19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Crispin

Settling in at Archer's place has been amazing. True, we were still in the honeymoon phase, and he hadn't actually acknowledged that I'd moved all the way in yet, but so far, it had been more than I'd ever hoped for. It felt like that was a running theme for me when it came to him. Everything was just more.

I'd also had the opportunity to speak with Janelle about working at Harmony and Joy. She jumped at the chance—which felt pretty damn good—and I couldn't wait for her first day. She had some other commitments and obligations to take care of first, but we'd at least come up with a schedule for her that would suit us both. Having even more time with Archer in the evenings was going to be a definite plus.

"What are you thinking about, sweet boy?"

"Everything and anything to distract me from the evening ahead."

We were currently on our way to Ben's house for dinner with him and my parents. It kind of sucked that we arranged it this way. I should've had Ben and Archer meet first, but for whatever reason, it hadn't occurred to me until this morning. As it was, it had taken a couple of weeks to pull tonight together. My parents, who'd been showing up on my brother's doorstep at a moment's notice for months, suddenly had a full social calendar that kept them too busy to meet my new boyfriend.

He reached over and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. "Stop fretting. It'll be fine. Are you worried that your parents are going to think I'm too old for you?"

"Daddy," I whined. "I hadn't been worried about it until you said that." In fact, I hadn't given it a second thought since our age gap hadn't bothered me. Would this be another thing that my father threw in my face? I really hoped not.

The GPS guided Archer to Ben's address, so I didn't say another word until he pulled up in front of the house and parked at the curb. He pressed his palm into mine. "It's going to be fine. Don't forget, I'm with you."

"Hopefully, my dad doesn't say anything to send you running for the hills," I said, only half joking.

Archer brought my hand to his mouth and kissed the back. "I promise you, there's nothing anyone could say that would make me leave you."

We went up to the front door, and Ben whipped it open before I had a chance to stress out over whether I should knock or just walk straight in.

"Crispin," he said, ushering us inside. The minute I was in, he pulled me close for a backslapping hug. With an arm still around my shoulders, he turned and held out his hand to Archer. "Hi, I'm Crispin's brother, Ben."

"It's nice to meet you, Ben. I'm Archer. Crispin's told me so much about you."

"All good, I hope." Ben glared down at me.

I hip-checked my brother. "Of course it was. I know I have the best big brother in the world."

He shrugged sheepishly. "I don't know if I'd go that far."

Moving from Ben's side, I slipped back under Archer's arm as he said, "Well, unless Crispin's severely exaggerating, it sounds like he struck gold in the brother department."

From the other room, my mom called, "Why are you keeping them in the entryway, Ben?"

I snickered, knowing how rude she thought that was to keep company hovering in the doorway.

My father's voice rang out after her. "Bring them in so I can meet this boy."

Ben, Archer, and I all stared at each other. My nerves ratcheted up at my father's tone, and I wanted to puke. Ben was obviously trying not to gag at Dad calling my Daddy a boy. Not that my parents were privy to any of those details. Archer merely looked amused. I hoped my parents didn't say anything too embarrassing when they realized that my boyfriend was no young boy.

We made our way into where Mom and Dad were sitting next to each other on the couch. Mom jumped up and hugged me really quick, then stepped back. Dad rose slowly to his feet, glaring at Archer. Swallowing down my apprehension, I said, "Mom, Dad, this is Archer. Archer, these are my parents, Gail and Fred."

My dad stuck his hand out toward Archer. "You can address us as Mr. and Mrs. Clark."

What the hell? Our friends had been calling our parents by their first names since we graduated from high school. I heard Ben groan from behind me, and Mom flinched. It figured my dad was going to be a dick. With the introductions done, Ben ushered us all to the table.

"Since we probably all have work in the morning, I grilled a little while ago and been keeping the food warm in the oven, so dinner's ready."

Goddess bless my brother for trying to make this as quick and painless as possible. He went to the oven and pulled out the food on a tray that he deposited right in the center of the table, where he already had serving utensils, the place settings, and pitchers of water and iced tea.

"Please, come sit down and eat."

My father sat at the head of the table where Ben usually sat, which I found rude. Dad knew that was his spot, and he'd never done that before. Mom sat on one side of my dad, and I sat on the other. Ben took a seat next to Mom and across from Archer, who sat next to me.

The first thing out of my dad's mouth was, "I sure appreciate your consideration, Ben. I've got an early day tomorrow, and so do you and your ma. I can't imagine a grown man like Archer doesn't have responsibilities in the morning, too. I guess the only one who doesn't really have to worry about getting enough sleep tonight is Crispin."

"Oh, Fred." Mom glanced at Archer like my dad was being a jokester or something. There was no one at this table who didn't know better.

"What?" my dad asked as we all served ourselves. "He's dating our son, so it's not like he doesn't realize that he doesn't have a real job."

Ben opened his mouth, but I shook my head at him. We both knew that was my father's opinion on the yoga studio, and I'd warned Archer what to expect already. It was what it was, and I didn't want to have this argument again tonight. Besides, the more we argued with him, the more wound up he'd get, and the more likely there was a chance that he'd say something truly mortifying.

As we served ourselves, Mom asked Archer, "So what do you do for a living?" Her tone was friendly, but Mom was good people. Hell, Dad had been good people, too, until recently.

"I own a photography studio over at the Windsor Place."

Mom's eyes lit up. "You're a professional photographer? How fun. You must meet the most interesting people."

