Chapter Eleven | Ethan

To be honest, I had needed this for at least a week. Ever since we played our Daddy games while camping. This was the perfect opportunity. I had sucked at bowling.

I moaned and ground my cock against Daniel's thigh, deliberately not lying still. He placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on my ass, stroking small circles on my shorts.

"I was bad, Daddy."

Daniel clenched my shoulder. "What did you do?"

"I was a terrible bowler."

Daniel chuckled. "I'm not sure that's a spankable offence." His mind might not think so, but his hard cock pressed against my hip had other ideas.

He smoothed wider sweeps across my ass, slowing on occasion to squeeze my flesh and play with the bottom of my shorts, letting his fingers travel up beneath the material to the soft crease between my cheeks and my thighs. Contemplation turned to desire.

His cock won out.

His hand came down with a quick pat.

I whined and angled my ass up into his hand.

Daniel growled. "Such a naughty boy."

Another soft tap, then he tugged on me, securing me on his lap. The next spank came down harder. And the next … and the next. My cock ached behind the lace it was trapped by.

My ass warmed with each spank through my shorts.

Daniel tugged on the waistband.

"These need to come off," he said .

I struggled between his thighs, undoing my shorts, and shuffled them off my hips. Daniel took over and pulled them free of my legs. He made an appreciative sound, something between a hum and a groan as he stroked my lace-covered ass cheeks. I had opted for boy shorts. They were still riding up on me slightly. They were a soft rose colour with a masculine square mesh weave.

I wiggled my ass.

"Behave." Daniel smacked my right ass cheek. His hand on my nearly bare skin stung. He placed his forearm on my back to hold me in place. And switched to full reprimand mode.

My needy ass heated, the penetrating discomfort escalating as I jerked and moaned with each sharp strike, my cock leaking precum on Daniel's thigh.

Smack.

Smack.

Until the glorious pain took over. I shut my eyes, releasing a slow stream of tears down my cheeks, some dampening the couch, the rest trickling into my nose.

It was the release I needed.

Daniel stopped and softly rubbed my ass. "Have you learned your lesson?"

My cock pulsed, wanting more. "Not yet, Daddy."

Daniel tugged on my manties, pulling them higher into my ass crack, fully exposing my skin. A shiver of desperate need ran up my spine. I jammed my tight cock against his thigh as he smacked me harder than he had so far. He was upping the game.

"Are you going to make a mess in those pretty panties?"

Strike.

"Are you going to cum for me?"

God, yes.

Strike .

"Are you going to cum hard for Daddy?"

Strike.

"Yes … yes." A wave of pure lust rolled through me. He was making me feel dirty … and I loved it. I squirmed and groaned. Even the pressure of the manties on my balls was turning me on. I was trapped. Unable to touch myself. I'd been a bad boy. I was being punished.

So … so bad.

I thrust forward, on the verge, with the next strike.

"Daddy, I need to—"

"Go ahead."

I quivered and tensed against Daniel's thighs, my cock pulsing, soiling the pink lace and Daniel's shorts. Thrust after thrust, he let me fuck my cock against him, cumming hard.

"There you go." Daniel stroked my thigh. "That's a good boy."

My whole body relaxed, arms, legs—torso became heavy. Exhilarated. Fuzzy buzzing filled my mind. At peace. After some heightened euphoria, I descended the other side fast.

Starting with my ass.

It hurt.

The pain could only cover up so much.

New tears started. I clambered up and straddled Daniel's thighs. He held me tight as I slung my arms around his neck and buried my face against his hair, surrounded by his scent.

His arms moved to hug me tighter. "I've got you. Let it go."

Every stress from the past week at work. Every negative thought. Every insecurity. It all spilled out. Daniel held me, whispering soft words in my ear as I cried.

"That's it, Ethan … Let it all out … I'm here for you. "

I didn't hold back. I'd never sought this kind of release from anyone before. Sure, I'd played with having a lover land a few smacks on my ass.

But nothing like this. I had allowed Daniel to open my inner workings and fears.

Now, they were spilling out of me.

I clung to him. I trusted him with my deepest emotions.

I held his face and found his lips. Tears and passion mixed on our skin. I kissed him until my heartrate slowed and I felt calm again. Calm and safe in his arms.

"Take me to bed and fuck me," I whispered against his lips.

He carried me into the bedroom.

In bed, after caressing me into the bedding—topped by devastating devotion and affection in his eyes, Daniel held me and covered the back of my neck in kisses.

"You shared so much of yourself with me tonight," he said, his warm breath on my skin.

