Page 13 of A Tall Order (Shade Grown Coffee Boys #1)

We spend the rest of Saturday alternating between lounging around in bed and playing around the house. There's a whole level of intimacy that comes with sharing yourself with someone physically and trusting them to take care of your needs. When we finally get out of bed again, Remi is in full Daddy mode, setting me up at the table with coloring books and crayons while he prepares dinner.

"A crockpot masterpiece," he says with a wink as he gathers the supplies for a cheesy chicken noodle recipe. Once everything is in the pot, slowly cooking, Remi joins me to color for a bit. Then we move to the living room where I decide we need to have a battle to fight the dragons. Daddy finds two foam swords in the playroom for us to use.

After eating dinner, which is delicious, we make our way upstairs. Remi gives me the choice of what I want to wear to bed, since I have a bag of my own clothes here too. I go with training pants and a pair of shorts, but we both get a bit sidetracked and wind up naked in bed once more. I'm not complaining as I finally curl up against Remi and fall asleep to the sound of his breathing.

Sunday, we go out as a couple, taking a drive out of the city. The weather is cold and Remi makes me dress in an extra layer. I hate the in-between weather, where it's cold enough to snow but it doesn't actually. I'm hoping we can get some snow this winter. Remi surprises me with a roadside diner. Despite the small building and the lack of cars out front, the atmosphere inside and the staff are all incredibly warm and the food is delicious. We go to a hobby shop and then a Farmer's market as well. Mother Nature is in full Fall swing with the changing leaves and brisk weather. The Farmer's market is selling hot cider that warms me up as we walk around.

On the drive back to his place, we talk about his work some more. He tells me more about the email that he got and Garrett, his friend I met at the club Friday night. They met two years ago at the club, found out they had much the same hobbies, and Garrett invited him to his place for a cookout and the rest is an ongoing history.

Hearing Remi talk about his friends and even the people he works with, I realize once again that I've shut myself out the last three years. I didn't keep up with the other Littles I used to hang out with with Paul. All of the guys I work with are at least six years younger than me and we don't have much of anything in common outside of our jobs. We have good working relationships, but that's it. It makes me miss being around people and I'm happy when Remi tells me that the Mommies and Daddies have already planned another get together .

It's nearing dinner time again when we get back to my place. Remi has stayed with me so often over the last month that he has clothes here already. Neither of us are really hungry when we get to my place so we settle on a small version of a charcuterie board and a glass of wine each.

Remi takes his own shower and then runs me a bath while I'm folding clothes I forgot I had put in the dryer on Friday morning. Wrinkled is an understatement for those shirts and I start the dryer again for a few minutes with the hope that it would help. I don't own an iron. By the time I have them folded or hanging in the closet, Remi calls out for me and I travel through the kitchen and dining area. The laundry room is tiny, but efficient, just off the backside of the kitchen.

He put bubbles in the water but there aren't any toys, which is okay for tonight. I let him undress me and wash my hair and body. It's quiet between us, but not awkward. It's sweet. I don't want this to end, ever. Remi starts draining the water but has me laying back in the tub while he jerks my cock slowly. It's sensual and my orgasm comes on slow but intense. He uses the showerhead to clean me off and then he redresses me and we get into the bed.

Now, my alarm is going off and I think about calling in to stay in bed with Remi a little longer. Remi, though, is already moving to get out of bed.

"Noooo," I grumble. "Come back."

"You're the one that has to get to work, Aussie." His hand brushes down the side of my face and I finally open my eyes. He's in nothing but a pair of loose boxers this morning. My eyes travel up further, to see his soft eyes and smile. "Come on, baby. Up, up. "

The alarm is shut off as I sit up and rub my eyes. It's still dark outside. I don't mind the cold weather, but I hate having to drive to work when the sun hasn't even risen yet and I don't get off work until it's set.

"Austin?" Remi's voice is different, softer now. I look up at him and he's standing by the foot of the bed with his head slightly tilted. Concern is etched into his expression. "What's up?"

"I was just complaining in my head," I answer honestly. I move my legs over the side of the bed and stand up. Remi steps closer and I wrap my arms around him. He does the same. "I don't want to go to work today."

"You can do this," Remi whispers in my ear. His hands rub up and down my back.

"Sure, but I don't want to." I tilt my head back to look up at Remi. "And you have important work stuff this week and I won't be able to see you for days."

My phone dings before Remi can respond. I drop my arms from around him and move to check it. I don't get many texts or calls in general, but one this early can be only one thing.

Tyler

Hey, Austin. Sorry to do this last minute. I'm not feeling good and got an appt with my doc. I won't be coming in today.

I slump my shoulders at Tyler's text. It isn't unexpected. He was complaining about feeling unwell on Friday. I send him a quick 'feel better' text and then look up at Remi.

