12. Augie
12
AUGIE
Texting with Dexter was more fun than playing with my friends. But that was all we did. For the next few days, Dexter sent lots of messages to check on me and say nice things that made me feel special, but he didn’t ask to get together.
Not until Friday afternoon.
I was sweeping up after our last customer when my favorite beep sounded in my pocket. The tinkling-bell ringtone I’d attached to Dexter’s contact elicited a Pavlovian response that made me jump with excitement. I immediately hooked my elbow around the broom to hold it up as I checked my phone.
Hey, sweetheart. Just wondering if you have plans for dinner tonight? Maybe we eat out? Your choice, of course.
My grin was wide and goofy as I responded back with lightning-fast thumbs. Dinner would be great. Are you in the mood for anything in particular? Just because I was picky didn’t mean he only had to eat at my favorite restaurants. I could usually find something to eat at most places.
I’m fine with anything. Pasta. Chinese. Sushi. Steaks. Your choice.
Hmm, I didn’t love making decisions, but I appreciated what Dexter was doing. Giving me control. And the fact that he offered a few options made it much easier for me to come up with a suggestion. There’s a mac-and-cheese bar at the mall that sounds interesting. Do you like mac and cheese?
I love it. That sounds great. Is 7 too late for me to pick you up?
7 is perfect. I’ll see you then. It was almost five, so that gave me plenty of time to shower and prep myself for a sleepover if I could talk him into staying overnight. I wasn’t sure he’d go for it since he was big on waiting for the right time, but he’d relented on Monday night, and if I played my cards right, maybe I could have a Daddy for real by the end of the weekend.
I smoothed down my shirt and checked my teeth one more time as I waited for Dexter to arrive. When I finally heard a knock at the door, my heart skipped a beat. Finally!
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and saw the most handsome Daddy smiling at me.
"Hey there, little one. Ready for dinner?"
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach at the pet name. No one had called me that before, and we weren’t even in a scene. "Hi, Da— Um, Mister Dexter. Yeah, I'm starving."
“You look great.” Dexter's eyes sparkled as he looked me over. "Like an angel."
I blushed and ducked my head shyly. "Thank you."
He gently lifted my chin. "No need to be shy, sweetheart. And if you feel inclined to call me Daddy outside of the bedroom, you are welcome to. Whatever you want."
“Oh, okay.” I nodded as a wave of relief filled me. “I’d like that. Sometimes, at least.”
“Me too, sweetheart.” He held his arms open for a hug. “I’ve missed you this week.”
The tender gesture made me melt inside. I wanted so badly to be his good boy as I walked into his chest and wrapped my arms around his middle. “I missed you too. A lot.”
Daddy held me tightly, and I think he pressed his nose into my hair and took a deep breath. Let’s go get some mac and cheese.”
"Yes, please!" I stayed connected to his arm as we walked to his car. “I checked the menu online, and I’m super excited to try it out.”
"Me too." When we got to the car, he opened the door and then helped me with my seatbelt. It wasn’t necessary, but I loved that he was willing to take care of me.
I squirmed excitedly in my seat during the drive, sneaking glances at Daddy’s strong hands as he gripped the steering wheel. When we pulled up to the mall, I rubbed my hands together. “I hope it’s as good as the pictures looked.”
"If it’s not, we’ll go somewhere else. We’ll keep trying places until we find something my boy loves." Dexter winked and then turned off the engine.
I swallowed hard, loving that he was willing to call me his boy.
Daddy led me inside the mall to a place called Cheesy Mack’s. I’d been meaning to come with my friends for the past month, but they were always busy, and I didn’t like to do things by myself if I could avoid it.
It was even better than I imagined. There was one line along the left side of the restaurant and you had to walk past the display window and choose your toppings. It was the perfect restaurant for me.
My tummy rumbled as I read the list of all the delicious options.
Daddy stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders as he leaned close to my ear. "Order whatever toppings you want on yours, sweetheart. And I’ll do the same."
I bounced on my toes, excited and slightly overwhelmed by all the choices. "So many things look good. It’ll be hard to choose."
