Chapter 1

Why is he staring at me?

Meep! Now he's walking toward me. Mayday! Mayday!

What do I do?

He's so handsome and tall. I bet he's a good cuddler.

Focus, Jamie!

I waved to Henry and his Daddies as they drove past, one of them shot me a thumbs up so that must've meant this Daddy was okay. Right? He stood with Henry's Daddies all night talking to them, though he never smiled. He was a sad Daddy in need of a hug and I'm a great hugger. Henry was so lucky to find two Daddies of his own who hugged him all the time. They loved Henry so much and Henry loved them. It was hard not to swoon and be jealous whenever they were around.

Back to stranger Daddy, who stopped a few feet away from me. "Hello. Jamie, is it?"

"Umm, yes?" Of course that's your name, Doofus.

He cocked a brow. "Are you sure?"

My head bobbed like one of those silly cartoon characters. "Yes. Sorry. Jamie."

"I'm Timothy, or Tim. Daddy Timothy is what I'm known as at Cordes. Have you been coming here long?"

"A few months. I had a Daddy I played with for a while, but he got bored and found another boy." Story of my life. Never enough for anyone, including myself. But at least he'd paid my membership fee for a year before he bailed.

"I had a boy, but our paths didn't align." He was back to being sad Daddy and I couldn't fight the urge hug him as I launched myself at him. "Oof!"

"Sorry, Daddy Timothy, but you needed a hug." Slowly his arms came around me and tightened. He smelled wonderful, like fresh laundry. That and lavender were my two favorite scents. I wondered if he had anything lavender-smelling at home.

"I guess I did. You are such a sweet boy." So I'd been told, but often along with you're too sweet for my taste. It was a deadly combination for every hopeful relationship I'd begun. And subsequently failed. I didn't like being naughty and getting into trouble. My praise kink was high, and I enjoyed the occasional spanking but never for being bad. Never. Spanking was a treat and keeping it that way was important to me. "I was just about to have dinner. Would you like to join me? Do you like sushi?"

Again with the head bobbing, it was like I had no control. But as long as Daddy Timothy kept grinning at me, I'd keep doing it. "Yes, I love it. Tiny finger foods with lots of sauces to dip, dip, dip. Yum." My belly grumbled at the yummy goodness.

"Of course, why hadn't I thought of that? Would you and your grumbly tummy care to join me?"

"I'd love to, Daddy T."

"Daddy T?"

"Your name was too long, so I had to shorten it." Yay! That got another smile. "You have a great smile. You should wear it more often."

"Around a sweet boy like you, how could I not?" Daddy T walked me to my car. I waited for him to get into his, then followed close behind to the restaurant and parked in the spot next to him. He was very kind and waited for me to turn off the engine and even opened the car door for me to get out.

His hand settled at the small of my back as he led me inside, holding the door open like a perfect gentleman.

Little Jamie was giggling like a loon, barely contained. "Table for two, please."

The hostess nodded, popped around the corner and came right back.

A moment later we were seated, and she took our drink orders before she left us with the menus. "This is my favorite sushi place when it's treat night."

"Treat night?"

"Once a month I allow myself a treat night. A reward for being a good boy and staying on budget and doing all my chores." I was very proud of myself for that. I kept a spreadsheet that tracked my income and bills and if there was a bit left over at the end of the month, I took myself out for special dippy dinners.

Daddy T's face got frownie again.

"Did I say something wrong?" Stupid, stupid, stupid Jamie. You screw everything up with your oversharing.

"No, sweet boy, you didn't. Please, order whatever you like. Dinner is on me, and I won't take no for an answer."

Daddies took me to dinner before then expected things, sexy things after. While I liked sexy things, I didn't like them on first dates. Or even seconds. Probably why I went through Daddies like toilet paper, but showing that side of me took a lot. Would Daddy T be the same way? "It's-it's okay. I can pay for my own." Mentally I ran through what expenses I still had to pay and how much was currently in my account. My income was pretty much the same each month unless I took side jobs at my friends' Ely and Jordan's catering company. Sometimes they got really big jobs ‘cause their partners were rockstars and would ask me to help out. It was nice, but tiring. One time I helped at Rocktoberfest for them and thought I would die. The hours and the heat were too much for me.

"I'll not hear of it. It's been a while since I've been out and I'm enjoying your company. Tell me, Jamie, what is it you do for work?" He took a sip of his tea and watched me over the rim of the glass as he drank.

