Page 242 of Double Daddies
“What?”
“You know the videos where some idiot drops Mentos into a bottle of soda and the two react? The bottle takes off like a rocket.” Setting his hand lightly on her shoulder, he guided her back down the hallway to the stairs. “What else did Evander tell you?”
“He doesn’t think housekeeping is the right position for me.”
“That’s what you applied for, housekeeping?” Well, she would look hot in the uniform, he mused, keeping that thought to himself. “What position did he give you instead?”
“He said he would ask his husband.”
Now that was intriguing. Those two usually only conferred when they were up to something—Elias was the dominant husband, but Evander was head honcho in the business. It worked well for them, and good things happened when they put their heads together for a new idea.
“They’ll make sure you get the best place for your talents, Avery. Did he mention which residential area you’re going to be allocated?”
“Um… the staff cabins to the west.”
“They have lovely views of the valley.”
“He said playing isn’t obligatory, but staff are offered a membership as an added benefit. I’m guessingplayis a euphemism for sex?”
“Not necessarily. BDSM isn’t all sex and spanking, Avery. A submissive isn’t required to have a Dom if they don’t want one. Playing is…” Clay shifted his hand to her lower back as they descended the stairs in case she tripped; she seemed numb, as though Evander had overloaded her with information. “Personal preference. We have puppies, kittens, and ponies who play in their own little world. Littles who spend hours by themselves justbeing. Subs who find a Dom for a night, simply to explore who they are and discover what they need.”
“What do you get out of it?”
“Me personally or Doms in general?”
“You.”
“Hmmm, good question. The opportunity to spend time with people from different walks of life. Can’t really have a meaningful conversation with cows and horses, although they’re excellent listeners.” Her soft laugh stroked over his skin. “With things being quiet at the moment, I don’t really have much to go on. The few people I’ve taught over the last several weeks have been fun and willing to learn, which I like. Being a Dom means I get to let my dominant side out for stroll—much like your Little, he gets grumpy if I hold him back for too long. I like toying with different kinks, improving my skills, discovering more about myself. Sex is a huge plus, if and when I find the right partner.”
Avery made a noise in her throat. “Maybe I’ve bitten off more than I can handle.”
The reception desk was still empty when they passed it and headed back out into the hot summer day. The punch of heat and collective hum of insects made him yearn for a hint of breeze, bringing back memories of sweltering cattle drives.
“Only you can decide that. If you ask me, I think you’re capable of doing anything you put your mind to—you just need to decide if you can be happy here before you do anything else.” Clay let her think on that as they went down the steps ontothe path, then stopped and pointed down a different track. “The Nursery is five minutes in that direction. We have time to take a look if you want.”
“Nursery? Diapers and sippy cups aren’t my thing.”
“Sweetling, it’s so much more than that, trust me.” Checking his watch, he murmured, “Fuck it. This is more important than living conditions—which are fantastic, by the way. More like a hotel than a bunkhouse.”
This time when he held out his hand, she took it. “Do you miss it?”
“Ranching or the bunkhouse? Both,” he answered for her when she hesitated. “I miss both, although not so much the farting after Cookie’s curry night.” Something tugged inside him when she laughed. Towing her along the second path, he continued, “During my rehab and the physical therapy, I missed my friends. The camaraderie. Being part of a team that was family. But once I came here, I found it all again. New friends. Sure, and the vibes are different, but I feel like I’m home.”
“Without the farts.”
Now he laughed. “That, I can’t guarantee. It’s a different way of life here, but… I don’t know how to explain it. You have to live it to understand what I mean.”
The sound of gravel crunching gently under their feet filled the brief silence as he led her to the huge cabin housing the Little nirvana. Avery planted her feet at the bottom of the steps.
“What happens if I quit my job, give up my apartment, isolate myself out here with strangers, and all this goes to shit?”
“Well, I guess that’s a possibility,” Clay said thoughtfully. “Strangers don’t stay strange for long here. City life might appeal more to you. I mean, what are the chances your landlord terminates your lease, or your boss fires you for some stupid reason? Swings and balances, sweetling. Whatever you decide, it’ll all turn out okay in the end.”
“Spiritualistandoptimist.”
“Stop procrastinating, Avery—another Little trait, if I might point that out.” Smirking, he dragged her up the stairs and through the door into the anteroom. Her curses were thick, fast, and not ladylike at all. “For future reference, should you find yourself a Daddy, don’t be surprised if he spanks your ass.”
“What the hell for?”
