Page 22 of Pretty Puppy

The lonely years seemed to melt away as Lee rocked him in his embrace, whispering words of comfort and reassurance. This was all Ash had hoped for—a chance. The opportunity to prove he could be a good boy and great partner.

“Come on,” Lee whispered into to his ear. “We’re putting on quite a show and I’d like to get you alone.”

Ash sniffed several times, nodding. He reached for his bag, but Lee snatched it up first.

He looked up, locking gazes with Lee through blurred vision, blinking away tears so he could stare into the ice blue eyes of the man he loved more than he could fathom.

Lee offered his hand and Ash grabbed it before Lee could change his mind. Any minute now he might come to his senses and realize what a pain in the ass Ash was. He trailed Lee as though he were in a dream, stunned by the sudden turn of events. He didn’t dare speak in case he broke the spell.

As Lee helped him into his SUV, though, something Lee had said jumped out. He couldn’t hold back his curiosity. Ash waited until Lee pulled away from the station, then had to ask.

“When you said, ‘home’, what did you mean?”

Maybe he was just going to be nice and give him a ride back to San Diego. Or maybe buy him a plane ticket. That didn’t make much sense, but then neither did Lee’s abrupt turnabout in his attitude toward him.

Lee seemed conflicted over what to say, and Ash was mentally kicking himself for opening his big mouth.

“Did you mean what you said in my office?” Lee glanced at him sideways. “That you still love me?”

“I did. Ido.” Ash chewed his lower lip, terrified to wish for the best. “I’m being truthful this time. I know you’ll probably never trust anything I say again, but if you only believe one thing, then believe that.”

Lee nodded. “I believe you.”

Ash’s heart jumped into his throat. “You do?” He licked his lips. “Are you still mad?”

Lee made a see-sawing motion with one hand. “A bit. But we can worry about that later.”

The suspense was killing him. Back when they were together, Lee would always try to teach him patience. The lesson hadn’t stuck.

“When you say later…” Ash cleared his throat. “Will we be at the condo, or your place or…?”

Lee chuckled. “God, it’s all coming back.” He reached over and clasped Ash’s hand. “I missed you so damn much.”

“Oh, Daddy…” Ash slapped his free hand to his mouth. “Sorry. I mean, I missed you so much, too. That’s why I was so desperate to find a reason to get back up here. I couldn’t figure out how to do it in a way where it wouldn’t seem forced.” He lowered his head. “I…didn’t want to come across too pathetic.”

“You mean you were afraid of rejection.”

Ash let out a long sigh. “Yeah. I’m a big chicken.”

“Hmm.” Lee stared straight ahead but didn’t let go of Ash’s hand. “If I’m being brutally honest with myself, I suppose if you’d either called or shown up out of nowhere, I might’ve turned you away without a backward glance.” He shrugged. “Hard to say.” Lee gave Ash’s hand a gentle squeeze. “And it’s okay if you want to call me Daddy.”

Ash didn’t think he’d heard Lee right. “For real? You don’t want to spank me and tell me how badly I’ve misbehaved then make me go sit in the corner first?”

Lee barked out a laugh. “Would that make everything better? Put you in the proper head space for us to begin again?”

Ash had blurted out the words before considering what it was Lee was getting at, but as always, Daddy knew best. “Actually, I think it would.”

Lee nodded. “For me, too.” He glanced at Ash before returning his eyes to the road. “I love you, pup. But your shenanigans can’t go unacknowledged.”

“All right, Daddy.”Man, that feels amazing. “As long as we’re together, I’ll take whatever punishments you give.”

“Safeword the same as before?”

“Yeah. I still use chew toy.”

Lee turned up the familiar road that led to his home overlooking the lake. Ash swallowed past the lump in his throat as the memories came flooding back. Coming home after a satisfying night at the club. Returning from weekend trips to the bay area or from going hiking and camping. A carefree night playing the tables at the casino and getting a fine meal. Or simply coming home together and knowing he’d be safe in Daddy’s arms that night.

Coming home.

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