“Shh, shh,” he hushes me, pulling me tighter against his body. “You aren’t stupid. Not at all. And you didn’t expect your phone to die. We’ll figure this out. I got you, sweetheart. Let me figure it out. I have a few ideas, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I reply automatically.
His eyes snap up to mine. Oh fuck. I want the ground to swallow me whole.
Chapter 9
Let Daddy take care of you.
Clayton
Seeing the panicked look on Fe’s face in the restroom earlier about killed me. But now, he looks like he’s about to pass out. The word ‘Daddy’ must have just slipped out in his vulnerable state, and I’m honored he felt safe enough to even consider me for the role, even if it was an accident.
Regardless, I will do anything in my power to make Felix understand just how much I care. I never felt this emotional or caught feelings so quickly for a little before, but I have the feeling this isn’t quick at all. This was years in the making. Felix is meant to be mine. And I want to prove that I’m already his.
I must have been speechless for way too long because Felix tries to scramble off my lap. Hugging him tightly, I put a little vulnerability into my voice. Anything else, and I don’t think he’ll understand just how much I yearn to hear him call me Daddy again. “Please don’t go.”
Felix pauses, studying me. His cheeks are rosy now, way better than that pasty, ghost-white appearance. “Why?” he whispers.
Blowing out a deep breath, I gather the courage to say the words I think he needs to hear. “I have a confession to make,” I start. “I am a Daddy, and I already know you’re a little. The other night at Dark Satin—”
Felix gasps. “It was you! I knew it! Daddy Clay!”
I blink, heart racing. “You remember?”
“Kind of. I was really sleepy, honestly. I thought you were a dream. But I…” His words trail off.
“You what, little Fe?”
“When I woke up this morning, I remembered the voice, and I wished it were you. See, when I met up with Ash, Riley, and Wylan, they mentioned a Daddy Clay. And well, you’re the only Clay I know. So, I kind of hoped it was you. And when Ash’s Daddy mentioned he saw someone tucking me in and taking care of me, I imagined it was you telling me that story about the King.”
I nod, speechless yet again.
“Wait, I remember bits and pieces of that story you told me.” His eyes widen. “It wasn’t a storybook you were reading, was it?”
“No,” I whisper.
“And it wasn’t just a random story.”
He says it like a statement, so I just nod my head in agreement.
“Am I the prince?”
“Yes.”I’m the unworthy king who fell in love with the beautiful prince.
Something about my confession causes Felix to melt against me completely. I’ve never felt anything like it before. It’s almost as if all the tension has left his body, and he’s put himself completely in my care.
“Thank you, Daddy. You take me home soon?” It slams into me, then. Felix is in his little space. At this moment, he trusts me completely. He really did put himself in my care.
My heart fucking soars. “Yes, little Fe. Daddy will take care of you.”
I spend a long moment just cuddling Felix to my side and cherishing this moment. Then I pull out my phone and call John. John and Riley took Felix home after Dark Satin. If anyone can tell me Felix’s address, it would be John. He should be able to tell me how to get my boy home.
Half an hour later, I’m holding Felix’s hand, guiding him up the pathway past his brother’s place and over to the pool house. Adrian DeLuca is sitting in front of Felix’s door when I approach. As soon as he sees us, he stands. “Felix!” He throws his arms around Fe. My boy just giggles and yawns.
Adrian turns toward me. “Clay?”
I hold out my hand for him to shake. “Yes. It’s nice to see you again, Adrian. Congrats on getting signed. I remember how important hockey was to you in school.” Even though Adrian and I were in different circles, we shared the occasional class or two. I always liked the guy.
