by M. A. Innes
I might have rolled my eyes. “I appreciate that.”
“I’m also not going to point out that we met his family and they loved us and he basically told them he planned on keeping us.” Cooper shrugged as he got the last of his stuff out of the bag and brought the pile over to the floor. “Nope, not going to mention any of it.”
Snorting, and not trying to hide my amusement, I nodded. “Because you’re so subtle and you want me to make decisions and come to those realizations on my own.”
“Aren’t I fabulous?” He blew me a kiss and plopped down on the floor. “Hurry and help me.”
I was quiet as I helped Cooper get ready, probably too quiet, but he didn’t seem to mind. He started sliding into his puppy persona, and he was so excited he was nearly dancing around the room. Even stretching him and sliding the tail in didn’t distract him from his enthusiasm.
When he was finally ready, I gave his ass a pat. “Go find Master.”
Cooper barked and tried to lick my face, but I just laughed and stood up. “Go on before he thinks you don’t want to play.”
Another bark and a wag of his tail had him charging out of the room. I could hear the clomp of his kneepads down the hall and his excited bark as he found Jackson. The little whimper that followed could only mean that Cooper was getting rubs of some kind.
As I picked up the lube and walked over to the bed, I still hadn’t decided what to do. I knew what I wanted, but the step seemed huge. I knew Jackson wasn’t going to rush me, but for just a moment, I wished he would.
I’d told Cooper not to worry about packing my puppy stuff as we’d packed a bag to stay at Jackson’s for the weekend, but as I picked it up to move it, it was still way too heavy. Jackson was a little nuts about wanting us to put our clothes in the drawers he’d cleared out, so it should have been almost empty.
Looking inside it, I wasn’t sure if I should be cursing Cooper or kissing him.
There was all my gear, just waiting for me, when I’d told him to leave it back at the apartment. The little brat knew me too well.
Not sure I was ready, but confident I was making the right choice, I started stripping off my clothes. When they were in a neat pile on the bed, I stood there staring at everything, second and third guesses running through my head.
But it really boiled down to something simple. Yes, I was scared, but I wanted to show Jackson that he was part of the family. Hiding a big part of who I was away from him wasn’t going to show him that.
Picking up the pieces of gear one by one, I slowly made my way out the door and down the hall. I could hear the noises that were coming from Cooper as he played and from Jackson’s laughter and encouragement. Even from the first moment he’d seen Cooper as a pup, there had never been any judgment or hesitation, just wonder and acceptance.
Coming to the end of the hall, I peeked around the corner and saw Cooper dashing through the tunnel. Jackson was sitting on the floor, my bed beside him like he was waiting for me to lie down and relax with him.
Well, that’s what I wanted to do…just not exactly how Jackson had planned.
Stepping through the doorway, I watched Jackson glance over at me and his eyes widened. Before he could ask me something that I probably wouldn’t be able to answer, I spoke quietly. “Will you help me get ready?”
I could see emotions and all kinds of questions running through his mind, but he smiled and nodded as he stood and walked over to me. “Of course.”
Wrapping his arms around me, he gave me a gentle kiss and led me over to my bed. As I kneeled down, he sat beside me and started running his fingers through my hair. “I need you to tell me if I’m doing something wrong or if there’s something you need me to do—something specific.”
Nodding, because I wasn’t sure my voice would work, I settled back on my legs and set the gear on the floor. I watched Jackson sort through the things I’d brought him, and the first thing he picked up was my collar. His fingers caressed the leather, and he looked at it like it was precious and important.
“I’ve been looking at collars online. I’m probably not supposed to mention that yet, but there’s such a variety out there, and I want to get you both collars that represent you.” Jackson looked up at me and brought it up to my neck.
It felt almost the same as when Cooper put the collar around me, but something about the way Jackson did it felt different. It was probably nothing, or maybe it was just the significance I was placing on it. But my master was putting a collar on me.
