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“Are you wearing my shirt?” he asks.
“No comment,” I say primly, smoothing the material over my chest. “How’s it going over there? How’s your grandpa?”
“He’s doing as well as can be expected,” Teddy says, running a hand through his hair. “He’s still on bed rest for another day or two but is griping about it. It’s a good sign.”
“I’m glad he’s okay,” I say seriously. “Do you feel better? Being there?”
“Yeah,” Teddy breathes. “I’m glad I came. I think I would have regretted it otherwise.”
“I get it.”
“You doing okay?” he asks. “Eating enough?”
I snort. “Yes, Daddy.”
Teddy’s lips twitch.
Fuck, those lips.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Does it bother you when I joke around like that?”
“You mean calling me Daddy?”
“Well, yeah. Because I know you said you like it, but there was only that one time where…” I peter out, cheeks hot, and Teddy smiles. I’m pretty sure he knows I’m referring to the time I said it seriously. “But I’ve never called you that when we’re, you know…”
“Having sex?” he asks bluntly, uncaring about potential eavesdroppers.
“Yes, when we’re having sex,” I say loudly. “Cripes, Teddy, I was trying not to scar your grandparents if they were near.”
“They’re not,” Teddy assures me, chuckling softly. “It doesn’t bother me, Kipp. I don’t need you to call me Daddy when we’re fucking. And as you’ve so often told me, you tend to use humor to deflect. I suspect saying it in jest is easier for you, as it takes the weight off while still allowing you to use the term, and that’s okay. I like what we are, and we don’t need to follow some formulaic guideline when what we have works for us. I know you trust me when we’re together, and that’s all I need. It’s all I ask for.”
“Well shit, Teddy.”
He gasps. “Watch your language, Kipling Delaney Lavoie. There are old people about.”
I fall into laughter, my eyes a little teary in a way I suspect has nothing to do with Teddy’s joke.
“Honestly, Kipp,” he says, a gentle but serious expression on his face. “Even if you were to never say it again, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I never could be when I have you.”
My breath catches, and I pray Teddy can’t see the way my lip wobbles. I feel ridiculous having such a visceral reaction to those words, but I think he truly means it. And coming from a family whom I’ve done nothing but disappoint, the idea that I couldn’t let down Teddy is a remarkable thing.
He makes me feel solid. Secure. The only other time I’ve had that is with Niko. But I never felt for Niko what I do for the man who wears my ring.
“Thank you, Teddy.”
“Mhm. Now tell me, what’ve you been getting up to?”
“I, um… Ah, crap.” I rub my hand over my eyes before blurting it out. “Antoni showed up the night you left, and I’m fairly certain he’s the devil.”
“Wait, what?” Teddy asks, eyes going wide.
“Ugh,” I groan. “Antoni showed up here. I answered while your plug was in my ass—thanks for that, by the way—and he went on to tell me what a horrible person you are and how I should convince you to sell your shares and then divorce you for your millions.”
I cringe as I finish, the whole thing sounding even more ridiculous when I say it aloud.
Teddy blinks at me in shock for a moment before cursing loudly.
“The old people,” I whisper.
