Bastian’s eyes widened as he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.
Dread filled him. Why would Bastian react like that. Was something wrong with the kids?
Finally, Bastian sighed deeply. “I wasn’t planning on getting into this so soon.”
“What?” He had to know. If something bad was happening, then he would call Carter. Hudson would not put up with anyone hurting children. Was this really a cult and he’d been tricked into a date? Hudson rubbed his palms on his jeans as they grew sweaty.
“Do you know anything about BDSM or kink?” Bastian asked.
Hudson reared back. That was a very weird question to ask when they were talking about kids.
“Wait!” Bastian held up a hand. “Remember that club that I mentioned Craig owned and the others visit?”
“The BDSM club?”
Bastian narrowed his eyes. “Yes, Craig owns that.”
“Okay?”
“Some of the couples and throuples are very involved in the community,” Bastian said.
“A true BDSM community is based around being safe, sane, and consensual. It is not an excuse to abuse anyone, especially children. Children shouldn’t even be near anything like that.” Hudson didn’t mean to raise his voice but fury filled him.
“I’m explaining this poorly,” Bastian said as he rubbed at the back of his neck.
“Some of the guys, most of one part of the couple or throuple, identify as boys, littles, pups.” Bastian waved toward the giant playset. “Axel built that playset for Bryce after their first date. Bryce is a little.”
“Oh!” Hudson brought his hands to cover his mouth as what he’d thought and what was really going on hit him. “I’m sorry!”
“No!” Bastian moved quickly to kneel in front of him. He grasped Hudson’s hands with his. “I just suck at explaining this.”
“I jumped to conclusions. Again.” It felt terrible. Hudson kept thinking the worst about Bastian and his friends.
“It’s okay, sunshine.” Bastian cupped his face.
“Sunshine?” That…that was a sweet nickname.
“You remind me of sunshine. All your happy and sweet vibes. I like it.”
Hudson swallowed hard. “Really?”
Bastian nodded. “For someone like me who has seen the worse things possible in the world, you are a breath of fresh air, the sunshine breaking through on a cloudy day.”
No one had ever said anything as nice as that to him. “Thank you.”
“So I don’t want you to worry,” Bastian said. “I wasn’t prepared to talk about kinks on the first date. Hell, I haven’t even fed you yet.”
Hudson giggled.
“That’s better.” Leaning forward, Bastian gently pressed his lips to Hudson’s.
The kiss was soft, quick, and amazing.
“Now let’s have dinner and I will tell you more about the little troublemakers in the family. If you’re going to be hanging around, I don’t want to see you getting into any trouble with them.”
“Who, me?” Hudson blinked innocently.
Bastian laughed as he rose and offered Hudson his hand. “I see that smile, boy. Do not think because I think you’re adorable that I wouldn’t also put you over my knee.”
