Page 62 of Just A Little Magic

“Barrett, oh my God, is that how you phrase it? Holy shit, no wonder you can’t keep anyone.” I squirmed to look up at him. He grinned back down at me.

“Well, I don’t put it quite like that. I’m more subtle about it.”

“Is there a good way to tell someone I’ll be third-wheeling your entire relationship?”

“Not successfully,” Bear answered with a grin. “C’mon, dinner’s about ready, and we can exchange lists.”

Once again, Bear pulled me by the hand into the kitchen. I wasn’t clear on why we needed to hold hands in the house, but I wasn’t going to mention it in case he stopped. He deposited me at the table again and handed me his list. Bear occupied himself with dishing up dinner plates while I read.

“Bear, is this for real?”

“Why would I create a fake list?” he asked incredulously.

“No way you’re into this stuff.”

Barrett had checked off pacis, ABDL, bottles, rocking, reading stories, cribs, and baths. We were virtually identical.

“Why can’t I be?”

“Because you only play with middles. I’ve seen you. You never go for the little littles.”

“Why would I do that to myself?”

Color me confused because I had no idea what Bear was talking about.

“You’re a little little. I’m not a masochist. It’s better to avoid it altogether if I can’t have what I want.” Barrett took a deep breath and then blurted, “Owen, move in with me for the month.” My only response was to stare at him. “I’m serious. Move in with me for the month and let me be your Da.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“It’s the perfect solution. How will you know I can care for you if you don’t let me? And you promised to make a real go of it. This would be a real go.” Barrett recognized the stubborn set of my jaw, so he pulled out the big guns. “Owen, think about how much Elizabeth would love that catio. Do it for the cat, Owen.”

“Goddammit, Bear. That’s really unfair.” I tried to school my expression, but when all I could manage were narrowed eyes and scowling, I knew I’d failed. “You’re certifiable.”

“It’s fine. Think of it like a staycation. And now that that’s decided, I’m gonna get finished on that dinner I promised you.”

Barrett nudged me out of his way and strolled off to the pantry. He ignored my mutterings about high-handed men and how the discussion wasn’t over. He and I both knew I’d lost. But because I was me, he knew I needed a little explosion before I settled and admitted defeat.

By the time he returned to where I’d landed at the kitchen table and began setting out plates, I was already using myphone to search one of my favorite showroom sites for sunroom-appropriate furniture.

“Did you find anything?”

“Hmmm?” The world ceased to exist when I was lost in my designs. “Did you say something?”

“I just asked if you found anything?”

“No, not really. I want to create a mood board first. We should talk about what you want in there.”

“I want what you want. It’s your cat, so you’ll channel her and decide.”

“I don’t think a lair of dead mice and catnip posters will work.”

“I am shocked,” Barrett answered with all the indignation he could pretend to muster, “that you think Elizabeth is anything but the soul of refinement. She is a lady with class.”

“She licks her ass.”

“That ass has class. So you’re moving in, right?”

“I swear to God, Bear, you’re like a dog with a bone.”

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