"A studio over there at Windsor, huh?" Dad asked.

"Yes, sir," Archer said. "I own a condo in there as well."

Dad tipped his chair back on two legs while peering at Archer like he was a bug under a microscope. "That's impressive." It was hard to say whether he was being facetious or not.

"So, Archer, do you take pictures at events as well?" Ben asked, trying to put this conversation on solid footing.

Archer nodded. "Yeah, I shoot at weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, and I take family portraits at locations of the client's choice or in my studio."

"I assume you moved to digital photography, Archer, but do you still work with film at all?"

Dad snorted. "That's a good question. You look like you're of an age where you'd have started out with film."

Jesus . It figured that my dad would find a roundabout way to mention Archer's age. But Archer only smiled and answered the question. I owed him later for being so awesome about this.

None of us had hardly touched our food, yet, and I wasn't sure I'd even be able to eat at all being this anxious when my dad said, "Well, Crispin. I guess good for you."

Surprised, my gaze popped up from where I'd been pushing my vegetables around on my plate to stare at my dad. "What do you mean?"

He tipped his head toward Archer. "If you're not going to work a real job, then your best bet was finding yourself a Sugar Daddy to take care of you."

My mouth dropped open. My parents didn't know anything about my desire to have a Daddy or that I considered myself a boy. Because, come on, that wasn't the stuff they needed to know. Unfortunately, that meant only one thing. My father was implying that I was with Archer for his money. That was so far beyond insulting that tears immediately rushed to my eyes.

Archer

Crispin looked over at me, his eyes brimming with tears. I wasn't sure if he was embarrassed, hurt, or angry, but I knew what I was, and that was done.

I pushed my chair back from the table. Crispin deserved so much better, and I refused to sit here and listen to this man insult my sweet boy. I held out my hand. "I think it's time for us to go."

I didn't care that we were only halfway through dinner. I'd make him something at home or treat him to some good old greasy comfort food from a drive-thru. Whatever he wanted.

He nodded and reached for my hand to let me pull him up when his mother finally spoke up. "No, don't go. We haven't seen you in weeks."

I turned to look at her. "And why is that, do you think?"

She blushed and ducked her head.

"Your son is the hardest working, kindest, most caring man I've ever met. God only knows where he gets that from." I shot a look at his father. "I love him, and I refuse to sit by and watch anyone insult him and tear him down. I don't care who you are. He deserves better."

"But—" she started, but his brother interrupted her.

"He's right, Mom. Crispin does deserve better, and I don't blame him for leaving. As a matter of fact, if this wasn't my house, I might go with them. Archer, it was nice to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you again."

"It was good to meet you, too. You should come over for dinner one night." I placed my hand on the small of my boy's back. "Come on, sweety, let's get out of here."

We made it to the car, and I held open his door. He slipped in but didn't say a word. I went around and got in and turned to look at him. He was watching me wide-eyed. "Sweet boy, I hope I didn't overstep in there, but I couldn't sit there and listen to him say that about you."

He licked his lips nervously, then took a deep breath. "You said you love me. Did you mean it?"

"Of course I did." I leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Do you think I let just anyone move all their belongings into my house when they think I'm not looking?"

He gave me a wobbly smile. "Well, I love you, too. And you weren't only looking, you helped me carry it all in."

"True enough, sweet boy. But just to be clear, since I never said the words, I want you there with me. I don't want you living anywhere else. Now let's go home."

When we got there, we didn't waste any time. We both headed straight for the bedroom, stripping off our clothes as we went. By the time he reached the bed, he was completely naked, and he climbed up on the bed on his hands and knees, waiting for me.

"No, sweet boy, not like that. I want you on your back so I can see your face when I take you."

He rolled over and watched me as I let my gaze travel up and down his body. "You're so perfect laid out for me like this." I trailed my finger up his calf to the inside of his thigh, watching as goosebumps pimpled his skin in my wake. I reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the bottle of lube. "Spread your legs for me." He did, and I popped the top of the bottle and drizzled it right behind his balls, watching as it ran down his taint and over his hole.

"Fuck, Crispin, you're so perfect." I followed the trail of lube with my finger, teasing the rim of his hole with a slow, light touch until he was making the sexiest, neediest little sounds. I slid my finger inside, and he moaned. I added a second finger and moved them in and out until I was sure he was ready for me.

I settled between his legs, lining my cock up with his greedy little hole. He had his head thrown back, eyes closed, and that would never do. "Look at me, baby boy," I commanded.

He opened his eyes, and I swear I could see all the love and desire I was feeling mirrored right back at me. Without breaking eye contact, I slowly slid inside him until I was fully seated, then I stilled, giving him time to adjust.

After a few seconds, he nodded his head, and I began to slowly thrust in and out of him. I kept up that slow, steady pace, watching his face the whole time.

"Faster, Daddy, please."

I sped up my movements. Our gazes were still locked, and I didn't know how long I'd last. I reached down and gripped his cock and started tugging it in time with my thrusts.

"Daddy, I'm going to come." He cried out right before his back arched, and warm, hot cum covered my hand. I thrust hard and deep a few more times before the waves of my own orgasm swept through me, and I came inside him.

I collapsed down on the bed beside him, my breath coming fast and shallow. "That was perfect."

"I swear it gets better every time." He rolled on his side and looked at me.

"I hope not," I said with a laugh. "If it gets much better, it might kill me."

He shrugged and leaned over for a kiss. "But what a way to go, Daddy. What a way to go."