Baxter had taken to that spanking far better than Hagen could have dreamed. Oh, he had hoped Baxter would like it, but the way he had leaned into it, had embraced it, was beyond Hagen's expectations.

He held Baxter as his emotions slowly came down, rubbing his back and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. This was one of his favorite parts of taking care of his boy. The sweet aftercare, helping the boy come down from a high, there was nothing like it. Sure, physically he could argue that coming himself was more rewarding, but emotionally, nothing could top this.

When it seemed Baxter had finally composed himself a little again—not that Hagen was in any hurry—Hagen whispered in his ear, "Let's go upstairs, baby boy. Daddy will give you a nice shower to help you relax."

Plus, Hagen wanted to have a good look at Baxter's red bottom, partial as he was to the sight of a well-spanked ass, but Baxter didn't need to know that. Hagen had other plans for that ass as well, but again, not something Baxter needed to know right now. Baxter obeyed without any resistance and allowed himself to be led upstairs like a docile little lamb. He waited quietly while Hagen turned on the shower, checking to make sure the temperature was right before he gestured Baxter over.

"Come stand with Daddy," he said, and his heart filled to maximum capacity when Baxter not only stepped next to him in the shower, but snuggled close to Hagen, wrapping his arms around his chest. His boy needed cuddles, apparently, and Hagen was all too happy to provide them.

They stood there for a few minutes, just cuddling, with Baxter making the sweetest little noises. Hagen didn't think he was even aware of it. They sounded like little mewls, like a cat made when it was needy. Anytime now, he would start purring, Hagen thought, bemused.

It didn't come to that however, as Baxter leaned back to look at him and said, "That was intense."

"Did you like it, baby boy?" Hagen asked.

Baxter snorted. "Like is not strong enough to express how that felt. I don't know if you've ever had the feeling where you never knew how much you needed something until you've experienced it, but that was what that was like for me. Like everything somehow just clicked, and it was perfect. This," Baxter gestured at himself and Hagen, "this is perfect."

Hagen couldn't have hoped for a more wholehearted endorsement of what they had experienced together, and he softly kissed Baxter on his lips. "I'm so happy you connected with it."

"Does it bring you pleasure as well?" Baxter asked, sounding a little insecure. He pointed at Hagen's dick, which had subsided somewhat from its previous strenuous erection. "Because you haven't come yet."

Hagen smiled at the hint of indignity in Baxter's tone. "Don't you worry, boy, I'll make sure to correct that."

"Do you want me to…?" Baxter asked, pointing again at Hagen's dick.

He appreciated the idea and the initiative, but that was not what he had in mind. "I need you to remember something, boy. Anytime I want to come, I will make sure I come. You don't ever have to worry about anything else but doing what I tell you. If I need you to do something for me, if I need you to help me come, I will tell you so, okay? Your job is not to question my decisions. Your job is to obey me, and trust me, I will make sure I get what I need."

Something flashed in Baxter's eyes, something hot and needy. Something that told Hagen Baxter was liking this dominant side of him. And wasn't that just perfect?

"Turn around," he told Baxter. "I want to see that gorgeous, pink ass."

Baxter turned around, then placed his hands against the tiles on the wall and pushed his ass backward in the most blatant invitation Hagen had ever seen. It made him chuckle, but then his eyes dropped to Baxter's ass, and that chuckle transformed into a low growl of approved. Oh, he loved this, seeing the evidence of his handiwork on his boy’s ass. Baxter's cheeks were bright, glowing. He hadn't used that much force, but he had kept it up for a considerable time, noticing how much Baxter had enjoyed it.

"Stay like that," he told him.

He let his hand trail down from Baxter's neck all the way to his ass, his skin hot under his touch. Oh, the boy’s ass was burning something fierce. He would be feeling that for a while, and that thought made Hagen even harder. He wasn't much of a masochist, not getting much pleasure from inflicting a lot of pain on his partners, but he would be lying if he said he didn't get massive enjoyment from seeing his mark on his boys.

Pleased with how their session had gone, Hagen squirted out some lotion he kept in the shower for this purpose and slicked himself up. Baxter turned his head around to see what was happening, and Hagen corrected him with a sharp snap on his ass.

"I believe I told you not to move," he said sternly.

“Ow!” Baxter protested, so Hagen smacked him again.

“Stay still,” he told him.

Until kindergarten, he hadn’t had a dominant hand, his parents had told him. It wasn’t till he’d started to learn how to write that he’d settled on right, but he was still ambidextrous and could do most things with his left hand as well. It came in handy in situations like this where he had his right hand wrapped around his own dick with perfect pressure while his left trailed Baxter’s crack.

The boy shivered when Hagen’s slick fingers tapped his hole, and Hagen smiled when those legs stepped wider, even though he’d told him not to move. He was so eager, so fucking responsive. Hagen loved it, and no way was he going to admonish him for this.

“Are you gonna let me in?” he asked, stroking himself with a delightful, slow rhythm. He wasn’t in a hurry, not when delay would make his release so much better.

Baxter spread his legs wider and pushed his ass back, letting out a little whimper. Hagen’s fingers found that warm little hole, and he teased it with one slick finger, loving how Baxter immediately responded.