"Want me to order first? Give you an extra minute to decide?" He stepped to my side and slightly ahead of me.
My chest warmed at his indulgent tone. “Yes, please.” I carefully studied the case and picked my favorites that I was sure would all work together. I just had one question.
Dexter ordered fusilli with alfredo sauce, andouille sausage, and a bunch of veggies. It looked delicious but not my style at all.
Finally, I decided on white cheddar mac with crispy bacon and parmesan crisps. Nothing else.
"Excellent choice, baby." Daddy paid for our food and let me choose a bottle of sparkling apple juice then we sat down at a table by the window.
Dexter watched as I took my first bite, ready to fix any problems that arose. “How is it?”
I put a big scoop in my mouth and moaned. “Mmm, delish.” I finished that bite and then looked over at him. “How’s yours?”
He took a big bite and rubbed his tummy. “It’s so good. Great recommendation.”
I glanced down at all his toppings and noticed he skipped a few of the usual suspects. "No onions?"
"Well, I was hoping for some kissing later. Wouldn't want my baby to taste yucky onion breath." Dexter leaned in close with his fork poised over my bowl. “Can I taste yours?”
“Yeah, of course.” A shiver ran through me at the reminder of what might happen after dinner. “And maybe we can have a sleepover tonight? If it’s time… ”
Daddy’s eyes were heated as he put a small bite of my food in his mouth and nodded. “If you think it’s time, then I’d be happy to stay over.”
I did my best to keep my cool as we ate, but it was hard not to scarf it down just to get back to my house. I took a big bite and let out a happy noise.
"It’s yummy, right?" Dexter took his last bite and pushed his bowl back.
I nodded and looked down at my half-eaten bowl. "It’s so good, Daddy. Thank you for bringing me here."
He reached across the table and took my hand. "I’m just happy to see you enjoy your food."
His gentle touch made my insides turn to mush. If we were alone, I would have curled up in his lap and stayed there forever. I felt so safe and cared for in his presence, even if we were just eating mac and cheese at the mall.
When we finished, Dexter wiped a bit of cheese from the corner of my mouth. "Got a smudge there, baby. Good thing Daddy's here to clean you up."
I giggled and imagined him cleaning me all up. "Thank you, Daddy."
On the drive back to my place, I worked up my courage to ask the question that had been on my mind all night. "Daddy, is it okay if we do some Little stuff tonight?"
Dexter glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Of course, baby boy. What do you have in mind?"
I shrugged. "Maybe playing and a bath…and cuddle time in bed."
He reached over to squeeze my thigh. "That sounds like the perfect evening, sweetheart. Should we stop at the store for anything before we get back to your place?"
After a moment of thought, I realized there were a few things I didn’t have at home. Things I’d never actually purchased in my life. “Um, well, maybe we could stop for…supplies.”
Dexter’s thumb rubbed along my leg. “What kind of supplies?”
I didn’t know if he was genuinely asking or if he knew what I meant but just wanted me to say it, so I screwed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. “Like, condoms, lube. Stuff like that. I don’t have anything at home.”
His grip tightened on my thigh. “Good idea. And we can pick up snacks too. Maybe popcorn or cookie dough.”
“I have lots of snacks, but if there’s anything you want, we can get that too.”
Daddy pulled up in front of a chain drug store, and we quickly went in and grabbed the bedroom supplies I mentioned…and a few other things that Daddy put in the basket but I didn’t pay much attention to. “What about bubbles for your bath? Do you need anything for that? Some toys, maybe?”
I grinned as my eyes widened. “I could use some more torpedoes. I lost mine at the lake the last time we went.”
Dexter kept his arm around my lower back as he guided me toward the toy aisle. There wasn’t a huge selection of water toys in the middle of winter, but there was one pack of colorful torpedoes in the clearance bin.
“These are them. They’re like my other ones.” I held the pack against my chest and looked up at Daddy. “Can we get these?”
“Absolutely.” He held the basket out for me, and I dropped them in. And I noticed a pack of edible paints in the basket, but I didn’t say anything. Maybe Daddy wanted some play time too.