Page 4 of Baby Boy

Jace hummed and licked his lips. Avery had knocked over a glass from the table and bent to pick up the ice that had fallen on the carpet. He had such a perfect ass. Jace could see him in little pair of undies or training pants, or better yet, a diaper. “Not long.”

Mitch chuckled. “You said that a month ago, and two months before that.”

Irritated with Mitch’s teasing, Jace returned his attention to his friend. “And I have my reasons for waiting. He’d just started classes and was cutting his hours back again. If I wasn’t certain he was working less, I would have stepped in. I’m trying to give him enough time on his own that he won’t mind being tied down so soon.” Because as soon as Avery belonged to Jace, Jace would not be letting him go.

Mitch looked over to the opposite side of the room. “Whatever, man. I just think you’re making a mistake. You need to claim that boy before someone else does.”

Jace had the same thought, thousands of times. Avery obviously needed someone to take care of him, but Jace didn’t want to push the boy too fast. Hell, he could barely get full sentences out of Avery. “It’ll be fine. How about your love life? Been on any dates lately?”

“No.” Mitch shook his head. “I just don’t have time right now.”

Jace leaned forward. “You didn’t have time a month ago, a year ago—hell, five years ago. When are you going to take the time for you?”

“Come on.” Mitch looked away, which didn’t surprise Jace. “You know how hard it is.”

“No, I don’t,” Jace argued. “I know how hard you think it is but we both know you’re not even trying. There’s a perfect partner out there for you if you bothered to look.” Hell, Jace had found Avery at the coffee shop he’d visited the very first day he’d moved offices. Even though both he and Mitch had very specific tastes in men didn’t mean they wouldn’t find who they needed.

“I’m too tired to go to the club after work.”

“Because you shouldn’t be working there,” Jace pointed out. “If you took Gregory up on his offer, you’d have more time to find the Daddy that you need.”

Mitch groaned. “Don’t start. I came to dinner to relax.”

“And I’m happy to oblige.” He waited until Mitch sat back. “To a point. But I won’t sit by and watch you make yourself miserable much longer.” He glanced around for Avery. “I’m already doing that with one boy.”

“So, claim him,” Mitch snapped. “Claim your boy and leave me the hell out of it.”

“You’re being a brat,” Jace pointed out.

Mitch smirked. “And we both know how much you hate brats.”

It was true. While Jace and Mitch had met at a BDSM club when they’d both been in their early twenties and had similar tastes in kinks, they never connected as more than friends. Jace was looking for a sweet little boy who would let him take care of everything while Mitch needed a strong hand when he felt like being a brat. They would never be a couple, but they were still the best of friends.

“You haven’t been to the club in months. I’m sure your right hand is getting tired,” Jace teased.

Mitch snorted. “I’m too tired most nights for even my right hand.”

Jace frowned, leaning forward and lowering his voice. “You can’t continue like this. You’re going to burn out and I won’t allow it.”

“I know.” Mitch’s sigh was long. “I’m trying to figure things out.”

“Okay, I’ll back off.” He waited a beat. “For now.” Jace did need to concentrate on Avery but he was truly worried about Mitch as well.

“That has to cost you,” Mitch griped but was smiling. “I still think you need to get your boy.”

Jace wanted to. It was getting harder and harder to see Avery struggle day after day. But a few well-timed private conversations with Avery’s best friend Jasmin confirmed what he suspected. Avery didn’t have experience with many men. He didn’t know anything about BDSM or kink. Jace couldn’t just throw the boy over his shoulder and lock him in Jace’s nursery. No matter how much Jace might want to.

A loud crash came across the room and he startled. He looked over in time to see Avery drop to his knees in the middle of the tables, his boy’s face red and embarrassment staining his cheeks. Jace stiffened, having to stop himself from marching across the restaurant to save his boy.

“Shit,” Mitch murmured. “Here comes the asshole manager.”

When Jace had learned about Avery’s other jobs, thanks again to Jasmin, he’d started bringing Mitch there for their bi-weekly dinners. It hadn’t taken long to observe how the manager treated the staff. It was probably why Jace rarely had the same server twice. He never sat in Avery’s section, knowing the boy’s nerves would end up getting the best of him, but Jace did watch from a distance.

“He needs to quit this damn job,” Jace muttered. He hated how much Avery worked but it was worse when he was treated badly. He fisted his hand as the manager grabbed Avery’s arm and yanked him off the floor where he was trying to clean.

“Uh-oh,” Mitch whispered. “You have your mad Daddy face on.”

Jace ignored his friend as Avery was led away with the manager still gripping his arm.Oh hell no.

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