Page 122 of All Tied Up

Sebastian cut him off with the tilt of his head. “What we’re saying, Cricket, is that we want to see where things go with you. We don’t want to rush things. And we don’t want anyone to get trapped in a financial agreement that puts pressure on a relationship. But if... if you want this… with us… then we’d like to try it.”

Neil didn’t even know how to answer. He’d signed so many contracts, but always as the preparer or the witness. This was everything he wanted. Jamie and Sebastian were entwining their lives with his.

And Sebastian had called him Cricket.

“Do you mean, um… I mean, yes to the financial arrangement. Of course, yes. But for us...?” He needed to be certain.

“I don’t want to rush anything,” Sebastian told him seriously. “But I was thinking that we could continue as we have been and see how it evolves.”

“And… how often would you want me to be around here?”

“Well,” Jamie interjected gleefully, “my proposal was that we tie you to the bed so that you can’t leave.”

Neil chuckled with Sebastian, but he still worried. It was a very Jamie thing to say, but he was prone to exaggeration. Did he really want Neil here all the time? Was that what Sebastian wanted, too?

Sebastian leaned forward across the desk. “My proposal was more along the lines of a permanent invitation. Maybe office suite B could be yours if you need it to work remotely or… were you thinking of setting up a new business? It’s the one with the windows.”

Neil’s heart was pounding. A permanent invitation. An office. But he still didn’t quite dare believe it. “So I could just be here, with you,” he gestured between them, “all the time?”

Jamie’s warm emerald eyes were serious now. “As much time as you’ll give us, Cricket.”

“That’s right, sweetheart. Kinky relationships can evolve fast and if you’re looking for a Daddy, dinner and a movie isn’t going to do it for any of us. I want both of my boys close by. How does that sound to you?”

Neil walked around the desk until he was almost touching Sebastian’s chair, and then dropped ungracefully to his knees. It was the best answer he had.

He heard Sebastian suck in a breath. “God. You beautiful, beautiful boy.”

Gentle fingers traced his scalp, and then Sebastian lifted Neil’s chin. “Is this what you want, boy? Did we get it right?”

Neil nodded mutely.

“Words, boy.”

“I just… yes, Sir. This is what I want. This might be the first time I’ve ever known what I want, and I just… thank you.” He looked up at Jamie, who was walking toward them. “Thank you, too.”

Jamie’s eyes glowed with the same happiness that Neil felt overtaking him.

Sebastian tugged on Neil’s beard, turning his face back toward him. Neil loved when he did that, the mild pain and strong sense of ownership all coming together.

But Sebastian looked worried. “I should be thanking you, sweetheart. And… before anything else, I owe you an apology.”

“It’s OK, Sir.” It was. He knew how difficult this week had been for Sebastian. He’d seen it in his body and his haggard face.

Sebastian let out a breath. “No, Cricket, it really isn’t. I ask you and Jamie to be completely open and honest with me, and I owe you the same thing. When I thought we were losing the lodge, I panicked, and then I shut down. It seemed overwhelming and I shut you out. I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that.”

Neil thought he’d already let go of most of the worry he’d been holding, but that was the last bit he hadn’t realized was still there. He felt completely relaxed, kneeling at his Daddy’s feet, and now it was only Sebastian’s pain that he needed to worry about. “Apology accepted, Sir. You had a lot going on. And I don’t think you’ll do it again.”

Sebastian leaned down and kissed him. It was just a gentle brush of lips, but it felt like a promise. “Thank you for that trust, Cricket. Jamie can tell you that this is the first time in nine years that I’ve done anything like that. But even once was too much. You never deserved that. I think I… I guess I bought into some of that machismo bullshit, where I had to take care of everything myself. It’s the type of conditioning I try to fight, but it’s ingrained, and sometimes it’s still there. I wanted to impress you, and… some part of me felt like I didn’t deserve to be your Daddy if I couldn’t even handle managing the Meadowlark. Especially when you’re so successful.”

Neil shook his head quietly, rubbing against Sebastian’s warm hand where it still rested on his chin. “Thank you for saying that, Sir. But… you know that isn’t true, right? You already impress me. The week we spent together was the best of my life, but I can also see who you are by how you treat Jamie. You two have something good and strong. And I’m always here to help figure out the financial aspect—I’m looking forward to it, actually. You know I would never look down on you for a business difficulty, right?”

Sebastian’s shoulders dropped on a sigh. “Thank you for saying that, baby. So you’re… you’re sure you’re in for this? Even with a Daddy who’s made a lot of mistakes?”

Neil turned enough to kiss his palm. “A Daddy who’s made one mistake and apologized for it. That’s… maybe a thousand times better than anyone who I’ve dated before.”

“So… we’re dating then?” Jamie broke in gleefully.

Now Neil wasn’t sure. Was that too much? Or even the right word? “I mean… is that right?”