by Brina Brady
“That might have something to do with me.” Benson smiled.
“Really?”
“I told him your diner has the best breakfast special. I just slipped it in our conversation after I fired him.”
“Well, he’s showed up for a week and only ordered coffee.” Darius had worried about Abel not eating, but he’d watched him go to a fast-food restaurant after he left the diner. Granted, the fast-food place was cheaper, so Abel must have been stretching his money.
“Abel begged me not to fire him. He cried, which I knew he would, but I knew you’d take care of him. Even so, it was tough firing him. As you know, he was a good dancer and highly desired by many. How did you know he’d balk at working in the back room? I thought he’d do it.”
“I had a feeling he wouldn’t, but I would’ve been upset if he had. It doesn’t matter. I have to have him.”
“He’s not as good as you think. He gets himself into some stupid shit. He’s young. That’s the problem. He needs someone like you to watch over him.”
“What kind of things did he get involved with?”
“He slept around with other dancers, but nothing serious. He gets involved emotionally from day one, then in a few days either he’s got his heart broken, or he’s no longer interested in them. I guess he’s experimenting. He’s emotionally stunted, but I think you can help him grow on many levels.”
“I’ll take care of him. Thanks again.”
Darius stopped at the Eriksen Lake Hotel, which he’d inherited from his grandfather six months ago, for a meeting with upper management. He’d love Abel to work there in an entry-level position. He could train him so one day he could hold a higher position. He didn’t know much about Abel’s background other than what he’d told him. He had no idea if he’d had any education after his mother had sent him away from the compound. Did those cult people send their kids to school? He had no clue, but he’d heard stories they didn’t.
That morning, Darius had never stopped to think about the boy’s real age. He looked like a teenager, but Abel had said he was twenty-two. Benson had told him he never hired minors, but he wasn’t sure he believed Benson. Some of the dancers had looked very young. What if Abel was a minor? Darius had been taken in by Abel from the first moment he’d seen the scared dancer licking those full, pouty lips on the stage. So very cute. Oh, that hot twink was interested, but he’d behaved as if he were a virgin without any experience at all. According to Benson, that certainly wasn’t the case. Abel was attracted to him, but what had sparked his interest? Maybe he was looking for a sugar daddy? Darius didn’t mind being a meal ticket if it brought them together.
CHAPTER FOUR
Abel
The first thing Abel did when Darius left the cabin was make himself useful. The house was a mess. He went to the sink and attacked the pile of dirty dishes. First, he rinsed the dishes, glasses, and silverware, then placed them in the dishwasher. He then scrubbed the kitchen floor and counters until they sparkled
Next, he cleared the seating area in the living room. He piled the books on hotel design and management in rows on the coffee table. Darius had said he owned the Blue Diamond Diner, which was a long way from designing a hotel. Scattered on the floor were loose papers, which looked like blueprints Darius had sketched with the colored pencils from the box on the end table.
Underneath the papers, he noticed a pipe and a book of matches from Boka Boys. Had Darius gone there when he was dancing? It was stupid to believe Darius stayed out of places like that. He could’ve mentioned it after Abel had told him he’d worked there. On the other hand, Darius didn’t owe him anything. He knew close to nothing about the man, but he’d learned a bit more about him. The man smoked a pipe in his cabin. But Abel didn’t smell anything, so maybe Darius smoked outside. Either way, it didn’t matter. Abel hated smoke. It made him cough, not to mention it stank to high heaven.
When he finished cleaning, he snuck into Darius’s bedroom. Contrary to the ground floor, this room was meticulous. The bed was made, and there wasn’t anything out of place. Dust covered the top of the dresser, but if he dusted, then Darius would know Able had been in his bedroom. He opened a few drawers. They were empty. Next, he peeked in the closet. Empty. No shirt, no pants. Nothing. Was this even Darius’s cabin? Where were his clothes? Had Darius found him a place to sleep and work but didn’t sleep there himself? There must be a reasonable explanation as to why the dresser and closet were empty, but Abel was fearful of questioning Darius at this time. Abel had to remind himself that the man owed him nothing and that what he’d done for Abel was out of the goodness of his kind heart as a caregiver. Well, that’s what Darius had said.
