Trust in Me - Quinn Ward Page 0,20

the seat next to mine. “Nope. I ate earlier. This is for you because you’re a silly boy who didn’t remember to eat.”

“Maybe it’s a good thing you want to take care of me.” As soon as I said it, I regretted my assumption.

I settled a bit when Theron took my hand. His thumb brushing back and forth against the back the back of my hand calmed my nerves further. “Is that something you want as well? Tell me, Sammy, what would make you happy?”

You calling me Sammy again would be a good start. I really, really liked that. I went by Sammy in the online forums, but I’d never told a soul that was how I thought of myself when I imagined being little.

“I know it’s uncomfortable, but I’ve been around long enough I know it’s not beneficial to dance around certain conversations,” Theron explained. He dipped a chicken strip in the sauce and lifted it to my mouth. When I took a bite, Theron smiled. He continued feeding me as he spoke. “Bad things happen when people assume what the other wants. I’m serious about not wanting to do or say anything to upset you. I’d rather we get the icky talking out of the way now so we can both sink into our roles moving forward.”

“That’s smart.” Theron held a hand under the chicken strip to keep the sauce from dripping onto the slate tabletop.

“I try.” Theron smiled and winked. “And you haven’t answered my question. If you could have your perfect relationship, what would it look like? I could tell you what I enjoy, but I’d prefer to hear your interests first.”

“Why?” Theron lifted the cup to my lips, tipping it back so I could take a drink.

“Because you already know I’m a Daddy, but there’s a broad spectrum within that. I don’t know what appeals to you,” he explained. I scrunched up my nose when he offered me a carrot stick. I wasn’t a fan of veggies, but the look on Theron’s face made it clear that eating my carrots wasn’t optional. Luckily, he didn’t take issue with my healthy food being drowned in yummy dressing. “If you’re worried about turning me off, stop. I’ve been a Daddy to a baby boy, and I’ve played with men who had no desire to regress. The big thing that appeals to me is taking care of my boy, whether he’s big or little.”

Oh. Well that was refreshing. It was a big deal to admit I wanted to see what it was like to be little. So far, I’d limited myself to stuffies, blankies, and toys that could easily be played off as holdovers from childhood. I wanted to go deeper, but I’d always told myself that was something I wanted to save for my Daddy when I found him. And maybe I had.

“I’ve never gotten to be little,” I admitted. “I like the idea of it, and I know there are things I like, but it’s not as fun when you don’t have a Daddy to take care of you.”

There. That was honest. And the world didn’t crash down around me when I admitted it.

“Well, then why don’t you finish eating and we can talk further about what that would look like to you before we start working.” That sounded like a damn good idea to me. I wondered if Theron understood it would be impossible for me to focus on work until after we’d both laid our cards on the table.

“I’d like that.” Theron brushed his thumb over my cheekbone and my entire body came to life. He smiled and I knew I’d do just about anything to earn that look directed at me.

6

Theron

As I sat next to Sam, feeding him bites of chicken strips and carrot sticks, it was difficult to remain upset about him canceling our first date. And yes, I’d known from the moment he called that his course work wasn’t the full reason he’d backed out of dinner, but I hadn’t called him out on it. Hearing him own his fears both broke my heart and made it swell with pride.

“Are you full, Sammy?” Yeah, I’d noticed the way he smiled when I called him that the first time, so I was going to keep doing it.

“Yes, Sir.”

So damned polite. He pushed the plate to the center of the table. I got up, quickly grabbing a washcloth. He smirked when I lifted a hand, wiping it clean before repeating the action with