Page 13 of King Daddy

Beau’s cheeks ached, making him realize how big his smile had gotten. He followed Kylo into the kitchen. It was out of his control. Kylo had him on an invisible leash. “You know, I hear hyper independence is a sign of trauma.”

Kylo paused in the middle of pouring himself a glass of water. “I read; you know you’ve finally healed from your trauma when you stop wearing only black.” His gaze deliberately dropped to Beau’s shirt before meeting his stare again.

Beau couldn’t argue. He did always wear black. “Touché.”

“Do you want breakfast?”

“I know you’re fucking joking.” Beau didn’t bother to hide his irritation. Kylo was set on killing himself.

Kylo’s mouth lifted in one corner. “I planned to order something. You don’t want me to cook. I’m a disaster.”

“Oh.” Beau felt a bit dumb. Kylo had just proven to be so damn difficult. He expected the worst. An idea struck. Kylohad been a lot more open and willing to be cared for while in his playroom. “I noticed a little table and chairs while in your playroom yesterday. Dress however you want and let me order us breakfast. You can just take it easy.”

The longing was in his eyes. Kylo wanted what he offered. He twisted his fingers. “You’re my guest.”

Beau shook his head. “I’m your nurse. Doesn’t the nurse usually deliver the food?”

“No. I’m pretty sure the hospital food service people do that.”

Beau snorted. “And again, does smart ass-ery win you friends?”

Kylo looked confused for a second. “I’m pretty sure I was just pointing out the obvious. Nurses don’t have time for that shit.”

Beau took a step forward, invading Kylo’s space and backing him against the counter. Kylo never looked away, but his lips parted in surprise. Beau was tired of being disobeyed. “I gave you an order.” He touched his lips to Kylo’s. Beau planned to brush lips and send Kylo on his way. The neediest shaky breath he had ever heard caressed his ears. He wasn’t sure it wasn’t his. The next thing he knew, he held Kylo’s hair, keeping him in place while he devoured Kylo. He plundered. Beau explored. He kissed Kylo like he was already buried inside him. Desperation poured through him. It had been literally years since he felt genuine passion. Since someone wanted him back. He had to make himself stop. Beau pulled away a hair. “Do as you were told.” He swiped another sweet kiss across Kylo’s lips.

“Okay, Daddy.”

Holy hell. The possessiveness he felt at those whispered words would send Kylo scurrying away if he saw inside Beau’s head. “Good boy.” He took a step back and pulled out his phone. Beau needed to focus on ordering food. Everything else was unsafe territory. Kylo was in danger. He would see that soon.

Kylo waited patiently in his favorite pink pajamas with the unicorns. He stared at nothing. His mind took turns between going completely blank and seeing an image of a man running around waving a giant red flag. He was in trouble. Kylo recognized all the signs. Yet here he sat, waiting for the trap to snap closed around him. The thing was, unhealthy attention was still attention. As long as it didn’t physically hurt, then Kylo would spoon that shit up like a kid in a vat of ice cream. Unless someone had never been loved, they could never understand the lengths a person would go. His lips still tingled from the abuse. God, he wanted to do it again.

“Okay. We have a variety of things.” Beau appeared with two bags of food. He sat next to Kylo and went to work, pulling various items out. “We have eggs, sausage, and bacon. There’s also fruit and cinnamon rolls.”

Kylo’s ears perked up at that last one.

Beau obviously didn’t miss a thing. He chuckled. “I expect you to eat some real food first.”

“I like eggs and fruit too.”

“Do you not eat meat?”

“I do, but not anything pork related. It makes me sick. I don’t know if it’s an actual allergy or anything, but I always pray for death after I eat it.”

Beau nodded along, looking like a loving father rather than the man who had wrecked his soul just minutes ago. “Noted.” He arranged the food so the eggs were facing Kylo. Beau handed him a fork. “There’re all these little packets of seasoning, if you’re interested.”

Kylo looked through them and added some salt and pepper. He swore he felt Beau’s gaze boring into him. A blush creeped up his cheeks. “What?”

“You favor pink. It looks good on you.”

Kylo already sat in his secret hideaway wearing pajamas. There was no reason to hold back. “I always preferred girl clothes. My mom, being my mom, let me wear whatever I wanted. She was a firm believer clothes aren’t gendered. I imagine she still is, but I’d have to see her to know.”

“I hate finding out thatthePride Jinko is a shitty mom.”

A soft laugh escaped Kylo. “I don’t know that she’s a shit mom, at least these days anyhow. She’s just busy.” He heard himself. Despite everything, he loved his mom. He didn’t begrudge her any of her fame... except when he did. “And maybe a little self-centered.” He flashed Beau a smile. “Maybe I am too, though. I don’t know.”

“Has she seen how talented you are? You should be on stage.”

“I was. Until I wasn’t anyhow. I’m sure she knew.” Kylo stared at nothing, seeing nothing for a moment, before shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

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