Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Dean Aavik

“This is completely unnecessary, Joshua. I’m not afraid of that motherless little prick.”

It was as if he didn’t hear me. He just stalked into my home and shrugged out of his jacket. “Where do you keep your overnight bag, cariño?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I grated out.

I shouldn’t have told him about the damn note. It’d just irritated me—and I’d texted him because it might help him with his investigation, but this was too much. Although, I appreciated the term of endearment.

Gael kicked off his boots and joined Joshua in the living room, and the boy seemed to enjoy the sight of all the books.

“Is this my cue, Daddy?”

Daddy.

So they were official.

Good for them.

I suppressed a sigh and closed the door to the sound of Joshua saying, “Yeah, go for it, little one.”

As I left the entryway, Gael backtracked and blocked my path, and he smiled up at me.

“Hi, Sir.”

I narrowed my eyes at Joshua, who merely grinned. What was going on here?

“Hello, dear.” I dragged my gaze back to the boy.

“I think it’s best if you come with us,” he said. “Like, it would mean the world to me, and I wouldn’t have to worry about you.”

Joshua had put him up to this, hadn’t he?

“You don’t have to worry about me, regardless,” I explained patiently. “I’m safe here. I’m safe in my home and at work.” I’d be safe if I ended up face-to-face with that imbecile too.

A sweet blush crept forward on Gael’s cheeks, and he took a small step toward me and—fucking hell, he switched on the puppy-dog look. Goddamn Joshua. Goddamn Gael.

“But, please?” The boy even clasped his hands together. “Can’t you hide with me, Sir? With us? I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if Caleb hurt you.”

For the love of—

I didn’t hide, goddammit. If anything, I wanted to help Joshua track down that punk and give him a piece of my mind.

“I could use your help on this case.” Joshua’s voice brought my attention back to him, and I wondered if he could suddenly read minds. “We have a few leads now.”

“Pretty please, Sir.” Gael took another step toward me and grabbed my hand, his pale blue eyes searing their sweet plea into me.

I was officially the superficial bastard who caved under the spell of an adorable submissive, and I couldn’t fucking believe it. What was wrong with me? No good could come of this outing. The moment we set foot in the house in Mclean, the professionalism I was clinging to would be gone. With it, my resolve. And I couldn’t allow that.

I was supposed to see this boy in class tomorrow. Now, he was holding my hand, begging me to hide with him in my kink community’s big estate. My God. If I got through this with my integrity intact, I deserved an award.

“How is this supposed to be just one night?” I had to ask, and I addressed Joshua. “Do you have a plan? How will going into hiding help us track down Caleb?”

Joshua cleared his throat and gave my living room a quick glance. “The hiding part is mostly for Gael’s comfort. But even me—people come and go in this building at all hours, Dean. I’d feel better if we stuck it out together.”

“So. Much. Better,” Gael implored.

My mouth twitched with mirth, and I shook my head at his cuteness. Gael had regressed a bit since I’d seen him last night, and it was a great look on him. He was relaxing in Joshua’s ownership.

“I’m not making any promises on this being just one night, though,” Joshua continued, and I gave him a flat stare. There we go. So, what? We’d simply stay out in Mclean indefinitely? Absolutely not. “But I do have a plan. The Tenleys and Colt are gonna help me—and you, if you’re up to it.”

Up to it?

Fucking brat.

His smirk told me he knew he was pushing the right button.

“Tell me the plan,” I demanded.

Gael slipped his hand out of mine and chewed on the inside of his cheek.

“I gotta run it over with Reese and Colt first, but I wanna use you as bait,” Joshua replied. “And Gael.”

I lifted my brows.

Gael smiled nervously. “Daddy explained in the car. I’m gonna be brave.”

I didn’t like that part at all. Gael shouldn’t go anywhere near Caleb.

“I thought of it when Gael told me he’s dropping out of your class—”

“He’s doing what?” I stared down at Gael, surprised. Disappointed too, if I was being honest.

