Page 29 of For the Love of a Boy

Daddy jostled him. “There they are. Thank God.”

They’d only been waiting a few minutes, but the brisk air had made it seem a lot longer. The original plan had been to get together for dinner before the club, but Tina was in the middle of litigating a big case and hadn’t been able to spare the extra time.

Nate waved at them with one hand, clutching Tina’s hand with the other as they approached. Seth couldn’t detect Nate’s car anywhere nearby, but that wasn’t surprising. He’d never seen so many cars and nowhere to park them in his whole life.

“Hey,” Nate said breathlessly. “Great to see you guys.”

Daddy smiled. “You too.”

They all exchanged greetings then Nate rubbed his hands together, blowing on the palms. “Helluva cold night. I don’t know why I can never find my gloves.”

Tina smirked. “Especially since you have at least a half-dozen pairs, Sir.”

Nate jerked his chin at Tina. “Then there’s this one. So eager for a hearty flogging and we only just got here.”

Seth tensed and Daddy squeezed his arm, tugging him closer. Daddy and Nat bantered back and forth as Seth focused on the breathing techniques he’d learned from Dr. Clay to help calm himself down. The type of relationship Nate shared with his baby girl was as valid as the one he had with Daddy. He reminded himself that Tina enjoyed what Nate did to her, that she also had a safeword. Then he focused on the laughing Nate and how Tina was smiling up at him in adoration.

He had nothing to be afraid of. Nate would never hurt Tina the way Seth had been hurt in Idaho.

Tina caught his eye and she winked. She gestured up and down his frame with her pointer finger then gave him a thumbs up. “Hot stuff.”

Seth almost choked on his own spit as his face heated. He’d never had a woman compliment him like that before. “Um, thank you. You…” He wasn’t about to tell her she was hot. Nate might get upset. “You look very beautiful.”

Seth couldn’t see what she had on under the long duster coat, but whatever it was, it must complement the lace-up stiletto boots she was wearing. But it didn’t matter what she wore. He thought she was pretty anyway.

She dipped her chin in acknowledgement. “Why thank you, kind sir.”

Nate whirled his head around, his mouth agape. “What’s this? The minute you spot a handsome younger guy, you’re ready to call him Sir?”

Seth gasped. “I didn’t mean anything—”

“It’s all right, Seth. I’m messing with her.” Nate grinned.

“Oh.” He was still getting used to being around people who liked to joke about things a lot.

Tina elbowed Nate as she regarded Seth. “He’s a mess all right.”

Daddy chuckled and Seth relaxed a bit. Going out together the way they were was a great idea. He needed to get better at being in social situations, quit being so awkward and feeling as if he didn’t belong. Daddy’s mom had said she was coming to visit in the New Year, and he wanted to make a good impression.

Nate and Tina were whispering to each other. Then he reached behind her and whatever he’d done made her yelp and break out laughing. Nate regarded them.

“So, my nuts are about to freeze off and that’s one of Tina’s favorite parts of my anatomy. Whaddya say we head inside?”

Daddy grunted. “Charming. But yes, let’s do that. And we’re here early enough that it shouldn’t be too crowded yet.”

Nate hooked his arm through Tina’s. “Perfect. Then Seth can witness some of my signature dance moves and the crowds won’t be blocking his view.”

Tina snorted. “Not without a drink first.”

Nate made an exaggerated protest, huffing and tossing his head to the side. “Well! I’ve never been so insulted in my entire life.”

Daddy arched his eyebrows. “I doubt that.”

As they made their way across an empty patio to the club entrance, Seth listened to them trade mock insults back and forth. He studied their expressions after each joking comment to make sure no one appeared as if their feelings had been hurt. He wasn’t without humor, but any slur he’d ever heard uttered had been meant to wound.

They reached a velvet rope stretched between two stanchions with a large man standing behind them like a sentry. He glanced over each of them, as if assessing whether they were worthy enough to be granted passage to the interior. Daddy had explained that while Seth didn’t have to wear the racy things he’d seen on the Internet, the club did have a dress code. No athletic shoes, jeans, T-shirts or other casual wear. In other words, the only type of clothing Seth owned prior to the day’s shopping trip.

“IDs, please.” They each pulled out their cards and the burly man checked them with a tiny flashlight. “Is anyone going in the dungeon tonight?”

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