Chapter Twenty

Jasha

J asha and Daddy Kaleb went upstairs and changed out of their clothes, which were wet from playing in the snow. They checked the weather, and they were in for more snow. Jasha hoped they would be snowed in so they couldn’t return to New York. He loved it here more than any place he had been.

“What’s going on in your head?” Daddy Kaleb asked.

“I used to have this big crush on you. And now it’s more than a crush and I feel guilty, so guilty,” Jasha said.

“Guilty about what?”

“About my father. He wouldn’t approve of you. I feel like I’m doing something wrong and something bad is going to happen because I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do.”

“Tell me what you are supposed to do.”

“I’m supposed to hate you for what happened to my father. You took his only son away from him. What do I do? I fall in love with you.”

“He gave you to me. If he disapproved, he would have given his life for you. So, don’t feel guilty. Please.” Daddy Kaleb growled at him. He hated to hear Jasha was upset about anything. He needed Jasha to be happy twenty-four seven. Jasha made it a priority to hide his sadness at all costs from Daddy Kaleb.

“But you said if loan sharks put a hit on you, then you go.”

“I did say that. Listen to me, your father values his life over yours. He gave you to me. He could have called the cops and reported me for kidnapping you. Did he? No.”

“You sure put a new light on it. I don’t want to leave you. No matter what, but I love my father even if he gave me to you.” Jasha pushed back his tears. Daddy Kaleb was right about his father. He literally gave his only son away so he could live, but Jasha had been willing to go. He didn’t want to lose his father to death. He had already lost his mother.

“All I can say is I’m working on it. I want you happy.”

“Just so you know, I want to be here with you. So, if anyone says anything other than that, I wasn’t taken by force. Though I didn’t like the first day with you.”

“I’d like to take a walk to the local bar.” Daddy Kaleb ignored his comment about the first day.

“Yes, I think that sounds fun.” Jasha knew Daddy Kaleb got uncomfortable talking about the day they left his apartment. Suggesting they go to a bar showed he was very upset over the ordeal. Jasha didn’t want Daddy Kaleb to get into any trouble because he was happy here with him.

“I want you to wear your butt plug.”

Jasha wondered what the purpose of that was, but he nodded. Daddy Kaleb went to the bathroom and called him in there.

“Pull your jeans down and bend over the sink.” He squeezed the lube generously over the plug.

Jasha loved all the attention Daddy Kaleb had given him this week. He leaned over the sink after he dropped his jeans and underwear.

First Daddy Kaleb lubed his finger, then pushed it in to stretch him then added a second one. Jasha felt the burn and enjoyed the fingers moving around before Daddy Kaleb carefully penetrated him with the rubber plug. He pulled up Jasha’s jeans, then washed his hands.

“Oh…feels so good…wish you were in there.”

“That plug is holding my spot for tonight.”

“Goodie!!”

“Guess where I saw Daisy today?”

“Where?”

“She likes Kira. She’s been hanging out with her.”

“Awe. That’s good. I’m sure she’ll return to our room later.”

“Yes, she does like it in here.”

They took the stairs to the front foyer, put on their warm jackets, then left.

Jasha and Kaleb trudged through the thick snow, their boots crunching with each step as they made their way to the cozy local bar. The cold air nipped at their faces, but the warmth of each other’s company kept them going. Snow fell softly, blanketing the outside in pristine white. Jasha and Kaleb shared a quiet intimacy as they walked, their breath mingling in the cold air. A sense of belonging had settled deep within Jasha.

“I can’t believe we’ll be back in New York in just a few weeks,” Kaleb said, his voice muffled by his scarf. Jasha squeezed his hand. The thought of leaving this peaceful haven filled him with a strange mix of anticipation and reluctance. He wanted to return to school, but he loved Lake Tahoe.

“I know,” Jasha replied. “It feels like we just got here.”

Kaleb turned to face him; his eyes filled with concern. “Do you need anything for school besides clothes? Any special requests for the apartment or school?”

Jasha smiled. Kaleb’s attentiveness was overwhelming. “I’m good. But thank you for asking.” Now and then, Daddy Kaleb felt bad about making him pack in ten minutes. He knew he’d left behind a lot of things, including memories. Some could never be replaced, and he knew that.

