Page 68 of All Tied Up

“Yeah,” Neil agreed. “I guess it’s kind of an inspiration to me to see how well you two fit together in the bedroom and out. I mean, some couples would get sick of each other if they tried to run a business together, but you two really seem to have it worked out. It’s also, well, I can see how he’s your Daddy for more than just scenes, but also how you’re equals. It’s just… it’s impressive.”

Jamie winced without meaning to. It didn’t always work out running a business with a lover. He’d lived through that.

But he didn’t want to think about it. Jamie’s life was good now.

“Awww… thanks!” Jamie replied instead. “Is that what you’re looking for in a relationship?”

“Isn’t everyone?”

Jamie suppressed a smile. No, everyone was not looking for a Daddy to leave bruises on their ass, tuck them into bed, and then run a business together the next day.

If it were anyone but Neil, Jamie would think they were naive for even imagining it. Jamie hadn’t had the faintest clue what he was getting into when they simultaneously opened the lodge and Jamie’s climbing business. But it seemed like Neil was experienced enough to know what he wanted.

And, exhibit A, he was patching up the trail alongside Jamie with all evidence of enjoyment.

“So, now that you’ve seen it, you’re still thinking you want something more full-time then?” Jamie asked. For some reason, he was just dying to know. “A Daddy for more than just the bedroom?”

“More than ever,” Neil sighed. “I kind of imagined it before, but now that I’ve seen you and Sebastian, and my friends Levi and Saul back home, it’s just… I don’t think I’ll ever get that lucky, but I know what I want. Just being close to you two has been more than I let myself hope for. So thank you for letting me get a little taste of that this weekend.”

Neil was so sincere in his desires, as well as his low expectations for ever finding it, that Jamie’s chest hurt. Neil deserved the best Daddy. He was a generous and honest person, and the sweetest sub any Daddy could want. Or a bratty boy, for that matter.

Neil looked up at Jamie right then, a tender smile on his face, and there was that damned flutter again. Was Jamie actually getting feelings for him? Jamie’s first thoughts were dirty. Neil’s expression of wonder when he’d gotten to kiss Jamie through his panties. The adoration in his eyes when he called Daddy Sir.

But working on the path today, his vision changed to something different.

He could imagine cozy days of working outdoors with Neil at his side. Of coming downstairs to find Neil and Daddy pouring over spreadsheets in the office.

Nope. He wasn’t going to go there. Neil was a weekend hook-up. Maybe an ongoing occasional hook-up, because he seemed to fit the two of them like a glove.

Jamie reminded himself that he had everything he wanted with Daddy. The two of them were solid together. They could rely on each other. They didn’t need anyone else.

So, of course, Jamie deflected. “I hope you get more than a taste,” he purred. “Daddy and I have big plans for you tonight.”

“The wax?” Neil asked, breath already coming a little faster.

“Yep. It’s exquisite. The burn just races through you and then it happens again and again…”

“Wow.” Neil’s voice was calm, but his eyes were wide.

Neil moved down a couple more yards and Jamie pushed himself off the wall to join him. He groaned as he stood, the motion catching his hip the wrong way, even though he’d tucked his leg back appropriately first. Sitting and standing were just one more reminder of how many extra steps there were to moving with a prosthetic, even though most of them were subconscious at this point.

“Are you alright?” Neil asked, concerned.

“Yeah,” Jamie waved it away. “Happens all the time.”

“OK, um… I don’t want this to come out wrong, but if you need any extra support with anything, just let me know. I mean, I know that you can do a ton of things much better than me, starting with climbing mountains and ending with rescuing wedding rings from greedy sinks, but if you want help with anything just let me know.”

So, just one more reason that Neil was the sweetest guy ever. A ton of folks didn’t get that. Jamie could do a fuck-ton of shit and he hated it when anyone thought he couldn’t do something. At the same time, sitting down on a low, uneven surface was killer on his stump. His knee joint wasn’t really built to bend that way without a lot of compensation from the other parts of his body, so his thigh muscles were working overtime.

“Thanks,” Jamie told him. “Jobs like this, with a lot of sitting and standing, are pretty much my nemesis. Way harder than climbing a mountain.”

Neil stood and rubbed his lower back. “I don’t even have your excuse. I’m just old and out of shape. I didn’t know there were so many muscles involved in squatting and bending. I don’t know how you do it all.”

“You’re not that old. Just the right amount to be hot.” Jamie winked and Neil rolled his eyes. “And the good news is, we’re just about done.”

Neil looked down the long path. “Isn’t there a lot more to go?”

“Nope. I only mix as much cement as I can manage in a day. Once the bucket is empty, I’m going to move on to something that won’t require this much sitting and standing. With you here, I actually got done faster than usual. So thank you.”