5. Calvin

Chapter five

Calvin

" C alvin!"

I had a second to look up before I was practically tackled to the floor. In fact, if it hadn't been for Daddy, Ricky and I would have both been sprawled out, but Christopher managed to corral Ricky, and Saul was a steady weight against my back, so I just enjoyed my hug.

"I think my ovaries just exploded," Ricky whispered.

I snorted. "You don't have any." I didn't roll my eyes, mostly because I agreed with Ricky's assessment. He pressed into me again. "We're dancing later, and you have to tell me everything."

"Sir, yes, sir," I murmured, wondering how I was possibly going to stay awake for dancing when all I wanted to do was to crawl into bed with Tiny despite my naps. It was one-hundred percent a comfort thing not a sleepy thing. Ricky giggled and threw his arms around me again, and I buried my head in his neck for a moment. I missed him so damn much. Then we were gently separated by two indulgent Daddies, and I had a glass of bubbly pressed into my hand. I looked up at Saul, who pointed to Ricky. "Apparently it's your thing."

And that was true. I loved fizz. The cheaper the better, not too sweet and lots of ice and it was perfect. I looked down at the glass. It was a flute, so no ice.

"What is it?" Daddy almost demanded. He must have seen my hesitation. "You want something else?"

"He needs lots of ice," Ricky explained while I was working myself up to saying it didn't matter, even if it really did. Then the glass was plucked out of my hand and in less time than it took for me to take a couple of deep breaths, it was replaced by a large wine glass full of ice and my fizz. I sighed happily and sent Daddy a smile. He looked pleased.

And yeah, I'd given up trying to make myself say Saul, not that I'd tried very hard.

Then came the introductions. I knew Jamie, Christopher's cousin. I knew Christopher's mom, who was adorable, and I'd always wished she was mine. I met various friends, and tried to relax a little.

Ricky eventually dragged me away to the corner and while I knew we had two watchful pairs of eyes on us, they couldn't hear. Ricky sat me down, then arched an eyebrow. I sighed. "It isn't real. He's doing a job. You should know that," I said, a little accusation in my voice.

Ricky was completely unrepentant. "Has Steven seen you yet?"

I grunted, then reluctantly admitted what had happened in the airport. Ricky's eyes grew wider and wider. "He asked you what your favorite stuffy was?"

I took a big gulp of fizz and swallowed. "It just means he's good at his job."

Ricky giggled. "He's an ex-Marine and a bodyguard. I don't think that sort of question is covered in basic training."

I smiled but I could feel my anxiety climbing and knew, absolutely knew, I needed some little time to settle my head. "But don't you think it's dangerous?" I pressed my lips together, desperately wishing I was holding Tiny. I was struggling to stay Big even if going Little here was impossible. I had to trust first, and there was no way that was going to happen in front of Daddy. Which was doubly ironic.

"You mean to let your guard down?" Ricky said perceptively. "Especially after Steven."

I didn't answer. I didn't need to.

"Did you see the guy he's with?" Ricky asked.

I nodded. "He's very pretty."

"In a very high-maintenance way," Ricky complained, which made me smile. Ricky was the definition of high maintenance, but I knew Christopher loved every second of it so that was okay.

I glanced up and saw Daddy and Christopher chatting while they both watched us. "Maybe you're bringing out his natural Daddy tendencies?" Ricky asked.

"I think they have that, anyway. You know, Marines. They're used to taking responsibility for people, I imagine. Keeping them safe." I could argue that. I needed to argue that to keep myself safe.

"By asking them about stuffies?"

"Congratulations Ricky."

My head whipped around, and I took in Steven and whatever his name was and wanted to crawl under the table, pretty sure he'd heard what Ricky said. Ricky wasn't ever quiet.

"Thanks, Steven." Ricky smiled and looked at the other guy. "I'm sorry. I can't remember who you are."

Steven practically ground his teeth, but kept his smile plastered on. "This is Emile."

Emile preened, sort-of, and held out his hand to Ricky. I felt sorry for him in this group of friends and held my own out. "Hi, we met at the airport. Calvin," I added in case he didn't know his boyfriend's ex.

"Oh yeah, like the cartoon character." Sarcasm and dismissal dripped from what I guessed were filled lips, his fingers barely grazing mine, and all my empathy vanished like smoke.

"Well, it was a comic strip obviously," I said pleasantly, used to jokes about my name. "But it's also French like yours, originally, as I'm sure you know." He pressed his lips together, or tried, and I fought the urge to stab him with a nail buffer. Not that nail buffers were sharp. I needed something pointy like a Marine-issue tactical blade.

He put his hand on Steven's arm. "We were going to the bar," he said more pointedly than the knife I was imagining.

Steven nodded but didn't move. "You look well," he said, looking right at me.

Ricky patted my knee. "He does, doesn't he? But I guess being in love will do that for you."

It was a good thing I'd swallowed, or my fizz would have gone down the wrong way. As it was, I nearly choked on air. Steven just nodded and let his boyfriend drag him to the bar. "You are so bad," I pronounced.

Ricky sniffed in disdain. "I haven't forgiven him, and Mr. Botox needs a new moisturizer." He grinned. "Now, when are you going to change jobs and move to Denver?" It was an old argument, but now I was on my own. I guess it didn't matter. I'd stayed in Kansas City because of the foster system, then college, and then I'd met Steven. But I loved my job.

"I'll think about it."