As he buckled it around my neck, I felt his fingers caress along the edges and watched his intense gaze focus on me. It was like there was nothing in the room but us, even though I knew Cooper was watching quietly from the corner.
I expected Jackson to pick up my gloves or my kneepads, since I’d just brought out everything, but he simply ran his hands over my face and hair and down over my neck again. I wasn’t sure if he was going slow because he was worried about me, or because it was important to him, but there was no rush either way.
His touch gradually changed from careful to commanding as we both grew more comfortable. When he finally picked up the gloves and slipped them over my hands, I was relaxed and sliding into that place where nothing else mattered. Jackson continued to touch and caress me in long soothing strokes, eventually moving to my tail.
He moved close when he picked up the lube. Leaning against him, I closed my eyes and relaxed into him. Even the sound of the cap and the feel of his fingers circling my opening couldn’t push away the fog and its calm that was sinking over me.
He took his time stretching me and readying me for the plug. By the time he inserted my tail, everything seemed very far away, and all I could focus on was the peace that flowed through me.
When I was ready, I opened my eyes and saw Cooper lying right beside me. I could see love in his eyes, and I knew if I looked up I’d see it mirrored in Jackson’s. Cooper gave a little bark and his tail wagged. I peeked up at Master and saw his tender gaze focused on me.
He started to speak, and the words seemed like they were coming from a distance. But I forced myself to focus on what he was saying and not try to hide from him. “My two sweet pups. You are beautiful.”
Master’s hands reached out and caressed both of us. I simply leaned into his touch and closed my eyes, but I could hear Cooper dancing around excitedly. Master laughed. “All right, boy. Go play. Bring your ball, and I’ll throw it for you.”
Maybe next time I would run through the tunnel and over the fences, but at that moment, all I wanted to do was curl up with Master. I heard Cooper bounce away, and Master brought both hands and wrapped them around me. “Come here, sweet boy. I know what you want.”
I didn’t even open my eyes. I just curled up beside him and let my head rest on his leg. Master continued the soothing caresses down my back, along my legs, before circling up toward my neck again. Occasionally he would nudge my tail, or his hand would slide under and caress my belly. But mostly, his touch was sweet and almost innocent.
Everything was simpler as a pup. There were no worries. There were no fears. All I had to focus on was the warmth of my master, the sound of Cooper playing, and the knowledge that Master was in charge. Curled up next to Master, everything faded away, and I couldn’t remember why I’d fought against this for so long. It was perfect.
Chapter 15
Jackson
“This is getting ridiculous.” Wrapping my arms around Cooper, I pulled him back to the bed. “You stay here and use my car, and Sawyer can use yours. Then you both come back here tonight. There’s no reason for you to leave this early and go back to the apartment unless that’s what you want.”
Cooper giggled. “You just don’t want to have to get up yet.”
“Damn right.” We were still trying to figure out a good schedule, but Mondays always seemed to be the hardest. In the two weeks since they’d met my parents for the first time, Cooper and Sawyer had begun staying over more, but organizing three people
and two cars was difficult.
Especially when they felt bad about borrowing mine. “Just because he has to go in entirely too early doesn’t mean we have to get up.”
I picked my head up and opened my eyes long enough to wink at Sawyer who was standing by the bed, shaking his head. “If you come back here tonight, we can do something together before Cooper comes home.”
“I don’t mind, but Cooper might have other plans, and I know we need to do laundry.” Sawyer started digging through the dresser and grabbing clothes for the day.
“I told you that you needed to leave more stuff here.” Tightening my arms around Cooper, I pinned him to the bed. “You don’t want to go, do you? You want to stay here and sleep and cuddle with me, don’t you?”
Cooper giggled. “I could be bribed. Are you going to make pancakes later?”
“Hey! Why does he get pancakes?” Sawyer looked offended.
Laughing, I looked over at him again. “Because you don’t really like them. You have leftovers nearly every morning.”
