3. Korben
‘So… are you in or not?’ Korben asked, not entirely sure whether Michael was on board with Korben’s Kandies.
‘I’m thinking,’ Michael said, a somewhat gruff tone in his voice. ‘Wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.’
With that, Korben watched on in astonishment as Michael turned and left the studio.
Who does he think he is?
He should feel lucky to have the chance to invest!
And why does he have to be so handsome too?
Korben stomped his foot in frustration. Having given it his all in describing the various flavors, designs, and potential of his business, Korben was feeling sure that Michael would immediately respond with a big, fat YES.
But watching Michael leave the workshop with a stern look on his face, Korben was beginning to wonder whether he was going to be getting any investment whatsoever.
Somehow, Korben’s impending sense of disappointment was made worse by the fact that Michael was the most handsome, dashing man he’d clapped eyes on in… well, pretty much ever.
The way that Michael towered over him in his sharp suit was one thing, and the fact that the shape and sturdiness of his body was so clearly evident was something else. Korben had felt his cock tingle and twitch each and every time they made eye contact, and Korben was now beginning to wonder whether Michael had noticed this…
‘OMG, I’m such a dork,’ Korben said, shaking his head. ‘This t-shirt is so thin and flimsy. Michael probably saw me and thought I’m some kind of dumb hipster. I’m so silly. I knew I should have worn something more formal. Argh.’
Korben wanted to jump up and down in frustration, and it was only the threat of Michael walking back in that stopped his from doing this.
In that moment, Korben’s mind was cast back to his days at Law School. Everything was always so serious and formal, and Korben hated the fact that he had to dress so soberly at his internships. One of the things he loved most about being his own boss was wearing creative and easy fit clothes and not worrying about what a boss or colleague would think.
But with the possibility that Michael had taken one glance at his outfit and judged his as some kind of himbo hipster was enough to make Korben want to run into the nearest department store and put on a hundred business suits all at once.
‘Jazz, I think this has been a disaster,’ Korben said. ‘At least he didn’t seem phased by you. That’s one thing, I suppose. He probably thought you were just my little mascot. But don’t worry, you and I both know that you’re my best friend in the whole world.’
Korben picked Jazz up and gave him a big squeeze.
The two of them had been partners in candy and fun for so long, going all the way back to Korben’s childhood. Korben and Jazz had been through good times and bad together, and that was always going to be the case. Korben knew that pretty much any situation could be made better by giving his most cherished stuffie a big hug.
‘Squeeze any harder and you might make the little guy wish he was back in the Pacific,’ Michael chuckled, walking back into the workshop with a knowing look on his face. ‘So. I’ve given it some thought.’
‘Yes?’ Korben asked, a hundred thoughts all flying around his head at once as he desperately tried to process exactly what direction Michael was about to take the conversation.
‘I think your presentation was unusual,’ Michael said, stepping toward Korben but keeping a professional distance. ‘But sometimes, unusual is good. It lets me know that I’m dealing with a singular voice, someone who isn’t afraid of doing things differently. And as an investor, that can be a very, very good sign.’
‘So you’re saying, you’re going to…’ Korben said, afraid to finish off the sentence for fear of jinxing it.
‘I’m saying I want to invest,’ Michael said. ‘But I’ll do it on the understanding that you’ll allow me to guide you on areas of business where I know best. I’ll never interfere with your flavors, your designs, or your quite wonderful candy wrappings. But when it comes to money, suppliers, and distribution deals, I’ll expect to take a firm, controlling hand over matters.’
Korben wasn’t sure how to respond to what Michael was saying.
On the one hand, it sounded like Michael was offering up his money and giving Korben carte blanche to keep doing what he loved. But on the other hand, there was no denying that Michael wouldn’t exactly be the silent partner that Korben had been so personally insistent upon having.
There was one other thing to contend with too… and that was just how insanely attracted Korben was to Michael. Michael was big, strong, and his ease with Jazz was strongly suggestive of the fact that he could be a Daddy too.
But it was Michael’s green eyes that did it for Korben.
All his life, Korben had dreamed of a Daddy with green eyes. It was inexplicable, but true. Korben had met many handsome Daddies when he was out with his fellow Little friends. Nice, sexy, grumpy, kinky, dominant, and pretty much every other variety of Daddy you could think of. But somehow Korben had never met a green eyed Daddy… until now.
‘I’ll need to think about it,’ Korben said, his arms folded across his chest to avoid another embarrassing situation where his sensitive, hard nipples were making themselves known to Michael in the most obvious of ways through the thin t-shirt material. ‘Please don’t be offended.’
‘No, I’m actually encouraged,’ Michael replied, showing no obvious signs of emotion either way. ‘Anyone who’s willing to jump into bed with me right away will always arouse suspicion as far as I’m concerned.’
Korben didn’t know how to respond.
The mere mention of jumping into Michael’s bed, even metaphorically, made Korben blush furiously and he did everything he could to try and hide this from Michael.
‘I’ll get back in touch with you when I’ve made my decision, okay,’ Korben said, putting on his toughest, most businesslike voice.
