A Puppy for His Little

by Della Cain

  “Maybe they like to share?” I could see his smirk in my mind, the one I was sure was now plastered across his face.

  “No, it’s nothing like that.” I wouldn’t turn down bedroom fun with them, but not like that. Three hot sweaty men? Sure. A little? I enjoyed being with him, but not like that. Probably. “Their kink is not one that lends itself to that kind of sharing.”

  “And their kink is…”

  “None of your business.” It wasn’t for me to share, not with us not being more than a one-night take-me-under-their wings kind of thing. If I were in a relationship with them and we’d discussed it, I’d have had no problem discussing it with Kasper. I trusted him and felt no shame in my lifestyle.

  “But they’re good with rope?” Something my last domme had been a master at. We’d never become more than club friends, but we met regularly and ate a small meal and played.

  “Not exactly.”

  “You suck at giving information.” When it wasn’t mine to give, that was true. Very true. “Fine.” He sighed. “What did you guys do in the scene?” Because some people never gave up.

  “I took a nap.” It gave away nothing and was the truth.

  “You are officially old.” He laughed, not even questioning my words, which was fair enough given some of the things he knew about me.

  “We are the same age. And I will not regret the nap—it was perfect.” So incredibly perfect. Giving him charge over me to the point where I could just let go so completely.

  “And they enjoyed it?”

  “I-I think so.” They might have just been nice. Although Danny wore his feelings on his sleeve, at least as Luke and he had named me.

  Beau. It was a good name for a dog. A solid name. I didn’t hate that it sounded like an old-fashioned courting reference either.

  “Sounds like communication is the real issue at hand.”

  “No, my inability to be patient is.” I was so mad at myself for that. Not that I could do anything to change it now. Any fixing I did would only make it worse. A lot worse.

  “What did you do?” And so I told him all about calling Marion and staring at my phone like a fool.

  “That doesn’t sound unworkable. He probably liked it.” He didn’t get it. And that was okay. It wasn’t his job to solve or even listen to all my problems, although I loved that he was willing.

  “Says my vanilla friend.”

  “Kink-interested friend,” he corrected. “and yeah, says me. Give it a few days and, worst case scenario, you can go to the club and be semi-stalkerish.”

  “Worst advice ever.” Even if it was most likely going to end up being advice I followed.

  “You’re welcome.” He smacked a kiss over the phone. “And thanks for the rec. I’ll email the form now. Night.”

  “Night.” I’d barely set the phone down when his email came through.

  Except it wasn’t an email. It was Cash.

  Ryder? This is Cash.

  Chapter Ten

  Daniel

  “What do you think?” I twirled around, wearing a nice pair of slacks and a button-down shirt, no tie. “Too fancy?” Ryder was coming over for dinner, and it would be the first time he saw me as Daniel.

  I still wasn’t altogether sure on how we ended up with a dinner date at home with him, but I trusted Luke enough to know that if I needed the information he would give it to me. Relief had filled me when he decided to use the contact information I’d gotten from Marion. He’d let me know he’d called her first, but during my nap, so I didn’t know much except she clarified things for him.

  “Sexy as hell.” He stalked toward me, his gaze raking my body. “I know someone who’s getting lucky tonight.” He reached around me, I thought for a hug, but then smacked my ass instead. Worked for me.

  “You look amazing yourself.” Luke wore my favorite shirt, the one that was just tight enough.

  He stepped back. “If you keep talking to me with your sexy voice, we will be too busy to answer the door.” He winked at me. “About that, Daniel. Are you sure you’re fine with all of this? I never want you to be uncomfortable.”

  “I’m relieved he’s coming here.” We had discussed changing to the club or a restaurant to take pressure off. And if we had been arranging a time to play, the club would be the only choice.

  “It was his idea.” Huh. That wasn’t like Luke. He usually took full control. Then again, he wasn’t a master, he was a daddy, so maybe the new territory changed dynamics? “He said it would give us time to talk...to possibly become friends.”

  “He is new in town.” The timer in the kitchen dinged, and I inhaled a deep breath of tomatoes and garlic and cheese with a hint of anise from the Italian sausage. “Your cooking smells delicious, love.” Lasagna. So good and a meal that could wait if he was late.

  “Time to take the foil off it.” Which was his way of saying Ryder could be here anytime now.

  I followed him into the kitchen where he fixed the lasagna.

  “What’s on your mind, Daniel?” he asked as I stood there watching him. “What do you want to talk about?

  “I know…”

  He closed the oven and walked to the table, sat down and patted his lap. I took his offer without a second thought.

  “Now, tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “I know we can’t play. It’s the rule.” I was more Danny than Daniel like this, which was good. It freed me to speak my truths on something that had been taking up too much of my mind since Luke told me about the evening.

  “It is. But we can arrange time to play later.” A rule with no wiggle room from the sound of it. Which was fine. No good. I had a feeling I needed firm boundaries when it came to Ryder. “There is more. What do you need to know from me? Do you want me to plan a playdate? Is that it?”

  “Yes, I do, but that wasn’t what I was thinking about.” I inhaled deeply. “I was wondering if maybe I could show him my room. Not to play, but just to see?”

