“We should probably get back,” Simon said reluctantly. “Before someone comes looking.”
I nodded but didn’t immediately move. “Daddy?”
“Yeah, bud?”
“Thank you. For taking care of me.”
He pulled back so he could see my face. “You’re welcome. But Tanner? You don’t have to thank me with… this.” He gestured vaguely at where we’d just been.
“I know.” I felt my cheeks heat. “That’s not what this was. I just—I’ve wanted to touch you for a while now.”
His expression softened. “In that case, you’re welcome to touch me anytime you want.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He kissed me again, slow and sweet this time. “Come on. Let’s go get some breakfast before they send out a search party.”
We straightened our clothes, and I grabbed the journal and my now-cold coffee. As we walked back to the house, Daddy’s arm around my shoulders, I felt lighter than I had in years.
I had someone who saw me. Who cared for me. Who wanted me, not despite my needs but because of them.
And for the first time in my life, I was learning that it was okay to want things for myself. That asking for what I needed didn’t make me weak or selfish.
It just made me human.
And more importantly, it made me his.
CHAPTER 14
Simon
The days had started to blur together in the best possible way.
Tanner was settling into ranch life with an ease that surprised both of us. He'd begun helping with morning chores without being asked, and while I made sure he didn't overwork himself, I could see how the routine was good for him. Grounding him in ways his law practice never had.
We'd established our own rhythm too. Mornings started with breakfast together, just the two of us before the rest of the ranch woke up. Afternoons were spent working—him helping where he could, me keeping an eye on him to make sure he took breaks. Evenings were ours, whether that meant sitting with the other guys or stealing quiet moments alone.
And the nights… the nights were becoming my favorite part.
We hadn't gone further than what happened in the barn, but we'd gotten comfortable with touch. With falling asleep tangled together. With waking up the same way.
I was learning him, piece by piece. Learning what made him sigh contentedly and what made him tense. Learning when he needed space and when he needed to be held.
We’d also talked more about what we did and didn’t want. This time it was less about him being little and more about our sexual desires. His hard limits matched mine, which felt a bit like fate. There was no other way to explain how this perfect boy had shown up in my life and torn down the last bit of resistance I had about falling in love again.
Today, I had something special planned.
I'd ordered the pajamas right after finding those children's books hidden in his apartment and paid extra to have them shipped express. The set had caught my eye immediately—soft cotton covered in cheerful gray elephants, the kind of thing that was clearly meant for someone embracing their little side but subtle enough that it just looked like fun sleepwear.
The package had arrived in the middle of the night, and I'd wrapped it this morning before Tanner woke up. Now it sat on his bed, waiting for him to find it after dinner.
"You're smiling like you know something," Jackson said, pulling me from my thoughts.
We were in the kitchen, cleaning up after the evening meal. Most of the guys had dispersed to their various activities, and Tanner was in the living room with Sean and Elton, the three of them bent over what looked like a board game.
"Maybe I do," I said, not bothering to hide my grin.
Jackson shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "That boy's got you wrapped around his finger."
