Hours ago, I might have dodged. Made a joke. Kept it light.
“It’s not just—” I gestured vaguely, catching at the air. “Not just the… rules. Or the… safe stuff. I mean, that’s— God, that’s huge. But it’s… more, and I don’t know what to do with that.”
“More how?” he asked, voice careful.
Heat rushed up my neck, into my cheeks. “You touched my face in there and I thought I was going to melt through the floor.”
His eyes darkened, the pupils widening just a fraction. He stepped in, close enough that I could see the faint snowflakes melting in his beard.
“I like being with you,” I said.
His expression softened, something warm and intent settling there. “I like being with you too.”
“It makes this feel risky,” I added, quieter. “Because I’m only here for a little while.”
“I know,” he said. No deflection or false comfort.
For a moment, we just stood there, the cold pressing in gently around us.
“This is me being careful,” he said at last. “And honest. A man who’s very attracted to you. And a Daddy who will still stop if you say stop.”
My breath hitched. “Oh.”
His hand lifted slowly, giving me time to move away if I wanted to. I didn’t. His fingers curled lightly at my jaw, thumb resting just below my cheekbone.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Please.”
He leaned in, unhurried. Our noses brushed. Then his lips met mine. The first press stole my breath. The second gave it back differently.
I made a soft sound before I could stop it. His hand settled at my waist, drawing me closer. Heat flared where we met.
“Good boy,” he murmured against my lips, and my knees nearly gave.
I could have gone small right there. Let the world blur. Let him hold me through it.
I pulled back just enough to breathe, forehead resting against his.
“You okay?” he asked, the Daddy tone gentled into something protective.
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
His hands stilled—not pulling away, just anchoring me there. His thumb brushed once at my jaw, grounding.
“Of me?”
“No,” I said. “Of wanting this. Of wanting more than I get to keep.”
His breath left him, like he’d been holding it.
“Thank you for telling me,” he said.
Then, quieter: “All your pieces are safe with me, sweet boy.”
A pause.
“For as long as you’re here.”
