Kelly blinked away the tiny bits of white that clung to her lashes. She still had nightmares about the events of that night, even though it had happened over twelve years ago. She was eighteen, now, and homeless.

Wondering how everything had gone so wrong, she wrapped her arms about herself in an effort to keep warm. New York City streets could be brutal in the winter. The City didn't get a lot of snow, but treacherous patches of ice dotted the sidewalk when temperatures dipped below freezing. Her woolen coat had definitely seen better days, and the soles of her shoes were so thin, a piece of cardboard would have been just as effective. Her lack of substantial winter garments allowed the cold to nip and bite at her through every seam and gap it could find, until her toes and fingers grew numb. She'd fallen a long way, in a very short time.

The period of her life from the break-in that killed her parents to where she stood had occurred in a blur of distant memories. She didn't like to remember any of it, and yet, with her teeth chattering and her body aching as she attempted to find refuge from the wind in a narrow alleyway, she couldn't seem to think of anything else.

After the female officer carried her downstairs, and the police had finally come to the conclusion a terrified six-year-old made one lousy witness, Child Services took over her care. Neither of her parents had any siblings, so despite every effort made to locate a family member who would take her in, it seemed no one desired to bring a temperamental orphan into their home. Following protocol, Child Services first tried placing her in foster homes, but Kelly's nightmares and belligerent attitude toward strangers scared the other children too badly, obliging Child Services to move her into a residential treatment center. Unfortunately, that meant she was surrounded by even more kids and adults, so she continued to run away. Consequently, Kelly found herself homeless and penniless, with no relatives to harbor her and a penchant to flee every chance she got. So, she was handed over to one of the few parish orphanages still in existence.

Kept under a more secure watch and a stricter regimen with the nuns, she remained a ward of the Catholic Church for twelve years and even briefly considered becoming a nun, but she wasn't Catholic or even a devout Christian. So, seven months after she turned eighteen, she was given the clothes she wore, some spending money, and a list of places where she could find shelter and food. They no longer had the room or funds to accommodate her, and she was of age. Kelly hadn't been exactly a model child, so even though the nuns weren't cruel, she suspected they were relieved to see the last of her.

She spent several days looking for work, but, outside of her gamin looks, she really had few qualities to recommend her, and fewer serviceable abilities. Despite having received what was equivalent to a high school education, she wasn't adept at handling money, knew next to nothing about computers, had abysmal typing skills, and her grasp of any finer social amenities was practically nonexistent due to her own stubbornness, not through any fault of the nuns.

Kelly had barely spoken for several months after her parents' murder, and hardly a night passed by that she didn't wake up screaming from visions of two gunmen hunting her down. As a result, she had difficulty associating with others and preferred to keep to herself.

Though the clothes she wore weren't fashionable and had proved woefully inadequate for the weather, they were clean, and she appeared somewhat respectable. Grocery checkouts didn't require a fashion degree, but she did need to be able to work a cash register and give back correct change, neither of which was a talent she'd picked up at the orphanage. What use would she have had for money there?

She couldn't afford to pay rent and hated going to the shelters, but at least they provided food and a bed. Cold and miserable, Kelly had been briefly considering committing suicide when another woman took pity on her by saying with her face, she could probably make a decent living if she chose to let others use her body. Not only was this particular trade not discussed by the church, it was regarded as a sin, so Kelly remained uncertain. The nuns tended to punish if they even caught a girl pleasuring herself, which meant following a path of carnal service was a straight road to Hell. Realizing she didn't possess enough skills for a respectable job, she looked to what she could do.

After she'd been at it for three hours, Kelly reluctantly admitted she made a lousy whore, too. Positioned in dark alleyways rather than under a light, she only spoke with customers who sought her out directly.

Her first experience was pitiful when the john lost patience and ripped off the underwear she refused to remove because it wasn't dignified. The act was as close to rape as it could be, but he told her that was fine with him since he liked it rough. He was drunk, so he hardly realized he'd hurt her or that he'd taken her virginity. She doubted he would have cared even if he had known. He gave her fifty dollars, which paid for a meal and lodging for the night.

Her next night was little better, though she didn't offer as much resistance when the man pushed her against a wall, lifted her skirts, and thrust into her without so much as howdy after he asked her price. She used the scale the woman had given her.

"Ask twenty for a hand job, fifty for front penetration, sixty from the rear, and seventy-five if he wants you to blow him off. You don't want those things in your mouth if you can avoid it. Trust me."

None of her customers had gotten past the fifty mark, which was just as well since Kelly had little idea what she was even offering, but she figured she'd learn soon enough. However, her third night was distinctly different.

