Baby Bear

by Brina Brady

  “Yes. I sure do believe you’d allow Benson to fuck you if he made it a condition to keep your job. When I accused him of fucking you, he told me that you never did anything you didn’t want to do.”

  “That doesn’t make much sense for him to say that. I love my job, but Mr. Benson is another thing. He never fucked me because he couldn’t get it up.” Abel didn’t realize he’d told Daddy Darius he’d tried to have sex with Mr. Benson until it was too late. He was so damn stupid about spilling the beans. Abel was his own worst enemy at times.

  “We’ll see. Let’s not talk about your job. We’ll give it a chance to work, but I’ll be monitoring it. Let’s go to the diner for breakfast.”

  They piled into the truck and parked behind the diner in his designated spot as the owner. They sat in Daddy Darius’s booth, which he’d occupied all week. Emma rushed over to them with a big smile and a kiss for Daddy Darius.

  “Good morning, Uncle Darius, Abel.” She poured coffee in their cups.

  “Good morning, sweetie.” Daddy Darius kissed her. “Is everything okay this morning?” She nodded. “I’m fine. So what do you guys want?”

  “I’m having the special. What do you want, Abel?”

  “The special too, please.”

  Emma winked at Abel, who returned a smile, merging into a laugh. Did Emma know what was going on between them? She could just be friendly.

  “What would be my part in our relationship?” Abel asked when Emma left their booth.

  “First, learn to trust me to take care of you by doing what I ask you to do. There will be times when you disagree, and you can voice your opinion in a respectful manner, but I have the final say. The reason for this is I’m responsible for you. And before you ask. I’m responsible for everything concerning you.”

  “So. I’m supposed to follow your orders, right?” Abel asked, not sure this was what he wanted. Those words sounded the same as his father’s directives he’d hated. He didn’t want to blindly follow orders again. Without a doubt, he wanted Daddy Darius, but there were some areas only Abel owned. His secrets must remain within the depths of his soul, and he’d never share them. Trusting Daddy Darius would be challenging. He’d already betrayed Abel once. Was this man worthy of his trust? He wanted sex with him without worrying about things he couldn’t handle, but was he willing to give up everything to Daddy Darius? Abel wasn’t sure he could give himself completely to another man ever. Daddy Darius had to show him that he could be trusted with Abel’s secrets.

  “Basically, yes, but you should talk to Sammy. He’ll tell you how it feels to be the boy in a Daddy/boy relationship. Now, the Daddy kink part will be between us. I’ll try some things with you and see how you like them. Each boy is different. Some like to role-play while others don’t.”

  “What would we role-play?” Abel added cream and sugar to his coffee. After stirring it, he took a sip.

  “It’s endless. You could be my pet.”

  “Like a dog?” Abel crinkled his nose at being a dog, which didn’t exactly turn him on.

  “Dog or cat, sure. Or you could be my slave, and I could be your master. We could play all sorts of characters. Usually sex is part of it, but it doesn’t always have to be.”

  “I’d like to pretend to be your slave, but I don’t want to be your dog. What happens if I don’t listen to you?”

  “I’ll punish you. Are you already planning on disobeying me?”

  “I just want to know what it would take to give me the final boot.”

  “Cheating on me with another man is a major issue. That’s my hard limit. Don’t steal from me either. Although I wouldn’t give you the boot, you’d be punished severely for that. Lying would get you punished too, but I wouldn’t kick you out for that. And what would make you leave me?”

  “I won’t ever leave you. I’ve dealt with almost everything.”

  “That’s sad, Abel. No one should ever mistreat you, use you, or hurt you in any way. We’ll talk about personal boundaries another time. What do you think so far?”

  “I want you to be my Papa Bear, but I’m afraid you’re going to force me to quit my job. I don’t want that. Dancing means a lot to me.”

  “I can see that. We’re going to deal with your job, and make it work for both of us. Let’s not find things to separate us. I want to make you my Baby Bear. You’re just adorable and perfect for me. It’s as if you have been custom made just for me.”

