3. Stanton

3

STANTON

I went from room to room to check in with the bartenders and caterers to make sure everyone had what they needed. The extravagant twenty-first birthday party was in full swing and going smoothly. Through high school and college, classmates told me I threw one hell of a party, so what had I done with my business degree? I'd started an event planning company because corporate finance had always bored me. Some people thought I'd lived off my trust fund, but nope. I'd used some of it to start my business, but other than that, the rest was in a very lucrative investment portfolio.

I organized events that ranged from whimsical birthday parties to black-tie political fundraisers. I loved every second of what I did. Wasn't that the point of life? Enjoyment. Finding people and things that you loved. That was what I was doing. All parts of my life were going to plan except for one. Romance turned out to be an elusive pursuit. Beckett still hadn't used my number that I'd left for him, and it had been a week previous.

Honestly, I hadn't assumed seducing the older man into being a Daddy's boy would be easy, but, damn, he was more stubborn than I'd anticipated .

There were rumors he'd just gone through a rough divorce. That meant I needed to be more delicate in my pursuit of him. Who knew what type of damage his former husband had done? And yet, this little juicy tidbit hadn't dissuaded me in the least. If anything, it had made me more determined. I wanted to give him all the cuddles and kisses he needed to see if I could heal the pain and earn his trust. I just knew he was more than worth the effort.

I didn't know what the hell was going on with me. The second I'd seen him, tears glittering as they'd shown his pain, all I could think about was taking him into my arms. Praising and kissing him, until he gave me a smile that I knew would be shy. I'd bet everything I had on the certainty Beckett Asher would be the perfect boy for me. How sweet would he sound as he called me Daddy?

Shit, I had to stop getting ahead of myself. I didn't even know if he would be interested in giving me a chance to prove I could be what he needed. Beckett had already told me he didn't date younger men. There was a lot of cons on the list when it came to my boy. Proving to him I was serious about him and not just playing games like he'd accused me of doing was just the start.

My phone vibrated where I'd slid it into my inside pocket earlier, and I quickly drew it out as I tried to find a quiet place to answer. Checking the display, I noticed an unknown number, and hope built in my chest that it was my boy calling me.

"Stanton."

"H-hi, Stanton." His gruff voice was strangely sweet and slightly insecure. The sweetness I didn't mind, but the meek tone wasn't acceptable to me. Beckett had nothing to be uncertain about. The powerful man should have the world at his feet. He especially should never doubt I wanted every second of time he trusted me with.

"Hi, baby. I was hoping it was you." I let the heavy door close as I slipped into an empty event room at the country club where the birthday blowout was taking place .

"I hope I'm not interrupting. You sound like you're at a party."

"You could never interrupt me. I am at a party, though."

"Oh, I'll let you?—"

Not a chance would I waste the gift of him calling me. "It's not my party. I just planned it. I'm an event planner. For a few minutes of quiet and the chance to talk to you, I'll hide out."

"A party planner?" He seemed taken aback by this information, and I realized then that he wasn't one to pay much attention to office gossip. "Is that something you've done long?"

"Since I left college with a business degree and used some of my trust fund to get me started. In high school, I was told I threw one helluva party, but I'll plead the fifth, if necessary, on my procurement of party provisions." His deep, warm chuckle made me happy as I found a chair to sit down on. "In college, I worked for frats and sororities to organize all their events. It was something I enjoyed, and I never really had the urge to follow in my father's, and then Mama's footsteps. But enough about that, what are you up to, baby? I'd rather hear about you."

"Oh, nothing. I just finished dinner after a long day of errands and cleaning. I, um, saved your number."

"I'm glad you did. I've been thinking about you since you ran from me that first night. You weren't easy to find. It was a very Cinderfella hiding from his Daddy moment." I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at one corner of my mouth hearing his soft gasp, and I wondered if he'd had a Daddy before or if it was a fantasy of his. "And before you argue it isn't appropriate, it was almost midnight when you ran."

"Why did you even bother?"