“We can discuss that later,” Gael said. “The important thing is, I’m not your student anymore, but I will pretend on Thursday. Tomorrow, you will go to class as usual, and Daddy and Reese and Colt will look out for anyone who might be following you. Daddy will keep his distance since Caleb likely knows what he looks like. And if this works, great! If it doesn’t, we’ll try again on Thursday, and I will be there also, and you and I can sit together outside the hall and be bait—and maybe talk history because I like that very much.”

It was a mindfuck to listen to his rapid rambling, because part of me just wanted to stare, fascinated and ridiculously attracted, while the rest of me was processing the information. I had no problems acting like bait; it was an old tactic that’d won many battles. And as long as Gael stayed close to me, I supposed I could survive his being part of this plan.

“Daddy’s gonna ask if I can bring General to Mclean too,” Gael said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed, but we’re ready for a no because of allergies.”

That shouldn’t be a problem. If I were to actually go through with this, I wasn’t staying in a guest room at the house. Each of the founding members of Mclean House had an A-frame cabin that lined the back of the property, and Macklin was one of those founders. Given how busy he and Walker were at the moment, we could probably borrow their cabin.

Christ. Was I actually considering this, then?

The boy’s not your student anymore.

Fuck.

I was going to have a talk with Gael about that. For selfish reasons, his dropping out meant I was no longer worrying about breaking my own moral code. At the same time…he was perfect for my class. I’d been hoping to see a more active side of him now.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Is it working, Daddy? Are we convincing him?”

* * *

“We are going on an adventure,” Gael sang in the back seat. “Yes, we are, yes, we are, yes, we are.”

I side-eyed Joshua and the love-sick look on his face. He kept watching his boy in the rearview and smiling to himself.

I peered out my window instead. Weekend bag and laptop bag in my lap. Wondering how the fuck I’d ended up here.

Somehow, I’d agreed to “a few days” in Mclean, and Macklin could not have agreed quicker to letting us borrow their cabin. In other words, a fuzzy cat named General was sleeping in his carrier next to Gael.

We drove out to Tysons, where we met up with River and Reese in the parking lot behind an auto dealership. The elaborate plan included making sure nobody found out about Mclean, so it was a way to shake a potential tail.

Joshua glanced around us and greeted the twin brothers.

“So they managed to rope you into the whole thing.” Reese grinned and shook my hand too.

“Joshua sent in the infantry. Puppy-dog looks by Gael,” I replied.

Gael looked proud—and a little sheepish.

“Yeah, that’s effective.” Reese ruffled the boy’s hair. “How you doin’, kid?”

“Relatively all right!” Gael answered. “I just hope this is over soon.”

“Eh, I don’t foresee any issues.” Reese turned back to Joshua. “So we’ll discuss the details later. Where do you want us to go now?” He handed over the keys to what I presumed was River’s truck.

Joshua accepted them and handed over his own keys. And a Post-it note. “I wrote down the addresses here—and the potential cars. It’s Gael’s place, Dean’s address, and the lecture hall. The parking lot around there, just see if you spot any of the models I wrote down.”

That one had my attention. “Caleb has a car here?”

Joshua inclined his head. “A rental. A buddy of mine accidentally stumbled across some credit card information that he happened to forward to me.”

Accidentally stumbled, sure. I knew how these private contractors functioned. Private investigators, included. Joshua had spent so many years building up a network of connections, and I was willing to bet he was ready to cash in countless favors to track down Caleb.

River eyed the note. “You narrowed it down pretty well.”

“Daddy did detective work on the way!” Gael announced. “It was amazing.”

I smiled. It was impossible not to.

Joshua chuckled. “You’re easily impressed, sweetheart. I just checked the rental place’s fleet online. Those four vehicles are unavailable to rent for the dates I picked.”

“Sounds good,” Reese said, turning to River. “We should reach out to Squeezy. She can at least pin down the exact car.”

River nodded.

The Tenleys were another pair who had more connections than they could count, thanks to their years in the private sector, something they were discreet about. But military folk tended to recognize one another. If someone who was former military said they worked in risk assessment or consulting in a related field, chances were they worked as military contractors.

“This should be over in a few days,” Reese determined. “I’ll let you know when we have something.”

“Thanks, man.” Joshua planted a hand on Gael’s head. “Let’s get settled in at the house, shall we?”