“That’s not the point.” Sawyer huffed and started heading for the bathroom.
Cooper snorted. “That is the point, nut.”
“We’ll do something fun together, I promise. How about we make something new for dinner?” I started thinking of recipes. “Maybe something that neither of us has tried before.”
I’d gone to the grocery store earlier in the week, so I had a pretty stocked cabinet. “Give me a call at lunch and see if we need you to stop and grab something on the way home. But we should be fine.”
Sawyer sighed, but it was more for effect and drama. “I guess that’ll work, but I may need additional bribery.”
Grinning, I heard Sawyer shut the bathroom door. “Of course, I’m sure you can think of something.”
He grumbled about having to function when we got to sleep in, but I just rolled to my side and pulled Cooper into my arms, so his face was pressed against my chest. “Go back to sleep. You don’t have to be at work until after lunch. My alarm is set to go off in another two hours.”
Cooper mumbled something that sounded like an agreement and took a deep breath, relaxing into me. He was out in seconds. I stayed awake longer, listening to Sawyer get ready and blowing him a kiss as he finally left the bedroom.
I don’t remember falling asleep again, but eventually, my alarm started blaring, and I rolled away from the warmth of Cooper’s body to turn off the noise. When he opened his eyes for the second time that morning, he actually looked awake.
“Did we decide that we were sleeping here again tonight?” Cooper’s face scrunched up in confusion. “I don’t remember what we said, but I know we talked about it this morning.”
“Yes.” Nodding, I lay back down on the bed and gave him a kiss. “You’re going to take my car when you go to work because I don’t need it today. Then you’ll both come back here tonight. You said you were working late because you were going to be going over more of the management stuff. Was that right?”
“I hope I’m not wasting my time.” Cooper sat up enough that I could wrap my arms around him and pull him into my lap. He laughed and laid his head on my shoulder. “Once school starts in a few weeks, I won’t have time to stay later, so I need to get all the additional training done now, even though they might not pick a manager for months. Maybe longer.”
I turned my head, so I could kiss his cheek. “They would be stupid to pick somebody else. You’re going back to school to get your degree. You’re a hard worker and a dedicated employee. And most importantly, you’re great with people and you understand the business.”
“But what if they give it to somebody else?” His voice sounded small and concerned.
“Like what is the worst-case scenario?” I wasn’t sure if he wanted someone to listen to his fears or someone to help him actually plan out what might happen. I was good with either, but I needed more information.
“Yes, what if I don’t get the position until I finish my degree?” Cooper sighed.
“Then you still have lots of options. We figure out how to help you get your degree faster, or we look at different companies with other career paths. You’re smart, you deal well with people, and you’ve got a lot of time to find the right option if this isn’t it.” I wasn’t sure if I helped or made things worse.
“You won’t think I failed?” Cooper lifted his head up and gave me a questioning look.
“Of course not. It took me years to figure out what I wanted to do. You might decide to switch majors twice, and it might take you a while to figure out the right career, but you have time.” Giving him another kiss, I brought my hand up to cup his cheek. “I am already so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and how you both went from having nothing to having a great apartment and two solid careers.”
Cooper leaned into my touch smiled. “And I have to admit sometimes I forget how much older you are than me. Those extra few years kind of give you an advantage in the career department.”
I laughed. “Just a few extra years.”
Cooper moved to straddle my lap. “You know that doesn’t matter. I think you’re perfect. I can’t imagine having a master who’s our age and just as unsettled as we are. I like that you know what you want in your career and that you’re old enough to be so confident.”
“I’m glad that the age difference doesn’t bother you. It’s not something I’ve ever noticed before, but I know that for some people it would be surprising.” And I liked taking care of them, even though I knew they could do it themselves. They’d proved to be more than capable of succeeding. I just wanted to give them a boost and to be there to cheer them on.
Cooper grinned. “Your mother thinks you’re robbing the cradle.”
