Chapter 13
Thirteen
Reed
The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, with mostly fun interactions and dates designed to get to know Eli better.
I even assisted her with finding a brand-new car that she loved and fit her perfectly.
But King and I hadn’t gotten a chance to deep-dive into more serious topics.
He also didn’t know things I didn’t share, obviously.
Pacing along the length of my home office, I jabbed my fingers into my hair.
“It’s not that easy.” I’d replied almost the same way for the past half hour to each question he had asked.
King was attempting to piece together why I’d been having such a difficult time with his orders. He’d been beyond patient, but his jaw clenched and relaxed. It was subtle, which meant he wasn’t annoyed exactly, but he wasn’t happy either.
The two of us plus Eli were together in a relationship, something I’d wanted but I couldn’t shake the crap weighing me down. My overworking. The fears about becoming a Daddy for Eloise. Having Kingston as my Daddy.
Kingston touched my arm. “This isn’t productive, little prince.”
Scowling, I paused mid-stride. “Don’t call me that right now.”
“Why not?”
Huffing and puffing, I resumed pacing. He knew me. Knew me better than I knew myself lately. So why did I keep pushing him away from me when all I wanted to do was curl up in his lap and never let go?
“Does Daddy’s boy need a timeout?”
Something about his tone pissed me off. I couldn’t put a finger on what bothered me so deeply, but it felt like he’d ripped me wide open and was seeing every single vulnerable part of me.
“I’m not your boy, good or otherwise. I’m a fucking mess! You’re out of your goddamn mind to get involved with me.”
Kingston had an uncanny knack for cutting through my bullshit. He stepped to me and grabbed the middle of my ear. He’d been doing this move more often than I liked. I knew not to fight. He tugged and I had no choice but to follow him. When he turned into the bathroom, dread filled my stomach.
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
It was the first time I’d called him the title, and his eyes widened. Kingston let go of my ear, rubbing the outer shell as I hung my head. Embarrassment flooded my system.
“Why do you think we’re here?”
“You’re going to wash my mouth out with soap for cursing at you and saying something mean about myself.”
“I should. For the way you’re acting and your refusal to cooperate. Do you have something to say to me?”
My eyes burned and my throat ached as if I couldn’t express anything I wanted to.
Nodding several times so he knew I was having trouble and not ignoring him, I finally replied.
“I’m tired. I’m really really tired.” It wasn’t just the physical toll the warring in my head took on me, but the mental exhaustion.
“What else?”
“I didn’t think I had a Little. I sure as heck didn’t think I’d ever want or need a Daddy.” I cleared my throat several times.
King took my face in between both of his hands so I had to look at him. He kissed my forehead and each of my cheeks. If he kept doing such sweet gestures, I’d cry.
“I was very wrong, Daddy. As soon as you came over, I slipped into my Little headspace. That’s part of the reason why I haven’t been able to talk about big things.”
“It seems like you don’t believe you’re worthy of being my Little boy. Or that Eloise and I might judge you. Does that sound accurate?”
“I can’t possibly be Little while also being a strong, loving Dominant to Eli.”
“Why?”
“It’s impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible. Do you judge Eloise for being Little?”
I didn’t like where he was going with this point. “Of course not.”
“Then let it go. She’s not going to do that to you, not when she’s been judged for her whole life.”
“You’re right.”
“I know, Reed. Plus, she’s never explored her Little space with anyone but herself. Wouldn’t it be incredibly fulfilling to both of you, if you did it together? Mmm. I know that look. You don’t want to give in. Well, I’ve been planning something. Do you want to hear what it is?”
I controlled my facial expression so I didn’t glare at him. No, I was already in over my head and he hadn’t punished me yet. “Yes, please. What are you planning, Daddy?”
Kingston moved to the huge garden tub and turned on the water.
I wasn’t a big bath guy. Most days I preferred the shower but when he added lavender and vanilla bubble bath, I knew why he’d picked it.
I’d relax. He crossed the huge bathroom, slowly undressing me out of my suit, piece by piece.
It was intimate without being sexual and I liked it.
“Get into the tub, little prince. I’ll tell you all about it while I give you a bath.”
