Page 72 of Their Forever Daddy

“Okay, so.” Taking a deep breath, Jesse launched into her explanation. “I’ve been in the lifestyle a long time. Since before I even had a name for half of the things I enjoy. And the one thing I’ve learned, that is universal across every relationship I’ve ever had or observed, is that ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’. I don’t remember where I heard that quote from, originally, but it applies to literally every single relationship I know of. You can’t compare Ian to Matt, because he’s not Matt.”

“So what do I do about wanting more?” The frustration was clear in Taylor’s voice. “Do I just drop it and try to be happy with what I have?”

“No, not at all. Communicate, tell him what you want, but also be willing to listen to what he wants. What he’s comfortable with. It’s easy to forget that our bossy types also have limits and needs because they spend so much time focused on our limits and our needs.”

“Okay.” Taylor’s sigh didn’t sound entirely convinced. “I’ll try.”

Figuring she’d done as much as she could, Jesse settled back in the chair. Edie pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For putting everything you must be feeling aside to help my friend. That means a lot to me.”

Warmth blossomed in Jesse’s chest, and she turned to grin at Edie. “Does that mean I get a reward?”

“That absolutely means you get a reward, babygirl. As soon as we get all these damn people out of my house.”

Chapter 26

Grant

* * *

Thank god for numbers. They were, at the moment, the only thing keeping him sane as he waited for Edie’s friends to vacate the premises. Despite his assurances to Jesse, he wasn’t entirely convinced things wouldn’t go completely sideways down there.

But at least he had his numbers and reports to keep him somewhat distracted as he waited for everyone to leave. Enough so he didn’t notice they’d actually left until he heard footsteps on the stairs.

“Daddy!”

He managed to set his laptop aside just in time to catch his babygirl as she launched herself at him. “Hey there, little outlaw. Did you have a good time with everyone?”

“The best time. And Edie said I was so good, I could have a reward!”

Looking up at Edie, who was leaning against the doorframe of the guest bedroom watching them with an indulgent sort of smile, he raised an eyebrow. “Did she, now?”

“I did. She earned it.”

Somehow, the idea of Edie granting their babygirl rewards was an even harder pill to swallow than the idea of letting her decide on punishments. Obviously, something he needed to work on.

But, the reward had already been promised, and he wasn’t so much of a controlling asshole that he was going to deny his babygirl just on principle. “Well, what kind of reward did she say you could have?”

He turned his attention back to Jesse in time to see the glint of mischief in her eyes. “She didn’t say. I was thinking I could pick.”

What was his babygirl up to? “How about you can suggest something, and Edie and I will discuss it.”

“Fine,” she said, dragging the word out in a way that had him fighting back laughter. “But you two have to promise to keep an open mind.”

Alarm bells began ringing in the back of his mind. And judging by the way Edie’s eyes narrowed slightly, he wasn’t the only one. “What are you up to, little outlaw?”

“Nothing bad, Daddy, I promise. It’s just, you two can be kinda stubborn.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that about your Daddy,” Edie said, her suspicious look giving way to a grin.

Grant shot her a playfully warning glare. “Starting to think I didn’t spank you nearly hard enough yesterday.”

“Probably not, honestly,” she agreed with a shrug. “I might be a little stubborn too, at times. So go on, babygirl, tell us what you’re thinking.”

“Okay, well, here’s the thing.” To his surprise, Jesse was actually looking a bit nervous. “I already know both of you super well, right?”

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