Chapter 4
Preston
When I picked up Sage his body slotted into mine as if it knew me. I supported his ass as he leaned in and hugged my neck, his legs around my waist. He smelled like crayons and strawberry shampoo. His straight blond hair softly tickled under my neck.
I was used to another world in the past decade. Strong men’s hair products and expensive woven fabrics. The sterile bleach scents of high polished floors, desks, windows and counters at work. My firm was successful and the offices showed that in glimmery efficiency and luxury.
My past kink experience was mostly leather and firm-muscled sweat. And of course, the scent of sex all over.
This was different. Softer but still male. Warm and safe and peaceful. I wanted to hold Sage and was glad when he refused to go into the crib and allowed me to take him to a plush chair to sit and hold him in my lap.
He was pressed hard into my chest. I wondered if he could hear my excited heartbeats.
Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. My encounters with men involved talking. I didn’t jump into bed as fast as some might’ve liked. I liked to know a few things first.
But this was just holding. And breathing. And being with another human on a new level for me. Intimacy but no talking. So strangely beautiful.
I couldn’t track time as we sat together in silence. I could only think of this moment and not wanting it to end.
Sage’s breaths had been heavy at first. Now they slowed as if he’d fallen asleep. My instinct told me otherwise. He was aware. He was exactly where he needed and wanted to be.
That was fine with me. I’d stay as late as possible if I could keep this precious boy for even a few more seconds.
I noted I’d left my drink on the coffee table. One of the daddies brought it over to me but I shook my head. He set it on a table by the chair.
I leaned back and closed my eyes, drifting. There had been things at work that had been difficult and time-consuming. All that stress faded away.
Sage was warm and my palm made slow circles on his back. My other arm wrapped around his waist.
If anyone had ever told me I’d meet a guy like this, I would’ve said no.
People left us alone. In any kink club they would have seen this as a private moment. If they watched us, I didn’t care.
I couldn't say how much time passed before Sage’s friend came up to us. He asked me if Sage was all right. I wasn't sure it was proper for me to answer for him so I spoke softly to the boy in my arms.
“Sage, are you awake?”
He stirred a little.
“Your friend wants to know if you're okay.”
He let out a long breath. “I'm okay, Very.” His whispered words sounded sleepy.
“That's good. I'm glad.” Then his friend went hopping off while clapping his hands.
I was glad to see that Sage had people he knew here who looked out for him. I was the stranger in this scenario. This was his territory.
“Sage, are you thirsty? Would you like a drink?”
His eyelids fluttered as he shook his head. He said, “You’re warm.”
I smiled. “That’s good, right? You’re not too hot?”
“Not hot.”
“Good.”
He snuggled into me. I enjoyed every moment. After another few minutes, his eyes opened wider and he looked at me. “I’m Sage. I don’t usually do this.”
“Hi, Sage. I’m Preston.” I’d already introduced myself but wasn’t sure he remembered.
He nodded. He glanced about the room. “I think I should get up now.”
“Okay. But no rush. I enjoy just sitting with you.”
His smile curved shyly. “You’re nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Any time.” I meant it.
He made no move to stand.
I hugged him to me, then loosened my grip. He sighed again, then started to slide off my lap. Reluctantly, I let my arms fall to my sides.
He stumbled a little. I reached out to help steady him but my hands missed their mark as he moved away.
He went to the rug where he’d been playing with blocks with his friend and sat.
He stared at the blocks. His friend was on the other side of the room sitting in a man’s lap and chatting away. He hadn’t noticed Sage get up.
I picked up my drink and took a sip. The ice had melted and I got mostly water.
At that moment, Charles walked in and headed straight for me, blocking my view of Sage.
“Still here, I see,” Charles said. “Not bored yet?”
“Nope.”
“Just checking up on you. When you decide to leave, text me. I think I’ll be staying late. I’ve got a date.”
“Good for you. Will do.”
I sat watching Sage for a while. The boy sat without moving, elbows on his knees.
He was only in profile so I could not discern any emotions on his face.
His body language told me a few things. One was he was no longer in baby mode, but older.
He didn’t play. He sat. Was he thinking about our encounter?
As I observed, Sage rose and went to the side of the room where there were coat hooks. He took down a jacket and put it on. He was ready to leave.
I got up, thinking quickly. I reached for my wallet and pulled out my personal business card, then walked toward the coats where Sage stood.
He had a bib pocket in his pink overalls and I pressed the card into it and leaned down. “Just in case.”
I found myself flustered, barely able to get the words out. He looked up at me and his lips parted. I couldn’t bear any more. This was over. My night was done. I didn’t want anything else to spoil the pleasurable feelings running through my veins.
Not looking back, I walked through the door with the ballons painted on it and made my way through the crowd.
If Sage liked me, he’d call. If he was unsure, he wouldn’t. I couldn’t dwell on that. Simply, I needed to get home to a quiet place and let the evening play over and over in my head.
When I got outside, the night air filled my lungs with a chill of oncoming autumn. It was an industrial part of the city. Mist mixed with soot and oil. Faraway, engines revved.
I quickly headed to the parking garage to get to my car, fumbling with my fob. Once I was in my car, I texted Charles.
On my way home. Thanks for a fun time. I needed this.
Good to hear it. I’m staying on. Don’t worry.
Have fun.
Sometimes I worried when I left a place like this without the person I’d come with. I teamed up with friends when I was younger so we’d have each other’s backs. But Charles had a car. He was a grown man. This was still his arena. It was me who was running. Was I running?
Sage had given me strong feelings I needed time to process. The word “daddy” repeated in my mind. Was I? Could I be? Was it something I even wanted?
As I drove, I felt almost drunk, though I’d only ordered one drink and had only a couple sips.
The muscles in my arms contracted as I remembered holding him.
As soon as I got home, I collapsed on my couch clutching one of my pillows. I was trying to repeat the experience. Or hang onto it. Or both.
I kicked off my shoes and fell back into the cushions.
“Sage.” I spoke his name aloud, hugging the couch pillow.
I stared at the ceiling until my eyes closed. Behind my eyelids, I saw his face, so young, so sweet. Maybe our age gap was too much. Maybe we’d have nothing in common but laps and hugs. Weirdly, I didn’t care. I only wanted to experience it again.
Right now, he could be looking at my business card and thinking about me. But darker thoughts clouded that happy image. Maybe he wasn’t looking for someone. Maybe that was why he was so shy. And alone.
By the time I went to bed later that night, my body was pent up. I took a long hot shower trying to unwind. I came once.
When I finally slept, I dreamed of his sweet face and big blue eyes all night.