Chapter 23

Tyson

"We could always go get ice cream and go home to watch a movie." Dessie's third attempt at distracting me as we drove over to the club wasn't bad, but the chances of him being hungry were slim to none.

Every time I'd turned around Sofie had been feeding him and there was no possible way for his stomach to be anywhere near empty.

"I think this is going to be more fun and you told me that the Daddy in charge of the playroom usually has a movie on. At the very least, we can cuddle and watch that while your friends stare at me." I wasn't under any assumptions that we'd be subtly ignored.

Nope.

It was going to be a three-ring circus of giggles, blushing, and confusing questions if Dessie's little side was anything to go on.

His sigh said he wasn't so sure about the plan. "I'm sorry they're going to stare."

"I can handle it." Reaching over, I rested my hand on his neck and gave it a squeeze. "They're curious littles and they're not going to expect me. I'm fairly certain they're going to stare and ask me curious questions. Then after a few minutes of awkward, everyone will get used to me."

His barely suppressed laughter said I was on the right track.

"I've promised Austin not to glare at any littles, but I did not make the same agreement about the Doms in the club." They were fair game if they were rude or nosy in any way. "I also explained that our plan was to stay in the playroom and just relax there."

That seemed to be the best first-time experience. We could explore the rest of the club at a later date once I was more familiar with it and Dessie had decided how he wanted to handle his submission in that part of the club.

He kept saying he wanted to explore the rest and play but something felt off about it, so I wanted to make sure he was truly comfortable before we started in on that plan.

"I like playing and I think you'll like the other Daddies." Dessie's pep talk seemed slightly more confident that time. "Oh, I forgot. It's okay if the other littles want to come sit with us or just snuggle against you. But you don't have to if that makes you uncomfortable."

Oh.

So this was the how close can you get to other subs in a scene talk?

"I would rather we not get to the throwing crayons level of frustration, so are you sure?" I wasn't trying to second-guess his limits but I didn't want him to push himself just because he thought it was the social expectation.

Dessie's face scrunched up and he was quiet for a few seconds. "Yes, I think I'm okay with that. I've never had a Daddy to share cuddles with before, but they're littles in the playroom and they're my friends. Some of the single littles don't get good cuddles in their big lives."

Ah.

"I can provide cuddles then." As long as Dessie stayed happy. "You will be in charge of encouraging that, though."

Before he could do more than open his mouth, I continued. "But I will use my safewords if necessary. I will also try to find more subtle ways of letting you know I need space if something makes me nervous."

Like a little deciding I smelled just a bit better than the other Daddies.

Nodding, Dessie let out a deep breath and sat straighter. "Yes, I'll be able to notice if you're more uncomfortable than I think is acceptable."

He chuckled when I rolled my eyes. "I am not that difficult and I am not nervous."

Not much anyway.

Dessie scoffed but responded overly sweetly. "Of course not, Daddy."

Brat.

"Should I ask again what your limits are on a public spanking?" His giggle said he was enjoying reliving that conversation. "Alright then."

His limits for the playroom were basically whatever Uncle Jarrett would let him get away with.

Mine, however, were slightly more frustrating because I just didn't know what I'd be comfortable with. I'd never done anything BDSM related where anyone could watch. I'd never even grabbed a date's ass in public.

Hell, I didn't even date in public if I could avoid it.

I'd rented out whole restaurants to avoid nosy photographers.

"We're going to play and have fun and there's nothing to worry about." He was giving me a big smile and trying to find his little headspace but he wasn't quite there yet.

"There is something to worry about and you know it." I pretended to glare at him and got another giggle. "Austin's going to show up. He won't be able to help himself."

Dessie's giggles escaped and his eyes were smiling now where they hadn't been before. "He thinks you're going to be a cute Daddy and he hasn't gotten to see that side of you yet."

Rolling my eyes just got more laughter as we made our way through the gate and toward the club. "He's going to be a menace."

For some reason, he thought he had to be there to make sure we were fine.

That translated into making sure I would be fine.

