Page 23 of Pretty Puppy

Was that truly what was happening? Ash pressed his lips together as steely determination washed over him. He’d be good—nogreat. Lee would never turn him away because Ash would show him how trustworthy and wonderful life was with Ash by his side.

They reached the top of the hill and Lee turned right. They were so close.

“What do you have with you?”

Ash considered his meager belongings. “Well, I didn’t bring much. I stored most of what I have at Owen and Rick’s place. So, just a few changes of clothes, some basic puppy gear. That’s all.”

“Rick?”

“Oh, that’s right.” Ash realized they’d have a lot to catch up on. “Rick is Owen’s Master. He collared him a while back, and they live together now.”

“Good for him. Is he still doing pup play?”

“Definitely. We’d go to a few different clubs together all the time. There was a private one that this one guy used to hold once a month at a friend’s warehouse. He’d rent it out and it was always an amazing night. That’s actually how Owen met Rick.”

Lee pulled into his driveway and stopped the truck.Wow. Talk about déjà vu. Angling toward him, Lee draped one arm over the steering wheel.

“Did you meet a lot of great Masters, too?”

Heat filled Ash’s cheeks. “I thought some of them might eventually turn out to be the perfect Master for me. Then I’d get to know them, and I’d realize I was kidding myself. As time went on, I also realized I was always comparing them to you. Looking for someone as good as you, who I clicked with like you. So much for my rash assumption from when we were together that I should hold out in case there was someone better.” Tears burned in Ash’s eyes. “I can’t believe how fucking stupid I was.”

Lee cupped his cheek. “We’ve all had our moments.” He wrapped his hand around Ash’s nape, locking eyes with him. “You were right about how young you were. I should’ve realized that back then. I was so besotted with you, I didn’t take into consideration that you might not be ready. I apologize for that.”

Ash dropped his jaw. How could Lee be apologizing tohim?

Lee pulled him closer by the neck then placed a kiss on his forehead. “Let’s go inside and get you settled, discuss where we want to go from here as well as what your current boundaries are.” Lee opened his door then glanced over his shoulder. “But in case you forgot, I still adhere to the no cursing rule.” He arched his eyebrows. “Expect an extra strike for that.”

Ash fought to hold back a smile. Didn’t seem appropriate after Lee’s remark, but damn, it felt good to be in this dynamic with him again. “Yes, Daddy. I’m sorry.”

Lee gave him a lopsided smile. “Good boy.”

Was it okay to be giddy?

After helping Ash from the SUV, Lee grabbed Ash’s duffel and led him up the familiar stone pathway to the front of the large, Chalet-style home. As soon as Lee opened the door and gestured for Ash to go inside, his knees weakened. This time when the tears came, he didn’t try to hold them back.

He truly was home.

Lee wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Come on sweetheart, everything’s going to be okay. Daddy’s here for you.”

Ash leaned his head against Lee’s chest, trying to calm his stuttering breaths. Lee alternated between squeezing Ash’s shoulder and rubbing his back.

“S-sorry.” Ash sniffed and wiped the tears from his cheeks. “I can’t seem to stop crying today.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Lee kissed his temple. “I’ve been a little teary myself today. It’s all a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

Ash peered up at Lee, gazing down at him with affection. “It’s not too much?”

Lee smiled, shaking his head. “Not for me. But I’ll understand if you need to stay at the condo for a while to have some space. I promise I won’t put pressure on you this time.”

“No pressure. I’ve had five years of regret and I’m done.” Ash pressed his face against Lee’s chest, inhaling that comforting smell that was his Daddy and no one else. “I want to be here with you.”

Lee wrapped him in an embrace and laid his head on Ash’s. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

This time when Ash gazed up at Lee, his breath was stolen by Daddy’s commanding kiss, his tongue exploring Ash’s mouth as if he’d never tasted him before, as though he never planned to stop. Ash chased Lee’s lips with his own when Lee broke the kiss.

“Daddy…” The word came out on a sigh.

Lee brushed Ash’s hair back from his face. “I want you in my arms from this day forward. And in my life, my bed, over my lap. Any and every way I can have you.”

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