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“Unless you safeword, I’m taking over as Daddy right now.” I arch a brow in challenge, only to be met with silence as Tanner sucks his lips between his teeth. He stares at me with wonder and need pouring out of his eyes.
“Very well. Here’s what you’re going to do…” I reach for the to-go bag, lifting the container and setting it on the table. “I know you don’t have long, so I want you to eat as much of this sandwich as you can while I talk. If you need to safeword, I want you to knock on the table two times.”
“Okay,” he says, earning a smile when he dives for the sandwich and shoves large bites in his mouth.
“As soon as we’re done here, you’re going to head off to your last call of the night. When you’re finished, you will text me to let me know you are on your way home. You will not stop anywhere or do anything except drive safely until you are home.
“Once you get home, I want you to quickly shower and change into pajamas. Brush your teeth and use the bathroom. After you’re done, I want you to climb into bed with Luna and call me on FaceTime. I’m going to read you a story, and then you’re going to sleep. Tomorrow, I will pick you up for dinner, and we will discuss how Daddy can help you after this. Any questions?”
Tanner swallows his bite of sandwich. “No.”
“No, what?”
“No, Daddy.”
“Good boy,” I praise. “Any objections?”
“Not exactly.” He pauses before continuing, “But this is just for now, right? Like, you know I can’t offer you more than this?”
“How about you let me worry about those things until tomorrow at dinner?”There it is.Tanner’s smile lights up for the first time since he ran headfirst into my chest.
“I can do that.”
“Good.” I glance at my wrist to check the time. “Okay, sweetheart. You need to get on the road soon. Give me your phone, please.”
Tanner shuffles off my lap and slides out of the booth, pulling his phone from his pocket. Once in hand, I plug in my contact information and send myself a text so I’ll have his number. When my phone vibrates against my thigh, I nod and give Tanner his phone back.
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Dean?”
“It’s Daddy to you, and yes, I’m sure.” The first night we played, I wasn’t so sure. But as the weeks have gone by, I haven’t stopped thinking about this boy and why he made such an impact on me. With him standing in front of me so desperately in need of care—that I can give him—I’m sure.
There’s still a possibility this could end like any other Daddy/boy dynamic I’ve tried in the past, but Tanner needs someone right now. Imminent heartbreak or incompatibility is an issue we may need to deal with in the future. But right now? I can’t see the harm in stepping in to help a boy so obviously in need.
I pass him the coffee travel mug. “Take this and get going. I’ll settle the check with Mac.”
“On the house,” he grunts from the back.
“Or not,” I say with a laugh.
“You guys don’t have to do all this. I know I’m stressed and really, really tired. But I’ll be fine.”
“Fine is an acronym for Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional,” I quote fromThe Italian Job, one of my favorite movies. “Which means, yes, I do need to do this for you. Now go, and I will ‘see’ you later.”
I can see his argument brewing, so I cut him off at the pass. Pulling him by the waist, I cuddle him to my chest in a bear hug, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
“Yes, Daddy,” he breathes when I pull away.
“Much better, boy.” Slipping from the booth, I step into Tanner’s space, forcing him to tilt his head to see my face. “I’ve got this, Tanner. I’ve got you. Now, go save the children, and I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Thank you, Daddy Dean.” Rising on his toes, he gives me a cheek kiss before turning and bolting out the door.
I watch his cute butt scramble across the road to the parking garage with a smile on my face.
Step one: complete.
Flagging Mac, I ask for a cup of coffee. “Looks like I’m gonna be here a while longer.”
“Figured,” he grunts, flipping the mug over and pouring the decadent liquid to the brim. “Need me for anything?”
