Page 79 of Born Daddy

“What are you saying, sweetheart? I’m not sure how I fit in.”

“Because, Daddy.” Tate stroked Rogan’s cheek. “There’s such a sharp contrast between how you look at me, speak to me. You’ve got such a kind heart, and even though you apologized for how violent it got with Mitch, I felt that.” Tate thumped his own chest. “The sheer passion to protect me, like a Grizzly tearing into a predator threatening one of its cubs. I never, ever experienced anything like that with Cam. Everything with him was…” Tate furrowed his brow, his lips pressed together before he spoke again. “Robotic. He went through the motions. It was almost as if he’d read a manual on how to be a Daddy and was displaying the bare minimum of attributes to make me believe he cared.”

“But…”

Rogan was back to being confused. All he’d heard from both Tate and Master Zane was that he was a born Daddy, that Rogan’s inherent sense toward those he cared about was to provide and protect. To cherish. That desiring to take on that role was in his nature and he’d need a boy to be completely fulfilled. Why would Cam have even bothered with such a role if it wasn’t who he was deep down?

Rogan regarded Tate with a tilt of his head. “You know, there are varying levels of psychosis, however it seems rather evident Cam was a psychopath, that he only pretended to care and had no real conscience. But I can’t figure out what Cam’s motive would’ve been to be a Daddy? Assuming he didn’t care about you.” Rogan had to jostle Tate, his own heart hurting that Tate was facing the fact that someone he’d thought cared, truly hadn’t. “His loss. He could’ve had everything with you.”

“I think he wanted a free housekeeper who’d blindly follow his rules and have sex readily available when and how he wanted it.” Tate’s words were said with an edge of bitterness. “Whatever else he wanted, the more sadistic stuff I wasn’t into, was probably what he was getting elsewhere.” Tate’s lip curled. “Probably with whoever that Jace dude was.”

Rogan drew Tate into a strong embrace, kissing his cheek and neck repeatedly, squeezing him tight.

“On top of Cam being a sick fuck, he was also a Grade A asshole. Man, was I deluded all those years. Sure, I wasn’t around him as much for a couple decades, but damn.” Rogan drew back to look into Tate’s eyes. “And don’t worry about that Jace guy or what Cam was doing—you don’t need to go down that dark road. You’re here with me now, and our relationship is all that matters.” Rogan narrowed his eyes at Tate. “You’re worth every second of my life, got it?”

Tate seemed to search Rogan’s eyes for the truth, then his mouth slowly drew up in a smile. “I’ve got it, Daddy. Can I just add one more thing?”

“If you need to, honey, you can add fifty more things. We’ll stay right here until you feel better.”

“Thanks.” Tate’s smile grew bigger. “I’m still worried about going to your parents today. I know we went over all this last night, but I can’t help feeling guilty about the thing with Mitch forcing you to go over there with me sooner than you’d planned.”

Rogan almost wished he hadn’t said anything to Tate, but at the same time, open communication was best.

“No one’s forcing me to do anything. I examined the different options of how we could handle you meeting my parents the first time, and honestly, this way is best. I know you’re scared, but I’ll be right there with you the entire time. If you never want to let go of my hand, you never have to.” Rogan went back to caressing Tate’s back. “I mean, why put it off anyway? You’re a part of my life now, my parents and siblings have known I’m gay for years, they already know about you and Cam. Plus, I don’t want you building up anxiety over meeting them the longer we wait.” He tickled Tate’s side. “We need to just rip that band aid right off.”

“Are we ripping off the Daddy/boy band aid too?”

Rogan tried not to groan. “Okay, here’s the thing. They may or may not know. I’m not a hundred percent sure of their grapevine sources other than Lenny telling me Mitch has been blabbing all over the neighborhood about the fight, so who can say. Knowing my brother, he’ll pull me aside and grill me like a cheese sandwich to get verification if Mom or Dad have said anything. My parents are way too polite to ever bring something like that up in front of you.

Rogan sighed. “At the end of the day, our personal life is no one’s business. I don’t ask my brother what he and his wife do in the bedroom or in the privacy of their home. And I certainly don’t expect my parents to reveal all.” He gave a slight shudder. “So, I don’t feel obligated to Daddysplain.”

Tate giggled. “Okay, that makes me feel better.”

“Yeah? Did I do a good job?” Rogan tickled Tate some more. “Am I a good Daddy?”

Tate laughed harder. “Yes! Good Daddy!”

The tickling and laughter quickly turned to kisses and eager touches, until the only workout they had was the one they shared with each other.

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