5. Thomas

CHAPTER 5

Thomas

One of my earliest memories is getting on the ice.

I'll never forget the thrill of my shaky legs trying to support me as Uncle Leo gently slid me along, holding my hands tightly. I was torn between feeling like I was going to fall any second but also that I was on the verge of flying so fast like I couldn't even imagine.

That's how I'm feeling today as I walk hand in hand with Arlo to the resort's meet and greet event.

"Come on, Daddy! Come on!"

He tugs my hand and looks over his shoulder with sparkling eyes. My heart swoops in my chest, and I want to pinch myself for the hundredth time since I arrived.

I'm aware that we've had a frank discussion and that we're just trying out how this whole dynamic works together in a safe space. But I can't quite believe that this is Arlo's first time embracing his little side with anyone else before. Everything about him is so natural and carefree. It makes my insides contract just witnessing it. His adorable posh accent makes everything so much cuter and more amusing to me as well.

Thankfully, it didn't take long to get his case unpacked and his room sorted, as I was very conscious of the fact he hadn't eaten. Luckily, there are several restaurants that are part of the resort, and there are always a couple open at all times.

I already feel responsible for him, so I'm hoping to encourage him to have a balanced diet while we're hanging out. However, I'm getting the impression that he doesn't get the chance to let loose all that often. So the joy I get from watching him order and then devour a burger and fries overrules any concerns I had about nutritional values for today at least.

Besides, I get to wipe ketchup from the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and oh boy, does that do stupid things to my heart.

It's a relief that we've taken sex off the table. As gorgeous as he is and as much as he entices me in all the right ways, taking baby steps is what's best for the both of us right now. Because this can only be a short-term arrangement whatever way you look at it, I think what Arlo needs most is freedom. It's like he hasn't been allowed to breathe. I can't quite explain how I know that, but I'm certain that's the case.

I can't help but feel like I'm getting the privilege of witnessing a butterfly emerging from his cocoon.

After our late lunch, we wander around the complex for a little while, getting familiar with the layout. The main pool areas really are something else, with three infinity pools on top of one another on the side of the mountain, the top two spilling into the ones below. The view across the jungle and out over the ocean is just breathtaking. I've been so lucky to travel a lot with my career, but I've never been anywhere quite like this before.

Speaking of my career, Arlo definitely has no clue who I am, and he happily accepted my answer when I told him I work for a charity that helps kids get opportunities that wouldn't otherwise have been available to them. In fact, he got this dreamy look on his face like he couldn't imagine a better job. Most people hear ‘charity sector' and think terrible pay. But not Arlo, so it seems.

When I asked him how he spends his time, he shrugged and said his family had a business, but it was like I could see the joy leave his soul right in front of my eyes, which I was not going to stand for. I quickly changed the subject back to treasure, and he spent the next ten minutes excitedly telling me all about Zheng Yi Sao. She was a famous Chinese pirate who had an enormous fleet and lived to be almost seventy years old.

I was never very good at history, or anything that required sitting still and learning from books. I'm much better on my feet and with my hands getting shit done. But the way Arlo tells stories could have me captivated for hours.

It's almost a shame to head to the meet and greet, but after our discussion earlier, I know it's more important than ever for both of us to get more of a sense of the broader scene. I hate the idea of Arlo looking for another Daddy, but part of me is quietly confident that he's not actively going to be doing that.

When we arrive in the large open space usually reserved for yoga classes, I can already tell this is a good idea from what's on display. It's early afternoon, so the sun is still blazing, but the shade and ceiling fans help knock off some of the heat. Dozens of people are milling around with drinks in hand and plates of nibbles, so it feels busy but not too crowded.

I spot some more BDSM-themed equipment which makes me shiver not entirely unpleasantly. Although, I'm also relieved when Arlo isn't drawn to any of the crosses or benches the organizers have displayed.

He does, however, immediately zone in on the area with soft mats, bean bags, and a slew of kids' toys already scattered across the floor. Around the room, people are dressed casually or in leathers or skippy outfits designed for clubbing. But in this corner, I see a lot of cartoon-themed T-shirts and overalls from the people sitting on the floor.

My heart aches as I see their smiles. They don't look self-conscious in any way, and neither is my boy as he starts tugging hard on my hand.

He's not my boy. Not really. But just for today, I can pretend.

"Look, Daddy!" he says excitedly. "They have a Peppa Pig house!"

"I see," I say warmly, not really understanding what that is but not caring if it makes him happy.

I allow him to drag me over to the play area, then let him go, watching in awe as he skips into the middle of the group and introduces himself to the other kiddos who eagerly say hello back.

We're near one of the refreshment tables, so I grab myself a sparkling water, noting they have juice boxes out for when Arlo gets thirsty. Some of the food is also geared toward little bites like nuggets and carrot sticks. The idea of putting together a plate for my boy and feeding him while he sits on my lap almost makes me want to cry.

"How long have you guys been together?"

The low voice almost makes me jump. It takes me a second to recognize it as another British accent, but this guy is far from posh like Arlo. More like the East London accents I heard a lot on my trip recently.