  “I don’t think you really understand how much I love to dance, and I see nothing wrong with stripping. I used to believe my thoughts were impure because that’s what I was taught. I worked hard to accept being gay in a closed-minded world. My family and friends don’t approve of anything about me. I know you don’t approve of my dancing, and that hurts.”

  “This is where you’re getting it wrong. I went to Boka Boys to find a boy. I admit I wasn’t expecting to find a dancer. But from the moment I saw you, I wanted you. I watched you for a month and tried to figure out how I’d ever be able to make you part of my life and my lifestyle. I love your dancing. It’s what brought you into my heart, and it made me want you even more. It’s not the dancing that bothers me or other men touching you. I don’t like it but know that’s part of the job. My biggest problem is with Benson. He practically sold you to me. Our financial transaction made me uncomfortable, but I did it so you’d have something. Why did Benson want to get rid of you so easily?”

  “So, you had me fired, then gave Mr. Benson money so I wouldn’t starve? I really don’t get it. What if Mr. Benson hadn’t given me the money? Then what?”

  “Don’t answer my question with another question. Why did Benson want you gone?”

  “I don’t know. But he took me back.”

  “And that’s what worries me. I think Benson has a thing for you, but he knows you’re off–limits.”

  “I don’t want Mr. Benson in that way. I want you and only you.”

  “I believe you, but how would you handle Benson asking you to do sexual favors when you believe he’ll fire you if you don’t?”

  “I don’t know. He’s not stuck on me, or he’d never have thrown me out of his bed. He doesn’t want me anymore, and I don’t want him.”

  “What time do you have to be at work?” Daddy Darius’s expression was heavy with stress.

  “My meeting is at eight, and I dance at nine.”

  “Then I’ll take you there tonight. Benson won’t fire you because he’ll have to answer to me. He’s going to have to get used to you being my Baby Bear.”

  “But I’m not your Baby Bear yet.”

  “You will be. I want you to meet the club members first to see if this is what you want. Then we’ll talk about our relationship in more detail.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Darius

  Darius drove Abel back to the cabin. He helped Abel move the painting materials from the shed to the porch. Then Abel changed into his work clothes and met him on the front porch while they waited for Noah and Sammy. He wanted to make things right with Sammy. He was Noah’s boy, and no good would come from holding grudges if he wanted to keep Noah as his best friend. He was sure Noah had dealt with the boy last night. Noah’s SUV turned into the driveway and stopped in front of the cabin. Noah and Sammy got out and walked to the porch.

  “Sammy, I might have said some things I didn’t mean yesterday. I’m sorry. Let’s start over,” Darius said.

  “I’m sorry for my immature behavior, and I promise you that I’ll never touch Daddy Noah’s phone again. I’m really glad Abel is back.”

  “I’m glad Abel is back too. He’s very special to me. And good to know you won’t be touching Noah’s phone anymore.” Darius gave Sammy a big hug. “I expect you to begin work at the diner next Monday. You two should be done with the porch by then.”

  Darius kissed Abel good-bye. Then he and Noah walked to their vehicles. The boys looked happy to be working together. He was glad they’d become friends. Both boys needed a friend. Noah had fo
rbidden Sammy to see Lucas, and he had no one else. Bryce’s boy, Jacob, worked full time during the day and couldn’t hang out with Sammy.

  “Do you have time to come to the diner now? I’d like to talk to you,” Darius asked Noah.

  “Sure. I have an hour before I need to go to work.”

  They parked their cars behind the diner and walked in.

  “Sit down,” Darius said. “Do you want coffee?”

  “Sure, that’s fine.”

  Darius made them both a cup of coffee and joined Noah in the booth.

  “What’s going on with Abel?” Noah asked.

  “He’s back with me, as you saw this morning, but he said he wasn’t certain if he’d stay after he finishes painting the porch.”

  “Oh, so he’s still in the guestroom?’

  “No, he’s in my bed.” Darius smiled, thinking about Abel beside him.

