Nicky couldn’t remember a better night. For the first time in way too long, Nicky had someone there to care for his needs exclusively. Nicky was thankful for all the times that Jude had stepped up during playtime, but there was something about having a Daddy’s complete attention that Nicky had missed.
Not that Law was his Daddy. Nicky knew that the prior night had been a fluke. He didn’t expect to find his forever Daddy like Liam. Nicky was fully aware how rare it was to find someone whose kinks aligned as perfectly as Liam and Jude’s had. Liam had to literally move across the country in order to find his Daddy.
Nicky wouldn’t be making such a dramatic life change.
He’d worked far too long building his business into one he was proud of. The massive house he’d purchased in the gated community had everything that Nicky could ever want. Nicky had expensive clothes, cars, and a nursery that most littles would kill for. Not that any of those things mattered when Nicky was alone night after night with no Daddy to call his own.
Six months before Liam had moved to town was the last time that Nicky had been exploring a Daddy relationship. He’d genuinely believed he’d found the one. Nicky couldn’t have been more wrong. Once again, the fact that Nicky didn’t need his Daddy to financially take care of him had become an issue.
Why was it that Daddies thought that their boy, especially a little, should be in a lower tax bracket than them?
Nicky was proud of his hard work. He’d got out of that small town that he’d been raised in. He’d ignored all his teachers, friends, and father who said that he’d never make it on his own. Years of only eating noodles, working eighteen-hour days, and not knowing if he’d make enough to cover his bills the next month had been worth it when Nicky looked at the business that he had built. And every Daddy that he’d tried to be in a relationship with wanted Nicky to give it all up.
Rubbing his eyes, Nicky rolled out of bed. It was such bullshit! Nicky could be a smart and talented businessman and a cute and sassy little. The two weren’t mutually exclusive.
He shuffled his way toward the closed playroom door and opened it to stick his head into the hall. There was noise coming from the kitchen, so someone must be awake. Most likely Jude, who started his morning with a long ocean swim. Even in the winter mornings, which Nicky found to be crazy.
Depending on Liam’s creative mind, he could have gotten up to write in the middle of the night, was sleeping in, or by his Daddy’s side, as this was his favorite place to be.
Nicky made a stop in the bathroom to take care of his morning business and use the spare toothbrush that he kept there. Once he was at least semi-presentable—the shark onesie might be a little wrinkled, but sharks didn’t care about things like that—Nicky made his way to the kitchen.
He had to pass through the living room. Nicky detoured to give Hades a morning cuddle then was standing in the kitchen doorway watching Jude work at the stove.
Liam sat on the island, kicking his feet as he drank out of a huge mug. It didn’t matter if his bestie was big or little, coffee was the only thing he’d drink in the morning.
Jude turned and caught sight of him. “Good morning, Nicky.”
“Morning,” Nicky said, covering a yawn.
“Morning, bestie!” Liam called, kicking his feet faster. “You slept a long time.”
Yeah, the light filtering in the kitchen was stronger than Nicky suspected. “Tired,” he admitted.
Liam huffed. “You work too hard.”
That was funny coming from his best friend. “Says the guy that would write for two days straight then sleep for three.”
Liam’s eyes widened in horror before he glanced over at Jude.
Nicky snickered as Jude shook his head. “He doesn’t do that anymore,” Jude said.
Yeah, because Liam had a Daddy who made sure that Liam had his writing time but didn’t overdo it.
“Tattletale,” Liam whispered at him.
Nicky strolled over to lean against his bestie’s legs, making him stop kicking his feet. “It’s not like you’re going to get in trouble for what you used to do,” he pointed out.
Liam stuck his tongue out in retaliation.
Just for that, Nicky swiped the coffee mug from Liam’s hand. The mug was nearly empty, but it was enough to jump-start his brain. He needed to make a plan for the day. Really, for the next few weeks. His office was closed for the holiday and with the final project complete, it was Nicky’s time to relax and recharge.
“Did you wash up?” Jude asked as he removed the empty mug from Nicky’s hand and replaced it with a full one.
“Yes,” Nicky replied then took a drink of his coffee that was perfectly made. Liam always liked his coffee a little too sweet for Nicky.
“Take that to the table,” Jude ordered. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Daddy! Nicky drank all my coffee!” Liam whined.
