Page 2

Six Weeks Ago

Taking someone home tonight is not in the plan, but fuck. He's cute. More than cute; he's hot. And he has this… thing about him. I can't pinpoint it, really. He says he isn't interested in being a Little, but I saw the way he scanned the room when he walked in. It wasn't disgust or judgement. He looked bewildered and a bit envious. I'm interested in what his story is, but I don't want to pry. I don't even know what we're going to do once we get to my place.

I'm very much a Daddy. While most of my friends are into the age play aspect of being a Mommy or Daddy, I was never privy to it. Not until recently. I've been doing my research, learning more about the dynamic and how it differs from being a Daddy Dom. The caretaking is there, setting rules and boundaries, scenes, but there's also just this… extra layer that I never thought I wanted. Not until I experienced first hand how much deeper that bond between a Daddy and his Boy is when they're in that headspace.

I wasn't even meant to be at the club tonight. I had a last minute cancellation of a meeting, so I was able to run home, grab some dinner, and get back to the club to help out a friend. Granted, I wasn't told exactly what I was needed for. Decorating Dreamland for the party tonight was fun. Luke, Rachel's Boy, ran around the room playing and singing, stealing snacks off the table. When others started showing up, the room quickly filled with laughter and excited squealing. By the time Remington and his Boy showed up, it was a full house.

"This is your car?" Orion asks when the lights flash after I hit the unlock button from the key fob. It's a Range Rover, one of the newer models. It's my pride and joy, a sign of the dedication and hard work it's taken to build up my business. I've developed a large team for an Accounting Firm. Well, I started the Accounting Firm and then developed a large team. I've been told I'm every cliche of the rich boss with an office overlooking the city. I'm not a dick, though. I treat everyone in my Firm with respect and everyone, no matter their pay or job title, are compensated fairly and have the same benefits and opportunities. I take pride in that, too.

"It is," I say proudly. "I have a truck as well, but it's more for trips outside of the city."

And now I sound like I'm bragging. I stop talking and guide Orion to the passenger side, opening the door for him. He hesitates for a second and I see him glance down at his clothes before looking back at the interior of the car. It's clean, yes, but I'm not one to make someone feel uncomfortable. I lay a hand on his lower back and push gently to get him to step in. He looks back at me and gives a quick smile before I shut the door. His seatbelt is already on when I slide in behind the wheel.

"You can adjust the seat temperature if you want. It only takes a minute for the heat to kick in."

He doesn't move right away. I give him a second before pulling out of the parking space and heading down the ramp of the parking garage. The car is silent as we pull off into the road. The traffic is decent, but I don't live far away, just on the edge of the city where there's more trees and the houses have actual yards.

"Where'd you grow up?" I ask, trying to think of something to make conversation. He doesn't answer. I try again. "Do you live around this area?"

He moves his head to look at me. He looks tired and I think the warmth of the car is lulling him to sleep. I don't know what to do about that. His hands are in his lap and he's fidgeting. I want to reach out and hold them still, but refrain from touching him without his permission.

I recall his excitement at seeing Riley and the whole reason he's in the car now. How naive he was to just agree to go with me based on a few pictures of a dog. I'll have to talk to him about that tomorrow morning. There's no way he isn't staying at the house tonight.

"Do you have any pets?" I glance over at him while we wait at a red light. He shakes his head and a look of sadness crosses his face.

"Honey, you're going to have to talk to me." I drive through the intersection before he says something.

"I wasn't allowed to have a pet growing up," he says into his lap. "I like dogs, though."

"Do you have a favorite animal?"

"Not really," he says in that same, low voice. "I like kitties and dogs. And I went to the zoo once and saw the lions. They were pretty cool."

"Lions, huh?"

"Yeah. The zoo workers just gave them a new toy to play with so we got to watch them play. They were just like big cats." His voice is deep for his age. I don't suspect he's older than twenty-three, but his voice and the whisper of a beard make him appear older. "I was only ten and didn't know that they are technically just big cats."

"Did you know chickens are long distance relatives to dinosaurs?" I blurt the fact out, still bewildered by it. Luke told me that fact earlier today. I had to look it up to make sure his cheeky Little side wasn't messing with me.

"That can't be true," Orion says.

"It is," I insist. I turn into my neighborhood without much thought. "Look it up."

"Oh, uh— My phone doesn't work right now."

"Is it dead? What kind of phone is it? I might have a charger at the house."

Oh yes, that makes sense Garrett. Take a guy home from the club and offer to charge his phone for him. Bringing him home with me feels different though. Usually, I'd discuss limits and scene negotiations with the guy, expectations. Not talk about favorite animals. It's a different pace and I'm not hating it.

"I don't actually have internet on it," he says with that same low tone. "It's one of those cheap phones that just has the phone calls and texts on it."

He sounds embarrassed. I pull into the driveway and look at him when I put the car in park. I don't expect to see his mouth agape and eyes wide. He's bent forward slightly, looking at the house through the windshield. I look at it as well, realizing that yeah, it's a fairly large house for one man and his dog. It's a light gray color with white shutters and a covered porch. There are four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a basement that I've converted into a game-slash-media room. My bedroom has an en suite attached to it.

"Lets get inside," I say after a moment. "I'm sure Riley would like to go outside for a bit."

