Page 39 of Slippery When Wet

Reese stabbed a finger at him. “You owe me a juicy piece of gossip for making me suffer like this.”

Ellery rolled his eyes. “What gossip do I have?”

“I don’t know, but I suggest you invent some.”

After some more back and forth, they left the nursery with Reese taking off in one direction and Ellery in another. He was shaking with excitement and needed to find Calvin. He rounded a corner and almost crashed into him.

“Sorry! I was just looking for you. I wanted to ask if I can come join the party now.”

Calvin wrapped his fingers around Ellery’s nape, pulling him close for a soft kiss.

“Mmm, nice.“ Calvin smiled down at him. “Of course you can join us. Lex and I were only giving you boys some space. It’s been over a month since you’ve have had a playdate.”

“I know, I’m not complaining. But I’m getting too excited about…” He covered one side of his mouth with his hand then whispered, “you know, that I can’t focus on my Little side. Plus, Reese is ready to get liquored up.”

Calvin broke into a hearty laugh. “Oh, he is, is he? We’ll see how Lex feels about that.” Calvin squeezed his neck then let go. “Did you want to change, or are you comfortable enough to leave your jammies on?”

Ellery had already been anticipating this moment. But it wasn’t until Daddy asked that he knew the answer.

“I’m fine like this.”

Calvin smiled. “Wonderful. Are you waiting for Reese, or did you want to accompany your Daddy to the living room? The fire is roaring, tree is lit up, and Mel helped me bring out the champagne and appetizers.”

Ellery’s stomach rumbled. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. But that could wait. Something much more important tugged at his thoughts.

“With you.” Ellery grabbed Calvin’s hand. “Can we do the champagne toast first? I’m starving, but I might be too excited to eat.”

Calvin brought their joined hands to his lips then kissed Ellery’s knuckles. “Same. And you wouldn’t want to miss out on the lobster crostini and baked brie that Sarah made for the party.”

Ellery swung their hands. “Oh, yay! She made my favorites.”

Calvin chuckled. “Of course. Sarah has a soft spot for you, and sometimes I find myself warning her not to spoil you too much.”

Ellery didn’t like the sound of that. “Please don’t tell her to stop doing nice things for me.”

Calvin let out a hearty laugh. “Why, I’d never do such a thing to my sweet baby boy.”

When they reached the living room, Ellery noted how their guests were like a mini version of the typical crowd at a kink club. Mel and Calvin were both in dress shirts and slacks, but there was another Daddy Dom with a sub, and both were in fetish gear. Since the Dom and his boy were both only wearing leather harnesses up top, it was a good thing Daddy had such an enormous fire blazing in the black marble fireplace. The snow had begun falling as the guests arrived.

In addition to the fetish gear couple, there was another Master and sub who Ellery had never met until the party. They’d driven all the way in from Boston, so they’d be staying beyond the one night. Calvin hadn’t seen them in a while, but told Ellery he’d known the Master for many years. He’d have to ask Calvin what their names were again.

But altogether, it was a nice gathering. Even if he didn’t know the Boston couple, he imagined he would with time. Calvin told him this was the first gathering he’d hosted at his home in many years, and now that he and Ellery were a family, he hoped to fill the house with people once again.

“Can I have your attention, please? I’d like to make a special toast.”

Calvin directed everyone to a large, square carved oak coffee table. The imposing piece of furniture had always struck Ellery as being more like a dining table with short legs. Upon it was a tray with crystal glasses and two bottles of champagne in ornate silver buckets. Even though he’d been living with Calvin for many months, he was still sometimes overwhelmed by the luxury of his surroundings.

Reese appeared around the corner of the hallway that led to the guest bathroom, and Ellery noted he’d changed back into his street clothes. To Ellery’s surprise, he wasn’t self-conscious about being the only sub wearing Little clothes. One of the most satisfying side-effects of his new life was becoming comfortable in his own skin, of embracing himself just the way he was and not worrying whether others approved or not.

Calvin gestured to Ellery, motioning for him to come closer.

To be by his side. Ellery’s chest tightened as he stood next to his Daddy, their fingers laced together.

Mel regarded Calvin with a grin and held up one of the bottles. “Shall I pour?”

Calvin grinned. “If you would. Thanks.”

Either Mel suspected or Calvin had spilled their secret. It wasn’t fair, he’d given up a month’s worth of playdates because he knew himself all too well. Otherwise, he would’ve blabbed to Reese a long time ago.

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