Years of therapy had helped him learn that‘no’was a full sentence. But he still slipped into the old habit every now and again.
Koa selected a picture of a teddy bear and blanket laying on a couch. It looked like the perfect place to cozy up after a long day. Oh, how he wished he could.
Soon, he promised himself. Soon he’d get to go home, to his sanctuary, and do just that. Mr. Teddy would be happy to see him.
“Hi Koa!”
He turned at the familiar voice. His friend Ethan had come to sit with him. Koa grinned wide and threw his arms open.
“Ethan!”
The pair hugged, rocking side to side as if they hadn’t seen each other in years rather than a few days. A few of the people near them laughed at the sight. They weren’t being mean. Everyonealways said Ethan and Koa’s other Little friends were cute together.
While Koa was an average sized man with long blonde hair, lightly tanned skin, and big glasses, Ethan was a tall, lean Black man who always sported a bit of scruff on his jaw. Neither of them were stereotypical Littles. Their differences were a big part of what made them gravitate to one another.
Well, that and a love for cuddles.
Had the laughing around them been to poke fun, Briar would have removed the guilty people right away. She didn’t tolerate negativity in the club.
When Koa pulled away from Ethan, his eyes caught on a figure standing near the doorway. A man he didn’t recognize watched him with a soft expression. Not quite a smile, but pretty close.
“Who is that?” he whispered to Ethan.
His friend turned, peeking over his shoulder. “Who is who?”
“The stranger by the door.”
“Ohhhh. That’s Manny. He’s new.”
Koa nodded. Yeah, he understood the new part of it. He’d never seen Manny, and given Koa was here every week, the ‘new’ label held true.
What he didn’t understand was how a Daddy so good looking was alone at a munch. Had he been the man’s Little he’d be tucked to his side all the time. Like allllll the time.
There was something about him that screamed caregiver. Maybe it was the kind look in his eyes. Or it could be the way he looked ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Koa tried to stop staring. He really did.
It wasn’t going very well.
As his gaze swept over Manny, he catalogued the details to his memory. Black jeans that hugged thick, muscular thighs. A long-sleeve ribbed shirt with the top two buttons undone covered equally muscular arms. His face was handsome, with full lips, a slightly turned up nose, and eyes that bore into Koa’s soul. Add in the golden skin and tousled black hair, and you had the makings of a sex god come to life.
“He’s gonna think you’re a creeper, Koa,” Ethan whispered. “Come color. I’m not ready to people yet.”
Koa peeled his gaze away from Manny to support his friend. Ethan was somewhat reserved, but he sounded more upset than usual.
“What’s wrong? Do you need another hug?”
Ethan shook his head. “I’m ok. Just work stuff.”
“Oh, no! Are they being meanies again?” Koa asked as concern welled inside him. Ethan worked full-time at a corporate office job he hated. When he wasn’t buried under paperwork, his time was spent here at the club playing and running Sunday Snuggles once a week.
Koa had tried to convince his friend that he should quit his Big job to come work for him and Briar. They were doing well enough financially to bring him on. It would solve a lot of his issues.
Except Ethan held steady that he was needed in the office. As the assistant to the CEO, he always said he wasquite literallythe backup support to the decision maker.
Whatever the reason, Koa hated seeing his friend stressed. They had a cuddle session yesterday. Ethan should be happy as a clam.
Briar appeared out of thin air, pulling Koa from thoughts about his friend. “Come on, co-boss man. Time to meet the new guy. You can play more after.”