Pain in the ass caretaker subs would be the death of me because I was supposed to appreciate how he worried.

His worries were not my problem.

I was hoping that if I said it enough he'd understand, but so far no luck.

By the time we parked, I was back to being huffy and Dessie was trying not to laugh again. His little side was finding his frustrated Daddy more than just a little funny. "Good boys get rewards, Daddy."

He was wiggling in his seat too much to be fully grown-up Dessie, so I sighed and glared at him. "I want big rewards for being a good boy."

Dessie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Yes, big rewards. Good ones, Daddy."

"Hmm." Still giving him a skeptical stare, I made him wait, so his wiggles got worse. "I'm going to trust you because you're a good boy too."

That had wicked giggles escaping but he nodded while wearing a completely unbelievable smile. "Yes. Good boy too."

I rolled my eyes, making his giggles worse. "Real good boy rule, not Austin rules."

Dessie was trying to nod but his laugher made it more like he was just jerking in his seat belt. "Yes. I. Yes. Daddy."

So believable.

"Silly goose." Shaking my head as I climbed out of the car, I grabbed his diaper bag from the back seat, a leather overnight bag that packed better than any diaper bag I'd been able to find, and went around to help him out. He was still giggling with his wide eyes sparkling with delight. "You look like you're going to get us in trouble."

"Because he probably will." Somehow Austin had managed to sneak up on us, appearing like a demon who'd been summoned just by using his name. "Hello, cutie."

Dessie waved, bouncing out of the car as he took my hand. "Hi."

Staying big in the parking lot had been our goal, but since we hadn't managed that, I nodded toward the building. "After you."

Austin huffed like of course he'd go first. "I thought making introductions would be a good idea since it's your first time coming."

He wasn't wrong, but we all knew it was more about his nosiness than how professional he was. Still, I played along because that was what people did with highly unstable nutcases. "Thank you."

Dessie just beamed because two of his favorite people were getting along.

But I had to admit having Austin with us did make things easier, especially when seeing Dessie and me together dumbfounded the guy at the front desk. His eyes widened and I had a feeling he knew Dessie in some kind of work-related capacity because he glanced over at Dessie and raised an eyebrow.

Dessie just giggled and his thumb went right in his mouth.

Austin rolled his eyes but seemed to appreciate the drama because his lips were trying to curl up into a grin. "I'm sure you remember our newest member?"

The guy running the front desk nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"Good. Good." Austin let his smile out and gestured toward an inner doorway that seemed to lead deeper into the club. "You'll also see that he's taken it upon himself to keep the playroom free from flying crayons."

That got another happy sound out of Dessie, who'd started swinging my hand as he nodded. It felt like it was a claiming see, he's my Daddy kind of gesture but that might've been just my take on the situation.

"That is a difficult job." The young-looking staff member's dry delivery got another pleased giggle from Dessie.

"I agree." Austin shook his head and started herding us toward the door. "Let's go show you around."

Realistically, I only needed to see the changing rooms and the playroom, but I knew I wouldn't get away with that kind of tour. Austin just wouldn't be able to help himself. This was his baby and I was going to have to appreciate it whether I wanted to or not.

"Thank you." And I was well-behaved because that seemed to be a mandatory trait for Daddies and it made Dessie happy.

He was nearly bouncing as we walked into the main part of the club and I had to admit that he looked right at home there. There was a spring in his step and he pulled my hand like we had to go faster or he'd pop.

So I leaned over and kissed his head, tugging him closer as I pretended to glare at him. "You are very excited."

Austin snorted but Dessie nodded happily around his thumb. He was the only person I was worried about, so I focused on him. "Alright, first things…cute clothes. Can you point to where we should go to change your clothes?"

Logically I knew I could've done it in the playroom, but I wasn't surprised when Dessie used his pinky to point to the side of the room that had a wall of doors that looked like they were for very practical things, offices and such. "Perfect."

Austin nodded. "Yes, there are the changing rooms. I'll be waiting out here to give you a quick tour and then I'll take you upstairs."

