Page 241 of Double Daddies
Avery closed her eyes. She doubted very much she’d get through this interview without caving under the weight of mortification. In all likelihood, she wouldn’t get the job anyway, even if he didn’t seem mad that she apparently sucked at applications.
No more vodka for you, missy.
Chapter Three
Clay
Waiting was one of his best skills.
Patience was a cattleman’s tool, right up there with his horse and lariat. If a man lost his shit when dealing with a cow, she’d give him it back tenfold. He’d learned, after a few dozen hard lessons, that sometimes biding time was ultimately more productive than rushing into a situation; cleanup from a mistake could take a lot longer than the time it took to simply wait.
Avery struck him as a woman who needed a man to be patient. Couldn’t blame her, could he? If he found out his girlfriend—if he had one—was cheating on him just four days ago, he’d probably still be at the bottom of a bottle… or sitting in jail waiting for someone to bail his drunken ass out after starting a bar brawl.
Instead, the doe-eyed Little was forging a whole new path for herself, away from the asshole who was somehow blind to what he’d had.
Clay wasn’t worried about her not getting the job. If Evander got the same vibes off her that he did, his boss would know instantly she was the right fit for the club, no matter what position she’d applied for, and snap her up.
Not many people would’ve looked past his own history—he’d spent nearly all his life on the back of a horse, roping cattle and riding rough country. He’d still be there if that godforsaken cow hadn’t tried to send him back to his maker, but he believed what he’d said to Avery about fate.
It played a hand in everything.
He believed it was fate when a simple conversation between his former boss and another rancher in Montana, Finn McLeod, brought Clay to the attention of a BDSM club in Washington D.C., then to Evander and Serenity. To this day, he didn’t know what was said, but someone in the universe saw fit to guide him where he belonged.
If he couldn’t handle the rigors of ranching life anymore, he had no issue with utilizing his other skills as a second career. Being a Master here, even for just these few short weeks, felt like a calling, one he was happy to answer.
When the doors opened and Avery stepped out looking slightly shellshocked, with Evander filling up the space behind her, Clay rose and lifted an eyebrow. His boss seemed pleased; Avery clutched her reindeer and a folder to her chest, her expression… disbelieving.
“Clay, would you mind giving Avery a quick tour of the staff living quarters?”
“Of course.”
“Violet is heading into the city in an hour; she’s offered to drive Avery home.”
Clay nodded, suddenly wishing he’d thought to offer first. The inconvenience of driving all the way to Denver and back just to take her home would’ve been worth it to spend more time with her. She fascinated him, and he got the feeling that once she lost her nerves and started to sneak out of her shell, she was going to be a lot of fun to be around.
“Avery,” Evander said firmly, waiting until she turned to look up at him, those big dark eyes stunned and wide. “We look forward to welcoming you to the family at the end of the month. If you have any problems or need help with the transition, get in touch.”
“I… Thank you.” When Evander gave herthe look, she swallowed hard and repeated, “Thank you, Master Evander.”
“Good girl.” Evander smiled and stepped back, nodding at Clay before closing the doors and returning to whatever a millionaire spent his time doing during work hours.
“So, congratulations are in order,” Clay said, holding out his hand.
Avery stared at him. “I filled the application form in drunk.”
“I see.”
“He’s fluent in Little-ese.”
Clay almost choked on a laugh. “You’ll probably find most Doms around here are, sweetling. When the Littles gang up and start plotting mayhem, how else are we supposed to foil their plans?”
Apparently dumbstruck, she continued staring at him like her brain was in glitch mode. “I-I don’t even know if I am a… Little,” she told him in a flat voice. “I just got offered a job that pays more than I’ve earned in the last three yearsandcomes with accommodation by a man who reads a language I didn’t even know existed. What the hell?”
“Evander’s a generous employer,” Clay said simply. “He pays well but expects his employees to work hard for it. He doesn’t see Serenity’s success as his own achievement, but as a team effort from the ground up. As for the rest…” He paused, formulating his words carefully. “Littles are both a joy and a mystery, Avery. Just like children, they have their own language, their own fantastic worlds. It’s part of what makes them special. Doms—Daddy Doms in particular—have an affinity for them,which means they learn how to take care of them, love them, understand them. Decoding the language is just one step.”
“I don’t have any of that.”
“Sounds like you do. Coloring books and stuffie collections? Cartoons and tantrums? Repressing your Little is bound to make her cranky. All that sass and energy crammed down where it can’t escape?” Clay tsked softly, shaking his head. “I’m surprised you haven’t exploded like one of those soda rockets.”
