4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Kit

Daddy.

Seriously.

Had I really just called another man…Daddy? I didn't even call my own father that.

In my defense, I was still half asleep. But seriously, maybe time to chill on romance novels, though Stephen King wasn't the way to go either.

"Why don't you go ahead and lock up. I think we'll call it a night. "

"Good idea." While Nate fixed dinner, I locked the front door and wiped down the tables and bar top. I'd just finished washing the glasses when he returned with two plates in hand. My stomach growled as soon as the scent hit me. "Dinner smells fantastic. Thank you."

"You are very welcome. Thanks for all the hard work today. I should've paid better attention and fed you sooner." Nate shook his head. "Guess I'm not handling things accordingly."

"According to what?"

He sighed as he sat back. "So, I've, um, I've read up on the whole Daddy scene…"

My ears perked up. "Daddy scene?"

What did my half-baked brain get me into this time?

"Yes. Your comment piqued my interest and I fell down that internet wormhole." Was Nate embarrassed? It was hard to tell with all that hair covering his handsome face.

Ugh, down, boy.

Boy.

Shit, did I want to play the role? Had my subconscious been a step ahead of me?

This was too much yet something about it felt…right.

"Am I treading in territory I ought not be in?" Nate's eyes on mine made it hard to achieve clear thoughts .

"Um, I'm not sure. It's not a lifestyle I ever engaged in. I'm surprised by my comment that sparked all of this. I know nothing more of it beyond the books I've read." More like devoured. Each one portrayed their lives in a different way and I'd dreamt of falling in love and finding the one man to trust to take care of me. "I don't think there's any right or wrong way to live it but you're likely further along in researching than I am. I will tell you age play may be fun to read, but it's not for me and neither is dressing up like a pet. I'll keep that to the real ones." Like Belle, who I'd fallen in love with the second I met her.

"Okay, that's helpful. Some of it was a bit, well, a lot actually was not for me. To each their own and I wish them the best but, yeah." Not sure what Nate came across in his research but at present, I was thankful to not have internet. "Any way, long story short," he snickered, "kinda interested. If it's not weird, or I'm not too old or not your type."

His rambling ceased when I leaned across the table and pressed my lips to his. "I don't know why the path led me here, but it did. Full disclosure, I don't know how long I'll be here." Nate sighed at those words, and it hit me hard. "Just being upfront and honest. Something I can always promise you. "

Nate nodded. "Likewise. So, are we gonna try this dating thing with a side of Daddy then?"

"Yes, let's try this dating thing with a side of potential Daddy. I will tell you straight up, pain is not my game."

"Same."

Begin with the end in mind. Each town I wandered into I immediately envisioned myself leaving. Onto the next one after I had some cash in my pocket. How was it that vision hadn't come to me this time? Best to keep those thoughts to myself and ride it out. If Foggy Basin was where I was meant to stay, then so be it.

Not gonna deny when Nate got all growly with that cop, I had to adjust myself and mentally reprimand my dick.

Maybe the need for guidance in the form of dominance was in the cards for me.

"So, do you consider this our first date?" What I neglected to say was my first date . I may have learned street and survival smarts these last few years but anything that remotely resembled a relationship was foreign to me.

"Hadn't considered that but I'd really like to take you on an actual first date, away from work, if that'd be okay with you?"

"Sure, but I don't need all that. I'm a pretty laid-back guy. Just hanging out, walking around town, or even a picnic in the park is a good date to me." Or so I had imagined .

"Let me do this right."

"Right is whatever works for us. In my opinion, neither of us seem to be the kind of men to adhere to social norms. We both live our lives as we choose so why would we let society or what's considered societal norms govern us?" Wow, I just impressed myself with that textbook recital.

Nate blinked, then blinked again and I wondered if I broke his brain.

"Huh, you're right. Still, I think a dinner out would be nice. You still game?"

"When you put it so sweetly," I batted my lashes for a smart-ass effect, "how can I refuse?"

"Smart ass."

"Now you're catching on." The playful banter at least brought a smile to his face. "So, what's the longest relationship you've ever had?"