I burrowed deeper into his embrace. "I trust you."

Daniel urged me to roll over to face him. "I feel honoured you trusted me." He traced one of my eyebrows with his fingertip, ending at my cheek. "You are so special."

I dipped my gaze away. My dark side didn't believe him.

And it was tapping at the door of my happiness.

The spanking hadn't dislodged its advance.

I did my best to smile at him. Daniel was everything I'd dreamed of having in my life.

I'd fight like hell to keep that door closed.

It was 9:10 pm and we hadn't started our Salish Sea Society meeting yet. Noah and Liam were sitting in the snug. Noah filled his pint glass and Liam sipped serenely on what looked like a tall glass of ice water. I was leaning against the doorway, keeping an eye on what appeared to be a terse conversation between Owen and an incredibly gorgeous guy in a suit.

I stepped back as Owen stormed past me, muttering under his breath about someone being an asshole. I'm assuming the guy he'd been speaking with.

I rushed over to the table and took my seat. Owen slammed his glass down and reached for the pitcher of beer, slopping the amber liquid as he poured. The guy had rattled him.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Chad." Owen sneered. "The pretentious prick."

I smirked. "So … a friend?"

"New guy in the office," Owen grumbled. "From Alberta."

"And you've gone out of your way to make him feel so welcome."

"Fuck off. The guy is an asshole."

I peered out through the doorway to take another glance at Chad. "He's hot."

"Obviously, but that doesn't negate his arrogance."

Liam looked over his shoulder into the pub. "Him?" He pointed toward Chad who was standing in a circle of other men in expensive suits. "I'd fuck him."

"That's not exactly saying much." Noah rose from his seat to hang around the edge of the doorway to see for himself. "Yeah. I hear you, Liam. I'd let him fuck me … many times over."

Owen pounded on the table. "Noah. Sit. Stop gawking … all of you."

I laughed. "But he's so pretty to look at. Surely, you can't deny that."

"I already agreed he's hot." Owen crossed his arms. "Can we talk about something else? "

Noah dropped into his seat. "We've set a date for the wedding."

"There," Owen said. "Let's talk about that. When is it?"

"September thirtieth."

"That's soon," I said. "How did you secure a venue on such short notice?"

"A cancellation came up."

"Where?" Owen asked.

"Vibrant Vineyards out in Cowichan."

"Oh, nice," said Liam. "Love that vineyard."

"Since when do you like wine?" Noah asked.

Liam shrugged. "Since a hookup turned me on to a nice Cabernet."

I snorted. "Wonders never cease."

"I thought your parents would be pushing for the Pacific Grande," Owen said to Noah.

"Believe me, my mother tried. Brody put his foot down. We want the wedding to be small to prevent Brody getting overstimulated. Hell, we'll both be nervous enough as it is. A smaller venue means we're not inviting any of my parents' friends. They're upset about that."

"They want to show off their last child to get married," Liam concluded.

Noah raised his glass to cheering height. "We're not having any of it."

Owen raised his glass too. "Here's to blocking meddling parents."

"Hear. Hear." Liam and I joined the toast and clinked everyone's glasses.

We settled in and were silent for a second.

"What's everyone doing for pride week?" Liam asked.

"We're not partaking," Noah said. "The crowds and noise are too much for Brody. "

"You know I don't usually do anything," I said. "July is a busy month at work for me."

"You don't think Daniel would be interested in going to something?" Owen asked.

"He's pretty fresh out of the closet." But Owen was right. I should at least ask him. I could take time off work if there was something he wanted to go to. "I'll see what he says."

"I'm going to a drag brunch," Liam said. "A hookup of mine is one of the drag queens."

"And you want to see him outside the bedroom?" Owen teased. "That's unusual."

"He was fun. I said I'd go." Liam looked at me. "I could try to add to my reservation."

What better way to introduce Daniel to the queer community than a drag show. I started typing on my phone as I clarified the details. "Saturday or Sunday?"

"Saturday at 11 am."

"Try to add two more to your reservation. I'll see if I can convince Daniel to go."

Me: Want to go to a drag show?

Daniel: Not sure. I've never been to one.

Me: That's why you need to experience it. Liam is going to try to get us seats.

Daniel: Is it all right if the idea of watching drag makes me apprehensive?

Me: You'll be with me. I'll protect you from the tall scary drag queens.

Daniel: When ?

Me: This Saturday. Brunch. 11 am. You can pick me up from the shop at 10:15. Or I can drive myself. Your choice. I can meet you outside.

Daniel: No, I'll pick you up.

