The Time We Have Left: Remembering Us, Part II (The Game #17)

Chapter 1

Ash Riley

Idrummed my fingers along the wheel and waited for the light to turn green.

Almost home.

I’d check in on Jordan, and then I was throwing myself on the couch with Paws.

He’d comfort me while I bitched about how much my life sucked.

My phone rang just as the light turned, and James’s name flashed on the screen. Unsure of where my earbuds were, I took the call and put him on speaker.

“I’m almost home,” I said. “By the way, did Jordan say anything about Paws today?”

“Nothing more than everything went fine,” James replied. “He also told me he wanted a kitten or a puppy for our next anniversary, so thanks for that.”

I chuckled.

He cleared his throat. “Speaking of Jordan, I’m not sure it’s a good idea you check in on him after all. He’s, uh… He’s in a sensitive mood.”

I felt my forehead crease. “First you mention a made-up condition, and now sensitivity. Did something happen to him?”

James sighed. “He applied for a position he didn’t get. He found out yesterday that someone else got the job.”

Aw, that sucked.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmured. “I can handle a sensitive mood, though. I have two teenagers. It’s like living with two ticking time bombs.”

He didn’t find that as funny as I did.

“Boss, I’m tryin’ to have some finesse here,” he said. “You know Jordan’s a Little, right?”

“Ohh,” I mouthed.

Since when did they go for finesse? In my experience, when a kinkster or a couple wanted to play with me, they fucking asked. They didn’t tiptoe for months and hint at their preferences—until one of them got so drunk that the truth spilled out.

“I may have noticed,” I replied. “Like the first time I met him.”

“Okay, well…he’s in that space right now,” he said.

“And listen—I know we haven’t handled this whole thing well.

Jordan doesn’t bounce back from rejection easily, so he thought it would be a good idea if I tried to approach you.

But since I clearly suck at flirtin’ and finding the balls to be honest, I’m done tryin’.

Plus, we know all you can think of is getting Nathan back. ”

That was some speech.

“You’re honest now,” I noted.

“Because I’m tired,” he grumbled. “And pissy with my sister.”

I believed him. She’d left Emmett alone for two days straight to be with some guy. You didn’t fucking do that.

“I’m also protective of my husband,” James went on. “I just talked to him, and he’s definitely got his filters down. That’s why I called.”

“And that’s why you’re not sure it’s a good idea I go over there,” I deduced. “Because you don’t think he can keep his kink to himself?”

“I know he can’t. Not when he’s regressed.”

Fuck my ass, a regressed Little in need of comfort?

“Are you his Daddy Dom?” I had to know.

“Umm, not really. I’m not a Dom, and… I mean, he calls me Daddy sometimes, but it’s not our dynamic. I don’t identify with that kind of kink.”

I shifted in my seat and side-eyed the soup I’d picked up on the way for the kid. If you were sick, pretend or otherwise, the situation called for Panera.

“You know that I do, right?” I asked to make sure.

James sighed again. “Oh, once Jordan found your Mclean profile, he hasn’t been able to stop talking about it.”

Why, that little sneaky boy.

I grinned to myself and felt a warmth envelop my chest.

“We picked up those vibes from you early on,” James admitted. “I apologize I couldn’t handle this properly. We’ve never done this before.”

I cleared my throat and checked the rearview before I switched lanes. “It’s okay. So, what are your kinks?”

“Um. Do we have to do this now?”

“Nope. But I am heading over to your house,” I told him. “So I’m gonna need you to tell me what’s up.”

It sounded like he fumbled with his phone. “He knows our boundaries—and, um…if he speaks in a way that kind of, uh…dismisses me…? That’s more part of our dynamic.”

Well, fuck. My eyebrows hitched.

“Does he degrade you?”

He coughed. “Sometimes.”

Jesus, that was hot. A Little who degraded his partner? I could work with that.

“Might there be a cuck in you, James?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, lowering his voice. “We’ve fantasized about me catching y’all together.”

There we go.

“I can’t believe I just said that to my boss,” he muttered.

I chuckled, hearing the lust in my voice.

“Are you staying the night at your sister’s?” I wondered.

“Yeah, I think so. I don’t want Emmett to be alone.”

Of course. That made sense. I wouldn’t either. “You enjoy your night, then,” I said. “I’m turning onto our street right now.”

“Wait—does that mean… Are you gonna do somethin’ with him?”

“Are you asking your boss if he’s gonna take liberties with your husband behind your back? That’s messed up, James. And extremely inappropriate.”

