Page 35 of Something Unforgettable

Goosebumps raced across Xavier’s skin at the sound of that word on Finn’s lips. How much better would it be if Finn was calling him Daddy?

“I am,” he agreed, keeping his voice casual. “I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner. I wasn’t sure you’d—” He paused. What? Be interested? Freak out? Run? “Want that from me,” he finished.

Finn was watching him carefully. “You were nervous?”

Xavier laughed. “Terrified. It’s a lot for some people. Not everyone is interested in a partner who’s as…overbearing as I can be.”

“I don’t think you’re overbearing,” Finn said, scooting closer and putting his hand on Xavier’s arm. “I like how you’ve been taking care of me. I don’t have to worry so much and it makes me feel…safe, I guess.”

Xavier had to kiss him. Finn met him and it took everything Xavier had not to deepen it, to press Finn back into the cushions and devour his sweet mouth.

“God,” he whispered when the kiss broke. “I’m so glad to hear you say that, baby.”

Finn’s smile was shy and sweet. “Baby?” he asked.

Xavier kissed his cute nose. “Do you like sweetheart better?”

Finn laughed. “You called me little one before. I like that, too. I like all of them. They make me feel special.”

“You are special, Finn.” Xavier kissed him again, harder, trying to press that message into his skin. “So very special.”

Finn swallowed hard and his eyes went a little shiny. “You’re special to me, too,” he said, his hand coming up to palm Xavier’s scruffy cheek. “Do you want me to call you Daddy?” he asked, so sweetly that it went straight to Xavier’s cock and he had to bite back a groan.

“I would love that. But only ifyouwant to. I understand if you don’t.”

Finn licked his lips, expression thoughtful. “Ev says that someone can be a Daddy without their partner being a little.”

Xavier made a sound of agreement, trying not to get distracted as Finn’s fingers wandered down his neck.

“Ev’s a middle,” Finn announced, answering Xavier’s earlier speculation. “I don’t mind—he’s my best friend, of course I don’t mind—but I’m not like that. I don’t need the things he needs. I just want—I want to feel safe. And protected. And like someone is looking out for me, taking care of me. But I don’t need coloring books or video game marathons, or tons of candy and junk food to be happy.”

Xavier needed him closer. He closed his hands on Finn’s waist and tugged him into his lap, Finn’s knees pressed to the cushions on either side of Xavier’s hips.

“I don’t want you to be anyone but who you are,” he assured Finn. “Age play isn’t a necessity for me. I just want a partner who will let me take care of them. I want to be the person in charge of making sure they’re happy and healthy and have everything they need.” He gave Finn a teasing grin. “I also like to be in charge in bed. Though I always respect my partner’s needs and limits.”

Finn’s pupils dilated and he squirmed in Xavier’s lap, his fingers gripping Xavier’s shirt as well as he could with the cast.

“I like it when you’re in charge,” he said, breathless. He rocked forward and Xavier could feel the hard line of Finn’s cock against his own. He slid one hand back to palm Finn’s ass and made him do it again.

Finn gasped, his lips parting as his eyes fluttered shut.

“Tell me what you want, sweet boy,” Xavier ordered, letting everything, every part of himself that he’d been holding back, have free rein.

Finnshiveredatthehungry growl in Xavier’s voice. The hand on his butt squeezed, sending tingles through him that made his cock twitch in his sweats. Oh. That felt good. He licked his lips, squirming in indecision. What did he want? With Xavi, he wantedeverything. But that wasn’t what Xavier meant. Finn opened his eyes, not sure when he’d closed them.

Xavier was watching him, his dark eyes focused on Finn’s face. That kind of scrutiny would normally make him want to hide, but he wasn’t going to. He needed Xavier to know how much he wanted this. Wanted him. He took a breath that shook in his chest, then forced his words out.

“I want—” he started, then stopped. Crap. He hadn’t decided, had he? He blinked at Xavier. “Well. I—” He bit the inside of his cheek, heat rushing to his face.

“Hey,” Xavier murmured, rubbing a hand up and down Finn’s arm. “We can do as much or as little as you want.”

Finn shook his head. “No. That’s not the problem.” Xavier’s forehead creased. Ugh. He was doing this all wrong. “I can’t decide,” he blurted out. “I want so many things and I—I don’t know what to ask for.” He gave Xavier a weak smile and shrugged. “It’s kind of overwhelming.”

Xavier’s chest shook with his laugh and his eyes were so warm when he looked at Finn that Finn couldn’t help but giggle as well. He tried to duck his head, but Xavier wouldn’t let him. He pulled Finn into a kiss that led into another and another. By the time he was done, Finn was panting and his head was swimming.

“How about you let me decide, then, and if you don’t want it or don’t like it, you tell me ‘stop’ or even ‘red.’”

“Like a safeword,” Finn said, pleased with the idea. That sounded much better than having to choose.

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