“Here we go.” I stepped behind the bar in the corner and grabbed the key I needed next to the register. One wall was reserved for shelves upon shelves of alcohol, but the other wall belonged to our community’s precious Littles. I removed the bright pink padlock Ivy had given us and pushed aside the sliding doors to reveal what we called the Little Bar.
Because we were funny as shit, we’d had a massive decal of a white van affixed to the doors.
“Holy crap,” Shay exclaimed.
The entire cabinet was roughly the size of a pool table, and it had several shelves of everything a Little could want. Fun-size was the theme, obviously. Ivy was in charge of it, though I could admit I enjoyed adding items to it as well. Lollipops, syrups for sugary drinks, enough cocktail decorations to make a bartender in Hawaii proud, little candy bars, miniature glassware, edible glitter that made drinks sparkle, cotton candy…
Ivy’s favorite was the candy necklaces. Kit had very politely requested a small selection of sprinkles, and I hadn’t been able to deny him. Now there were about a dozen glass jars of different types of sprinkles too. Ella, Penelope’s girl, had squealed when I’d shown her the boxes of Pop Rocks.
I hoped Gael would join us out here soon. He was one of our newest members, invited by Ivy, and I’d seen the two discuss their favorite candy online. When he’d dropped a link to a lollipop you were supposed to dip in some sour powder, I’d bought a container.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much candy for children outside a store.” Shay grinned and touched the box of Pop Rocks. “Levi, my youngest brother, loves these. I liked them when I was a kid too.”
Nothing wrong with reconnecting with your inner kid.
I grabbed a packet and handed it to him. “Humor me.”
He chuckled self-consciously and tore the corner of the packet. “I’m not that kind of Little, Daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart.” I took a couple steps back and leaned against the counter the register stood on. “You’re the Little you’re supposed to be.”
He poured some of the contents into his mouth, and a beat later, he spluttered a snicker. His eyes danced with humor too, and that was all I’d been looking for. I didn’t need—or want—him to be someone he wasn’t. I only wanted him like this. Carefree, happy, not burdened by adulthood. Not here. This place was going to become his sanctuary; I would make sure of it.
Shay opened his mouth, and it was impossible not to hear the crackling sounds the candy made on his tongue.
I shook my head in amusement. “You’re adorable.”
Then I folded my arms over my chest and nodded at the shelves. “Pick a few items. You could’ve smoked before—or asked for one—and you didn’t. That made me very happy.”
Shay swallowed his candy and approached the shelves. “You have the fancy swirly lollipops…”
He picked two of those, a fun-size packet of M&M’s, and he hesitated before snatching one of the candy necklaces.
“This is for kids,” he huffed.
“I can get you a beer and some peanuts instead if you want,” I offered.
He looked at the candy in his hands. “No, thank you. Let’s go.”
I smirked to myself and closed the Little Bar for this time.
On the way back to the patio, the very adult Shay found it hysterical to crunch on the candy necklace while the Pop Rocks popped in his mouth.
* * *
“Are you guys coming to bed this century?” Shay hollered from upstairs.
“You said you wanted to talk, sweetheart.” I kept my eyes fixed on the late-night news and my hands on River’s feet. When he’d sprawled out across the couch after his shower and planted his feet in my lap, it was pretty clear what he was looking for.
“Wanted is a relative term,” I heard Shay mutter.
I chuckled softly and dragged my knuckle up the sole of River’s left foot. He hummed and closed his eyes.
“Can’t we talk up here?” Shay wondered with hope in his voice.
“That’s not a wise idea,” I replied. “You’ll just try to seduce us, and we’re helpless against your advances. We know our limitations.”
River grinned sleepily.
Shay scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
Dropping my gaze to my lap, I pressed the pad of my thumb along the inside of River’s foot with one hand and drew the other up his leg, past his knee, and underneath the towel he’d wrapped around his hips. He sighed contentedly and pulled up his knee a bit, and I took the hint and started working on his other foot instead. Then I smoothed my hand over his cock and adjusted his balls, which was around the time Shay stomped down the stairs.
Shay stopped at the last step and narrowed his eyes at us. “Are you being filthy, Daddy?”
“I would never.” I smiled at him. He looked so damn perfect in those tight briefs. “Nothing wrong with a little bit of massage, is there?”
“No…” He walked closer and rounded the coffee table on River’s side of the couch. “He looks relaxed.”
“He is,” River murmured drowsily. “Back rubs and foot rubs in all their glory, but nothing beats having your balls tickled.”
I laughed under my breath.
“I disagree,” Shay said and sat down on the edge of the table. “Having my scalp scratched is the best ever.”
“I’m with you.” I nodded.
River yawned. “You’re both wrong.” Then he scrubbed his hands over his face and said he’d fall asleep if I kept going, so he reluctantly withdrew from my lap and forced himself to sit up.
He was so tired. I gave his shoulder