The man, whom Kelly quickly suspected was a true gentleman, would be her fourth customer, if he chose her. Dressed in a stylish, black woolen coat, which he'd left unbuttoned despite the cold, revealing a trim waist beneath a muscular chest, he cut a rather dashing figure. Though no judge of fashion, Kelly thought his vest and suit looked expensive. His nails were well-manicured, and his dark hair had a touch of gray at both temples. When he approached her, she had to crane her neck back to see his face, since he stood at least a foot taller than she did. Used to men testing out the merchandise with a squeeze or two before they bought, Kelly was surprised when this man made no effort to touch her or even ask what she charged for her services. Instead, he took a single step back and inquired in a cultured voice, "How old are you, young lady?"

"What's it to you?" Kelly snapped back. Yeah, she really had to learn how to be more gracious, but she wasn't in the mood. Her feet hurt, she was hungry, and her cheeks felt like ice.

"Answer my question," he directed, and the frown on his face puzzled her. The man clearly wasn't drunk, and he appeared well off. So why was he out trolling the streets for a whore? And why did he appear so stern all of a sudden?

"I'm nearly nineteen, if it pleases you," she answered with a slight rise to her chin. She wasn't a child, though, right then, he made her feel like one.

His mouth relaxed into what could almost be considered a smile. "It does, as a matter of fact. In spite of the garishness of your makeup, you appear much younger. Have you taken your evening repast, yet?"

Had she taken what? Who was this guy, and why did he talk as if he'd just stepped out of an historical romance novel? Not that she'd read all that many, of course.

Despite his gentlemanly manners, this potential customer slid her wariness meter into orange for some indefinable reason. Unsure if she wanted to go anywhere with him, she unsuccessfully tried to suppress a shiver and said, "I'm not the sort who steals or take things, so don't look to me for an evening repast, whatever that is."

The frown promptly returned as he removed his woolen scarf and wrapped it around her neck then turned her so his back sheltered her from the worst of the wind. "You are inadequately dressed for this weather. Is that the best coat you own?"

"No. I left my mink at home. Sorry. Who knew I'd need it tonight?

"Your impertinent attitude is far from conducive for social intercourse, young miss. You should amend it at once by showing proper respect to a gentleman who merely wishes to offer you aid."

Grateful for the additional warmth, Kelly drew his scarf closer and caught a faint but pleasant scent of wood smoke and lime, even as she gave an unimpressed shrug. "Whatever."

"I dislike repeating myself, but I shall, just this once. Have you eaten dinner, yet?"

"Well, why didn't you just ask that earlier? No," she answered, unsure whether the man meant her or good or ill, and yet unable to walk away.

"No what?" he prompted.

She raised an eyebrow. "No. I haven't eaten dinner, yet."

Taking a deep breath, he regarded her through lowered eyebrows. "If you and I are to get along at all, my saucy young miss, you will address me as sir. Understand?"

Kelly might be naïve, but she wasn't stupid. "Yes… Sir."

"Better. Now, I should like to take you some place where you can get warm while you consume wholesome, nourishing food and we can talk a little more privately. Would you be amenable to such an endeavor?"

"Depends. Are you planning to pay for my time?"

He let out a sigh. "If you determine a meal and conversation aren't sufficient, I shall recompense you for the lost wages you'd acquire had you remained in this delightful spot for the entire evening, offering your body to strangers. Are my terms to your satisfaction, now?"

Yeah, if the man was willing to give her what she asked, get her out of the cold and feed her, who was she to argue? She gave an offhand shrug, but rather than indicate which direction she should head, he stood before her, still sheltering her with his body, and glared at her with that same frown as he waited.

"Yes, sir?" she replied, uncertain if that was what he wanted, but taking a guess it was.

"That is correct. So, what is your standard rate?"

"Depends on what's wanted."

"Yes, I suppose it would. All right, what would you require for three hours of conversation?"

"That's it? You want to just talk while you take me to dinner?"

"Precisely."

She eyed him up and down. He looked like he could afford a lot, so she upped her rate. "Three hundred."

"Really? Don't you think one hundred dollars an hour for food and a discussion is a bit exorbitant?"

"Maybe. But you asked."

"Fine." He took out his wallet, peeled off three crisp one hundred dollar bills, and handed them to her. She'd never seen anything larger than a twenty before, but, rather than show her ignorance, Kelly quickly stuffed the money in a safe place and regarded him with a haughty look that drew a reluctant chuckle from his chest.

"You're a cheeky little brat, aren't you?" When she grinned, he bent toward her. "Since we are to dine together, perhaps you should tell me your name."

Seeing no harm in that, she replied, "Kelly. Kelly Franklin."

