The Reluctant Dom (28 page)

“I think it's gorgeous.”

Seth hung back while Leah and Kaden walked the paths through the displays. He felt glad he could do this for them despite the sadness threatening again.

Seth walked back to the house and fired up the grill for Leah, wanting to leave them alone for a while. When they finally made it around to the back side of the house, Kaden laughed and hugged Seth again.

“It's great, man. This is awesome. Everyone's going to love it.”

“It's the least I can do.”

The men relaxed on the lanai while Leah cooked dinner. “I wish we could have been doing this years ago,” Kaden softly said so Leah couldn't hear.

Seth shrugged. “Don't harsh the mellow, dude,” he tried to joke.

“How are
you
doing?”

Seth shrugged again. He really didn't want to have this conversation now. Especially not with Leah nearby. He'd been doing pretty well. A few times he went over and cried on Helen's shoulder to get it out of his system, trying not to burden his friends with his grief. “I just want to sit back and enjoy our hard work.”

“
Your
hard work.”

“You were out there with me, dude.”

“I never could have pulled this off without you, Seth. Quit the modesty bullshit. You've made me really happy.”

“Then let's just sit and ponder the miracle of outdoor illumination, bro. God bless Thomas Edison and his freaking light bulb.”

Kaden laughed and shook his head. “Okay. I'll leave you alone.”

“Greatly appreciated.”

* * * *

Normally, Leah didn't put up their Christmas tree until Thanksgiving weekend. This year she wanted it up in time for all their dinners.

Seth didn't have to read between the lines to understand why.

The men helped her assemble the massive thing, nearly twelve feet tall. Once the lights were on, Leah took over the decorations. By later that evening she was almost finished. Seth had helped her put the star on and climbed up the ladder to put some ornaments toward the top.

Kaden walked in, his hands behind his back. “Looks beautiful.”

“You think so?” she asked. She hugged him. “What's that?”

He motioned Seth over and produced a small, wrapped box. “This is for the two of you.”

Leah took the box but looked puzzled. “For me and Seth?”

Kaden nodded. “Yep. Well, open it.”

She exchanged a curious glance with Seth. He shrugged. “I don't know, babe. He didn't tell me.”

She opened it. Her hand flew to her mouth as she looked inside. “Oh, Kade!”

“Go ahead.”

“What is it?” Seth asked.

She handed the box to him and threw her arms around Kaden. She cried. “Thank you! It's beautiful!”

He hugged her, stroked her back. “Hey, it's only right, sweetie.” He kissed her forehead. “You two should have something. I want you to have this. I wanted to be the one to give it to you.”

Seth carefully lifted out the delicate, porcelain star.

In the center, in gold:
Our First Christmas, Seth and Leah
, followed by the year.

Seth felt himself tear up. “Thanks, man.”

Kaden gently patted Leah on the back. “Well? Go ahead and hang it.”

Seth wanted to position it toward the back of the tree. Leah wouldn't hear of it. She positioned it near the “First Christmas” ornament she had with Kaden, and the “Our New House” ornament Seth had given them their first year in this house.

She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “There. It's perfect.”

Seth wasn't so sure it should be where everyone could easily see it. “Maybe we should—”

“Leave it where she wants it,” Kaden firmly said. He clapped Seth on the back and left his hand on his friend's shoulder. “She's right. It looks perfect there.”

Leah beamed.

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Chapter 17

Seth awoke Thanksgiving morning to Leah kissing him. “Here's your coffee.” She set it on his bedside table. He'd slept alone the past couple of nights, claiming exhaustion—partly right—and because he felt guilty about all the time he was spending with Leah and Kaden in their bed.

“Thanks, babe.” He started to roll over. “What time is it?”

“Six. You said you'd help me with the turkeys.”

“Yes, I did.” Two were being traditionally roasted. A third would be deep-fried later, closer to dinner time, since it wouldn't take as long to cook.

“Where's Kade?”

“I'm letting him sleep in.” A shadowy frown flitted across her face.

“Is he okay?”

“I think he's really tired and he's trying to hide it.”