Abel walked to the porch and sat in a rocking chair, shocked by what he’d discovered. He scanned the towering trees. The cabin was situated deep in the woods, far away from people and other places. He’d have a hell of a time finding his way out of here, but then again, he never wanted to leave. As he rocked back and forth, all his worry abandoned him, leaving him in the silence of the wooded area.
Abel had to come up with a plan to entice Darius to have sex with him in the hope that he’d want him to stay longer than the one-week lockout. He hated staying at the cheap motel. Of course, he used that as an excuse, but the real reason was he wanted Darius to take care of him. He was exhausted from having no one to hold him and make him feel safe. At some point, he wanted to feel love. He wanted Darius, but Abel could’ve kicked himself in the ass for accusing him of wanting sex as if he didn’t. He came off as a mixed-up loser who was looking for a free ride. He wasn’t sure how to wiggle his way into Darius’s heart. There had to be a way.
His phone rang, bringing him back from his thoughts.
“Be ready in thirty minutes. We’re going out for dinner. And wear a tie, please,” Darius said.
“Yes, sir. Thanks.”
Abel hurried back to his room, not wanting to displease Darius. He changed into a white button-down shirt and black pants—left over from his days working as a server—and put on a tie. He brushed his teeth, looking into the mirror with disgust. His hair had grown to his shoulders, but he still didn’t have much to shave on his jaw. If only he were taller than five foot seven. Abel hated being short and not having facial hair. Everybody thought he was younger than he was. He left the bedroom and waited in the living room. His eyes fell on the book of matches. It bothered him that Darius had those Boka Boys matches.
The door opened, and Darius entered. He looked like a different man. Gone were the flannel shirt and logger boots. He stood straighter, looking absolutely delicious in his gray suit, white shirt, and red tie. Abel wanted to snap his red suspenders under his suit jacket and remove his clothes to see his entire body.
“Abel, you look so handsome.”
“Thank you, sir. I can say the same about you.”
“I hope you approve.”
“Of course, I approve. It’s just so different from the way you’re normally dressed. I thought you chopped trees for a living.”
“I do that too. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. If you’re patient enough, you’ll find out more and learn my ways.”
“I’m very patient, sir.” Abel had never been patient in his entire life, but he’d have to learn if he wanted to know more about Darius.
“It smells different here. Clean. It smells so clean.” He peeked into the kitchen. “Whoa! Did you scrub the kitchen?”
“Yes, sir. I hope you don’t mind. I took the liberty of cleaning. I didn’t feel right not helping. You’ve been so kind to me.”
“Come here,” Darius ordered.
Abel inched closer to Darius with a little hesitation, gradually closing the space between them. Darius smiled at him, his eyes gleaming, and brought him into his warm embrace. Abel wrapped his arms around Darius and rested his face against his broad chest as if he belonged there. Their embrace filled Abel with acceptance and support. Abel felt the strength in his arms as he wrapped them around his smaller f
rame, trapping Abel in his never-ending warmth. As Darius hugged him, Abel felt the life in him, the blood pumping in his veins, and the warm breath coming off his lips. Aww man, I hope my dick doesn’t get hard.
“Thank you,” Darius whispered in his ear. “I never expected you to clean up after me, but I appreciate your hard work.”
“I’ll do anything you ask me to do. No one has ever allowed me to stay at their home,” Abel said, wishing for a kiss, but none was given. Not now. They were so close; he wanted Darius’s lips to touch his.
“I’m going to help you succeed in life.” Darius stroked Abel’s hair and released him.
“What if I’m a failure and don’t live up to what you call success, sir?”
“With my guidance, you’ll succeed. Believe me.”
