Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“Very few people know our names at Hillcroft,” I confirmed. “Chris earned his nickname when he was around eighteen, nineteen. He was too young to go through our recruit program at the time—which was still being developed then—so he tagged along to shadow the instructors, and he turned out to be quite the coach when spurring on the recruits. The name stuck, and aside from being an operator today, he’s an instructor. As for you…” I smiled and folded an arm under my head. “You choose your alias before training begins, and it’s entirely up to you. I think the only rules for code names are that it can just be a single word or name, it obviously can’t be inappropriate, and you can’t change it whenever you feel like.”
I further explained that the vast majority today operated under their own names, but because of our family history, we wanted the added security of going anonymous. It was an extra line of defense. An extra lock on the door.
Kayden nodded and did something even stupider than sharing my pillow. Now he thought it was a good idea to fidget with the waistband of my boxer briefs under the covers, even though I could tell he wasn’t aware of what he was doing. He seemed to be miles away in his mind.
Goddammit. His fingertips alone brushing against my skin were enough to pour most of my focus into my hip.
“Understandable,” he replied pensively.
I scrubbed a hand over my face, then stared up at the ceiling.
“We should get some sleep, kiddo,” I felt the need to say. “It’s been a long day.”
He snorted softly. “Sir, calling me kiddo made sense when I was twelve. I turn twenty-six the day after tomorrow. Technically, it’s tomorrow.”
I yawned and folded my other arm under my head too.
He watched the movement, zeroing in on my biceps.
Quit it.
I wasn’t sure if I was telling myself or him…
“It doesn’t mean I view you as a kiddo.” Sadly. This would’ve been so much easier if I didn’t see him as an adult. “But as the baby brother of the family, you probably won’t get to retire that term.”
He shot me a playful scowl.
I smirked tiredly. “We really do need to sleep now. Will you be done feeling me up anytime soon?”
Keeping it light was a must.
He withdrew his hands as if my skin had burned him, and he widened his eyes and grinned self-consciously. “Holy shit, I wasn’t even aware. I’m sorry.”
I’d figured as much. “Don’t worry about it,” I chuckled drowsily. “I should’ve given you access to my shoulders or feet instead.”
He turned impish and made grabbing motions with his hands. “I’m not tired. You want me to rub your shoulders, Sir?”
Absolutely not and very much.
Despite that I shouldn’t bring up kink, I couldn’t help myself. “Do you realize that you’ve called me Sir all evening?”
He didn’t shy away or break eye contact this time.
He nodded instead, just a dip of his chin, and threw himself next to me. Thankfully, on his own pillow.
“I like it,” he admitted. “You’re definitely a Sir. Everything about you screams Dom.”
Abort, abort.
I regretted my actions. Fucking hell.
He just needed a platonic outlet, correct? Nothing else. Nothing more.
“Can I ask something personal?”
As long as it wasn’t kink-related. “You can ask me anything.”
He pushed himself up on one elbow. “Are you a Daddy Dom?”
Yes, and you’re fucking killing me.
I withheld a sigh and returned my arms to my sides, and I glanced at him. “I am.”
“Oh,” he whispered. “I kinda figured, but I wasn’t sure…” He released a breath and returned his head to the pillow, and he tucked his hands under his cheek.
I should look away and create distance between us, but I just couldn’t. Since I knew he felt comfortable enough to be in his Middle space with me—and that he fell into a submissive mind-set in my presence—it was impossible not to wonder if he was cursing our circumstances. Much like I was trying to deny I was doing.
I’d never dated anyone so much younger than me. Eighteen years was…substantial. So why was I so drawn to him? Why had my feelings changed direction so overwhelmingly?
After a moment, he broke our gaze and closed his eyes.
“I guess I’ll try to sleep now,” he mumbled. “Goodnight, Sir.”
I swallowed and looked up at the ceiling, and I let out a breath. “Goodnight, blue.”
Sweet dreams, little one.
CHAPTER 6
February 21st, 2021
Wade Winters
That’s deliberate.
Right?
My eyes flashed open, and I automatically grabbed on to what was trying to back up against me. In this case, Kayden. Who was…awake? Asleep? It was still dark out. His shift had felt so swift and purposeful, yet his breathing pattern indicated he was dead to the world.
Fuck.
I flexed my fingers on his hip, and something suddenly simmered with heat inside me. Good Christ, he was too close. His back to my chest, his sweet little ass pressed against my cock, and my arm had ended up under his head at some point. He was right fucking here, in my arms, where he fit perfectly.