As we finished some plans for the event, I finished the candy. It wasn’t going to spoil my dinner, but that probably came with the open pit that stress caused in my stomach during event planning. I had to take into account so many things, like health and safety, and making sure everything was placed with enough room for it to be accessible for potential fire hazards, but most importantly, anyone with mobility issues.
I got back to the bakery just before it closed. Daddy was wiping down the metal shelves inside the glass counter, a proudsmile on his face from selling out of all his bakes again. He was still swamped with customers, and in desperate need of hiring help. I’d tried helping where I could, but it was a murky area, working alongside yourboyfriend, and I was not going to make any mistake that made this good thing turn into an awful situation.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t picking up a broom or Swiffer when I could, to go around the kitchen and bakery. It was sometimes fun to clean, giving me space to think while helping out.
Once the door was locked shut and the sign flipped to closed, I rushed to Daddy, showing him the two small teddy bears I’d unboxed. “They don’t have names yet, but I’ll will be giving them something fun, if you have any suggestions.”
“I think you’re the best at coming up with names,” he said, booping the rainbow bear on its snout and then one on mine. “How was your day?” He leaned in for a kiss and I pressed the rainbow bear’s mouth to his. “No kiss? You know kisses are payment.”
“Payment?”
“Yeah, payment for my heart.” I clutched a fist at his chest, across his heart. “You need to keep it topped up, or Daddy will get sad.”
I jumped into his arms, almost yanking his apron from around his neck. He carried me through to the kitchen and sat me down on the metal island counter as I was busy covering his face in kisses. I couldn’t have his heart not topped up with my kisses. They were necessary for basic human life.“You’re not getting sick of me, are you?” I asked.
“Sick of you?” he asked, head rolling on his shoulder. He sighed. “I think I’d be sick if you left. Heartbroken even.”
“So, you really do like having me around?” I asked. I didn’t know what it was, but the question Oliver had posed aboutme moving in, and mine about how much stuff I already had here ... I didn’t want to feel like I was forcing myself into his place. “Because you know I could totally stay home a couple of nights a week.”
Once more, hand to his heart, he gasped. “And if you went home, how would I know you were safe and not crushed under the weight of your bed and all the teddies you pile on it?”
“I guess that’s the risk we’d have to take.”
Daddy placed a thumb under my chin, tilting my head upright to look at him. “You know, if you’re sick of me, you can spend time at your place. I enjoy having you here, but I understand if this is all a lot.”
“It’s not a lot, it’s perfect,” I told him. “I’m just trying to make sure you’re not going to be sick of me.” I pouted, and he cooed, pulling his thumb down my chin to force my bottom lip out further.
“I wouldn’t change this for anything. Not you, not this moment, heck, I wouldn’t even change those red lips,” he said with a smirk. “What was it? Red Hots? Red Vines? Twizzlers?”
I giggled. “Is it really that obvious?”
“In here it is; those lights reveal everything.” He gestured toward the harsh white light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. “You’ve just got a mouth that loves to change color, I think. And I’ve got a mouth that has a taste for your mouth.”
I tried seeing my bottom lip, but it was practically impossible. Daddy chuckled, watching me nearly fall back trying to push my lip out and look at it. His hand was right there on my lower back, holding me in place.
“I like you a lot,” he whispered.
“I like you a lot as well,” I said, holding in a nervous giggle. I’d never confessed my feelings to anyone before. Usually I never got passed the whole “I like to roleplay, and I also love collecting teddies” part of things.
“How much do you like me?”
I gestured with my hands, demonstrating a width between them. “Like, this big, maybe,” I said, my arms at the maximum span. “I hope that’s enough.”
With my arms open wide, he scooped me up. I never wanted to leave his arms again, or stop smelling the sweetness on his collar, mixed with his natural musk. I wanted to bottle it up and spray it on my favorite teddies, just so I didn’t have to go without—not like I was sleeping at my place much anyway.
Being around him had my belly like jelly, like a strawberry jelly, filled with his sweetness. I gave him a kiss on the neck and then a big yawn came out. He yawned right back at me.
“Sleepy one,” he said as we yawned simultaneously.
“I’m not—” And there I went again, a third yawn.
“Let’s have some supper and straight to bed,” he said. “Well, after a shower, of course. You can’t forget the number one rule of hygiene.”
I nodded. “I remember. Obviously.”
“Good boy,” he said, kissing me and pulling me off the counter. “Now, if you haven’t already spoiled your appetite with candy, what do you want to eat?”
Asking me to decide wasn’t a good idea, I’d been making decisions all day. Now was the time for Daddy to take the reins and tell me what we were having. I signaled with a pout, and he picked up what I was putting down. I couldn’t believe I’d finally found someone who connected with me like this—a pinch me moment if I’d ever felt one.
