Chapter 27

Gabriel had been awake for a while before he felt Rowan stir. He'd been thinking of different ways to meld their lives together and had come up with lots of possibilities. Rowan had been a boneless puddle last night after the bath. He barely stayed awake long enough for Gabriel to feed him a slice of pizza and to finish his water before Gabriel had tucked him into bed. Gabriel had decided to use a small pad for him because he didn't want Rowan to fail at anything, ever, and had thoroughly enjoyed making sure his skin was cared for before he put it on. Half-asleep, Rowan had looked utterly adorable in his red baby dragon pajamas, and Gabriel's arms and his heart were very full as Rowan fell asleep snuggled up to him.

He felt Rowan move again and brushed a kiss to his cheek. Hmm, his baby boy needed a shave. Definitely his job. Going forward, Gabriel hoped Rowan would trust him to help him take his pad off as well, but baby steps for now, and he had an appointment with a new doctor next week to review medically what was going on. Gabriel had every intention of going with him, so he knew exactly how best to help Rowan going forward. "How about you go to the bathroom, take a quick shower, then hurry back because I want to go through our day." He paused. "You're allowed a towel but leave your pajamas off."

Rowan's face lit up, and he hurried away. Gabriel was touched at the trust, as Rowan never hesitated. Gabriel went to the other bathroom and took his own shower. He was sorely tempted to follow Rowan, but he had plans.

When Rowan came back, cheeks adorably flushed and with just a towel wrapped around his waist, Gabriel was sitting on the edge of the bed toweling his hair. He tossed his towel, held out his hand, and Rowan rushed to take it.

"What's your safeword, baby?"

Rowan blinked in shock. "Red, Daddy."

Gabriel smiled. "Good boy. Now, going forward we're going to start most mornings like this, unless we wake up late or decide on a different activity." Rowan's flush deepened. "What did we agree last night was the most important thing you should always believe?"

"That you love me," Rowan said, as if he still found it incredible.

"Good boy," Gabriel praised. "But also, that you are beautiful and talented and I'm very lucky to have you as my boy."

Rowan smiled shyly but whispered, "Yes, Daddy."

Gabriel tugged the towel away, laid it over his lap, and noted Rowan's interest. "Now, when I do this, I'm going to spank you ten times to show you how much I love you, and to make sure you can feel that love."

"So I can feel it on my bottom, Daddy?" Rowan asked innocently.

Gabriel knew he was being sassed and loved it. It was another show of trust. "I'm reaffirming my promise to you." Gabriel patted his knee and Rowan obediently lay down, his cock and balls trapped between Gabriel's legs, but still very accessible, even with the towel.

"Color, baby?" Gabriel prompted.

"Green, Daddy."

Gabriel didn't pause. He let his hand fly down and delivered four swats without pausing. Rowan tensed, but didn't cry out, and Gabriel rubbed the slightly pink marks, letting his fingers trail down lower. Rowan moaned, relaxing as Gabriel cupped the globe of Rowan's ass.

"Beautiful, baby boy. Why am I doing this?"

"Because you love me."

"Good boy," he praised, and rewarded that with another two. Rowan squeaked and tried to move. Gabriel smirked because Rowan wasn't trying to get away, he wanted friction and was trying to rub himself against the towel. He played with Rowan's ass some more, delighting in the gorgeous noises he produced, then when Rowan was straining for relief, he finished with the last four, then reached down and brought Rowan off, rubbing his cock through the towel. He turned Rowan over, delighting in the hitch in Rowan's breathing as he scraped his ass, and then cleaned him up. Finally, when Rowan's breathing had returned to normal, he applied some special cream to his ass to prevent bruising and kissed him.

Rowan slid off the bed and glanced down at Gabriel. He wasn't trying to hide his erection. "What about you, Daddy?"

Gabriel smiled. "What do you want, baby boy?" Rowan blushed, but Gabriel waited patiently, intrigued by what he was going to say.

"Special kisses," he whispered so quietly, Gabriel barely heard him.

"You want to give Daddy special kisses?" Gabriel's cock jumped at the thought, and Rowan nodded.

"But I've never done it."

Gabriel's chest squeezed. Could Rowan be any more adorable? "Whatever you want, baby." Gabriel lay down on the bed and Rowan shuffled closer. "Here," he took Rowan's hand and placed it near the base. "That's so you don't try to go too far at first." His smile was wicked. "We can work up to that."

"I love you, Daddy," Rowan said, and Gabriel had to swallow down the tightness in his throat. The first touch of Rowan's lips was perfect. He licked experimentally, and Gabriel gasped at the rush of pleasure. Rowan jerked up. "Did I hurt—"

"No," Gabriel managed to get out. "That feels amazing." A smile lit Rowan's eyes and he bent back down. Gabriel groaned again, praise spilling from his lips, as Rowan had him fully hard in barely seconds. "Touch the tip with your tongue, baby," Gabriel managed to get out and Rowan did. "Fuck," Gabriel swore because it was incredible. Rowan even experimented and squeezed his fingers around the base, using his other hand to cup Gabriel's heavy balls. "Baby," Gabriel got out. "Stop." Rowan lifted his head and Gabriel took in his flushed face, gorgeous swollen lips and blown pupils. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

Rowan looked down. "Why did you make me stop?" He moved his hand. Gabriel's hand shot out and covered Rowan's, squeezing, his cock half a second away from erupting.

