Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Had that sounded like I was moaning out the words?
No. I’d sounded fine…neighborly and probably even professional.
Orlando just rocked back and forth on his heels and grinned. “I like the idea of my Daddy being my first, but don’t worry, I’ve dated. I just mostly found stupid guys or weird ones. Not good weird. Bad weird. So I don’t mind waiting for the right person.”
What did he mean by bad weird?
I had every intention of asking but he just kept chattering. “Enzo’s boyfriend Terrence said it’s important to remember our self-worth and to not get taken in by assholes who just want your asshole. So I’m going to remember how important my asshole is.”
I was pretty sure that lecture had gotten mangled somehow, but I found myself nodding anyway. “You’re very special and you need to be with someone who understands that.”
And who wasn’t a dick or out on work release.
Lord.
Work release?
“Thank you.” Beaming at me, Orlando did a happy wiggle before almost unconsciously reaching over to pet his flowers.
Those fucking flowers from his goddamned stalker.
“I think understanding that I’ve got a special friend will help make it more believable for my family.” Turning back to me, Orlando looked like he was ready to dive into the crazy plan. “I really appreciate how helpful you’re being, but I guess since you’re a Dom, I should’ve expected that. The internet says good ones are very helpful to the subs around them even if they’re not in a romantic relationship.”
How much research had he been doing?
“I do my best.” What was the right answer that wouldn’t make me sound like a bossy asshole? “But even friends have limits, so you need to make sure I don’t overstep yours.”
It seemed like a reasonable response, but Orlando never did anything reasonable.
His smile brightened again and he threw his arms around me in a big hug. “Thank you for helping me figure out my limits. You’re amazing. This is going to make kissing you and looking romantic together so much easier.”
What?
Wait.
How?
What had I agreed to?
Before I could figure it out—feeling his body pressed against mine was slightly distracting—he pulled back and gave me a serious look. “But Doms have limits too.”
His I’ve been researching expression let me know where he’d got that fun bit of information before he said it out loud. “I read that online. It’s a lot more helpful than I was expecting. I’ll respect your limits, though.”
Still looking adorably serious, Orlando straightened like he was giving a presentation in school. “Should we use the stoplight system? I think that would be easiest to remember. Terrence said you don’t want to pick safewords that you’ll forget when you get stressed. Then you’ll just end up calling out random fruits or things like that.”
Safewords?
What did he think we’d do where we’d need safewords?
Shit.
I couldn’t tell a sub they didn’t need to think about safewords…what if he needed them?
“I think that’s a good plan and I’m glad you understand that both parties in a relationship or even simply doing a scene need safewords.” Technically they could be used for conversations or in a lot of nonsexual situations.
Having safewords didn’t mean we’d do anything inappropriate.
“But if you start calling out peach and kumquat, I’ll guess it’s about safewords.” My teasing got a snicker out of him and his wiggling got even more enthusiastic. “And I’m happy to help you figure out how to talk about limits and to give you some accurate resources if you need it.”
God only knew what he’d found online.
“Oh.” Looking frighteningly excited, Orlando stepped closer without seeming to realize that one deep breath would have him rubbing against me. “Do you know other Doms in the area? What about Daddies? If my Secret Santa Daddy doesn’t work out, I’m going to need to figure out how to find them. The dating sites are hard.”
And his family was all over them.
Fucking hell.
“Yes, I can help you.” How had I gotten myself into this situation? “Let’s work on one thing at a time, though. Getting your family off your back about library lady comes first and then we’ll work on helping you figure out what you want in a relationship with a Daddy.”
That sounded logical but I was starting to understand I needed to carefully think through any suggestion that came out of Orlando’s mouth.
“Yes.” Nearly bouncing again, he reached over and picked one of the tiny trucks off the arrangement. “Family first and Daddy second.”
I thought we’d made progress until he started zooming the toy over the table. “But once I get my Daddy, he comes first and family will come second. He’s going to have to help me with that, though, because they’re naughty.”
Amen.
“Terrence is smart and he might be able to help if my Daddy can’t do it.” Making a thinking sound as he raced the car along the length of the table, he gave me a quick glance. “If you were a Daddy, could you do it? You’d tell your boy you came first, right? If you made it an order then he couldn’t worry.”