Page 67 of Daddy's Pride

"About ten years, it was my college graduation present."

"Expensive gift."

"With massive strings attached. My parents live behind me." I didn't hear any heat in Rogue's voice when they said how close in proximity Rogue was to their parents.

I watched as Rogue emptied the pockets of slim dress pants; keys, wallet and phone all placed in a bowl on a thin table beside the door with a mirror above it. Rogue caught my gaze in their reflection. Something about the intensity of that simple look caused me to turn my focus elsewhere.

"You want to take a shower?"

"What?"

"After your hookup, do you want to get cleaned up? I think I have something that'll fit you."

I was about to say I was fine, but once we left the club, I could still smell the subtle scent of sex and the not-so-faint stench of cologne.

"Do you mind?" I asked.

"Of course not; you can leave your stuff here." Rogue pointed to the table and I removed the strap of my small clutch purse from around my wrist. It was only big enough for my phone, house key and a few items to touch up my makeup if needed.

"Don't freak out, but the best bathroom in the place is mine." She spoke casually as we ascended the stairs with a patterned runner down the middle. "After you're done cleaning up you can find me in the kitchen. There's three floors, my bedroom is on the third, second has two bedrooms and a bathroom, and the living area is on the first. The kitchen is all the way at the back of the house."

"This is a lot of space for one person."

"I used to have roommates," Rogue explained as we took the last flight of stairs and stepped out onto an open space. "They were some college friends, they'd gotten jobs locally and lived with me until they could afford to get their own places."

Rogue went to a dresser and searched through one of the drawers while I awkwardly stood by.

"Here."

Rogue pulled out a pile of pink silk and I darted a glance at them.

"My mama's. She left them here a few weeks ago. Dad was out of town and they're together so much she doesn't like staying alone when he's off with his friends. Bathroom is through there." Rogue handed over the clothes with their left hand and pointed to a closed door with the other. "Help yourself to whatever. The extra toothbrushes are in the bottom drawer. Do you have any food allergies?"

"No."

"I'll change once you're in the bathroom. Take your time, it's only eleven, still early."

With their job, I wasn't shocked Rogue thought eleven was early. I crossed the room, opened the door and stepped into a spacious bathroom. I found the light switch and pushed the button. The room could've been featured in a design magazine. It was nearly as large as my room at home. A massive shower stall with stone seats and multiple shower heads. A black clawfoot tub.

I closed and locked the door behind me. I gathered everything I needed and started to strip away my clothes. The more skin I exposed, I studied myself in the mirror. Two years of hormones had softened my once-lean frame. Gave me subtle curves to my hips and belly. I remembered for months after starting my medication, I'd spent hours looking for even the tiniest change.

The giddiness over growing out of an A-cup to a small B had me running to Freida to show off. It hadn't been easy hiding what I was doing. But since the move, I didn't have two sets of clothes. One hidden away while I hoped and prayed no one found them. I just wanted to be me and my move had been all about making sure I could live as myself. I just wished I didn't suck at it so badly.

Chapter 2

Rogue

Contrary to popular belief I wasn't the type to bring someone home, motel or hotel, sure. Even my office on occasion, but my sanctuary never. I'd noticed Trinity earlier in the night. She'd been with some pretty boy. He had a reputation for hooking up with several people during a night. When Trinity stepped up to the bar, it wasn't difficult to see she'd shed at least a few tears.

She was a woman who should never be without a smile. The second she'd told me she wasn't fucking me for payment of a drink, I'd decided she was coming home with me. When she’d told me she was straight, that disappointed me a bit. Yet that didn't change the fact I wanted to cook her dinner.

No one should think someone was going to give up their bodily autonomy for the nicety of a dinner offer or a kind word. That was just shitty humanity. The company of a beautiful woman and a thanks was more than enough in my opinion. To be honest, I was probably more than a little out of practice in the way of charm. It had been a few years since I'd tried it out.

My club pretty much had the same employees for the last decade or more and ran itself for the most part. If my dad knew one thing, it was how to make his employees loyal. When mom and dad decided to turn the club over to me, I'd only taken a part-time interest in it. Increasingly, I'd become disillusioned with my corporate lifestyle. When a conservative-run company had bought out the one I worked at, I'd given my resignation.

I was a visibly Queer person who wasn't going to go back into the closet for anyone, especially when I had a successful backup plan. They'd tried to talk me into staying but when they decided to take Mx off my door plaque because it didn't fit with the new management’s image, I told them to kiss my ass.

The timer beeped on my rice cooker, and I threw the thinly sliced chicken and veggies into my wok. I'd told Trinity to take her time and stir-fry was the quickest and easiest thing I could think of to make at almost midnight.