"Kelly. Is that your full given name?"

"No. It's Kellian, but I prefer to be called Kelly."

"I see. Well, Miss Kelly Franklin…" He extended a gloved hand to her. "Would you be willing to accompany me to a fine dining establishment?"

She placed her fingers on his palm with a nod, and they proceeded down the sidewalk—hand-in-hand.

* * *

The building where they finally stopped was more than a few blocks away. Kelly didn't mind walking, normally, except her feet felt as if they'd been encased in ice. Still, she kept quiet and followed her escort to a set of double wooden doors with brass handles and frosted glass. When they stepped inside, Kelly was met with a burst of delightfully warm air, perfumed with delicious scents of hot food and the scent of moneyed customers. Kelly rubbed her hands together to ease her prickling fingers as a gentleman elegantly dressed in black greeted them.

The black-suited attendant gave her host a small bow. "Mr. White, we haven't seen you here in quite a while. Your usual table, sir?"

"That would be fine, Henry."

Henry escorted them to a private nook set in a distant corner near a gently glowing fire, which Kelly gravitated toward immediately. She was standing right in front of the welcomed warmth when she realized their table was separated from the rest of the dining room by a folded partition. She promptly turned to face her companion, uncertain if it would be wise for her to seclude herself with a relative stranger where no one else could see them. Even on the street, there were always passersby. Mr. White had paid for her time, and they were still in a public place, so she doubted he would hurt her, but he could attempt to do other things she might not like. Before she could utter an objection, her coat and scarf were removed from her shoulders and a warm hand rested firmly at her waist.

"You will be quite safe with me, my dear. I can assure you no harm will come to you here or any other place you might choose to accompany me."

With a reluctant nod, Kelly let Mr. White, if that really was his name, seat her. He took the chair directly across from her. "I should prefer to order for you, if you don't mind."

Realizing she was hungrier than she'd thought, Kelly gave another shrug that earned her a quick frown. Mr. White opened his menu and gazed at it for a moment until a waiter in a black suit and tie stood at their table. "The young lady will have two slices of roast turkey with only a smidgen of gravy, mashed potatoes with a pat of butter, and green beans. What would you like to drink, my dear?" he inquired politely.

She shrugged. "Soda?"

"Unacceptable. Soda is extremely bad for your teeth and has no nutritional value. You may choose water or milk."

"What about iced tea?"

"No. Tea is loaded with caffeine, which you do not need. Milk is much better for you."

"If you were going to dictate what I drink, why did you bother to ask me what I wanted?"

"Don't be impertinent, child. Give the waiter your selection."

She glanced up at the man who reminded her a bit of a penguin. "Water, please."

"Very good, miss. And you, sir?"

"Just black coffee for me, Andrew."

The waiter gave a polite nod. "Very good, sir."

Once the penguin had waddled away, White leaned across the table toward Kelly. "Overall, I'd say you did very well. I'm proud of you."

Kelly blinked as a flush of uncertain pleasure heated her cheeks. Unsure what to do next, she pulled the square of white linen folded beneath the gleaming silverware and moved to place it on her lap.

"No. I'd prefer you wear your napkin under your chin. Allow me?" Not waiting for her answer, he rose to tie the cloth into a bib around her neck.

Fingering the delicately patterned, snowy-white material, she frowned at him. "Why?"

He returned to his seat. "To catch any spills you might make. If we are to get along, I'll expect you to do as I ask without discussion or delay. I do not care to have my requests questioned."

Giving him a frown, she scooted her chair closer to the table. Though Kelly thought her benefactor might be a little odd, odd was better than cruel any day as far as she was concerned.

When her dinner arrived, Mr. White removed her plate from the waiter's hands, sliced her meat into small, bite-size pieces, as he would for a child, then placed the cut-up food before her. "There you go. You may eat, now, if you wish."

Yup, the guy was certifiable, but Kelly was too hungry to protest, so she picked up her fork, closed her eyes to relish the moment, and used all her willpower to keep from shoveling everything into her mouth at once. The roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes were the best things she'd eaten in a long while. Though she wished she could savor the meal, she was so hungry, she gobbled down everything she'd been served. As she ate, Mr. White plied her with questions, wanting to know if she had a family or friends, where she grew up, where she went to school, etc. She answered them, but, when she asked him a question in turn, he sidestepped it by asking her something else.

Realizing this was an interview of sorts, Kelly let him take the lead while she ate. Once she was done, she wiped her lips and glanced up to find the gentleman smiling at her. Offering a tentative smile in return, she gave her substitute bib a gentle tug but stopped when he lightly slapped her hand.