"And just like that, I really don't want to go in. Mondays are one of our busiest days of the week and now we're down a person."

"You'll be okay," Remi says. "I'm sure people will understand. Plus, it's getting close to the holiday season. People tend to be nice this time of year, right?"

"Oh, Remi." I lay a hand on his chest and let my fingers scratch through the soft hair. I drop my eyes and openly ogle him for a minute. "You have no idea how people are with their coffees. At least it isn't Jason calling out. I'd have to make all the coffees this morning on top of the owner coming in."

"I'm putting in my two weeks," Jason says.

I stare at him, not sure what to say. He has a folded letter in his hand and is holding it out to me. I can see the guilt in his face and I don't want him to feel like that. This is a job and he isn't contracted. I focus my attention on the letter and take it from him, not bothering to open it right now. It's been a long morning for all of us. The owner was in a mood when he came in, something about end of the year sales and needing to file the paperwork sooner than expected. With not having Tyler in, he was upset that I chose to be on the floor helping Amir and Jason instead of sitting in a meeting while the morning rush came through.

Once I was able to sit down with the owner, he let me know I put him behind schedule for the day by nearly an hour. I held my tongue from responding that he could help out as well, seeing as it is his business, but I didn't. I sat and listened to him talk about needing the reports for the month a week earlier and that it wasn't in the budget this year to give out bonuses for the employees. The health inspector is also coming next week, on top of everything else.

In short, it was not a good meeting.

Now this.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, looking up at him. The office is a glorified closet and there isn't room for another chair or I'd ask him to sit so we can talk. The shop is closed already so I know we can take a moment.

"Yeah, yeah." He folds his hands over his chest and nods. "I just—"

"You don't have to explain it to me," I say. "It's not my place to need to know. I appreciate the notice, though."

"I know I don't have to." Jason shifts his weight and looks right at me. "I just want you to know it's not because of you or this job specifically. You're, like, one of the best managers I've worked for. I just got accepted into a program and I'm going to be moving away first of the year."

"That's great news," I say, genuinely excited for him. He'd mentioned the program before. I can't recall the specifics of it but I know it's for a degree he's been working toward. "I'm happy for you. You deserve it."

"I'm happy for you too," he says, catching me off guard. "Oh, don't play coy. You have a boyfriend, don't you? That guy that came in here?"

"Maybe." I choose to neither confirm nor deny. He laughs at the vagueness.

"You suck at lying. I'll be able to work through the week of Thanksgiving," he says. "Figured since we're off that Thursday and Friday, I'll just do to Wednesday and have that be my last day."

"Well, I'm definitely going to miss you and your creations," I say. I stand up and hold my hand out to shake his. He pulls me in, on instinct, for that half-bro hug, pat on the back move. "I'll need you to write some of them down for the regulars that come through. They all ask for you on days you're not here."

We walk back out to the main floor. As I walk around, I check that everything is clean and ready to go. Amir is finishing up the last of the dishes and Jason already has everything cleaned up on the coffee side. I wave to the guys as they leave and make sure to lock the door back behind them.

I have to send an email to the owner, something I don't want to do after today's meeting, and work on some paperwork. I have a text on my phone from Remi asking if I've eaten and to let him know when I make it home. I look at the empty plate where I'd made myself a sandwich two hours ago. That is dinner enough, right?

I confirm that I have eaten and then get back to the tasks at hand. I read the resignation letter first, basic with the last day he'll work on there. It is weird to think that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. The thought of it brings up my family and having to face them for the holidays. I've seen the pictures of my niece in her Bumblebee costume, but I haven't spoken to my parents or sister since last week.

My family isn't bad, but they don't understand. I know they didn't particularly approve of Paul when I introduced him the first time. They never said anything outright, but I got the vibe. After his death, I got texts and calls checking up on me. A few casseroles were sent. After I signed a lease with my cousin's friend's father, someone I had met twice in my life, the calls became less and it wasn't unheard of to go a week without talking to anyone in the family.

Last holiday season, my mom asked if I was back in the dating scene yet. Then proceeded to list all the things that I should be doing since I'm in my thirties now. I needed to grow up, pretty much. None of them know about the kinkier side of my life; they didn't know it with Paul and they won't with Remi either. They wouldn't understand that it was a mental thing for me as much as a physical one.

I get through four more reports before my phone starts ringing. The clock shows that it is almost nine-thirty. I have to be up at six the next morning again. Tyler has already called out for tomorrow too. I don't have to look at the screen to know it's Remi calling in.

"Hey." I put him on speaker and set the phone on my desk so I can keep typing. I just want to get all of this in tonight so we can focus on the inspection checklist tomorrow.

