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.