“Would you like my finger in your greedy little hole?” he asked.

“God, yes.”

Hmm, that would not do, but with two slick hands, it was hard to slap him again. So Hagen chose something equally effective. He instantly removed his fingers from Baxter’s ass, resulting in a frustrated noise. It took maybe two seconds before Baxter understood.

“Yes, please, Daddy,” he said meekly, and Hagen rewarded him by finding that perfect spot again and pressing his index finger in.

It slid right in, Baxter sucking him in with a soft grunt. He was tight around Hagen’s finger, and he had no trouble imagining how perfectly snug he would feel around his dick. Not today, but soon. Very soon.

He fingered Baxter in the same rhythm as he jacked himself off, wet, slick noises audible even over the water running. “You want another one?” he asked.

“Yes, Daddy.”

The boy was learning fast. “Beg me for it,” Hagen said. God, he loved it when he made his boys beg, craving that desperate need for him.

Baxter didn’t hesitate for a second. “Please, Daddy.”

His voice was filled with need, close to a whine. Hagen wanted to reward that and added a second finger. Oh, how Baxter let him in, so trusting and so needy. Two slick fingers pumped his hole now, but Hagen was careful to keep them straight. He stepped closer, so close he could lean in and nip Baxter’s ear lobe before he whispered, “You can’t come again. You’re here for my pleasure now, baby boy. Daddy needs to come, and you’re going to help me, aren’t you?”

The sound that fell off Baxter’s lips was a mix between a whine and a sob. “Yes, Daddy,” he finally managed.

Hagen curled his fingers, finding that spongy spot inside Baxter with ease. He jerked when Hagen hit it. “Oh please, Daddy,” he begged. “Please.”

Hagen’s hand sped up, his cock so hard it felt like iron in his hands. Slippery, slick iron, throbbing with need.

“Fuck me, Daddy. Please. Put your cock inside me.”

Hagen growled with pleasure at Baxter’s begging. The temptation was so big to slide in. He was right there, his ass already slick, and he was begging so prettily. But he couldn’t. It was too much, too fast. Besides, he needed protection. Or they’d need to talk about going bare, which they hadn’t discussed yet. No, for now he had other plans for that ass.

He gave a few more pumps with his fingers, feeling Baxter clamp up on him, signaling he was close to the edge. Then he pulled out, and fisted himself hard, bringing his cock close to Baxter’s ass. He groaned low and deep as he came, spurting thick ropes that landed on Baxter’s lower back and ass, then started dripping down beautifully.

“Ah,” he sighed, then smiled. “What a beautiful sight.”

“Daddy?” Baxter asked, his voice small. “You’re really not gonna let me come again?”

Hagen admired his handiwork for a second or two more before he put his hand on Baxter’s shoulder and turned him around. Baxter’s cheeks were flushed, his cock rock hard. Hagen leaned in to kiss him, his lips capturing his, then pushing his tongue inside that warm, sweet mouth. He pressed him flat against the wall, pinning Baxter’s arms above his head with one hand while grinding their bodies together.

There was so much he wanted to do to him, so much he wanted to do with him. He hadn’t had his fill of him by far, and something told him it would take a long time to ever reach that stage.

"No," he said, when he’d kissed those lips until they were all swollen again. "But if you’re a good boy now, Daddy will soap you and wash you, and then we can cuddle in bed."

"Where the hell have you been?"

Baxter grimaced as Denise's voice yelled in his ear through the phone. "I'm sorry for not calling you," he said sheepishly. "I had some stuff going on."

"No shit," Denise said, a little softer but still not exactly friendly. "When you didn't answer your phone, I went by your trailer, only to discover the wreckage. What the hell happened? And more importantly, where are you staying right now?"

"I'm sorry, he said again. He let out a deep sigh. "Look, things happened quickly. I wanted to call you and then forgot."

Denise was quiet for a few seconds. "Bax, what are you not telling me? Where are you?"

"I was in class yesterday and today," Baxter defended himself weakly. What else could he say? It wasn't like he could tell Denise where he was staying.

"You're still not telling me everything. What is going on, Bax?"

"I can't tell you, okay? It's nothing illegal, it's nothing to worry about, it's just that I can't tell you where I'm staying right now," he said, hoping that would satisfy Denise. Obviously, he should've known better.

"Oh. My. God. Baxter Lafelle, are you seeing someone?"

Yeah, he should've seen that one coming. What was the harm in telling her? He couldn't tell her it was Professor St. Croix, though Baxter winced inwardly as he referred to him mentally by his title. Well, Daddy wasn't really an improvement, considering he was talking to his best friend, who would be shocked if she found out.

"I am," he said, figuring he should at least give her some version of the truth. "But it's in the very early stages, and there are reasons why we can’t go public with it yet."

"He's not married, is he?" Denise asked, and Baxter loved her for the worry in her voice.

"He's not, I promise. He's also not in the closet. It's just, with his job, it's hard to be open about it in this early stage."

"How did you guys meet? I'm so excited for you!"