"Have you left work yet? I didn't know if you forgot to text me."

"No." I sigh inwardly. "The owner is requesting these reports a week earlier than expected and we have the health inspector coming next week so I'm just trying to get this done. One of my employees put in their notice today so I'm going to have to start looking for a replacement soon."

"I'm sorry, baby." Just hearing Remi calling me baby calms a little bit of the storm raging in my mind. I let my shoulders drop a bit and sit back in my chair. "Do you want me to come over tonight?"

"No, it's okay." As much as I want that, I know he has his own business to run. "My house is way out of the way for you and you have that meeting tomorrow. I'll be okay. "

"Aussie, I don't mind driving." Remi's voice is taking on his Daddy tone and I can feel my dick jump at it. I'm so not getting hard at work, even if I am alone. I'm grateful when he changes the subject. "I had something to run by you, though. I spoke with the guy that sent me that email Friday, the one with the land a couple of hours away. He offered for a group of us to come spend the weekend there. It has cabins, running water, a chow hall, and everything we could need. I was thinking maybe the group you played with at the club might want to take a weekend away after Thanksgiving? I'll have to do some work and talk to the owner, but I wanted to make sure there would be someone around that you could hang out with too. If you wanted to join me, that is."

"I'd love to." The words are out of my mouth before I can even think them. Having a weekend away from everything, especially with other Littles, would be nice. "And honestly, I'm okay. It was just a lot thrown at me today but I'll get it done."

"I'm proud of you, Austin." Tears sting my eyes at those words. "If you need me, just call, okay?"

"I will. I'll see you Wednesday. Be prepared for all the cuddles."

"I'm looking forward to it," Remi says with a laugh in his words. "Don't stay there too long and text me when you get home, okay? If I don't hear from you in an hour, I'm coming back."

"Yes, Daddy." I smile and pick up my phone, biting my bottom lip. He makes me so incredibly happy I have to bite back my next words.

"Good boy, Aussie. I'll see you soon."

I end the phone call and decide that I'm done for the day. I save all my progress and pack up my things. The wind is picking up when I step outside and I'm glad Remi made me put on my bigger coat today. I pull it tighter around me and click the lock on my car once I round the corner to the parking lot. I spot someone standing a ways off from my path and another couple that looks to be heading to their car from the business next door. It's a restaurant/ bar type that opens for lunch and closes at two in the morning. There's a light shining off the back of the coffee shop, but it isn't bright enough to light the whole lot. We're supposed to park further away, reserving the closer parking spaces for customers. It sucks on nights like this.

I get in the car and blast the heater. It takes a couple of minutes for it to kick in and I pull out of the space. Driving home this late, the roads aren't too busy. The idea of going home on my own after almost a whole week with Remi isn't appealing. I know that we've only been dating for a month, but I miss him when he's not around. I immediately text Remi once I pull into the driveway.

Austin

Made it home. It's cold.

I rush to get inside and hang my coat up in the closet. I feel my stomach grumble in protest from the simple turkey sandwich I made earlier. As I'm heading toward the kitchen, my phone buzzes. I wasn't expecting Remi to actually be awake.

Daddy

I'm glad you made it home, Aussie. Sweet dreams .

It's crazy to miss someone after just a couple of hours, right? Especially after we spent the entire weekend attached to each other. In all the ways. Making my own food, showering, and getting myself ready for bed is… Blah. It's boring without Daddy here, but he has a couple of deadlines to take care of and I don't want to get in the way of his job. I get that he's going to be busy at times and he's already given me so much in the time we are together.

I'm just pulling the blanket over me when my phone chimes with an incoming video call. I reach for it where it's charging on my nightstand and smile at Daddy's face on the screen. I answer, flicking on the lamp in the process so he can see me.

"Hey, Daddy." I can't hide the grin at just seeing him. He's also laying in bed. Everything from today melts away and I settle further into my bed as he starts talking.

"You look all cozy," he says. "Did you eat something?" I nod. "Brush your teeth?" I nod again. "Did you miss me today?"

Now he's just fishing for compliments but I give them anyway. "Definitely on that last one. I miss you now."

"That's why I'm calling, baby. I assumed you were exhausted after a long day of working. I was laying here reading. Figured I could read to you until you fell asleep. If you want."

"I'd love that." I mess with propping my phone up just right so I don't have to hold it. After a few moments, it stays and I lay my head back down on the pillow. The pillow that most definitely smells like my Daddy. I'm not ashamed and I hear him laugh when I take a deep breath.

"Are you all snug as a bug?" I smile at the silly saying and close my eyes, letting his voice lull me off to sleep. I don't even know what book he's reading from, but I barely last a minute before I fall asleep.