Page 4 of Pretty in Pink

Keegan stared at me for a long moment before closing his lips and studying his own cards. “I…I have two,” he answered quietly, and passed them over. I put them with the two I already held, and laid all four onto the table top. He seemed to switch back into a playful mood as a smile crossed his lips. “You’re very good at this game.”

It was all a matter of luck, but I would still take the compliment. “I have played this game a lot with my boy.” I looked up at Keegan, waiting for him to ask for a number, and found that his smile had vanished. His lips were stretched into a tight line and his eyes were no longer dark and hungry; they were practically burning from under his brows.

“You have a boy?” He sounded so angry, and my heart broke. I was enjoying our game and conversation, but he obviously wasn’t any longer. Did he have something against men with children? Maybe he thought I had a young child at home, and didn’t want the responsibility. Hopefully his mind would change once he heard that my son was fully grown and out of the house. Hell, maybe that would make it worse; Henley’s age probably wasn’t too far from Keegan’s. Maybe he was realizing how much older I was.

I didn’t get to ask any questions or give any explanations before Keegan ripped the cards from my hands. He shoved them into their box and began gathering up the rest of the deck from the table.

“Then why are you here?” he asked in a gruff voice, nearly ripping the cardboard box with how hard he was forcing cards into it. “Does your boy even know?”

“Well, no, I didn’t mention anything to him but-”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he yelled, slamming the box onto the tabletop. “I thoughtmaybeyou were here scouting for a third, which isn’t for meat all;I’m too needy and jealous and clingy for a relationship like that. But maybe others would be interested. But you’re just here without his knowledge? Cheating on him?”

“What?” My body actually recoiled in shock. It took a moment for his words to link together in my mind, and for me to realize what he thought was going on. I’d certainly dug a hole for myself, and only hoped I could climb out. “I don’t have aboy; I have a son.”

His eyes slowly widened from the little beads of hatred they’d narrowed into. “A son?”

I exhaled, grateful that he was sticking around for my clumsy explanation. “Yes. He’s a grown adult and has a Daddy of his own.”

“Oh.” Keegan slowly nodded a few times before picking up his box of cards. “I’m sorry. I can try to find the ones you had…”

I stopped his search with my hand on his. As pleased as I was that he wanted to stay and play with me, I thought it was time for a conversation instead. I bumbled through my life story; how I had met Henley’s mom when I was young, that she dipped out after he was born and left me to raise him on my own, that I was bisexual but hadn’t had many relationships, and how I’d come around to my Daddy awakening through Amir. I spoke quickly and barely took a breath between words, but Keegan listened to every one of them.

“I’m sorry I freaked out,” he finally replied with a tight, guilty smile.

“You don’t need to apologize. I made a terrible word choice. But please know; I wouldnevercheat on my partner. I’m loyal and looking for one special person to spend my time with. And though I don’t judge anyone who is polyamorous, I’m too territorial and protective for a relationship like that.”

“That’s good,” Keegan whispered breathily. He couldn’t hide his intrigue, and I didn’t try to hide the smile it brought to my lips.

He wasn’t shy with his emotions; he’d chew my ass out just as quickly as he’d give me ‘fuck me’ eyes, and admittedly, I enjoyed them both. I told Amir that I envisioned my perfect boy with a little sass, and it seemed Keegan had plenty to offer. Would telling him that be weird?Eh, I haven’t scared him off so far.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re sexy when you get all riled up?”

“Definitely not. Most people tell me I’m too much.” A saucy expression took over his face. “So I tell them to feel free to go find less.” I chuckled at his confidence and the perfect line, but the humor quickly left his face. “This probably isn’t what you were expecting tonight, was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m assuming you came looking for a little, and maybe some playtime. Which we had…for about five minutes…before I yelled at you and stole your cards.” His cute, guilty look nearly made me chuckle again, but I bit my cheek; I didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. “I do love playing games and lots of little activities, but I don’t like everything I’m supposed to. I like looking pretty and cuddling, but I’m not afraid to run my mouth if I have to. I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”

“I’ve always been a whiskey guy anyway,” I told him with a wink, and received a pretty smirk. “And as far as what you’resupposedto like, you’re the only one who gets to decide that. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to anything in life. I didn’t even know about this lifestyle until my son began living it. He has his particular needs and interests, and found the Daddy who is perfect for him. But what works for them doesn’t look the same as what works for me, or you, or anyone else in here. We’re all wired differently, and that’s what makes life so exciting.”

Keegan sighed and propped his chin on his fist. “Where have you been all my life?”

I laughed and replied, “Just trying to survive single parenthood while figuring my own shit out. It takes a while to get this old and wise. Coincidentally, you’ve probably only been around for half of my life.” Even though I was nervous about his answer, I had to ask, “Does that bother you?”

“Fuck no.” I didn’t give two shits if he swore, but I was itching to try out this Daddy thing, so I arched my eyebrows and gave him what I hoped was a stern but still playful look. “Sorry, I mean, no, it doesn’t bother me. I like that you’re older. I’m twenty-four, by the way.”

“Forty three.” I could literally be his father. That could be a draw for some, but for others, age didn’t matter. I’d read blogs from couples of similar age, and even one with a younger Daddy and older little. What mattered was meeting one another’s needs. It sounded like Keegan may have different needs or expectations from those I’d read about, and I wanted to know exactly what they were, so I asked, “What sort of things do you like, youngin’?”

“Well, Idon’tlike being called youngin’,” he replied with a smirk, making me laugh.

It had been a joke anyway, because of our age gap, but Iwascurious what Keegan preferred to be called. A pet name was a simple thing that could hold a lot of meaning, as well as insight to what type of relationship someone was looking for.Babycould suggest they wanted to be pampered and cherished, aPrinceorPrincessmay want to be spoiled, whileBuddymay just need a friend. There was only one way to find out, so I asked, “Whatdoyou want me to call you?”

His sly, sultry smile remained when he answered, “Yours.”

I’d never had such a strong reaction to a single word. My heart raced, my breathing caught, and my cock ached with how quickly my blood surged south. Maybe it was just a tease, but my response was serious. I was undeniably drawn to this beautiful young man. And if he meant it, even if only for the night, I was going to jump at the opportunity.

I draped my arm across the back of the loveseat and leaned in close to his ear to whisper, “Then I needmyboy to tell me what he likes.” A shiver rocked through him so hard that it vibrated the seat.

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