I could feel him laughing in his reply.OMG, that’s amazing. I can just picture little Stephen running around with his tiny little bottom hanging out.
 
 I snorted then pursed my lips, considering my second response.2. I still sleep with stuffed animals. Not all the time, but it helps when my bed gets lonely.
 
 His reply wasn’t as quick, and I held my breath as he typed.I get that. The nights get long and lonely without someone to share your bed.
 
 I sucked in a breath, the mental image of him in my bed combined with the realization that he was likely as lonely as me was overwhelming. After I sat with the thought for a few seconds, I squashed it down. Because I still owed him one more embarrassing thing. And this one would be a doozy.
 
 3. I’ve only ever been able to orgasm on my own.
 
 When he didn’t reply instantly, I wondered if I’d stunned him. But my chest released a little when the three dots popped up.Wow, really? That sucks. Like, seriously sucks.
 
 I took a breath.Yeah, it really does. I mean, my toys get a lot of action, and that’s fun, but I’ve never been able to achieve orgasm with a partner. Because reasons.
 
 Reasons?
 
 Dammit, Sam, why’d you have to say that?Um, yeah. Reasons. I can’t really share the details, but suffice it to say, I never could play the submissive role well.
 
 Ah,he replied, and I somehow felt that in my soul.This is why you said you “think” you’re a Daddy. Because you’ve always been on the other side of things.
 
 It’s not *quite* like that—I’ve never been a “boy”—but yes, basically.
 
 He was silent for a moment. Then:Thanks for sharing those with me, Stephen.
 
 Of course. And item number two?
 
 His next message had my breath catching in my throat.Two: I propose that we put an end date on this arrangement. If in, say, three months, we decide that this is workingfor us, we’ll try to move it offline and into real life. If not, we go our separate ways. Or just go back to being virtual friends. What do you think, Daddy?
 
 He just had to throw the “Daddy” in there, didn’t he?
 
 I bit my lip as I considered his request. It was reasonable, I supposed, to put an end date on what amounted to a trial run. And besides, he would only get more curious about my identity as time wore on. Having an end date might help him get through it—and give me time to get used to the idea of coming out to him.
 
 But would three months be enough time? That would put me at the eleven-month mark being on testosterone. I wasn’t even eligible for top surgery until I’d been on T for a year, and I thought I wanted to wait until I was healed from that before I officially met the love of my life in person.
 
 Love of my life? Geez. I was being dramatic. But if we kept this up for longer than even three months, I could see that possibility becoming reality.
 
 My brain did the quick math, then I sent my response.I can do seven months. Then we can meet if we both feel this is working. I promise, as your Daddy. And Daddies never go back on their word.I capped it off with a basic smile emoji and settled under my covers to wait for his response.
 
 Chapter eleven
 
 Cameron
 
 Seven months?! What the hell? That was much too long to wait to find out who my mystery Daddy was. And what was with the arbitrary number? Seven? Not six or nine?
 
 I sighed. I wanted to see how this would play out, so I supposed I could wait that long if that was what he needed.
 
 I drew in a deep breath then tapped out my response.Okay, I will agree to seven months under duress.I sent a winking emoji so he’d know I was messing with him.Anything else, Daddy?
 
 I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t answer right away. I started to strip down to grab a quick shower before I headed to my biweekly Daddy/boy club meeting. I was so ready to put the bullshit of everyday life aside and just be with my friends.
 
 By the time I’d dried off and was running product through my hair, another message came in.Let’s commit to one scene per week for now, and we can evaluate in three months. Sound good?
 
 As long as I can get something personal out of you each week, too. You okay with that?
 
 I can live with your conditions, boy. As long as you remember that Daddy makes the rules.
 
 I shuddered as I stood in the bathroom naked, biting my lip as I thought about my response.Thank you, Daddy. And of course you make the rules. That’s what I love so much about being a boy. I can turn my brain off and just be.
 
 I drew in a breath before I hit send, then I walked my phone into the attached bedroom to get dressed.