  “That’s a good thing. You’re getting closer.”

  “We’re in a better place than when he’d left, I suppose, but here’s the problem. He won’t quit his damn job. Benson told me he makes his dancers give him head on demand. He’s told me that for years. If Abel continues working, Benson is going to demand that from him. I told Benson he’d better not touch him now. Do you know what that fucker said?”

  “Tell me.”

  “He said Abel never did anything he didn’t want to do,” Darius said.

  “I’m going to be honest here. I’ve known you for a long time, and there’s no way Abel can continue working at Boka Boys when you two are in a serious relationship. It just won’t work. You can’t deal with anyone looking at your boy. Be honest with yourself and Abel. Why does Abel really want this job?”

  “He loves dancing and all the attention, which I find disturbing, but he also claims that he’s afraid of becoming homeless if he quits. He just doesn’t trust I’ll take care of him.”

  “How can he? Trust doesn’t come overnight. Give him time to get to know you. He has no one in this world who gives a fuck about him. He’s perfect for you, but you’re going to have to work on some of your issues with him. He’s going to be a challenge, but don’t break his precious spirit.”

  “I’m not going to break him. I want to build him up. You’re right, though. It’s going to be challenging for me to have a boy who strips and dances for men. Do you think there’s a way I can get him to quit?”

  Loud cursing had them looking at the front of the diner. The yelling man was Darius’s brother, Mikkel. He was shouting at Emma and calling her a whore. His brother looked like Darius, but he was two years older. Since the last time Darius had seen him at his grandfather’s funeral, Mikkel had lost some weight and shaved his beard.

  “I have to take care of that bastard,” Darius said as he stood.

  “He’s such an asshole,” Noah said.

  Darius rushed over to the cashier counter.

  “Who do you think you are, talking like that to Emma in my diner? Get the hell out of here!” Darius said.

  “I’m her father, you asshole. She’s racking up bills on my credit card.”

  Darius looked over at a crying Emma. “Did you use your father’s credit card without permission?”

  “He gave me the card, saying I could use it.”

  “I told you to tear it up. I’m no longer responsible for you.”

  “Where’s the card?” Darius asked.

  “In my purse.”

  “Give it to your father.”

  Emma stared at Darius as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Emma, get the card now.”

  She made her way to the locker area in the back.

  “I don’t want you in my diner or any other place I own. You are not welcome.”

  “Fuck you, Darius. You’re so damn high and mighty. Just remember, Emma isn’t your daughter, no matter how much you wish she was.”

  Emma returned with the credit card and handed it to Darius.

  “Why the hell are you giving my card to him?”

  Darius handed him the card. “Get out!”

  “You owe me four hundred dollars,” Mikkel shouted to Emma.

  “I’ll send you a check. Leave and don’t ever come back in here.”

  “Fuck you!” His brother turned around and stomped out of the diner while he continued cursing. Emma was wiping her tears with a tissue.

  “I’ll pay you back.”

  “What did you use the money for?”

  “I had to take an extra class, so I used it for that.”

  “Why didn’t you ask me?”

  “Because you do enough, and you already paid for my tuition.”

  “Show me the receipt for the extra class. I’m going to say this once and once only. If you need money, ask me and not your father.”

  “I’m sorry. He did give me the card and never asked for it back. He lied when he said he told me to tear it up.”

  “Take a twenty-minute break.” Darius was more than aware that his brother lied. He’d experienced that firsthand over the years from growing up with him. Mikkel always blamed Darius for things he had done.

  “Thanks, Uncle Darius.” Emma hugged him and left the front area.

  Darius returned to the booth.

  “Your brother is a piece of work,” Noah said.

  “He was always like that. Now he’s doing all kinds of illegal shit and mistreating his only daughter. One day, he’ll pay for what he’s done.”

  “He never got over your being gay, and he’s jealous that you can deal with Emma better than he can.”

  “Emma is challenging at times. He threw her out because she came out as bisexual. Of course, he blames me.”

  “He’s so fucking old-school.”

