Page 126 of The More the Merrier

Sipping coffee, we casually spoke about random topics, as if we were sitting at his bar rather than in my house before a punishment. Still, I wanted him to relax around me, especially since he had been overworking. It was a trait he, Kendall, and I all shared in order to distract ourselves from the shit happening in our personal lives. Kendall used work to disengage from her grief. I had my own reasons, most of them revolved around needing to feel needed even though it was patients and not partners. Grant kept himself busy at all times so he wouldn’t focus on what he’d been missing for so long—balance.

“How are you so confident in your ability to flip my mindset back to positive things when it comes to us, Sir?”

“I’m confident in everything I do. I learned a long time ago that if you’re going to fail at something, you might as well do it brilliantly. It’s worked as my life motto thus far.”

“I apologize for taking a risk last night.” Grant set his mug down. “Next time I’ll talk to you.”

“If you’re anticipating the next time, does that mean you’re not done with our relationship?”

He traced the rim of the cup, focusing on running his finger around it rather than on me. “I might not be the best submissive on the planet, but I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

It took me a moment to respond because part of me wanted to curl him up in my arms and make him promise never to allow that terrible self-doubt to creep in again. The other part wanted to bend him over the table and go to town on his ass. I enjoyed teasing him with the thermometer and my fingers, but the plug I’d picked out for him was thick, though not as thick as my cock. I swallowed hard, gathering my thoughts. “Look at me.”

Grant raised his head slowly. I hated the uncertainty playing across his face. Reaching forward, I brushed my thumb across his lips.

“I’ve been in the lifestyle since college. If I believed you weren’t sincere, I wouldn’t give you a second glance. You have been respectful, compliant, and obedient from the moment we established rules. Yes, you’re a brat, but I enjoy the battle.” I stuck my thumb in his mouth, twisting it slightly so he had no choice but to accept it. “Now, are you going to continue to doubt yourself, or do I have to add to your punishment?”

He clamped down on my digit, hard enough to show that he knew what he was doing but not to cause pain. Grant was so very lucky that he was sitting down.

“Open. Your. Mouth.” Each word was clipped, and I was sure my eyes showed him where my head was at. He sucked on my finger instead, twirling his tongue around the tip, teasing it like I’d make him do to my cock. “One.”

Grant immediately opened his mouth, and I removed my finger. Grabbing his neck, I splayed my fingers so they rested against his throat.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” he said remorsefully. “It’s impossible for me to just give in to whatever you say. I swear it’s not my intention to be disrespectful in any way.”

“We’ll see if your mood improves after your punishment, which is going to happen sooner rather than later.” I added slight pressure to either side of his neck. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll fuck your mouth until your brat settles. Do you understand me?”

“Damn, charming. You have such an eloquent way with words.”

Technically, a nickname didn’t replace a title, but he was straddling the line. Instead of repeating my question, I slowly released my hold.

“Sir,” he corrected himself. “You’re making me nervous and it’s not a feeling I’m used to.”

“You have one pass.” Holding out my hand, I waited for him to place his in mine. “You have your safe word and your colors. No more snarky replies. Am I understood, Grant?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Follow me.”

“Anywhere, Sir.”

It took a herculean amount of restraint not to kiss him until either of us could scarcely breathe and fuck him senseless. But it would be after I taught his ass a lesson with my most hated paddle. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Ilovedwielding it, but no one I used it on ever agreed. Either way, we were going to get Grant into a better place, and then I’d check on Kendall. The three of us had formed an unexpected tripod, but they balanced me even better than I’d hoped for when I’d teased Grant after the holiday fair.

Grant

Chiding myself in my head, I wished I had spoken to Dalton with more respect. I should have had more sense last night to call instead of coming over after several beers and in the freezing cold weather. But sleeping next to him, occasionally finding him curled against me during my unexpected stay, stroked my heart. I had been stupid to think that he wouldn’t squash my fears immediately. Dalton knew without all the details that I’d been overthinking our relationship to the point where I believed it was better to walk away. He also somehow knew I wasn’t done with us. Not by a long shot.

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

Dalton let out a breath, flicking his gaze along my body and up to my face. “What are you sorry for, lumbersnack?”

It should be a fucking sin to have someone as hot as the man standing in front of me call me such a cheesy nickname while also taking my needs and wants into consideration. I’d hit the jackpot with him and Kendall. Kendall, our sweet girl who wanted nothing more than holiday cheer, cuddles, and spankings for Christmas. I was the luckiest man on the planet, and yet I believed it was too good to be true.

“I’ve been entirely caught up on things in my head instead of talking through them. It would have been a lot easier if you and Kendall both stayed the weekend, but I understand shit happens.”

“I hate that I was forced to break a promise for the sake of my career, but it’s handled for now. I’m off until next year. I’ve also gone above my captain’s head and complained. Her lack of planning shouldn’t equal me working an inordinate number of days in a row.” Dalton stroked his fingers down my arm. “I will not let my job dictate how I live my life anymore. I’ll negotiate more solid hours and if I can’t get what I want, then I’ll go somewhere else.”

“Where else could you possibly go?”

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