Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
“He’s acting out,” I said. It was my guess, I supposed. Based on past behaviors. “When he needs to be reeled in, he pushes away from everyone and stews in anger.”
I was going to reel him in. Just not yet. To be frank, I didn’t feel motivated when he behaved that way. Not anymore. If anything, it was exhausting.
“At least, he’s pushing away from me,” I corrected. “I heard he met with Tate last night.”
“Mm.” Lucian nodded and adjusted his tie before tucking into his meal. “That’s how I heard of the problems brewing. He had drinks with Tate, who obviously informs Kingsley that something is wrong. Then Kingsley had breakfast with KC this morning, and that’s how I got involved. Well—not involved, but you get it.”
To an outsider, that could sound a lot like drama. But I knew how our community worked. We were one giant family, and if something wasn’t right, several people got mixed up in a mess in order to clean it up swiftly. And we all had our natural kindred spirits that we preferred to talk to. Macklin and Tate had been close for years. Tate then turned to his Master, who often met up with KC or Greer in the city while they worked. And KC and Lucian had a poly family together.
“I’m getting too damn old to take that route every time Macklin and I fight,” I admitted.
Lucian inclined his head. “I may have texted him—told him to show his Owner some respect by discussing the issue directly with you.”
I chuckled and gathered some chicken and noodles between my chopsticks. “I’m sure he responded well to that.”
“Pure snark,” he said, amused. “But that’s Macklin, isn’t it? The sweetest sub and caregiver—until he’s in pain and lashes out quite publicly.”
Until he’s in pain.
I breathed through the gut punch at those words and nodded absently. That truly summed up my boy. Macklin lived to make others happy, but he could get so caught up in it. Like the whole ordeal with Lane. Macklin saw only the goal of helping Lane, and so he turned into a bulldozer.
“If he hasn’t reached out to me by tomorrow, I will ambush him,” I decided.
As if on cue, my phone vibrated in the inner pocket of my suit, and I hoped against hope to see a message from Macklin. But it wasn’t. I felt my forehead crease because I didn’t recognize the number, and then it all became clear.
I decided to head back to DC early, so when you’re ready to show me your workshop, I have some ideas about the silicone toys we discussed in Florida. –Ty
Well, hell. That brightened my day. Work would be slow until I got the keys to the new office, so I’d already planned on spending my spare time in my studio.
I texted him back right away.
I’m all ears. I’m actually heading over there tonight. I’ll probably be there tomorrow as well.
“You’ve met the new member, Ty Madison, right?” I asked.
“Oh yes.” Lucian smirked faintly. “Noa’s been running over to Ty’s house to take care of his lizard while he’s in Florida. ‘Occasional feedings’ quickly turned into daily playdates of oohing and aahing, and I fear KC and I will have to give the boy a reptile pet for his next birthday. Cam is mildly entertained by the idea.”
I laughed a little and turned my phone upside down on the table, returning to my food. “I’m looking forward to meeting your brood.” Cam, I knew already, but Noa was new to me, and neither of them had been with Lucian and KC last time. Hell, KC and Lucian hadn’t been together either. They were childhood friends—and roommates since KC had been in an accident that’d put him in a wheelchair for the most part.
“So, Saturday,” I said. “When was the last time y’all hosted a demo on high-protocol rituals?”
“Far too long,” he responded vehemently, making me chuckle. “We should include Greer too. The chemistry he has with his slave Archie is a treat to watch.”
“Text him,” I said with a nod. I’d been hearing about them from Macklin. Archie was another new addition to Mclean House, one Macklin was very fond of. And I was glad Greer had met his matches—three of them, even.
I could admit I envied the notion of a larger dynamic like theirs. How fun it must be to have a Co-Top to share your responsibility with, and two subs to fill the house with domestic servitude and brattiness. Greer was a big ol’ brat himself. Two men in one large package, one part high-protocol Master and one part sadistic Daddy.
If I wasn’t mistaken, Greer’s Little, Corey, was Lane’s cousin.
“That’s a shame,” Lucian muttered. He was looking at his phone. “Greer and his bunch won’t be there on Saturday. They’re taking the kids to a water park.”