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Chapter One

“Kris! Great to see you, man!” I’m pulled in for a tight hug from the bear of a man booming the greeting. I drop my duffel bag at my feet as Connor thumps my back. I return the gesture, despite being shorter and nowhere near as solid as my buddy. “I’m glad you decided to come.”

“Yeah, me too.” I grin back at him as his meaty paws release me. Connor’s a big guy who gives big hugs. Even as a fellow Daddy, I miss the warmth and squishiness of it when we part. I rub my stubbled jaw. “I’ve missed you, bud.”

“I still can’t believe you’ve moved halfway across the country. Dan and Sophie told me I need to convince you to move home again.”

I snort and shake my head. “I couldn’t refuse the promotion. Besides, I’m surprised either of them have time to really miss me these days.” The couple in question opened up their relationship to a third, a Little, and the group chat has been full of their photos and stories of how busy they’ve been together. I’m happy for them, but the dynamics of our friendship group changed long before I announced my move. “Andyou,” I poke him in his broad, if soft, chest, “said you’re looking to settle down, too.”

Beneath his bushy blond beard, he smiles softly. “Yeah, well, I have to actually meet someone first, and thentheyalso have to be interested in settling down…”

“Have they paired you up with anyone for this camp?”

“Yeah, actually. I’m, uh, I’ve been assigned two Littles. A girl and a non-binary Little. A couple looking for a Daddy.” His voice is usually deep, but it’s pitched higher with his excitement. “They haven’t arrived yet, but apparently they live about an hour away from us…er…me, so if it goes well…”

“I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you, bud. That’s awesome.” Idon’tmention that I think it’s funny that he’s also looking to be some couple’s third when our other closest friends are also in a poly relationship, because this has to be a simple coincidence…but it’s just one other thing that makes me feel different and distanced from the others. I don’t mention that, either.

I’m not actually interested in being in a relationship right now. I’ve just moved halfway across the country to settle into a new role at the head office of the company I work for, and I feel like committing to a new relationship would just be adding one new responsibility too many. Going to kink clubs and participating in scenes with Littles and Middles scratches my Daddy itches, and more often than not, my sexual ones as well. This camp will probably be similar, though I elected to participate as a counselor for the activities only, not as a full-time Caregiver assigned to spend the entire week with one Little or Middle.

Unfortunately, though, it does make me feel a bit lonely when my friends are all coupled —or throupled— up.

Not that I’ll be seeing much of them afterthis camp is over.

It’s a bit depressing to think it. Since I was in College, Dan, Soph, and Connor have been my support system. We’ve practically lived in each other’s pockets after meeting at a local munch way back when. It’s going to be weird not being able to just drop into one of their homes for a beer and a chat.

That’s what video calls are for.

I wish the voice in my head would realize that Facetime is nowhere near the same as in-person conversation.

Still better than nothing.

Fine. The voice makes a valid point.

Besides, I am a pretty affable guy. I like to think I make friends easily. As much as I will miss my best friends, I’m not planning on being a hermit. And I’ve already heard about the thriving kink community in my new city, too. There are a few clubs, of course, but only one stands out. The Grove. It’s more expensive than any of the others, but larger and with state-of-the-art facilities. It also prides itself on its iron-clad NDAs and impeccable safety procedures. I’ve only been there once, but I put in a membership application immediately. I am hoping to hear back from them this week. And, through The Grove, I heard about The Little Community Center — an inclusive support hub run by members of the kink community. They apparently host a bevy of events as well, for those members of the community who don’t want to go to a nightclub, but who still want to connect and play outside of organized munches.

For a relatively small, landlocked city, it’s got a lot going on behind the scenes.

“Where are you bunking?” Connor’s question brings me out of my thoughts and I check the number on my bright blue plastic keyring. “Private cabin,” I answer. “I like people and makingfriends, but the idea of sharing with a stranger didn’t appeal to me.”

“Mmm, no. Especially not if you hit it off with one of the single Littles, right?” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“Ah, yeah, because nothing says ‘romance’ like being able to hear the person in the next cabin along snoring.”

He snorts. “Pretty sure this place has been planned out specifically to allow people to feel comfortable indulging in all sorts of stuff. Even if the cabins aren’t soundproofed, I feel like everyone here’s on similar pages with their kinks.”

“True,” I muse, hefting my bag onto my shoulder and gesturing to the path which, the map tells me, will lead to the cabins, “but I’m not treating this as a hook-up trip.”

I really only came because it gives me a chance to spend a bit of extra time with one of my best friends before we have to part ways for an unknown amount of time. It’s a vacation before I officially start my new job, and I plan on relaxing as much as I can while leaning into my Caregiver urges a bit.

“Besides, the camp’s not supposed to be treated like a kink club,” I continue as we start walking, not that Connor really needs to be reminded. He’s never really been the one-night stand type. That’s more my thing, usually.

He raises a hand to wave at someone in the distance before glancing back at me. “Yeah, but you can’t tell me that there aren’t going to be a bunch of people hoping they might get luckyandmake long-lasting connections.”

“Like you?”

“Shut up.”

“Can’t do that.”