9. Calvin

Chapter nine

Calvin

I laughed at Ricky's antics on the inflatable swan and if it had been in the small pool, I would have been tempted, but not even Ricky knew I still couldn't swim. Mom had never let me go when Ricky's dad offered to take us both because she knew he would see my bruises.

And when she was high…

"Calvin, look what I've got you."

I looked up from where I was reading a school library book in my room. Mom was excited over what she was clutching in her hand, and she tossed the piece of fabric at me. They were swimming shorts. I looked up at her in astonishment. "Come on. We got an invitation to a swanky party at Lee's boss's house. Kids are expected to go." She rolled her eyes, but I didn't dare suggest I stay here. I knew she was only taking me because she had a new guy, and I didn't have many bruises, and she obviously wanted to impress someone. I got up from the bed quickly, and she strode over and yanked my arm to hurry up and get changed.

All my worries crowded me as we got in Lee's car. He was new, and I didn't know how to voice my biggest fear.

We got to the house, and it was huge. There was a large pool in the back and what seemed like ten other children screaming and playing in it. And I froze. Mom made me take off my shorts and tee-shirt and I just stood in my swim shorts and didn't know what to do.

"Calvin, get moving," she hissed as she accepted a glass of wine from Lee.

I looked up at her. I didn't have so much as arm bands. Had she forgotten I couldn't swim?

And with a huff, she just casually hip-checked me and I was in the water.

I thought I was gonna die, and when one of the other men jumped in and dragged me out, Mom was furious because she was embarrassed. I lost count of how many bruises I got after that.

I looked over at the patio doors and saw Steven and Emile exit, dragging two suitcases. They were saying goodbye to Chris, and Steven looked annoyed. Steven assured everyone he would be back as soon as he had gotten Emile settled, and I gaped. Steven was going to make Matt or Ryder wait simply because Emile didn't want to get in a taxi on his own? And Steven had called me needy. Plus, I thought waspishly, that obviously meant both suitcases were Emile's for one weekend. I turned back to Ricky because I had no wish to watch either of them, and I laughed at his ridiculous backflip. I could hear the suitcases trundling past me but kept my gaze very firmly on Ricky.

And then it happened. I couldn't say what because my first mouthful of water as I sank made every thought fly out of my head. I struggled. My arms and legs moved in panic, but it was like they were encased in glue, and for a very long moment I honestly wondered if it was worth the fight.

But then strong arms surrounded me and propelled me up until I could take a breath— barely, without choking, but sweet air filled my lungs. "I got you, baby," a deep rumble sounded in my ear, and I wanted to cry.

Of course he did.

Someone called Noah, who seemed to be aptly named, came and checked me out. By that point, I couldn't stop shaking, but I was wrapped in a blanket and in Daddy's arms back in our suite.

"His lungs sound clear," Noah said. "But I think he needs to go to an ER for observation. I'm not a paramedic." Which is when I found my voice.

"No."

Daddy didn't ignore my protest, but just tightened his arms. "What would they do?"

"Just observe," Noah said. "But I'm not a healthcare professional, as I said. I just work with kids." He leaned forward. "If something goes wrong, it's a long way, even if they send a helicopter."

"No," I said and struggled to free myself, but Daddy simply tightened his arms.

"Hush, baby," he said. "I'm not making you go anywhere."

I relaxed back in his arms. Good.

Then everyone cleared out. Ricky had been distraught, somehow thinking it was his fault, and we'd cuddled for a long time before Chris made him leave.

"You can't swim," Daddy pronounced when we were alone. I felt my face flame and shook my head.

"Then that's a priority when we get home."

I stilled. Had I heard him correctly?

"You never have to be in the water without me, but I'm going to make sure you learn to swim," Daddy said, conviction in every word.

"You are?" I whispered, dread making my tummy feel heavy.

"I can't ever go through that again," he murmured. "I didn't react fast enough. I saw you go in, but I was too far away, and for a second, I thought you would kick to the surface. When you didn't I…" He shuddered and despite him holding me tightly, I freed my arms and clamped them around him.

"Daddy, you saved me," I whispered. "There were people near me, but you got to me first." Now that my head was clearer, I pieced together what had happened. I was convinced Emile had pushed me in. Pure spite, though. He couldn't have known I couldn't swim. But Steven hadn't jumped in to save me.

"So that's a priority," Daddy said. He nuzzled my neck. "I'll move in a minute." But that was the last thing I wanted. Then he rolled me gently on my back. "You need to sleep."

"I'm too wired." Too worried.

He arched an eyebrow. "Maybe you need to relax?"

I was going to agree, but he'd already shuffled down the bed. I had a pair of jammie bottoms on that he quickly dragged off, and before I could utter one word of protest I was in his mouth.

I keened as his lips swallowed my cock and half rose from the bed, but he just hummed in approval. "Oh, mm—" Unintelligible sounds came from my throat that I tried to stifle.

Daddy let go. "No, baby, let me hear you." So, I took him at his word and hoped the rooms were soundproof.

I could feel the pressure in my balls as they tightened, even as he tugged and rolled them in his hand, and that made my cock strain even more. I fisted my hands in the sheets to try to slow myself down. Too good. Way too good, and as he tongued my slit, I knew I was going to come. "Daddy, I'm going—"

He let go for a moment. "Can you hang on for one minute, baby?"

