Page 2 of A Daddy to Love

“Mouth-watering, right?” He giggled. “I’ve never met him but a boy can look, can’t he?”

“Uh huh. I need to go grab a water.”

Kimmie bounced along at my side. “I’ll come with you.”

Kimmie had a pixie look, all curls and cheekbones, like he belonged in a forest with unicorns. He wore jeans shorts, glitter nail polish, and a see-through pink net tank top. A lot of eyes followed us as we made our way to the bar. The gazes were for him. An energetic twink. The perfect boy.

I wasn’t like that. I’d brought my butterfly squishy not so much to advertise my kink—well, maybe a little—but to hide my face. And to give me something for my nervous hands to clutch.

Kimmie grabbed a cranberry juice as I got my water. We sat on the barstools side by side, swinging our feet.

I’d gone out tonight mostly out of long pent-up curiosity and boredom. I was the sort of guy who stayed by himself. In my current situation, it was hard to have friends I could trust, so I hadn’t dressed to flirt. I had on a red turtleneck and baggy, off-white cargo pants. In truth, I was hiding. No skin exposed but my hands and face. My hair slid forward to help cover even that. I’d washed my hair, sprayed it but it didn’t stay. It was past my shoulders and needed a trim.

Kimmie turned to me, leaning toward my left ear so I could hear him through all the noise. “So, let me tell you everything I know about Truce.”

“That’s okay, you don’t⁠—”

He interrupted as if he didn’t hear me. “He’s into kink. Wanna know how I know?”

Without waiting for me to respond, he continued. “Like I said, I’ve never met him, but I’ve seen him around. I go to Kings and Queens sometimes. You’ve heard of it?”

I shook my head.

“It’s a super popular kink club. I’ve seen him there but I haven’t gotten close enough myself to watch him.” His eyes widened. “He’s done scenes to crowds so huge they have to send security to guard the doors because of fire laws. You know, the rooms have limited occupancy.” He sipped his juice. “I’ve asked around. He’s like a myth. Lots of rumor and speculation but I’ve never met anyone who ever, you know, dated him. But I’ll tell you what I do know.”

Suddenly, I wanted to go home, curl up in my footie jammies in front of my big fireplace with my toys, pillows, sippy cup and my yellow duckie blanket. The housekeeper and cooks were gone for the day. Sorel would be at his cabin behind the estate. I’d have the whole, huge house to myself and could make my bed on the hearth and sleep like the little I longed to be.

Kimmie kept talking. “He looked young, right? But no one knows his real age. Some say early thirties. Others say he’s actually forty but I don’t believe it. Thirty-two at the most, don’t you think?”

“I couldn’t tell.”

“I think he’s into rough stuff. Like ropes and swings. At least, that’s what some say. Others say he likes the crosses. He wants the flesh of his lovers red and burning before he takes them.”

A tickle of interest tapped danced through me. “You mean he hits them?”

“What else did you think I mean? I can picture it. His perfect hair falling forward as he uses the paddle, then the cat o’ nine tails. His muscles bunching up. His dark eyes all glazed.”

“Have you talked to someone he did that to?” I asked.

“No. Never. It’s just what I hear all the time from people who like to watch.”

Rumors. Gossip. Kimmie seemed to love both.

I glanced about. “Where do you think he went?”

“Probably the second story. There’re big tables up there. He always collects an entourage.”

I wanted to go up and see for myself. But why? This wasn’t my usual behavior. Yet, something was happening to me. Like my body had a will of its own. I was beginning to regret my decision to go out at all, but hanging out in my echoing big house got old fast. And boring.

“Kimmie, I think I’m going to go.”

“What? It’s not even late.”

“I forgot I’m expecting a guest.”

He frowned at the obvious lie but didn’t confront me about it. “It was great to meet you. Wanna exchange numbers? I can let you know when I’ll be here or at Kings and Queens.”

I liked his sweetness. Though I didn’t have plans to go to any kink club, I liked this place and wouldn’t mind coming back. I nodded.