Page 35 of Born Daddy

Rogan’s smile widened. “Great. Let’s see…” He glanced up at the menu behind the counter. “Why don’t we do it like this. Tell me if there’s anything on there you don’t like.”

Tate scanned the selections. Even though the fried turkey leg was interesting, he didn’t think it was something he’d want to eat. He didn’t usually eat much fried stuff.”

“Is it okay if we don’t get the turkey leg or clam boat?”

Rogan regarded him with a soft smile. “Of course it is. I was thinking the crab-filled pretzel sounded good, along with the fish tacos and some fries?”

Tate didn’t consider fries a true fried food. At least not when he was craving them. His stomach growled.

Rogan chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes?”

Tate shrugged one shoulder as he chuckled back. “Yeah.”

Right as Rogan stepped toward the counter to order their food, Tate grabbed Rogan’s sleeve without thinking. He snatched back his hand. But when Rogan glanced his way, his smile remained as if Tate pawing at him was the most natural thing in the world.

“Is it okay if I have a soda?”

Rogan’s brow creased momentarily, then he seemed to come to some conclusion. “Yes, you may.”

Tate thought he might be in danger of sporting a public erection.

After a brief hiccup when Tate tried to pay his share with Rogan insisting it was his treat, they gathered their food and made their way to an empty table. They spread everything out, using their drinks to keep the napkins from blowing away. A couple times, they reached for the fries at the same time and their fingers brushed together. Rogan had averted his gaze. However, the thrill hadn’t been diminished for Tate one bit.

As he’d predicted, it hadn’t taken much for him to fill up. However, the food had satisfied him in a way he hadn’t experienced since he could remember. Tate placed a hand on his stomach and let out a sigh.

Rogan glanced at him as he crumpled up the wrappers, stuffing them into the bag that had held their food.

“Well, I enjoyed that quite a bit. You?”

Tate nodded. “I haven’t eaten that much in a while, but it was so good. I might need to sit here for a minute.”

Rogan snorted. “You and me both. Let’s enjoy the view a bit longer then we can head over to the carousel.”

Tate pondered his earlier desire to get on the ride that went up and down and round and round. He might have to save it for their next trip. Tate screwed his eyes shut in frustration at himself. If he allowed his fantasies to extend into future outings with Rogan, his imaginary Daddy and boyfriend, he was going to end up shattered when reality bitch-slapped him with the truth.

“Is your stomach upset?”

Tate’s eyes flew open to the sight of a worried Rogan staring at him.

“Oh, no. I mean, not right now.”

Rogan tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

Tate folded his hands in his lap to keep from twisting them together. Now that he’d blurted that out, he’d have to own up to his childish wish to ride the carousel.

“I was sort of considering riding the carousel, but after all that food, maybe I shouldn’t.”

“Oh!” Rogan let out a heavy sigh and drew his eyebrows together as if something were bothering him. “Dammit. I was thinking ahead. I shouldn’t have gotten all that food.”

“That’s okay, I loved everything you got.” He didn’t want Rogan to feel bad. “It was kind of a silly idea anyway. You know, going on a kid’s ride.”

Rogan shook his head with great seriousness. “Oh no, not at all. That’s the kind of ride everyone enjoys. I’d go on with you if you decide you want to.”

“You would? For real?”

Rogan grinned, all hints of solemnity gone. “For real. We can save it for another time.” Rogan’s eyes widened in the slightest then he cleared his throat before looking away. He coughed in his fist then stared ahead at the ocean. “This is such a nice beach. A bit crowded, but that’s to be expected this time of year.”

Tate’s mind was still stuck on Rogan’s ‘another time’ remark, but he forced himself to snap out of it. His pretend Daddy had clearly regretted the errant words and was trying to erase them by falling into small talk.

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