Page 170 of Giddy Up, Daddy

Something flickered in his eyes but he continued, one hand wrapped around my thickness as he pleasured me. Still he seemed less enthusiastic than I expected. As if concerns were still zinging through his head or he had insecurities he hadn’t shared. Slowly releasing my dick from his lips, Wyatt sat back on his haunches. I growled, hoping my displeasure was clear.

“Did I tell you to stop, brat?”

“No,” he said, rubbing his throat.

Shit. He wasn’t teasing. I launched into damage control because something had spooked him. Much like Kennedy the other day.

“We don’t have to have sex,” I said casually while trying to get a pulse on the situation.

“I’m sorry. Really sorry. I can’t do this right now.”

Wyatt shook his head and grabbed his clothes. From the way he bragged, Wyatt didn’t typically turn away the opportunity to get physical. His sudden hesitation brought a lot of unanswered questions and a heap of confusion. I thought it made sense to explore a relationship but maybe I was wrong. I prided myself on understanding my partners, my submissives, the people who meant something to me. But for the second time in a week Iconsidered that my approach had been the wrong choice. It left me floundering, a feeling I wasn’t used to.

“Wyatt, don’t run away without telling me what’s on your mind.”

He continued getting dressed. Reluctantly rolling off the bed, I put on comfortable lounge pants and a t-shirt. Watching him stand there without speaking made me worry that I might be losing not only my shot to have him as my boy, but also as my friend.

“I have to figure some shit out,” he said.

His statement didn’t clarify anything. Trying to think of a response, I walked him out of my bedroom and down the hall.

“I think I understand your hesitation. Hell. It makes sense on every level. How can you and Kennedy possibly trust me to lead when I can’t even face my own goddamn fears and get back in the ring?”

Wyatt frowned, looking deeply unsettled. He opened his mouth, but seemed to think better of it and sighed. “It's not like that.”

We continued to the front door where he laced up his boots. This was on me. I’d pushed the two of them into a throuple too fast. Everything crumbled in a flash because I couldn’t balance us.

“No, I’ve clearly made a bad call. I’m pushing for too much too fast. It clearly isn't working. I’m sorry for believing it could,” I admitted.

“Please don’t say that, Alden. This is my fault. You want to be with me, but Kennedy doesn’t. At least, that’s what it feels like. She loves you!”

“Kennedy loves both of us. She’s just been through a lot. I promised her that I’d balance us. But maybe I’m not always right, Firecracker.”

“ There are three of us. The responsibility shouldn’t fall on you completely. Please don’t throw away everything with Kennedy just because I’m a mess.”

“You arenota mess.” I stepped closer, stopping short of touching him. Though I wanted to pick him up and hold him and reassure him that everything would be okay, it wasn’t true. Our friendship could be in jeopardy if he got stuck in his head.

“Iama mess. You’re given me the opportunity to have the relationship of my dreams. And I’m tossing it back at you.”

“I’m patient, babyboy.”

The pet name brought tears to his eyes. It didn’t make the situation any better.

“Walking away feels like I’ve got a gaping hole in my chest, Sir. I’m closer to admitting my fears, ones I’ve never let see the light of day, but not yet.”

Swallowing hard, I stepped to his feet and cupped his cheek. “When you’re ready, trust that I can handle the three of us.”

“You’re not gonna sit around twiddling your thumbs waiting for the two of us to get on board. You deserve more than that. All I want is for you to be happy, Alden.”

“I’m not giving up. Not easily.”

We let a few moments of silence hang over us, but it wasn’t awkward. Opening the front door, I leaned against the door jamb. Wyatt shrugged on his jacket, keeping his eyes on mine. He hugged me close, inhaling deeply as if trying to imprint my scent into his senses. I kissed his forehead and let go.

“I’ll only let you two run wild for so long before we’ll have this conversation again.”

“I know, Alden. I love you. That’s not changing. Just give me some time.”

“I love you, babyboy. I always have.”

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