Chapter 24: The Night He Reached for Me

The boutique was tucked away in a quiet, upscale part of the city the kind of place where every surface gleamed, and the scent of polished wood and designer cologne lingered faintly in the air. The name Maison du Luca shimmered in gold letters on the glass door as Thaddeus and Kayden stepped inside.

"Welcome, Mr. Grey," the attendant greeted with a graceful nod, immediately recognizing the familiar client. "Your room is ready. The pieces are already arranged as per your specifications."

Thaddeus nodded, his presence commanding even without a word. Kayden stayed close beside him, eyes darting curiously around the boutique. The lighting was warm, almost golden, and the soft music playing overhead gave everything an elegant rhythm.

The fitting room was larger than Kayden expected. Spacious, with dark-paneled walls, a full-length mirror framed in gold, and a plush leather bench near the center. Three tailored suits were arranged neatly on a polished rack, shades of charcoal, navy, and deep forest green.

"Try this one first," Thaddeus said calmly, handing the navy jacket to Kayden.

The soft rustle of fabric filled the quiet, private fitting suite. Kayden hesitated, his fingers brushing over the expensive material. The presence of the attendant standing by made him fidget nervously. Thaddeus noticed.

"You can leave us," Thaddeus told the attendant. "Once he tries everything on, we'll let you know which one we're going with."

The man nodded and quietly exited, leaving a heavy silence in the room.

Kayden unbuttoned his shirt slowly, then turned to Thaddeus with a soft, almost shy voice. "Help me, Daddy…"

Thaddeus didn't respond at first, but when Kayden stepped closer, his fingers trembling over the buttons, he sighed and stepped in to help. As he undid the buttons, Kayden stared at him his gaze soft, smoldering, and filled with something deeper than just nerves. Something almost... seductive.

Thaddeus avoided his eyes, focusing on the buttons. "Behave," he said quietly.

Kayden tried the first jacket. It didn't sit well on his shoulders. Thaddeus frowned. "No. Doesn't fit right."

Kayden quickly slipped it off and tried the second one. This one was tight and snug around his chest and arms. "It's uncomfortable," Kayden admitted, turning toward the mirror, "but I like the color."

"You'll look better in something that doesn't squeeze you," Thaddeus replied, already picking up the last jacket, the deep forest green one.

Kayden tried it on, and the transformation was clear. It hugged him just right, soft against his skin, dignified yet youthful. Thaddeus's gaze lingered longer this time.

"It fits perfectly," he said.

Kayden turned toward him, playful now. "Daddy," he said again, his voice lower, "undo my shirt."

"Kayden." Thaddeus's tone sharpened slightly. "Lower your voice."

Kayden only smiled and stepped closer. "Kiss me."

"Kayden," Thaddeus warned again, his voice firm. "Someone might hear you."

But Kayden didn't flinch. He tilted his head, lips pouting, eyes pleading almost daring. "Kiss me, Daddy," he whispered again.

Thaddeus looked at him, stunned. The air between them thickened with unspoken tension. Against his better judgment, against everything he had sworn to control, he gave in.

He kissed him.

It started soft, but quickly deepened hungry, long, laced with restraint and desire all at once.

A voice outside interrupted them. "Excuse me, sir, any adjustments to be made?"

Thaddeus slowly pulled away from the kiss, brushing a thumb gently along Kayden's cheek. "When we get home," he whispered.

Kayden nodded silently, cheeks flushed.

Thaddeus opened the door and let the attendant back in. "The green one fits best," he said, all calm again. "Let him try it on once more so you can check where it needs adjustments."

The attendant worked quickly, noting a few minor changes. "We'll have it ready for delivery first thing in the morning."

Thaddeus nodded, placing a hand lightly on Kayden's back. "Let's go."

Together, they stepped out of the fitting room, the silence between them now charged with more than just new clothes.

The car moved steadily through the city streets, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Thaddeus sat relaxed in the back seat beside Kayden while his driver focused on the road ahead.

Kayden turned to him.

"Daddy, why didn't you get a fitting too?" he asked.

Thaddeus smiled faintly. "Have you ever been inside the closet in the guest wing where I keep my suits?"

Kayden shook his head. "No."

