“Baby steps, kiddo,” David chuckled, giving his son a friendly nudge.
“Everything to your liking?” Cold’s voice called out from the open doorway.
“Great,” David said quickly and wiped at his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Jimmy,” Cold said firmly, “why don’t you let your father get settled, hmm? I’ll let Jerry know what to prepare for dinner. Steaks the size of Texas, yes?”
“Perfect,” David agreed.
Jimmy pouted a little, giving his father one last hug before getting up to join Cold. He shivered when Cold’s hand gently rested on his neck, saying, “You just relax, Dad. You need anything, call for us, okay?”
Cold squeezed Jimmy’s neck hard enough to make his knees wobble, saying, “We’ll let you get some rest, David. Dinner will be ready by six o’clock.”
“And seriously, you need anything at all,” Jimmy went on, “just let us know, okay?”
“Thanks, slugger,” David said with a tired smile. “I will, I promise. I’ll see you guys a little later, okay?”
“Okay, and there’s towels in the bathroom and soap and—”
“I’m sure David can handle it from here,” Cold cut him off sharply, shifting his fingers up into Jimmy’s hair and giving a small tug. “Let’s go.”
“Bye, Dad!” Jimmy exclaimed as Cold steered him quickly out of the room and down the hallway. He hissed under his breath, “You didn’t have to rush me out of there like that.”
“Yes, I did,” Cold replied with a snort, leading him into their bedroom.
“I just wanted to make sure he’s okay!” Jimmy protested, fussing as Cold pushed him toward the bed.
“Jimmy,” Cold scolded, “your father has been in prison for many years. He needs time to adjust.”
“He said he’s fine!” Jimmy argued. “My dad is one of the strongest people I know. If something was wrong, he would have told me.”
“No, he wouldn’t have,” Cold countered. “He’s your father, and you’re his son. He is not going to tell you how difficult this is for him. Trust me. That is a man who needs space to breathe.”
“You do not know my father better than me!” Jimmy snapped, surprised at how angry he was at the insinuation.
Cold’s lip twitched at Jimmy’s raised voice, his entire body tensing as he replied, “I may not know your father very well, but I do know criminals.”
“My father isn’t a criminal!” Jimmy argued loudly, his face flushing brightly.
“No, but he spent almost twenty years living as one,” Cold replied, reaching out to wrap his hands around Jimmy’s throat. “Adjusting to life as a free man is not easy. I’ve seen it many times and lived it myself.”
Jimmy sighed, relaxing under Cold’s firm hold. His fingers curled around Cold’s wrists as his eyes slowly closed. “I want to help him.”
“I know,” Cold soothed, “but the best thing you can do right now is give him time. Do you understand me... Mr. Poe?”
“Yes, sir.” Jimmy slowly began to smile as he added coyly, “That wasn’t very nice of you to tease me like that earlier, saying that in front of my dad.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cold said innocently. “How else should I address your father?”
“Anything but that!” Jimmy laughed.
“I rather enjoyed watching you blush,” Cold said, his thumbs arching up to trace Jimmy’s jawline. “Can you imagine what your father would say if he knew...?”
Jimmy grunted, his breath stolen away as heat crawled up his spine, hot with shame and desire.
“What would he say if he knew his precious boy likes getting fucked raw by me?” Cold went on defiantly. “That he likes being owned, that he enjoys having his body dominated by me and me alone...?”
Jimmy began to pant, his tongue swiping anxiously over his lips. He couldn’t think, and his cock was getting so hard. “Please, sir... you can’t tell him.”
