Page 260 of Double Daddies
“Fighting you for her would probably result in having my ass handed to me in pieces—Mack warned me of your former career, and I’m inclined to agree you’d have a distinct advantage in a physical conflict. Besides, this face?” Amusement flickered briefly. “It would not look good bruised and bloody.”
He could agree with that; the asshole was good-looking, if a little pampered. Strongly tanned, but that color wasn’t from working out in the sun all day. Tanning booths or a spray tan was his guess. “Roughing it up might brighten my day.”
“But it would suck. The alternative option is what I’m doing now.”
“Dancing around the bush?”
“Talking to you. Trying to find a way around said bush to ask if you would consider… fuck it. I want Avery, Clay, and so doyou. There has to be a way we can share her without killing each other. I mean, Mack and Liam found a way, and so have the club owners, right? They’re all happily married and whatever.”
He inhaled slowly. “What if I’m not inclined to share? You’ve already said you’re a spoiled rich boy who gets what he wants, Tristan. Spoiled rich boys usually break their toys or discard them when boredom kicks in.” He raked his gaze over the other man, assessing how much his clothes and watch must have set him back. “I’m guessing you’ve never had a long-term relationship. Hell, one-nighters are probably your specialty. Fuck and leave, am I right?”
“A man can change with the right incentive.”
“And you believe Avery is the right incentive for you?”
“I do.” The earnest tone of voice was full of conviction.
“Huh. Well, there’s just one small problem with your suggestion, Tristan. Avery isn’t mine yet. Even if she was, it would be her decision whether or not she opened herself to two Doms. Coming to me first was brave, but you missed the target.”
“I don’t think I did. Yesterday, when she was cradled on your hip, she looked content even though she was crying. Sure, she was upset, but that wasn’t the vibe I got off her, otherwise I’d have intervened. Whatever you did to her, it soothed an unhappy part of her I’d noticed when she was in the bar.” Tristan jabbed a finger in Clay’s direction. “As for you, you looked like the cat who’d just eaten the cream straight from the source. You think of yourself as her Dom, and so does she, even if you don’t know it yet.”
All right, he’d play along. Stepping into the role—hypothetically or not—Clay shrugged and loosened his arms. After a second, he lifted his hand for the waiter and didn’t have to wait long. “Coffee, black.”
“Of course, Master Clay. And you, sir?”
Tristan pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Caramel macchiato?”
“I can do that for you, sir. I’ll be back with your order shortly.” The waiter hurried off, obviously pleased to have something productive to do.
“Let’s say your observations are correct and Avery decides to make things official. As her Daddy, why the fuck would I let a stranger who’s admitted to being a goddamn playboy anywhere near her?”
His mouth worked like a creek trout caught on a hook. No sound came out.
“Uh-huh, that’s a real convincing argument right there. Maybe you’re a decent guy who wants to change, maybe you’re an asshole who likes chasing a prize. I don’t know. What I do know is that Avery needs stability, a firm hand, kindness, and all the other fine details that keep a Little happy and well-adjusted.”
Tristan’s mouth set in a determined line. “I can be a Daddy.”
Clay snorted. “Sugar Daddy, maybe.”
“Mack and Liam are going to teach me.”
That gave him pause. If the two Masters thought there was something redeemable in this guy, was it fair to deny him the opportunity? Everyone deserved a second chance, didn’t they? Even men who used their dicks like a divining rod to source fresh pussy every night of the damn week.
Scowling, Clay tapped his fingertips on the table. “They’re going to teach you how to be a Daddy Dom. That doesn’t mean I’m going to allow you to use Avery as some kind of kinky test dummy. If you want to be involved in our hypothetical dynamic, I’ll teach you myself.”
“But—”
“No. Your friends are busy enough without hijacking their time for this. Besides, I need to know without a doubt that you’re in this for the long haul, not just a vacation fling.” Why on God’s green earth he was even entertaining this ludicrous shit, he didn’t know. “Besides, you’ve got to convince Avery she wantsa second Daddy and, right now, she’s vehemently opposed to having a first.”
The waiter returned, grandly producing two cups of coffee with flair. “One black coffee for Master Clay, and one caramel macchiato for sir. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Yes. Avery’s presence is required for a few minutes. Mind getting her out here?”
The young man blinked horrified eyes at him, the pale blue alive with refusal. “Master Clay, she told everyone she doesn’t want to be disturbed. The cake she’s working on has a time limit.”
“So does my patience.” He dropped his voice to a lower octave, adding a hint of displeasure to the words. “Tell her I won’t keep her more than a minute or two.”
Recognizing the significant change in Clay’s tone, the waiter nodded respectfully and fled back toward the kitchen.
