Page 12 of Born Daddy

“I sort of thought that, because the very few times we went to New Sensation together after we met, I never saw you guys.”

“That wasn’t something you did that often? I thought that’s what guys like you—” Rogan gritted his teeth. He couldn’t come off judgmental, or else the poor kid would clam up. Then where would Tate be with his dark thoughts? “What I mean is, I thought that people in the lifestyle regularly attended clubs.”

“Sure, some do. But not everyone. When I was looking for a Daddy, I was at New Sensation every night. However, once he made me his permanent boy and took me home to live with him, we hardly ever went. Only if someone he knew was having a collaring ceremony or something like that.”

Rogan pushed off the couch. He was going to need a beer for this conversation. “I see. So, Daddy huh? Is that like a sugar Daddy?”

As Rogan reached into his fridge for a beer, he waited for Tate to respond. When he didn’t answer right away, he wondered if he’d somehow upset or offended him.

“I don’t want you to think that way about me.” Tate’s voice had gone back to sounding small.

“Hey, I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing.” Rogan sat on the edge of his sofa then popped open the can of beer. “I don’t have any negative thoughts about you. I’m only trying to understand. I’m a newbie to this world, so cut an old man a break.” He chuckled.

“Okay, I get it. I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions. It’s just that a lot of people, even within our community, sneer at boys who only want a Daddy for their money, or so they don’t have to work.”

“Ah, I see. Well, if you don’t mind, can you explain the difference?” Rogan took a slug of his drink.

“For me personally, it’s primarily the comfort, knowing I belong to someone and that they’ll always be there for me no matter what. Yes, I want to be taken care of too, but I also want to be a good boy for my Daddy, give him what he needs.”

Rogan squirmed on the couch. He’d discussed every manner of unusual subjects as an investigator over the years without so much as twitching, but for whatever reason, discussing something so intimate with Tate had left him feeling awkward.

“Do you mind clarifying what that meant for you and Cam together? So I can understand better?”

“Sure.” Tate’s voice had gotten stronger, more confident, as if this topic made him more assured. “Like I said, I was searching for a Daddy to take care of me, but in my case, it was in all ways. I need to know I have someone who’ll help me with everything in life. Take charge so I don’t have to. For example, Daddy—Cam—made all my decisions for me, would tell me what to do when necessary. He would hold me when I was sad or scared or worried. Give me guidance when I was confused. Provide structure in my daily life and be that one person who would never fail me, never stop loving me.” Tate’s voice hitched. “Never abandon me.”

Rogan swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry, Tate.”

“It’s not your fault he was a fucking freak.” Tate had spit out his words. “And I can curse all I want since he broke every fucking rule there was. Not just with me, but those poor…those awful things he…” A sob tore free from Tate’s throat. “Those disgusting th-things he—”

“Tate, stop!” Rogan surprised himself with his own outburst, probably as much as he’d shocked Tate. He scrubbed his face with one hand. The last thing the poor kid needed was to be yelled at. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. Are you okay to continue, or should we change the subject?”

“I don’t know.”

Tate had gone back to sounding defeated and Rogan recalled what Tate had mentioned about needing guidance, about being unable to make decisions on his own.

“Uh, why don’t you continue explaining how your relationship was before…uh, before everything else. You know, focus on enlightening the uninformed old guy on the other end of the line.”

“You’re not old.”

Rogan frowned. When had he started referring to himself that way? He didn’t feel old. Out of touch with whatever the latest, coolest music or gadgets were maybe, but not a senior citizen.

Yet.

“I was only joking around. Tell me about the other stuff. For instance, what does a good boy do for his Daddy?”

Rogan tried not cringe. It sounded worse when he was the one saying it out loud.

Tate inhaled a shuddering breath. “Well, that’s one of the things a lot of people don’t get about Daddies and boys. It’s so different for everyone. The people involved in the relationship are the ones who decide.”

A lightbulb went off in Rogan’s head. “Oh, right. That’s the contract thing. Is that what you mean?”

“Yeah. For me and Cam, I did my chores, cooked the meals, sat at Daddy’s feet when he wasn’t busy. He picked out my clothes, told me what I could do or not do, like…well, I had to wear a cock cage so I didn’t touch myself, and…”

Rogan’s face burned as Tate paused and he wondered if they should change the subject.

Tate continued, “He’d also dress me and give me a list of recreational activities I was allowed to do. I mean, I didn’t go out unless I was doing the grocery shopping or was with him. It was more related to things like video games, movies. That sort of thing. In Cam’s case, he didn’t want me to have a job.”

“I see.” Rogan didn’t really, but he still wanted to know more. “Was there anything you didn’t like that he wanted you to do, you know, things you only did because you were a good boy?”

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