He's reasonably built, like I am, with brown skin and kind, almond-shaped eyes. His smile is warm as he juts his chin at Arlo, who is already happily playing with some little piggy dolls on the mat with another boy.

"Oh!" I say as I run his question back through my head. "No, we just…I mean, yeah, we came together to this mixer, but we just met today. Or I guess technically we met yesterday or the day before, depending on what time zone you're looking at…"

Realizing I'm rambling, I trail off sheepishly. But the British guy gives me a sly grin. "Uh-huh," he says. "So just a holiday fling, yeah?"

I offer him a genuine one-armed shrug. "I don't know, but…"

"But you're smitten," the guy suggests.

I sigh and sip my water, suddenly wishing it was beer like he has. "Probably just caught up in the moment," I mumble down my bottleneck.

"Yeah, I can sympathize with that. I'm Andreas, by the way," he says, sticking his hand out.

"Tom," I reply, remembering my alter ego this time. We shake, and I glance back at the play mat. "Are you here with someone?"

His smile is one of pure adoration as he uses a finger to point at the sweet-looking blond my Arlo—I mean, just Arlo —is playing with. "That golden angel is my baby boy, Colby. And…" he squints as he looks around the room until his eyebrows jump up, and he indicates a tall and willowy young person in a butterfly kaftan and four-inch heels currently charming a group of half a dozen people. "There's my troublemaker, Jalen."

"You're all together?" I ask in awe.

Andreas nods, still watching his second boy fondly like he's checking he doesn't cause too much mischief while Andreas's back is turned. "We are," he confirms. "It all happened by accident. Fast, too," he adds, glancing at me with a knowing smile.

My chest feels like it's filled with butterflies like the one decorating Jalen's outfit, so I don't risk opening my mouth to ask something stupid like if love at first sight really exists. Especially because that's super ridiculous as I live in one country and Arlo lives in another.

Speaking of home locations… "So, you're all from the UK?" I eventually manage to reply.

To my surprise, Andreas shakes his head. "No, actually, we all live in Sydney. I moved from London because of work, and Jalen left California to be with Colby." He rolls his eyes and snorts. "That was when they both thought they were just best friends. They needed Daddy to come shake some sense into them both."

His laugh is warm, and I can't help but join in with him, even though I'm still piecing together his story. It sounds interesting.

He continues talking. "We saw this retreat advertised on whatever app it was, and immediately I knew it would be a good opportunity for Colby to explore his little side more with others like him. He's still so shy. We're working on that."

"Oh, Arlo's the same," I say without thinking. But I hope he wouldn't mind. He's being very open with all his age play, which I love. "I don't think he's allowed at home."

God, the thought breaks my heart. I don't want to push, but if we're going to be spending more time together, I'm desperate to know who's crushing this sweet boy down and making him feel like he can't be himself.

If he were mine, he'd be free to be Arlo twenty-four seven.

"Good job he's got his Daddy to take care of him, then," Andreas says with a wink, tapping his beer bottle against my sparkling water. Yeah, I think I'm going to need to upgrade soon. I take another swig, eager to hydrate, and switch to a brew.

"This is all new me, too," I admit. I'm not sure why I feel like I can open up to this stranger. Probably because he's inviting me to and there's a kind of safety in knowing I'll never see him again. He also hasn't given me any indication that he recognizes me, so hopefully, I'm not being too na?ve in talking to him.

Andreas nods, looking like he's thinking before speaking. "I had relationships before, but the boys were my first chance to be a real Daddy," he admits.

I slowly lift my eyebrows. "Really?"

He nods again. "So…not telling you how to live your life or anything…"Hhe laughs and winks at me. "But just because something is new and happening fast doesn't mean it's not genuine. That would be my one bit of advice, man to man."

"Daddy to Daddy," I quip quietly, and he laughs some more.

"Now you're getting it. Don't cockblock yourself."

I open my mouth to assure him that Arlo and I are only exploring age play, not anything sexual, but I realize it doesn't matter. In fact, if this were just sex, it wouldn't be an issue in the first place.

He means that we—specifically I —shouldn't be afraid of going all in on this relationship, even if it's just for our vacation. It's what we both want. We're adults, and we had a clear conversation about needs and boundaries.

The only thing that's going to spoil this experience is if I overthink it.

For the next several days, Arlo is mine if that's what he wants. I know I have no interest in looking for a different boy, not when the perfect one already fell into my lap. But judging by the way he keeps looking over at me to check I'm watching him as he plays with his new friends, I can't help but feel optimistic that he doesn't seem particularly interested in continuing his hunt for a vacation Daddy either.

Finishing off my water, I pick up a beer from the free bar, and hold it out. With a warm chuckle, Andreas meets my eyes and clinks the bottles together.

"Cheers," he says in his thick accent, giving me a sparkling grin. I feel like he's my fairy godfather, giving Arlo and me his blessing.

So I vow to let myself just enjoy what comes and to simply wait and see what happens.

A lot can go down in ten days, after all.