18. Beckett

18

BECKETT

I 'd envisioned a thousand different scenarios when it came to my life post-divorce. None of those had anything to do with fairy tales, but I'd been wrong. Stanton was the Prince Charming I hadn't hoped to find. He'd asked me to move in a few weeks earlier when he learned my lease was about to expire. I'd annoyed him for almost a week by telling him I just needed to think about it—wondered if we were at that point in our relationship when I'd already started to pack.

That bratty move had earned me spankings and then corner time after I enjoyed the so-called punishment too much. I laughed to myself as I started to unpack my last few boxes. Stanton had complained earlier that he'd wanted to be there to help—apologized so many times about the party he couldn't skip. His client was some billionaire with very specific demands. He'd felt guilty putting his people in the line of fire.

There were no complaints on my part about his need to take care of his employees. As much as I loved having my Daddy around, I enjoyed the quiet too. Time to think. Binge-watch shows I'd always put off in favor of working from home. I'd given all that up in the months since I'd met Stanton. Yes, there were still nights when work made it home with me, but I didn't make it my priority.

The knock on the door took me by surprise, and I crossed the living room where I'd started to put my books on the shelves. When I opened it, I smiled as I found Clark on the other side.

"Hey, Stanton isn't home."

"I know. I came to see you. He told me you were here unpacking."

"Come on in," I said as I stepped back and motioned him inside.

Unlike with Tanner, all of Daddy's friends became mine. Some nights, I'd even meet them at their usual pub when he had to work. I'd never just hung out with the friend group by myself when I was with Tanner. So much had changed since Tanner had moved out and the divorce finalized.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, no, fuck, I don't know." Clark shook his head.

"Is this a wine discussion or something stronger? For the stronger, I'll need to run to the store." I felt better when I got a small smile, even though it was a little forced. Other than wine with dinner, Stanton and I weren't drinkers.

"Wine would be good."

"Come on then, you can talk while I open a bottle."

He followed me to the kitchen. As I opened the fridge, I caught him leaning against the counter from the corner of my eye.

"I broke up with Tanner."

I grimaced. I'd had a feeling but didn't want to assume. As I removed the cork, he grabbed glasses.

"You want to share details? You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I don't know. It's been off the last few months. It happened when he confessed you were his ex-husband. Why didn't you say anything? It had to be uncomfortable, me bringing him around. "

I cleared my throat as I poured the wine and tried to think of how I was going to explain. We'd silently agreed not to bring it up. I told Tanner if he wanted something long-term with Clark, Tanner would have to tell him eventually.

"We tried to be adults about it. Da… Stanton." I shot a glance at Clark as he chuckled.

"You can call your man Daddy. It doesn't bother me. It's not like about twenty people didn't hear it when you two went at it in the club bathroom."

My face went up in flames remembering that night. It was the first time Stanton took me to a club, and at some point in the night, he'd dragged me away. Things got a little out of hand.

"You're adorable when you blush."

"Thanks. Now I can relive that embarrassment for the next forty years or so."

"Hush, Stanton is obsessed with you. Like no one else exists except you. It's gotta be nice." His voice broke.

"What happened? Was it that he's my ex? I mean, you didn't have to split because of that."

He shook his head. "It wasn't that. I think he just got bored. The younger guy making you feel alive again bullshit. Working as a personal trainer, I spend like a ton of time working out. By the end of my day, I just want to go home and relax. I dated him because I thought he would be more settled. I wasn't prepared for the mid-life crisis… second male puberty."

"I'm really sorry."

"Thanks." He took a sip of his wine. "I think he'd started cheating. It always happens the same. The sneaking to check his phone. The calls telling me he's working late. The calls and texts stopped. That's what I get for dating older men, no offense."

"None taken. I think if you find the right older man, it'll work for you. One a bit more settled."

"Stanton said you almost didn't give him a chance."

I turned around to lean on the counter beside him, his shoulder almost touching mine. "I had the how stereotypical… middle-aged man, getting divorced and dating a younger man. What I didn't take into account was said younger man was going to be relentless." We both chuckled. "Stanton could have any boy he wanted. Someone prettier. Younger. More fit. The night he kissed me the first time, all my brain could think after I ran was how many other men had he kissed and whispered all those sweet words to."

"Then why did you agree to go out with him?"

"Simple, he made the effort. He remembered the things my ex thought were silly. That I wanted to learn to ride a horse. I wanted to cuddle a mini cow. He made a bag of drinks, and snacks, and activities that I liked. Also, it's the little things. Worrying if I'm eating enough. Making sure I leave work on time. Cuddling me at night. Texts and notes." I sighed and then took a sip of the sweet red wine. "It was kisses just because. The pride he takes in showing me off to his friends. He's never given me a reason to question him beyond those first few meetings."

