8. Caleb

Chapter 8

Mack had a list. And, apparently, I was on it.

That was good, right?

But just like he needed to hear my specific interests, I needed to hear about his too. "What, specifically, is on this list?"

He squeezed my hand and interlinked our fingers. "I'm a Daddy, looking for a boy." He put his other hand over mine, clasping it between his. "I wasn't specifically looking for a Little, but since meeting you, I've come to realize that maybe I didn't fully grasp what I've been missing out on."

"Have you ever had a boy before?" My tummy tightened at the thought of being just another boy in a string of guys Mack had in his past. Or maybe even his present.

"Nothing serious." He sighed and waited for me to make eye contact again. "Would you like some bread before it gets cold?"

I did love the bread. It was fresh out of the oven with rosemary butter and sea salt on the crust. So good. "Yes, please."

Mack released my hand and pulled a slice of bread off the loaf and put it on my bread plate. He served himself a slice as well before taking my hand again. "I've dated guys who were submissive, but the longest relationship I've ever had was just a few months and that was a few years back. I was active in my old community before I moved here and used to meet up with subs for scenes, but no one I really clicked with. And no one I felt comfortable sharing my condition with."

I hated that he was so misinformed about his gift. "I'm sorry that you've had to hide such a significant part of yourself for so long. I mean, if things don't work out with us, I can introduce you to twenty guys like me who would kill to have a Daddy like you."

"Already trying to pawn me off on a friend?" He was teasing, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Not at all." Now I squeezed his hand as I took a bite of my bread. "I would love to have you all to myself. But, like you said, sometimes people just don't click. I've been single forever and figured I always would be."

"I find that hard to believe." Mack shook his head and kept his eyes on me as he took a drink of his wine. "You're smart, sexy, bold, and from the way Steve was going on about you, you're obviously sweet as sin. Any Daddy would be lucky to have a boy like you."

"A Little boy." I shrugged, wanting to just lay all my cards on the table so we could go into the rest of the night with a clear picture of whether this was a one-time experiment or the beginning of something. "It's different than just being submissive. I mean, yes, I'm submissive. But I can be a brat sometimes." I bit my lip, wondering how much honesty he was ready for. "And I'm looking for a lifestyle Daddy. Not just for scenes, so it's a lot of work."

"I'm not afraid of work, Caleb." He seemed to be thinking of the right words to say when our food plates were placed in front of us. Reed silently excused himself while Mack blew out a long breath. "Eat, Little Doc. We'll pick this up after we've both got some food in our tummies."

Just hearing a man as big and muscular as Mack use that word did something to me. Like he really did understand what it meant to be with a Little and was up to the task. "Yes, sir." I held his gaze as I wrapped my lips around the spiral straw and took a long pull. When I released the plastic, I licked my lips. "Mmm, good."

"Fuck, boy," Mack whispered under his breath before exhaling deeply. "Three pieces of asparagus, and I'll have the rest."

I glanced at the plate and counted eight pieces, so I was happy with that. I actually loved asparagus and could have eaten it all, but that would have been too easy for Mack…and not much of a Daddy test. "Yes, Daddy."

He had been looking down at his plate, but his head snapped up, his eyes locking with mine. After a moment he grinned. "Yeah, I like that better than sir."

Me too. "How's your lasagna?"

The change of subject helped release some of the tension that had been building between us, which I welcomed. My cock was so hard, and I kept staring at his chest, so I needed the distraction of my fettuccine to not say or do something embarrassing.

When I was too full to take another bite, I leaned back in the chair and pushed the plate toward the middle. "I'm full. Help yourself, if you want any."

"I thought you'd never offer." Mack immediately dropped his fork into the noodles and loaded up. When he took a bite, his eyes closed and he looked like he was in heaven. "Mmm, that's so good."

I was happy to see him so happy. "You should have gotten something less healthy."

He took another bite of my pasta. "Nah, I knew you wouldn't finish it, so I figured I'd start out healthy and get a few good bites in." He rested his fork on his plate and leaned back too. "But that's all I had room for."

We both just watched each other until Reed came by to take our plates and ask about dessert.

"You want anything, sweetheart?" Mack's foot nudged the side of mine, and he winked.

"No, thank you. I'm full for now." I had to leave room for a special dessert later. Preferably, in my bed. Then I looked up at Reed. "It was really good. Let Rocco know everything was perfect."

"Will do, Caleb." He turned to Mack. "Should I just bring the check?"

"Yes, please." Mack waited until Reed was out of earshot before finally asking the question that had to be burning in his mind. "So, how do you know Reed and the chef?"

I leaned forward, whispering behind my cupped hand to make sure no one overheard me. "Reed is Little too. We have playdates sometimes. And Rocco is a member of the brotherhood. He's…" I gave him a pointed look. "Like you."

"Oh." Mack's eyes zoned in on my glass of milk as I lifted it up and finished off the last few gulps. "That's not…"

I knew that was what he was thinking, but seeing the shock and horror on his face made me spit out the last few ounces all over the table. I laughed and then choked before catching my breath. "God, no. He can't just serve it to people without disclosing it to them." I smiled, wondering just how much Steve had told him about himself. "Steve told you about his company, right?"

Mack nodded and took a sip of his water, having already emptied his wine glass. "Yeah, lotions, right?"

I nodded. "Among other things."

"What other things?" Mack had that horror-stricken look on his face again.

I couldn't hold back a grin as I popped the last piece of crust into my mouth, somehow finding enough room for it. "Let's just say, he makes a damn good cheese board."

Mack's mouth dropped open, and he was speechless as Reed came back with the bill.

Reed set the leather folder in front of him then looked at me. "Everything okay?"

I chuckled. "I was just telling Mack how good Steve's cheese is."

"Oooh, so good." Reed had a completely genuine expression as he turned back to Mack. "You've got to come for brunch on the first Sunday of every month. We feature several of them, and they're best sellers." He turned back to me. "Call me and let me know if you guys want a reservation. We're usually booked a few months out, but I can get you in."

"Thanks, Reed."

As soon as he was gone, Mack seemed to shake out of his stupor. "Really? Cheese?"

"Honestly, it's good. The texture is usually what makes or breaks it for people, but if you don't mind the sponginess, it's kinda sweet and light."

Mack's gaze was heavy as he stared at me across the table. He slipped a few bills into the folder and then placed his napkin on the table. "You ready?"

So fucking ready. "Yes, Daddy." I winked, hoping he was still on board with the next part of the evening. The fun part.

"Then let's go, Little Doc." He stood up and reached for my hand, helping me out of my seat and holding me against his side as we headed out to his car.