Hagen's breath caught in his lungs at Baxter's words that demonstrated not only great empathy but also a deeper understanding of the D/s dynamic than Hagen would've given him credit for. For someone who wasn't in the lifestyle, that conclusion was stunning, even more because Hagen himself had never realized how true it was. Jake hadn't just hurt him as a boyfriend, a partner, but he had wounded him as a Dom, damaging his self-confidence.

"Thank you," he said. "It means a lot that you understand how much that hurt me."

Baxter still sat on his knees opposite him, and Hagen was glad to see his face. "I still don't understand what this has to do with you using the app," Baxter said.

"I guess I got scared of trying to find someone," Hagen said. "It's not easy to try again when you've put yourself out there twice and basically got rejected."

"When you hire someone, you wouldn't have that problem," Baxter understood. "It's a business relationship, not personal, so they can't reject you."

"That was the idea, but then my date turned out to be you. So much for the business relationship part."

"Sorry?" Baxter said, half-shrugging.

Hagen reached for his hand and took it. "I’m not. I'm glad it was you, and I hope you feel the same way."

Baxter squeezed his hand before he answered. "It's hard for me to feel different from where I'm sitting, warm, my belly full, in the company of a wonderful man, and taken care of."

Something about that statement irked Hagen. "Is that all it is, the practical things I can provide for you?" he asked, keeping his voice level.

"Of course that's not all, don't be daft," Baxter said.

Hagen's eyebrows shot up at that expression. "Are you suddenly British?"

"It was my father's favorite expression," Baxter said with a sad smile. "Despite his lack of education, he had a real way with words. He loved discovering expressions like that and then dropping them at the perfect moment in a conversation."

Hagen remembered Baxter had mentioned his father before and that he had passed away. "He sounds like a wonderful man."

"Both my parents were wonderful. Well, my mom still is. They never had any issues with me being gay either. When I came out, they didn't say a single word of criticism or discouragement. All I heard was that they loved me just the same, and they showed it in everything they did after."

"How did your father die?" Hagen asked. "He must’ve been pretty young."

"Massive heart attack. We never saw it coming. He hadn't even retired yet."

"That must've been a hard loss," Hagen commented.

"It was. Financially too, as it turned out he didn't have insurance to cover the costs of his funeral, so we were left with not only a huge hospital bill for the five days he spent in the cardiac unit before he passed away, but also from his funeral. We had to dip into our emergency funds."

Hagen understood this time. "You used your college fund."

Baxter shrugged. "What else was I supposed to do? Robert, my ex, was furious. But I couldn't let my mom be burdened by all those bills by herself. For years, they had put away money for me to go to college, but I couldn’t let her go bankrupt. But by the time everything was paid off, there wasn't much left."

"Why did he break up with you?" Hagen asked.

"It's a similar story to yours, actually. I never saw it coming. We met when I was in college and he was just starting on his bachelor’s. It was fast, but I was in love, and he was so smart, you know? He had all this ambition, all these plans. So when he convinced me to drop out to work full time and help pay for him, I did it. He’d promised me that once he had his law degree, he would get a well-paying job in Boston and pay for me."

Hagen’s heart hurt, because he knew what was coming next. “He broke up with you when it was your time?”

Baxter nodded, a mix of anger and sadness on his face. "We had issues for sure, and he wasn't happy with our finances. He tried to dissuade me from going back to college, said I should try to get a job at a company that would pay for it, like Starbucks or something. Or get an entry-level position at some firm. But I wanted to get my degree. I promised my father I would get back to college, and I deserve it. I didn't think it was fair he got his turn for his law degree, and that I should have to compromise on my dreams. So I applied here and I got in, and last summer, he moved out. I came home from work to find a bunch of moving boxes he had ordered online, and he had already started packing. Hours later, he was gone."

There was resentment in Baxter's voice, but also fierce anger, and Hagen understood the latter all too well. "He didn't take your savings, did he?"

Baxter sighed. "Worse. It turns out we didn't have any. He did our finances, and I thought we were putting away money again for my college. Turns out it was about a tenth of what I thought it would be. He left me with nothing. And there was not a damn thing I could do about it. So I canceled our lease, having the luck that our apartment was a wanted unit so there was a waiting list of people trying to get in. A friend of mine hooked me up with Jim to rent a trailer, and that's how I ended up there. I've been working my ass off ever since to make tuition, but it's a losing battle."

As much as Hagen's heart hurt for Baxter, he realized he had a problem. After an experience like that, Baxter would have definite issues trusting anyone else again, especially with practical things and finances. It would be an uphill battle for Hagen to prove that he was honorable and trustworthy. How could he convince Baxter that he wanted to take care of him, not take advantage of him?

