Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“What kind of parents do that, Derek? Did they even leave forwarding information or how to get ahold of them if something happened to Sage?” It’d been a long time since I’d felt this level of anger. One day in and the overprotective Daddy in me came barreling out.
“Nope, not a single number or address. All they told Sage was they were moving to Florida.” He shook his head. “How’d he do this morning?”
I’d just dropped Sage off at class and had gone straight to Derek’s office after. “Well, he tried his best, but it’s obvious he’s never done manual labor, and he’s terrified you’re gonna find him useless and kick him out.”
“What? I’d never do that. We just need to find where he fits. Everyone has their place at Rawhide Ranch.”
“I know, but that boy has been beaten down and ignored his entire life. You should’ve seen how thrilled he was that I got him a present.” Derek cocked a brow. “Don’t give me that look. You knew exactly what you were doing when you put Sage in my path.”
“I did, but the confirmed bachelor in you was hellbent on fighting it.”
Yeah, two hours with Sage and I was a goner, but I wasn’t telling him that nor confirming his assumption. At least not with those exact words.
“We nearly cleared the shop out getting new clothes for him. He has, or had, next to nothing.”
“Becky told me. I’m just glad we were able to help him out. Keep me abreast of how he does and let me know if I need to move him around.”
“Will do.” As far as dismissals went, Derek was a pro at it. Never left feeling unheard, he listened and helped everyone. His time was golden and we, as employees, understood and respected that.
I returned to the stables and finished up just in time to collect Sage. I waited at the edge of the Littles’ Wing hall, just as I’d done this morning for work. Poor guy looked even more lost as he walked toward me than he did working the stalls.
“Everything okay, Sage?”
He glanced around, leaned in and whispered. “Did you know there are Mommies and Daddies that aren’t your parents?”
I did my best not to laugh, but a small chuckle escaped. “I do.”
“And you”— his head swiveled from side to side, ensuring we were still alone—“you have sex with them?”
“Not always. Some relationships are negotiated without sexual relations.”
Those big blue eyes blinked at me. “This isn’t like any school I’ve ever known. I’m so confused.”
“Well, maybe I can help with that. How about an early dinner?” What in the world was I doing? I had no right to teach others any more than I had to… to… ah, hell. I was training my own Little, wasn’t I?
As much as I’d prefer to have this conversation privately, the cafeteria would have to do. I was afraid taking Sage back to my place could make him even more uncomfortable than he already was.
Trays loaded, I found the most private table possible.
Sage wasn’t wasting any time, staring directly at me while I got situated.
“Okay, let’s start with the basics. These questions aren’t meant to offend or embarrass you but will give me a baseline for where to start.
” Those blond curls bobbed around as he shook his head.
“So, about sex?” Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen cheeks turn that shade of red before. “You know how that all works, right?”
Jesus, I was worse than my father at this.
Sage whispered so low I hardly heard him. “We had sex ed in school and I’ve read about it, but haven’t, you know.”
Yeah, I figured as much, but at least had an honest, confirmed answer.
“Being a Mommy or a Daddy, a Dom or a Domme, a Handler, a Big, whatever you and your partner decide to label their place in your life means that they’re taking care of the Little, the Pet, the Sub and they’re trusting you to do so. Being a Daddy to a Little is a job I take very seriously.”
“Do you have one of those?”
“A Sub?” I shook my head. “My preference is for a Little or a Pet, but to answer your question, no, I don’t have one of my own currently.”
“What kind of care do you give them? Like, sex stuff?”
“It’s about so much more than that, Sage. I’ve had some I only had play dates with while others were more intimate. Our contracts were negotiated and safe words established before we embarked upon any play.”
“The teacher explained safe words today. I think that’s a very good idea. No means no.”
“Very good and I agree. Did you make a safe word?”
“Yup, bananas.”
Sage said it with so much confidence, I chuckled.
“I don’t like them.”