  “You want him to understand we are not casual about our roles.”

  I nodded.

  “Because you hope he might become part of them more frequently?”

  I nodded again.

  He squeezed me closer. “We will take one step at a time, but if the moment is right, we can share Danny’s room. Who knows? Maybe once we are all out of the club and just eating dinner, we might find that we have no real connection.”

  “We do,” I insisted just as the door rang. “It’s whether we should act on it in a real way that has me confused.” I climbed off his lap. “I will answer the door so you can get your pants a little less tight.” Me sitting on his lap always did that to him. I loved it.

  “Or he can see what he is getting into.” He stood up, not even bothering to adjust himself, and took my hand. “Let’s go let our dinner guest in.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ryder

  I stood at the front door, my messenger bag pressed tightly against my side, just staring at my watch. Luke had said six o’clock, and I didn’t know him well enough to know if that meant he wanted me a few minutes early or spot on time. I went with spot on time to show him I could follow rules even if my going through Marion hinted otherwise.

  He’d been so nice in our chat. No. Nice wasn’t the word. Of course, he was nice. But...sweet, maybe?

  Whatever the case, he’d not come across as upset, and by the time we ended our short conversation, one that started via text and ended by voice, we’d had a date—or something date-ish anyway, set up between the three of us.

  Normally I’d never agree to meet a dom or master or daddy...whatever...at their home so soon. But then again, I’d never felt as comfortable with one—ever. So there was that.

  I had doms and dommes I did scenes with who I trusted completely when it came to my safety. I’d even tried knife play with one domme I particularly trusted, but the trust I felt so deeply inside me as I curled up beside Luke? That was new and I wanted to grasp onto it with both hands.

&nbs
p; Fife fifty-nine switched over to six o’clock, and I rang the bell...and knocked just in case the bell didn’t work.

  When the door swung open less than a minute later and the two men stood there holding hands, every last shred of trepidation I had flew away. They were happy to see me. Both of them. There was no denying the smile on their faces, the excitement in Daniel’s eyes, and the tightness of both of their pants.

  I took in the sight of Daniel. How different he was when not Danny. He held confidence about him. It was a good look. And Luke...somehow he was even sexier than I remembered.

  “We’re glad you’re here.” Luke held out his hand and I gave it a shake.

  It somehow felt inadequate and, as Daniel wrapped his arms around me in a surprise hug I understood why—it was too impersonal to shake hands. We’d seen each other at our most vulnerable, at least Daniel and I had. We needed hugs. I needed one.

  “Thanks.” I whispered in his ear loud enough for Luke to hear. “I so very much needed that.”

  “I know.” Daniel bounced on the balls of his feet. “I did, too.”

  I took in their living room. It was very...normal. Not that it shouldn’t be, but given a little lived there, I half expected to see color books or blocks or something similar.

  “This is our home.” Luke held out a hand. “Would you like me to put your bag away for you?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.” I’d purchased a very beginner puppy set online after my awakening at the club and had stashed it in the bag. I knew we weren’t playing. That was abundantly made clear with the offer. It just felt right to bring it—almost like I needed his approval to do more than try it on.

  “You should let Luke make decisions tonight,” Daniel advised and got an immediate side eye from his daddy, for the look was all daddy.

  “Two,” Luke said, and it had Daniel backtracking so fast I let out a chuckle.

  “I mean, if you want to, I’d be happy to share that side of him with you,” he corrected me.

  That side of him. Not share him. Just a piece of him. I filed that away. I’d not been one to play with multiple people, so all of this was new. Communication was going to be key for us even if Kasper was right and I wasn’t the best at that.

  “I think I would.” It would help me see if our connection at the club with Luke in charge was situational and take some of my anxiety over messing things up away. It was a win-win.

  “Then give me your bag, and go with Daniel to get a glass of wine—just one.” I handed it over, wondering if my semi was more from the tone of his voice or the way they both looked at me as if I was the important ingredient for this dinner.

  I gave him the bag and followed Daniel to the kitchen.

  “We are eating here today. Luke thinks it will make you more comfortable. I think it’s because the dining room chairs look nicer than they feel,” he informed me as he opened the fridge and took out a bottle of some kind of pink wine. “I know everyone says this isn’t real wine, but it’s my favorite. I do have a white zin or a merlot if you prefer.”

  “I have always loved pink wines.” I did, too. “I ordered it once at a medical convention...the snobbery of their glances…” I may have purchased bottles for the entire table after that just to show them how much I cared about that.

  “I like you.” He snapped his mouth shut. “I mean…”

  “What my dear husband means is just that. He likes you.” Luke kissed his husband’s cheek. “And censoring what we feel today will not help things follow their desired course, so leave the filters at the door—both of you.” He took the wine from Daniel and poured us each a glass as Daniel took the salad out of the fridge.

  We sat down and enjoyed our salads, chatted about our weeks at work, and spoke of nothing out of the ordinary for three people sharing a meal. That was until the lasagna was served and all bets were off.

  “This is amazing.” I spoke with my mouth still full. The blend of cheeses with the homemade sauce was perfection. “I see why you married him.”

