The server appears before I can respond, asking for drink orders. This time I order exactly what I want, a half sweet tea, half lemonade combo. My favorite. I don’t need to try and impress him by ordering another Rosé.
"What else? What do you do when you're not making coffee? I know you said you are in a book club. What kind of books do you read again?"
"Romance novels. The spicier the better."
His eyes light with interest. "Yeah? What genre? My best friend’s wife is into Romantacy, I think it’s something about dragons?"
Oh God. Is this really happening? Is Tyler Reid asking about my romance novel preferences?
"Um. Sometimes I read Romantacy, but it’s not my favorite. I’m more into contemporary. Romantic suspense sometimes. But lately I've been reading a lot of... age gap. Forbidden romance. That kind of thing."
"Forbidden how?"
My face is on fire. "Like... boss and employee. Professor and student. That dynamic where one person has more power but they navigate it carefully because they genuinely care about each other."
"Power exchange."
I nearly drop my water glass. "What?"
"That's what it's called. When there's an inherent power imbalance but both people are aware of it and navigate it consensually." He's watching me carefully. "That appeal to you? That dynamic?"
"I... maybe. I don't know. I've never really thought about why I'm drawn to it."
"But you are drawn to it."
"Yes." The word comes out barely above a whisper.
The server returns with our drinks and takes our food order. I decide on Alfredo and Tyler orders some chicken thing that sounds very fancy.
Once we're alone again, he says, "Can I ask you something?"
"Okay."
"I’ve been in your house. I saw the collection of stuffed animals, the fairy lights and our convo about dino nuggets…" His voice is gentle. "Are you a Little, Chloe?"
I freeze.
He knows. Of course he knows. I've been practically screaming it with every word out of my mouth.
"I don't—I'm not—" I can't form a coherent sentence.
"Hey." He reaches across the table, taking my hand. "It's okay. I'm not judging. I'm asking because I want to know you. The real you."
"Why?"
"Because I like you. And if this is part of who you are, I want to understand it."
My throat is tight. "How do you even know about that? About Littles?"
"I have some experience with the dynamic."
My eyes widen. "You do?"
"I was in a D/s relationship a few years ago. After the divorce. It didn't work out, we wanted different things long-term. But I learned a lot about myself in that relationship."
"Like what?"
"Like I'm drawn to caring for people. Guiding them. Creating structure and safety." His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand. "Like I'm Dominant. Specifically, a Daddy Dom."