I could say something charming, but honesty was the best policy with him. "Because I'd never seen a more beautiful man in my life, and those tears on your face broke my heart. I just wanted to kiss it better. Did you like it when I kissed you, boy?"

"Ye-yes, but you're my boss's son."

"Irrelevant. Other than name, I have nothing to do with the company. When it's time, one of my cousins on my mother's side of the family will take over. She's been their mentor for years in preparation. It's all planned. I'm quite content with my life the way it is, other than not having my boy close enough for me to cuddle."

"You told her about me? She came to my office after you left the other day."

"Of course, I told her. I made my intentions clear. I tell Mama everything. She's my best friend, and I have no intention of hiding you." I drew in a deep, calming breath before I let the next thought leave my mouth. "I want to see you again outside your work."

"When?"

His answering question made me extremely happy, and I told him so before adding, "What about tomorrow? I'd say for breakfast, and I keep you all day, but this party might go to the early morning hours. How about I pick you up for lunch, or if you're more comfortable, name a place, and I'll meet you."

I really wanted to do our first date properly by picking him up, but I also had to respect his comfort. My age and who my mother was, as far I could tell, were both going to be issues. The age gap was unimportant to me. All I wanted was to show him I'd put him first and always take care of his needs, no matter what those were.

"So, noon?"

"Perfect, where?" He mentioned a café I'd been to a few times; it was casual and relaxed. "I'll be there at noon, then. Your call made me exceptionally happy. Hearing your voice made my night."

"I've only been single for a year, Stanton," he confided. "My divorce became final the day of the party where we met."

"We'll take this as slow or fast as you want," I assured him. "Your comfort and safety are my top priority. Would you be averse to me kissing you when I see you tomorrow? "

"N-no." He paused to clear his voice. "I really liked when you kissed me."

"Good, I want to do it a lot and don't even get me started on the compulsion to cuddle you. Daddy is going to require all the cuddles from my adorable boy." I remembered his reaction to me mentioning Daddy before. Although, I wanted to ask if that was something he'd be interested in. "Have you had a Daddy before? It's something I prefer, but I just want you however I can get you."

That wasn't exactly true. I didn't know if I could live without ever hearing Daddy fall from his lips when I was balls-deep in my boy. Yet the fact I was sure he was made just for me told me it wasn't a requirement because I'd pamper and adore him no matter what.

"My ex-husband, but he stopped. I… I think he felt I aged out of being his boy. It's been a very long time."

"Being a boy or Daddy is all a state of mind. It transcends any arbitrary age rule. I think you're an adorable boy and probably enjoy all the cuddles, too."

"I-I do, but I'm cautious. Please understand that."

I heard the pain and hurt in his tone, not that it surprised me. I'd already assumed his husband had left some trauma behind. When he was mine, and I was sure he would be, I'd make sure he never doubted how I felt or that, to me, he was perfect.

"I do, and I realize Daddies probably shouldn't be bratty, but you're about to spend time with one who is. Your smile and trust will be my greatest reward, and I'll do whatever I need to earn those from you. I can't wait to see you again."

"I want to see you too, but I'm also scared. I was with my ex-husband for fifteen years, and I thought he was my happily-ever-after, as silly as that may sound."

"No, baby, wanting the fairy tale isn't silly. Everyone deserves to find that person or persons who make them happy." I was about to say something else when the door burst open. My panicked assistant, Maude, practically vibrated with anxiety. I held up a finger to tell her to give me a minute. "Baby, I unfortunately have to go. It seems my assistant has an issue, but I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, I hope it isn't too big of a problem."

"There are always problems. Sometimes, I swear we should hire referees for some of our events. Get some sleep. Goodnight, baby boy."

"You, too, I'm looking forward to seeing you."

I groaned as I disconnected the call and instantly missed the sound of his voice. The conversation hadn't lasted long enough for me, but I'd see him soon, and that was more than I'd hoped for. He just needed me to be gentle, and for him, I could do that because I knew he deserved to find the person who made him happy. I was just hoping I could be that man—the Daddy he needed.

Pushing up from the chair, I pocketed my phone and went to find out what had imploded in the short time that I'd hidden away to talk to Beckett.