  “Daniel is a decent cook in his own right, although he enjoys it less. His meatloaf is the second best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.” He made it clear the innuendo was intentional.

  “I wonder if it will soon be third,” Daniel sassed.

  Dear gods. They were going to kill me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Daniel

  “I wonder if it will soon be third?” It slipped out before I could stop it.

  “Daniel.” Luke warned in his daddy voice.

  “You said we should not hide how we feel.” I shrugged and put a forkful of lasagna into my mouth.

  “I didn’t mean you should proposition our guest.”

  “I don’t mind.” My head whipped in Ryder’s direction. “If we are being honest and forthcoming, I mean.”

  Holy shit. He was in. Not just pet me and call me a good boy in, but all the way in.

  “You need a daddy, too.”

  Luke rolled his eyes. “It sounds like we need to clarify ground rules before this dinner continues.”

  “Yes, Daddy,” I said more sass than respect.

  “Agreed,” Ryder concurred.

  Luke put down his fork. “For one—sex is off the table for tonight, and I’m looking at you.” He gave me a pointed stare. “I know you are hard as a rock. I can see you squirm. It will be taken care of, but not now—not with our company. Today is about deciding what we do or do not want to do going forward ,and dealing with our current desires will not help us make good decisions.”

  He was right. I let out a sigh.

  “You are blunt.” Ryder spoke softly. “I like that and agree. If we got naked just because I want to watch Daniel come undone, emotions and rational thought will get mixed together.”

  They were trying to kill me.

  “In case either of you care—I was only sort of needy before, and now my pants are uncomfortably tight, so thanks for that.” I wanted to reach down and adjust myself, the thought of Ryder watching me as I exploded almost too much to bear and visualizing Luke’s mouth wrapped around him wasn’t helping.

  “That’s what you get, brat.” Luke winked at me. “So, let’s move forward to rules. Luke and I are married. For now—anything we do together that is not something you’d be willing to do with your grandparents includes either or both of us.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Luke is mine to protect. I think that is all there is to say about that.” I didn’t even know what all he was referring to there, but Luke seemed to, and his shoulders relaxed. He wasn’t put off by Luke acting all bossy. He liked it—craved it as I did possibly.

  “I assume by this that you are open for a scene at a later date?” How was Ryder so non affected by Luke? He was calm and coherent, and I was using all my energy not to grab my cock.

  “I believe that is the direction we are all going in. Daniel?”

  “A scene with release, please.” I nodded up and down.

  “And just like that, our dinner has morphed. Let’s eat and then retire to the living room with some tea, and we can decide the details. Now that the rules are in place.” Luke pivoted his entire body in my direction. “Daniel, what are the rules?”

  I held up one finger, “We say what we feel and think.”

  “Very good. Any more?”

  “No coming tonight, even though we are all adults and all hard. You’re hard, too, right Ryder?” Oh, I was so getting a spanking tonight. Worth it.

  “Three.”

  “Please tell me those are spanks,” Ryder chuckled, his voice rich and low. “And yes, I have been hard most of this evening.”

  “To reward you for your honesty and not because you deserve it truly.” Luke held up three fingers. “Three is the number of spanks he will be getting after you leave. Naughty boys get consequences.”

  Ryder opened and closed his mouth a few times and opted to pick up his fork instead of speaking. Daddy was having none of that.

  “Speak.” One word. One c
ommand.

  “I was going to ask if spanks were in or out of diapers, Master?” The last word held a question.

  “Daniel?” Luke asked, and I knew he was referring to the question about the use of master and not the diapers. The answer to diapers was simple. The other? Not so much. It was my call. Was I able to share his name with another? He wouldn’t really be his daddy, of course, but wouldn’t it be similar to people calling someone an uncle who wasn’t. No. Probably not.

  “I think I don’t know.” I picked up my wine and took a tiny sip to buy time. “I think if it becomes more than a scene, I’d like him to call you Daddy, too, since families would do that. But I don’t think I’m ready now. Does that upset you, Ryder?” I couldn’t face him, not wanting to see the hurt if there was any.

  “I’m ecstatic you think this might be more than just a scene.” He went back to eating as if we hadn’t been discussing all kinds of things far more interesting than lasagna.

  I looked at Luke, and he started eating too. Conversation time was officially over until after dinner. I could work with that.

  We fell back to the small talk we began with, Ryder sharing about where he transferred from, Luke telling us about some new thing I didn’t understand having to do with a technology innovation his company just developed, and me sharing the recent rumor our local district attorney was retiring and what that might mean for my position.

  It wasn’t until Luke announced it was time to head into the living room while he made tea that things shifted trajectory back to the conversation I was longing for—the one that would decide how much further we might or might not take things.

  I was crossing my fingers for very.

  “Did you prefer the chair or the couch?” I asked as we walked in. I wanted him to feel welcome on the couch, but also not pressured to sit close to one of us.

  “Are you wearing a diaper?” he blurted out. “Never mind.”

  “Shh. Come this way.” I was going to be on twenty by the end of the evening.

  Totally worth it.