he was facing us. His elbows were braced against the counter. His chin was balanced on the backs of his hands as he watched us with an expression of pure joy.
I glared, telling him silently to knock it off.
“Right.” Foster finished the last bite of his lunch, took a big swig of his tea, and stood. “Thanks for the food. See you guys later.”
“You mean when you feel your next hunger pang?” I asked dryly.
Foster spun around with a laugh and shrugged as he walked backward toward the door. “You know it.”
I shook my head with a laugh. Foster was so fucking incorrigible. “Get out of here.”
“Aye aye, sir,” he said, giving me a salute as he opened the door.
Miller leaned around me and waved at Foster. “Bye.”
Foster’s smile turned teasing as he looked toward Miller. “Bye, baby bear,” he said, shutting the door without giving anyone a chance to respond.
That asshole.
“Baby bear?”
I looked at Miller to see him smiling, much to my surprise. It hadn’t been that long ago that anything even associated with age play had sent him into a panic attack, and I wasn’t so arrogant as to believe one handjob from me had solved everything. Something had changed in him sometime between entering my playroom and leaving after his nap.
Had Foster somehow sensed this newfound peace in him? Had he been trying to tell me in his weird, subtle way that I should trust Miller with more of myself?
Deciding to test his resilience, I told him the truth. “I went to Foster for advice on how to win you over. Much to my annoyance, he started calling my attempt to get your attention Operation Baby Bear. I wouldn’t be surprised if baby bear becomes his special nickname for you.”
Miller lifted a hand to his mouth and giggled. “Operation Baby Bear? Foster’s funny.”
“Oh no,”’ I groaned playfully while inside I was grinning like a loon.
“What?”
“I can see it now.” I grabbed Miller’s stool by the seat and pulled him closer until my legs trapped him in place. “Foster’s going to talk you into all kinds of shenanigans to drive me crazy.”
“Shenanigans?” He giggled at the word as he leaned into my chest. “Who me?” He batted his eyelashes, and I slipped a little further under his spell.
Looking into his sweet, giddy eyes, I knew I was seeing the real Miller for the first time, the Miller he’d been before his sad excuse of an ex had torn down his confidence. He would probably always be a careful little—lessons learned didn’t come cheap—but it was as if he was looking for a new way forward.
Cupping his cheek, I studied his face. “You’re different,” I whispered, gazing into his eyes. “You seem lighter, happier.”
The joy on his face faltered for a second until his smile reemerged. “I don’t know. I feel safe here with you.”
Leaning into me, he pressed his face into my neck. Holding him, I nuzzled his cheek, his words touching something deep within me. That he felt safe in my arms was like a kiss against my soul. It was the highest honor a man could ever receive from their lover, let alone a Daddy from his little.
“What did I do?” I asked, needing to know what had triggered such a transformation in him so that I could do it again and again forever.
Miller turned his face toward me. He pressed a soft kiss against my neck. “You said I was a good little…”
Fuck me.
He sounded so damned surprised.
“You’re more than good,” I said, my voice hoarse as tears burned behind my eyes. I couldn’t allow him to think otherwise. “I don’t call you darling just because it sounds nice. You are so fucking compassionate and empathic. I could see it in the way you handled yourself around Red so you didn’t make him feel uncomfortable. And you’re so brave for giving this another chance, giving me a chance. You are darling, and I consider myself privileged that you chose me.”
Miller pulled back and looked up at me in shock. I locked my gaze with his, willing him to believe me.
“You really mean it.” His smile was so blinding that I needed to taste it.
Grabbing his face, I lowered my mouth to his. He moaned, wrapping his arms around me as he submitted to my desires.
“Stay the night,” I said, the words spilling out of my mouth.
“I can’t.” He actually pouted.
My little darling actually pouted, and I felt a welling of pride overtake me.
“I have to