"I've never had that. They always get bored eventually. I won't say that I don't go through men out of boredom. Most of my friends think I do. When I feel the other person isn't giving me the same energy, I just—" He stopped and downed the rest of his wine. I automatically refilled it.

"Finish your thought," I told him.

"I know a relationship can't always be even. Sometimes, someone has more mental and emotional energy than the other. Sometimes, a partner only has twenty percent to give. But when they start giving zero, I match."

"Understandable. Stanton always seems he has the hundred percent. It's overwhelming sometimes, but I wouldn't give him up for anything. He makes me feel special every day. One day, you'll find that. It's just not happening as quickly as you want."

"I get it, I really do. "

"Want to watch a movie, have some popcorn, and more wine? Stanton has a very late night ahead."

"You do okay with his hours? We talked about that being a concern of his… having enough time for you."

"It's not perfect. I'd love him home every night. It's his job. I also enjoy some alone time. He also loves his job. I won't take away something he loves… a business he's proud of. We can even get some takeout."

"Takeout sounds amazing. I was on some diet Tanner was trying. Food is fuel, and, man, I've been really low on that."

"Let's get my phone. Grab the wine."

I relaxed as he laughed, a real one with joy in it. Unfortunately, I knew too well what he'd gone through with Tanner, and I felt lucky that I was no longer tied to the man. He was my husband, and I'd married him because I thought I loved him. But he wasn't present, and that was something Clark and I learned we needed.

A warm chest pressed to my back, and I snuggled into the curve of the lean body behind me. Moaning, I turned over, warning to get closer. "Daddy, you're home. What time is it?" He smelled clean, the subtle scent of soap, and there was a bit of dampness to his smooth skin.

"Almost dawn," his words muffled as he kissed the top of my head.

"Was it okay?"

"It wasn't a party, just a board meeting with food and music. My team and I were so bored by eleven, we were tempted to draw straws to see who could escape." As I laughed, he squeezed me tight. "What's Clark doing on our couch with the drunk snores? I heard him before I opened the door. "

I chuckled into his chest. "He broke up with Tanner. He repeated his shitty behavior. Clark wanted to talk."

"Were you okay with the talk?" Daddy asked as he pinched my chin and made me tip my head back.

"I was fine. I've got the perfect man now. A Daddy to take care of all my needs. I was more upset on Clark's behalf. A little guilty that I didn't warn him." I stared up at Stanton. His features were barely lit by the dim light from the bathroom.

"They're both grown men. That's not on you. Maybe you thought Tanner would change… act differently with someone else." He dropped a kiss to my lips. "Have I told you how much I love you today?"

"Maybe a few times, but we're becoming an old married couple."

"You want to be a married couple?" Stanton asked, and I pushed away from his chest.

A barely there flinch made me regret my quick move. "Do you want to get married?"

"I'd love to marry you. Just something simple, but if you don't, we can still do all the legalities without the certificate. Married or not, I'd still love to see my ring on your finger for the rest of my life."

There was a burn behind my eyes. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye. "Is this a proposal?"

"Of sorts. I thought I'd plan something extravagantly romantic for it. Yet I also thought, you'd already been married once. It hadn't been a good one. I didn't want to put you on the spot if you weren't ready. Yes or no, I'm still getting you a ring. I'm too possessive not to."

"Would you wear one?"

"Of course. I'd wear it with pride. Tell everyone about my perfect boy. I already do that anyway."

He did. One night, we'd gone out, and Daddy had gone to the bar to get us another round, and some guy, a beautiful man around Stanton's age, had hit on him. My heart had nearly broken when the stranger had touched him—tried to run his fingers down Stanton's chest. He'd caught the man's wrist in a tight grip, whispered something to him, and pointed in my direction. I'd actually smirked at the man's shock. The old me wouldn't have done that.

"I'd love to marry you one day, but I'd love to have that ring like now."

"And you know how much I love to make my baby happy."

"Do I make you happy, Daddy?"

"Every day."

Scooting across the small space that separated us, I pushed my body flush to his and felt his hardness push into the soft roundness of my belly. This was the type of relationship I'd dreamed of back in the day. A happily-ever-after. My Prince Charming just hadn't arrived in the package I'd anticipated. A sweet, younger Daddy who made everything safe.

"I love you," I whispered against his carefree smile.

He'd never given me a reason to doubt. It may have taken me longer to realize that, but if my Daddy was anything, he was patient. Gently, I pushed against his chest and moved to straddle his hips.

"Are you too tired, Daddy?"

"Oh, baby boy, I'm never too tired for loving on you."