Chapter 6
Truce
That night, after the bar closed, I offered to share my Uber with my new little. It was past two a.m. I didn’t like the thought of him alone.
“I’d like to see you safely home,” I said.
“Thank you, but I have my own car.”
“I came in an Uber. But I can walk you to your car. How’s that?”
“That’s it? The night is over?” he asked.
If I had my way, this night would never end. “We can exchange numbers. I’ll text you to make sure you made it safely home.”
His eyebrows rose. His cheeks pinked. He spoke as he ducked his head. “I’d like that so much.”
I grabbed my cell from my pocket. “Where are you parked?”
Kairo pointed to the parking garage. As we walked down the sidewalk, he said, “Don’t you have a car?”
“I do. I got a DUI when I was 25. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. Now, if I go to any club or bar where I know I’ll be drinking I get an Uber.”
“Oh, so you are uber careful.”
“Did you just make a joke?” I laughed
He snickered, covering his face with his cat.
“You’re a funny little one, aren’t you?”
“I am?”
“Sweetheart, you are delightful.”
Kairo pushed his shoulders back, chin up, and that smile of his was sweet enough to rival any dessert.
When we got to the parking garage, he went straight to a black BMW that looked so new it appeared wet.
I thought he’d walk right by but instead he pressed a small fob on a keychain and its lights came on along with the purr of an engine.
That make and model went for ninety-five grand to start.
It shocked me for a moment but I said nothing.
“Yours?”
His eyes got big. “Yeah.” His chest expanded with a big breath. “It’s nothing, really. It was a gift.”
I nodded. “You’re okay to drive, right?” I knew he was. I’d whispered “Go light” to the bartender when I’d ordered the drink for him. The martini he’d had was heavy on the chocolate and whipped cream, light on the vodka.
“I’m fine.”
I leaned toward him. “Let me look at your eyes.”
At my request, he opened them wide and stood still.
“Yeah.” I chucked him under the chin. “You’re fine.”
He hesitated, then took a step in my direction. “I could give you a ride home.”
I held up my phone. “Already ordered the Uber. It gets here in about ten minutes.”
“I don’t mind.”
That settled it. This sweetie was going to be my baby boy. But that meant I needed to take care of him. Not the other way around.
I leaned down and took his face into my hands. One step forward and my body pressed against the pink cat he held in his arms.
“I’m fine, baby. Really. It’s a short Uber trip.” I took the opportunity to gaze at him in detail, his silken brown hair, his long lashes, the way the tops of his cheeks turned pink every time I touched him. “May I kiss you?”
He leaned in. His sharp inhale told me he wanted it. “Yes.” He gulped. “Daddy.”
I slid my hand around to the nape of his neck. Pure euphoria coursed through me. It was more than arousal. Deeper. Intoxicating. I hadn’t felt that in far too long.
When I brushed my lips lightly against his full, waiting mouth, my vision went white.
Intoxicating was the perfect word. Not from any drinks tonight. Nope. It was him. All him.
His head came up. He let out a little moan as his mouth pressed tighter against mine.
The lights of the garage bathed us in soft gold. For the moment, we were the only humans around.
When we pulled back for air, I whispered, “Baby, you just blew my mind.”
Still a bit wary, he wasn’t smiling. But his mouth was open and glistening. I’d had things easy for a long while. But right now, I was unsure.
“You’re the sweetest, prettiest little ever.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Kairo released a huge sigh and his head fell forward onto my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him.
“I’ve got you.”
“Truly?” His voice came muffled against my vest.
“I promise.”
“I like you.” The words were breathless, shaky.
A fever spun through me as if I’d just come off a scene covered in sweat, my mind misty and sated.
Instinct told me I couldn’t move too fast with this one. He seemed like he might be the Cinderella type, a flight risk never to be seen again.
“Hand me your phone.”
He typed his code to open it and placed it in my palm. I put my number into his contacts list, then texted myself. “There. Now we have lift off.”
“Thank you.”
“Promise you’ll text me when you get home. I need to know you’re safe.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
I leaned down and brushed his mouth with mine again. “Sweet baby, I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
As I watched him drive away, I couldn’t help but think I’d lost this one. He behaved eager enough, but incredibly shy.
My Uber pulled up in the street a minute later. I got in, my body alive, charged. I couldn’t hide my erection. I barely saw the lights pass by as the car took me home. Luckily, the driver was a quiet one. I wasn’t in the mood to talk.
The car dropped me off at my front door.
The night air pressed cold against my bare arms. I entered my small, two-bedroom house and immediately checked to see that the heat was on.
Glancing about, I saw my cozy living room, the couch covered with pillows and blankets for when I felt like sleeping away from my big, king-sized bed.
Even though I had company for the asking at any time from any bar or club, I rarely brought anyone home.
Living alone had made me territorial, a habit accompanied by a loneliness that made me restless.
Yet I still chose to be a bachelor. If I partied, it was away from here.
This was my refuge for work and downtime.
My laptop sat on the dining room table in one corner.
My bedroom door opened on the right. The second bedroom, tiny in size, held my treadmill and weights.
It had a lovely window overlooking a field of trees between me and my neighbor’s house.
I’d set it up with a sound system. The closet doors were mirrors.
I’d created the perfect little space for work outs.
I was happy here. No doubt of it. But tonight it all felt different.
I kicked off my boots, plopped on the couch and rolled up in a fleece blanket. I stared at my phone as if I could magically make it light up.
Would Kairo actually obey my request and text? Of course, he would. Why was I worried?
Usually, after a night out, with or without a hookup, I would fall asleep fast. Not tonight. I couldn’t stop my thoughts. As I stared at the ceiling, the high of Kairo’s sweetness, his lips, his funny humor had me already obsessed.
After what seemed like an eternity, my phone vibrated against my chest. I grabbed it. The text lit up.
Hi, Truce. This is me. Kairo. I just got home. I hope you are also home safe. Thank you for a good night.
His awkwardness and manners, even in texting, made me smile. Funny boy. A baby who needed a daddy to care, to look after him, to love.
Immediately, I replied.
I’m home and thinking of you. Happy you are safe.
I watched the ellipse bubble that showed he was writing. It paused for what seemed like a long time. Just as I began to think no text would come, a short one popped up.
Thinking of you.
I couldn’t wait to see him again.
Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?
Yes, Daddy.
Great. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?
You choose.
I thought of all the nicer places I knew and suggested one. Then I texted him back the name of the restaurant and asked:
When can I pick you up?
I’ll meet you there. Is that okay?
Interesting. He didn’t want me to see where he lived yet.
That’s fine. Do you eat early or late?
Six sharp.
That was an intriguing answer since he didn’t work. Maybe he had himself on a strict schedule.
I’ll make the reservations.
I am excited. Thank you, Daddy.
I smiled at his use of Daddy. And his candor. Twenty-four but still wet behind the ears. He was tight as a drum with his nerves but I trusted myself to find a workaround. It was going to be wonderful to get him to loosen up, to allow me take care of him.