Vulnerable [Suncoast Society] (Suncoast Society #29)(42)

“Oh. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Sweetheart, I made the plans late last night after dinner. You would have already been in bed. Why didn’t you call before coming by the apartment?”

“Mommy said we could surprise you.”

Of course she did.

Well, he didn’t feel so badly about his earlier uncharitable thoughts, then. “Sorry, sweetie. We left really early and won’t be home until late this evening.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Fuck. He hated that she sounded disappointed, and for that he would have a talk with Eva.

Later. Not now.

Another topic of conversation with the counselor, apparently.

“I need to get off here, sweetheart. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Daddy.”

He ended the call and dropped the phone next to him onto the couch. “Well, settles that issue.”

Jesse sat up. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, but my ex apparently thought she was being slick, and it backfired on her.”

“It did?”

Leo stroked Jesse’s hair, grabbing a handful and pulling him back down onto his cock. “Who said you could stop doing that?”

Jesse grinned and opened wide. Leo had softened a little, but under Jesse’s hot mouth, he soon stiffened again.

“I can’t go home this afternoon,” Leo said. “I wouldn’t put it past Eva to cruise by again sometime today, trying to catch me there with someone.”

Jesse lifted his head. “Why?”

“Because…” He sighed. “She doesn’t want the divorce and she’s making things as difficult as she can. Including stalling, trying to go for full custody, then letting up, trying again, letting up—it’s exhausting. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s difficult. I’m just about out of patience.”

“Who’s your attorney?”

“Guy named Ed Payne. Keith recommended him.”

Jesse laughed.

“What?” Leo asked.

“He’s one of us.”

“One of us? You mean he’s gay?”

Jesse snorted. “No. Kinky. He handles stuff for Venture.”

“Ah. Good to know.” It would change his conversations somewhat with the attorney. “You know, I think we need to get some food in us before we get too eager.” He tapped Jesse on top of his head and made him sit up. “Let’s get dressed and go for a grocery run now, so we don’t have to leave again later.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He reached down and unclipped Jesse’s wrists. The man sat back on his heels. “Don’t worry, boy. I’ll have you back down there soon enough.”

Jesse grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that, Sir.”





Chapter Sixteen


There was, fortunately, a grocery store just down the road from Jesse’s apartment. And it was nowhere near where Eva, a creature of total habit, would usually shop. It wasn’t even the same chain.

They took Jesse’s car, just in case. Leo was getting hungry, so he got fixings for omelets, bacon, veggies, stuff to make BLTs for lunch, and then a quick and easy “cheater” beef stroganoff for dinner.

Jesse laughed as he surveyed the grocery cart. “We need something else.”

“What?”

Jesse leaned in. “Condoms, Sir.”

Leo felt his cock thicken in his jeans. “Then by all means.”

On his way there, he detoured through another aisle and grabbed himself a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and deodorant. After thinking about it, he added a can of shaving cream and a razor.

Jesse stared at it before looking up at him.

Leo shrugged. “When you come over to my place, we’ll get you stuff to keep there, too. Right?”

Jesse’s smile twisted Leo’s insides in all the good ways. “Right, Sir.”

“It only makes sense.” Leo glanced around, not wanting to make a huge PDA in the middle of Winn Dixie. Dropping his voice, he said, “And I guess I need to shop around for a collar for you.”

“A collar?”

“I saw at dinner people wearing necklaces and bracelets and stuff. What’d Keith call it? Day collars.” He hesitated. “Unless you don’t want one?”

Jesse eagerly nodded. “I do. I can wear necklaces at work. A bracelet might be tricky.”

“I’ll work on that.” He reached out and stroked Jesse’s cheek. “We don’t need to do that right now. I want us to both be sure and get settled first. But I wanted to let you know that’s a future goal of mine. Okay?”

Another eager nod. “Okay. Yes, Sir.”

Leo sighed, reaching over and cupping the back of Jesse’s neck, then pulling him in for a quick brush of a kiss. “Yes, that. Definitely keep saying that. I love that.”





Despite the hottest night and morning of sex in his life, Jesse couldn’t believe he was already discussing collars with Leo.

Then again, no one he’d ever been with had made him feel like Leo did.

Bonus, Leo was a great cook. As they prepared breakfast together, both of them naked—Jesse in his cuffs and collar—and Jesse taking every opportunity he could get to caress or kiss Leo, Jesse realized how terrifyingly easy it was to imagine them doing this, together, for the rest of their lives.