Page 6 of Home For Christmas

I knew that. Zander had never hidden his family or his dad’s profession. Talk of sex and kinks was as second nature to him as it was to Derek and Ty. It was also why I’d never been overly concerned the times Zander had overheard Derek call me Daddy.

“I keep telling you to bring Derek to the club. I think you’d both enjoy it.”

I’d been dragging my feet on joining the club in Nashville. There was still part of me that was worried the wrong person would find out we’d gone. Hometown had pushed boundaries from the beginning, but I had no doubt that finding out Derek was my little would be the demise of the band and would bring undue scrutiny to our family.

“Derek would thrive with some friends, but you know it isn’t practical with his work.”

Zander nodded. “If you ever decide you’re ready to meet some people in the lifestyle, let me know.”

I’d always danced around the topic, even knowing that Zander knew I was Derek’s Daddy, but we’d apparently reached the point where he wasn’t going to let me talk around it any longer. “Um, thanks, Zander.”

He rolled his eyes at me. “It’s okay. Your secret is, and always has been, safe with me. I know other Daddies and littles that would love to have friends. And I can assure you I’d never let you meet someone I didn’t know would totally understand your need for confidentiality.”

“Thank you, Zander.” Maybe placating him would make him go away.

I should have known better. “At least think about it.”

I sighed. “I have been. And I’ll let you know.”

“Also, don’t forget to call your construction guy.” He cocked his head to the side and studied me for a moment. “You realize he’s not going to be able to build a house by Saturday, right?”

I barked out a laugh. I must have sounded like a lunatic at that point. “It’s something we’ve been talking about for years, just haven’t gotten around to doing it. But if we don’t want to move—and we don’t—then we need a guest house. I love my brothers-in-law and their men, but our house is not big enough for everyone.”

Zander nodded. “Who’d have guessed that you’d have a crazy life when you married a famous guy?”

I crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at Zander. “Remind me again why you’re here?”

“Mainly to bug you. Did you hear the county actually gave us enough money to hire some new deputies?”

This was news to me. I hadn’t heard that. We’d been asking for years and each time our budget had been turned down. We weren’t a poor county anymore, and with the wealthy people from Nashville moving out to the suburbs, we had a large influx in revenue. Unfortunately, that had yet to translate into more staffing for our department. “Tell me you’re not kidding.”

Zander held his right hand up. “Cross my heart. Swear to you. Read it on the county blotter today.”

“Of course they post it to the blotter before they tell us.”

Zander’s snort-laugh had me smiling. “Let’s hope we get a good group. Anyway, I’ll let you be so you can call your contractor guy. Good luck with the in-laws. Oh, and I’ll work this weekend for you.”

Jesus, how much had he overheard? And how much did I talk to myself? I guessed I should have just been thankful the entirety of Williamson County didn’t know I was Derek’s Daddy by that point.

Zander left the office, shaking his head and laughing at my expense, and I went back to scrolling through my contact list. “Ah-ha!” It had been a few years since I’d used the guy but he’d always done good work. I pressed the button, forgetting all about the fact that it was after six in the evening.

The phone rang twice before it clicked on, but the person was still talking to someone in the background. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Dex can wait for your coat to be on before you go to the car.”

A deep voice laughed in the background. There was a kissing sound and a distant “Love you” that was definitely a man’s voice. It made me think of Derek and how similar the interaction was to one we’d have.

The voice speaking to me drew my attention. “Sorry about that. This is Travis.”

I chuckled. “It’s okay. I think I should apologize as well—I didn’t realize how late it was. This is Colt Westfield. You’ve done work for my husband and me in the past.”

There was a brief pause, then Travis made a sound of recognition. “Ah, yes. I remember—you’ve got the big farmhouse out in Kingfield. What can I do for you?”

I settled back in my chair, thankful for the quiet evening at work, and discussed my plans for the guest house. Thirty minutes later Travis and I hung up. He’d promised to swing by Friday afternoon to check out the property and see what could be done.

“You know, Chief.” I swore Zander had materialized in front of my desk, and I couldn’t hide my jump of surprise. Zander continued like he hadn’t noticed. “I think everyone in Williamson is home curled up under the blankets while they try to stave off this cold. Why don’t you go do the same with your kids and your boy?”

I growled at Zander. Now that he knew that I knew he knew Derek and I were kinky, he wasn’t going to let it go.

Zander grinned innocently, but I could see straight through it. Instead of feeding into his insanity, I stood up. “You sure about that?” I asked, even as I grabbed my hat.

---