Baby Bear Page 2

  “Are you a polygamist?” Darius’s expression turned serious for the first time.

  “No, not at all. I don’t want one wife, let alone three or more of them.”

  Darius smiled. “I’m with you on that one.”

  “So, you’ve never been married?”

  “No. There’s a good reason for that.”

  “Will you tell me why?”

  “I think you know why. It’s the same reason you don’t want one either.”

  “You don’t look gay, sir.” Abel was relieved that Darius was gay.

  “You don’t either, but I know you are.”

  “How?”

  “I’ve been studying you for a week. You’re never particularly excited by the young waitresses. However, you always smiled at the busboys, and you were watching me.”

  “I don’t want to give mixed messages to girls, sir.”

  “Did your family know you were gay?”

  “My father did.” Abel felt sick to his stomach just talking about his father. The things he’d done had damaged him for life, and he’d never forgive him.

  “Many people don’t know I’m gay, and I like to keep it that way. However, I do have some gay friends I’d love you to meet.”

  “Why are you being nice to me?”

  “I like you, and I know you like me. I can see it in your eyes and by how you act around me.”

  “I do like you. That’s why I kept going to the diner. I wanted to talk to you, but I was afraid you wouldn’t want to bother with me.”

  “Let me tell you some things about myself, and then you tell me if you still like me. As I said, I’m a caregiver, which means I want a boy to look after. He has to need and want me to take care of him, but with that, I’ll give him a set of rules. If he doesn’t follow my rules, I’ll discipline him.”

  “Discipline him, how?”

  “I have a few forms of punishment. What do you think about that?”

  “I’d like to know more about those forms of punishment first.”

  “Punishments must fit the crime. If you swear, I’d wash your mouth out with soap. Maybe if you talked back to me too. If you lie or break another rule, I might spank you.”

  “Spank me? That sounds sort of hot.” Abel’s cock jerked at the thought of Darius spanking him.

  “Would you like to be spanked sometime?”

  “It kind of turns me on. Is that a bad thing, sir?” Abel had said more than he should have. What would Darius think of him now? Maybe his father was right, and he truly was perverted and doomed.

  “No. Spanking is a good thing around here, since I like to spank boys. Everything is okay if you’re with the right person,” Darius said with a smile.

  “How will I know I’m with the right person?”

  “They don’t hold you back from growing to be who you want to be and don’t want to change you. They’ll fit into your life and will listen to you, and they are happy when you are. They comfort you when you’re sad.”

  “I didn’t know all that, but it makes sense.” Abel’s face warmed with a blush.

  “When you listen to your heart, you’ll feel whether or not the person you’re with is right for you. This is known as intuition—your heart’s message to you. Almost everyone can think back and recall a time when they didn’t listen to it. When you feel good, feel that your partner is patient and true, treats you the same in public as he does at home, then you’re on the right path.”

  “You make it sound so easy, but I guess my heart isn’t working like other people’s.”

  “It will if you stay still and listen for the message. Maybe you haven’t been with the right one yet. Follow your heart.”

  “I will, sir.”

  “Tell me about your previous jobs.”

  “In Utah, I built houses with the other men. Since I’ve been away from the compound, I’ve had many different jobs, like being a server, painting, and I worked in bars.”

  “Where did you get fired?”

  “At Boka Boys Club.”

  “Oh, Boka Boys. What did you do in there?” Darius folded his arms and grinned. He knew very well what kind of place it was.

  “I danced, but they wanted me to allow the men favors in the back room. I wouldn’t do that, so Mr. Benson fired me.”

  “Did you strip during your dancing?”

  “I’m not proud of some of the things I did at Boka Boys, but I needed the money. Stripping was part of the dancing job, but I wouldn’t do the other.”

  “My first job for you is very different from dancing. I want you to paint the porch. It needs it badly. I have the paint in the shed behind the cabin. You can begin tomorrow morning.”

  “Wow! I get to be outside and paint. I’m really going to love that.” Abel was happy things were looking up. It seemed like Darius was a dream come true.

  “Make yourself at home. Eat and drink what you want. I do have some house rules I want to cover with you before I leave for work.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Don’t invite anyone into my home. Clean up after yourself. Always lock the door when you leave. No smoking, no drugs, or drinking alcohol. Don’t do anything illegal. When we talk, be honest. I don’t like liars. Can you follow these rules?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Do you have a phone?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Let me program my number into your phone and program your number in mine.” They exchanged phones and inputted their contact information. “Call if you need me for anything. I’m here for you.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re being nice to me. What do I have to do to repay you?”

  “Just follow the house rules, do the chores I assign, and that’s it. What did you think I wanted from you, boy?”

  “I’m not sure, sir. I mean, I thought you might want sex.” Abel’s face warmed from saying too much. He shouldn’t have said anything about sex, even though it was on his mind. Now Darius would probably think he’d closed the door on sex. Shit!

  “I don’t need to buy sex, nor do I have to take something not given to me.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to insult you, but I learned nothing is for free.”