But no, I probably wasn’t. No matter how tempting James and Jordan were, my entire goddamn soul was locked down. That said… I cleared my throat. I didn’t know what the future had in store for me anymore, and body and soul could be separated.

“Fuck,” he whispered. “I’m sorry. All right, uh…keep me posted?”

“We’ll see if I remember.” I ended the call and pulled into my driveway.

I wasn’t gonna think about this too much. The desire was there—and had been for a while. They’d tempted me enough. And I wasn’t getting Nate back. He had moved on with a new partner. Which wasn’t an option for me, but a guy could pretend.

It helped that James and Jordan were easy. They were married and committed to each other. I wouldn’t have to worry about shit getting complicated, because at the end of the day, I’d return to my house. I was their friend. I was James’s boss.

Zero complications.

I aimed for my house first, needing to check on Paws. I might bring him, actually. I didn’t want him to be alone that much when we were still new to each other.

I might as well take a shower too…

And heat his soup. At this hour, Panera’s finest came from a grocery store.

I sent Jordan a text.

Hey, kiddo. I just got home. I’m gonna take a shower, and then I’ll be there with Panera and a kitten. Sound good?

He replied as I headed into my bathroom.

YES! Thank you, Sir. Thank you, thank you. I don’t wanna be alone tonight.

He wasn’t going to be alone.

It wouldn’t kill me to test the waters and get used to the idea of finally being a Daddy Dom.

I’d shake the guilt at some point, right?

I wasn’t with Nate anymore. I’d asked for second chances, and he had turned me down. He had, in a roundabout way, confirmed he didn’t love me.

I rang the doorbell and positioned Paws on my shoulder. He liked to sit there. And sometimes slide right down into the hood of my hoodie.

His blue eyes had already captured my heart.

His sharp little teeth, less so.

Jordan opened the door with a timid smile, which spoke volumes. He usually lit up like a Christmas tree. So he must really be having a shit day.

He was wearing one of his cute onesie PJs, this one with countless baby penguins on it.

Do you happen to have one with ducks, brat?

I’d find a good moment to interrogate him.

“Hi, Sir. Thank you for coming.” He opened the door wider and reached up to touch Paws. “He’s so precious. Maybe I gave him extra treats earlier.”

“I’m sure he deserved it. How’re you doin’? James told me about the job.”

He made a face and closed the door after me. “I didn’t really think I’d get it, but it still bummed me out. I think the main problem is that I’m not very happy with my current position. It’s too unpredictable, and I need stability.”

I wasn’t surprised to hear the last part. Most subs I encountered craved structure and stability to some degree.

“You didn’t bring a litter box.”

“Oh hell. I didn’t even think about—”

“No, no, no—it’s okay. I bought one.” He smiled up at me. “I’m hoping you’ll let me babysit a lot. I’m trying to convince James I should have a pet too. You know?”

I chuckled, finding him too fucking sweet. “Isn’t the whole thing about cats that they don’t need constant attention?”

“Pffft. I still think it’s better I check in on the little guy when you’re at work,” he insisted. “And maybe bring him over here for cuddles if he’s in that mood.”

Time would tell. So far, Paws was heavily into headbutts and biting toes. “You have work too, don’t you?”

I followed Jordan into the kitchen and set Paws down on the floor.

The whole house smelled of popcorn.

“Yeah, but you know my hours,” he said, opening the fridge.

Fair. He did work odd hours most of the time. Mornings, daytime, nights—it all depended on which gigs he booked.

Unlike Nate and me, James and Jordan loved things top modern.

Their kitchen was cool, but not very homey in my eyes.

They wanted stainless steel and state-of-the-art appliances.

I wanted warmth and colors. They liked black and white, and their kitchen island gleamed in the spotlights.

My oak top already had condensation rings.

“Should I reheat the food, Sir?” He filled a bowl with water for Paws.

“No need. I did that while I showered.” I side-eyed him as I brought the food to the counter. Was I always a Sir to him now? Even in his text, he’d addressed me as Sir. It was a new development, and I did not mind it one bit.

He came over with two sodas and sniffed at the soup. “It smells delicious.”

“There should be some fresh bread in the bag too.”

“Oh, yummy, yummy, yummy.” He grabbed utensils and a bowl for the soup. “Okay, let’s sit in the living room. That’s where I’ve set up camp.”

“After you.” I wanted to observe for a bit. Gauge what was regression and what was everyday Jordan. He’d been on the boyish side for as long as I’d known him, but James had a point. The kid’s filters were down.

Sweet Jesus. I didn’t mind observing the actual butt-flap opening in his pajamas either. With a quick flick of my wrist, his bottom would be exposed.