“Yes, sir. Why did you really pick me to help? Lots of people eat at your diner.”
“For many reasons. In time, you’ll learn why. Are you ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
***
Abel followed Darius into the lakeside restaurant and sat in a booth overlooking the colorful sailing boats. He knew it well but had never been inside.
Because Darius had reservations, the young woman sat them in the most desired booth, away from others and with a perfect view. Everyone called him Mr. Eriksen instead of Darius. The formality baffled Abel.
“Order anything you want, boy.”
“Really? Anything I want?” Abel rolled his eyes in disbelief.
“That’s what I said.” Darius leaned across the table. “Don’t roll your eyes, boy.”
Abel lowered his eyes to show how truly sorry he was. The man wanted someone who was submissive, and Abel was damn good at it. “Yes, sir.”
“Look at me, Abel.” Darius cupped his chin and smiled.
Abel stared into Darius’s eyes with ripples of hope and a bit of worship for the man sitting across from him. Darius had touched him. The simple gesture of caressing his chin made Abel want to melt into the man’s arms. That meant more to him than anything else. Right now, he needed to know he wasn’t an empty shadow. Darius cared about and gave him the presence to know he was real.
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to show any disrespect.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“I won’t, sir.”
“Tomorrow, my friend’s boy will help you paint. His name is Sammy. He’s around your age.”
“That sounds fun. I won’t be alone. Can I ask you a question, sir?”
“You can always ask me anything.”
“Are you going to sleep in the cabin?”
“Why would you even ask me that?” Darius frowned.
Abel shut his eyes for a moment, thinking about how to explain his question without informing Darius he’d been snooping around in his bedroom. Abel knew that what he’d done was wrong. If he admitted to it, Darius might accuse him of stealing, something his father had always done. Still, he didn’t know if this would be the right time to admit it.
“What’s wrong, Abel? You seem upset. I told you I want to take care of a boy, and right now, you’re my boy. I’m not going to leave you alone in the woods. Believe me. I’d never abandon you in any way.”
“I was worried because you don’t seem to have clothes in the cabin. I mean, you left in jeans and returned in a suit.” Abel attempted to correct himself, but it was out there now. Darius would certainly figure out what he’d done.
“Did you check out my bedroom?”
Abel remained quiet for a few moments, not knowing what he could say to make what he had done right.
“I was going to clean up your bedroom, sir, but nothing needed to be done apart from some dusting. The bed was made, and nothing was out of place. I was dusting your dresser, but things felt weird, like the room hadn’t been used, so I checked your closet and some drawers. I’m sorry for invading your privacy. I just got scared that you were never going to come back.”
“I appreciate you telling the truth instead of lying to me. That’s what I thought happened.”
“I was afraid of you finding out I was snooping.”
“I’m glad you told me. Would you like to know why the cabin was a mess and pretty empty?”
“I would, sir.” Abel had skated out of that problem without Darius getting angry at him. He was so lucky because he had no idea what Darius would do to him. After all, when they returned to the cabin, they would be alone without anyone around.
“I moved out of the cabin two years ago and have stayed in a suite at my family’s hotel. I like to live in the cabin with my boy. So when I found myself without one, I moved out. I’ve been trying to get it ready to move back again. I don’t like all the hustle and bustle at the lodge.”
“But you had milk and coffee there?”
“Yes. I started buying the things I’d need while I work on the porch, but now you can paint for me.”
When the server came to their booth, they ordered steaks and everything that came with them. They didn’t talk while eating other than mentioning how good their meals were. When they were done, the server brought them ice cream sundaes. Abel hadn’t eaten a square meal in a long time. He’d used the microwave in his room to heat some noodles. Sometimes he’d gone out with one of the other dancers, but that was about it.