Me: You're going to love it. Have you ever been in a gay bar before?

Daniel: Never.

Me: Yay. Gay bar virgin. You'll have a blast.

Daniel: I'll see you before that?

Me: Obviously. Let's go for dinner on Wednesday.

Daniel: Perfect. Talk tonight.

We talked on the phone every night while lying in bed. Talked each other to sleep usually. It wasn't unusual to wake up and realize the call was still open. Sometimes Daniel was awake.

We'd wish each other good morning .

Me: Can't wait. kiss emoji

Daniel: beating heart emoji

He'd been texting explicit hearts recently. Sometimes more than one. I wondered if he was trying to tell me something. Something incredibly important.

I stroked the screen over the symbol.

Every time I saw one, my thrill-filled heart thudded hard in my chest. After our spanking session the other night, we'd grown even closer. I'd never had a man I was in a relationship with hold me while I cried. I'd never trusted anyone enough to release my stress around them .

Owen had been the only person I'd ever fully trusted until Daniel came along.

"Hey," Owen said, nudging me. "Are you all right? You drifted off."

I looked around the table at three expectant faces. I must have truly zoned out. Everyone had noticed. Truth time. "I think I might be falling for him—hard."

"It looks like that scares you," Noah said.

"I'm terrified," I admitted.

"Thought so." Owen rubbed my back. "You need to trust what you're feeling."

"And if you're feeling all that love stuff, I can't wait to meet him," Liam said. "What did he say about brunch? I'm assuming that's who you were texting."

"Yeah." I nodded. "We're a go."

"Make it a reservation for four," Owen said to Liam. "I want to meet him too."

"You hate drag shows," I retorted. I suppose it was time to introduce Daniel to my friends. I'd just told them I was falling in love with him. I couldn't keep Daniel to myself forever.

"I'll persevere for your sake," Owen replied.

"I'll catch Daniel another time," Noah added. "When I'm with Brody."

It was settled. Liam and Owen were going to meet Daniel.

I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride.

Daniel was my guy.

Liam launched into a commentary on how his date with the drag queen had played out. Part of the foreplay had been getting him out of drag. Stripping him and removing his makeup. Getting into the shower together and Liam washing all remnants of makeup and adhesive off his body.

Liam had found it deeply sensual, uncovering the man beneath .

Surprisingly, he was looking for a repeat with the guy after Saturday's drag show.

Unheard of for Liam.

We switched back to Noah's wedding plans and the type of suits they were looking to find or have tailored. All white—both. The whole process sounded romantic.

Not my thing, but I could appreciate the romance of planning a wedding together.

I walked into the barn and called out to Phantom and clicked against the inside of my cheek. He poked his head out of his stall and whinnied, bobbing his head. He was excited to see me.

Probably because of the apple-halves I always had tucked in my pockets.

I petted his soft velvety nose and gave him a firm kiss.

"Want to play?" I rubbed his jawline then opened his stall door and pushed him out of the way. I gave him a quick check-over, looking for hotspots or other injuries. I shoved past him and went to the tack room and collected his halter and a grooming bucket.

I secured him and then went to work. His hooves first, I used the pick to clean and check his feet. He was freshly shod. Everything looked good.

"Your favourite part, buddy." I lifted a curry comb and began rubbing circles, dislodging dirt, dust, and loose hair. He had been in his paddock most of the day. Little shivers of pleasure rippled down Phantom's back and he nodded his head, letting me know he was enjoying the attention.

I used a dandy brush to whisk away everything I had gathered on his hair. As a special treat for myself more than him, I combed out his mane, making him look even more handsome .

I left him to get the new synthetic English saddle from Australia I had splurged on. I came back with everything I needed. I started with the saddle pad, placing it at the base of his mane and then sliding it down his back to ensure his hair was lying flat beneath it. I lifted the saddle and gently placed it on his back, starting slightly forward like the saddle pad and sliding it into place.

I went to his other side, reached through past his chest, and grabbed the girth. Secured it in place until it was snug but with enough room I could fit my hand between it and his body.

Next was his bridle. He was a gentleman and didn't fling his head up out of my reach as I secured it on him. I patted his neck. We were both looking smart. I wore my favourite navy-blue chaps and tall black leather boots, but I needed my black practice helmet.

My mom was all about dressing properly in the ring.

I led Phantom outside the tack room and left him standing as I ducked in, grabbed my helmet, and fastened it in place. Tacked up, my boy wouldn't move unless I asked him to.

He walked at my right side as we made our way into the ring, then stood patiently as I tightened the girth and lowered the stirrups. I measured the correct distance using my arm.