Ricky squealed, and in my heart, I knew that was a yes. Maybe a certain gray-green eyed Daddy in an absurdly hot uniform swung my decision.

Saul

"How's the new client working out?"

I glanced at Chris briefly but didn't answer. I was too busy staring at that creepy ex of Calvin's and deciding if I should go over there. I didn't care what excuse the man had given, but it was clear that he wasn't over Calvin.

"That's my stepbrother," Chris added.

"Yeah, met him in the airport. I wasn't impressed."

Chris grunted then sighed. "How was Calvin?"

"I distracted him."

Chris kept his gaze on me, clearly wanting details. "You know Calvin is like family?"

"I know," and watched the ex move, then a woman I assumed was a friend came to hug Ricky.

There was another guy with her and my eyes narrowed as he stumbled as he greeted Calvin and Calvin took a step back. How much had the guy been drinking?

"That's Ricky's cousin," Chris said, but I didn't answer as my feet were already moving. Calvin had put out his hand as Ricky introduced them and the guy had grabbed it and was making a show of kissing the back of it. Calvin was trying to pull it away, then Calvin stumbled as the jerk yanked him forward. In another second, I had the guy by the neck.

"He asked you to let go." I practically growled out the words.

The guy started backing away and held his arms up in a surrender motion, but he'd clearly hit the open bar some time ago. Chris was behind me in a second and examining Ricky in case he'd gotten himself injured in the three seconds it took me to get over here, even though the creep hadn't touched him, but my gaze was on Calvin. He wrapped his arms around his middle a little defensively and to be honest, I thought he'd had too long a day, and he needed to get out of here. Steven was looking at him again and I wanted to growl at the creep.

"You need some quiet time," I said, taking his hand and leading him away from everyone. He didn't try to pull away and that calmed me a little. I guided him around the corner out of sight and put my arm around him. He was trembling. "How about we go back upstairs? I can put some TV on. You need to eat as well."

Calvin gazed up at me. "But I'm Ricky's best man. I can't."

"Ricky won't want you too tired to enjoy tomorrow. He has Chris. He's not on his own." Calvin's lip wobbled and I could have cursed. Way to go, idiot. "Neither are you," I said softly and texted Chris. "There, I've told them." I kept my arm around Calvin and gently steered him to the elevator. Within moments, we were back in the room. Calvin looked a little lost, and a lot too quiet, and he needed to eat.

I sat Calvin on the bed, then bent down and undid the sneakers with the sparkly laces that completed his outfit. Then I went to his suitcase. I'd caught a glimpse of a teddy when he was unpacking and knew he needed it. I unzipped the case and immediately saw the teddy and a soft blanket. I brought both. "What do you sleep in at home?"

Calvin gaped at the bear, then lunged for it as I held it out. "Jammies," he whispered in a smaller, higher voice. I'd read that tiredness or stress brought out a Little. Made them slip into the role as a means of coping. I knew Calvin needed to get out of his head.

"Go to the bathroom, then when you get back, we're going to get comfy on the couch. I'm ordering some food." I picked up the menu and noted that food was served until nine, so we had plenty of time. Calvin headed for the dresser and pulled out a tee-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts. They were plain, and I was willing to bet not what he normally slept in.

"Is there anything you don't eat?"

He shook his head. "Not hungry." He murmured before heading into the bathroom. Yeah, well, that wasn't happening. I picked up the sign on the table for the Rainbow Key app and scanned it then looked at the menu. Simple, the usual sort of selection, and I was glad. I was starving and I scrolled through all the items, including the children's ones and, pondering, I picked up the phone.

Calvin appeared, looking a little self-conscious. I'd already changed into a pair of sleep-shorts and a tee myself. I usually slept naked, but I'd brought a couple of pairs of shorts that would do. I was sitting on the couch channel-surfing, but I picked up his blanket and held it out. "Come on," I instructed, and in a couple of seconds I had him sitting next to me wrapped in the blanket. I glanced down and noticed his bare feet, and knew I had a couple of spare pairs of socks. I grabbed one and came back and lifted his feet into my lap.

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Making sure your feet are warm," I answered calmly as I put the socks on. "The AC can get chilly."

I was saved further explanation by a knock at the door and went to let in the room service.

"You must be hungry," Calvin said when all the dishes had been set out. I just nodded as I made him a plate. The chicken nugget dinosaurs came first. A small number of fries and some ketchup. I added a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, and another bowl of grapes and cut-up melon. I finished with a glass of orange juice and carried it to the small table.

Calvin gazed at the food and for what seemed like a long time didn't say a word. I had a moment to doubt myself until I saw him reach for the fork. "Nope," I said firmly, and pulled him close. He should be sitting on my lap, but that was maybe one step too far. I speared a chicken dinosaur, dipped it in ketchup, then held it to his lips. I guessed this was make or break time. He hesitated, then opened his mouth, and I popped it in. He chewed, and my insides did a funny melty thing. I also wanted to beat my chest, which I had to admit was a little disturbing.

I felt like I'd scaled one of those huge walls in Basic. I'd convinced myself being a Daddy was something I could get behind as a role, but it felt like I'd slipped on a glove, almost. A perfect fit. I knew Calvin was a Little, obviously.

Now all I had to do was convince him he was my Little. And more importantly, that I was his Daddy beyond Sunday. And I had no idea how to make that happen.

And I wasn't sure which one of us would be the most shocked.