Chapter 8
Leith woke after several hours, looking a whole lot better. He was smart enough to call out to me and ask permission to get up. It was all I could do not to join him in bed, but I was sweaty and gross, having hauled the old vanity out and put the new one in, and so I settled for kissing him until he was panting and then allowing him out of bed.
He whined. I grinned. He grumbled something I pretended not to hear. But I did put an extra sway in my hips as I left the bedroom, loving his moan. Teasing a sub was so much fun.
“After you pee and check your meat, join me upstairs,” I called over my shoulder.
It took him nearly fifteen minutes, but Leith eventually hobbled his way up. First I showed him the new vanity, and his reaction was everything I wanted. I explained about the floor and how that needed to be redone as well, but that we could get to that later in the summer. He was suspiciously quiet about that, and when I glanced down at him, he was simply staring at the new vanity.
“That is a most agreeable plan, Sir.” Leith’s voice was soft and filled with emotion. I kissed the side of his head and he leaned into me.
We spent most of the afternoon putting together the furniture he’d bought to fill the bedroom I’d repaired and painted. The other room was smaller and already had a double bed, which his brother would use. For in here, Leith had bought a bunk bed and a toddler bed. It would take up basically all the space, but all of his nibblings would be comfortable enough.
“To be fair, Kira will probably crawl in with her father most nights. She’s at that age. But the boys will enjoy sleeping in the bunks. Ryder’s going to insist on the top bunk, but Luka is going to want to sleep there, too.” Leith shook his head with a fond smile. “Luka’s only five though, and while I’m certain he’ll have no trouble climbing up, I worry he’s too little and will fall out.”
“Maybe make it clear that Ryder gets the top bunk this trip, and next time they come to visit, they have to switch?” I lifted the cross support up into place, and Leith held it while I tightened the bolts.
Leith beamed. “That’s an excellent idea.”
I’d watched Nick raise his twins for the past ten years, I’d learned a thing or two about dealing with competitive children. Quinn and Nina had always been good kids, but they definitely sniped at each other from time to time.
We got the top part done, and then moved onto the bottom section. I didn’t miss Leith’s tiny sigh of relief as he sat on the floor. He’d been on his feet too long. I’d have to make sure he didn’t do too much.
A thought struck me as I handed over the first bottom support, and I voiced it as Leith settled it into position. “The kids’ other parent isn’t coming?”
Leith made a disgusted noise. “Melissa is gallivanting across the globe, chasing some sort of sea creature.”
“Leith.”
He sighed gustily. “All right, if I’m honest, she’s not my favorite person. She leaves all the work and child rearing to my brother while she takes months long expeditions. She’s a marine biologist and researcher.”
His tone said it all, but I felt it necessary to be the voice of reason. “And what does Keith say about all this?”
“He, apparently, doesn’t have a problem with it. Supports her dream and all that. And it does appear that everyone is happy with the arrangement. I do trust that Keith would express his dissatisfaction were he unhappy. But I just can’t imagine how the situation is good for any of them.”
“Oh, so you’re being judgmental?” I raised my brows and Leith’s gaze shot to mine, mouth agape. I waited and after a few seconds, he blew out a breath.
“That is, perhaps, somewhat accurate.”
I chuckled and leaned down. Leith instantly lifted his chin and I kissed him. “Happiness looks different to everyone. People are individuals. Just because you wouldn’t be happy in those circumstances doesn’t mean Keith and the kids aren’t.”
“Your logic is sound,” he grumbled.
“You don’t have to sound so happy about it.” I winked. “Now scoot your cute butt over here and let’s get the other bed together while we talk limits.”
Leith sucked in a sharp breath, gaze shooting to mine. I waited to see if he would protest or comply, and after a few seconds, he slid the few feet over and started opening the next box. I took a minute to get most of the garbage and cardboard out into the hall so we would have space to work. When I walked back in, he was studying the instructions. Not that I needed them. It was pretty straightforward.
I slid my fingers into his hair, rubbed his scalp for a moment, then tightened my hold and lifted his head back. His eyes darkened, and I smirked. “Hard limits?”
Leith cleared his throat. “No bodily fluids other than cum. No permanent marks and no visible marks…at least while school is in session. No CBT or extreme types of pain. No medical play or pet play. No degradation or humiliation.” Leith pursed his lips and stared off into the middle distance for a minute or two. “I think that’s it.”
I nodded. It aligned fairly well with my own limits, though I didn’t mind a little blood play now and then. It wasn’t anything I needed though, so I was fine with that. “Soft limits?”
“Bondage,” he said immediately, giving me a little smirk. “Tickling, anything to do with my feet, breath play, CNC, gags, role play…I have a list in a notebook downstairs but I think that’s most of it.”
I crouched down so we were eye to eye. “I’ll definitely look at the list, but you have your safewords at any time for any reason. I’ll always listen to it and there will never be consequences for you using them.”
“I know.” Leith’s voice was filled with affection, and he reached out to trace one of my eyebrows. I twisted to kiss his wrist.