"I work in retail. It's boring, but easy and I'm one of the few at the store that are full-time." Barely above minimum wage, but I still got a full forty hours at least. Okay, chatty Jamie, rein it in and keep your answers brief.

Like that's gonna happen.

"Why do I get the feeling you had more to say?"

"Sorry, Daddy T. I've been told I talk too much and overshare so I'm trying to be a good boy." Don't add because you're afraid he'll leave like all the others have.

"Please, stop apologizing. I enjoy listening to you. You're a breath of fresh air. Talk away, please."

Did he mean that? Could I really chat, chat, chat?

"Do you have a boy?" Of course, he doesn't, or he wouldn't be here with you. Though that one time that awful Daddy took you out and left his boy at home. Horrible, horrible, horrible Daddy. Thankfully I found out about his naughty side before it went too far. Daddies were supposed to be nice and faithful to their boys.

"Had." Daddy T got a faraway look in his eyes. "It's been a long time. Tonight was the first time I've been back at the club in nearly a year."

"Oh, that's a long time. Are you lonely? You need a boy to take care of you." And again, too many words. Daddies don't like it when you talk, you'd do wise to remember that. Ugh, why couldn't I get the mean Daddies out of my head?

"I have been. But I'm glad I came out tonight. This sweet Little at the club caught my eye and I'd like to get to know him better." Daddy T winked and I got squirmy.

But the good kind of squirmy this time.

Sweet little? Could that be me? Don't mess this up by being you, Jamie.

But I don't know how to be anyone else…

"Why so sad, little one?"

"Just… stuff. Stupid stuff in my head." Think happy thoughts, turn both your frowns upside down. Grandma's kind words always helped me. "Enough about me. What about you, Daddy T? What do you do for a living?"

He gave me that ‘we'll come back to this later' look but didn't call me out on avoiding his question. "I work with animals."

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!" I nearly squealed. "Animals are my favorite. Do you work at a zoo?" Growing up in Las Vegas where we had none, I'd never been to one. But maybe he was from out of town.

Daddy T's laugh was amazing, and warm, and made my smile bigger. "No. I'm a veterinarian. Which animal is your favorite?"

"A sloth." I didn't even have to think about it. My favorite stuffy, Sloffers, was at home in bed waiting to cuddle with me.

"Really? I had you pegged for a koala lover." Daddy T was still smiling so that was a good sign. A very good sign.

"That's my second favorite." Had one of those named Kiki who was curled up with Sloffers. "I bet you get to see all kinds of fun animals. Dogs, and cats. Ooohhh, puppies and kittens. Do you get a lot of those?"

"I do. Even some exotic pets like desert tortoises, iguanas, and bearded dragons." Daddy T straightened his sleeves and sat a napkin on his lap, so I did so, too.

"I love those, too. Lizards are fun." I flicked my tongue like lizards do, really fast, and he laughed. "My tongue's not long enough but I like it when they do that with theirs."

Our food came and Daddy T watched as I set the sauce dishes in a row. "Dippy, dippy, dippy," I sang as I dipped a corner of the piece of sushi I caught with my chopsticks in the first sauce and bit it off before doing the same with another corner of it in the next dish. "Mmm, yummy."

"Jamie, I'm so glad you agreed to have dinner with me." Daddy T smiled at me as I wiggled in my seat.

"Me, too. I love shrimpies. They're nummy-nummy-nummy." It was always a choice between two rolls for me, shrimp with basil or salmon. "Oh, I don't like the green one. It hurts my tongue." Too hot! I slammed down the glass of water as Daddy T waved the waitress down.

"Can he have a refill, please, and maybe a glass of milk if you have it?"

"Oh my god!" My hand wildly waved, fanning my mouth. "The green one's mean."

"That's wasabi. It's hot, dear boy. I'd stay away from it."

She returned with a pitcher of water and a glass of milk which I drank equally as fast as I had my water.

"If you've eaten here before, how did you not know that one was hot?" Daddy T asked as he refilled my water glass.

No doubt, I'd have to potty soon from all these liquids, but they were helping.

"Guess I never tried it. I know the little green decoration on the plate is hot."

Daddy T gave me that ‘duh' look.

"Um, it's the same thing isn't it?"

"It is indeed, but we got a bigger dish since there are two of us." Daddy T's face was a cross between worry and humor.