And we were back to groans.

"Never had one." I laughed so hard at his reply, the irony in this conversation was ridiculous. "Glad my lack of dating humors you."

"It's not—it's not that." With the laughter under control, I tried again. "Your lack isn't what's funny. The funny part is neither of us have had a relationship yet what we're basing our attempt at one on is what others had to say. It's like blindfolding us, dropping us off somewhere and asking us to map out a town we can't see."

"Ha-ha, that's a great way to see it. Okay, we do this our way, how it fits us, and in our own time. Deal?"

"Deal." We tapped forks, a triumphant way to seal it, and resumed eating. Unique, that was what this budding interest we shared was and I looked forward to it. The food was amazing, the company was even better.

Life was good.

It didn't take long to finish eating given we'd skipped lunch. We set the dishwasher to run, locked up and went home.

Home.

Could it be that forever?

Did I want it to be?

Far too many questions hit me at once. There was no way my brain would shut down anytime soon. "I'll take Belle out if you want."

"Not ready for bed?" Nate asked.

"Nah. Excess energy."

"All right," Nate drug the word out. His lack of belief in my reasoning was clear. "I'm gonna shower."

"'Kay. Come on, Belle." The sweet girl followed me out into the yard. I sat on the porch and enjoyed the gorgeous night while she sniffed around and did what she had to. No need to rush her, I had all night. The sky was clear, the stars lit the night sky. It was amazing. Could I see myself here long-term?

Yes.

The immediate response shocked the hell out of me. I wasn't a decisive man, more of a go with the flow kind and see what happened. How long had it been since I'd checked in with my family? Months? A year? "Hey, girl." Belle hopped up on the porch swing and curled up beside me. As I stroked her head, the comfort lulled me and I drifted off.

"If this isn't the sweetest picture I've seen." Nate's voice startled me awake. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you but it's getting chilly. Ready to come inside?"

I glanced down at the adorable boxer snoring beside me. "What do you say, Jelly Belly? Ready for bed?" She hopped down and stretched. "Looks that way."

"You sure you're okay?" Nate asked as we stepped inside, and he locked the door. A surprising move given he left it unlocked while we were gone all day. "Valuable cargo in the house at night, warrants locking up."

"Makes sense. I guess I'm just feeling a bit nostalgic, I think. Haven't checked in with the parents in a while. "

"Oh, gotcha. Feel free to use my phone until we get you one. Did you want to call them now? It's after midnight here so I guess it's what, ten or eleven there?"

I had to think about the time of year to figure out what zone they were in. "Yeah, it's a bit late. Maybe I'll call them after breakfast tomorrow."

"Sounds great. Time for bed?"

"Yeah. Shower first, then sleep."

Awkward. That's how it was as we stood in the hall just outside our bedrooms. Did we hug? Kiss? Shake hands? New territory equaled new questions. Nate was in boxers again, though this time he also wore a shirt. But I knew what was beneath it, having committed the image to memory all ready.

"Well, goodnight," Nate said.

"Goodnight, Nate." I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. I'd kissed and been kissed many times but somehow kissing him was like the first time all over again. Hurriedly, I went inside my room, shut the door and leaned against it.

I had it bad. In less than forty-eight hours I'd developed my first crush and on my boss, no less.

Mom. Mom would know what to do. She always had words of guidance and support, though she left us to make our own decisions and learn from any consequences they may have. What that could be this time, I had no clue but hopefully it wasn't heartbreak.

"How's my precious baby boy?" Mom answered the communal phone.

I rolled my eyes. "Mom, I'm one of six children you have."

"Yes and not only will you always be the baby but you're the one who checks in the least. Tell me, where you are you this week?" She loved hearing the stories of my travels, though the sketchy parts I kept to myself.

"I'm in northern California in a sleepy little town called Foggy Basin."

"Ooh, tell me all about it."

I had to admit, at times my mother was more a friend than a parent and to some that was taboo, but to me not so much. She was my best friend and confidant and she never cast judgment. When she asked a question it was because she was interested in the answer, it wasn't asked to be nosey or prying.