"Try." It was the only word I could gasp, and he bent down, humming his approval, but then he scraped his nail on my taint and circled my hole and I was done. I felt like I exploded into his mouth, but he didn't stop caressing and teasing me until he couldn't wring another ounce of pleasure from my limp body. He let me go so gently, then crawled back up and turned me on my side, pulling me into his chest. It was my favorite place to be in the whole world. "You haven't, Daddy," I whispered, feeling his hard erection against my thigh. He just grunted and pressed a kiss on my neck.

"I bet you can't believe how happy I am you didn't make me go to the ER."

Daddy's rumbling chuckles felt nice against my back. We dozed for a while, but then I wanted to pee, and Daddy wouldn't let me go on my own. To be honest, I was quite relieved. Now that the high of his distraction was ebbing, I felt a little shaky. "What time is it?"

Daddy picked up his phone. "A little after one."

Was that all? I felt like it should be at least midnight, but that would mean I'd missed the family dinner. "I feel I need to see Ricky." Daddy tilted his head, listening. "It's his weekend and so far, pretty much anything that could go wrong has. I'm his best friend and I don't want him to worry." I'd seen his face before Noah talked to us. He'd looked devastated. "I didn't tell him I still couldn't swim, or he would never have tried to get me into the pool, and I know Ricky. He'll be blaming himself."

"How about we see if they've eaten?" Daddy asked, bringing out his phone. I scrunched my nose up, not hungry, but nodded. Daddy texted and then he smiled. "We're meeting them downstairs in fifteen minutes."

Ricky cried when he saw me, and both Daddies stood awkwardly as we cuddled. "It wasn't your fault," I said again.

"But I should have—"

"No," I said and put my finger over his lips to quiet him. "How many times did you and your dad save me? How many times did you feed me when I was hungry?" I pressed my forehead to his. "How many times were you my safe space?"

Ricky lifted his hand and extended his little finger. I smiled and hooked it with mine.

"Does that mean we can eat?" he said hopefully, and I giggled.

"The chicken dinosaurs are fabulous."

We ordered and despite liking the idea of a cocktail, Daddy insisted I order my second choice of Coke. He told me my respiratory system had been suppressed enough and didn't want to add alcohol to that mix. Something about my cough reflex. But as Ricky was drinking Coke as well, I didn't feel too bad. We were just finishing our lunch when I heard my name, and my gaze fell on Steven.

"I thought you left," I said. I hadn't believed Emile would let him come back.

"No," he said, searching my face. "I'm Chris's best man, but Emile and I broke up when he realized I was going back with Matt and not going with him to Sunset." His gaze didn't waver from mine. "Please give me a couple of minutes?" He eyed the group. "In private."

I gazed at him, not daring to look and see what Daddy's reaction was, but then I remembered he was Christopher's best- man and there had been enough disasters already. I'd only told Ricky that the thing that had come between us was my Little, but it wasn't really. And anyway my Little was a big part of me, and something I couldn't turn off. I squeezed Daddy's hand and stood, following Steven to another table.

"Calvin, I made a huge mistake. Emile wasn't ever right for me." He paused. "You are."

I stared at him in shock. "Me?" I blurted out, and he took my hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daddy rise to his feet, but Chris pulled him back.

I gazed at Steven. I could have fallen in love with him so easily, but I hadn't because I knew he could never accept who I was. "And the first time I ask for my binkie in public?" I asked, remembering Ricky. "What about if I want to try diapers?" He looked confused, and I withdrew my hand.

"But you never asked before."

Because I never trusted you.

I wasn't sure I wanted a binkie. I didn't know if I wanted to try diapers. I didn't know if I was there yet with Daddy, but I'd never been anywhere near with Steven. "I'm sorry, but the fact that I don't feel comfortable enough to discuss either of those things with you tells me what I need to know."

"But I was new at this," Steven said desperately. "I took control in exactly the way you wanted. You never mentioned diapers or binkies. You never gave us a chance."

No, he'd taken control in the opposite way I wanted. He hadn't enforced his rules out of safety, or love or concern, simply because he expected me to do as I was ordered, and I sat back in astonishment at the revelation. Knowing I was only seeing the difference up close and personal now because of Daddy. And it was such a stark difference I wanted to smack my head. How could I have been so blind? While it was true I'd never mentioned exploring my needs, Ricky had always overshared in front of him, and Steven had never asked once what I thought or needed. But then, I hadn't spoken up. The fact remained that I'd shown more trust in Daddy in the whole two days I'd known him than Steven in the nearly two years we'd been together. I stood. "I'm sorry," I said simply, and walked back to our table.

I smiled at everyone, including Daddy, who was staring at me like he was gonna jump on me and my gut clenched in a very pleasant way. We ordered some food and Ricky had the dinosaurs, but I had the pasta shapes. Ricky leaned forward with a question on his lips, but before he could ask anything, Daniel marched into the room.

"Good news. The Coast Guard has just called me. They've caught the gang and made multiple arrests. The threat is officially over."

Ricky whooped and launched himself into Chris's arms. Two servers came in with alcoholic and non-alcoholic champagne and I giggled. But I kept my gaze on Daddy. I honestly didn't know whether or not to believe him when he hinted at a future because I'd been burned too many times. But the look in his eyes made all sorts of promises, and for this weekend I decided to trust them.