"Okay." I can see the underlying excitement. He gets out and shuts the door carefully. I meet him at the front of the car, where he's waiting with his hands in his pockets. He's such a contradiction between his physical appearance and demeanor.

I'm aware that nothing is going to happen between us tonight. That's not the vibe I'm getting from him. I'm okay with that, too. Something I should probably look into because I've never just brought someone home before. It always ended in a hookup. I walk to the front door and unlock it, hearing a whimper coming from the other side.

Riley went through obedience school and knows all the tricks but it doesn't stop him from jumping excitedly and wiggling his butt when I open the front door. It also doesn't stop him from giving Orion one of his famous sniff-licks across his hand.

"Riley, down boy." Riley listens on the first try, but I can tell he's fighting back the excitement at a new person. "Orion, this is Riley. He's friendly and you can pet him."

Orion holds his hand out and this time Riley's nose twitches madly, taking in Orion's scent. If riding in the car is any indication, he is smelling a soft, warm scent. I can't quite place it, but it's nice. Inviting. Orion bends down, kneeling on the floor. His hands reach up and scratch behind Riley's ears. He lets out a small giggle when Riley gives an approving groan deep from his doggy chest. Orion's eyes flick to mine and he's smiling.

"He's cute," Orion says simply. "And soft."

Riley takes the moment of distraction to lick Orion's cheek. I almost admonish my dog, but Orion's laugh fills the foyer of my house.

"Let's take him out to the backyard," I suggest. "He'll only take a minute to go out and then we can…"

I don't actually know what his plan is. He came home with me but for what? I didn't get the vibe that he wants to play or even have sex.

"Um." The way he's so unsure makes him appear smaller and younger than he is. He stands and kicks out of his shoes, lining them by the wall.

"We don't have to do anything," I assure him. "I actually think that's for the best. How about I take Riley out and you can head upstairs? There are two guest rooms to the right. A bathroom sits between them."

"Okay." I turn to head through the house, but Orion's voice stops me in my tracks. "Thank you. For letting me come here. I— Honestly, I was just trying to find a place to stay tonight. A warm place."

"Are you homeless?" The question is out of my mouth before I can think how rude that sounds. I open my mouth to backtrack, but Orion speaks.

"No. I have a place. It's just— Cold. Old. Old and cold."

It's the end of November and the weather is getting colder by the day. I don't know where he's living, but the thought of him going to a club just to go home with someone so he could be warm? That doesn't sit right with me. It leaves a physical weight in my stomach about the trouble that he could have gotten himself into.

"Orion." I deepen my voice. When he doesn't look up at me, I repeat his name a little more forceful. His head whips up and his eyes lock on mine. I can see he's embarrassed about his confession. I'd smelt the alcohol on his breath when we were talking earlier. Drinking and going home with a stranger is dangerous. "Promise me that you'll never do that again. If you need a place to stay, you'll call me, okay?"

He doesn't answer. I can see he's trying to find the words to respond. I know my tone is harsh and I know I have no right to judge him or question his actions. He is, after all, an adult and can make his own choices. As reckless as they might be. I have no hold over what he does. I decide to change the subject, pushing down my need to take him upstairs and punish him. A few spankings would do it. We haven't discussed anything of that nature, though, so there is no second thought about it.

I heave a deep breath. "Are you hungry?"

He looks at me again. The barest tilt of his chin is answer enough. "I'll take Riley out and make a sandwich while you get ready for bed. I'll bring it up to you."

"Thank you." He nods once more, glances at Riley with a small smile, and turns to walk up the stairs. I watch him for a couple of steps before moving through the house.

I let my mind wander as Riley starts sniffing around for the perfect spot to do his business. My mind jumps from one thing to another in quick succession: work today, the camp, seeing my friends with their Littles. I know the history between Remington and Austin; Remington told me the highlights of what happened. Looking at Austin now and how happy he is with his Daddy, you'd never know the pain he's gone through.

My thoughts naturally go to Orion. He looked interested, standing in Dreamland. Interested, but hesitant. Maybe he would be a good Boy. Not so much the age play side of things, which is definitely more Remington and Rachel's speeds. I'll talk to him over breakfast about it. I don't have to be at work until noon. Perks of owning my own business.

Riley trots up to me, tongue lolling. The wind is blowing slightly, giving the air a chill. I open the sliding door and let him back in. He goes right through the kitchen and disappears down the hall. He's most likely looking for Orion.

I move to the fridge and grab the fresh sliced sandwich meat, turkey and ham. I've been getting it sliced at the bakery by my work building for years now. Bougie, maybe, but totally worth the money and time to get it.

I cut the sandwiches diagonally and plate the triangles haphazardly. There's no noise coming from the rooms or the bathroom when I reach the top of the stairs. I don't even see Riley. He usually lays in the hallway or right at the steps waiting for me to come to bed.

The second guest room door is open. I peek in, ready to offer a sandwich, but stop short at the sight before me.

Orion is curled up on his side in the middle of the bed. I can see his hair is damp and he's only in his underwear. He didn't even untuck the blankets, passing out on top of them. Riley, acting like he has no sense, has curled himself into a ball against Orion's stomach. Orion's body shifts, his arm wrapping around my dog and snuggling closer to him.

The sight is adorable.