“Always.”
“Where did you go this morning?”
I’d known this was coming. “Your apartment.”
He stiffened slightly. “You went to my apartment?”
“I did.” I squeezed his waist gently. “I wanted to get some of your things. Clothes, toiletries, items that would make you feelmore at home here. I should have asked first, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
He was quiet for a long moment, and I couldn’t see his face to gauge his reaction.
“Tanner? If I overstepped?—”
“You found the rabbit, didn’t you?”
His voice was small, almost embarrassed.
“I did,” I confirmed gently. “And the books. And the blanket with stars.”
“I don’t know what you must think of me,” he said quietly. “A grown man with a stuffed animal and children’s books hidden away like some kind of?—”
“Stop.” I pulled Ginger to a halt and shifted so I could see his face. “Look at me, bud.”
He turned, and I could see the vulnerability in his eyes, the fear of judgment.
“Those things don’t make you less,” I told him firmly. “They make you you. They’re part of who you are, and there’s nothing shameful about that. You understand me?”
His eyes filled with tears. “You really mean that.”
“I really mean that.” I cupped his cheek. “I want all of you, Tanner. The lawyer, the little, the parts you hide and the parts you show. All of it. And I want you to feel safe being all those things.”
A tear slipped down his cheek, and I brushed it away with my thumb.
“We’re past due for this conversation. Now seems like as good a time as any to talk about what you do and don’t want from me as your Daddy.”
He blinked rapidly, as if his brain was trying to process what I said. It was fucking adorable in a way that only made me want him more.
“What I want from you?” he asked after a long pause.
“Yeah, bud. There are lots of different things you could want from me. Maybe you want me to set your schedule and pick out your clothes so you can be little all the time when we’re together. Or maybe you only want me to step in at certain moments. I also want to know all the things you want to try. Do you like the idea of diapers? Or is that a hard limit? What about bottles, pacifiers, little clothes, and toys?”
I paused to let him think over my words. The way his eyes had grown with each new scenario told me he didn’t realize how invested in this I was.
He babbled for a moment before clearing his throat and speaking clearly. “Diapers and bottles are a no. I don’t want those.”
“That’s good to know. What else can you tell me?
He bit his lip, looking away for a moment. “Pacifier,” he whispered softly.
I hummed, not interrupting him in case he had more to say. I wanted us to get everything out in the open before we made it back to the ranch with the others. This type of conversation deserved privacy.
When he didn’t continue, I decided to give a bit of myself to him as well. Maybe my vulnerability would help him see we were truly in this together.
“I’m up for whatever you want to try, bud. There’s only one thing I like that you might feel iffy about.”
His eyes met mine. The question in his gaze urged me to continue.
My hand went to his neck, and I stroked along the column of skin there. It was gorgeous, unmarred, and perfect for what I wanted.
