Page 22 of Love Me, Daddy
“Good. I think.”
“What do you mean, you think? Is he hurting you?” She sat upright, eyes narrowed.
“Hold fire, mama-bear.” Nathan snorted at her automatic defensive stand. “No, he’s not hurting me. It’s…a lot to get used to. I’ve been on the streets for so long, it’s difficult to get comfortable somewhere where it can all be taken away again. I wonder whether I should stay on the streets, then I won’t have to worry about it every minute of the day.”
He felt awful saying these things. He knew Loren wouldn’t throw him out, even if their relationship didn’t work, but it was difficult to remove those thoughts from his head. On the streets, he had to work for everything he needed, and he only owned a few things. If they had been taken from him, all he would have to do isworkto be able to get them again. Whereas staying with Loren in comfort made him forget how difficult living on the streets was…and he didn’t think it was a good thing.
“Oh, Nathan. I could tell Loren feels deeply for you. I don’t think you have to worry about it all crashing down around you. And I can see you care for him.” She paused. “Does he give you what you need? Emotionally, I mean?”
Nathan’s smile grew. “Yeah, he’s amazing.”
“More information than I needed!” Daisy pretended to block her ears.
Swatting at her, he laughed. “No, I don’t mean that way. We’ve not…” he stopped, examining the floor.
Daisy turned towards him, crossing her legs, holding the oranges on her lap. “You’ve not had sex yet?”
“No. Well, technically, yes, if you call a blowjob sex. But not…all the way.” Nathan’s cheeks warmed under Daisy’s scrutiny.
She snorted. “I can’t believe you’re blushing when we’re talking about sex! Who are you?”
“Shut up!” He pushed against her shoulder in mock irritation, then they both burst out laughing.
“What’s all this noise?”
Nathan’s gaze swung to the door, heart in his throat at the possibility of their shelter being taken away from them, but his shoulders sagged when he saw Robbie. “If it wouldn’t be a waste of food, I would throw this fruit at you, asshole! You scared the shit out of me.”
Robbie laughed. “Serves you right, pushing my girlfriend like that.” He shut the door behind him, dropping his bag near the entrance and hurrying over to Daisy, planting a kiss on her lips. “Hey, sweetheart, how are you feeling?”
Daisy blushed, ducking her chin. “I’m good.” She held up the oranges. “Nathan brought vitamin C.”
Robbie glanced at him with a grin. “Thanks, man.”
“I hear congratulations is in order?” Nathan smirked.
Robbie beamed, a light shining brighter in his eyes. “Thanks.” He dropped to a seated position next to Daisy, linking their fingers. “What brings you out here, anyway? Not that we mind the company.”
“He was asking for sex advice,” Daisy said with a straight face.
Robbie’s mouth gaped, eyebrows raised. “What?”
“Shut up, Daisy! No, I wasn’t. You started it.” Nathan pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.
Daisy and Robbie cracked up, and Nathan rolled his eyes, joining in.
When they regained their breath, Nathan explained, “I didn’t specifically ask for advice. I was saying, Loren and I hadn’t had sex yet if you didn’t include a blowjob as sex.”
“Why haven’t you slept with him?”
“It’s not for lack of wanting to, Robbie! God!” Nathan snorted, then continued quieter, “You know who he is to me. He’s taking it slowly. Not wanting to take advantage of the situation. And we’re waiting for test results, too. I want to be sure I’m not…Anyway, it’s…great.”
Robbie cocked his head. “You want him to ravish you.”
The deadpan tone hit the nail on the head. “Yes! My feelings are all mixed up. I feel cared for but also unsure and, in some ways, unwanted. Mainly the latter when he’s not around. Maybe it’s my issue and nothing to do with him.”
“I disagree,” Daisy said. “It has everything to do with him. He needs to make sure he takes care of you when he’s not around as well. It’s part of his job. And he should know that.”
“Has he punished you yet?” Robbie smirked.
