Page 24 of Kiren

He turned his head to watch TV. Slowly, his stiff body began to relax against me.

“Warm enough?” I asked.

“Yes, Daddy.” He swung his legs up. “My feet are very warm.” He giggled.

“Yes, I should think so. Those are some great pajamas with feet attached.”

“I think so.”

He was in the exact position for me to begin rubbing his back. But after seeing whatever it was on his skin—bruising or scars or something else—I held back. I didn’t forget him flinching on our date when I first touched him at his waist on the left side. Did my new boy feel pain?

After a while, Kiren stirred against me. “Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“You’re not bored, are you?”

“Not at all. Are you?”

“No. I like quiet time a whole lot. But it’s a date, too,” he said. “And I just wondered if you’re okay.”

“I’m very comfortable with you here in my lap. Spending time like this together gains all my respect. For me it means a deeper connection forming which I want, and hope you do, too.”

“I do.” He snuggled tighter against me.

“Kiren.”

“Huh?”

“Would you like to spend the night here? With me?”

He wrapped his arms around neck. “Yes, Daddy. I was waiting for you to invite me.”

“You’re invited.” I kissed his forehead.

Kiren lifted his head, and our lips met.

As we kissed, my mind swirled. He was everything I’d hoped to find in a boy.

As I pulleddown the covers of my bed, Kiren stood by the side, his three stuffies in his arms. He spoke softly, introducing them to my own stuffies.

I smiled at him.

He caught me staring and said, “I still think daddies having stuffies is… um… unexpected.”

“Why not? I love boys and toys.”

“Maybe you have a secret little inside you, too.”

“I am sure of it. But I love being the daddy. That’s the side of me that gives me pleasure and what I crave.”

His head tilted. His green eyes glistened. “Are you for real?”

“I am. Why? You’ve asked me that before. Don’t you believe me?”

“I do. But I never thought someone like you could exist.”

I reached out and tapped his cheek. “Maybe you didn’t look in the right places.”

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