Chapter 9 #2
I couldn’t let myself think about falling in love with him, even though I knew damn well that’s exactly where I was headed.
He hit me hard the first time I saw him, and nothing about that had changed.
Casey was funny, kind, sweet, and sexy as hell.
There wasn’t a thing about him I’d change, not even the constant moving, because I knew who he was had been shaped by every place he’d lived. And maybe that was the best part.
On the way over, we chatted about all the things people talk about when they first meet.
We compared favorite colors, hated foods, and family holiday traditions.
It felt ordinary in the best way, like two guys getting to know each other without the Daddy/little dynamic taking center stage.
I liked Casey as a person. It was a bonus that he was exactly the type of little I had always imagined finding.
Barrett absolutely loved Owen, but the truth was, I wanted a boy I could join in play.
The interaction was what I liked most about little Casey.
I could be with him in his little space and participate in it with him rather than be an observer while he was in his own world.
And Casey’s age regression being a little less did that perfectly for me.
The time in the club and the trip to see the lights let me get all the caretaking vibes and play with him too.
I wanted more. Well, actually, I wanted all of it.
We pulled into the shopping center in Mercer City.
It was all decked out in traditional boughs of firs and red bows.
The brick facades were designed to resemble an Old World European street and felt like you’d almost magically be transported.
It reminded me a lot of Montreal. The detailed archways, wooden signs, and leaded windows, probably faux, reinforced the atmosphere.
Gabe had mentioned this was one of his favorite projects, and I could see why. It was gorgeous.
“Hold on, bub. I’ll come around and get you,” I said to Casey.
When I shut off the ignition, he nodded and waited for me to come around, open his door, and unbuckle his seatbelt.
When he stepped out, I couldn’t resist pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
They were soft and full and just as perfect as I remembered from the other night.
His beautiful brown eyes flashed with satisfaction when I laced our fingers and guided us toward the pedestrian walkway between the buildings.
Christmas lights were strung overhead, casting a warm glow against the gray Pacific Northwest morning.
We passed a kink store with a French name I couldn’t pronounce.
A Christmas tree stood in the window, decked out with lace in a way that was tasteful and elegantly erotic.
I didn’t need to know anything about decorating or product design to tell that whoever handled their windows knew exactly what they were doing.
We walked deeper into the center before I pulled him down a narrow side street that twisted and turned like an alley. It opened into a small courtyard where Buttered Biscuits sat at the end.
“Daddy, I kept wanting to try this, but I never got a chance,” Casey said. He did a quick shimmy that was adorable and left me feeling like I’d passed some kind of invisible test he made up on the spot.
“Then I’m glad I picked it. Barrett was talking the other day about how happy he was with the new chef and the tweaks to the menu. I’ve liked it every time I’ve been before.” I pushed open the door and ushered him inside.
Like all of Barrett’s restaurants decorated by Owen, it looked like a dream.
The dark wood and warm lighting were sleek and modern instead of homey like Stone and Vine, but just as tasteful.
The tables were designed for privacy and quiet conversations, which was what I’d been hoping to have with Casey.
Given how crowded the place was, I gave myself an imaginary high-five for remembering to make a reservation.
On the way to the upstairs table, with Casey’s hand firmly in mine, there were a few speculative looks and double takes.
I hadn’t been a superstar, but I was recognizable enough in the local area.
If someone felt the urge to make a comment, they sure as shit better leave Casey out of it.
In a reassurance, either to him or myself—I wasn’t willing to examine which—I squeezed his fingers gently.
It earned me a dimpled grin, and Casey moved closer to me.
“This all right?” the host asked when we arrived at our table near the front railing so we could discreetly people watch while enjoying our brunch.
I gave a small nod of agreement and motioned for Casey to sit in the chair I’d pulled out. It was the best spot for people-watching. They indicated the chair across from the table for me to sit, but that was too far away. The host gave us our menus and discreetly moved away.
“You a big biscuit fan?”
“The biggest.”
“Are they better than poutine?” Casey asked with a mischievous grin.
“Well, okay, that might be a bridge too far,” I said with a laugh and went back to studying the menu.
“I think I’m gonna try the Eggs Benedict. I’ve never had them on anything but English muffins.”
“That sounds good, but I think I’m gonna do the sausage gravy and biscuits.”
“Oh, that’s a classic.”
“It is, but you can have a bite of mine if I can have a bite of yours,” I said, doing my best to sound enticing.
“It’s a deal.”
With that settled, we set our menus aside and waited for the server. Once they came back, took our order, and left again, we turned toward each other with silly grins.
“Why are you staring at me, Daddy?” Casey whispered.
“Because I like staring at you.”
“Well, that’s kinda weird.”
“Nah, I just like what I see.”
“I am kinda pretty,” Casey preened with a guffaw and a shake of his head.
“If you want, I can catalog how pretty I think your eyes are, that I know which smiles make your dimples stand out the most, that your ass is fucking perfection in workout shorts, and that when you came in the sauna that day, I was praying to the universe that you’d have a wardrobe malfunction, but I guess my karma hadn’t been good enough for that happen. Fingers crossed for next time though.”
“Ha, a guy can dream, huh?”
“He certainly can, and I’ve had plenty of them,” I agreed.
“About me?” Casey asked incredulously.
“Hell yes about you,” I said with a definitive nod. “But I’ve had a few others too.”
“Dreams?”
“Yep.”
“About me”
“Right again.”
“Going to share them?”
“Or I could just show you later,” I said with a ridiculous waggle of my eyebrows and a lecherous grin. Casey laughed, but the deep blush that stained his cheeks was just as adorable.
“What errands did you need to run over here?” Casey asked absently as he watched the chefs work in the open kitchen below us. He was engrossed by them to the point that I wasn’t sure he was going to hear my answer.
“If it’s all right, I kinda want to keep it a surprise,” I hedged. I was close to certain that he’d enjoy my plan for a fun Christmas surprise, but I wanted the joy of seeing his face when it happened.
“Oh yeah, of course.”
When Casey gave his attention back to me after our drinks arrived, I took a deep breath and went for it.
“Actually, there was something I was hoping to talk about,” I said once the server walked away.
“I was hoping we could make the whole Daddy-boy thing a little more structured,” I said with mustered confidence.
For someone who’d made a living crashing into other men on the ice and was always ready to fight at a moment’s notice, I felt strangely nervous.
I hadn’t been a virgin since I was fourteen, but I kind of felt like I was staring at my first crush and hoping they liked me back.
It wasn’t the confident Daddy energy I wanted to project.
I might not have much experience as a Daddy, but I knew damn well I’d do everything I could to make him happy. Casey was special. Everyone who met him saw it. He radiated goodness, and I wanted to protect it and make sure no one ever dimmed that shine.