Moments later, Joshua, Gael, and I were on our way again, this time in River’s truck, and the twins took off in Joshua’s truck for a few hours of surveillance in town.

Joshua was on high alert as he drove, though he was subtle about it. He hummed, nodded, and responded on autopilot to Gael’s unfiltered musings that ranged from historic battles to the new design of the nightclub area at Mclean, all while our detective kept an eye on the cars we shared the freeway with.

I’d missed him, I had to admit. Every time Joshua and I had crossed paths over the years, he’d brightened my day. Even when we were using each other to complain about our lackluster love lives. Maybe especially then.

He relaxed a bit once we were off the 495, and I noticed he took some detours along the way. Before long, we drove through a set of wrought-iron gates that’d never been closed, and we hit the private dirt road leading up to Mclean House. The trees that lined the road on both sides needed a few more weeks before welcoming spring.

“…but most of all, I want to reach out to Cam,” Gael was saying. “I want to learn about domestic servitude stuff.”

He did?

“That’s great, querido.” Joshua smiled at him in the rearview. “I’m proud of you, you know that? I’m sure he has tons to teach you.”

I had to turn around and get a look at the boy. “Are you into submission on that level?”

“Sort of?” he asked rather than stated. “I’m very curious about it. I don’t think I have a slave lurking inside me, but I want to find a good balance between being Daddy’s goofball and a sub who has everything ready for him when he gets home from work. Like, Daddy loves to cook, so maybe I can do prep and make sure all the ingredients are out and things like that. And clean and so on.”

The floodgates had opened. I didn’t detect an ounce of shyness anymore. Instead, a boy hungry for the next step in their dynamic.

“I’m sure you’ll find a wonderful balance.” I smiled politely and faced forward again.

Wistfulness wrapped up in envy festered within me. I’d never been the Dominant who required a certain kink in my relationships, other than submission, of course. To me, it boiled down to what kinks came to life when chemistry had its say. I’d shared good dynamics with Littles, with hardcore masochists, with slaves, and with sadomasochists over the years. The kink was rarely, if ever, a deal-breaker.

That said, I had a soft spot for subbies who were into domestic servitude.

“You’re already an excellent helper to Daddy,” Joshua said. “You’re going to help me pick out wallpaper and paint and everything.”

“Yeah! I’m looking forward to that.” Gael beamed. “I need things to look at when Daddy sleeps forever.”

I lifted a brow and eyed Joshua. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those who can sleep all day.”

“Hell no,” he chuckled incredulously.

Okay, good.

“Um, excuse me,” Gael said. “I woke him up at nine.”

But he’d just said— “That’s late, Joshua. By nine, I’ve already showered, gotten dressed, had breakfast, and gone through two newspapers.”

He slid me a look I could only describe as “what the fuck.”

“That’s what I’m saying!” Gael cried out. “Master Dean is on my side, Daddy!”

Master Dean.

Christ. That sounded good coming from his lips.

“Well, fine,” Joshua snorted. “You two can have breakfast ready when I get up.”

“I can make breakfast,” Gael offered quickly. I caught him glancing at me in the sideview mirror. “You can have coffee and read the paper while I make breakfast, Sir. How do you like your eggs?”

Boy, don’t paint me a future I’ve lost hope of finding.

“Like I do, baby,” Joshua replied. “Sunny-side up, soft-boiled, or scrambled.”

My chest felt tight all of a sudden, and I didn’t enjoy the lines so blurry. They were discussing the mornings that followed nights of playtime. For a casual dynamic. I would be the third they brought in.

Joshua was anything but subtle with his agenda, but I wasn’t as optimistic. Did I want more? Of course I did. I wanted to finally get my shot with Joshua—and Gael… I was incredibly torn. He was so young. I feared we’d never be on the same page. How could we be with that age gap? My life was winding down. His was just beginning.

It would do me good to keep a distance from them. Physically and emotionally. I wouldn’t be able to resist a playtime dynamic with them, but it would come with plenty of boundaries and restrictions.

“Maybe the three of us can do something fun for Valentine’s on Friday,” Joshua suggested.

Not helping.

