Page 68 of The Dom with the Kink Monsters

“Yes. I thought you’d like a little puppy to take care of.”

“He looks sad.” He frowned.

“You think so?” She followed Master through the airport, glad he remembered the way to the SUV. Spider clung to her like he’d been clinging to the flight attendant, as though he was afraid the crowd would sweep him away if he let go.

“Uh huh.” He slowed for a moment to look at a display of candy bars.

Saya had the urge to buy him one, but decided he probably needed a meal first. They were going to be driving for ages to get home, and giving him chocolate now might upset his stomach.

“Does stuffy dog miss his mom?” Saya asked.

Spider’s eyes were serious. “No, he misses Alexandra.”

“Who’s that?”

“Alexandra is my cat. She’s white and fluffy. Sometimes she sleeps on my bed if I stay real still. I hope Mommy remembers to give her food. That’s my job.” He tripped and would have fallen if Saya hadn’t been holding his hand.

“New shoes?” Master asked. Those looked new, at least.

Spider eyed his uncle cautiously. “Yes. They were supposed to make me run faster, but they make me trip. They’re way bigger than my last ones, but they don’t squish my toes.”

Master’s gaze met hers and they exchanged subtle smiles. Chatty little guy.

They made it to the SUV and the fuss Saya was expecting Spider to make over the vehicle never came to fruition. The car seat they’d bought had been installed, but it still took a few minutes for them to figure out how to tie him in. It involved the child showing them how he figured it worked, and Saya reading over the instructions again.

At the next McDonald’s, they stopped for lunch. Spider wolfed down his food, but was hesitant about playing in the playland. Eventually he went. Saya and Master watched him through the glass viewing window.

“He doesn’t look very tired. Do you think he could manage a quick trip to the mall?” Saya asked.

“Why?” His eyebrow quirked. He probably thought she was crazy for suggesting a shopping expedition with a kid they didn’t know.

“I looked in his backpack. There are two changes of clothes in there and they’re both worn out and too small. The socks look like they’re for a baby.”

“You think maybe she didn’t have time to do laundry or something?”

The clothes, the coat, the teddy bear, the hair? The too-big shoes? Two changes of clothes for two weeks? Chances were this was most of what the kid owned. It wasn’t like she and Master lived high on the hog, and she knew it was bad to raise kids to be materialistic, but this little guy needed clothes. She’d be darned if he was going to live under their roof for two weeks wearing rags.

Ramsay brought the boy to the bathroom when he asked, then they hit the road.

“Can you believe he didn’t know how to pee standing up? Didn’t take him long to figure it out. Smart kid.”

“He’s a urinal savant?”

“You betcha. No Cheerios required.”

“Bronwyn might not thank you when he goes home. He’ll be peeing all over their bathroom floor.”

“Uncle’s prerogative.”

Traffic was light and they got to the mall quickly. When they went into the department store, Master popped Spider into a cart and they headed straight for the children’s clothing section.

“What are we doing here?” Spider looked around curiously, clutching his bear.

“We’re going to buy you some clothes for while you visit, okay?” Saya stroked his hair, unable to stop herself. He was too adorable, like a mini Ramsay. Would their babies look like him if they were ever blessed with any?

He accepted the affection from her and shrugged. “These pants are only tight when I tie them.”

“Yes, but you don’t have enough, so we’re going to get you more.”

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