Page 9 of Reaching Roland

Again, he pressed a casual hand firmly into the small of my back as he guided me through the dining room area toward the bar seating. For some reason, I was nervous about being here with him, and I didn’t know why. We’d come straight over from the salon, but I wore trendy clothes to work, so I knew I looked good in my tight jeans, and Roland looked exquisite in his suit pants. He’d left his suit jacket in his vehicle, but he was working those gray pinstripe pants like they’d been made specially to wrap his brawny thighs up into a tight hug.

I didn’t hang out at The Tap too often since my dance club era had lasted probably longer than was healthy, if the men I’d pulled were anything to go by. And as many of the guys I knewwho worked or hung out here, I was really only close to Will. He and his bestie, Timothy, had become a tight-knit part of this Daddy-boy crew who congregated here, but they’d never worked in the tavern, so they didn’t hang out here too often.

Roland steered my body toward two empty seats at the bar. Then stepped around me, spun the swivel chair in my direction, and tipped his chin toward it, indicating for me to sit.

Ignoring the swoosh of my stomach at his actions, I playfully fanned my face. “You’re so considerate, Daddy.”

The skin around Roland’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “You’re ridiculous.”

As he slipped into the seat next to me, I leaned into his side. “You know you love it, Daddy.”

A bartender stopped on the other side of the bar and smirked. “You must be Kenny.”

Startled, I leaned back in my chair. “Uh. Yeah. How did you know that?”

He leaned his elbow on the bartop, smirk still firmly in place. “I’ve heard all about the sassy hair stylist who calls this big lug Daddy.”

Oops. I guessed I’d gained a reputation. Shrugging internally, I held out my hand. “Well, you’ve got me at a disadvantage. I’m Kenny, and you are…”

Instead of shaking, he lifted my hand toward his lips. “Oz, and I’m at your service.”

Normally that kind of greeting might’ve gotten a flirtatious giggle out of me, but it sort of weirded me out, especially when Isaw his gaze slide toward Roland even as his lips barely brushed the skin on top of my hand. “Uh…”

Roland cleared his throat—loudly. “Knock it off, Oz. I don’t need you jumping on the crazy train, too.”

Oz chuckled, then stood up straight. His smirk was instantly replaced with a more friendly grin. “Ha, ha. I’m only teasing you, Kenny. It’s nice to meet you, but I’m not the one you have to watch out for around here. It’s them.”

He tipped his chin behind us, and I swiveled enough to see Cameron and Indie headed in our direction. Roland groaned. “Didn’t we expect to see them?” I asked, confused at his reaction.

Roland let loose a heavy sigh. “We did, but they look like a couple of lions with their prey in sight. I’d hoped they’d act like trained humans instead. Even toddlers would be nice.” He trailed off quietly.

I snorted, amused at his dramatics. Cameron and Indie looked a little intense—one wary and the other maniacally gleeful—but I wasn’t worried. I was a big boy who’d been handling his own shit for a long, long time. “Hello,” I said brightly as soon as they were close enough.

Indie moved in closer. “Well, hello, Kenny. It’s such a surprise to see you here.”

Swiveling the whole chair sideways so that my knees bumped into the side of Roland’s chair, I patted the silver fox next to me on the shoulder. “Daddy was worried that I hadn’t had enough to eat today.”

Indie’s gaze flicked to Roland. “Is that right?” he purred, sounding more like a trained housecat than the lion Roland had accused him of being.

On the other hand, Cameron’s eyes narrowed as a low growl rumbled deep in his chest, making him sound exactly like the predator Roland had worried about. It was precious. Apparently, Daddy Cameron didn’t know what to do with the idea of his father being a Daddy, too, even if it was all in fun. I rolled my lips in to keep from laughing.

Indie didn’t have that problem. Swatting at his partner’s chest with the back of his hand, he muttered, “Hush,” then zeroed back in on me. “Were you a bad boy today?”

I’d liked this colorful young man since the minute I’d met him when he’d come into the salon through the Takoda Career Center. Bowing my head, I murmured, “I was. I only had a yogurt this morning, and I was so swamped at work that I didn’t get a chance to sneak out for anything else.”

Indie nodded like he commiserated. “I understand.” Then his hand went to his chest, covering his heart. “But isn’t that so sweet my Rolly whisked you away to feed you? Such a good Daddy.” His gaze lifted to Oz. “Don’t you agree?”

Oz’s gaze flicked back to Cameron, who now looked like he’d just bitten into a lemon, then back to me and Indie. Raising his hands in surrender and backing up, he said, “Don’t drag me into this. Cameron’s my boss.” Unfortunately for him, the laughter in his voice was clear to hear.

A quick glance at Roland showed how bemused he was by this whole situation, especially when Cameron snapped, “Don’t you two need to get back to work?”

Indie’s lower lip jutted out as he leaned back into Cameron. “But, Daddy, Rolly’s never brought a date before. It’s important I find out Kenny’s intentions.”

Cameron’s face drained of color, but Roland responded, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” All of us turned to him. “Can’t a man bring his friend out for a meal after a long day’s work?”

“He’s your hair stylist,” Cameron deadpanned.

Indie swatted back at his partner’s leg this time since he was leaning into him, but with a little more force. “Don’t talk about Kenny that way. We’ve been planning to get together forever, but it hasn’t worked out yet. Plus, he keeps my hair color on point, which I guess kind of is opposite what I’m trying to say, but he’s notjusta hairstylist.” He put a heavy emphasis on just, and it warmed my heart. I really, really liked this guy.

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