"That sounds like a good plan." Still on my best behavior, I let Dessie lead me toward the changing rooms and did my best to look around without looking like I was looking around.

But once we had privacy in a small room that seemed to be almost soundproofed, I leaned my forehead against Dessie's in his favorite listen to me way. "I'm not using the bathroom that doesn't have real walls."

He giggled and his thumb finally popped out of his mouth. "Silly naughty."

Glad he thought it was ridiculous too, I nodded. "Yes, I have a lot of flexibility in limits, but I'm not peeing on you or for anyone else's entertainment."

I really couldn't remember what I'd listed on the ridiculous limits list I filled out, but the first thing we would do when we got home was to go over it again just in case. I didn't want there to be any combination of greens and yellows that could lead to that room.

"No silly naughty, Daddy." Dessie kissed my lips. "Good boy. Limits."

"Thank you." Giving him a quick peck before his thumb could go back in, I sighed. "You need your binkie if you're going to play without spreading germs around everywhere."

And he was back to giggling.

"Time to get ready." Kissing his forehead, I stepped back just enough to set our bag down on a long bench. "And time to choose. Diapers or undies?"

Grown-up Dessie had helped me pick out his clothes and pack his bag so I'd know what he liked when it came to snacks and comfort items, but he'd not-so-subtly slid both undergarment options into the bag.

I didn't care either way, but if he did, then that would be what we went with.

A shrug.

All I got was a shrug and he looked at me with a curious stare.

It was obviously a Daddy decision, so I nodded and gestured toward his hands. "Up."

For some reason that was funny and we spent the entire time I was getting him dressed with him giggling and pretending to run away. Eventually, I won and his diaper was in place with an adorable zoo animal outfit over it. The shorts and T-shirt were dark blue and covered in a variety of cartoon animals, everything from lions to giraffes, and Dessie loved them. "Perfect."

That was all it took for him to whirl around in a circle and start pointing at his shirt. "Yes, I like the lion and the tiger."

He could've kept pointing all evening long, but clipping his binkie to his shirt stopped that mid-motion and out popped his thumb. "Mine."

"That's right." Helping him to get the binkie in his mouth, I looked him over. "You are a very adorable little and are going to be very well-behaved, right?"

He made an exaggerated thinking face before nodding and pointing at me.

Hmm.

"You're going to be a good boy because I'm here?" Luckily, I guessed right and he nodded. "Thank you. We need to make a good impression so Austin will stop worrying."

Giggling around his binkie, Dessie nodded.

"Silly monkey." Slinging his bag over my shoulder, I held out my arms. "Up?"

That was an enthusiastic yes because he leapt at me and made a happy monkey sound. Laughing as I caught him, I wrapped my arms around him and made sure we were all set. "There we go. Now we're going to show Austin that he doesn't need to babysit us."

Dessie shook with laughter as he pressed his face against my neck. I was hilarious and he was happy, so it was all good.

Until I was met with a frowning Austin who greeted us at the door.

What the fuck had crawled up his ass and died while I'd been getting Dessie ready?

Nope.

"We're ready." Something about his expression said the tour would be a bad idea, so I looked around. "How about we go directly and play and you give us a tour another time?"

Austin's expression lightened, so I focused my rambling in that direction. "Dessie is feeling cheeky and who knows what he'll get up to otherwise."

Giving his padded bottom a smack as he giggled, I sighed. "Don't forget my reward later."

Austin raised one eyebrow as more happy sounds escaped Dessie. "That's not how this is supposed to work. He gets the rewards."

I scoffed, which set Dessie off again. "I'm a new Daddy, so I get to make my own rules. I was good, so I get the reward."

The drama queen's face scrunched up. "I'm not going to agree with that."

Rolling my eyes as Dessie tried to silence his giggles, I huffed. "Then it's a good thing I'm not your Daddy."

Dessie would've been rolling on the floor if he'd been standing.

"No." Shaking his head, Austin whirled around on the heels he was now wearing and marched toward a large staircase. "Just no."

Whispering softly as I followed the crazy man, I teased Dessie. "Daddy's always right."

And that set him off again.