“That’s a great word association then. Did they go over the contracts with you today?”
“Yes, but I said no to a lot of stuff and maybe to the rest. Can I use my phone to research the things I didn’t understand? I won’t like, get in trouble for that, will I?”
“Yes, you can use your phone for that, and you would only get in trouble if you entered into a scene you weren’t prepared for.
BDSM isn’t about hurting people. It’s about taking care of them, helping them release the stresses of their daily lives.
There is nothing better than watching your sub sink into subspace and just let go.
It’s very therapeutic for them, healing even. ”
“They mentioned subspace too, but I think that’s something I’d have to experience first to understand it.”
“Very true. What do you think of the lifestyles they went over? Do any of them call to you or interest you?”
“I-I.” Sage swallowed hard and took a few moments to respond. “It goes against what I was raised to believe. Don’t talk like a baby, Sage. Men don’t cry, Sage. Toys? Toys are for infants.”
Ah, the great reprogramming struggle.
“Everything I learned today was just, a lot.”
“Tell you what, let’s finish eating then head down to the playground and arcade for a bit.” His eyes lit up. There he’d see Littles in action, enjoying themselves and maybe that would be the push he’d need to realize it was okay to let go.
“Okay, okay.” Sage wiggled in his seat.
The Little I knew was hiding inside peeked out as he ate. Suddenly, I found myself equally as excited at the possibilities. I couldn’t wait to meet his Little. I bet he was beyond adorable.
“Have you been down here yet?” I asked him as we stepped inside the lower level.
“No, but I saw it on the map. Are some rooms off limits?”
“There are, but these three along this wall aren’t. The first is the indoor playground and arcade, where you’ll find other Littles and sometimes a few Pets.”
Sage looked around. “Like puppies?”
My lips twitched as I reminded myself this was all new to him.
“Not the animal kind. The Pets here would be those who choose to play at being a pet. Perhaps a kitten or a puppy.” His confusion still showed on his face, but I moved on.
“Next to the playground is the gym and the room at the end is the indoor pool. Can you swim?”
“Yeah, Papa taught me at the creek behind our house. What are the underground tunnels for?”
“The winters here get nasty. That’s when we utilize the tunnel system the most to get to each building. It’s dangerous to be outside in blizzard conditions.” As soon as I opened the door, the laughter inside spilled out into the hall.
“Whoa.” Sage stepped inside and froze. “Those aren’t kids on the playground.”
“There aren’t any children here; this is an adults-only resort. These are Littles and this was all built for them. Would you like to play or go into the arcade side first?”
Sage glanced over at the games, then back at the play structure, then to the games again. “I-I’ve never played those games. Do you think the others will play with me if I go on the playset?”
My heart just broke for this shy, lonely boy.
“I do. Take your shoes off and put them in the cubby first.” I stood back and watched as Sage slowly approached the ball pit.
There were three others in there, balls flying in all directions and about a dozen or so running through the tunnels and down the slides.
Suddenly, another boy descended the rope ladder and headed toward Sage.
I held my breath, intently watching their interaction.
“You’re Sage, right?” the boy asked, Sage nodded his head. “I’m Devon. I was in class with you today.”
“Hi.” Sage fidgeted.
“Is that your Daddy over there?” Devon pointed at me.
“I-I don’t have a Daddy. He’s my friend, I think. We work together, but he brought me here tonight.”
“Oh, gotcha. I’m only here for the week. Maybe he can be our Daddy while I’m here?”
That was my cue to step in. “Hi, Devon, I’m Warner.”
“Hello. Will you be our Daddy while I’m here?”
“I can do that, what did you have in mind? Playtime? Meals?”
“No sex!” Sage blurted out and stepped closer to me.
Was Sage nervous or was this his way of saying I was off limits? Very interesting and a bit hilarious.
Devon giggled. “That’s fine. I’m here for a week decompressing.”
