Chapter 12

12

Kiren

M ax was so attentive to details. Not only had I come hard with him twice last evening, but I'd slept more comfortably than ever in the past two years. Having his arms around me was more than right. It was as if I'd finally found my heart. Myself.

Like the perfect daddy he was, he had us up early enough for a full breakfast and shower before work. We showered separately, much to my relief. I still wasn’t ready to show him all of me.

Max said, “If we shower together, we'll definitely be late.”

I had to agree. Even with my shyness, I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands to myself. I could only imagine soaping up his big muscles and tanned skin, my hands going everywhere. Someday, I would have that privilege and delight.

I left my little behind as I walked out the front door to go to work. Max, still in Daddy mode, walked me to my car and kissed me before I got in. He made sure my seat belt was fastened.

“See you at work.”

“Definitely,” I replied, unable to wipe the giddy smile from my face.

My smile turned to a grin that followed me all the way to work. I realized only when I pulled into the parking lot that I had left all my stuff at his house. He hadn't reminded me to pack. That had to have been on purpose.

Was I going to spend another night with him tonight? The thought had me in a daze. I walked into the office as if I was walking on clouds.

Polly was already at her desk. She looked up over her cubicle wall and said, “Hi, Kiren.”

I blinked a couple of times, forcing myself to focus on where I was. And who I was. “Hi.”

“You look like you had a good time last night.”

My eyes opened wider. “What? What are you talking about?”

She frowned. “I was just kidding. Did I stumble on something accidentally?”

“What?” I was doing a hell of a job trying to hide my flustered tone. It was as if being with Max took away all my brain cells and left me functioning on autopilot.

“Never mind.”

I heard her humming as she sat back down at her desk.

Great. Now she would be asking all sorts of questions all day long. All I could think about was being with Max again. I didn't care about work or anything else. All I wanted was him. Damn. I had it bad.

I was falling in love. If not already there.

How could I ever have guessed I would have someone who knew how to handle the little, so desperate and needy, inside me? It was almost inconceivable.

I never saw Max come in to work. He entered through another set of doors down the hall from where I worked. But I could feel his presence. My blood felt him. It sizzled knowing he was near.

I turned on my computer and barely saw the screen. Suddenly, my phone chirped with a text coming through. I looked and saw it was from Max.

Lunch?

I texted back. Yes.

Sandwiches again? On the roof?

Yes. It's my favorite place. Other than your house.

The morning went by as slow as watching the last of the ketchup dripping from the bottle. Finally, the lunch break came. I went down to the lobby and saw Max standing in line at the deli stand. I didn't have to wait behind him. He asked what I wanted and bought it for me. If anyone had been watching, they’d know then and there that there was something going on between us.

On the roof, Max asked, “What are you doing tonight?”

“Well,” I said. “I left all my stuff at my boyfriend's house.”

“Does that mean you're going back there?”

“If he wants me.”

“One look at you and I can pretty much guarantee you he does.”

We both laughed. My entire body was glowing from the inside out. I was a beacon of heat and desire, convinced I stood out to every satellite that passed by. I wanted everything with Max. Could he tell?

“You're so needy right now, aren't you, baby?”

My face flamed. “Yes, Daddy.”

“We're going to have to figure out how I can take care of you while we're at work so you feel completely whole and secure.”

“And,” I added. “At the same time make sure no one finds out.”

“Our world. Our secret.” Max crossed his fingers and put them to his lips.

That sounded entirely too titillating. Sneaking around with Max at the office... Why did that turn me on so much? I couldn't wait to find out what he had in the store.

It was like a game. Only real.

That evening, I followed Max back to his house. I had enough clothes for one more day. Then I’d have to go home and grab more. Or just go home. Maybe he would need a break?

The night started out pretty much the same as the one before. I decided I would never grow tired of having Max carry me, dress and undress me, kiss me. I could be his little doll forever and I’d love it.

As I sat on the couch kicking my pajama clad feet, waiting for Max to bring us our after-dinner drinks, my phone chimed. Though I was used to having it on me at all times, I had left it on the table by the front door, not expecting to hear from anyone.

I got up and retrieved it, opening it to my texts.

And there it was. A little quicker than I’d expected. A text from my mom in our group chat with me, my dad and her.

Mom: You’re dating someone? At work? Why didn’t you tell us?

Dad: Do you think it’s wise that it’s someone from the office?

Kiren: I guess you saw the HR paperwork.

Dad: We may not be around all the time, but we see all.

Mom: Tell us about him.

Kiren: He’s nice. I’m at his house right now.

Dad: We’re glad you’re getting out. So happy for you. But he is a department head. There isn’t any imbalance there, is there?

Dad was always the practical one. His logical mind could come off rude to some, but it was how he looked at everything. He was fiercely protective of me and Mom.

Kiren: No, Dad. We’re fine. We work in completely different departments. We don’t see each other at all during work.

Mom: We’re just looking out for you. We want to make sure you’re treated right.