* * *

Seeing the house brought back some of my determination, thankfully. The grand Victorian with its tall trees rose ominously from an otherwise flat landscape of small-scale farming, with civilization looming on the horizon. It was a sliver of solitude, not too far away from the river, where we didn’t have to hide.

And it was our new hiding spot. Splendid.

Joshua grabbed his bag, Gael’s bag, and General’s litter box, so I went for the two grocery bags.

This early on a Monday, it was easy to find a parking spot in the big carport, but more often than not, I had to park to the side.

We crossed the expansive front lawn together, and rather than walking through the house, we walked alongside it to get to the back. Immediately to our left was the row of founders’ cabins. River, Reese, and Shay lived permanently in the first one—for the time being. I’d learned from Macklin that they were building a house nearby.

The outdoor area at the back of the main house was empty, from the deck and barbecue area to the covered pool. Loungers were stacked in a far corner before another lawn took over. It led down to the little forest, where our primal players and Sadists liked to host takedown events.

These days, I preferred an open fire and a comfortable chair, ideally with a good book in my hands and a sub at my feet.

Walker wanted the primal play before he donned his comfortable slippers and sat down in his own chair with Macklin.

“The fourth cabin is Macklin’s,” I said. “There’s a spare key in the pot on that table.” All the cabins had their own little front porch, but only three of them had furniture out there. Macklin loved to decorate, and last time I’d been here, his wicker sofa and chairs had been covered in snow.

Joshua walked ahead, with Gael scurrying after with General’s carrier.

It was going to be an interesting few days.

Work would hopefully keep me distracted. Or focused, rather.

I stepped up on the little deck as Joshua unlocked the door.

It was certainly a warm and picturesque setup, complete with fireplace and all the things that transported us to a secluded, snowcapped mountain. Rugs, patchwork quilts, a coffee table Walker had made himself… Big couch, two cushy chairs, a kitchenette for basic cooking, and lastly, the smallest bathroom known to man underneath the stairs that led to the loft.

“Damn. This is my style.” Joshua was impressed.

I removed my shoes and set down the groceries.

“Oh wow, it’s so cozy here!” Gael exclaimed. “I love it. You’re gonna love it here also, General. Yes, you are.”

What I loved was that boy’s newfound exuberance. Such a stark contrast to the timidness of yesterday.

I closed the door behind us, just in time for Gael to notice the kinky items that blended in with the environment. Like the wooden X-cross and leather cuffs on the wall next to the fireplace, the floggers and whips that hung on the wall farthest in, and the shelves next to the floggers that had boxes in different sizes labeled dildos, plugs, rope, “definitely not poppers,” aftercare, clamps, blindfolds, wax melts, and cleaning supplies.

Gael spun around with wide eyes, but Joshua was busy filling the little fridge underneath the kitchen counter, so the boy turned to me instead.

Wait till he saw the sleep loft. Mattresses covered most of the floor, along with two dressers filled with sex toys, and the tilted ceiling had beams prepared for suspension bondage.

“Macklin spent more time hosting orgies than actually participating in them when he nursed his Walker heartbreak,” I told the boy, amused. “There isn’t much in the kink department we won’t find in here.”

“Heh.” Gael rubbed the back of his neck and blushed as he took in the scene again. “I feel like I just walked into the lion’s den.”

I smiled.

“Wait!” Gael froze and looked like he’d solved a big math problem. “On the forum, there’s a group for the Little Maid Service, and they have a pinned list of prices for cleaning. The most expensive item costs $200, and it’s called A Full Cabin 4. Is that because of this?”

Joshua and I cracked up and exchanged a look. That was too funny. I’d heard about the cleaning service Ivy and Gretchen ran, but I’d never seen a price list.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” I chuckled. “To our advantage, Macklin’s also pedantic, and as soon as someone’s spent the night here, he has everything cleaned and treated. Walker’s just as meticulous about all things leather.” I pointed to the floggers. “He’s made most of them.”

Now that my brother and Macklin were back together, this cabin would see fewer strangers—if any—and more action from the same four people. I’d only met Ty and Lane briefly, but Walker and Macklin were very fond of them.

