Page 93 of Love Unlimited

I love you, he finally signed. He knew he didn’t say it often enough, and the way Daddy’s breath seemed to catch reminded him of just how powerful it could be. He treasured it each time Daddy said it, but sometimes he forgot how important it might be to Daddy.

I love you, too, my precious, precious boy. Daddy pulled him into a lingering kiss. So, does that mean you want to do that again?

Daddy turned them each to their sides enough that they could communicate, and Landon let himself be manhandled, still drifting in that calm, euphoric place just before sleep. He nodded, answering without thinking. Too much for Ash, but good for me. They would need something gentler.

Daddy’s eyebrows rose, and that was when Landon realized what he’d said. But Daddy didn’t seem upset. I’ll keep that in mind, he said simply.

Landon was too tired to think more about what that might mean. When Daddy kissed his forehead, he closed his eyes and slept.

Chapter 15

Zhong

Zhong slammed the car door shut and went around to the trunk to grab the groceries. Shopping for four meant a lot of food, not to mention bulk purchases of laundry detergent and paper towels and all the rest. He’d already texted Ash and Landon on his way over to see if they were around to help him bring stuff in.

Two figures came bounding out the front door after a bit of a scuffle. Ash was blocking the doorway and Lena—since she was wearing a clinging red dress and a high ponytail—was trying to duck under their arm.

When they both got free, they raced across the lawn and each tagged him on the shoulder.

I won! Ash exclaimed.

You mean you cheated… Lena returned without any heat, sticking out her tongue.

Ash stuck out their own tongue in return, then leapt into Zhong’s arms. They didn’t even make sure that he was ready to catch them, but he was. Always.

He sent out a wish to the universe that every day could be like this.

Daddy’s base! Ash signed, awkwardly turning with one arm around Zhong’s neck.

With Ash, it wasn’t always obvious whether they were being an adult or in little space, because there honestly wasn’t much difference sometimes. Right now, he was guessing that they were big and just joking around, but it wouldn’t take much to tumble them into regressing.

Zhong gave Ash a stern look. Daddy’s not base. I’m bringing in groceries and you’re supposed to be helping me.

Ash considered that.

You’ll get a sticker…

That did it. Ash wriggled to be set down, then headed for the trunk. Zhong still didn’t fully understand every aspect of Ash’s submission and age play, but it didn’t matter. The way they smiled was the only thing that was important.

Lena looked at him a little shyly, like she hadn’t meant to get caught racing around the lawn and playing tag.

He felt that warm feeling glowing in his chest. The one that made him want to step a little closer to her. The one that meant that when she was happy, he’d be happy, too.

Right now, he could tell she was feeling a bit awkward. Ash seemed to have the magic power of getting anyone around them to act a bit silly, but Lena often pushed back. She almost certainly wasn’t in middle space, but he thought she might be thinking about it.

I got you something, he told her.

He’d actually gotten it for Ash and hidden it for later, but he figured Lena would enjoy it just as much.

Oh! For me? Um… thank you.

He could see that she was trying to appear calm, but she was already looking around, trying to see if it would be visible in the trunk. This routine of hers cracked him up.

He wasn’t sure if she was doing it on purpose or subconsciously, but every time he got her something she was equally surprised, then tried to play it off like she didn’t care. She probably didn’t notice that she was bouncing on her toes.

It made him want to buy her little things. He’d gotten her two more little cacti, the five dollar ones from the grocery store, but she’d hugged them to her chest and kissed his cheek every time.

Bring in a load of groceries. It’s for you and Ash to share. That was the type of command that always worked on Ash, and it looked like it worked on Lena too. She strolled nonchalantly toward the trunk, but he could see her eyes shining.