  “Your house key is hanging on the bulletin board.” Darius pointed to it, deliberately ignoring Abel’s last comment.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Darius

  After two years of staying away, Darius walked into the Whispering Woods Lodge on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Most of the members were working during the day on a weekday, so it wasn’t as crowded today. He had arranged to meet his best friend, Noah, here.

  Two of the Papa Bears hurried over to Darius and hugged him. Marty was a slightly overweight Papa Bear with a loving personality, always ready to help. His boy was lucky to have him. John was a mechanic and helped everyone with their broken vehicles. Both of them were great Papa Bears to their Baby Bears. Darius felt guilty for not keeping up with their friendship during his two-year absence.

  “So good to see you. We missed you,” Marty said. “Are you back for good?”

  “I missed you guys too. I’m here for good. I found my new Baby Bear,” Darius said.

  “When will we meet him?” John asked.

  “Soon. We’re discussing the dynamics of our relationship right now.”

  “Are you planning to have a teddy bear ceremony?” Marty asked.

  “Of course. This is all new to him, so we have a lot to go over before I make him mine formally. I’ll be bringing him here to introduce him to everyone.”

  “This Saturday, we’re having a PJ party in the lodge with sleeping bags. Bryce and Noah planned some fun games for the boys,” John said.

  “We’ll try to make it. It was great seeing you two.”

  The three founding members, Darius, Noah, and Bryce, had met in the Marines ten years ago and formed the Bearded Papa Bear Club. Darius had kept up with Noah and Bryce often, but not with the other members. Membership required Papa Bears wanti
ng to be a Daddy to a boy. A boy was any male eighteen years old or older. Each relationship dynamic was unique. However, they’d agreed upon some basic protocols for the members. The three basic rules included that Papa Bears must have beards—short, long, any length was permissible. If their day job prohibited beards, they would get an exemption. When they met as a group, boys were to address and refer to their partner as Daddy plus their first name. Some used Papa instead, which was also acceptable. The Papa Bears pledged to love, care, and discipline their boy with their consent. At any time, either one could end their relationship. All the Papa Bears aided their Baby Bear financially until he found a job or another Papa Bear.

  The club members were open to taking in Bearded Papa Bears who preferred girls, but none had joined so far. During the ten years, some Bearded Papa Bears had been without a boy for a time or two, but they were still included in all activities. The three founding members served on the Papa Bear board to take care of member issues, rules, and planned activities.

  The huge room was reserved for meetings and parties for the Bearded Papa Bears and their boys. Surrounding the lodge were small cabins for each couple on the weekends. At this time, all the Bearded Papas had a boy except Darius. He looked forward to becoming part of the Bearded Papa Bears’ family with his own Baby Bear again. He had avoided all meetings and gatherings since his last boy had left him for another Papa Bear. The hurt had dug deep and long for Darius, but finally he’d healed.

  After greeting half the members of Bearded Papa Bears, Darius found Noah sitting alone in a booth, drinking seltzer water. His boy, Sammy, wasn’t with him, which was unusual. Darius sat down across from him.

  “Where’s your boy?” Darius asked.

  “Sammy is writing lines at the cabin for me. He ignored his chore list.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “He went canoeing with Jacob. He said he forgot about his chores, but he didn’t forget. He earned a good whipping too, so he’ll be uncomfortable sitting while he writes his lines.”

  “Good, he deserved it. These young boys need reminding.”

  “Tonight, all will be forgotten, and he’ll be tucked into my arms on the couch, watching movies.” Noah smiled.

  “Do you remember that boy I told you about?” Darius missed having someone to cuddle while watching TV. Hopefully, Abel will want what he has to offer him.

  “Do you mean the naked dancer you’ve been stalking at Boka Boys for a month?”

  “I don’t stalk. I investigate.”

  “And now what?”

  “Today, I took him to my cabin.”

  “What are you going to do with him?” Noah grinned.

  “He’s going to paint my porch.”

  “I see. And where’s he going to sleep?”

  “Guestroom for now.”

  “So, this sexy dancer is going to paint your porch? What could possibly go wrong with that?”

  “After two years, I’m going to get my new boy. He’ll work out just fine.”

  “I hope so, for all of us. You can’t live like you do for much longer. We all think it’s time, but I hope this boy is right for you.”

  “He is. His name is Abel Gardner. He’s twenty-two.”

  “Did you learn anything more about Abel other than that he likes dancing naked for money?”

  “He doesn’t know I saw him dancing at the club. He thinks we met at my diner.”

  “Is he looking for a sugar daddy?”

  “I don’t know yet, but he’s interested, very interested.”

  “Did you tell him you got him fired because you couldn’t stand other men gawking at him?”

  “Fuck, no. I had to do that for his own good and my piece of mind.”

  “Did you mention you belong to the Bearded Papa Bears?”

  “No. Too soon. Well, maybe I’ll discuss it tonight at dinner, but if Sammy just happens to explain it to him, Abel would understand what we’re all about from another boy’s point of view.”

  “Oh, I’m sure Sammy will tell him everything. He can’t keep secrets very well.”

  Darius nodded. “I’d like to hire Sammy this week to help Abel paint. I don’t think he has any close friends. He grew up in a polygamist cult.”

  “From where?” Noah cocked an eyebrow in disbelief.

