Page 6 of In Daddy's Hands

Jupiter wrapped his arms around Boone’s neck. “Okay.”

The smile that stretched his lips felt wicked. Boone practically felt the collective shock in the room. He knew exactly what he did every step of the way. Boone let everyone see Jupiter belonged to him. If anyone touched him, they were dead.

Jupiter had never been high in his life. He couldn’t say that now. Everything spun, but that didn’t dampen the pride he felt. He had gone to The PlayPen as soon as they opened and watched the door. It had been hard to concentrate on any of the games he played. Then Boone had come through the door with his dad and brother. Jupiter had immediately focused on his toys. Boone’s dad didn’t come to The PlayPen often, but when he did, everyone knew to steer clear. The building was a haven for people outside of society's norms and rules. No one interfered with their business. The three had looked intense and scary. Boone hadn’t once looked his way. His chest had started hurting over that detail. It had been a stressful day for Jupiter. Then Beau had walked out and Boone immediately summoned Jupiter to his side. He had pretty much staked his claim. In front of his brother, no less. Jupiter was on cloud nine.

When Boone steered his car into a gated driveway, the gates opened. Jupiter had to lean forward to see the entire house behind it. The place was beautiful. Gorgeous landscaping outlined stone walls. He caught a quick glimpse of a waterfall behind the house as Boone pulled into the garage. There were other cars inside. A black SUV. Some sort of off-road vehicle and a large truck. Jupiter didn’t ask questions. He knew by the way Boone dressed that crime paid very well.

Once they were out of the car, Boone held his hand out for Jupiter. “Come here.”

Jupiter didn’t hesitate. He loved the way his hand felt against Boone’s.

Boone led him to the back door. He punched a code into an electronic keypad. It was too long for Jupiter to keep up. Then Boone pressed the pad of Jupiter’s index finger to the fingerprint reader and held it there. The lock made a loud beep.

“There. That gives you access to my place in case you ever need to see me or a place to stay.”

Jupiter stared at Boone, awed. This man couldn’t be real. He had just given Jupiter access to a multi-million dollar mansion. Then again, who would be stupid enough to steal from Boone?

“Thank you.”

Boone held his stare with the intense eyes Jupiter couldn’t get out of his head. “I don’t have many friends. I take care of the ones I do.”

Jupiter didn’t know how to respond. He wanted to be more than a friend, but he knew what Boone meant. “I bet you have a lot of fun toys.”

The wicked smile that stretched Boone’s lips melted Jupiter’s underwear. “Would you like to find out?”

Oh, God. He had no idea. “Absolutely.”

Boone opened the door.

Together, they headed inside. When Boone took off his shoes, Jupiter did too. He was ridiculously overheated being outside in the Southern California sun in a bunny onesie. Jupiter unzipped his pajamas and peeled the material down his arms before tying the arms of the outfit together at his waist to keep it from falling to the floor. He looked up and found Boone watching. Jupiter glanced down. He wore a t-shirt underneath, so it wasn’t like he had stripped.

“What?”

At his question, Boone shook his head. “Nothing. You’re just beautiful and you make me curious to know more.”

“Same.”

A sweet smile touched Boone’s lips. It was a smile he hadn’t seen before—like it was the real him. Not the son of Beau Bosi—Boone. He wanted to know this version too.

“Can I make you dinner?”

Boone looked confused as fuck by the random question. “Are you hungry?”

A laugh burst from Jupiter. “I am, but I also love to cook. You should let me cook for you.”

“Whatever you want, it’s yours.” Boone stepped aside and motioned toward the doorway behind him. It led to the most amazing kitchen Jupiter had ever seen. It was huge and had everything a chef could want.

“Holy shit. It looks like I’m not the only budding chef here.”

A sexy chuckle rumbled from Boone. “Me? Absolutely not. The kitchen just came with the house, but it belonged to a famous TV chef before I bought the place.”

Jupiter bopped around from appliance to appliance, oohing and aahing.

Boone patiently followed on his heels. “I would think the last thing you’d want to do on your day off is to be in the kitchen.” He sat on a barstool at the island.

Jupiter flashed Boone a smile. “I actually went to culinary school. Cooking is my passion, but there are only so many chef positions, especially when you don’t have connections. My grandmother knows the owner of where I work. That’s the only reason I got a job there. Obviously, I didn’t want to be a server, but in a place where a single bottle of wine can cost five grand, that’s a hell of a twenty percent tip. So I can’t complain. I actually make six figures there. It’s just not what I thought I’d be doing. It’s alright, though. Maybe if I had landed the chef position, I would’ve come to hate what I love.”

Boone nodded. “Every passion doesn’t need to draw an income. Honestly, that’s one thing that’s wrong with the world. Everyone thinks they can’t do something enjoyable with their time unless it makes money. Nobody just enjoys things any longer.”

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