“Is your laptop and iPad up to snuff for school?”

“They work fine. And you bought me the newest model iPhone, so I’m good at school.”

“Maybe we could upgrade some of your devices?”

“No, Daddy Kaleb. I’m good. I do need clothes. I left behind a lot of clothes, shoes, and boots.”

“I wish I would have let you pack everything, but we had to catch the plane. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly that evening. I’ll make up for my mistakes.”

“I know you will.”

“How does your butt plug feel?”

“Good. It’s a real turn on when I move a certain way.”

“Are you happy here with me?”

“I didn’t think I would be. At first, I was afraid you might hurt me, but you were so kind to me, it was hard not to like you. I’m happy here in Lake Tahoe with you and all the others. Will all of them live in your apartment?”

“No, they’re at my New Haven home. I stay there on the weekends. During the week I have someone who cleans the apartment, but no one to cook. I mostly eat out. There are so many good places there.”

“Yes, they have tons of restaurants.”

“We’re almost there.”

The walk wasn’t far and they happily sought refuge from the cold in the cozy bar. The warmth of the fire and the soft glow of the amber lighting created a comforting ambience.

Jasha noticed three bikers drinking at the bar. It didn’t look like a biker bar. His Daddy Kaleb wasn’t a biker that he knew of, but he was a loan shark and whatever else went along with that. He said he loved this place.

They sat in a booth and ordered two Irish coffees to warm up.

“I want you to be comfortable in my apartment. You can bring your friends over. Frankie and Arlo live nearby so you guys could hang out.”

“I have friends, Daddy Kaleb, but I’ll hang out with Frankie too. He’s not like any friend I have. We have a lot in common.”

After a while, when their Irish coffees didn’t come to the booth, Jasha offered to get the drinks. As he approached the bar, a burly biker with a leather jacket and a smirk inched up next to him.

“Hey there, handsome,” the biker drawled, leaning in closer than necessary. “What’s a guy like you doing in a place like this?”

Jasha felt a wave of discomfort but tried to remain polite. “Just here with my boyfriend,” he replied, glancing back at Daddy Kaleb, who was watching the interaction with narrowed eyes. His Daddy Kaleb missed nothing when it concerned him.

The biker chuckled, ignoring Jasha’s words. “Boyfriend, huh? Well, if you ever get tired of him, you know where to find me.”

Before Jasha could respond, Daddy Kaleb was at his side, his presence a protective barrier. “He’s not interested.” Daddy Kaleb’s voice was low and dangerous. “So why don’t you get lost?”

The biker straightened up, his smirk turning into a sneer. “Or what? You gonna make me?”

Daddy Kaleb didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

The tension in the air was intense as the biker refused to back down. “I’d like to see you try,” he taunted.

Without another word, Daddy Kaleb’s fist connected with the biker’s jaw, sending him stumbling back. The bar erupted into chaos as the biker lunged at Daddy Kaleb, but he was ready. They exchanged blows, the sound of fists hitting flesh echoing through the bar. Daddy Kaleb’s determination and anger fueled his strength, and he quickly gained the upper hand.

The security camera caught the entire altercation, and within moments, the bouncer intervened, grabbing the biker and dragging him towards the door. “You’re outta here,” the bouncer growled, throwing the biker out into the snow.

Jasha rushed to Daddy Kaleb’s side, his heart pounding. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Daddy Kaleb nodded; his knuckles bruised but his spirit unbroken. “I’m fine,” he assured Jasha, pulling him into a reassuring embrace. “I just couldn’t stand seeing him bother you.”

Jasha looked towards the door where the biker had been thrown out, a mix of relief and anger in his eyes. “I’m glad he’s gone,” he whispered, leaning into Daddy Kaleb. “Thank you.”

Daddy Kaleb kissed the top of Jasha’s head, holding him close. “Always,” he whispered. “I’ll always protect you.” He took the Irish coffees from the bar and carried them to their booth.

After they finished their Irish coffee, the server brought them free drinks until they left for home.