Seth damn well knew he was trying to hide it, because he'd seen the exhaustion in his friend's face the night before. Yet another reason he'd opted to sleep alone, hopefully allowing Kade some well needed rest.

Leah sat on the edge of the bed and kissed him again, this time long and lingering and stirring more than a little interest on Seth's part. “Why don't I take a shower with you this morning after we get the birds cooking?”

Seth smiled. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

He met her out in the kitchen a few minutes later. Within an hour, they had the birds stuffed and in one of the large double ovens. Leah checked on Kaden, found him still asleep, and then joined Seth in his bathroom.

“Let's make this one quick, sweetie,” Seth said, hugging her to him. “I don't want him waking up alone and ignored.” As much as his member was now throbbing, he knew it wouldn't take much to set him off.

“Okay.”

Seth slid down her body, kneeling before her. She leaned against the shower wall as he gripped her hips and licked her slit. She moaned, tangling her fingers in his hair.

He loved doing this for her, bringing her pleasure without an ounce of pain involved. Before long she cried out and ground her hips against him. When he knew she was finished he stood, pinned her against the wall, and easily slid his cock inside her.

“How was that,” he whispered, taking a hard stroke.

“Good,” she whimpered as she wrapped her arms around him.

Leah worked her hips in time with his. It didn't take him long. He cupped her ass and held her as he took several last strokes, then came deep inside her.

He dropped his head to her shoulder. “I love you, babe.” He kissed her. “I love you so much.”

Leah's smile lit his heart. “I love you, too. Will you spend tonight with us?”

“Let's see how he feels. If he's worn out I don't want to disturb him. He needs his rest. Maybe a little play time if he feels up to it.”

“Okay.” She closed her eyes and relaxed in Seth's arms under the warm spray. “Let me catch my breath and I'll scrub your back for you before I go check on him.”

Seth tried not to feel a guilty pang for enjoying this time alone with her. He should be past that now. He knew, ironically, if it wasn't for the fact—

kaden'sdying

—that the future was hanging over their heads, he wouldn't feel guilty.

As
guilty, anyway.

When he was alone in the shower a few minutes later, he rested his head against the tile and let the tears flow. This was his alone time, something he desperately needed. It was the only way to release his crushing grief without his friends seeing. He didn't care if Leah wanted him to lean on her. If he really did that she would collapse under the weight of his emotions. Hell, it was barely all he could do to keep a lid on it.

He made it out to the kitchen twenty minutes later. Leah wasn't there. He hoped that meant she was spending private time with Kade.

And he smiled as he realized he wasn't the least bit jealous at that thought.

Progress.

He hummed to himself as he spooned out a bowlful of stuffing left over from the batch they'd made for the turkeys, then he walked out to the couch to eat and watch the news. The first guests wouldn't start arriving until nearly noon, so he wasn't worried about someone catching him half-dressed except Leah and Kaden. And since they'd seen him nekkid more times than he could count, they didn't count.

Kaden walked out a few minutes later, bleary-eyed and yawning. “Morning.”

“Morning.” He studied Kaden. “Where's Leah?”

He smiled. “She'll be out in a minute. Oh, here.” He tossed Seth something. Seth quickly realized it was the remote control for the butterfly.

“What's this for?”

Kaden had made it to the kitchen. “She got a little pushy with me this morning,” he called out. “Was trying to tell me to stay in bed. So I decided she needed a little reminder who's in charge.” He returned with his mug. “She has to wear it until one.”

Seth snorted in amusement. “One?”

Kaden nodded and started back toward the bedroom. “Under her clothes.”

Seth shook his head and looked at the remote before slipping it into the pocket of his shorts. “This should be interesting,” he muttered.

Leah appeared a few minutes later, fully dressed in a blouse and jeans, wearing her silver day collar and looking a tad ... uncomfortable. He barely heard the faint humming of the butterfly.

“So you got a little pushy, hmm?”

She blushed. “I wasn't trying to be. I just wanted him to rest.”

He stood and walked over to her, then handed her his empty bowl. Brushing the hair back from her neck he whispered, “He gave me the remote. When the guests arrive, I'll turn it off. But you still have to wear it as long as he says.”

She breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Thank you!” She kissed him and went to the kitchen.

Seth wasn't an idiot. He was well aware Kaden knew Seth wouldn't fully torment her with vanilla people around.

Kaden, however, was more than devious enough to do it. And Kade probably realized the temptation to torture her would be too great if he held the remote.

Seth finished dressing and helped Leah and Kade in the kitchen. He loved surprising her with the vibrator, usually just as she was reaching for something. Around eleven-thirty, and no guests had arrived yet as she helped him outside in the backyard. He had to pre-measure how much oil he'd need for the turkey by using water in the pot to find the level. Leah was holding the bird for him while he filled the pot.

“Okay, set it in there.”

She did. Once her hands were empty, he stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Then he slid one hand between her legs and firmly pressed the butterfly tight against her. He felt it buzzing through the denim.

He nibbled on her neck behind her ear. “You being a good girl, now?”

“Yes!” she gasped.

He pressed a little more firmly, giving her enough contact with the device to really feel it. “If you can come for me right now, I'll turn it off and leave it off but you still have to wear it until Master told you.”

She nodded and threw her head back against his shoulder. He gently rubbed his hand in circles between her legs and she moaned. She was so close.

He used his other hand to gently pinch her nipples, rolling them through the fabric of her shirt, alternating from one to the other.

“Come for me, babe,” he whispered. “Come hard for me.”

She ground her hips against his hand. He knew she was close. Just when he thought he might have to stop, she let out a soft cry and tensed in his arms. “That's it, babe. Come for me.” He was there to hold her as her post-climax weakness hit, and he lowered her to the grass and sat behind her.

“How was that?”

She nodded, her head still resting against his shoulder. He reached into his pocket and shut off the vibrator. “Okay, sweetie. A deal's a deal.”

She turned her head and kissed him. A playful smile filled her face. “You're finally getting into the spirit of this, aren't you?”

He shrugged. “Maybe when I hit my stride I can find some things to do for you in my own way.”

She closed her eyes and snuggled against him, her face buried in the crook of his neck. “I'm sure you will.”

“Okay, enough loafing. Master will come looking for us and might find other ways to torture you if he thinks you're goofing off.” He stood, then helped her to her feet.

* * * *

It was easy for Seth to stay distracted once the guests started arriving. He knew, at least in passing, most of the people invited. He noticed Kaden leaned in to Leah around one o'clock and whispered something. She hurried down the hall to their bedroom.

Ah. He'd finally let her loose.

Kaden looked over at him from across the room and winked. Seth smiled and winked back. He had to admit it was fun having this private game with them.

Seth knew most of the people in attendance weren't aware of Kade's secret. He planned on telling them today, individually, as the day progressed. Seth had tried to talk him into just doing one announcement and getting it over with but it was Kaden's call.

It was, after all, his party.

Seth sat outside later while the third turkey deep fried. He'd spent much of the afternoon shooting video of the festivities but needed this alone time to emotionally recharge. Leah brought him a glass of tea and sat next to him.

“You okay?”

Seth nodded. People had drifted in and out of the house all afternoon to talk with Seth, some in obvious shock at Kaden's news. Right now, it was just him and Leah.

Leah touched his hand and he met her eyes. “I'm okay,” she said. “I've been preparing for this. I'll be okay today.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I don't like that we have to do it but it's a relief to have it out there.” Seth knew Kaden was only telling people he'd asked Seth to move in to help and care for him and Leah. Seth also knew the way Kaden was telling it left it more than open to interpretation that Kaden was fine with whatever happened ... after, between Seth and Leah. Even putting out the comment that he hoped they would find happiness together.

He had to hand it to Kaden, the man was a thorough planner. One good thing about him being a control freak. He didn't want people thinking badly of Leah any more than Seth did.

She patted him on the hand again and stood, then walked away as one of Kaden's cousins, Tom, walked over with his wife to shoot the shit for a little while. Seth had grown up with Tom even though he was a couple of years younger than Kaden and Seth.