"Small town nestled between Sacramento and the middle of nowhere. I'd say the population here is under two thousand, give or take." Quaint. That was the best word to describe Foggy.

"How are the locals treating you?"

Yeah, made the mistake of telling Mom about another small town I happened upon and couldn't get out of quick enough. "Really well. They introduce themselves, call me by name, and my boss," was what? Tall? Dark? Handsome? All of the above and straight out of a grouchy-sunshine novel.

"Say no more. You paused long enough to give it away. Just be careful with your heart, Kit. You, my sweet boy, love freely and while I couldn't be prouder of that or the man you've become, I just want you to keep your eyes open."

That was a change in perspective from a woman who was all about free love.

"I will, Mom, I promise. Nate says hold onto this number in case you need to get ahold of me before I get my own phone." Shit, as soon as the words came out…

"Your own phone. Is that wise? How will you be able to pay for it?"

"Oh, um, Nate's getting it for me." One, two, thr—

"So, it's a business phone that will stay with him when you leave?"

When did she become so protective? " Um, maybe?"

"Maybe it stays or maybe you do?"

Damnit, why did mothers have to be so smart?

"Both?"

Suddenly I regretted having given her Nate's phone number.

"You sound good, happy even. Not that you ever were unhappy. You were actually the easiest of all my children. Of course, your older siblings helped with that, but you are and always will be my special boy with a heart of gold."

Being the youngest had its perks and hearing the fondness in my mother's voice was just that and soothed my soul. Times like this while talking to Mom, I longed for home. Just as quickly, the onrush of wayward emotions was washed away when I recalled how trapped it felt behind those very walls.

Had I really been trapped, though?

No, but tucked away from the rest of the world, it felt like it at times. Simple life was one thing, not being able to reach through and embrace something other than the daily norm was ultimately what led me to travel the country the second I reached adulthood.

"I know this is a waste of breath to say," having asked her to come along on my journeys more times than I could count. "But if you ever sprout wings and leave the coop… "

Her fond laughter filled me with hope, though I knew better. "You never know, love. One day I might just surprise you."

Ya, right. I'd believe it when she walked through the door.

"I better go. I'll call you as soon as my phone's set up. Love you, Mom."

"Love you, too, baby boy."

I sighed and leaned against the wall. Sometimes talking to her pepped me up and others such as this made me sad. Not in a bad way, if that was possible, but in a I really miss her kind of way.

"Everything okay?"

Nate's question really hit me. He had no idea how badly I needed a hug. Without thinking I launched myself at him and as I'd hoped, he wrapped his arms around me and held me as I cried. He kissed the top of my head, and I loved how perfectly I fit in his arms, my head resting on his chest. This was exactly what I craved.

"How can I help?"

Not men don't cry or what's all this for . Or the kicker, knock it off . While those words never came from my own father, they did come from some cold as fuck men I'd crossed paths with .

"Just hit me how much I missed my mom. Sorry, I know it sounds stupid." I wiped my face and tried to pull away but Nate wasn't having it.

"Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Hell, I'm thirty-five and I miss my parents, too. Is everything okay? Do you need to get home?"

Again, caring—not condescending.

"She said everything is good at home, though I'd like to apologize ahead of time for any calls or texts you may receive from her. Mom's a bit protective of me." Ha, it just hit me. She was protective of my heart, but it appeared not as concerned with me being out in the wild world.

"Hopefully today's a light day and the nosey folks got their fill gawking yesterday. How about Sunday night we close up early? We'll get you a phone and then have a date night. What do you say?"

I nodded then realized this was one of those times that called for words. "I'd like that."

"Ready to get back to it?" Nate asked as he ran his fingers through my wayward curls. They had a life of their own for sure. "You're eyes are the bluest of blues."

Before I could respond, Nate pressed his lips to mine and held me tight. Everything else faded away, all thoughts and reason, if there were any to begin with.

Begin with the end in mind , came to mind again.

Maybe my end was meant in the form of a forever.

Was I ready for that?