“Are you up for a conversation when we get back to the cabin?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Okay. Finish your sundae. Then we’ll go back, get changed into something more comfortable, and talk.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Darius
Darius waited for Abel on the front porch. It disturbed him that he’d believed that Darius would’ve left him alone in the cabin. It also worried him that the boy showed fear of abandonment. The one thing Darius had wanted to convey to Abel was that he was here for him. Just looking at Abel made Darius feel sorry for him. Abel was so frail looking and seemed unable to protect himself from the mean world. But Darius wanted to replace the boy’s frailty with strength, give him self-confidence that would be strong enough to handle adversity in life. He wanted Abel to be able to bounce back from hardship instead of falling apart. He definitely needed Daddy Darius. How would he feel about calling me Daddy Darius?
Abel appeared in the open doorway, dressed in short shorts and a hot pink T-shirt. He’d removed the elastic band from his hair, allowing the tresses to fall to his shoulders. Darius hadn’t realized how long his hair was. When Abel passed him to sit on the rocking chair beside him, his tight ass cheeks were partially exposed. It appeared he wasn’t wearing anything under his shorts unless he was wearing a thong. What a way to dress. The boy didn’t realize he was asking for trouble, but he was adorable with half his ass out. Did he wear those skimpy shorts for attention? Had he suddenly awoken sexually, or was he feeling safer around Darius? Then again, he’d told the boy to dress comfortably.
“You can ask any questions you might have,” Darius said. He noticed Abel had painted his nails a bright pink, matching his T-shirt. No wonder it had taken him such a long time to join him.
“About anything, sir?” Abel played with his colorful bracelets.
Darius figured he’d made some progress because Abel didn’t roll his eyes in disbelief again. “Anything.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Abel asked.
“No.”
“Did you ever have one?” Abel’s voice trembled as if he was afraid of what Darius would say.
“Of course, I did. I’m thirty-eight,” Darius said.
“I guess that was a stupid question, right?”
“No question is stupid. I want you to feel safe to ask me anything.”
“Where do you work during the day, sir?” Abel fiddled with his hair, twisting the strands between his fingers.
“I own the diner, so I work over there, but since six months ago, the Eriksen Lake Hotel is mine as well. I inherited it from my grandfather. So I spend a lot of time there, managing the place.”
“What kind of boy do
you like?”
“A boy like you. As I told you, I’m a caretaker and a fixer.”
“What kind of relationship are you looking for?”
“I’m in a unique lifestyle, something you might know about or even like.”
“I’m open to hearing some details about it, sir.”
“I belong to the Bearded Papa Bears. We have about twenty gay couples. Each Papa Bear takes care of a Baby Bear, which we call boy. Our job is to care for our boy, teach him how to live, and discipline him when he breaks the rules.”
“So, you’re looking for a student/teacher relationship without sex?”
“Did you hear me say anything about sex?” Darius raised his voice.
“No, sir.” Abel shifted his gaze away from Darius again as if he was afraid of what Darius might do. The boy had to learn to listen better.
“When was the last time you had sex?” Darius asked.
“Last week, sir,” Abel blurted out.
“I see.” Darius’s eyes didn’t blink for forty seconds. At least. He hadn’t expected Abel’s answer. But Benson had mentioned he messed around with the other dancers, so why was he so surprised, or rather, so shocked? “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No, sir. He was just a friend from my old job. We didn’t work out.”
“Why is that?”
“He wanted me to top, and I don’t want that. I hate topping.”
“So, you’re a happy bottom?” Darius ran his hand over his beard.
“Yes, sir. That’s why I want an older man.”
“What if I asked you to call me Daddy Darius when we’re alone? Would you feel comfortable calling me that?”
“Oh, I’d call you any name you ask me to. I like that, Daddy Darius.” Abel smiled as if he was playing a fun game. It was difficult to tell if he meant what he said.
“Once we get to know each other on many different levels, I might choose you to be my Baby Bear.”
“I’d love that, sir.”
“We’ll see how things go.”
“Would you like to be my Papa Bear, Daddy Darius?” Abel asked in a soft voice.