They still saw me as a child. And worse, after the accident, they saw me as needing care and help even after I moved out. They knew I could function, but their minds still saw their son as weak, needing to be looked after. Little did they imagine how much I did want that, but not because I was weak, but as a kink. They couldn’t know how much Max filled that void that had been in my life for so long since I’d discovered I was a little.

Kiren: He’s very kind to me.

Dad: We want to meet him. Will you both come to dinner on Friday night? About six?

I hesitated. Take Max home to meet the parents? Wasn’t it a bit early for that? My parents didn’t mean to embarrass me, but they could be very forward and demanding when they wanted something. It was one reason their company was such a success.

A minute passed by.

Mom: Well? We’re waiting for your answer.

Dad: Maybe he’s asking his boyfriend right now.

Mom: I suppose.

Max walked into the room, setting down his wine glass and my sippy cup. He glanced at me. I held my phone to my chest as if I didn’t want him to see.

“Something up? Do you need privacy?”

I shook my head. “It’s happened.”

“What happened?”

“Mom and Dad found out. About us.”

His eyebrows rose. “That was fast.”

“They—um, they want to meet you, Daddy.”

“Already?”

I looked down. “I’m sorry. My parents are very nosy and involved.”

Max sat down next to me, putting an arm over my shoulders. “What do you want?”

“Well, if I say no, they’ll just keep asking. They want us to come to dinner on Friday.”

“Baby, whatever you want.” Max squeezed my shoulders.

“Is it too fast, Daddy?”

“You mean too soon?”

I nodded. “Too soon in our relationship.” There. I’d stated it out loud. We were having a relationship.

“Baby, I’m all in. Nothing is too fast with you. When we’re together, I don’t want to stop wanting everything with you.”

No one had ever spoken to me in that way before. I didn’t think. I didn’t question. I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my mouth to his. Max wanted me. Me. And he wanted everything.

Breathlessly, I pulled back. “I want everything with you, too, Daddy.”

“Then let’s go meet the parents on Friday.”

“You’d do that? For me?”

“It would be my honor and my pleasure.” He kissed me this time, long and deep.

The phone fell into the couch cushions. It had gone dark. As we kissed, I forgot all about it until it chimed again.

I pulled back as Max was sucking my lower lip. “Oops. I forgot about them. They were waiting for an answer in our group text.”

Max laughed. “I think it’s cute you have a group text with your parents.”

It made me feel little to hear him say that. But also slightly ashamed. The accident had set me back far. I had been living it up in college only to have such a huge setback, and that wasn’t about me being little at all. It was on a completely different level.

I dug around in the cushions and brought up my phone. I looked down. My parents had continued their conversation without me. So funny, since they lived in the same house.

Mom: Do you think he just turned his phone off?

Dad: How should I know?

Mom: If he’s asking Max about our invitation, how long could that take?

Dad: Well, our texts did interrupt his date with Max. We just have to be patient.

Mom: Well, okay. But I think he should just say they’re coming. What’s wrong with having us meet him? It shows interest. That we care.

Dad: Honey, I said patience, please. Our son’s dating for the first time in two years. We should be happy.

Mom: I’m very happy for him, dear.

Kiren: Mom. Dad. Sorry. I’m back. You guys worry way too much. I’m fine. Max is good with Friday. He’s a great guy. We’ll be there at six.

Mom: Wonderful! I can’t wait to meet him. What is he like?

Dad: We look forward to it, son.

Kiren: He’s really great. Tall and handsome, too. You’ll like him.

Dad: Fantastic. We’re so happy for you.

Max got up and went to the kitchen. I heard him scratching around, probably looking for snacks to have while we played games. But it was also obvious he left me to text in private.

Kiren: Guys. I need to ask you favor.

Mom: What is it?

Kiren: Please don’t talk about the accident in front of him, yet. I haven’t really said anything. I’m not ready.

Dad: We’ll keep quiet.

Mom: But you do know you’re going to have to tell him everything. You can’t keep something like that from your boyfriend. Oh, that sounds so nice to say. You have a boyfriend!

Kiren: Thank you. And I will tell him. About everything I went through and the upcoming surgeries I still have planned for next year. But I want it to be the right time.

Dad: Don’t wait too long, son. Keeping secrets from someone you want to be with isn’t good.

Kiren: I know. And Mom, I’m very excited, too, that I can say I have a boyfriend.

Mom: It’s been a long time, honey. We just want you to be happy and healthy.

Kiren: I love you both.

Mom: I love you.

Dad: I love you. Over and out.

Kiren: Over and out.

Over and out had always been me and Dad’s way of saying goodbye.

I looked up as Max came back into the living room with chips and dip, and a plate of veggies and dip.

“It’s all set,” I said.

“Good. What time?”

“Six.”

“We’ll leave from work together.”

I shut one eye, thinking. “Won’t people see us?”

“Hmm. Good point. Do they live closer to your place or mine?”

“Yours,” I said.

“We’ll drive both cars to my place, then switch out to one car.”

“Daddy, you always have the best ideas.”

“That’s what daddies are for.”