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“Remember Arty is here if you need him,” they say, discreetly pointing out his position in the corner.
“Thanks, Aspen,” I say as they flitter out of the room. “Come on, Tanner. Let’s sit.”
He follows me to the bench and chair in the center of the room. I gesture for him to take the chair before lowering myself to the bench. He does as asked, nervously plopping down and fingering the weird ball of puff in his hands.
“Whatcha got there?”
He looks up, his blue eyes shining with his smile. “This is Luna.” He holds up the puffball, and I see a set of black wings embroidered with silver stars. The spiky ball looks strange but soft, with googly eyes and two bright-white fangs in the center.
“Luna is a…bat?” I hedge.
Tanner lights up. “A vampire bat.”
“Is Luna your favorite stuffie?”
“One of five. It’s a set I ordered on Etsy a few years ago. I like vampires, but they don’t make good stuffies. This was the next best thing.”
I lean back, rubbing my hand across my chin. “Vampires, huh? Gotta say that’s a first.”
Tanner sighs and sets Luna in his lap. “Sorry, I’m dancing around my little side. Tends to happen when I’m tired. But I think we should talk first?” His voice tilts on the question.
“I agree. Tell me about yourself, Tanner.”
“Well, Aspen told you my name is Tanner Morgan. I’m twenty-four, born and raised in Colorado. I moved to Aurora right after college, and I work with Child Protective Services.” He sucks in a breath, having shot out the words as if he’s been practicing and couldn’t get them out fast enough. “What about you?”
Pointing to my chest, I tell him, “Dean Nash. Born and raised in New York, transplanted to Colorado about four years ago. I’m forty-five, and I’m Madam Eve’s primary DM here at The Garden.”
“You work here? That’s so cool.”
“I like it. So tell me, Tanner, how’d you end up at tonight’s event?”
Tanner leans back in his chair, his head falling to the side. Even with the excitement of the day—or perhaps because of it—he looks like he’s hanging on by a single strand of energy. “I wasn’t expecting to find a Daddy for the night. Aspen kinda sprang the whole thing on me when I got here. I haven’t been able to visit The Garden in forever, but I can’t complain. It seems like a great night to be here. I’d planned to play on my own in the playroom.”
My heart tugs at the way the last sentence loses momentum.
“How come you were up for adoption if you’re a DM?” he asks before I can contribute. Although I’ve never seen Tanner here before, his question makes me think he’s a member. One of our house rules prevents a DM from participating in any form of play while on the clock.
“Madam Eve called in a favor,” I tell him. “Although, I’m glad I was roped into this circus. Especially since you were the one to win me for the evening.”
“Me too,” he whispers. “For as long as I haven’t played here, it’s been even longer since I’ve had a Daddy.”
Oh, poor baby boy.
“What are you looking for in a Daddy, Tanner?”
“Um. I’m not sure. I don’t have time for a relationship or a full-time Daddy.”
“Why not?” Despite my immediate attraction to the boy, a bit of relief flows through me at his admission. I’m not out to find a foreveranything, so a boy who is only looking for one night of play is fine by me.
“My job is demanding. In the rare times I have a few hours off, I barely get enough hours to sleep, or I have to do all the adulting around my apartment.”
I shake my head. “Is that why you look so worn out?”
Tanner’s eyes fill with unshed tears. “No, it’s okay. I promise I’m awake enough for tonight. Please don’t make me go home.”
“Easy, ba-Tanner,” I correct the almost slip. “I’m not making you do anything before we negotiate your limits for the night.”
“Oh, okay.” He nods slowly. “Yeah, I’m a little drained. I know I should be at home, catching up on some much-needed sleep, but I needed this more. A few hours to play. I don’t get them often.”
