Page 12 of Just A Little Love

Gabriel: Good. We talked for three hours and got nothing concrete decided.

Bunny: That’s not what good means.

Gabriel: Nico, my assistant, said the same thing. He was making stabby motions off camera.

Bunny: Would he stab someone?

Gabriel: I want to say no, but probably yes. My office wouldn’t function without him.

Bunny: You gonna have to let the man get stabby.

Gabriel: Sounds like a conspiracy. He said the *exact* *same* *thing*. Do you know each other?

Bunny: We’ll never tell Gotta get to class. Talk soon.

***

Bunny:Hey you :)

Gabriel: Hey yourself. I hope you’re texting to tell me a date and time we can do our trial run.

Bunny: Maybe? My afternoon tutoring appointment was canceled. Are you available to play hooky?

Gabriel: if you promise to protect me from Nico, I am. :) You need supplies, so shopping is in order. Do you want me to pick you up?

Bunny: Yes, please. I’m on campus. Will three work? And I make no promises about Nico.

Gabriel: Perfect on the time, but not so much on the lack of protection. See you soon.

***

The afternoon I first met with Rory was one of the best non-date dates I’ve ever had.

Every time Rory flashed a grin at me, I had to force myself to remember this wasn’t real. The other thing I told myself was I wouldn't be interested in discovering everything about him. I wasn’t sure how many times it would take before I remembered my relationship with Rory wasn’t any kind of relationship at all. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement to fix a self-created problem for me and a no-fault-of-his-own situation for him.

Everything would have stayed properly sorted if Rory’s combination of sweetness and intelligence hadn’t intrigued me so much. His charm was irresistible. It had been long since I’d had anyone in my life beyond a scene at the club or a rushed hook-up. These daydreams weren’t helpful in reminding my dick that relationships, especially those with a time-intensive Daddy-little dynamic, weren’t an option. I’d be in London for a few weeks this spring and return there for most of the summer. My trips abroad varied from a few days to several weeks. Rinse and repeat the same scenario for the foreseeable future. Littles deserved attention, and I had none to provide long-term.

Still, it was difficult not to get my hopes up for Rory to actually enjoy our charade. He acted as if he’d warmed up to the idea. I didn't miss the way he squirmed at the mention of punishmentsfor disobedience, and I'd bet money it wasn't apprehension that caused his breathing to go shallow. Maybe he’d like it so much he’d look for a real daddy when this was all over. I knew full well my suspicions regarding Rory's possible latent little tendencies were wishful thinking, but there was no harm in dreaming.

***

Rory waited for me outside when I arrived to pick him up for our shopping trip.Did he own a jacket?Today’s shirt, which at least had long sleeves, sported a cactus with a caption that read “Can’t Touch This.” The all-day rain had finally taken a break, and his reddish curls glinted in the afternoon sun. The brightness of his hair was a sharp contrast to his pale skin. Rory lamented his lack of a natural tan last night, but I loved how his freckles stood out.

Rory broke into a grin when I pulled up to the curb. It was like I was back in high school and meeting my crush outside the cafeteria. It had been a long, long time since happiness and nerves tangled themselves around me. Jesus, if I kept this up, I wouldn’t need to worry about producing a fake boyfriend because I’d break up with myself first. I was a hardcore failure in the keep it cool category.

I got out of my SUV to open the door for Rory, and we both reached for the door handle. I gently brushed his hand away. “No, Bunny, that’s Daddy's job.”

Rory ducked his head down, but he didn’t argue. I clicked the seatbelt into place after he settled in. From this position, his mouth was so close that the slightest of movement would bringus together. Soft puffs of Rory’s breath blew against my cheek, and his plump lips were a glossy pink. I tried to force myself to look away, but when I glanced down Rory reflexively licked his lips.

My restraint was sorely tested. I cupped his face, and my thumb traced along his smooth jaw. Putting hands on him pushed the boundaries of friendships. After one night, a part of me was convinced this was more than a charade we were putting on. It felt real and heavy. Rory felt important. If I kissed him, would it be a mistake? Yes. Did I want to do it anyway? Also, yes.

I forced myself to pull away before we crossed too many lines to find our way back. After a firm warning to myself to behave, I climbed back into the SUV. I turned on the seat heaters to help Rory warm up, and his soft little sigh made my inner daddy crow. Notwithstanding the alpha male bullshit, I was like a caveman who’d dragged a conquest back to the cavern. I shook my head to clear the nonsensical thoughts and turned my focus back to Rory.

The restraint required to keep from holding his hand was beyond my capabilities. My hand crossed over the console and covered his closest one where it laid palm up in his lap.

“Bunny, I bought this thing for the heaters. It will be toasty in here pretty quick.”

Rory’s fingers were icy. I reached over, grabbed his other one, and covered both with my larger hand. Rory entwined ourfingers into a single knot and sighed again. My inner daddy was sated.

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