Chapter Eight

Nick

How did I not realize what the issue was? Communication was one of the most important factors in any relationship, kink or not, and even in a scene or an evening, it avoided misunderstandings. This little was a bit closed down, and I understood why. He’d obviously loved his daddy, and the loss of him had thrown him for a loop. I could have nothing but respect for someone who cared so deeply.

But it was my job to be aware of the little’s needs, to encourage them to share them. It had been very fun to walk around the booths and shops near the Christmas tree lighting area, but I hated the idea that he might have been hungry the whole time we were there. I hoped he wasn’t. But judging by his enjoyment of dinner, he definitely could use that meal.

I swore I’d do my very best to make sure he felt comfortable in sharing what he wanted and needed. Of course, it took time to build trust and the kind of relationship where such confidences came easily, but Bobby had already shared his biggest heartache, and I appreciated that more than I could say.

“Have you had enough? Because the dessert menu here is really extraordinary.” Also…he could use the calories.

“I don’t usually order dessert,” he protested, eating the last bite of food from his dinner plate. “Really, it’s fine.”

“Well, if you don’t, I won’t feel like I should.” I patted my belly, very full from my own dinner. I never ordered dessert. With all the restaurants I ate at while traveling, I’d weigh a ton if I did. But it was different tonight. I wanted Bobby to have a good meal, including something special and sweet to end our first dinner together. “I’ll feel self-conscious.” I sighed. “But I guess I’ll get the check.”

“No, wait!” He rested a hand on my arm, eyes wide with alarm. “I’d never want you to feel like you can’t have dessert because of me.”

Crap. I took it too far. “Well, it’s not that exactly, but I have an idea. How about we check out the menu then maybe split one?”

His smile told me I’d said the right thing. “All right. I mean, so you get to have dessert. I can support that.”

I waved for the server, who came right over, holding a leather-bound folder. “Can I talk anyone into something sweet?”

“You can indeed.” I flashed her a grin. “We’re calling this a cheat day, so we want something extra. What do you recommend?”

She set the folder on the table and opened it. “Right here. The tasting plate has a small serving of eight of our desserts. It’s definitely extra. You want?”

A glance at Bobby told me that he very very much did want. “Hmmm. It’s that or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Bobby?”

He gaped at me. “I-I…vanilla?”

The anathema of kink. “We’ll have the tasting plate.” I rubbed my hands together. “I can’t wait.”

She nearly skipped off and came back a few minutes later with not just a plate but a tiered set of them, and I was pretty sure there were more than eight. I’d ordered it with the sweet Drummer Boy in mind, but my sweet tooth awoke as well. “Okay, gentlemen, let me give you the lowdown. On the bottom level, we have the salted-caramel blondies made with coconut sugar and Irish butter and the 75 percent chocolate brownies with a bittersweet ganache filling and raspberry coulis. Next…”

We sat there like two kids at a birthday party while she described all eleven items ending with… “And on the very top are two scooplets of our handmade Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream with softly whipped Chantilly cream. It may be vanilla”— she cast us a stern look that made me feel very seen—“it’s incredible.” She giggled. “Good luck!”

“We should have skipped dinner and gone right to dessert,” breathed Bobby. “I’m not sure we can tackle this.”

“I have faith in us.” Picking up a spoon, I eyed the display. “But we can take home whatever we don’t finish. It would be a crime to waste it.”

“And we don’t want to go to jail.”

“Right.” I chuckled. “But we agree it’s fine to doggy-bag it if we are too full instead of making ourselves sick.”

His solemn nod was more little than big. Way too cute. “Yes, Pa… Yes, Nick. I don’t like being sick.”

“Me either.” So, we did not eat the entire display, but we did justice to it, little pastry cream horns with a matcha drizzle, included. Everything was delicious, especially the ice cream, vanilla or not.

When we had the remainder bagged up and stood outside on the sidewalk, I took a breath of the chilly air. Holiday music from the Christmas village lent a festive feel even here, and I turned to Bobby and held out my arms. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I’ve always wanted to come down here, but never managed it before.”

“And I didn’t even know about most of it.” He stepped into my arms and tipped his face up. “Best night I’ve had in a very long time.”

“For me too.” I took advantage of his position to press my lips to his and hold him closer. His parted under mine, inviting me to deepen the kiss, which I did. We stood there like that for a long moment before a passing group of revelers jostled us, and we parted, breathing a little harder than when we started.

I took his hand again. “Let me walk you to your car.”

“Oh no, I’m fine,” he said. “I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

“I’m enjoying your company. Which way are you parked?”

He flushed, and I wondered what mistake I’d made. “I took the bus,” he said finally. “So, I’ll catch it right on the corner. I usually leave my car at home when I’m going places downtown.”

“Smart.” I suspected it was money again, as well. “Parking is a real pain down here. But since I did drive, why don’t I give you a lift home. It’s too late and there are too many partiers out there to have to put up with them on the bus.”

I watched his face as he considered then said, “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

We walked hand in hand to a nearby parking lot, and it absolutely was no trouble to spend more time with him. I’d be glad to sit up all night talking and get to know him better. But I didn’t want to be pushy on our first date, so after he directed me to his home, I got out and escorted him to the door, never suggesting he invite me in.

But he did say, “Next time, I can make you dinner if you’d like that?”

“Home cooking? Count me in. I’d enjoy that.” After another long, sweet kiss, I watched him go inside and, after the door was safely closed, I headed back to my car, wondering how soon I could call and set up that next date.