Page 71 of Pretty ’n Peak

“They’re both very nice, but I’d be happy to go with you, too.” He’d been planning on it, actually. But the thought that Mateo wanted him there for it, trusted him to take care of him and guide him through the difficult things…

God. It hit him in the chest and the groin at the same time, a pool of warmth and strength flooding through him. Hell, was this what it felt like to be someone’s Daddy?

He turned on the bench, pulling Mateo a bit closer, when a burst of color caught his eye. Patches of white and maybe pink against the dark background that was probably a planter of flowers. He leaned forward until he could feel the soft petals and snapped off a long leaf-covered stem.

“For me?” Mateo asked, breathlessly delighted.

Austin plucked the leaves off the stem, mostly over Mateo’s shoulder where his other hand rested, then tucked it behind the sub’s ear. From this close, he could see the rounded petals beside Mateo’s dark eyes. “For you.”

Mateo raised his hand to touch it, then covered his cheeks. “Oh my God. I’m blushing so hard right now.”

Austin could hear the difference—just a little change in his voice. A bit more melody to each syllable, a song lingering over each vowel. Mateo sounded, for lack of a better word, gayer.

“No need to blush. You’re beautiful.” He didn’t need his eyes to see that.

Mateo shook his head, but gently, not disturbing the flower.

So Austin leaned in to whisper against his ear. “I might have also read on your Cuffd profile that you were interested in lingerie and ordered you a few things. They’re just for you, but I wanted you to have an opportunity to explore that side of yourself.”

There was a sharp gasp, and then utter silence.

Austin waited, heart hammering in his ears. Was that too much too fast? He’d had no idea when he planned all of this. He hadn’t even known if he’d be there when Mateo tried them on.

Then he heard a sniff.

He reached up with both thumbs, tracing under Mateo’s eyes to find them wet. But there wasn’t another sound.

Good tears or bad tears? “Baby. Darling, beautiful baby. Are you alright?”

Mateo nodded, then shook his head. Maybe just overwhelmed.

“If that’s not what you want, you don’t have to accept them. Or you can keep them for when you’re ready. No pressure.”

Mateo shook his head again, just the tiniest motion, and then pressed his face into Austin’s neck.

And all through that, he was completely silent, his choked breaths hardly louder than the wind. So reserved and masculine, even now. How many people had told him over the years that boys don’t cry?

Austin squeezed him close, his arms barely reaching around the width of Mateo’s shoulders. He nuzzled against Mateo’s short hair, trying to convey all of the comfort and care he had in him. “Or you could try them on here. By yourself, or I’m sure Jamie would love to play dress up. He’s the one who picked everything out since I wouldn’t have the first clue what to buy. I just paid.”

Mateo nuzzled in closer.

“If you want, I’d love to dress you up, too. Or you could give me a show. It’s all your choice, beautiful boy.”

Finally, a single, sobbing gasp broke free.

Austin stroked down the boy’s back. “Take all the time you need. Talk when you’re ready, or just feel.”

Mateo nodded, tears dampening Austin’s neck.

“I’ve got you, baby boy. I’ve got you.”

13

Mateo

Mateo balled his hands in Austin’s shirt. He knew he was probably stretching it out, but Austin was his life raft and he was in danger of being swept away.

He couldn’t have even said why he was crying. The flower? The pretty things? All those words that still echoed in his ears? Maricón, sissy, afeminado, pansy, barbilindo.