Page 99 of All Tied Up

Jamie curled up against his shoulder. “Do you still have more work to do?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Fifty more pages to wade through.”

“Would it bother you if I stayed here?”

“I would love that. As long as I can type occasionally, having you here would make my afternoon perfect.”

Jamie settled down on the couch with his legs resting over the arm and his head on Neil’s lap. Neil teased him for stealing the blanket, but he didn’t mind at all. He knew that Jamie would need to process a lot of what they’d talked about, but for now it seemed like his cheerful good nature was back.

With Jamie’s head on his thigh and Jamie’s fingers drawing little patterns on his back, Neil found he could finally concentrate again. The endless rain made their little corner of the verdant atrium feel cozy. Jamie looked content as he read something on his phone. Neil got to rest his hand over Jamie’s chest when he wasn’t taking notes, feeling the simple beat of his heart and the air filling his lungs with each breath.

The pages sped by as Neil went over some of the last-minute changes and checked that nothing else was out of place. It seemed like he’d actually have plenty of time to send out the final contract before close of business and have one final scene with Jamie and Sebastian. Then, to his great regret, he’d be driving home to prepare for his meeting tomorrow.

“Isn’t that a pretty sight?” Sebastian’s low voice rumbled as he stepped in front of them.

Jamie and Neil looked up together.

“Hi Daddy!” Jamie said brightly.

“Hey… Sebastian.” It was awfully tempting to call him Daddy, just once. Just to see how it would feel. Or even to call him Sir, right here in the open.

Sebastian frowned a little, like he wasn’t happy with Neil’s choice of words either. “Did you get all of your work done, baby boy?” His tone was gentle, but the nickname was a reminder.

“Almost, Sir.” There was no one around, and he might not get to say it too many more times.

“Then it sounds like you deserve a reward.”

Sebastian tilted Neil’s chin up, guiding him into a luxurious kiss that left him trembling. This work was no different from what he’d been doing every day for as long as he could remember, but when Da– Sir wanted to reward him, it felt like he’d done something special.

Sebastian turned to Jamie. “And how about you, brat? Were you good today?”

“Oh, I was very good, Daddy. I let Neil work for–” he looked at his phone “–an hour and a half without seducing him. So I think I deserve a very big reward.”

“Hmmm… I don’t recall that bratty boys get to decide when they get rewarded.” Sebastian’s tone was disapproving, but his eyes sparkled with merriment.

Neil was going to miss this so much. Their easy way of being with each other. The way that Jamie pushed and Sebastian humored him, but all with an underlying current of love through their dominance and submission.

Neil only had a few more hours with them, so he threw in a word of support. “He was very good, Sir. We had a good conversation, and he helped me concentrate on my work.”

Sebastian gave Neil a special smile. It was so full of care and delight that it was hard for Neil to remember that it was only for a week. Only playing a game. Testing things out. So he let himself pretend it was real.

“I see you two are ganging up on me,” Sebastian chuckled. “I might have to remind you who’s in charge around here.”

“Oooh, oooh!” Jamie raised his hand. “Is it me?”

“Boy, your ass is going to be burning tonight…”

Jamie giggled. “It’s still sore from last night, Daddy.”

“Well, I’m sure we can think of something. I recall that your shoulders don’t have a mark on them.”

Neil looked up at Sebastian, hoping he might get the same thing, but unwilling to challenge Sebastian’s authority to get it.

“You too, sweet boy,” Sebastian added, as if reading his mind. “Is that what you want as your reward?”

“Yes please, Sir. I… want to feel it when I go home tonight.”

Sebastian swallowed heavily, eyes boring into Neil’s. “Whatever my sweet boy needs.”