by Elouise East
“What are you girls doing here?” Henley gaped, a slow smile spreading across his face as he saw Ariel, Arianne and Becca.
Ariel came forward and wrapped Henley in a hug. “A little bird told us we might be needed.”
Isaac caught Henley’s gaze over her shoulder, and Henley mouthed, “Thank you.” Isaac waved it away.
“I thought we could order some takeaway. What’s everyone’s choice?” Isaac said, heading to the kitchen counter.
“Chinese!” Several voices shouted at once.
Isaac chuckled. “I think the answer might be Chinese. But each of you needs to be a little more specific.” He finally managed to finagle their preferences and placed the order. “They said it should be around forty minutes.”
“Perfect. Time for a pampering session, Henley!” Arianne clapped. “Your hair needs a little colour. What do you think, Isaac?”
“I think Henley can have whatever he wants.”
“Ooh, keep him, Henley,” Becca thumbed over her shoulder.
“I intend to.”
“Right. I’ll leave you to your hair discussion,” Isaac said and wandered towards the hall.
“Wait!” Henley ran to Isaac and threw his arms around his neck. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Have fun. Later, we need to talk.”
“I know. We will.”
Isaac pressed a kiss to the centre of Henley’s forehead, then on his lips before gently pushing him in his sisters’ direction. “Enjoy.”
Henley grinned and whirled around, sashaying his hips in an exaggerated sway as he moved back to his family. Isaac had no plans for what he would do, but he could listen to some music and read a book while they visited. It was nice to see Henley smiling again.
****
Chapter 13
Henley
Henley was overwhelmed by how generous Isaac was. Not just with his money, but with his time. He knew Isaac wanted to spend time with him to talk him through his issues, but instead, Isaac gave him what he knew Henley needed to help him find his equilibrium again. His family.
His sisters stayed for a couple of hours, making sure his hair was perfectly coloured, and his nails were manicured. Isaac had only joined them when the food had arrived, then he’d retreated to the bedroom.
Henley now stood in the doorway to the bedroom, watching as Isaac nodded his head to whatever music was playing through the headphones. He was on his laptop, sitting with his back against the headboard and his legs stretched out. Henley knew Isaac was conscious of the weight he carried around his waist, but Henley loved it. And as for the rest of the package…Henley wouldn’t be complaining. Ever.
His heart raced as he realised how much he hoped their relationship would last. He was falling for—had fallen for—this amazing person, and he didn’t want to ever let him go.
Isaac noticed him, and his mouth curled as he pulled off the headphones. “Hey. Everything okay?”
“Yes. They’ve gone. They said to say goodbye.”
“Did you have fun?” Isaac swung his legs off the bed, coming upright and pushed the laptop closed.
“It was amazing, thank you so much, Daddy!” Now that Isaac had hold of nothing that would break, Henley skipped across the room and flung his arms around Isaac as he had done earlier. “I can’t believe you did that for me. Thank you.”
“I would do anything for you, sweetheart. I told you right from the beginning that my job is to take care of you. I have your best interests at heart, and if it’s something I can’t give you myself, I will find someone who can. Tonight, you needed to unwind with your sisters.” Isaac ruffled his hair. “I love the colour, by the way.”
Henley pulled away and ran his hands through his hair. “It’s your favourite colour.”
“I know, but you didn’t have to do that for me.”
“I wanted it. I like blue a whole lot more now that I know you do.”
Isaac snickered. “So long as you’re happy with it, that’s all that matters.”
“Very happy.”
Isaac rubbed a hand up and down Henley’s back. “We need to talk. I know it’s late, but it would be better to get this conversation done so we can start sorting it out.”
“I know.”
“Let’s get ready for bed, and we’ll snuggle up and talk it through, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
They went through their usual routine, Isaac helping Henley get ready as well as himself, and Isaac heading to the kitchen to grab them fresh drinks for overnight. It was something Isaac always did, but Henley had never thought about doing for himself.
When they were settled with Henley draped across Isaac’s front, their legs and arms entwined, Isaac asked his first question.
“Can you tell me what happened earlier?”
Henley thought back to earlier in the day, although now, it seemed a lot longer ago. “I guess I forgot I would be working alone. I’m so used to working alongside you, it escaped my notice that it would soon be over.”
“It’s not over, Henley. I promise you.”
“No, I don’t mean us. I mean working together. I’ve had so much fun these last few weeks, I guess…I’m worried that I won’t like the job as much if you’re not there with me. And that I won’t see you as much because of where we will be working.”
Isaac was silent for a moment. “It’s true we won’t see as much of each other as we do now. There’s nothing we can do about that, unfortunately. But we can figure out other stuff. Since we started our relationship, we have been together almost all day, every day. We’ve not spent a night apart.” He hurried on before Henley could get lost in his head again, “And I love it. But the job demands some nights away. If that happens, we will sort out a routine for you to follow, we will be on the phone to each other or video calling. There are ways around it.”
Henley considered Isaac’s words. “It’s not the same as when you’re with me, though.”
