He was so charming, along with having a naturally dominant disposition that made our patrons and our friends swoon. How he was still single was a mystery to me. Before I could make a smart-ass comment about his relationship status, Kingston approached. Lane greeted him warmly while I stared.
“Hi, beautiful,” King said sweetly. “Are you ready to go?”
“I still have some things to finish. I’ll just be a few more minutes.”
Kingston cocked an eyebrow.
“Pardon my intrusion, Eli. You ran all your reports. Grant will be in to finish the end of day before we close tonight.” Lane smiled, showing off a dimple in his chin.
Lane owned Creekside Lounge and he was very much a Daddy Dom. Sometimes his need to take care of others bled out into mundane life. I pursed my lips, and my right hand landed on my hip as if it had a mind of its own.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.” Kingston drew the focus back to him.
“I have to, uh, get my stuff.” I fumbled, trying to think of another task off the top of my head.
“I grabbed your things from the office. I hope you don’t mind,” Lane stated casually. “You told me you had plans tonight and I didn’t want you to be late.”
I had told him that only because it had been on my mind since the moment I popped my eyes open. Lane wasn’t pushy. We’d been spending more time together since his brother Logan was dating Karsyn and August. I couldn’t even be annoyed because underneath his assertive exterior was someone who really cared about the people he considered friends. I smiled, but I was certain it didn’t reach my eyes.
“How thoughtful of you, Lane.”
Lane winked, ignoring my less-than-friendly tone. I grabbed my things from behind the bar and rounded the front of it,waiting for Kingston. He had an extra swagger in his step as we said goodbye to Lane and walked out to the parking lot.
“Did you change your mind about our conversation tonight, princess?”
“No, King. I’m just a little nervous. I shared a lot with you.”
“Would you like to hear the sort of things that Reed and I discussed today?”
He held open the door for me and I hugged him before getting in. “Yeah. Oh! I packed an overnight bag. We can go straight to Reed’s instead of my house first.”
“Glad you thought ahead.” Kingston kissed my cheek then crossed around the front of the car and slid into the driver’s seat. “I went there after my shift last night and talked to him. We’re going to make a relationship between the three of us work.”
“What did he say in response?”
“He still seemed to be very much in his head, much like you were last night. Three rules. Ready?”
“Rules?”
“Yes, it’s important that we establish them. I spoke about them with Reed and he’s expecting you to follow the same ones with him.”
“I’m confused. I thought our get-together tonight was establishing everything.”
“Change of plans. You and I hashed it all out last night and Reed and I did it this morning. Tonight is about relaxing. Pleasure. Playing games. Watching movies. Whatever we want to do.”
“Got it.”
“Let me know when you’re ready to hear the rules.”
“Okay, I’m ready.”
“Be honest. Be respectful. Do as you’re told. If one of us hits a hard limit, tell us. If you’re not getting a need or a want met, tell us.”
“You make it sound so easy.” I marveled at the utter simpleness of his statements. Three rules. Two additional statements about expectations and limits. I couldn’t have streamlined our relationship in a smoother fashion if I tried.
“Itiseasy. Communication is important. Do you have any questions?”
“Do you know if Reed wants me to call him by a specific title?”