  “Utah.”

  “Poor kid. Sure, I’ll drive Sammy over in the morning around eight, before I go to work.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it,” Darius said.

  “It’d be nice for Sammy to have a friend nearby. As it is, he’s alone most of the day.”

  “I think Sammy and Abel will get along. They’re the same age.”

  “So, how long will it take you to get the boy into your bed?” Noah asked.

  “My plan is already moving forward, as I told you it would be.”

  “I’ve never seen you so obsessed about a boy before. Why this one?”

  “He needs me in so many ways. And don’t discuss my research with Sammy.”

  “I never discuss what we talk about. I think you need this boy too.”

  Another Papa Bear stood beside them. Darius never shied away from looking a person in the eye, but Chaska had taken his first boy from him. What the hell was he doing here now without the boy?

  “What brings you to Whispering Woods without your boy? Or do you have him hidden away?”

  Chaska pushed his long dark hair away from the side of his face. He was a Native American, and all the boys chased after him. Unfortunately, Darius’s boy had also chased him, leaving Darius heartbroken He’d given everything to Lucas, but it hadn’t been enough.

  “I’m back. And keep your ass away from my new boy,” Darius ordered.

  “Since you haven’t registered your new Baby Bear here as your boy, he’s available to anyone.”

  “He’s mine. I’ll fuck you up this time if you think about messing with my new boy. There will be hell to pay. So, what happened to Lucas?”

  “He bolted. I’m looking for a new boy, and I do love your greased-up leftovers.”

  Darius shot out of his booth and shoved Chaska. He stumbled and sent a server to the floor, surrounded by broken glasses. Darius rushed over to lift the young man up. Within seconds, two busboys cleaned up the broken glass.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt,” Darius said as he helped Jacob, Bryce’s boy, to a standing position.

  Bryce rushed over to them. “Hey, it’s good to see you back, Darius.”

  “Thanks. You’ll be seeing more of me.”

  “Good that he’s back? I don’t think so,” Chaska said. “He’s a fucking bully around here.”

  “I’m going to say this once. No fighting in here. Chaska, it would be best if you leave this room for now.”

  “Why not ask Daddy Darius to leave, since he hasn’t been here in two years?” Chaska asked.

  “Leave now,” Bryce said.

  Chaska shot Darius a look that could kill, then made his way out of the lodge. Bryce was as tall as Darius and Noah. He ran his hand through his shiny blond hair, which had a few gray streaks here and there. He was still as buff as he’d been in the Marines. Bryce took his boy to the kitchen area to check him out while Darius returned to his booth.

  “That damn bastard!”

  “Calm down. He’s still with Lucas, so he’s not looking for another boy.”

  “Then what the fuck was this all about?”

  “He’s just fucking with you.”

  Bryce returned and sat down beside Noah. “There’s something I need to discuss with you now that you and Noah are here.”

  “What’s that?” Darius asked.

  “While you were away, Chaska took over your duties on the board. He wasn’t voted in. He’s just a substitute. If you plan to come to the meetings and activities, Noah and I’ll remove him from the board,” Bryce said.

  “There are twenty other Papa Bears, and you picked Chaska. Why not someone else?”

  “You left us for
two years, and now you come back and expect everything to be the way you left it. No one else wanted the job. He was the only one who stepped up. If you can promise me you’ll attend the meetings and activities when you can, I’ll remove him.”

  “Here’s my situation as of now. I have a new boy who, in time, will become my Baby Bear. I’m working on it with him. So I’ll tell you what. I’ll make myself present at all board meetings and club activities, with or without him, until I make him my Baby Bear.”

  “I couldn’t be any happier to have you return to us. We all missed you. Will you need a date on our Papa Bear calendar for the teddy bear ceremony?”

  “I’ll keep you posted as we get near that time. It’s going to happen. Remove Chaska from the board because I don’t want to deal with him there,” Darius said.

  After they finished their drinks, Darius left. He’d agreed to meet with Lawrence Benson, the owner of Boka Boys, at his club. He demanded his peers address him as Benson. No one ever called him Lawrence if they wanted to stay on his right side. During the day, the club was dead. Benson was sitting at the bar, nursing a scotch. Darius sat beside him on a stool. Benson was an older man in his sixties, but he kept himself young running the club. He shouted at the bartender to get Darius a scotch.

  “So, how’s it going?” Benson asked.

  “Great. And thank you for your help.” Darius pulled out an envelope from his shirt pocket and handed it to Benson. “This is a gift for helping me.”

  “You didn’t need to do that, but thank you.” He opened the envelope and found passes for four days at Darius’s hotel, which he’d recently inherited from his grandfather.

  “I figured you could use a break.”

  “I certainly could, and thanks.”

  “I’ve watched Abel in here for a month, and then he showed up in my diner. That’s where we officially met.” Darius wouldn’t admit to keeping tabs on the boy once Benson had fired him. He’d made sure he was safe at all times. He knew Abel had had enough money to stay at the motel and eat, since Darius had made sure to give Benson the money for Abel’s severance pay; just enough money to live on for a week. Allowing Darius to save him from living on the streets. His plan had worked well.