The joy in her voice was genuine, and at least Baxter could be open about this part. "Actually, we met through that Valentine’s Inc. app, the one you told me to sign up for. He was looking for a specific date, and we matched through the app."

"I'm confused," Denise said. "I thought you signed up for where you were getting paid to date guys."

"I did," Baxter assured her.

"So he's paying you to date him?"

Okay, so maybe this was not as easy as Baxter had thought. He'd forgotten about the extra complication of the whole being paid thing. "We signed a contract for three weeks, so for that period, he will pay me as we agreed. But I'm seeing him much more than the hours we agreed on, so I guess he's only paying me part-time to be with him?"

He cringed as his own words registered. "It doesn't sound good, the way I explain it, but really, it's not what you think. He likes me, and I like him, and he knows I need the money, so he wants to keep paying me for what we agreed to. But I'm not with him because he's paying me, and he's not with me only because he's paying me. I don't know if that makes any sense to you?"

“What about your other jobs?” Denise asked.

“I had already reduced my shifts at Rocky’s because I would be here, so I called in and said I was taking off for two weeks. They weren’t happy, but I have so much accrued leave they can’t really say anything. And I told Willie that I couldn’t make it in for two weeks, and he understood. You know how he is,” Baxter said. When Denise didn’t say anything, he added, “What are you thinking?”

"What I'm thinking is that you're Julia Roberts and he's Richard Gere and that at the end of the contract, he's gonna declare his love for you and you live happily ever after," Denise said.

Pretty Woman, Baxter thought. He could totally work with that. "Exactly. Except, I don't have a fire escape he can climb, and I don't think he's scared of heights, but that's the idea, yes."

"Baxter, I hate to be the one to ruin it for you, but how long have you known him? Are you really that serious that fast?"

"I don't know," he said, leaning his head on his hands. "It's all complicated, and I don't know what to think. But I want to believe there's a happy end for us."

"What are you scared of?" Denise asked, her voice soft and understanding.

"I'm scared of him leaving me too," Baxter said after a long pause, his throat closing up.

"Robert was an asshole," Denise said with conviction. "That man used you to get through law school."

She was right, and Baxter had come to that conclusion some time ago, but that didn't make it easier. "What if that happens again? What if I'm attracted to bad guys, to boyfriends who will use me and then dump me?"

"Is he showing any signs he is interested only in using you? Like, does he ask you for money or ask you to do things for him?"

Baxter almost laughed. The idea of Daddy asking him for money was too insane to even consider. It was the other way around, and Baxter suspected that if he allowed him, that he would spend a lot more money on him. And as for the question of whether he was using Baxter? Yes, but not like Denise suggested.

"No, he doesn't," he said. "In fact, he's taking really good care of me, and he's making me feel things I've never experienced before."

"How does he make you feel?" Denise asked.

Baxter thought back on the previous night, when Daddy had spanked him, then allowed him to come. It had been the single most intense sexual experience of his life. He had never felt like this, like this desperate ball of need. Baxter hadn't merely craved the spanking or the sexual pleasure. He had craved Daddy.

Even when the man had used him in the shower to get off, bringing Baxter to the brink of his orgasm and then leaving him unfulfilled, it had been horrible and perfect at the same time. He'd wanted to come so desperately, but Daddy had said no, so in the end, all that had been left was to take what Daddy gave him. They'd cuddled for a long time before Baxter had fallen asleep in his Daddy's arms, and that had been the best night of sleep he’d ever had.

His ass still smarted, but not as badly as he had expected. It was more like a glow, a constant reminder of what had happened. It was like even now, in the car on the way to school, Daddy was still with him. And if that wasn't the most sentimental crap ever, Baxter didn’t know what was, but every word was true. This relationship did something to him that made him feel things he'd never felt before, made him want things he'd never wanted before.

"He makes me feel everything," he said simply. "When I'm with him, it's… I don't know how to describe it, but my heart is so full and so empty at the same time. It's like I need him at a level that scares me."

"Oh Baxter," Denise sighed, and that simple utterance said it all. "It sounds like you're in love with him. Because that's how love feels, that scary, needy feeling that is so big and demanding it feels like your heart can't contain it."

"It's too soon," Baxter protested. "I barely know him. How can I be in love with him?"

"Because he's perfect for you?" Denise said. "Who can explain why with some people, it takes months to fall in love and with others it's an instant thing? All I'm saying is that the heart knows, and what you are describing, that’s how I feel about Nick."

"It's so complicated," Baxter sighed. "There's his job and the getting paid and me having this big fear he's going to turn out to be another asshole, plus he's older than me and there's just so much stacked against us."

"He's older than you? How much older are we talking about?"

"Sixteen years?" Baxter said hesitantly.

"Wow, you found yourself a silver daddy, huh?" Denise said, and Baxter had to remind himself she wasn't using the same term she’d referred to Hagen by on purpose. Still, it was an uncanny coincidence, and Baxter itched with the need to tell her, but he couldn't. First of all, it would be stupid, because it could get Hagen into trouble. But more importantly, he had promised Hagen he wouldn't, and he wouldn't let him down.

"I hope you can meet him sometime soon. He really is the perfect silver Daddy."