“Holy crapamoly.” Gael shook his head in wonder.

General meowed and headbutted the carrier door, which snapped Gael out of whatever thoughts were running through his mind, and he bent down to let the cat out.

I tossed my bags on the couch and shrugged out of my coat.

“Coffee, Dean?” Joshua asked.

“I wouldn’t mind a cup. Thank you.” I pushed up the sleeves of my pullover and sat down on the couch. Then I retrieved my phone and kept Gael in my periphery; he was curious and climbing the stairs to take a peek at the loft.

I sent Macklin and Walker a message in our group chat.

Bless him, Gael has spotted the orgy toys in the cabin.

“Mattresses everywhere!” Gael gasped. “Oh my gosh, imagine the sleepovers.”

“No need to imagine them, baby,” Joshua responded with a smirk. “We’re gonna have a lot of fun here.”

That filled me with both dread and impatience.

Macklin replied to my text.

Feel free to use them, Sir. Everything’s clean!

He added a kissy face emoji, and I shook my head in amusement.

I preferred to use my own toys, not that I had very many, but I wouldn’t mind strapping Gael to the cross and turning his skin red. If he was into that, of course. I didn’t know. It was rarely an issue for me because I wasn’t into anything that most called extreme. I loved a good ol’ over-the-knee spanking and sensual flogging.

The service Dom in me could definitely crank it up for a masochist; it just didn’t bring me any more pleasure than something milder.

That was another thing Joshua and I had commiserated over together, how we both had a reputation for being strict Doms. Apologies, that was simply my personality. The high-protocol I enjoyed was more about me being selfish. I liked having my sub at my feet. I wanted my fingers in his hair and his attention on me. I picked affection over pranks any day of the week.

Gael returned downstairs and skipped over to help Joshua in the kitchenette, and I couldn’t help but compare the boy to a brat I’d played with briefly before the holidays. Noa was in this community too; he lived with his three partners, and he and his Daddy Dom sometimes engaged in group play. That puppy… What a handful. Cuter than words, genuine and sweet, but boy, he’d tuckered me out mentally.

It would be interesting to see how far Gael went on the brat scale. Far enough to have Joshua so whipped, undoubtedly. He loved brats.

Brats gave him energy, which they’d probably stolen from me.

Gael didn’t strike me as a brat on Noa’s level, however.

We’d have to wait and see. Gael was still coming out of his shell.

My phone buzzed with another message, and I was surprised to see it was from Walker. I’d thought he was busy at work.

Macklin tells me I’d enjoy playing with Santiago.

Hmm. You have your own playthings, little brother. He had a husband, slave, and primal play in Macklin, a boyfriend in Ty, and a primal masochist in Lane. On the other hand…I did like group play and letting go of all my inhibitions.

I could see why Macklin had mentioned Joshua to Walker. Joshua didn’t have a submissive bone in him, but he did enjoy bottoming for Tops who went rough.

Wonderful. Suddenly, I was picturing Walker and me taking Joshua together, with Macklin and Gael watching before they joined us. Fucking hell. I adjusted my cock discreetly and peered over at Joshua and Gael. They were preparing a snack too, it looked like. In between kisses and soft laughter at whatever they were whispering about.

I responded to Walker.

You’d enjoy it more than when you and I played, because he will actually surrender.

See how he’d like that. I smirked to myself, fully prepared for a hothead’s reply. That was my brother in a nutshell. The fanciest suits by day, impossible to ruffle his feathers, but once the gloves came off… And I knew what buttons to push where he was concerned.

The games he and I had played when we’d been younger had probably not been what one would describe as safe or sane. Of course, it’d all started with alcohol. I’d been home on leave from the Navy; he had been in college, sick of school, full of testosterone. We’d missed each other, and we’d been incapable of expressing it without a fight, which had led to something entirely different.

The concept of if you can take it, it’s yours had been born.

My brother answered, and it was flirtier than I would’ve expected.

The fight is half the fun ;)

Macklin was quick to jump in.

Don’t make me hard when I’m at the restaurant, Sirs. Save it for a group-play date. Speaking of, please set one up!

Fuck, we might as well.

Walker’s final text gave me a time frame.

