Page 26 of King Daddy

Mickey’s mouth lifted in one corner. He shook his head. “I don’t think he did exist before you. Not really.”

Kylo’s throat swelled. These guys always left him touched by their kindness. They didn’t know what they did for him. His life had been so quiet and empty. Now it was full of light and smiles.

Kylo patted Mickey’s arm. “Thank you for being you.” He went back to painting. Beau had asked him to stay downstairs while he had workers clearing out Adan’s old playroom. Kylo felt a little bad now for asking for that. Beau had waited so long to have it done, Kylo thought he had forgotten, and Kylo had let it go. Since meeting Adan, he didn’t feel the same. But all thosetoys should go to Adan. They were his. Then again, Adan might not want any of his past mucking up his future. Kylo never knew if he made any right decisions, but he tried. There was a point in his life he couldn’t say that. Beau made him better in a hundred ways. They made each other better. That was real love. He was so goddamn grateful for it. Kylo would never take this new family for granted.

With his shoulder leaned against the doorframe, Beau watched Kylo paint. A tiny smile kept playing on Beau’s lips. He tried wiping it away, but it was Kylo. His uniqueness was irresistible. Dressed in a schoolgirl outfit with purple bows in his hair, he was flawless. Kylo was born to be exactly as he was. Beau couldn’t love him more. He straightened.

“Can I steal you, baby?”

Mickey immediately stood. “Sorry, boss.”

Beau fought a laugh. He knew that was bullshit. “Why? You’re doing exactly what I pay you to do.”

Mickey hid a smile when Kylo wasn’t looking.

Kylo looked up from his painting. “Hey, Daddy. Sure.” He set his paintbrush aside and focused on Mickey. “Thank you for humoring me.”

“Of course. It’s been fun.”

Beau’s affection grew for Mickey a little more every day. He was the perfect guard for Kylo. Henry had been right to suggest him for the position. Kylo didn’t even realize he was being protected. He did a wonderful job of keeping Kylo entertained and oblivious, to Beau’s surprise.

Beau held his hand out as Kylo crossed the room. “I have something to show you.”

Kylo linked fingers with him. His smile never dimmed. “Really? What?”

Beau clucked his tongue. “Nope. You have to wait and see.”

“A surprise?”

“Yep.”

Kylo skipped a little. “Yay.”

While Beau led Kylo to the bedroom, he kept sneaking glances Kylo’s way. He was all smiles—like pure sunshine. Beau had never breathed so freely.

When he stopped Kylo outside the door separating their bedroom from the old playroom, Kylo protested. “You don’t have to prove to me it’s empty. I should’ve never asked you to do that. I could’ve just combined my toys with what was already there and let it go. It was a ridiculous request.”

Beau waited until Kylo got that out of his system before speaking his piece. “Yes, I did have to do it, because I need the space for this.” He opened the door, revealing the transformed room.

The dance floor gleamed, and mirrors covered the walls. Kylo’s stuffed animal audience waited for his next performance with a few new stuffie additions. A music system gave Kylo access to any song he could want. Kylo stood frozen with his hand over his mouth.

“Oh my god.” The muffled words came from behind his hand. His eyes were full of tears when they swung Beau’s way. “I can’t believe you did this.”

With a smirk, Beau strolled into the room and moved to the sound system. He started the song he had already chosen before going downstairs. He picked up Kylo’s ballet shoes and held them out. “Would you dance for Daddy?”

Kylo didn’t hesitate. With a tiny squeak, he ran Beau’s way and snatched the slippers. He plopped down on the floor and put them on. In no time, he spun around the room. His skirt flew upward, spinning with him and showing off his pretty pink underwear. Beau sat and enjoyed the show. He had never felt peace before Kylo. Not really. He had spent every minute of hislife scraping for more and more power and money. Those things had been the only real company he had. But Kylo was his peace. He completed Beau.

Kylo did a final leap, pulling off the move flawlessly. He stood in the middle of the dance floor, looking happy, and like Beau’s everything. Beau had waited for this moment for what felt like his entire life.

He came to his feet and crossed the room.

Kylo watched him with his heart in his eyes.

The next song flowed from the speakers. A love song.

Kylo reached for him. “Dance with me, Daddy.”

For a moment, he simply held Kylo without moving before he answered. “In a moment, baby. First, I need to ask you something.” Beau dropped to one knee and held out the ring he had been carrying around. He had known he would know the perfect moment when he saw it. This was it. “Will you marry me?”

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