14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Andre
I survived my first encounter with the entire Fulton clan. I could say first because they’d accepted an invitation for dinner this evening—wanting to take advantage of the fact Jai and Keegan didn’t have to return to the camp until eight tonight.
Zahir and I stopped at a supermarket on the way home, and he bought a massive lasagna. “A little heavy for this weather, but we’ll add Caesar salad and cut veggies.” He offered a smile.
“Uh, okay.” As we pulled into his garage, I tried to figure out how I could help for tonight’s meal.
“I just plan to throw it in the oven, set the timer, and then we can do…other things.”
I arched an eyebrow as he cut the engine. “ Other things ?”
“I don’t know. Puppy play, cuddling, napping—”
“Not napping.” I undid my seat belt. “Napping’s out. I’m too nervous. ”
“I could try to point out you have no reason to be nervous or I can simply suggest puppy play to alleviate your anxiety.”
“Yes to that.” I opened the car door and slipped out. I grabbed the lasagna and salad fixings from the back seat and closed that as well.
Zahir secured Daphne, closed the garage door, and we headed to the backyard. He unclipped the dog’s leash and she zoomed over to the garden.
“Does she really have to go?”
“Probably not. Although she had water at the Fultons.
“I’m glad we didn’t leave her alone. That would’ve been hard on her. I mean, if you left me alone, I think I’d feel hard done by as well.” I grinned mischievously.
“Pup, I never would leave you alone.” He returned my smile. “Snack or water or straight to play?”
“Yes, please to water and play.” I followed him inside.
“If you grab two glasses and add water, then why don’t you head downstairs? I’ll deal with my girl.” Who came barreling in and plopped onto her butt at my feet.
I arched an eyebrow at Zahir.
He rolled his eyes. “Okay—one. Just one.”
I chuckled, opened the treat jar, and procured one.
Daphne vibrated with anticipation.
I crouched. “Can you shake a paw?”
She held out her paw, and I shook it.
“Can you spin?” I was taking her through the tricks Zahir did.
After a moment, she spun. Then plopped right back onto her ass and waited.
“Can you lie down?”
She gave me what I would’ve called the duh look. And didn’t comply.
After a moment, I offered the treat on my palm.
She eyed me warily.
“You did two out of three—that deserves a reward.”
As if I’d said the magic word—with no idea what it might actually be—she gently took the treat from my hand.
Zahir laughed. A sound that went straight to my heart. “She’s a manipulative one.”
The dog appeared to give him a yeah and what do you think you can do about it look.
I joined in Zahir’s amusement. “She’s got our numbers.”
“You bet. Head downstairs. I’ll put the lasagna in the oven and join you shortly.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I grabbed two glasses of ice water and hotfooted it downstairs. After putting the water on a side table—well away from the play area—I headed for the toy chest and dug in.
Ears, paws, ball, rope — I stopped when I spotted a wooden box. I glanced around to verify I was alone before slowly opening it. My breath caught. A butt plug with a tail attached. Oh yeah. That would be amazing.
“See something you like?”
I pressed my hand to my chest. Heat raced to my cheeks, and I didn’t turn around. “Sorry I was snooping.”
“It’s not snooping if I gave you permission.” Zahir crouched beside me. “Talk to me, Solo.”
Him slipping into Daddy and letting me slide into pup helped. I was a verbal pup. Others close to only use doggie noises. I cleared my throat. Then I pointed to the box.
“Ah.”
Finally, I found the courage to face him .
His smile was a little wistful. “That was Marty’s favorite.” He chuckled. “He really loved prostate play. So when I’d twist the plug…” He let the thought trail off and, again, heat flamed my cheeks. He cocked his head. “Have you done anything like this? You don’t have to answer, of course, but—”
I bit my lower lip. “Not really.”
“Ah. Well, no embarrassment here, okay? If this is something you want to try, you just let me know. You can experiment yourself, or I can show you how.”
“You.” I nodded firmly. “You.”
His eyes widened. “That means being naked.” He leaned closer. “Being vulnerable.”
That means him touching me intimately. That would be…amazing. “That’s okay.” I held his gaze. “I trust you. I know you won’t hurt me.” In a burst of strength and fortitude I didn’t know I have within me, I launched myself at him.
He caught me, but we both tumbled over. He lay flat on his back while I lay sprawled over him.
“I’m so sorry.”
His laughter was nothing short of joyous. “Your enthusiasm is appreciated.” He caressed my cheek as he did so often.
I shifted and froze.
He winced. “Sorry. I, uh…” This time, his cheeks pinkened—visible even under his tanned skin. He cleared his throat. “Just ignore that, okay? I, uh—” He swallowed. “The idea of you wearing a butt plug…turns me on.” He closed his eyes.