“Is that what you want, Sage?” The familiar head bob followed. “Then Daddy I shall be. Why don’t you two go play. I’ll just be right over there.” I pointed to the sitting area for the Bigs, which had an ideal view of the play area.
Devon held Sage’s hand as they climbed into the ball pit.
Devon sunk beneath the colorful orbs and swished his arms around.
At first, Sage just stood and watched. then he disappeared.
Before I had a chance to make it to the pit, he popped up.
His giggles filled the air before he dove again, ferreting around the pit.
Made me wonder if he didn’t have a bit of a pet in him.
Definitely something to consider once he’d acclimated to his Little side.
They played hide-and-seek in the pit until they’d had enough of that and moved on. Through the tunnels, down the slides, then pretended they were pirates walking the plank across the bridge.
Sage’s parents may have had the wrong idea when they dropped him off here, but it was clearly the right place for him to be. The boy was all smiles, playing with his new friend and enjoying the freedom he’d never been allowed before.
“Daddy, can we have a juice box, please?” Devon asked. Sage’s eyes widened, taking in our exchange.
“Of course. Would you like one too, Sage?”
“Yes, please.”
No Daddy from him but I didn’t expect it either. This was far too new, and it would take him time to grasp the concept and fully embrace the lifestyle. If he ever did, that was.
Did I look forward to the first time he’d say it?
That answer came easily. Yes. Yes, I did.
“Do you boys want to hit the arcade next?”
“Yes!” Devon cheered and took my hand. He was clearly more comfortable with his Little side.
Sage looked at our hands, then up at Devon. I held my other hand out and it took a moment before he slid his into mine.
“Look at all the prezzies we can win, Sage.” Devon pointed to the counter. “I want the panda stuffy. Which one do you like?”
“Um,” Sage paused. “How do we win them?”
“With tickets, silly. The games give us tickets when we get a certain amount of points.” Devon’s confused glance met mine.
“This is all new to Sage. He’ll get the hang of it. Why don’t you show him how to play Skee-ball, then he can see how the tickets are won.”
“Good idea, Daddy. Come on, Sage.” Devon took his hand and led him over to the game. This was exactly what Sage needed. Not only to see others playing, but to have a big brother of sorts to show him the ropes and to let him know it’s okay to let go and be yourself.
I hung out near the ticket counter, eyeing the prizes and mentally selecting a few for the boys. It was their choice, of course, but it was kinda fun to see if our picks aligned.
After each game, the two of them ran over and handed me their tickets. Laughing, skipping, holding hands and having the best time as they tried each game. Sage wasn’t great, at first, but Devon was patient and showed him how to play each one. That boy was a caregiver Little for sure.
But when their yawns increased, it was time for this old cowboy to put on his Daddy hat. “Alright, boys. Let’s get your tickets turned in.” No fussing, guess I made the right decision.
“Panda please, and the candy and the fuzzy pen,” Devon told the prize guy after he and Sage split the tickets evenly. “Thank you. Which stuffy do you want, Sage.”
“Um, I want the cowboy ’roo that looks like Da-err… Warner, please.”
Almost but not quite.
“Ooohhh, I like that one too. Don’t forget the other stuff. Look at the cute erasers and toy cars.” Devon was just as excited about what Sage chose as he was for his own goodies. Sage picked out a couple of cars and a bag of candy then I walked them to the elevator.
“Did you boys have fun tonight?”
“Yes, thank you for letting me play with you guys.” Devon smiled. “May I hug you both?” Sage nodded and hugged Devon.
“I’ll take a hug too. You boys shower and get right to sleep. Sage, I’ll see you bright and early for work. I’ll be waiting right here… ooof!” Sage’s surprise hug knocked me back a bit.
“Thank you, for everything.”
“Sleep tight, sweet boy.”
They disappeared behind the elevator doors. I smiled all the way to my apartment until the door shut behind me and it hit me just how quiet my place was. Hopefully, one day it would be filled with the giggles from a certain Little.