly home.

So far, I hadn't even seen her up close or heard her voice—and I was already thinking about our children?

I should take a vacation. Mexico had been on my list for so long, as had Europe. Once I got that done, I could always think about settling down.

CHAPTER5

BAILEY

"Okay," said the petite brunette behind the counter, whose pointed face reminded me of a rodent. "I have twenty-six reservations for Talk Inc Productions. What's the best way to handle this?" She threw me a friendly smile.

Immediately, I started digging through my bag until I got hold of the clipboard. What was it about my character that always made me the official organizational delegate within minutes?

"I have the list of all the crew members and the candidates here. We can pair them up, and then I'll hand out the keys in the conference room. That's probably easier than having more than a dozen people line up in here."

Katherine, as her name tag revealed, smiled with relief. "That's a good idea." She turned and took two large keys with massive wooden tags from the board behind her. "Let's start with the conference room."

It seemed to make the hotel staff visibly nervous that the entire crew was squeezing into the hotel lobby, which was barely big enough to accommodate us all. Accordingly, it was loud and crowded.

"These two keys are for the Coastal Room, the first door on your right." She pointed to the hallway to my left.

I looked around until I spotted Sharon, who held one cell phone to her ear and another in her hand. She was typing away on the keypad at a speed I couldn't have managed with twenty fingers. I waved her over because she was the most assertive.

"I'll get back to you." With that, she ended the call. "What's up, Bailey-schmailey?"

Even though I hated the nickname, I gave her a key to the conference room. "The Coastal Room is down that hall, first door on the right. Shoo the team in there, please. Tell them to bring their stuff, and I'll be right there to hand out the room keys."

Sharon saluted. "Okie-dokie, Bailey-schmailey."

Only Christina stayed in the hall with me. She stood next to me at the reception desk and had her chin tucked into her hand.

"Should we start with the singles or the doubles?" Katherine wanted to know.

"With the single rooms, please. The double rooms are for the contestants, who won't be arriving until tomorrow."

"Wonderful." Katherine smiled and began to take more keys from the board.

Next to me, Christina popped her bubblegum before lasciviously licking her lips. "I think I'll join the show, too." She gestured to the door with her long, perfectly-manicured red fingernail.

Daddy was here.

I meant, of course, Nash Watkins, our show daddy. He looked even better than in the pictures. I'd never met him myself because casting wasn't in my jurisdiction, but I'd seen the pictures and read the dossier.

He was eight years older and almost eight inches taller than me. The latter didn't surprise me because I generally came up pretty short. Only my ass hadn't gotten the 'petite' memo.

According to the documents, Nash had been in the Army, completing three tours in the Middle East, before joining a private security firm. His boss had coordinated much of the casting because Nash had been away on top-secret missions. At least that's what his boss had claimed, and Miranda, our casting director, had immediately gotten shiny eyes. Secret missions, former military, tall and well-built? He was marketing gold.