Page 9 of Pretty Puppy

Jarrod glanced up from the stack of shirts he was separating into neat piles. “No. I’m the pony handler.” He frowned. “Didn’t they make it clear that there’s only one trainer per group?” He smiled. “You’ll be happy to know the pup are all yours.”

Ash wondered if his new roommate would find it odd if he vomited into the little trash can next to the desk. “Sohappy. Yippee.”

Jarrod’s brow furrowed. “Are you all right? You seem a bit green around the gills.”

Ash dropped onto his bed. “Totally. Just tired from the bus trip, I guess.”

As Jarrod chattered away while organizing his clothes, Ash nodded at the appropriate spots and answered questions with as minimal detail as possible. He wondered if Owen was right.

His hairbrained scheme might be a huge mistake.

Chapter Five

Lee buttoned up his leather vest and checked to verify that his green silk shirt was properly tucked into his favorite black leather pants. After dealing with a load of obligations, meetings and the contractors all week, he was ready to head to the club and have a couple drinks to relax.

Playing with someone wasn’t on the agenda—the chance to unwind was the only goal. A couple of his friends should be there, and if nothing else, it would get him out of his enormous, empty home that seemed colder and more sterile as the years crawled on.

After grabbing his keys and jacket, he locked up and made his way to his SUV. Driving the short distance to the club would give him enough time to switch from business mode to laid-back mode. Yeah, he had a tendency to be a bit intense at work, but it was in his nature.

Not that he was rude, he despised it when people behaved that way. However, running a large resort along with the charitable events he helmed meant that every minute needed to be productive. He made his expectations clear with staff when he hired them so that no one was caught unaware.

By the time he reached Blue Underground, he’d listened to a couple of his favorite tunes and was in social mode instead of business mode.

“Hey, Ken.” Lee strolled over to his good friend at the bar and grabbed the empty stool next to him. “Here with anyone tonight, or can I toss back a couple drinks with you?”

Ken chuckled. “No one for me.” He gestured to the stool. “Be my guest. I was actually toying with the idea of giving you a call, but I thought you might be up to your ears with all the event prep.”

Lee climbed onto the stool, leaning with his elbow on the counter and angled so he could speak to his friend, while also taking in the scenery of the room. “I actually am, but I was going to go crazy if I didn’t get out for the night. Need a chance to clear my head.”

“I hear ya. Going to sign up for a room?”

“Nah. Sightseeing only. I need…” He swallowed down his emotion, a previously rare— but concerningly more common as of late—state for him. “I think I should take a break from relationships, or even dalliances for a while.” He snorted. “Nothing wrong with my right hand.”

Ken’s eyebrows shot up. “Yikes. That sounds dreadful. Does your right hand also put on a hood and collar, so you get those needs met as well?”

Lee threw back his head with a laugh. “Good one. No, but I could use a break from that as well while I re-evaluate things.”

“Uh-oh.” Ken took a sip of his almost empty drink. “What’s going on with my stoic and in control friend?”

Lee decided it was time he partook of some booze as well. He raised his hand to get the bartender’s attention. “I’ll fill you in after I get a drink. You ready for another, or are you pacing yourself?”

“Pacing. But you should catch up.”

After Lee placed his order, he regarded Ken again. “I’m not saying I don’t prefer having a pup, but at this stage, I’ve decided I shouldn’t make that a requirement, shouldn’t close myself off to the sea of other boys out there. What’s wrong with only being a Daddy without a pup? Or being a Master without being a Daddy? I don’t have to haveeverything.”

“No. You don’t. But the real question is whether you’d ever be satisfied with that.”

Lee nodded as he paid the bartender then took a sip of his Scotch. “Hence the time needed for re-evaluation. You’re right. I might not be satisfied with that. In which case, I should come to terms with not having a long-term relationship and consign myself to only playing. If it happens it happens, if it doesn’t, then fine.”

Ken let out a low whistle. “I hate to hear you talk like that. My advice—if you’re interested—is let it be for now. Don’t try to figure it out. Just give yourself some space from the break-up with Michael.”

Lee grunted. “Yeah. Especially since he’s gone back to his old Master and is madly in love.”

“Ooh. Ouch.”

Lee shook his head. “Not really. More of a blow to my ego, or maybe more like holding up a mirror to my detachment from my partners. Pup, Daddy, whatever won’t mean a thing if I can’t open up my heart.”

Ken nodded then threw back the rest of his drink. “Agreed. I think that’s what’s needed.” He gave Lee a hearty pat on the back. “Whaddya say we hang out, have a couple more drinks and some bar food then do some pup watching?”

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