Page 12 of Their Little House Colter
“Dallas,” I whispered. Scottie hung on to me. Even if this man saved him, it was clear my friend was far from over whatever happened to him that night. Tears still puddled in his eyes, and I could feel his sobs shaking his body behind me.
“Dallas. That’s a nice name. I’m Ari. I promise you I would never harm anyone.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ari.” I turned to Scottie and put an arm around his shoulders, drawing him near. “Thank you for helping my friend.”
Ari nodded. I wanted to invite him in. Ask him if he wanted coffee or simply to sit with us while I listened to what happened to Scottie, but inside, I was still reeling from the danger that had presented itself tonight. We littles were vulnerable. Being ourselves was a dangerous business, and there were daddies out there, looking for an easy target. Any target, really. Even though I knew this man didn’t hurt Scottie, my hackles were still up, looking for danger.
Maybe Ishouldinvite him in? Thank him and show hospitality to Scottie’s savior?
I was torn.
Ari wore a friendly smile. Scottie was still hugging me, and I rubbed circles along his spine, trying to comfort him the best I could while we stood awkwardly on the porch.
“What?” I asked the man. He was smiling at a time like this? At me? Laughing at my little-wear? This was why we had to becareful and this house was sacred. We protected each other. Our house was the second-best thing to a loving home with a daddy who truly loved us.
“It’s just…you’re a very good playmate.”
Playmate. Not friend. Playmate. He might as well have called me a little. Most people didn’t use the word playmate in regard to an adult.
Oh, my.
Ari was a daddy.
A good, helpful, caring daddy at that.
Those kind eyes were real.
“Oh, um, thank you. I really should get him inside. Thank you for everything you did for Scottie.”
Scottie unfurled himself from my embrace and thanked Ari as well. Despite my words, I wanted to stay there and explore Ari’s nature. Get to know him better.
Gods, between my feelings for Colter and this new warmth toward Ari, I was an emotional mess.
I really had to get a grip on myself.
Ari was here because he’d helped Scottie. End of story. He wasn’t here for me.
But damn it, I wished he was.
My heart won. “Why don’t you come inside. I’ve been so rude not asking you. Come in. Can I get you a cup of tea? Coffee?”
We stepped into the house, and Ari followed. He didn’t let his gaze roam around. Instead, it was trained on me. I shivered under his gaze and tried hard not to get too attached.
Another of Scottie’s sobs tore me from the beginning of a daytime fantasy in my head. “I’m going to get him upstairs and settled. Please, make yourself at home.”
I hoped he would.
Scottie rubbed his eyes as I led him up the stairs. “He was really nice, Dallas. He got me out of there and away from that awful daddy.”
I nodded. “I know. I’m so glad he was there. Do you want to shower or just get in some jammies and get to bed?”
“Jammies and bed. I can barely hold myself up.”
After helping him into his jammies and tucking him in for the night, I wiped away his last tear as he fell asleep.
I descended the stairs quickly, hoping Ari hadn’t gone far. I wanted to learn more about him. A daddy who helped littles wasn’t one I wanted to let go.
Plus, he might’ve been the most beautiful daddy I’d ever seen.
