Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I was a little embarrassed to reply, “It’s the only one I have.”
“Oh, that won’t do,” Joey insisted, shaking his head. “You’ll have to come to our store and pick out some more. But for today, I’ve got plenty to share with you at my place. Come on!” He let loose of the other man to grab my hand and pull me down the hallway.
He led me outside, to a black coupe parked along the sidewalk. When the other man opened the back door, Joey told him, “Thank you, Daddy,” and gave him a kiss on the lips. Okay, they definitely have a romantic relationship.
Joey climbed into the backseat and the older man continued to hold the door open for me, so I told him, “Thank you, um…” but realized I wasn’t sure what his name was.
“Ian,” he told me with a smile.
“Thank you, Ian.” He nodded and closed the door behind me once I was settled next to Joey.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Joey asked, pulling his seatbelt across his hips.
I did the same as I replied, “Oh, nothing.”
“Sure you are. Your face looks like this.” He folded his brows together, scrunching up his forehead. “That’s a thinking face.”
Apparently I couldn't hide anything from my new friend. I felt my own face heat as I admitted, “Well, I was just wondering…are you and Ian…related?” It seemed to be a better way to ask than, ‘Did you just mouth kiss your dad?’. I wouldn’t judge if he did, though; maybe they were just really close, which was nice. I never knew my own father.
“He’s my mate,” Joey answered proudly as Ian sat behind the steering wheel. “Isn’t that right, Daddy?”
“That’s right, sweet thing.” Ian looked over his shoulder before pulling the car out onto the road.
My face must have still looked confused, because Joey explained, “A mate is sort of like a husband, only better.”
“Better?” I couldn’t imagine anything better than having a partner to share your life with.
He nodded. “Every vampire is granted a mate by the Goddess Fate. They are our one special person to spend eternity with, and are our perfect match in every way. We take care of each other, protect each other, and love and desire only each other for all time. Our souls are bound together and we need each other to survive.”
“Wow,” I sighed. That did sound better than a husband, and I was a bit jealous that as a human, I couldn’t experience what Joey had, although I was still happy for my friend.
“Yep. But I’m extra, extra lucky because my mate is also my perfect Daddy.”
Okay, I’m confused again. “So he’s your…”
“Daddy,” Joey repeated with a nod. “And I’m his little.”
When he didn’t finish his sentence, I asked, “His little what?”
Joey blinked at me before reaching over and taking my hand. “Oh Andy Andrew, it’s a good thing you have me as a best friend.” My heart sped up with happiness even though my brain was still perplexed. “It sounds like I have a lot to explain to you. It’s okay, though; I’m very good at explaining. Right, Daddy?”
Ian’s pearly grin reflected in the rearview mirror. “Yes you are, sweet thing. And I’m right here if you need any help.”
“Thank you,” Joey replied before turning his attention to me again. “Daddies are very good helpers. They’re good at lots of things, like snuggling, cooking, and telling funny jokes. But their most important job is making sure their littles are happy, safe, and taken care of.”
Before I could ask, Joey continued, “Littles are people like me - I’m a grown up, but I enjoy special things, like when Daddy chooses my outfit or hangs my artwork on the fridge. And I love playing with toys.”
All of those things sounded amazing. To make sure I understood, I asked him, “So, you get to pretend like you’re young again?” It would be great to escape the hardships of adulthood every now and then.
Joey bounced his head back and forth. “Kind of. When I’m in my little headspace, I’m not really pretending to be anything; I’m just me. I'm in a place where I can relax without worries because I know Daddy is watching over me, and I just do what makes my heart happy. It’s part of who I am, and being a Daddy is part of who he is,” he added, nodding towards Ian.
“That’s right,” Ian agreed. “I always knew that I wanted to be a caretaker for a special boy. I love watching Joey play, cooking for him, and snuggling together. But being a Daddy looks different for everyone; some Daddies take on a firmer role and lay down rules, while others offer guidance or a helping hand, and some are just a friendly presence. Each relationship is special."
"Littles are all different too," Joey joined in. "Some are like me and love to play, while others need more care. I know some boys who like diapers, bottles, and bath time. There's no right or wrong when it comes to their needs; it's all about finding what makes them happy. Some boys are little all of the time, some boys schedule special little time, and others like me just go by how they feel."