Page 26 of A Stable Daddy

“Maybe you should answer my question, then. Tell me what you’ll do to me.”

“Keep bratting me, honey, and I’ll paddle your ass the next time I see you.”

The low, drawn-out moan that rumbles down the line only makes me harder. “Oh, you like that idea, do you?”

“Fucking hell,” he pants out. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Hmm,” I rub the heel of my palm over my straining erection, wishing I could do more, but I don’t want to accidentally give one of the other guys a free show out here in the open, “maybe I need to think of a more suitable punishment, then. Maybe a cage? Restraints? Make you watch me jerk off without being allowed to touch —or come— yourself?”

He gasps and whines with every suggestion, but the last one has his breath hitching and a strangled keening sound meets my ears.

I still my hand on my pants and ask, “Sweetheart, did you just come?”

His silence is punctuated by heavy breathing.

I can’t help but smile. “Ryan,” I press firmly, using my best Daddy Dom voice, “answer me.”

“I…” I hear him swallow. “Yes, Daddy.” Fuck, I canhearhis embarrassment and my heart trips over itself.

He’s so sweet and perfect.

“That’s so hot, baby,” I tell him, already planning on taking myself in hand when I get into my bunk. I commit the sounds he made to memory. “So, you like those ideas?”

“You know I do.”

Oh, he gets sassy when he’s embarrassed. It’s adorable.

“Then I guess I’d better start planning my days off.”

“Will you stay at my place for the week?”

I freeze at his question, not having expected the offer. I was planning on free camping in a local rest area, but the idea of sleeping beside him in his bed instead of on my own on a mattress in the back of my pickup is too nice to pass up. “I’d like that a hell of a lot,” I answer carefully, “but only if you’re comfortable with me staying with you.”

“Oscar,” all traces of playfulness are gone from his tone, “I call you Daddy. I’d say we’re already way past that awkwardearly dating stage. I mean, I’m fifty-one and after Maddy…well, let’s just say I don’t want to play games and waste time beating around the bush. We’re dating, right? And we’re exclusive? So of course you’re welcome to stay with me.”

My heart squeezes again, and I nod, though he can’t see me. “I love the way you think, darlin’.”

In fact, I think I’m rapidly coming to love a lot more than that.

* * *

Ryan’s home is wonderful. It’s a two-bedroom, one-bathroom beachside villa, with the primary suite situated loft-style above the rest of the home, and the way he had described it over the phone really undersold how great it is.

Painted white with a blue roof, it gives off airy Greek island holiday vibes, not that I’d ever been out of the States before I came to Australia. From the back deck, there’s an unimpeded view of white sand and crystal blue-green water. I drop my duffel bag on the white couch in the cosy living room and whistle as I slowly spin on the spot, taking it all in.

“You live in paradise,” I admire.

“It’s notthatimpressive.”

“Rye, baby, it’s a beach house. I always fantasised about livin’ on a beach like this when I was a kid.”

“You did?”

I turn to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist and looking him in the eye. “I did. But, I gotta say,” I look around again, frowning, “I’m a little worried that you’re a vet and you don’t have any pets.”

He snorts a laugh. “I work long hours. Some days, I’m only here for a few hours’ sleep and then I’m gone again. That’s not fair on a pet.”

“Not even a turtle?”

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