"No. The napkin stays in place until I say you may remove it."

Kelly blinked at him but obediently lowered her hand to her lap.

"Good girl. You may pick one dessert from the menu the waiter will bring us, but, whatever you pick, I will feed it to you. Understand?"

Kelly hesitated, about to ask why, but his expression indicated he would not welcome having his intentions questioned, so she answered, "Yes, sir."

Another approving smile. "Well done. You learn quickly."

When the waiter brought the menu, Mr. White directed him to hand it to her. She examined her selections. All of them were appealing, but, given his prior restrictions, she suspected her host had something specific in mind he wished for her to eat. Rather than having her choice vetoed again, she glanced at him and said, "I thought maybe the chocolate cake?"

"I think the icing might be too sweet for you. Perhaps another selection would be more appropriate?"

"Chocolate pudding?" she asked.

"Acceptable. Bring the young lady pudding, Andrew, but serve it to me, please."

"Yes, sir," Andrew replied and left without so much as a blink of surprise.

Considering his request a bit unusual, Kelly asked, "Do you come here often?"

"On occasion, yes. They know what I prefer."

"Apparently so."

"As you will, too, if we choose to continue our association." He paused when Andrew set a china bowl of chocolate pudding before him, along with a spoon. "Thank you." After Andrew left, Mr. White gazed pointedly at Kelly. "Scoot your chair around the table, child, so you're closer to me."

She gave him a slight scowl but obeyed. Once she was positioned the way he wanted, he dipped the silver utensil into the pudding and held it to her lips. The moment she opened her mouth, he fed her the first spoonful. The confection was rich and chocolaty, and if he preferred to feed it to her, she'd play along, though she suspected he possessed some sort of father complex.

"While you eat, I shall continue to ask more questions."

Given this was all on his nickel, Kelly agreed without an argument.

"Where do you live?"

That drew her up. Did she really want this man, who ordered her food, made her wear a napkin under her chin, cut up her meat, and insisted on feeding her dessert, to know where she slept? Frowning, she hesitated to answer him. She could lie, but, if she did and he caught her in the fib, she imagined he would grow quite angry. And she didn't want that, either.

"Are you afraid what I might do with that information?"

"A little," she confessed.

"I can assure you I only mean to discover how far we shall need to travel in order to collect any belongings you may wish to bring with you.

"I don't have much, but why would I need to collect any of my things?"

"All in good time, my dear. All in good time."

When the pudding dish was empty, he untied the napkin from her neck and patted her lips.

"That's a good girl," he murmured softly. "I am very pleased with you, tonight, Kelly Franklin. So, I intend to give you a reward once we leave here. Are you warm enough that you would be willing to walk a bit farther with me?"

Kelly had no wish to go back out into the cold, but he'd bought three hours of her time, and dinner had taken barely an hour, so she gave another nod.

He accepted her answer without comment, requested and paid their bill then assisted her into her coat, taking care to ensure his scarf was securely wrapped about her throat before he buttoned her up.

"You need something that will keep you much warmer; else you could catch a chill."

Kelly had no argument for that logic. Once they left, he took her by the hand again and escorted her to a spot near a small newspaper stand. "Consider this a special treat, since candy is bad for your teeth, but you may go over and select one confection. Then bring it back to me, unopened."

He removed several crisp dollar bills from his leather wallet and handed them to her. "Go on," he urged.

Kelly strode over to the counter and surveyed her choices. She hadn't gotten much candy at the orphanage, and couldn't afford it since she'd left, so this was indeed a treat for her. The way her new benefactor seemed to read her mind at times, she wondered, while she selected chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, if his generosity came from his acute perceptiveness or out of past experience.

Receiving the change, she brought it and the candy back to her escort. Although he'd paid her, she didn't really consider him a customer anymore. In truth, he'd proved to be her knightly savior. She handed him the coins, first, which he thanked her for and put away, then he held out his hand. So, she placed the packaged cups in his palm, too.

Offering her a pleased nod in return, he removed the paper wrapping from the sweet and fed her the first bite. Smooth creamy chocolate melded with salty-sweet peanut butter on her tongue, and she moaned with pure pleasure. Smiling, he handed the patty over to her.

"Take small bites, and your treat will last longer," he advised.

Though it was difficult, Kelly did her best to follow his instructions. Once she'd finished the first patty, she licked her fingers. Due to the cold weather, it hadn't melted much, but she didn't want to waste a single delicious taste.

He offered her the second piece with a slight frown. "Don't you own any gloves?"

"I lost them," she informed him with a shrug as she relished the remainder of her treat.

"We shall purchase a new pair for you, tomorrow, then."