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. Did he move out of the area?"

"Yeah, and that's what pisses me off the most. He has that high-paying job now in Boston, one where he could've easily afforded tuition for me. He also has a new boyfriend, one who makes as much as he does. A mutual friend updated me on their situation, and I shouldn't be bitter, but I am."

"I know from experience that letting go is not quite so easy as people make it out to be," Hagen told him.

They sat for a while, each lost in thought, until Baxter said, "So where does this leave us? I suppose our contract with Valentine’s Inc. is canceled now?"

And suddenly, the solution was crystal clear to Hagen. He had the perfect opportunity to let Baxter try the new dynamic and build trust between them. "It doesn't have to be, but I would like to modify it. I have a proposition for you," Hagen said, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice.

He had to pitch this the right way to get Baxter to accept it. It would hit two birds with one stone, allowing him to take care of Baxter financially and practically, while also giving Baxter the opportunity to experience what it was like to be taken care of by a Daddy.

Baxter's mouth dropped open a little before he caught himself. "You still want me?"

The bafflement in that statement hit Hagen deep. How could Baxter think for just one second Hagen didn't want him? Maybe he hadn’t been as clear in his communications as he thought he'd been. No, wait, of course Baxter was confused. That was the downside of their arrangement. Baxter thought it was business only. He hadn't realized Hagen genuinely wanted him.

"Okay, time for some crystal clear communication," he said. "Number one: I’m more than a little interested in you on a personal level. That has nothing to do with the app or hiring you. I like you and I'm attracted to you, and I can only hope you feel the same."

If Baxter had looked surprised before, now his face was displaying utter shock. "I did not see that coming," he said.

"Would you care to answer my last question?" Hagen asked, a little worried Baxter hadn't addressed it.

"Technically, it wasn't a question, but a statement."

God, he would have his hands full with Baxter, Hagen thought. And he would love every minute of it. This boy would make him work for it, and what a welcome change that was. "You’re absolutely right. My apologies. Let me rephrase that. Would you care to address my last remark and offer some guidance on whether you feel the same way?"

Baxter smiled. "I do, Professor. Sir. Hagen."

"About that," Hagen said. "I’m absolutely delighted to hear you feel that way, and I hope the second part of my proposal will appeal to you as well."

Baxter's smile widened. "I love it when you get all formal," he said. "It shouldn't sound as sexy as it does, but it's hot as fuck. But please, continue. You were at number two, I believe."

Hagen had a number two, and a number three and four as well at some point, but damn if he could remember them right now. All he wanted was to kiss that smart mouth, and after a second of deliberation, that's exactly what he did. His hand shot out and grabbed Baxter's neck, pulling him forward so fast he tumbled against Hagen. Hagen caught him, then brought their mouths together.

Baxter let out a moan as soon as his lips met Hagen's. The kiss was everything he had imagined it to be. Dominant. Arousing. Perfect.

He closed his eyes as he let Hagen in, moaned again as their tongues met. His arms wrapped around Hagen's neck all by themselves, and he gasped with delight when Hagen's hands landed on his ass, pulling him closer.

Hagen's tongue swept his mouth as if he wanted to explore every corner, and Baxter chased him, not satisfied with the initial contact. He needed more, needed to feel Hagen's tongue dance with his, needed to feel their bodies pressed together. He needed so much more that it almost scared him.

Then Hagen finally allowed Baxter to catch him, and their tongues started an intricate dance, sliding around each other, sucking and licking, pushing and pulling. It was a filthy, sloppy kiss that had Baxter's head reeling with desire. And not just his head, his whole body was burning with need.

Hagen nipped his bottom lip with his teeth, and the flash of pain shot straight to Baxter's dick. Who would've thought? Apparently, he liked at least a little roughness. Hagen's strong hands kneaded his ass, and Baxter instinctively spread his legs. If Hagen told him to strip right here and now, he would obey without a second's hesitation. Baxter wasn't sure if that said more about his submissiveness or about his desperate need to get laid, but it was the truth.

Baxter allowed Hagen to pull him on top of the man's body, sinking down on the couch with Baxter covering him. It had felt like forever since he had done this—and maybe it had been—but even with Robert, it had never been like this. There was a sharp edge of desperation to it, a need so fierce it almost hurt. And it wasn't just Baxter, he could sense it in Hagen as well.

He only needed a small nudge to reverse positions, and if he had thought being on top of Hagen was heaven, it was nothing compared to lying on his back on the couch with that strong body covering his. He felt very much like a boy now, being taken apart by a man. Everything about Hagen was hard and masculine, from the slight stubble on his cheeks to his hands, his body, his dick that was grinding into Baxter with slow circles.