"Well," Thaddeus said, "it's practically a boutique on its own. I've got plenty of clothes I haven't even worn. The suit doesn't matter much. What matters is the black tie, simple, classic. I've got a lot of those. You know that."

Kayden nodded. "Okay."

Thaddeus glanced at him, his voice softer. "My assistant is resuming work on Monday.

Oh. Really?

Yes, and that means I'll finally have time to take you to school in the morning and pick you up after."

"Okay, Daddy," Kayden replied with a small smile. "That's a good thing, you'll finally get some time to rest."

Thaddeus gave a short laugh. "Maybe. But for the first few weeks, I'll still be busy. I need to make sure the new assistant understands everything. Elisa's already preparing his training, though, so after that... yes, I'll have more breathing space."

There was a pause before Kayden looked up at him again.

"Why didn't you have assistants before? Back then, when we lived in the same city, you had two. And guards. You were always surrounded by people."

Thaddeus's smile faded a little. "That's true," he said quietly. "But things changed. I lost interest in all that."

He didn't mention the real reason, that the people he once trusted betrayed him. His ex-girlfriend. The very staff he paid and protected. They hadn't just left. They broke something inside him. And since then, silence and distance felt safer than trust.

Kayden reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against the back of Thaddeus' hand.

"Then I'm glad I'm here now."

Thaddeus looked over at him, his heart tugging in that quiet way only Kayden could cause.

As the car cruised smoothly through the streets, Kayden's eyes flicked toward the window. They were approaching the corner where his favorite dessert shop sat tucked between a bookstore and a florist, its pastel sign and glass display always drew his gaze. He didn't say anything, but Thaddeus noticed the subtle glance.

"Kayden," Thaddeus said, his voice calm, "are we getting dessert today?"

Kayden sat up slightly, his expression quickly guarded. "No. I'm not getting dessert."

Thaddeus raised a brow, surprised. "Why not?"

Kayden hesitated before replying, "Ariz said it's not good for men to eat sweet things."

There was a beat of silence before Thaddeus narrowed his eyes slightly. "Who is Ariz?"

Kayden instantly realized his slip. He shouldn't have mentioned the name.

He cleared his throat and muttered, "Just a friend."

Thaddeus turned slightly in his seat to study him. "Is that the guy you were with the other day?"

Kayden didn't answer with words. He simply gave a small nod.

Thaddeus didn't say another word.

Not with the driver present, and certainly not with Kayden watching him so closely. He already felt the weight of a slip, one question too many, one tone too sharp. So he leaned back in his seat and let silence be the answer, even if it gnawed at him quietly.

Minutes passed, the city's soft hum blurring into the stillness of the car. Eventually, Kayden began to doze off, his eyelids growing heavy as the motion lulled him. Without a word, he shifted closer, the top of his head gently resting on Thaddeus's shoulder.

Thaddeus didn't move.

He simply sat there, letting Kayden lean on him, a quiet calm settling between them. He glanced down once, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand twitched slightly hinted at the war inside him.

When they arrived at the house, Thaddeus tapped Kayden's arm gently. "We're home," he said, voice soft.

Kayden stirred slowly, blinking in drowsy confusion before lifting his head and stepping out of the car beside him.

Inside, the warm light from the chandelier spilled across the hallway. The maid had already set the dining table, dishes neatly arranged and steaming gently. But Kayden glanced at it once and muttered, "I'm not hungry."

"Neither am I," Thaddeus replied simply.

Kayden turned toward the staircase, ready to retreat to his room, but Thaddeus's voice stopped him mid-step.

"Sleep in my room tonight."

Kayden turned his head slightly, eyes meeting Thaddeus's. "Okay," he replied quietly.

Without another word, Thaddeus reached out and took his hand, not forcefully, not even firmly, just enough to guide him. Their fingers linked naturally, and together, they walked down the hallway and disappeared into Thaddeus's room.

As they stepped into the room, Thaddeus couldn't shake the storm brewing quietly inside him.

The mention of Ariz's name still lingered in his mind like a bitter aftertaste. What kind of conversation could have passed between Kayden and Ariz that led to such a strange warning?

"Don't eat sweet things again"? It gnawed at him, deeper than he expected. He wasn't the type to get jealous easily… but Ariz wasn't just anyone.