Fielding’s parents and agent were scheduled to land any minute. The sun hadn’t even started to rise yet, and he stood in the darkness with Fielding against his side. They hadn’t spoken since they awakened a few hours ago. He’d taken his boy into the shower and washed him, dressed him between kisses and touches. The morning was for remembering when he was lonely and wanted Fielding beside him.

He understood he was being a bastard, but his fear outweighed his sense. Keeping Fielding would be cruel and not just to Fielding. All his dreams were tucked against his side. All that silly shit he’d made fun of his friends finding over the years turned out to be just what he wanted.

One day Fielding would find someone better who fit into his life. Fielding was it for him. No more drunken hookups. No more out of state trips for just the hope of touch. Last night he’d told Fielding he loved him. He’d wanted to be able to say it once and have it be true. Fielding loved him in return.

He resisted the urge to place a kiss on Fielding’s soft hair before he stepped away as the runway lights turned on. He went to retrieve Fielding’s bags from the back seat.

Then he returned to Fielding. “Juvie and Princess made a run for me. I put a present in your bag.”

“Only a few pieces a day?”

“You’re free to do whatever you want.”

“Da—”

He couldn’t take it. He didn’t want to see tears or hear Fielding say those words again.

“Fielding, you said you’d be good.”

“And you just told me I’m free to do whatever I want.”

Fielding grabbed the front of his jacket and fisted the fabric in his small hands. “I want to stay. I want to wake up with you tomorrow and the day after.”

“And you know we can’t do that.”

“I’m not like everyone else, Livingston. The scars don’t matter to me. I love them because—”

Fielding stopped talking as the roar of the plane’s engines drowned him out.

“Your parents are going to want to see you.”

He swallowed hard around the lump in his throat as Fielding nodded, then turned away from him. He kept distance between him and his boy, forced the mask into place that he’d worn for most of his life. The way he’d wanted Fielding made him forget that this was a job and nothing more. He wouldn’t regret that he’d loved Fielding for a short time. It was the happiest he’d ever felt, and he’d always have those memories.

“Fielding.” Grant stepped out of the plane and waved.

“You doing okay, man?” Linus leaned to the side to whisper to him.

“I’m fine. I’m taking a week’s vacation as soon as he gets on that plane.”

“Take as long as you need.”

Linus knew he’d take the week to get drunk and he’d want to be alone.

“Mr. Trenton, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for what you and your team did.”

“Just doing our job.”

“Fielding.” Mrs. Haskell’s voice made his skin crawl. “You’ve gained weight. Your cheeks are fat. I told you we didn’t have time to get you to lose the weight.”

“You’re going to ruin your big break, more purge, less binge, Fielding.”

He growled at Mr. Haskell and turned to Linus.

“Fuck this shit, boss, may I?”

“Please do.” Linus held out his hands for the bags. “I’ll put your boy’s bags back in the vehicle.”

“Boy, come over here,” he ordered and watched his boy smile.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Fielding practically ran back to him and launched himself into his arms. His boy wrapped his arms and legs around him.

“I knew you wanted to keep me.”

He sunk his fingers into Fielding’s hair and jerked his head back.

“May I tell them I’m moving in with you and going to college?”

“Yes, you may.”

“Yes,” Fielding yelled, and he let the boy slid back to his feet. Fielding danced in a circle before he faced his parents.

His boy was way too excited for something Livingston still didn’t know if it was going to work out or not.

“Mother, Father, I’m in love, and I’m staying here with Livingston.”

“The hell you are, you’re getting on that plane, and leave this silliness behind. You’re not gay, and you’re not staying here. Even if you were gay, he’s completely unacceptable.”

“Why, he gorgeous, sweet, bossy, cranky—”

He cut Fielding off by grabbing his hips. “I think that’s enough of listing my nicer qualities.”

“You’re getting on that plane, right now. I’ll have you committed, tell everyone the stalker sent you into a nervous breakdown.”

“Mrs. Haskell, I suggest you change your tactics.” Camden stepped out of the shadows with his arms wrapped around Sin and Saint, Elisabeth strapped to Camden’s chest.

“Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Sheriff Camden Pelter; these are my husbands, Eric and Ellison, and our daughter, Elisabeth. Fielding has expressed his wishes to remain with Mr. Livingston. That means you and your party get back on the plane and off my land.”

“Shameful, exposing innocent children—”

“Bitch, I don’t give a fuck if you’re Fielding’s mother or not, but you insult my husband again—”

“Eric.” Camden’s voice held the warning only a Daddy dealing with his boy could pull off.

“Sorry, Daddy, punishment later?”

He covered his mouth to hide his laugh as Sin asked about punishment a little louder than necessary.

“He signed a contract for this movie…he has to come back.”

“Then I’ll come along and act as security, then bring him home after filming.”

“Well, um, I actually don’t have a movie to do.”

“What are you talking about?” Grant demanded and started to a step forward.

Livingston reached for his weapon, and the man smartened up.

“I called a few days ago, and said that I wouldn’t be able to do the movie.”

He turned Fielding to face him and raised his hand to place his fingertips under his boy’s chin until his boy looked at him. “Fielding, when did you do that?”

“The day Nigel grabbed me, and you were in the meeting. Peaches helped me with all the legal stuff. Peaches was also helping me with getting control of my finances. Even if you weren’t going to keep me, I knew I didn’t want to live the same way. I thought maybe when I got a bit braver, and I could take care of myself, I’d come back.”

“Baby, you don’t have to change for me.”

“Then why didn’t you want to keep me?”

He glanced around, and thankfully Linus and Camden started working crowd control, they ushered bitching parents and a manager back toward the plane.

It was time to be honest. If this was his only chance at his dream, he needed to take it.

“Fear, I didn’t want to wake up one day or come home after work one night, and you be sick of me.”

Fielding snorted. “You’re an idiot.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll take a spanking or whatever for this one. Yes, I’m fifteen years younger than you. I was a virgin before you corrupted me, but that didn’t and doesn’t make me stupid or immature. My parents wanted a free ride on someone else’s dime. I’m pretty so modeling or acting was all I was going to be good for.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but his bratty boy arched a brow.

“I did it because I didn’t have any other choice…wasn’t given one. I told you what I wanted back when you took me for my first ride. That hasn’t changed. Your cabin is the first place I’ve ever felt was home. So, don’t make me go back.”

“I was just trying to do what I thought was best.”

“And I understand that, and I’ll trust you to know what’s best in every other situation, except this one.”

“If I hadn’t stopped you, would you have gone?”

“Yes, but not for long. You know, I’ve become a pretty big Daddy’s boy.”

Livingston smiled and tipped his head back to stare up at the lightening of the morning sky. He lowered his head back down to study Fielding’s delicate features.

“Come on, let’s go home. First I’ll punish for being bratty, and after that, I may reward you if you’re a good boy and take your punishment.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Brat.” He grabbed Fielding’s hand and led him back to the vehicle. He opened the door, helped his boy inside and buckled him in so he was safe.

“Livingston,” Linus yelled his name. “You still taking that weeks’ vacation?”

“Don’t even think of calling me.”

He got into the driver’s seat listening to his best friend laugh his fucking head off.

“What’s so funny?” Fielding asked.

“My friends are idiots.”

“I kinda like your friends. We going camping again?”

The question was asked too sweetly, and he snarled at a smirking Fielding.

“No, not anytime soon.”

“They’re sweet. They may need some company. All lonely in the woods by themselves.”

“That right there means you’re never going camping again.”

He started the SUV and backed up until he could turn around and head for home. He hoped Fielding knew what he wanted because once he got him home, it was too late for his boy to change his mind.