“Daddy?” I uttered the words quietly.
“Yes, Solo?” He opened his eyes, and I gazed into the fathomless dark-brown.
Be brave. Be bold. “It sort of turns me on too. ”
He licked his lips. “Well, that’s interesting.”
I cocked my head. Then, deliberately, I shifted so our cocks touched. Khaki might be between us, but I would’ve sworn I felt his heat. Certainly he could feel my erection against his.
“We need to talk. First play, but then talk.” His brow furrowed. “Or we can wait until after dinner. When our guests have gone home.”
The reality of tonight hit my square in the chest. “Maybe—” I blinked. “—maybe we can just cuddle?”
He scratched my scalp. “Yes, pup. Of course. But maybe not on the floor?”
I scrambled off him as carefully as I could. “Sorry.”
He rose with grace. “No need to apologize. I like that you’re expressing your needs to me. That makes me feel good.”
“Oh.” I frowned, almost as if I didn’t understand. Because maybe I didn’t. “I’m not good at this.”
After moving to the sectional, he organized some pillows in the corner and put a couple of blankets next to them. Then he sat and held out his arms.
I dove into them. I gave him my biggest smile before I tucked myself against his chest. After he pulled the blankets over us, I sighed.
“That’s right, pup. Just relax. Talking can come later.”
Within moments, despite my assertion I was too wired for sleep, I fell into a deep slumber.
A buzzing sound woke me, and I had a moment of disorientation until I registered the solid chest beneath my head.
“I have to get up, pup. That’s the timer for the oven.”
Slowly, I rolled off him and disentangled myself.
Just before I pushed off him, he pressed a soft kiss to my temple. “All’s well, okay? ”
I met his gaze. “Yeah. Okay.” With that, I rose. “I want to have a shower.”
“Absolutely. I’ll get the lasagna organized and then make the salad. Our guests will be here in about an hour. No time at all.”
I wrung my hands.
He grabbed them. “You did an amazing job this afternoon. Breaking bread is a tradition as old as time. A way to share a meal and get to know your new family.”
“Yeah.” What I really want is to you to be part of that family as well.
Too soon for any of that. Hell, maybe never.
He’d said nothing about me staying beyond a few days.
Time for me to get to know my sisters, brother, and their families.
That thought totally overwhelmed me. Reluctantly, I released his hands and headed upstairs.
Half an hour later, I was downstairs and setting the formal dining room table as the kitchen table only sat four people. I eyed the monstrosity. “How often do you entertain this number of people?” The darn thing sat twelve and was the largest I’ve ever seen in a private home.
Zahir chuckled. “Not often. Never, now Marty’s gone. This room was his domain. I preferred intimate dinner parties with just another couple. In here—with all these people—I struggled to keep up with the various conversations.”
“Shouldn’t be too bad tonight, right? Just the six of us?”
“Yes, we should be fine. Are you ready?”
“Emotionally or physically? I mean, I got through earlier and this is just a continuation. I’m hoping to learn more about Keegan and Alaina. My niece and nephew. That feels weird to say.”
“Because of the fact they’re white or—”
I shook my head. “No. They’re Demetrius and Jai’s children. The rest doesn’t matter. I just meant that, growing up as an only child, I never thought I’d have a niece or nephew. The kids in Texas are too young to be parents—and I have no interest. I suppose I should reach out…”
“To what end?” Zahir cocked his head. “If they don’t know about you—and it sounds like they don’t—you’ll likely be causing more harm that doing good. They’re likely grieving their father. Why ruin the illusion?”
“That was my thought. Except I would’ve wanted to know.”
He squinted. “True. But you’re also grieving your mother and feeling alone in the world. Perhaps they feel that way, but there’s a good chance they don’t.”
“Right. I suppose Demetrius will have a say now as well.”
“Because you gave him a copy of the report?”
I nodded.
“That was brave of you.”
“Nothing in there but the plain facts. And nothing about me. Obviously. I suppose if he tells those people about himself then I can deal with that when the time comes.”
“Sounds like a plan. Not to borrow trouble, as Marty used to say.”
“My mother used to say that as well.”
“If she was young when she had you, then she and Marty would’ve been close in age.”
“Is that weird?”
He laughed. “Uh, no. That I’m older than you by a bit bothers me.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Really? I thought we were okay.” Panic encroached.
“We are okay.” He grasped my hand. “But you might want to find someone closer in age.”
“Aren’t most Daddies older than their pups or boys? ”
“I don’t know the statistics. I suppose…but that’s not relevant to us. We need to go with what feels good. What you’re capable of handling.”