Page 15 of Slippery When Wet

“This is also new, sweetheart. Will you wear it for Daddy?”

Ellery’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down twice, his gaze fixed on the item. “S-sure. I’ll wear it.”

“Such a good boy.” Calvin leaned over to tie the bib around Ellery’s neck, his sweet scent, like vanilla and sugar, making Calvin’s heart beat faster. Ellery’s breathing stuttered, his body rigid as Calvin worked the bow at Ellery’s nape. With a final brush of his palm down the front of the bib, Calvin drew back to admire his handiwork.

Calvin was greeted with the sight of Ellery’s flushed cheeks and wide eyes, his slightly parted lips, his fingers gripping the handles of the sippy cup as if they were an anchor. The scene was so close to being perfect. In his mind’s eye, Calvin could also envision Ellery wearing a onesie, and perhaps a binkie attached at his shoulder with a clip.

A rush of pride filled Calvin. Ellery was the most beautiful boy ever.

“Now, why don’t you have your drink and snack while I see if I can find some cartoons for you to watch.”

Ellery’s features brightened. “Are you sure? Won’t that be boring for you?”

Calvin grinned. It might take Ellery a while to adjust to the Daddy reality, but damn, if Ellery wasn’t already off to a great start when it came to embracing his Little.

“Not at all. I want my boy to enjoy himself. And don’t you think cartoons are the perfect accompaniment to snack time?”

Ellery seemed to be lost in thought as he considered the plate on his lap, then ran a finger along the bib, tracing the outline of the elephant’s stitching. After a few more beats, he glanced up at Calvin.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” A blush filled his cheeks. “And I think Reese was right, too.”

Calvin bristled at the mention of another man, then reminded himself that Reese was his boy’s friend and also a Little.

“What was Reese right about?”

Ellery bit his bottom lip and Calvin held in a groan. He’d control himself, since this was their first day together. But if Ellery agreed to see him again, Calvin hoped they could participate in some adult activities in addition to the Little ones.

Ellery smiled. “When he said I should try age play. He wastotallyright.”

Calvin’s heart thudded in his ears as if he were a teen with his first high school crush. He chuckled to himself.That was almost thirty years ago. Ellery was bringing new life to his world.

Calvin tried to temper his excitement. “That makes me very glad.” He coughed into his fist, a subject change needed before he bowled Ellery over with how thrilled he was. “Now, tell me all about your favorite cartoon shows.”

As Ellery rattled off his top picks, Calvin took notes. He couldn’t help but have an excursion to the Hamptons brewing in the back of his mind and intended to have everything available to Ellery that he loved. That is, if the rest of the day and evening went well.

Somehow, he had a feeling they would.

Chapter Seven

Ellery re-read the last text from Calvin.From Daddy. He grinned, his cheeks hurting from how much smiling he’d done that week. Even without a job and eviction imminent, he didn’t care. Having Calvin in his life made him feel as if he could accomplish anything. All week long as they’d either texted back and forth or video chatted, Calvin had continually reminded him that he could do whatever he put his mind to.

Ellery woke up his phone again to take another peek at his messages.

I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Don’t you dare come downstairs! I’ll be up to get my baby boy.

The message ended with a heart emoji and Ellery couldn’t stop staring at it because this was the first one he’d received from Calvin that wasn’t a smiley face. Sure, it was only a silly emoji, but it still seemed significant. It was as if Calvin was viewing them differently as a couple now.

Most of the time their conversations had centered around getting to know more about each other or Calvin guiding him through the workers’ comp process. And of course, there had been more discussion regarding age play and things that Ellery might enjoy.

Ellery drew his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around his legs, leaning against the back of his futon bed-slash-couch. His apartment was a studio, so his living room was also his bedroom. Then there was the efficiency kitchen and closet-sized bathroom with a shower stall and no tub. The building had been built somewhere between the dawn of mankind and the nineteen thirties—he wasn’t entirely sure. He’d stayed in crappy motels with larger rooms.

A part of Ellery was super embarrassed to have Calvin see his place—especially with how rich and meticulous the guy was—but he’d mostly gotten over it. Calvin knew his situation, had been aware of his struggles from the moment he’d landed in his arms at the shop.

Ellery snorted. Clearly, Calvin wasn’t worried about being with someone who didn’t run in the same social circles he did.

And now, in less than thirty minutes, they were going to be together again in the flesh. Not only that, but Calvin had invited him to stay the whole weekend, and even through Monday if he wanted. Calvin had shared that he didn’t come into the city most Mondays.

Not asking all week when they could see each other in person again had bordered on the physically painful. Calvin had finally asked him the day before, confessing that he’d wanted to give them a few days first to find out if their connection deepened or fizzled out.

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