“And everything we talked about the other day is still on your yes, please list?” I knew it was but I wanted to make sure. I’d been planning today’s scene around it and consent was key.
The corner of Leith’s mouth ticked up. “Yes, please.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure you’re not a brat?” I shook my head but I was grinning. “How’s your meat?”
“My…meat?” Leith couldn’t seem to follow the subject change, given the way his brows scrunched together. Then he glanced down at his lap.
I chuckled. “The brisket?”
“Oh!” Leith colored prettily, but he fished his phone out of his pocket. I watched him curiously as he tapped at the screen, then turned it to show me. Apparently he had a wireless and Bluetooth enabled thermometer in the brisket because the screen showed what the current temp was and an expected finish time of an hour. He’d said that it would need to rest at least an hour before eating, and he would make the rest of the meal during that time.
“Good. Let’s get this bed together then, so you have plenty of time to finish dinner. I’m famished.”
“You didn’t get lunch!” Leith’s expression was stricken. “Let me go make you a snack quickly and—”
“Leith.” My voice was low, a command, and he immediately stopped trying to get up. He looked at me, and I smiled softly. “I raided your fridge a couple of hours ago, right before you woke up. I finished the sliced turkey, by the way. And you’re running low on bread.”
He blinked and then laughed, a sweet, melodic sound. “Well, all right then.”
“See? You fed me even when you didn’t know it. Now, let’s get this done so we can get to the fun stuff.”
“I’m having fun now, Sir.” Leith’s voice was so quiet, I almost didn’t hear it. “Just being with you is good.”
I tilted his head back again, needing to see his face. “It’s the same for me, angel.”
He grinned, and after a second, it turned wicked. “But I’m quite looking forward to the other stuff as well.”
I just had to kiss him. It would be a few minutes before we got to our task. But neither of us minded.
* * * *
Dinner was outstanding. I’d never had such a flavorful and tender brisket, the salt potatoes were perfect swimming in butter, and the corn was cooked to perfection. The fresh rolls were just the icing on the cake, as the expression went, though there was an actual cake in the fridge for dessert. Not that either of us had room at the moment. I’d certainly ate just a little too much. And I was already looking forward to leftovers.
I would need some time for my meal to settle. I turned my attention to other matters. “What do I need to know about your knee?”
The question was all over Leith’s face, but before I could elaborate, realization dawned, and he nodded. “Right. I’m fairly well healed, so we don’t need to give it too much consideration. The biggest thing to remember is that I shouldn’t put any weight on it without the brace. Also sometimes if I’ve kept it in a particular position for too long, it starts to hurt, or hurts when I eventually move it. Other than that, I’m good.”
I had a feeling he was downplaying things a bit, but not with any bad intent. Mostly, I got the impression that he really felt his knee was well healed and that we didn’t have to worry about it during sex. Except I wanted him healthy and whole, which meant I’d have to be the one to make sure we didn’t do any undue damage.
“You will safeword yellow the second it starts to ache or become uncomfortable, do you understand?” I leaned forward and pierced him with my gaze. “I mean it, Leith. I want your word.”
“I promise, Sir.” He leaned in, too. “I might remind you that I did that exact thing just the other day?”
I snorted a laugh. “So you did. All right then. Off with you. Go get ready while I clean up in here. I expect you naked on the bed in half an hour.”
“Oh but—” he began, gaze darting around at the dishes and the food that needed to be stored away.
I narrowed my gaze. “What did I say?”
“Right. Yes, Sir.” Leith levered up and got his crutches under his arms. He hesitated and I lifted my head. He kissed me, a sweet soft thing, before he complied with my command.
I took my time. Both because I wanted my food to settle but also to give him plenty of time to prepare. I knew it couldn’t be as easy as usual with his knee. And, if I was honest, I was building the anticipation. He liked edging, and the longer I made him wait, the more that would ramp up.
After nearly thirty minutes, even I was getting antsy, ready to get started. I could just imagine how Leith felt. I made my footsteps heavy, not stomping but enough to be heard, as I walked down the hall. The door to his room was open, and I slowed my steps as I approached. If my walk turned into a saunter, it wasn’t on purpose. Leith’s gaze was glued to me as I crossed the threshold, just as mine was to him.
“Look atchu,” I murmured, my voice deep. I took in the sight before me, my gaze raking him from head to toe and back again. He preened a little, but I didn’t mind. He was gorgeous, all lean lines and taught muscle. Not like he worked out—I knew he didn’t—but he didn’t have any extra fat on him. To be honest, I usually liked my guys with a little more meat on their bones, but Leith was exceptional. I couldn’t get enough of him. “Such a pretty boy.”
“You could come touch,” he whispered and stretched his leg out, showing off more of himself. He was half hard and getting harder, and I zeroed in on his cock and balls. He was long and thin there, too, and he’d taken the time at some point to trim everything up. I very much wanted to touch. But on my terms and not his.
“You better not be giving me orders,” I said slowly. I gave him a look.
His grin was sweet. “I would never.”
He might not be a brat, but he definitely had a bit of sass in him. That was okay. I was about to beat it out of him.