The same flutter that had tickled my heart when he first called me the sweet endearment did it again.
Nodding, I stopped fighting and sank into the bathtub.
Damn it. Not only did it feel so good on my muscles and joints, easing tension and chasing away stress but I stayed in my younger mindset.
“Are you going to punish me after I get out of the tub, Daddy?”
Kingston shut off the water. “No, I’m not. Sometimes behavior needs to be redirected or slightly adjusted without resorting to a punishment. But don’t push your luck. If you start acting out again, it will be back on the table.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Please tell me what you’re planning.”
“You and Eloise have been working and stressing for far too long. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been overworking a bit, but it was due to circumstances at the firehouse. Now that Dalton is Lieutenant things have improved dramatically. I put in for two weeks of PTO and it was approved.”
“Daddy–”
“Let me finish. I called Grant and spoke to him about securing time off for Eli. We have a meeting tomorrow. Even though she’s not going to appreciate my interference right away, I hope she will in time. I’ll text you the dates. When you go to work tomorrow you can request the same time off.”
“But–”
“Do not interrupt me when I’m speaking. There is no discussion to be had. You have banked a lot of vacation time, more than you’ve ever used. I know your boss is supportive when it comes to resting and recharging. Especially since you never take advantage of it.”
Kingston worked the shampoo into a lather, rubbing it into my scalp.
He spoiled me fully and though I didn’t deserve it, his gentle caresses eased the last bit of tension out of me.
I wanted to argue about the logistics or tell him that my manager wouldn’t allow vacation, but it wasn’t true.
I simply refused to take more than a few days off here and there throughout the year.
Two weeks would be like winning the lottery.
Spending that time with my Daddy and my adorable submissive would be even more meaningful than if I was alone. But I did not want to give in at all.
“I’m not going,” I said firmly.
“Do I need to call your boss too?”
“Take Eli wherever the hell she wants to go, but I’ve got to work.
It’s better if the two of you get a real break, time together without interruptions.
” My headspace flipped back and forth between my younger space and my Big space.
Cursing should plant me back into my Bigger headspace, at least in theory.
“Adjust your tone when you’re speaking to Daddy and tell me the real issue.”
Fire burned through my stomach. I hated the way I was acting. Might as well really act up so that he’d realize I was not worthy of being his not by a long shot.
He rinsed my hair, following with my fancy conditioner. Once he finished, Kingston leaned down to pull the plug for the tub.
I was feeling exceptionally raw. Might as well go out with a bang.
Reaching my hand to him, I waited for him to grab it before pulling him into the tub.
He surfaced, sputtering and spitting water as he pushed himself away from me.
Shit. I had thought for one second it might be funny but the stern look brought the feeling of butterflies inside my body.
Kingston carefully extracted himself from the tub, stripping off his wet clothes while maintaining eye contact.
If I wasn’t in over my head, I might have been turned on from the anticipation of what might happen next.
“You have thirty seconds to explain yourself, Reed.”
“You should go home.”
“I’m not going to do that. Twenty seconds.”
“Please leave.”
“Twelve seconds.”
“I fucked up, Sir.”
“No cursing. Call me Daddy. Believe me when I say you are in enough trouble.”
Shaking my head, I rubbed my eyes. Being alone with King made me cry way too often for my liking.
It was as if everything I’d been trying to do the past several years had been at the expense of my emotions.
I’d been working to live instead of enjoying all that I had.
My mind thought of endless reasons why things didn’t align the way they should instead of being grateful. It was a slippery slope.
“Did you think it would be funny for Daddy to go for a swim in your tub?”
“No, Daddy. I thought maybe if I actually misbehaved that you’d see I wasn’t worth your time. I thought it might clear some of the crap that’s pushing down on me. I apologize, Daddy. It didn’t help either one of us.”
“No, it didn’t.”
Kingston helped me out of the tub, drying my hair and then wrapping a towel around my waist before leading me into my room.
He dressed me without fussing, focusing on my comfort even though I felt like I hadn’t earned it.
Watching him walk into my closet, he returned with clothing I didn’t recall seeing.
“Do you have a magic portal to your closet through mine?”
“Not exactly. I brought an extra bag a few weeks ago in case I needed something.”