I manoeuvred the reins over his head with care not to startle him and hoisted myself into the saddle. I instantly felt better; connected to the magnificent beast. My buddy.

We started by walking the ring. Each of us adjusting to one another. My sister Emma rode Phantom more than I did. My application of pressure was different than hers.

I urged him forward into a trot. Then eased him into a canter. He started to get excited, his ears alert and forward. He loved show jumping. I turned from the edge of the ring and pressed him forward to regulate his gait. We made a clean jump over an easy vertical .

I tried him with a higher one, then turned and took him over an oxer. We flowed from that into completing the entire course. Over and over again, moving in unison.

After a lengthy session, I noticed my mom standing beside the ring. I smiled at her and slowed Phantom to a trot and started his cool down. Walking, I stopped by the fence she was leaning against. "You looked good out there," she said.

"Thanks. I'm sure my time sucks but we enjoyed ourselves."

"You don't compete anymore. Enjoyment is the name of the game now."

I walked Phantom down the fence line to the gate. My mom followed and opened it for us. I rode Phantom as far as the barn and dismounted. I shifted the reins over his head, slung them over my shoulder, and ran the stirrups back up, preparing the saddle to be stored away.

My mom stroked Phantom's neck. "Such a beautiful horse."

"My boy." I smiled. "Walk with me, Mom." She followed me as I took Phantom back to his stall and started the process of removing the saddle and brushing him down. "I met someone."

"Oh?" She removed Phantom's bridle and hooked her arm through it.

I put on his halter, attached the lead rope, and tied him to a metal ring in his stall. "His name is Daniel. And he is the most perfect man I've ever met in my life."

"Moreso than the others? William, Peter, and Marcus?"

I nodded. "It's so different with Daniel. I feel like I've found my soul mate."

"So, it's serious?"

"Getting there. We haven't exchanged the L-word or anything like that … yet. "

I lifted the saddle and carried it, the saddle pad, and the bridle to the tack room. I wasn't sure how much I wanted to tell my mom about Daniel.

"Do you see yourself getting there?" my mom asked when I returned. She was brushing Phantom down. I would get him a treat of oats when she was finished.

Right now, he deserved the apples I had brought.

I knew I was stalling with imparting information about Daniel.

"I'm falling hard, Mom. But I have concerns."

She stopped brushing. "Like what?"

"He was married … to a woman. He has kids."

"You're good with kids. You used to be a great riding instructor."

"Not those kinds of kids." I sighed. "They're in their late 20s … early 30s."

My mom lowered her brush and furrowed her brow. "How old is Daniel?"

"Fifty-four." I couldn't read her response. She simply stood and stared at me.

"Dad and I are only ten years older than him." She walked to the other side of Phantom and began brushing him again. "What do you see in him?"

"Utmost, he's kind and funny. Makes me feel good." I petted Phantom's nose and gave him another half an apple. "We can spend hours talking. The entire relationship feels fated."

"And he feels the same?"

"I think so. The way he holds me, Mom … I know I'm precious to him."

"Is this his first relationship with a man?"

"It is, but it doesn't seem like it. He's so comfortable with us being us. "

"Still concerns me. How do you know he's not experimenting with you?"

I exhaled hard. She didn't understand. What Daniel and I were cultivating went beyond any kind of experimentation. We'd meshed. Strands of our souls were already seeking ways to weave themselves into beautiful patterns of joy and commitment.

"I trust him, Mom."

"When will we meet him?"

"Give us some more time. He's meeting Liam and Owen this weekend. I don't want to overload him with introductions to people who might end up grilling him."

"You want to keep him to yourself still?" We finished up with Phantom, gave him a hearty pat on the neck, stepped into the alleyway, and walked toward the house. I was staying for dinner.

"What we have is so perfect. I want to protect the bond we're creating."

"You know your sisters are going to tease you about having a Zaddy."

I laughed. "How do you even know that word?"

"I keep up." She patted my shoulder. "Let's go break the news to your dad."

"He's going to roll his eyes at me."

My mom chuckled. "You're always surprising us. And we love you for it."

I slung my arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Mom. Love you too."

We walked arm in arm to the house. I helped prepare dinner. And I was right. My dad rolled his eyes and muttered a Jeezus, Ethan . Then smiled at me and laughed.

I was blessed to have my parents.

Daniel never mentioned his, other than his mom had dementia and was in care. He never talked about his dad. Avoided the subject. I sensed there was a story there he didn't want to tell me. The trust wasn't a complete two-way street yet.

That concerned me.