Page 30 of For Life
“Maturity?” I scoffed, “I just turned twenty one and I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
“Neither have I, really,” Maxx shrugged. “What does that have to do with emotional maturity?”
I didn’t speak, feeling flattered and more than a little enamored with the man before me. We kissed under the water until it ran cold, not trying to go further, exploring and going slow for the pure enjoyment of it.
After we dried off with our towels, Maxx went to hang them outside and I answered the call of my stomach. Putting together sandwiches, I felt strong arms wrap around me.
“What did you always want to be?”
“That is a hard question,” Maxx let me go so we could sit at the table with our food. “I thought I’d be a farmer, help run the family ranch, as a kid. Then I was on the streets, with no degree or support, let alone training for city life. Now, because of Shepherd, I want to be a business owner and make delicious things for people. Especially those who lose their homes like I did.”
Maxx set down his sandwich and took hold of my hand. He had that intense look again, but with some anger behind it. Still, I didn’t feel threatened or like it was directed at me.
“I promise you, that if I have anything to do with it, I will never see you homeless again. And if I’m in your life when you pursue a business, I will gladly help.”
Our fingers intertwined and I could tell he was serious. He was swearing to help me if I was ever in need. For someone like me that was one missed paycheck or one falling out with a friend from losing a job and place to live, that was a big deal. I bit my lip and fought the urge to call MaxxDaddy.
“You pinkie promise?” I held up the hand he wasn’t holding, pinkie out, “Because that’s binding.”
Maxx held out his pinkie without hesitation and met my gaze.
“I promise.”
Chapter nineteen
MAXX
WESPENTTHERESTof that day and into the night talking. Sharing our life stories and making out whenever the mood struck. Waking up the next morning, I understood that Ant was an early bird, no matter how late we stayed up. I knew they were making us food, or foraging in the woods. Didn’t stop me wishing that I was by their side.
Mostly we had talked about life, books, music, and things we liked, but Ant had confessed the depth of the abuse they encountered on the street. It was an honor to have their trust and to explore with Ant. I didn’t take it lightly. I could tell from Ant’s actions and words that they appreciated me just as much. Being a safe person for them, getting to explore kinks that Ant callededge play, was new for both of us.
The novelty of falling asleep with someone, and not just hooking up and leaving, felt… really good. We had no promise of commitment beyond hoping to play after all the drama died down, but I was serious about being there if Ant ever found themself out of a home or job again. It did solidify the feeling of being a Daddy, but I wasn’t sure if it was only to Ant. Didn’t matter much, since they were more than enough for me.
Meeting Shepherd and their triad, along with the others in the X Club had opened my eyes. Wide. I knew polyamory existed, along with kinks and that some people had open relationships. I’d never felt particularly connected to any one partner, but also never sought out dating multiple people at once. I was protective of everyone I knew. Unless they were assholes.
With Ant, exploring primal play and more, being each other’s first, I wanted to possess them. I wanted that slip of theirs, almost calling them mine, to be true. I also knew that we were in an intense situation, forced together, and they may not feel the same. I liked them more than I was willing to admit so soon. Hell, I was falling for them. It wasn't the time, though.
After using the bathroom, I noticed a note on the kitchen table:Gone foraging, breakfast in toaster oven. XO - Ant
The little kiss-hug was cute, but the fact that Ant had thought to leave me a note was sweeter. Ant saw I was upset when I woke and they were gone, and did something about it. Dating before had always come with mind games and disagreements that led to a breakup to avoid the conflict. We weren’t even dating, not in an official way, and Ant was the best partner I’d had.
The past days opened my eyes in so many ways. I wanted someone to wake up next to me and leave notes when they’d be out. I was for sure a kinky guy and wanted it in my life. And, I had almost decided that being a cop wasn’t for me.
Studying law was fun, I actually enjoyed it, but family pressure to be a lawyer made me avoid it. I couldn’t tell if I went to college for law to make my mom happy and honor my father’s wishes, or because I wanted to be a lawyer. So I pivoted, became a cop to prove I was my own man. While I did feel like I helped some people, and I’d joined groups meant to help improve police behavior, it felt like I was stuck without hope of making real change.
Sitting at the table with the egg on toast Ant made and kept warm for me, I considered my options. I had deferred law school after earning my BA degree in Policy Studies, but I could still go. It had been just under the two year max for attending without re-enrolling. Was I really going to go through with it, though?
After eating and cleaning up, I decided I could lounge in bed, and maybe entice Ant to join me when he got back. I was half asleep when the distant sound of a car on the dirt road had me sitting up and throwing on pants. We had neighbors, but I hadn’t seen or heard any. I grabbed my gun and looked out the window for any movement, but only saw the trees swaying and a couple squirrels chasing each other up a tree. Even if it was a neighbor, I wanted to check on Ant.
Hissing met my ears from around the corner of the cabin as I stepped outside, then voices whispering. Fuck. Ant wouldn’t be whispering if a stranger came by. I made him promise he would call out loudly to warn me. If someone found us, they must have parked further down the driveway and walked up. Bastards.
Creeping around the corner with my gun drawn, I found my motorcycle was the location of the hissing noise. A narrow hole was leaking air fast from my back tire at high altitude. I had to find Ant, and fast, because they made sure I couldn’t follow.
“What the–”
The muffled yell came from the creek, and sounded like Ant. I wanted to rush towards the sound of them struggling, but I knew better than to jump out from behind the building without clearing it first. Good thing too, since there was a guy waiting with a gun pointed straight at me.
The sound of a silencer popped off and I ducked back. My gun did not have a silencer, and I didn’t want to use it unless absolutely necessary.