Chapter Four
“That looks like Declan O’Connor in the flesh!”
The words were spoken by Marcus Johnson.
Marcus was a big Black man who stood a head taller than almost everyone else, with hard muscles packing his massive frame. He looked every bit the former college and pro football player that he was. Now, though, he’d stopped taking hits while guarding a line and had a much gentler job of coordinating physical activities for Littles who attended Camp Mountainville.
As a Daddy, it was his dream gig. Even more than the NFL had been.
“How are you?” Declan asked, going into the big man’s arms for an embrace.
Declan had some size. Standing three inches over six feet, and with plenty of strength himself, he rarely felt physically small. But when hugged by Marcus, that’s exactly how he felt.
“I’m doing good, man. Ready to get this week underway,” the ex-football player said. “New batch of Littles, more fun to be had.”
The two men were standing on the wide, freshly paved sidewalk that wound through the center of camp. Just to Declan’s left was a chain-link fence that bracketed the swimming pool complex. Even from where he stood, he could see the glint of the sunlight as it shone off the blue water. The smell of the saltwater system they used to treat the water reached his nostrils, making him want to take a dip.
He didn’t miss the ocean. Or people almost drowning. But he already missed being in the water. It was kind of his thing.
“I’m ready, too,” he admitted. "How has camp been so far?”
“Only had one week before you got here,” Marcus said. “But it went well. It’ll go even better now that you’re here to run the pool. Man, how’d you score so much time away from the Guard?”
Declan grinned. “Been saving that up for years. And get this, they’re making me take it. I didn’t ask for three months off. They told me to use it or lose it.”
“Nice!” Marcus said. He paused for a moment and shot his old friend a knowing smirk. “Now, the last time I talked to you, where was it? Back at that convention in Hollywood?”
Declan nodded.
“Yeah. Anyway,” Marcus went on, “seems like you mentioned you were still looking for a Little sweetie of your own. Any luck in that department?”
“I wish,” Declan said with a sigh. “What about you?”
Marcus shook his head. “But we’re in the right spot. Lots of cuties come through here. But just a word of warning: they’ll try to pull stuff. Lots of mischief, if you know what I mean. It’s best we’re on our guards.”
Declan smiled, liking the sound of that. For some reason, he was a sucker for naughty Littles—as long as they weren’t too naughty.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.
The two men talked for a few more minutes before they bumped fists and went their separate ways. Declan went to the gate cut in the fence and stepped inside to find Chloe Edwards waiting for him.
Until his arrival earlier that day, he’d only met the camp director via a video call when they’d had his initial interview. In person, he realized just how sweet and matronly her presence was. The Littles around there must love her, he thought.
“Welcome to your kingdom. I guess it’s a little smaller than your usual one,” she said.
He laughed. “The ocean is my kingdom? You’re making me sound like Aquaman.”
“If the shoe fits,” she said. “Okay, what do you think?” She swept her hand around.
Declan took a look at the towering waterslides, pristine, glistening pools, and the water war area complete with hydro cannons. “I can get used to this.”
“Well, the Littles are going to love having you here. And so am I. Just don’t let ‘em run all over you. They can try some things.”
He laughed. “You’re the second person to warn me of that in the past few minutes.”
“I guess we’re all still reeling from last week,” she said. “Nothing major. But pranks were pulled. And the Attitude Adjuster saw a lot of use.”
“The Attitude Adjuster?” he asked, cocking his head to one side.
She chuckled. “That would be my paddle.”
“Ah.”
“Don’t hesitate to send any Littles my way who need it. I don’t relish the task, but I’ll put them in their places when needed.”
He nodded. “Good to know. Don’t worry. I’ll make them obey the rules. It’s imperative they do. This might not be the Pacific Ocean, but anytime you have water, you have the potential for danger.”
“You’re going to do great,” Chloe said with a pleased smile. “I guess you already know the pool hours, but feel free to adjust them to fit your schedule. We aren’t rigid around here, but we do want the campers to have an amazing experience. They might be Littles, but they’re adults who paid to be here. This is their vacation. While we are Bigs, it’s easy to forget we’re still in the hospitality industry.”
Declan nodded again. “That makes sense. I’ll have the pool open quite a bit. I just want these cuties to have fun.”
“Aww, I love that attitude,” Chloe said. “And you can—”
Before she could finish the statement, they were interrupted by a group of Littles who burst through the gate.
They watched as three women ran toward a large, faux rock wall that was part of the water war area and hunkered beneath it, talking to one another in hushed tones.
“Speaking of naughty Littles,” Chloe said. “I wonder what’s going on over there?”
Declan grinned. “There’s only one way to find out.”
With that, the two Bigs walked toward the girls’ location, ready to intervene.
And possibly bust bottoms if necessary.