Page 16 of Daddy Marc's Gem

Foster gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I thought if I could see with my own eyes what your world is like, I could make a more informed decision. I almost called you. But then I didn’t because I was worried you were done with me.”

Marc’s expression softened as he reached for Foster’s hands, gently taking them in his own. The warmth of his touch grounded Foster. He was getting a sense of what having a man like Marc as his Daddy might be. He scraped his teeth along his bottom lip.NotlikeMarc. Just Marc.The only man he’d be willing to take such a frightening step with was the one staring into his eyes with such open affection.

“I wasn't done with you,” Marc gave him a soft smile. “Not even close. I was trying to respect your boundaries. This lifestyle isn’t something to rush into—there’s a lot to consider. I wanted to give you time to process everything we discussed.”

Foster gazed down at their joined hands. “So, let’s say I didn’t scare you off with my hesitation.” He lifted his head. ”What might be the next step?”

Marc’s eyebrows shot up. He paused, his thumb tracing small circles on Foster’s wrist right above the red bracelet. “To begin with, you must promise me not to come to the club alone. At least not until you know your way around.”

Foster snorted. “That’s easy enough. I promise.”

“Good boy.”

Foster let out a small, surprised gasp. A zing had shot up his spine, a jolt of elation at Marc’s words. “Is… Is that something that will be a part of you being my Daddy?”

“How does it make you feel when I say you’re my good boy?”

Foster’s cheeks heated. Whether he enjoyed it or not, it was going to take him a while to feel comfortable admitting such things.

“Wanted. Seen.”

Marc sandwiched Foster’s hands between his own. “That’s been missing from your life, hasn’t it?”

Foster’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “Yeah. Maybe having a Daddy will change that?”

He’d formed it as a question because he craved Marc’s reassurance.

Marc’s features relaxed as he squeezed Foster’s hands. “That’s exactly what a Daddy does, sweetheart. He sees you—all of you—and cherishes what he finds.”

The tenderness in Marc’s voice made Foster’s gut clench. He’d never felt so transparent, so vulnerable before another person. Even with Edward, he’d always kept parts of himself hidden, afraid they’d be mocked or dismissed. But Marc seemed to want those hidden pieces, as if to collect and protect them.

Foster swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. “I want that. With you.” He hesitated, then added in a whisper, “I just don't know if I'll be any good at it. You’ve been doing this for a while, and I know nothing. I don’t want you to be disappointed by me.”

Marc rose from his crouched position and moved to sit on the arm of Foster’s chair, maintaining their connection. His large hand rested on the nape of Foster’s neck and he brushed his thumb gently against the sensitive skin there.

“There’s no right or wrong way to be a boy,” Marc said, his voice deep and reassuring. “It’s about what works for us, what feels right. And we’ll figure that out together.”

Foster sucked in a deep breath, then licked his lips.Moment of truth. “And helping with decisions, that’s the guidance part, right?”

“Of course. We’ll ease into everything step by step, but we can start with a basic contract that outlines what you’d like to get out of being my boy right away.”

“Wow.” Foster’s heart ticked up a beat as excitement settled in. Already the wheels in his head turned, all the possibilities of having Marc by his side to keep him from falling impossible to resist.

“Yes. Let’s do this.”

He locked eyes with Marc, who lifted his hand to cup Foster’s cheek. “I’d like to seal that with a kiss.”

Foster tilted his chin up, silently inviting Marc to close the distance between them. When Marc’s lips met his, the kiss was gentle yet possessive, a perfect balance that felt like coming home to a place he’d never been before.

When they parted, Foster kept his eyes closed for a moment longer, savoring the sensation. Marc traced his thumb across Foster’s lower lip, and when he opened his eyes, he was met with Marc’s intense gaze.

“I want to reiterate something I told you at the park.” Marc’s voice held a serious tone. “Being your Daddy isn’t only about making your decisions or telling you what to do. It’s about creating a space where you feel safe enough to grow, to become the person you want to be.”

Foster nodded. “That’s what spoke to me when you first described what you would do for me as my Daddy. I think I’ve been looking for that my whole life without knowing what it was called.”

Marc smiled, his eyes glimmering. “Then we should leave the club and go somewhere we can talk properly. My place, if you’re comfortable with that.”

Marc stood and offered his hand, and Foster accepted, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.

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