Their likes and interests aligned so perfectly.
Jacob had promised to be patient. It was harder than he imagined keeping that promise. With the room transformed, Jacob was finding his days filled with pleasure instead of just existing.
He loved being a professor. Having the students in his lecture halls fulfilled his need to be a part of something. Preparing a little space for James gave Jacob a sense of personal accomplishment.
Playing in clubs was different than having a specific space in his house to indulge.
After working all day to put the final touches in place, Jacob found admiring the room filled him happiness and contentment. Jacob had somehow convinced himself that the room would be wasted without a little of his own. He’d put it off until even Jesse had questioned what Jacob was doing with the space.
Jacob wasn’t going to look back with regret. No, the room was perfect for how Jacob planned to introduce age regression to James. Slowly, without pressure. He’d provided toys for younger littles and all the way up the middle regression that included a new gaming station. James would be able to explore to his heart’s content.
And as close as he was with his twin, Jacob should have thought about doing this for Lake alone. Meaning when James was more comfortable and eventually moved on like Jacob knew he would, the room would be utilized by Jesse’s boy. The roomcatered more toward an older little like Jacob believed James to be but Lake would appreciate it fine.
His cell phone ringing drew him from thinking about how James would respond to the space.
Pulling out his cell, Jacob rolled his eyes as he answered.
“Don’t you have a boy to worry about?” Jacob said as a greeting.
“My boy is perfectly happy lying in my arms as I talk to you.” Jesse’s side of the conversation was echoing, telling Jacob that he was on speaker phone.
“Hello, Lake. I hope you are keeping my brother in line,” Jacob teased.
A sweet giggle of response made Jacob smile.
“Hi, Uncle Jacob,” Lake replied. “I miss you.”
“Aww, precious boy. I miss you as well.” Jacob had enjoyed visiting during Christmas. His brother had moved into Lake’s house with Remi and Dom soon after they’d started dating. That had left Jesse’s old penthouse suite at the casino/ hotel for Jacob to stay in. He’d been close enough to visit but not be in the way.
“Don’t miss him too much,” Jesse growled out in warning.
“Daddy!” Lake admonished. “Be nice or Uncle Jacob won’t come back to see me.”
“I’ll always come back to see you,” Jacob vowed.
Jesse cleared his throat. “I regret calling. Stop flirting with my boy.”
Pushing off the doorway, Jacob headed to the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea. James would be home soon from the fire station and Jacob hoped that they’d have another late-night texting session.
The boy had worked the morning shift at the coffee shop before going into the fire station for a few hours. James worked so hard that if the boy was ready, Jacob knew that he had the perfect way for James to relax and recharge. Soon, he told himself, soon.
“Are you listening to me?” Jesse demanded harshly.
Jacob winced. “Sorry. I was trying to make myself a cup of tea.” Not a total lie. He flicked on the light to the kitchen before walking over to the stove to get the kettle started for hot water.
“Is everything okay? You’re usually getting ready for bed at this time of night,” Jesse responded.
That was before Jacob had started to adjust his schedule to James’s. There was no way that James was getting enough sleep. And Jacob wanted to be available when James might reach out.
“I’m on vacation,” Jacob told his brother. “I can stay up late if I want. I’m an adult and everything.”
Jesse hummed. “That’s not like you though. Even when you’re on vacation.”
The way Jesse said that last word had Jacob’s back going stiff.
“Not that you even know how to enjoy a vacation,” Jesse finished.
Jacob snorted. “Says the man who still works seven days a week.”