Strange combination but I guessed given my silliness it made sense.

"Sorry, Daddy T."

"No need to apologize to me, it's your body. I just hope you don't get a tummy ache later." Okay, now the humor was gone, and he really looked concerned.

"I should be okay. I think." Now I was worried. I pushed the green dish to the edge of the table and got back to eating. "No green, it's mean." My new song made him smile again so all was good. "My tongue is still tingly, Daddy T."

This time, he couldn't hold the laughter back and everyone stared at us. "I'm sorry, little one. It's not funny that you hurt yourself, but your reactions." Daddy T could barely contain himself. "You are a breath of fresh air, sweet boy."

Does that mean he likes me?

"Shrimpies all gone." While my Little side was never far away, with Daddy T it was hard to be a big boy. I wanted to be Little all the time but my job they wouldn't be very happy with that. I had to keep it a secret from them, ssshhh.

When we finished, Daddy T paid the bill and walked me to my car. "I had a wonderful time, Jamie."

"Me, too." Did I ask for his number? Would he ask for mine? Most Daddies I met online, and all communication went through the apps. Speaking of apps, my phone had been vibrating like crazy in my pocket the entire time we were in there and I had a feeling I knew who it was.

"Sweet boy, may I have another of your warm hugs?"

"Yes, hugging is my favorite." Especially now that I'd been in Daddy T's cuddly arms.

He opened the car door for me and buckled me in. "Goodnight, sweet boy. Drive safely, please."

"Yes, Daddy T, and thank you for dinner." He waved as I backed out and I swear I grinned all the way home. As soon as I stepped inside, I checked my phone. Seven texts and one missed call from Henry.

Henry: Did he talk to you? What did he say?

Henry: Daddy Mitchell and Daddy Jensen say he's really, really nice.

Henry: Are you okay?

Henry: Where are you?

Henry: You're scaring me, Jamie. Call me.

Henry: I just called you and you didn't answer. Next call is to the police.

Henry: My Daddies said you're probably busy but if I want we can go look for you.

Me: I'm fine

I hurried up and sent that before he sent the police out to find me.

Me: Daddy T took me to dinner. We had sushi. Shrimpies were yummy but stay away from the green sauce. It burns.

Henry: Oh, thank God. I was so scared. Don't do that to me again. Wait, did you call him Daddy T?

Me: Sorry ? yup and he liked it. His name is too long to say.

Henry: Daddy Jensen said to ask if you want to have a sleepover at our house on Saturday night.

Me: Yes!!! Oh, but I have to work during the day.

Henry: That's okay, so do we. Daddy Jensen said be here at seven if you can.

Me: I get off at five so that works. Can't wait!

I jumped on the bed and grabbed Sloffers and Kiki. "We just had the best date. At least, I think it was a date." Maybe Henry's Daddies would know. "And we get to go to a sleepover. Yay!" Of course, Sloffers and Kiki were going with me. It was hard enough to leave them at home when I had to work.

Me: Was it a real date with Daddy T or was he just being nice cause I was alone? He didn't ask for my number.

Henry typed, then stopped, then typed again.

Henry: Daddy Jensen's talking to Daddy Timothy now. I'll let you know.

I took a shower and got ready for bed. Once my cartoons were on and the timer on the TV was set, my phone rang. Unknown number, so I considered not answering. I always felt bad having to tell the telemarketers no. They were just doing their jobs, but I wasn't interested, though I always listened to their script before I told them that.

"This is Jamie."

"Jamie, it's Timothy, Daddy T. I hope it's okay that I asked Henry's Daddies for your number. I forgot to get it from you."

Would it be rude to squeal? Count to ten, and calm down, Jamie.

"Jamie, are you still there?"

Oopsy! "Yes, sorry, Daddy T. It's more than okay. Thank you again for dinner."

"You are very welcome. I know it's late and you need to get to bed. Maybe tomorrow night I could read you a bedtime story?"

Best. Daddy. Ever.

"Yes, please and thank you. I work late tomorrow, though, so I won't be home until around nine." I hoped that wasn't a deal breaker ‘cause I really, really wanted a story. In his sexy voice. Right before bed. Oh, the naughty dreams I'd have.

"That will work. Text me when you get home."

"Okay, Daddy T."

"Goodnight, sweet boy."

"Goodnight, Daddy T."