‘Yes, sir,’ Michael replied, a hint of gentle teasing in his voice. ‘I can see that handling you won’t be easy. But, if you give me the opportunity, I can help you reach your full potential, young man.’
Korben couldn’t help but giggle.
Michael might have come over as a typically macho, alpha businessman to begin with. In fact, he actually seemed like a real grumpy guts. But Korben could see that there was a different side to Michael inside that perfectly cut suit and million dollar smile.
If he made a move on me right now… what would I do?
Would I let him rip my t-shirt off?
Would I put my little butt and hard cock on display for him?
‘Well, if we’re done here, I’ve got things to do across town,’ Michael said, abruptly interrupting Korben’s rapidly escalating fantasies.
‘Y-y-yeah, of course,’ Korben said. ‘But before you go, I’d like to give you something.’
‘Oh?’ Michael replied, arching his eyebrow in a mixture of intrigue and suspicion. ‘I’m not too keen on surprises normally, but I’ll let this one slide…’
‘Don’t worry, silly,’ Korben said, laughing as he reached into his storage cupboard and took out a small box with a green bow on top. ‘This is for you. Inside you’ll find a Greeny Dreamy.’
‘A Greeny Dreamy?’ Michael replied, taking the small box from Korben and holding it carefully in front of him.
‘It’s the special new candy I’ve been working on,’ Korben said, a look of pride on his face. ‘I want you to have this one.’
‘I’m honored,’ Michael replied, a hint of a smile on his face. ‘And I look forward to hearing from you very soon, Korben.’
And with that, Korben watched as Michael walked out of the workshop once more – except this time, it was Korben who would need to do some thinking.
Korben had no doubt that Michael had both the business knowledge and the money to help Korben’s Kandies, but if Michael was going to try and throw his weight around when it came to running things then Korben wasn’t so sure that taking things further would be a good idea at all.
With his head spinning and his heart still fluttering, Korben decided that it was time to see whether his good Little friends Louie and Danny wanted to meet up and discuss all things Daddy…
‘Am I hearing this right, Korben?’ Louie asked, a smile on his face as he leaned back into the comfort of his beanbag. ‘You think you might like Michael Dornan?’
Korben didn’t respond. All he could do was watch Louie and Danny giggling together in their cute rompers and with their stuffies under the arms.
‘I think the silence means… yes!’ Danny said, his auburn hair looking as shiny as ever. ‘And by the sounds of what you described, he totally likes you too.’
‘I don’t even know for sure if he’s a Daddy,’ Korben said, deciding to break his silence.
‘He so is,’ Louie replied. ‘Michael is friends with my Daddy. They go to the gym together and everything and have known each other since all the way back in college. Michael Dornan is one hundred, thousand, million percent a Daddy.’
The three Littles burst into laughter and snuggled up to one another on the arrangement of beanbags in the playroom at The Little Corner.
With its wonderfully safe and sweet atmosphere, The Little Corner was a small but perfectly formed hangout spot where for a small monthly fee, Littles from over the city could come and hangout with one another. Nobody here would judge them, and they could dress and act how they liked without fear of being made fun of or teased.
Korben was wearing a pale blue romper with a fluffy shark’s fin on the back. And with Jazz safely tucked under his arm and his tummy full of warm milk and one and a half cookies, Korben was feeling like it might soon be time for a nap. But not before he got more about Michael off his chest…
‘I need to think hard about this,’ Korben said. ‘I couldn’t help but get all, you know… excited when Michael was talking to me. But there’s no way I can work with him as a business partner if all I can do is imagine him doing all of the naughty things to me.’
‘I can think of worse ways of spending my time,’ Danny squealed, his milk bottle toppling over in his excitement.
‘Michael is known for being so focused on his business investments that I’m sure he’ll keep things professional,’ Louie said. ‘My Daddy said that he’s never met anyone so serious and stern as Michael in his whole life!’
Korben understood how Max could come to that conclusion.
But on the other hand, Korben had witnessed Michael’s dry humor at first hand. There was definitely a more fun, spontaneous person inside Michael trying to get out. And it was this, on top of Michael’s suave good looks, that was making Korben feel so dizzy with excitement.
I could be the Little to bring out his best Daddy side.
He’d train me to be his boy, and I’d help him have more fun.
But… how would that work with the investment?
Korben was still very unsure about both progressing any kind of relationship with Michael, either financial or personal. But all that could wait.
With the sound of soothing nursery rhymes playing in the background and his eyes beginning to droop, Korben knew that the only thing he’d be thinking about soon was how many magical unicorns were jumping over the rainbow in his dreams.
‘I want to go snoozy,’ Korben said, a smile on his face as he began to let his eyes shut.
‘Me too,’ Louie said, cuddling up to his stuffie Huggle.
‘Me three,’ Danny added, waving goodnight with the paws of his dog stuffie, Sandwich.
‘Nighty-nighty,’ the three said in unison, pulling a large blanket up over themselves and quickly falling asleep.
Korben knew he had big decisions to make on the horizon.
But in this moment, the only thing that mattered was being with his best Littles and enjoying every moment of his Little Space sleep time.