"Because I'm going to come, baby boy, and I thought that was a bit much—"

And Rowan smiled. "Let go, Daddy. Please."

No one could ever say Gabriel didn't sometimes take direction when he was asked so prettily, and he moved his hand. Rowan bent his head and licked all the precum from his crown. Gabriel fisted his hands in the sheets, trying to hold on. Rowan reached for his balls and cupped them at the same time as sucking hard while he pulled up, and that was it. Gabriel couldn't have held back his orgasm if his life had depended on it.

Gabriel grabbed Rowan as he let go and dragged him over his body, taking his lips in a demanding kiss, tasting himself, and then gentling it. He opened his eyes when he broke away to see Rowan's face shining with satisfaction and pleasure.

Gabriel cupped Rowan's cheek. "You are entirely too good at that."

"That's my promise to you, Daddy."

Rowan was doing his best not to be nervous about visiting the club. So much had happened in the last few weeks, and he didn't know how to behave around Daddy, or even if he should call him that or Master Gabriel. And he was convinced he would get it wrong.

"You're quiet," Daddy commented as they set off. It had been an amazing day. The morning had been perfect, and then in the afternoon while Daddy did some work, Rowan had read a few articles on becoming a private tutor and, taking Hilary at her word when she'd offered to help, asked her advice on how to get hold of the curriculum and expected levels for both math and English for high school. He knew the college-level requirements, but he wasn't up to date with the younger years.

But he was stalling. Maybe he should just trust Daddy and ask? "Daddy?"

"Yes, baby boy?" Rowan smiled. He loved it when Daddy called him that.

He cleared his throat. "What should I call you?"

Gabriel glanced over at him as they slowed for the lights. "When?"

"You said it was Daddy at home and Master at the club and I was just checking." The words had come out in a rush and Rowan almost cringed.

"Clever boy for asking," Daddy praised, and Rowan let out a whoosh of breath in relief. "I said that when I originally offered to help you get a Daddy, didn't I?"

Rowan nodded, then remembered his words. "Yes, Daddy."

"Well, things are different now." Daddy squeezed his hand before setting off again. "I don't need to help you get a Daddy because you already have one." Daddy shot him a heated look. "You're mine, baby boy, and don't you ever forget it."

In fact, Daddy held Rowan's hand as he signed them both in, and instead of going to the little room, or even sending Rowan in there on his own, he walked to the bar and greeted Master Adrian, asking Rowan if he would like a drink and helping him up on a stool.

Rowan sipped his lemonade and listened to Daddy talking. Every time Daddy introduced Rowan as his boy, he blushed harder, but he'd never been so happy in his entire life.

Another Dom approached Daddy for some advice with a whip, and as he turned to talk to him, Rowan saw someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Master Paul's boy. The one from the bookstore. Rowan glanced around wildly, but he didn't see Master Paul.

"Rowan? You're Rowan, right?"

Rowan gazed at him. He was just as tiny, just as beautiful, as the first time he saw him. Rowan felt the old doubt creep in, but then he felt a touch at his elbow and saw Daddy had noticed the boy approach him. Rowan relaxed. Daddy missed nothing. He was still talking to the other Dom, but Daddy kept an eye on him. Rowan smiled. "Yes, I'm Rowan."

The boy nodded. "I wanted to say how sorry I was."

Rowan gazed at him in shock. "Umm, why?" That wasn't what he expected at all.

"Because I met Master Paul at another club. We only scened once." He shuddered. "I told him it was no one's fault. I bumped into you as well, but he wouldn't listen, so I refused the second time he asked me to scene. My friend told me he used to come here, but he doesn't anymore, so I thought it was safe to try. I didn't expect to see you."

Rowan smiled and then saw Master Adrian take a step toward him. He absolutely knew it had been him that had stopped Master Paul from coming back, and he smiled shyly. Master Adrian gave him a nod but stayed close.

Rowan turned back to the sub. "What's your name?"

"Casey," he said and looked about nervously. At that point, Daddy put a protective arm around him, and Casey paled and took a step back.

"Daddy, this is Casey," Rowan introduced them. "He's my new friend."

Daddy was gentle with Casey and introduced him to the Dom he had just been speaking to and Rowan smiled happily when they both seemed so absorbed with each other they didn't notice Daddy or Rowan anymore. Daddy nibbled Rowan's shoulder, and he shivered deliciously. "Shall we go see if your other friends have arrived?"

Rowan jumped off the stool and fairly bounced to the little room.

"I'm so happy you're happy," Charlie said as he hugged Rowan. Rowan hugged him back, then sat down with Charlie, Dash, and Max. Roxy was at the table next to them coloring with Abigail, and he watched as Daddy went to shake hands with Daddy Sean. He could imagine what they were talking about.

"So, Daddy Gabriel is definitely a Daddy, then?" Dash said, beaming. "That's so exciting."

"Actually, he's a Daddy Dom if you need to give him a title," Rowan said. He didn't. Daddy was perfect just the way he was.

Dash's eyes rounded. "But…" He looked around to make sure no one other than them could hear, but he still dropped his voice. "Doesn't that mean he might spank you?"

Rowan's eyes gleamed with the memory of what had happened this morning and grinned. "Maybe. Maybe if I'm really lucky."

And he glanced at Charlie and they both burst out laughing so all the daddies looked at them, which only made their giggles louder.