“No. It won’t be the same. But we will manage because when we see each other again, it will be amazing. I’m not at all concerned about you being able to do the job. I know you can do it. You are fantastic with the staff and everything else that the job entails.”
Henley preened under the praise. “I am good, aren’t I?”
“And so modest, too.” Isaac snorted then sobered. “If something happens and one of us is unhappy with how things are working, we will talk about it and find a solution. The only way this will work is if we communicate.”
“Okay. I understand.”
“Do you feel better about next week now?”
Henley smoothed his hand across Isaac’s chest, above his heart. “I do. We just need to talk.”
Isaac pressed a kiss to the top of his head and held him tighter.
****
“As we have a bit of time before we have to leave, you need to take your punishment,” Isaac declared the following morning.
Henley spun around, eyes wide. “What! What did I do?”
Isaac raised his eyebrows. “Going silent on me yesterday. What did I tell you when we first started this relationship?”
“That you do what’s in my best interests.” Henley twisted his hands around each other and bit his lip.
“Yes, and what else?”
Henley studied the floor, trying to remember everything they had talked about. He could feel himself getting flustered because he couldn’t remember.
“That you need to tell me the truth at all times, even when it scares you,” Isaac answered his own question when Henley fumbled for a response. Henley ducked his head. Isaac’s hand brought his chin back up. “I’m not cross with you. We talked it out last night and fixed it. But I would’ve preferred to sort it out immediately. You had me worried for a long while yesterday. You need to remember to trust me, trust us, trust in this.” Isaac pointed from Henley to himself several times.
“Yes, Daddy. It’s hard sometimes. I’ve been on my own for so lo
ng…”
“I know. But that’s why I need to remind you.” Isaac got a glimmer in his eye that Henley wasn’t sure he could trust. He squinted at Isaac, trying to gauge what he was thinking as his stomach somersaulted. “Stand facing the wall, hands braced, legs apart.”
Henley walked over to the wall on shaky legs and assumed the position. His breathing increased, and he could feel rivulets of sweat running down the side of his face.
“Good boy.”
Isaac stood behind him. Henley could feel his presence. Isaac reached around to undo Henley’s trousers, letting them fall to his knees, where his position prevented them from dropping to the floor. Isaac pulled his briefs out of the way in the same manner, leaving his ass bare to Isaac’s roaming hands. He squeezed one cheek then the other before announcing, “Ready?”
“Yes, Daddy.” He bit his lip to contain the sob that wanted to break free. He hated that he’d disappointed Isaac. That hurt worse than the pain of the spanking would, he was sure.
Isaac’s hand left his skin and returned with a short, sharp smack on the fleshy part of his ass. Henley grimaced at the sting, holding his breath until the pain reduced. The second smack smarted his other cheek, and he clenched his ass and thrust forward, away from the pain. As he settled back into his original position, a third slap caught his lower buttock and upper thigh, quickly followed by a fourth on the opposite side. Henley blinked back tears and gritted his teeth as Isaac smoothed his hands across the sensitive skin.
When Isaac’s hand left his ass, Henley braced for more. Locking his knees as the next threatened to take him down, Henley’s tears cascaded down his face. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, knowing this spanking was a punishment rather than pleasure. He had scared his Daddy, and his Daddy needed to remind him.
Henley rested his head against the wall, writhing in place with every stinging smack, but knowing it was for the best. A sob left him, although he tried to stifle it.
Isaac’s hands smoothed across his undoubtedly reddened skin, the sensitivity making it feel like pins were sticking in him. “Good boy. Such a good boy for your Daddy,” he whispered in Henley’s ear as he wrapped his arms around him from behind. Henley turned, wanting the full embrace, and he snuggled his face into Isaac’s neck and cried.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry,” he repeated.
Isaac stroked his hair and back until Henley calmed. Taking a large inhale and a cathartic exhale, Henley lifted his head. He felt rejuvenated, which he hadn’t expected.
“All is forgiven, sweetheart. Done and dusted. Well done, sweet boy.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
A sense of calm and pride flowed through him.
“Turn back to the wall for a minute. I want to put some lotion on you,” Isaac said.
Henley obeyed as he always would, and the cold cream made him jump before soothing his ass as it was rubbed into his sensitive skin.
“All done. Let’s get to work. We’re running a little behind schedule now.” Isaac reached down and pulled Henley’s briefs back over his ass and did the same with his trousers.
The material rubbed annoyingly against his ass, and he knew it would be a hundred times worse when he sat in the car. Henley grabbed the things he needed for the day, and they headed out. As he’d predicted, his ass felt like it was on fire as soon as he was seated, but he breathed through the pain, remembering the lesson he was being taught.
It was remembering the lesson that gave Henley the courage to ask Isaac for something he’d been thinking about for a while.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Would you…Will you…” He breathed deeply and started again, “I’d like you to meet Dad and Pops.”
“Sure. Whenever you want me to.”
