Page 28 of A Little Bit Naughty

“I do. I guess you don’t then?”

“I don’t even own a car, since I live in the city. I took the shuttle from the airport.”

“Got it. Maybe I can drive you into Portland on Monday then.”

Isaac nodded. “Thank you, Daddy.” Not only would it save Tommy the trip, but he’d get a little bit more Daddy time before it was all over. He wasn’t going to think about that right now, though.

“You go pack anything that you think you’ll need and I’ll get us set up.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” Yup, still a perfect day.

6

Remi

Remi was secretly delighted that the van was full, and might have suggested driving over with Isaac anyway. He already had his boy for the weekend and didn’t need to spend time socializing with people he’d never meet again in a hurl-inducing van.

Isaac chattered along as they drove, remarking on everything from the scenery to his schedule. His three-year doctoral program was intense, with five courses over the summer, seven or eight each fall and spring semester, and hours of clinical practice at a hospital, a small-independent clinic, and the teaching clinic for his program. He had a one-week break right now between summer semesters, another one in six weeks, and then no time off until Thanksgiving.

It was no wonder he didn’t want to start a relationship right now. Remi admired his passion and energy, but at the same time just hearing about it made him want to wrap him all up and take his cares away.

Isaac insisted on picking the radio station, amusing Remi when he settled on eighties music. Not that either of them had any memories of the decade, with Remi barely a toddler and Isaac not even born. What was it… eight years between them? But he agreed that it was perfect road trip music for all of the twenty minutes they were driving.

Isaac insisted that if there were mountains, it was a road trip.

Remi itched to tell him that if he moved out to Portland he could see them all the time. But of course that was far too much too soon.

When they got to the kayak tour site, Isaac bounced off to get started, but Remi called him back.

He came running over immediately, bringing a smile to Remi’s lips with his eagerness and natural obedience.

“You need sunblock,” Remi explained. He had some in the diaper bag, though of course no one else would know what the shoulder bag was.

Isaac’s eyes swelled when he saw it. “OK, Daddy. Um, can I call you that here?”

Remi looked around. The van from the Meadowlark Lodge was just pulling up, but there was another tour group with lots of kids just putting on their life vests. It was a tough call, so he let Isaac in on all of his feelings.

“I want to say you can call me Daddy anytime and anywhere. But everyone else’s consent is important too, and they didn’t ask to be part of our scene. So it kind of depends. I don’t think it’s appropriate in front of actual children. Around adults, I think it’s harmless, but I don’t want you to face any negativity from it, and it really depends on how intimate or sexual it sounds. I mean, I’d never be angry or disappointed if you did and I’d defend you to anyone.” He shrugged. “Maybe use your judgment?”

Isaac nodded slowly. “That makes sense. My ex never wanted me to say it outside the house, which I also understood. But I don’t think things are that black and white.”

Both decisions made sense and were completely appropriate, but from what little Remi knew, he wasn’t a fan of Isaac’s ex. “Exactly. You know, you’re very mature, sweet boy.”

“Only sometimes,” Isaac grinned up at him. “So… sunblock, Daddy?”

As if Remi could keep his hands off him. He led Isaac around to the side of the car, out of sight of the children. With a little snick of the cap, he was rubbing the sticky, white cream down Isaac’s arms.

God, he couldn’t get enough of this. It hit all of the right notes for him as a caretaker and he just plain loved touching his boy. Knowing that they wouldn’t be having sex added to the sensuous nature of these not-quite-innocent touches.

He couldn’t help but notice what all those hours in the gym had done for Isaac’s physique, too. “You’re really built, baby,” Remi complimented him. “I didn’t notice last night with your jammies on.”

Isaac preened. “Thank you, Daddy. I know muscles aren’t the most important thing, and I encourage my clients to work on their own personal goals for mobility first. But at the same time–” He grinned down at his own arms. “–I really like my muscles.”

Remi laughed. “Well, I like them, too. Want to tell me about that?” He switched to the other arm, enjoying all of the long lines and muscular bulges that were now visible.

“I think it’s just such an outward symbol of masculinity. It’s something I wanted for a long time, and now that I can see the results when I work out, well… that probably sounds pretty superficial.”

“No, sweetheart. That doesn’t sound superficial at all. It sounds like you enjoy using your body, and the result is affirming to your identity. I can’t think of anything superficial about that.”