Page 60 of Love Limits

Nah. It’s a very accepting community. There are a few trans guys there and I assume a female pup would be welcome. I’ve just never met one. It’s kind of the opposite in the Caregiver/little community—maybe ninety percent of the littles are female, including some trans women. I’ve only met a handful of boy littles, but most of the Caregivers are men. So it’s really interesting to watch the dynamics, but not too different from the rest of the world. Everything’s gendered.

Zhong nodded, absorbing that. You still haven’t told me why you were feeling sad today.

I just… I mean, it’s what we talked about before. I’d like to be dating someone. Tonight it felt like every pup I saw was curled up in someone’s lap. I know it’s not true, but it felt that way.

I’m almost thirty, they continued, and I don’t want hook ups or scenes anymore. I’d like to have someone there who was just for me, you know? It probably sounds stupid, but it’s the last place where I let my guard down.

Do you want a Handler or another pup to play with?

Either, really. I guess I imagined a Handler who would give me treats and belly rubs. But I could see myself playing with another pup.

It was all too easy to imagine Zhong in either of those roles. He’d be a fantastic Handler, planning everything out and looking after Ash’s every need. They could also see him as pup, maybe a husky or a German shepherd. One of those large dogs that had a responsible, caring side to balance out their need to run and play.

Well, I can’t quite provide either of those, Zhong said lightly, but hopefully I’m a good consolation prize.

That was disappointing, but Zhong was much better than a consolation prize. Thanks for letting me stay over.

My pleasure. Ready for bed?

Ash nodded.

Let me just put these things away and I can get you set up. Where do you want to sleep? Zhong turned away to put the plate in the dishwasher and pop a lid on the bowl, so Ash had a moment to consider.

They’d kind of assumed they’d sleep next to Zhong, which would be sweet and cuddly and amazing. They’d also be awake half the night imagining how good it would feel to kiss and lick that gorgeous body, which was really, really inappropriate.

There was just so much delicious skin.

The last time they’d slept over there had also been a lot more clothing. They’d been exhausted and just dropped off.

It was late though, and they didn’t have a lot of willpower. It had been so long since they’d slept in someone else’s bed, with the exception of that one other lovely night. Even with their exes, they hadn’t slept over often just because of work schedules and poly agreements.

Is the offer of the bed still open?

Zhong grinned. Absolutely. He gestured for Ash to follow him and even picked up Ash’s bag, throwing it over his shoulder as he strolled down the hallway. God, his ass was just bitable.

Ash followed, trying their hardest not to get aroused by all of that tawny skin on display.

They were kind of failing at it, though.

Zhong stopped outside the bathroom. Do you want to take a shower before you go to sleep? I always do. He gave a little shrug.

That would be amazing, actually. Ash was tired, but their hair felt itchy from the sweat and they hated going to sleep that way.

OK. I set out a towel and washcloth for you. I probably don’t have the right kind of shampoo for your curly hair, but you can use anything that’s in there. Oh, and do you need clothes to sleep in? Zhong gave Ash’s arm a gentle squeeze.

I’m fine. Ash would have loved to wear some of Zhong’s, maybe a faded t-shirt or those cozy PJs from last time. They could almost feel the soft, too-large fabric settling around them like another hug. But the bag they usually took to the moshes had some extra clothes and what they’d already pulled on was clean. They didn’t need to make this any harder on themselves.

Zhong pointed out the green toothbrush that he’d designated as theirs last time. The cup held a blue one and a yellow one, too. Was one of them Dustin’s? And did Dustin ever stay awake all night trying not to maul those sexy muscles?

Clean yourself up and then come find me for snuggles. Zhong gave them one more soft look and shut the door as he left.

When they were more awake, Ash was going to contemplate the cruel joke the universe was playing on them by putting the perfect Daddy in front of them and making him completely uninterested in keeping them.

For now, though, they decided to just enjoy it.

They did a quick scrub down and gave their hair a water wash. Zhong had guessed correctly that his shampoo would have destroyed their curls. It was sweet that he’d thought of it, though.

Still a little damp, they tossed on a t-shirt and grabbed a clean pair of underwear from their bag. Their choices for bottoms were jeans, scrubs, or a skirt, none of which were good for sleeping. Was that enough clothing? Would that be awkward?