Page 28 of Step Daddy

“Look at me, Kit.”

He hadn’t realized his eyes were closed. Kit lifted his lids to meet Gareth’s gaze, and they locked eyes without a word for a beat longer than necessary.

“Tell me whether you’re okay or not.”

“I-I’m okay. I promise.”

Gareth squinted a fraction as he continued to examine Kit’s expression. Then he gave a quick jerk of his head as if reaching some conclusion.

“All right. But promise to tell me if the collar starts bothering you, understand?”

“Yes…Daddy.”

They needed to play their parts authentically, right?

Gareth gasped, his grip tightening around Kit’s hand to the point of being painful. He cleared his throat then gave a small shake of his head. He seemed to have resolved something in his mind, his hand relaxing a bit as he let out a sigh.

“You don’t have to say that, you know. I’m not expecting it.”

“But you’re going to call me boy, so won’t your friends expect it?”

Gareth cleared his throat again. “Fair enough. But you could always call me Sir instead. You know, if saying the other…thing makes you uncomfortable.”

“Actually, Sir would make me more uncomfortable. That’s what I call Ted. I never want to use that word again if I don’t have to.”

Gareth cringed. “Point taken. It’s fine then.” Gareth patted their joined hands with his free one. “Just keep communicating with me, though. No matter how small it is. If anything comes up for you, then tell me. If you want to know what a true Daddy/boy dynamic is about, that would be one of my requirements of a boy. Remember, it’s my job to take care of him and make sure he’s okay.”

You. Say you, not he.

The vague pronoun caused a twinge of disappointment in him. Even if he was setting himself up for an extreme heartbreak once the night was over and they went back to being brothers only, he needed to embrace this right now. For at least a few hours, he could exist in a life that would be like heaven, the way his life had never been. His world had never been built around someone showing concern over his feelings or guaranteeing his safety. Being alone and wondering if anyone cared was all he’d ever known.

Kit nodded. “Okay. I promise.”

“Hey, Gareth! Haven’t seen you here in a while.”

An incredibly stacked man with a salt and pepper beard, covered in tattoos and wearing nothing but chaps and a leather harness approached them with a swagger and grin. His eyes darted to Kit with a leer before he returned his attention to Gareth. Gareth grabbed Kit’s hand tighter and laced their fingers together.

“Hey, Reg. I was out of town competing for a few weeks and I’ve been busy since I got back.”

Reg regarded Kit again with a waggle of his eyebrows. “I can see that.”

Kit moved closer to Gareth until their arms touched. Why did he suddenly feel as if he’d been thrown to the wolves? It was a damn good thing Gareth was there to be his alpha.

“Reg,” Gareth growled.

His friend barked out a laugh. “You know I’m joking.” He whacked Gareth’s shoulder. “It’s nice to see you’ve found a new boy after…” He gave his beard a tug. “Well, you know. I’m not going to get into an I told you so conversation, but you deserve better.”

Gareth pursed his lips. Kit was sure Reg was talking about Colby, but wondered if there was more of a story there than he already knew. Kit wished it was his business to pry some more. But maybe he should anyway. After all, Gareth had told him he could ask about anything. And he was supposed to communicate with his Daddy if anything was bothering him.

Kit decided he was bothered by not knowing all the lurid details.

Gareth quickly glanced his way then turned back to Reg. “We’re still in the beginning stages, he’s a newbie.” Gareth returned his gaze to Kit. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to act as if you weren’t here. This is a good friend of mine, Master Reg. Reg, this is my broth—boy, Kit.”

Gareth screwed his eyes shut and rubbed his forehead, muttering. Kit found it sort of cute how flustered Gareth was. Fortunately for Gareth—but not so much for Kit—Reg’s full attention was back on him.

“Nice to meet you, boy.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

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