Before February’s over. After that, I will be busy as hell for a while.

Macklin had to get one in too.

Master sets my limits. Just tell me where to show up and when, and I’ll be there, hopefully to watch you two take Santiago. Then we can bukkake the fuck out of Gael. Just a thought. I gotta go back to work. See you at dinner, Master. Lock that shit down, Dean! With Gael and Santiago, I mean. Go for it. XO

Go for it.

Right.

I was going to “go for it.” I was going to go for a playtime dynamic. Period.

* * *

When Joshua and Gael filled the coffee table with beverages, little sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and cucumber sticks, I was struck with guilt. I’d just been sitting here like a comfortable tool.

“I see I have to up my game.” I cleared my throat and sat forward a bit. “Are we allowed to leave the premises for a meal, Daddy Joshua? If so, I’d like to take y’all to dinner.”

“Daddy Joshua,” Gael laughed. “That’s so funny.”

There had to be something wrong with him. Nobody had ever accused me of being funny.

“I’m sure we can work something out, pet, but I’ve got dinner covered for tonight.” Joshua sat down on the other end of the couch and patted the middle spot for Gael. “I’m making beef stir-fry.”

Fair enough. Tomorrow, then.

“So what is it we’re going to do here?” I wondered. “There has to be something other than just being bait around campus I can assist with. What else did the credit card information give you?”

Joshua shifted in his seat so he leaned back against the armrest. “Not much, to be honest. He’s careful. He only uses the credit card for gas and when he picked up the rental, so I don’t know where he’s staying or where he eats.” He helped Gael open his juice box while the boy munched on a cucumber sticks as if it were cake.

Chewable water, no thank you.

I’d been cursed with both diabetes and a severe sweet tooth. Walker liked to say it was a good thing I had the self-discipline of a warrior, whatever that meant, but I still suffered every single day. Of course, it was made worse by the fact that I couldn’t cook worth a damn, so whenever I got hungry, I had to fight the urge to buy something I wasn’t allowed to eat.

“You brought work with you, didn’t you?” Joshua asked.

I nodded once and bit into a sandwich. It was gone in two bites, but it was damn delicious. Turkey, crisp lettuce, tomato, and cream cheese. The bread tasted heavenly.

“I suppose I can get started on an article I’ve been postponing,” I said.

“May I ask what it’s about, Sir?” Gael wondered.

“Of course.” I chewed what was in my mouth and swallowed before I continued. “I’m part of a research study that compares soldiers from World War II to post-9/11 Afghanistan. From PTSD symptoms and government rapid action—or lack thereof—to parents who received a flag instead of their home-coming child.”

Some things never changed.

“That sounds heavy,” he murmured. “So that’s what you’re writing about?”

I half nodded and took another sandwich. “It’s a part of a series. This one will dive into the hero status we cling to in order to justify the loss of a soldier’s life, so you can imagine why I’m reluctant to write it.”

“Yikes.” He winced. “Yeah. I don’t envy you. That’s what’s so conflicting about war—and loving to read about it, for that matter—because I hate that it exists, I constantly want to understand it, I admire those who are willing to risk everything, I get angry and emotional when people are disrespectful to those who sacrificed too much, and…it’s just a big mess in my head!” He gulped in a breath. “It’s like thinking about how big the universe is. Once you’re comfortable in your opinion, you have a little voice going, but consider this…? In the end, I’m split between, yeah, they’re definitely heroes and what a waste of a life and what would we do without their sacrifices? Cuz it’s not like we can get politicians to go to the front lines.”

I flashed a grin at the last part, unable to help it, and brushed a few crumbs off my sweater. He wasn’t the first one whose thoughts mirrored my own, but he was part of a small group, especially for being so young. Even more so now, when we lived in an age where nuance was becoming extinct.

“I guess that’s why I keep inhaling books.” He shrugged slightly. “I keep hoping if I just read more, I’ll either come to grips with all the conflicting feelings, or I’ll find an easier answer.”

I smiled, loving this glimpse into his mind.

“Are you absolutely sure about dropping the class, Gael?” Joshua had noticed the same passion I had, of course.