No shock. No horror. No denying him. Just, “Sure.” A weight lifted off his shoulders that he never realised was there. He’d wanted to ask for a while but had thought it was too soon. Although Isaac had met all but one of his sisters now.
“Thank you. I’ll speak to them and ask.”
“Perfect. You can meet my family whenever you would like to. We have a Friday family dinner, which, as you know, is why early evenings on Fridays is always a tricky time for me. You are more than welcome to meet them as soon as you are ready.”
Henley thought about this. He wanted to know what his dads thought first. “Maybe after you’ve met mine?”
“Okay.”
Henley had an idea. “I think we should join our work nights out together.” Henley had been going out once with the execs and once with the customer service staff. It made sense, at least to him, that they should join forces. More people, more fun.
Isaac’s forehead creased, his brows knitting in the middle. “I’m not sure. We usually get together at the Christmas party or some other company celebration, but I don’t know if the departments will mix well.”
“Could we ask them and try?”
Isaac’s face cleared as he smiled. “We can ask. The worst they can say is no.”
“Yay!” Henley clapped his hands together, wincing when his fidgeting caused his ass to burn.
“You okay?” Isaac asked, glancing over.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Their journey was a short one that day, only an hour away, and soon they were busy with boxes, clothing, orders and complaints. Henley loved every minute of it. When he first applied for it, he knew he would be able to do the job, but he didn’t realise how much he would enjoy meeting new people each day. Even travelling, although tedious some days, was fun. However, maybe that was because he had been with Isaac for most of it.
He knew the following week—four more days—would be his first visit to a store alone. Despite being anxious about not seeing Isaac as much, Henley was looking forward to the actual work.
At lunchtime, he saw he’d received a text from Tracey, so he decided to call her and see if he could catch her before she was busy again.
“Hey! I got your message. How are you doing, stranger?” he said with a grin.
“You can talk, Mr I’ve-got-a-new-guy,” she countered.
“Oi! I see you all!”
“Not as much as you did.”
“And I bet you’re glad about that!” He giggled.
“Too right, troublemaker.”
“Anyway, how are you?” Henley was worried about Tracey. She had been more distant than usual over the last few weeks, missing more of their family time than ever before.
“I’m alright.” Henley heard her sigh. “I’ve taken a new job, but I haven’t told Dad and Pops yet.”
“Why not? You’re not a call girl, are you?”
“What! No, you asswipe! Jeez! I’m a PA still, but it’s for a larger company, and I’m the first port of call for the owner. He travels a lot; hence, I do now. It’s a twenty-four-hour day thing. I don’t want Dad and Pops worrying about me working too hard.”
Henley understood the undertones of what she was trying to say. Dad and Pops, while they meant well, if they get a bugbear about something they thought was harming their children, there was no stopping them. If they believed Tracey’s new job was too much for her, they would go on and on at her about it. They wanted the best for them, but they don’t like their children doing more than they needed to.
“Congrats. It sounds like a good job. You always wanted to travel, now you get to do that. But be careful, please, Trace. I love you, and I don’t want you working yourself to the bone for this guy.”
“I love you, too. And I will be careful. I will also do everything in my power to be fan-fucking-tastic at this job because I love it.”
Henley laughed. “Good. Anyway, loser, some of us have to work. I’ll catch you later, gator.”
“See ya, Hen.”
Though their conversation was short, it was bittersweet. Henley often thought Tracey pictured herself as an outsider because she was brought into their family when she was older, but none of the other family
members thought of her that way. Every one of them tried to show her she was perfect for their family. Unfortunately, her gremlins got in the way sometimes.
Henley switched off his phone and shook his head.
“You’re worried about her, aren’t you?” Isaac said, coming to crouch next to Henley’s chair.
Nodding slowly, Henley gave a lopsided grin. “She works too hard, but she loves it. Who am I to complain?”
“You’re not complaining, you’re worried and have every right to be. She’s your sister.” Isaac rubbed Henley’s back soothingly. “I set Sarah up on a date with a guy from a café we went to once. I didn’t know him but when I spoke to him, I trusted my instincts and got him to take her out. They’re getting on well, but I still worry about her. Same for Felicity. Doesn’t matter what age they are, you will always worry about family. Nothing you can do apart from loving and supporting her.”
Isaac was right, as usual.
****
Chapter 14
Isaac
Henley had been working alone for the past three weeks. Every time they spoke on the phone, Isaac could tell he was having a good day and was excited about what he was doing. He could also hear the melancholy of not having Isaac with him.
As Isaac had predicted, Henley came to Isaac’s house any night they were both at home. They had only been apart four nights.
It was because of this that Isaac decided to change things. Or, at least, to ask Henley an important question, despite having only been together for a short time, Isaac knew it was the right decision.
He had been to Henley’s parents' house the week before, and they had welcomed him with open arms. Isaac had decided there and then, he needed Henley in his life for as long as he could have him.
Pops, as he asked Isaac to call him, cornered him in the hallway after dinner. Isaac could tell something was on his mind, and he was happy to listen and talk through anything they needed. He would do anything for Henley.
