Page 6

“There are stores online and one in Vegas that cater to littles. You can get all kinds of cool stuff there.”

Good to know. I’ll have to make sure Mark sends me the link for it as well. “Which book would you like for me to read to you?”

Roen skipped over to his suitcase and flipped through the stack and plucked one out. “Got it, come tuck me in first please.” He bounced on the bed and slid beneath the sheets. “Oh, I need Gnomey please.”

That was my cue. I placed the gnome in his free arm, the other was already wrapped around his bear. “And who is this?” I shook the polar bear’s white paw as you would a human.

“This is my bear, Otis. My parents got him for me when I was a baby.”

“It’s good to meet you, Otis.” I grabbed the chair from the desk and sat beside the bed. “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Roen sighed and sunk into the comfy bed. By the time I finished, he was sound asleep, and the story wasn’t even that long.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I pressed my lips to his forehead. “I’ll see you for breakfast.”

“Night, Daddy,” he mumbled, and I froze.

Daddy? Tired ramblings from a sleepy boy, I’m sure.

But could I be? A daddy, I mean. And more importantly, could I be the daddy Roen deserved?

My thoughts once again ran rampant as I used the master key to lock the door behind me. Up the back stairs to our apartment over the office I went, lost in thought though when I stepped inside I was surprised to find Mark was still up.

“How’d it go?”

“I read him a story.”

“That’s a good start. How do you feel about all of this?”

“Railroaded by my best friend.”

“Kyler don’t think of it that way. It’s not like that at all.”

“I know,” I fell back onto the couch beside him. “Sorry. My mind is a swirling mess of what ifs and how do I’s.”

“That’s understandable, but at least you’re thinking about it. I’d be more concerned if you had told me to fuck off and stay out of your life, but you didn’t.” When I said nothing, he stood and stretched. “I’m gonna shower and hit the sack. Tomorrow is a busy day of chasing ducks.”

“Mark,” he stopped as he reached the hall. “Thank you.” With a nod he stepped inside the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

Was I gonna do this?

Yeah. I was sure as hell was gonna try. Failure wasn’t something I’d learned to accept.

Here goes nothing…

“Did you get all the ducks dumped?” I asked Mark as he entered the office. I had a few invoices to pay before the breakfast service started so I’d got to work bright and early. Given I hadn’t slept much last night that was easily achieved.

I’d spent most of the night thumbing through the links Mark had kindly sent me. This lifestyle was far less scary than I’d feared though I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull off a spanking or any sort of pain no matter the pleasure my boy received from it.

My boy.

Was I really working toward that?

“Yes. Each little should be able to retrieve five. I saw your boy headed this way. I hope you plan on sharing a canoe with him for the event.”

“He’s not,” just then the bell over the door rang and there he was, “my boy.”

Roen beamed having only heard the last two words, thank the kink gods for that. If I’d hurt his feelings in any way I’d have kicked my own ass.

“Good morning,” an adorable blush dotted his cheeks. “The duckies are so cool. Should I ask one of Henry’s daddies to go out on the water with me?”

“No.” Came out stronger than I’d intended. “Sorry, I’ll um, I’ll accompany you if that’s okay?”

Roen’s head bobbed up and down. “I’d like that. Are you coming to breakfast?”

“We are. Kyler was just shutting the computer down, weren’t you Kyler?”

“Yes, Mr. Helper,” I rolled my eyes at Mark who chose that moment to itch his nose. With his middle finger I might add. “Shall we?”

Happy voices filled the mess hall as we stepped inside.

Glad we’d had the forethought to leave stacks of coloring books and crayons around to keep the masses busy during down times.

The littles were at the center table coloring while the mommies and daddies mingled.

There were only two mommies, but they chatted with everyone.

I loved how diverse this group was, yet no one was standoffish or uppity.

You always ran the risk of personality clashes at any event and so far so good.

But it was technically only day one.

“Good morning everyone,” I announced into the mic before my thoughts got the best of me.