Gael turned to him and grabbed another cucumber stick. “Yes, Sir.” Then he turned back to me. “I’m kind of hoping for more of this instead. I’m not in school to get a degree. I’m there to learn, and if I happen to know the best history professor in the world, maybe I can convince him to teach me stuff outside the classroom?”

When he buttered me up like that, how could I resist?

“It would be my pleasure.” That wasn’t a lie either. I loved my job, and if someone wanted to talk to me about it, I was happy to oblige.

If that someone happened to a boy like Gael, that was the biggest bonus.

Plus, the way he lit up…

“Thank you so much, Sir! You just made my day.”

I smiled and—

“You know what, chiquito?” Joshua leaned forward and kissed Gael’s cheek, though his gaze locked with mine. “I think you should give the nice professor a thank-you kiss.”

Game on, darling.

I could roll with the punches—though it was ridiculous how swiftly my focus shifted to take, need, want, claim. History discussions? Forgotten. All I saw was a suddenly timid boy who blushed and squirmed against his Daddy.

“But, ohhh, what if he doesn’t want it, Daddy?” he whispered pleadingly.

Oh, I wanted.

I draped an arm along the back of the couch and turned toward them a bit more. “Would Daddy really put you up to something that might result in rejection, little one?”

He glanced at me shyly and shook his head. “Probably not, Sir.”

Probably not, no.

So, come to me, sweet boy.

He didn’t need further prompting; he didn’t need a reminder to be obedient. He left the safety of Joshua’s arms and shifted closer to me, nervousness radiating from him. We’d fix that in a jiffy. He had nothing to be nervous about. Well, not when it came to my desire for him.

I tracked his every movement on the couch, and he didn’t look away from me.

“Closer.” I reached out and touched his cheek.

It was warm and soft under my touch, and I wanted much more.

A beat later, he was on all fours right next to me, and I watched him lean in to kiss me. I smiled faintly the very second before his lips brushed against mine, and that was the moment I took over. I kissed him slowly and repositioned us so my legs were stretched out along the couch and he was straddling me. The final shift of his leg over my lap earned me a cute little “oh” before he timidly slipped his hands around my neck.

I nipped at his bottom lip. “Are you going to tell me the real reason you decided to drop my class?”

He sucked in a quick breath. “Um, because my Daddy really likes you, and I don’t want you to have to wait if you wanna be together.”

It fit his profile to exclude himself from that equation; I just didn’t like it.

“I see.” I cupped his cheek and inched away, brushing my thumb over his lips. “Selflessness is always a lovely trait, but I think your Daddy wants you to consider yourselves a package deal.”

“He does.” Joshua came up behind Gael and kissed his neck.

The boy shuddered violently. “It’s not completely selfless,” he protested weakly. “I want this very much, Sir.”

Now we’re talking.

“Want what, exactly?” I kissed him teasingly and grabbed his jaw so he couldn’t take more than I offered.

He whimpered as Joshua unbuttoned the boy’s pants and slipped a hand down to his cock. “The three of us playing, Sir. You. I-I want you.”

I took a deep breath and let the satisfaction course through me. “That’s what I wanted to hear, pet.” I kissed him again, deeper and harder his time, and I released my hold on him, wanting to find out, to feel, how badly he wanted this.

He didn’t disappoint. He plastered himself to me and threw himself into the kiss, and I tasted cucumber and grape juice on his tongue. Perfect for a sweet Little I couldn’t wait to overwhelm.

Fuck, he felt good on my lap. I gripped his hips, pulling him closer, over my cock, then reached back and squeezed his perfect little ass. His jeans had to go. I wanted to get my hands on him good and proper.

“I suggest we take this upstairs,” Joshua said. “I want us naked in sixty seconds.”

Excellent idea.

“I don’t suppose y-you want to make it dark upstairs,” Gael said breathlessly.

“You suppose correctly.” I’d had a feeling this would come. “I wanna see every sexy inch of you.”

“Just like I did last night.” Joshua leaned forward and kissed Gael hungrily. “I’ll never let you hide from us, baby.”

“Okay,” the boy mumbled. “As long as you’re sure.”

We’d make him sure too.