Page 34 of Shattered Dreams
“Care to try me?” Elliot gently tipped his head forward. “Now stop that before you give yourself a headache by trying to look at me upside down.”
“Overbearing son of…” Max grumbled.
“Is that number four I hear?” There was a shred of amusement in Elliot’s tone.
“No.” He shot a look down at Lizzie, anxiety filling him. What would his wife say when it became obvious that Elliot was topping him?
“That’s too funny, Master.” Lizzie rose to her feet. “Now you know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of the dreaded counting.”
Relief flowed through him. She obviously thought Elliot was playing around, not realizing that he had a feeling that he’d soon be counting off those damned numbers as Elliot warmed his ass – or whatever diabolical form of discipline the man came up with. “I’ll show you counting, Elizabeth,” he finally managed.
“How about snuggles first, Master?” She gave him a smile. “There’s a hockey game this afternoon, and I can’t think of anything better than curling up on the sectional with you.”
A lump filled his throat. He’d been kind of worried his wife would limit the amount of contract they had out of fear of hurting him. “Snuggles huh?”
“Absolutely, Master.” She gave him a coy look. “In fact, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Hey now, no sexual escapades here.” Storm protested as he came in behind Elliot with two bags and a plastic hospital bag. “At least not ‘til the gay man has left the premises.”
“Get your mind out of the gutter.” Lizzie hip-checked Storm as he rounded the other two men. “I have it on great authority that Master hasn’t had a decent cup of coffee since before the…” she paused, then continued. “…well you know, before his extended stay away from home.”
“Well, that’s one way to put it.” Elliot chuckled, before rolling Max toward the family room. “Let’s get you settled so you can have some quiet time with your wife and your precious coffee. Then I can run home and let Rancho out.”
“Rancho?” Lizzie asked, her tone curious.
“Now you did it.” Max groaned. “Told you not to mention that in front of her, man. She’s animal crazy.”
“You have a pet?” Lizzie’s cheeks flushed with excitement. “Can I come see him?”
“Told you.” Max groaned.
“That you did.” Elliot sighed. “Perhaps later, Elizabeth. I’m tasking you with taking care of Master while I’m gone.”
“Oh, goodie. I get to be in charge!” She made a fist and pumped it.
“Excuse me?” Max ground out. “Don’t I get a say in this, wife of mine?”
“Nope.” She popped the P at the end of the word. “Daddy says I’m supposed to take care of you.” Her expression softened. “Please Master? Just for a short while?”
Max knew when he was whipped, and frankly he was too damned tired to fight the matter at the moment. When he was a little more rested, he’d remind his wife who was in charge. “For now.”
* * *
After letting Rancho out to run the back yard with his fence buddy, Elliot stood in front of his open fridge contemplating the items inside of it. Other than his coffee, he hadn’t eaten at the Rodkin’s’. It wasn’t that he worried about taking advantage of them, but that his stomach had been full of butterflies. Even after talking to Maxwell on the phone, he wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would receive. Would the man be cool and distant, cranky and a grouch, or a combination of the two? He hadn’t known but had been quite surprised when the other man had flushed and grew quiet. Reacting much like how, Elliot had begun to expect a sub would when in the presence of a dominant they wanted to impress.
“Don’t dwell on it too much, Landon. He wasn’t in full fighting form. It’ll be different once he adjusts to being home with his wife.”
A sharp bark from Rancho had him frowning as he shut the fridge door. That wasn’t his dog’s normal bark of excitement. He moved to the slider to see what had Rancho all riled up. A tired grin crossed his face as he spotted his daughter. He hadn’t expected to see her. Last he knew she was stationed in Georgia at Fort Benning. Sliding the door open, he called out.
“What the hell are you doing home, girl?”
Penelope, looking so much like her mother, straightened, then brushed off her army fatigues. “Dad.”
“Come give your old man a hug.” He stepped out onto the deck, happiness fizzing through his veins. It’d been over six months since he’d last seen her.
She grinned. “Who’s old?” She bounced up the stairs and launched herself at him. “God, it’s good to see you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I got a weekend furlough for Angie’s wedding and thought I’d kill two birds with one stone and check on you at the same time.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest. “Not to mention, you’d kick my ass if I came into town for my best friend’s wedding and didn’t stop and see you.”
“Damn straight.” He gave her a tight squeeze. “Come on in. You can help me decide what to have for breakfast.”
