Page 26 of Step Daddy

“What’s good here?”

Gareth startled from Kit’s question, his mind so focused on the various reasons why it wasn’t the best idea to go to the club, and not one of them had anything to do with Gareth being worried a Dom or Daddy might make a play for Kit. None whatsoever.

“Oh, uh…” Gareth flipped the menu open then realized he had no idea since he’d never been there before. “Actually, I’ve always wanted to give this place a try, so I’m not sure. But can’t go wrong with a burger, right?” He chuckled uneasily.

Kit nodded, his lips pressed together. “That’s okay. I understand. It’s probably best we talk about this when people you know aren’t around, I get it. So, I take it that Dev is the only one who knows about you being a Daddy, and who goes to the club?”

Gareth closed the menu. He figured he’d take his own advice and simply go for a burger. “That’s correct. Although I’m sure there’s a rumor or two. Dev once mentioned getting razzed by a couple guys at an event, said they’d seen him going into ‘that place’.” Gareth made air quotes. “But Dev handled it in his Dev way, which was perfect. He came back at them with an enthusiastic fuck yeah, why don’t you join me sometime? I’ve been looking for some new straight boys to whip and fuck.”

Kit sprayed water across the table then started coughing and choking.

“Jesus, babe. Be careful.”

Gareth frantically plucked several paper napkins from the metal dispenser then started swiping at Kit’s face. Gareth winced. He hoped Kit was so distracted by his choking he hadn’t noticed the endearment slip of the tongue. It was just so damn difficult when every instinct inside screamed at him to behave like Kit’s Daddy. To take care of this man, to keep him as his one and only precious boy.

Heartbreak alert.

It was never happening, but that was his cross to bear. Kit didn’t need to be dragged into any of it. Gareth was going to watch out for Kit while also keeping his filthy mitts and dirty thoughts to himself.

“S-sorry.” Kit’s face was a scarlet red. “You just surprised me, that’s all.” He snorted. “But that was pretty funny. Dev seems like a cool guy.”

Gareth chuckled. “He is. Love him to death. But like I said before, he’s not wrapped too tight these days.”

An odd cloud passed over Kit’s features, but before he had the chance to ponder on it too much, it was gone. Kit went back to staring intently at his menu. At last, he closed it and pushed it aside.

He gave Gareth a smile as if nothing had been troubling him. “I’ll just get the turkey club. Can’t go wrong with that, either.”

After they ordered and the waitress brought them each a glass of iced tea, Gareth noted that Kit was tearing off the edges of one of the paper napkins he’d used on him, one teensy piece at a time. Gareth flopped back against the banquette. They’d might as well dive into the club discussion.

“What suddenly made you decide you want to see the club?”

Kit’s eyes snapped up. He crumpled all the bits and pieces of napkin into a ball then folded his hands on the table.

“Mostly, I’m curious. And even though I’m still working through my feelings regarding my orientation, I…” He glanced away. “Well, clearly, I’m not straight. So, there’s that. And I want to know more about you.” Kit returned his gaze to Gareth. “This is such a major part of your life. I want to know the real you.”

Gareth stalled for time by making a big production out of squeezing lemon into his tea then stirring in the sugar a hundred times. How could he convince Kit this was a bad idea without coming off too condescending? While Kit was clearly an adult with the nice build to show for it, Gareth couldn’t entirely get the twelve-year old kid out of his head.

Back when he was sneaking in and out of the house to hang out at a private dungeon or bang one of his much-older hook-ups, and once he started watching hardcore gay BDSM porn on his laptop, he’d needed to be extra careful around Kit. He’d gone out of his way to protect Kit from the lifestyle he’d immersed himself in by the time he hit sixteen. Erasing that trained behavior from back then would take some time.

“Kit…” He took a sip of his tea then set it down, turning the cold glass between his palms. “You don’t need to go to the club as a way to get to know me better, or to understand more about your orientation.” He shrugged. “It’s just a hangout. And to be honest, it might be a bit of a shock for you. A lot of…stuff happens there that I’m sure you’ve never witnessed before.”

Kit’s scowl radiated exactly how he felt about Gareth’s reasoning. Gareth took a couple more sips of his drink before continuing. How could he explain this better? He needed to face facts: he was the worst explainer ever.

“I’m only looking out for you and your best interests. Which, ironically, is helping you to understand more about my Daddy nature.” Now he was on a roll. “That’s the perfect example of how I’d handle my boy. So, there’s no reason for you to go now, right?” He flopped back again, very pleased with himself. “Let’s say we go to a few casinos tonight, get all touristy? I think you’d enjoy that a lot more.”

Kit’s scowl only deepened. “But I’m not your boy, so I can go wherever I want. And I don’t think you know enough about me yet to decide what I’d enjoy more.”

Ouch. “Look, I’m not trying to come off sounding like a total jerk—”

“Too late.” Kit narrowed his eyes at him.

The server picked that moment to arrive with their food. As soon as she enquired if they needed anything else, she was on her way. Gareth leaned forward. Kit was no longer looking at him and was busy pouting instead.

“You’re right, Kit. A hundred percent. I’m not your guardian and I’m getting to know you as an adult for the first time. But you said you trusted me. In my opinion, the club is a bit much even for those who’ve been around the block a few times.”

Kit went back to glaring at him. “So, because I’m a virgin, you have to protect me from all that deviant behavior?”

Now Kit was starting to piss him off. “It’s not deviant. That makes it sound as if it’s criminal or disgusting. There’s nothing amoral or wrong with people’s kinks, as long as everyone is risk aware and there’s consent. As a matter of fact—”

Kit arched his eyebrows with a smirk and Gareth froze. He’d never pegged sweet little Kit as a brat, but he could see the kid had potential in that arena. Gareth threw his hands in the air in a gesture of defeat.

“Okay, you win. I’ll take you to the club.” Gareth tossed a French fry at him and Kit burst out laughing. “Brat.” He shoved a couple fries in his own mouth then pointed at Kit while he chewed. “However, we go under one condition.”

“Uh-oh.” Kit squeezed some ketchup onto his plate. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“This is a deal-breaker because I won’t tolerate you feeling unsafe or pressured by anyone.”

Gareth was already sure the whole night was going to be a huge disaster, but if Kit got it into his head he was going to go whether Gareth approved or not, he could at least be there to make sure he was safe.

“For tonight, you’re my boy and I’m your Daddy.”

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