Baxter's own cock was equally hard, and how he wanted more friction. He raised his hips, tried to find a part of Hagen's body to grind against. A sharp nip on his bottom lip made him gasp.

"You take what I give you," Hagen growled, and oh god, had he ever sounded sexier?

Baxter was learning things about himself he never knew. Like how much he liked it when Hagen did this, when his voice got that low, dominant edge to it. "Yes, Sir," he said, the desire to call him anything other than Hagen too deep to ignore.

"Good boy," Hagen said, and then he moved his hand between their bodies, cupping Baxter's groin with a firm, decisive grip. "This is mine now, Baxter. You don't get to decide anymore. I do."

"Yes, Sir," Baxter managed, his body fighting the urge to buck against Hagen's hand, to grind against him.

Hagen's mouth moved from Baxter's to his ear, where the man's tongue traced his shell first, which caused shivers to dance down Baxter’s spine, before tickling his earlobe. It was a feeling far more pleasant than Baxter had ever expected, but when Hagen started the assault on his ear for real, switching licks with little sucks and nibbles, he went nearly mad. Who the fuck had thought his ear would be such an erogenous zone?

This time, he couldn't keep himself from responding, and his hips came off the couch to rub against Hagen's hand, which still held his junk in a possessive hold. That hold increased in pressure immediately, and Baxter would've thought that would cool him down, but it didn't.

"What did I tell you about this?" Hagen said in that same deep voice.

His warm breath danced over Baxter's wet ear, and he would've done anything for Hagen to continue. Hell, if Hagen kept that up, that delicious exploration of his ear, combined with the pressure on his dick, it wouldn’t take long for Baxter to come.

"You said to take what you give me," he groaned, fighting so hard to not do it again.

The pressure on his junk increased even more, and it took two gasping-for-breath seconds to figure out why. "Sir," Baxter almost shouted. "Sir, please."

Hagen's hand let go, but just a little, and the smile he sent Baxter was downright dirty. "Oh boy, aren't you pretty when you beg?" he said, trailing Baxter's mouth with his index finger. "Your eyes are all dark with desperation, and I love the way your lips look after I've kissed you, all red and swollen. You look so fucking wanton."

And Baxter, who had given his fair share of blow jobs but had never thought of them as more than pleasing his partner rather than pleasuring himself, suddenly couldn't wait to close his mouth around Hagen's cock. His filter had been obliterated by Hagen's assault on his system, so he flat out admitted it.

"Imagine how they would look wrapped around your dick," he said, and he couldn't believe how husky his voice sounded. Hagen had been spot-on, calling him wanton. And then, because he forgot again, even though Hagen had been totally contradictory on whether Baxter should call him Sir, he added, "Sir."

Hagen's eyes darkened to deep-blue pools. "Daddy," he said.

They both froze, their faces two inches apart, their bodies plastered together with Hagen's hand still firmly wrapped around Baxter's dick.

"What?" Baxter said, blinking.

"Daddy. That's what I want you to call me," Hagen said, and his voice had changed now.

It wasn't as commanding, but there was an emotional layer to it, almost pleading, as if he wasn't sure this was what Baxter wanted. It spoke of need and desire, but also a hint of insecurity that hit Baxter deep.

Daddy. Baxter rolled the word around in his head, tasting it on his tongue. He'd come across it in his research, Daddy kink. He hadn't understood the appeal, but right now, he did in a way that made not only his brain light up but his body as well. It rushed through him, the understanding that this was what and who Hagen wanted to be for him. A Daddy.

Someone who would take care of Baxter, would focus on his needs, someone who wanted to make him happy. Hagen wanted to make Baxter happy, and if that wasn't a mind-blowing concept, Baxter didn't know what was. He only had to think of that day alone, the tender way Hagen had made sure he was warm, safe, fed, to understand how this would work.

Was it possible to never realize how much you needed something until you saw it? It had to be, because that's exactly how Baxter was feeling. When he'd read about Daddy kink, it hadn't done anything for him. In fact, some other elements of the D/s dynamic he had read about had appealed more to him. Like spanking, which he couldn't deny made him curious and a little horny. But now that he had experienced Hagen's care for him, he realized he wanted more of that. He craved it.

Hagen's face twitched as he waited for Baxter to respond, and Baxter saw the doubt and insecurity creep into the man's features. So he reached up, hoping Hagen would forgive him for taking the initiative, and pressed a soft kiss on the man's lips.

"Okay," he said. "Daddy."