  ***

  After Noah went to work, Darius left the diner to meet Bryce at the club to discuss some club issues. He said hello to a few men who were nursing a beer and walked to the bar, where Bryce was refilling bottles of wine.

  “What do you want to drink?” Bryce asked.

  “Seltzer water with lime,” Darius said.

  Bryce made him his drink and placed it in front of him. No one was sitting at the bar so they’d have some privacy.

  “Thanks.”

  “I informed Chaska you’re back on the board and he’s out.”

  “Did he have a problem with that?”

  “No. He seemed happy you were returning. Just keep it civil.”

  “Really? You’re telling me to keep it civil after what he’s done?”

  “I thought you’d moved on. How’s the new boy coming along?”

  “I’m bringing him here for the entire weekend if he can get off work.”

  “The dancer from Boka Boys?” Bryce smiled.

  “Yes, him. He won’t be working there forever, though.” Darius hoped he would quit on his own.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Abel

  Abel hugged Sammy. Then they began painting the porch. “Are you okay?”

  “Just a sore ass from the whipping Daddy Noah gave me. He still loves me, even when I mess up. He made me popcorn after, and we watched a movie together.”

  “I’m sorry you got into trouble because of me. I really appreciate that you took a chance to tell me the truth because I had to know. I’m back with Daddy Darius for now, but when this job is over, I don’t know.”

  “You can’t leave Daddy Darius again,” Sammy said in a tone that made Abel drop his paintbrush.

  “I have to see what happens tonight when I go to work.”

  “He’s letting you dance?”

  “For now, but I fucked up, and I’m afraid of what Daddy Darius might do when he finds out I lied.”

  “What did you do? You can’t lie to your Daddy.”

  “Tonight, I have to see Mr. Benson an hour before I start work, and I told Daddy Darius that it was an insurance meeting. Now he wants to go to the meeting with me, but it’s not about insurance. I don’t know what to do.”

  “You have to tell him the truth. Why did you lie?
” Sammy shot Abel a death glare that made him uncomfortable.

  “Because Mr. Benson and I made an agreement while Daddy Darius and I weren’t together.”

  “What kind of agreement?” Sammy coated his tone with increasing disdain.

  “He took me back as long as I promised to give him a blow job whenever he wants one. That was the agreement and the only way I could get my job back. He said it was either that or I had to work the back room giving men favors for money. The back room pays good, but I just couldn’t do it with all those dirty old men.”

  “You have to quit that job. You can’t get into trouble with Daddy Darius because he’ll kick your ass out of his life for good. That would hurt him so badly he’d never forgive you. Please don’t hurt him like Lucas did.”

  “I need something to drink. Want a soda?”

  Abel had heard enough to know he was in the wrong, but he wasn’t ready to throw his dancing job out the window for a man. He thought he could confide his troubles to Sammy about yesterday’s blow job, but he had been gravely mistaken. Sammy’s allegiance rested with Daddy Darius, not him. Soon he’d have no one he could turn to and trust. He was doomed to be alone, and that was yet another reason he couldn’t quit his job. Even if Daddy Darius hired him at the diner, he could change his mind about Abel, and where would he be without a job or a place to stay? His heart ached to lean on Daddy Darius, but his insecurity demanded he protect himself first. He was so tired of being alone and pushed aside for his misguided choices. One thing was for sure; he’d never gamble with his work because the consequences were too dire.

  “Sure.” Sammy followed Abel into the cabin. Abel pulled out two cans of soda from the refrigerator and handed one to Sammy.

  “Abel, what are you going to do?’ Sammy pushed the tab back, making a loud noise.

  “I don’t know. I want to trust Daddy Darius, but he got me fired. Why should I believe he’ll have my back when or if he changes his mind about me? I’d be out of a job and a Daddy.” Abel popped the tab with less noise than Sammy had and sipped his soda. He was drowning in Sammy’s judgment and disapproval. His friendships always ended before they could grow in strength. That happened to be the story of his life. Why was it so difficult to make and keep friends and lovers?