“We have a fun filled day planned for you today. After breakfast we’ll hit the trails in search of the best pinecones we can find then we’ll make our bird feeders.

Does everyone remember what we’re doing after lunch? ”

“Duckies!” a couple of littles shouted.

“That’s right. Each little and their mommy or daddy will get a canoe and a net.

You can collect five duckies but no more.

The first one to get their five will win a special prize.

” I held up the giant rubber duck I’d bought.

This was invigorating and their excitement was contagious, and I smiled through the entire announcement. “For now, please enjoy your breakfast.”

Roen waited off to the side for me. “No Gnomey today?”

“Nope, didn’t want to get him dirty. Besides, Otis was lonely so he’s keeping him company.”

“Good idea. I love your overalls.” More gnomes. I knew what tonight’s internet search would be filled with.

“Dungarees are fun. I have a couple pairs.”

Dungarees. A new word to store in my brain. “They’re adorable. Let’s go fix our plates.” I got the impression Roen wanted me to take control, so I filled both with a bit of everything as I had last night. “Coffee or milk?”

“Milk, please.”

“Do you mind if we sit with someone new this morning? I’d like to work our way around the room this week so we can get to know everyone.” A bit presumptuous of me but Roen’s steady head bob assured me I’d made the right choice to include him.

“Yes, that’s a great idea, da—err, Kyler.” That adorable blush was gonna do me in. How easy it would be, or will be, to spoil this lovely soul.

“Mind if we join you?” I asked Vivienne, owner of Blush in Seattle, if we could sit with her and her little girl, Darcy.

“We’d love that. Please, join us.”

“Roen, this is Miss Vivienne and her little, Darcy.” Darcy and Roen waved to each other. “Why don’t you start, and I’ll get our drinks. Vivienne would you like a refill?”

“I’d love one.” She handed me her coffee cup. “Black please.”

“Be right back.”

Gearing up for this week I was a stressed-out mess.

Had I not had all my notes and spreadsheets at the ready I’d have likely lost my shit at some point.

But in that moment, as I listened to the jovial voices and laughter, I felt lighter, like I finally had a sense of purpose beyond spreadsheets and numbers.

Mark and I made the right decision to embark upon this adventure.

It was like a weight had been lifted and the stress was gone though I wondered how much that sweet boy and his warm smile had to do with that?

“Here we are.” I handed out the drinks and took a seat. “How are you enjoying the weather?”

“Absolutely beautiful. So far I like what I’ve seen. Maybe at the end of the week you might have a few moments to meet with me? I’d like to see if we could plan a future event together.”

“Yes, absolutely, Vivienne. I’d love that. I’m here full time, this is my home and well, I’m beyond proud of what we’ve created. We can cater to so many different themes and lifestyles.”

“Monkey, mommy, monkey,” Darcy delightfully cheered.

“Yes, Princess. I was thinking the same thing.”

“I’m not sure if we’re allowed any non-domesticated animals here but I’ll surely inquire.” Roen snickered beside me, clearly I was missing something which seemed to be this week’s theme.

“I gather from the deer in the headlights look yesterday you weren’t prepared for this so I’m assuming pet play is new to you as well?

” The light danced in Vivienne’s eyes as she spoke.

“Darcy’s best friend, Vale, engages in pet play as a monkey.

It’s much like littles except they wear costumes when they play as their chosen animals. ”

“Well, with a bit of research I’m certain we can assist with their needs and plan a fun filled event for them.” Pretend you know what you’re talking about even if you don’t. Glad our Wi-Fi included unlimited data.

“Something to consider. Maybe Friday afternoon we can sit and chat.” Vivienne turned to wipe the ketchup from her girl’s face.

“Princess, how you managed to get that all over you I’ll never know.

If you will excuse us, I’m going to change her into something more suitable for our next activity and ketchup free. Up, princess.”

“Yes, mommy.”

As soon as they were out of earshot, I turned to Roen. “Do I even want to know what pet play is?”

He giggled. “Pets are fun.”

That told me exactly…nothing.