Page 56 of Born Daddy

Chapter Sixteen

Rogan let out a long groan at the sound of his phone alarm.

Let the ass-dragging begin.

He shot his arm out from under the blanket to whack the ‘dismiss’ icon, and the warm body half on top of his own stirred. Rogan blinked several times as awareness seeped in. Somehow, they’d passed out together and ended up lying down in each other’s arms at some point. He vaguely remembered changing positions, but not much else.

Rogan carefully wrapped Tate in an embrace, not wanting to wake him, even though he realized they both had to begin their day. He angled his head and noted his TV had gone into rest mode, and since he couldn’t remember anything past the halfway mark of the film, he’d clearly conked out without shutting anything off.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Rogan whispered. “Time to get up.”

Tate snuffled then yawned, his lids fluttering a few times before they opened. His brow creased for a moment before his eyes rounded. “I didn’t mean to stay on the couch, I swear.”

Rogan chuckled, giving him a light jostle. “That’s quite all right. I don’t mind one bit.” He winked. “However, it’s time to face the day.” Rogan gently encouraged Tate to sit up. “I’ll get the coffee started. Can I talk you into some oatmeal? I have fresh strawberries.”

“Ooh, that sounds good. Thanks.”

Tate’s happy smile was back, and Rogan was filled with a renewed sense of confidence that they were doing the right thing.

Once they’d shared an enjoyable breakfast and cleaned up, Rogan noted it was getting close to Tate’s check-in time.

“I’ll be out here while you talk to Master Zane in the bedroom. If he agrees to speak with me, then give me a shout.”

“Yes, Sir.” Tate bit his lip as he clutched his cell. “Can I say that?”

Rogan pondered his admonishment to Tate the night before. “That’s a part of this dynamic, right? The honorific?”

Tate nodded and Rogan took another step into the unknown. However, he decided not to share that the word went straight to his dick. They were supposed to be behaving themselves.

“It is. Part of it is me showing you respect by acknowledging you’re the Top. It also helps keep me in my submissive space.”

Rogan considered Tate. “But you’d rather be calling me Daddy, and Sir is a placeholder.

Tate gave him a one-shouldered shrug and a sheepish smile. “Pretty much.”

“Then I think it’s fine.” Rogan took a step closer and framed Tate’s face with his palms. “I hope I can earn the right to be your Daddy soon.”

They weren’t close enough that they shared breaths, but they could be if Rogan dipped his head a few inches more. Then one more inch and their lips could be pressed together, Rogan moving them over Tate’s mouth and tasting his boy for the first time.

Not now.

The first kiss he shared with Tate would be when nothing else was demanding their attention, when all they had was each other and the freedom to explore the romance blossoming between them.

Tate licked his lips and Rogan straightened. The disappointment in Tate’s eyes broke his heart, but Rogan had to stay in charge. Not for the purpose of bossing Tate around. He had to remind himself that this was what Tate needed in a partner. Rogan’s job was to take responsibility for Tate’s wellbeing.

The weight of that responsibility descended on him. The utter trust Tate was gifting him, and the task Rogan was undertaking, tore through him like a tidal wave crashing on the shore. He ached to be the man Tate deserved, the source of comfort Tate sought.

“There’s no hurry, Tate. I’m not going anywhere.” Rogan petted his hair back and smiled. “Now, be a good boy and go make your call.”

To his great relief, Tate smiled back. “Okay, Sir.”

Tate scurried into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Rogan sucked in a deep breath and headed to the kitchen to make them some more coffee. His chest swelled as he recalled going through the motions earlier of preparing Tate’s food.

Not that making a meal for a man was such a shocking, new task. He’d certainly had guys over in the past and been the polite host. But the intent behind this meal had changed everything. He’d even begun to feel more natural telling Tate he was a good boy. Hope filled him at that realization.

As Rogan added some vanilla syrup to the coffee, a treat he rarely used, he decided a couple extra trips to the gym that week should be added to the menu. Pizza, ice cream…

Not to mention all the treats on our beach outing.

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