“I don’t think you were supposed to hear that part.” We’d gotten a good scare last weekend when my mother showed up unexpectedly. Luckily, Cooper had remembered to lock the doors, and we’d had all our clothes on. But it’d taken us entirely too long to remember that we’d still had the dog beds in the living room.
She’d stopped by after running some errands to see if we wanted a birdfeeder that my father had been convinced Cooper would love. He’d oohed and ahhed over it and had been so excited that she teased me about robbing the cradle as she was hugging me good-bye.
“I’m just glad they liked us.” Cooper glanced at the clock. “I’m hungry. When am I going to get my pancakes?”
I shrugged. “I knew they would love you.” He gave me a look like he’d understood what I hadn’t said. “And I can’t make you pancakes until you get off my lap.”
Cooper wiggled his bottom on my growing erection. “I don’t know what I want more.”
I gave his ass a smack and shook my head. “You want breakfast, because I know how sore you are.”
Cooper pouted. “But—”
“No buts. We made love twice yesterday, and you had your tail in for a long time.” Giving him a tender smile, I kissed him gently. “Maybe if you’re good, I’ll help you wash up in the shower.”
That was tempting enough to get Cooper scrambling off the bed. “What kind of pancakes are we going to make? Oh, how about the chocolate chip ones you made last weekend? Those were great.”
He looked so eager. “There is no way I’m sending you to work on a sugar high. We both know how much caffeine and sugar you’re going to consume this afternoon.”
“That’s no fun.”
Grinning, I climbed off the bed. “How about we do blueberry pancakes? And I think I have some sausage we can cook.”
Cooper’s grin returned. “That sounds great.” He started hurrying toward the bathroom, but then he stopped and looked back. “When are we going back to the good pancake restaurant again?”
“We can go anytime you want. Do you want to go there for breakfast or dinner?” As I waited for his answer, I walked over to the dresser and grabbed a pair of pants.
“Dinner!”
Somehow, I expected that. “Then we will work out a ti
me with Sawyer for us to have a date. Because I don’t think he’s going to want pancakes for dinner.”
“Probably not.” Cooper laughed as he closed the door. His voice called out, “Maybe we could have an early dinner next weekend, and then I can stop by and learn how to do some of the woodworking stuff with your dad while you do something with Sawyer.”
I thought that sounded so boring it would be painful, but he seemed excited. “That sounds like a good plan. I’ll call my parents this week and see what their weekend looks like.”
Heading toward the bedroom door, I spoke up to make sure he could hear me. “I’m going to get the coffee started. I’ll meet you in the kitchen. Remember, no funny business.”
A giggle escaped the bathroom. “I’ll be good.”
Stopping by the hall bathroom, I did my business and went to the kitchen. Cooper followed quickly behind me, so I knew he’d behaved. They’d both done a very good job of following the rules, but I was still waiting for someone to actually ask permission.
So far, Cooper was the only one who’d even hinted that he wanted permission. But he really just wanted to be told no. Sawyer, on the other hand, would only ask when he actually wanted something.
Cooper bounced around the kitchen while I finished getting the coffee ready. He was getting flour and random things out for the pancakes. The combinations were interesting. Finally, I decided to start giving him directions, and by the time I was pouring two mugs of coffee, he had the pancakes started.
Part of me hated that Sawyer wasn’t here to see how funny he was, but I also liked that Cooper and I got to spend time together. There was also another part of me that was looking forward to having a quiet evening with Sawyer. So I had to remember that everything balanced out in the end.
****
By the time I’d finished up with my last class for the evening, Sawyer was already home. “How was your work today?”
Sawyer shrugged, looking a little distracted. “Not bad. A little monotonous—but that will change later in the week when we get a new contract. It’s for the landscaping in a planned community on the other side of town. It’s more upscale and they want a different look to it, so we’ll be able to do something outside the box, which is always fun.”