Her gaze flashed up to meet his as she licked her fingers again, but this time he shook his head and clasped her hand in his to wipe it clean with a linen handkerchief. Did men still carry those?

"Proper young ladies do not lick their fingers," he scolded, placing the cloth back in his pocket. She thought he would release her hand then, but he merely stared at her for a long moment before he asked, "How would you like to live with me?"

Kelly frowned. Though the man seemed genuinely considerate of her well-being, he was still a stranger who'd refused to answer most of her questions. He hadn't even told her his given name, saying instead that she should call him sir.

At her hesitation, he leaned closer. "I want to take care of you, Kelly. You'll have your own room, plenty to eat, suitable clothes to wear. I will see to your every need, so you will want for nothing. I will also further your education by having you take classes at some point to ensure you gain the skills you'll require to find a proper job when we eventually part."

Interesting. He spoke of parting before they'd even gotten together. Kelly knew there had to be a catch, but she couldn't imagine what it might be. Gazing up at him, she asked, "So, are you expecting to throw me back on the streets when you're finished with me?"

His frown deepened as he glared at her. "You are never to return to the streets. Is that clear?"

She shrugged. "What am I to do for money, then?"

"Cash won't be an issue, since I will provide for you. But, if you're worried about your future, I will say that I intend to establish a trust fund for you, which you may draw upon when you turn twenty-one. You're eighteen, so two hundred dollars a week should provide you with a nest egg of around fifty thousand dollars that I will expect you to build upon once you've got a respectable job."

Two hundred dollars this week would have kept her cozy. So, what was the catch? "Will you be sleeping with me?"

"I will see to your every need, Kelly," he repeated slowly, as if she had trouble understanding him. "Though I doubt we will share the same bed for an entire night."

"Will you at least tell me your name, sir?"

"I don't see what difference that should make, unless I adopt you, which is unlikely, but my name is Graham White."

"Where do you live, Mr. White?"

Kelly received a firm slap on her thigh for that. Rubbing the spot he'd smacked, she scowled at him. "What was that for?"

"What did I say you were to call me?"

She swallowed. He appeared quite serious about the etiquette he wanted her to follow. "Sir."

"That is correct. I do not want you ever to refer to me by my name. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I have an apartment located on Fifth Avenue near Central Park."

Kelly thought he was still being evasive, so she asked, "What sort of restrictions will you put on me if I agree to live with you, sir?"

"I'm not sure I understand your question."

"Okay, if I meet someone at school, can I invite them over to visit?"

"No, you may not. You will be taking your classes at home, over the Internet. Other than our weekly afternoon out, I foresee no need for you to depart the apartment."

Kelly thought she was beginning to get the picture. "Will I ever be allowed to leave without you accompanying me, sir?"

"If you're required to be somewhere without me, we will discuss it at that time. Until then, I expect you to remain solely in my company."

He intended to make her answerable to him alone. Kelly wasn't sure she liked that idea. He had been strict, but not cruel, even so…

"Is your current life so full of possibilities you have difficulty making a decision?"

She snorted. "No."

"That's a most disgusting sound. Don't make it again. It's not ladylike. So, why do you hesitate?"

"Because, sir, I don't know you, and you seem intent upon keeping me prisoner while I remain under your control."

His face immediately softened, and he smiled. "No, Kelly. You won't be my prisoner. You will be my cherished daughter."

"But—"

"Not in the full legal sense. But that is how I shall regard you."

She leaned closer to him. "But men don't usually sleep with their daughters, sir."

"True. However, as you aren't truly my blood relation, nor are you still a little girl, even if I choose to treat you as one, I fully expect you will need erotic stimulation and satisfaction from time to time. And, when you do, I will provide it. No one else will be allowed to touch you, Kelly, without my permission. If you grow ill, I will have a doctor attend you, of course. In fact, one of the first things I will insist upon is taking you for a physical and dental checkup, but your every other interaction will be with me, and me alone."

Kelly didn't know what to make of that, though it did make his actions and statements a lot clearer in her mind. He would be treating her as if she really was his daughter, and yet…

"Here's what I suggest. Since you remain uncertain as to my intentions, why don't we give it a one-month trial? At the end of thirty days, if you don't wish to stay with me, I will give you one thousand dollars and release you from all obligations to me. Would that arrangement be more amenable to you?"

To have all her needs met and then be given a thousand dollars after one month seemed too good to be true. Could she trust him? Did she really have a choice, considering the alternative? "All right," she agreed finally, though she still had more than a few reservations about this new deal she'd struck.

"Excellent." He offered her his hand again. "Come with me while I hail a taxi, and we'll discuss what items you might desire to collect from your lodgings."