JP’s head snapped up, lips twisting in a mixture of confusion and evil delight.
I clicked the trackpad hard to get the damned thing to stop playing, but it was like it was stuck and nothing was going to stop that video. “Uh. It’s for my essay,” I said hurriedly,finallyclicking on the Pause button, but JP was already on his feet and striding around to my side of the table. Even if I wanted to exit the site, I had no time, and soon he was standing behind me, leaning over my shoulder to check out what I was looking at.
“How is this for your essay?” His breath tickled my ear, and I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. I turned to look at him, my cheeks scorching by this point.
“Uh….” I ducked my head, but he seized my chin and tilted it up, pressing a hard and insistent kiss on my lips that made me light-headed. I was easy, that was the only explanation. Pushing myself up into his mouth, I chased his taste, which was mostly coffee. I whimpered when he broke away.
“If you’re curious, boy, all you have to do is ask me.” He stroked a thumb down my face, and my heart crashed against my ribs so hard, I’d be surprised if he couldn’t hear it. “Do it. Ask me.”
“I don’t have anything to ask,” I whispered, and he laughed so suddenly that I rocked backward, hitting my elbow on the edge of the table. I hissed at the sharp pain.
“Why do you insist on making this harder than it needs to be? Good boys listen to their Daddies and do what their Daddies tell them.” JP slid his fingers up my cheek, tracing the shape of my bones as though I was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen. “You’re so stubborn.”
“I’m not,” I said, but realized I was arguing. My mouth snapped closed and I pressed my lips together.
He leaned in closer, and I twisted my fingers together—waiting. His breath tickled my skin, and I wanted him to kiss me again, to devour me like he had last night. “Then ask me what you want to know, boy. Forget those websites. They’re stereotypical shit. Askme.”
“Do you spank people?” I blurted out. Inwardly I winced at how brash the words sounded.
If JP was embarrassed by the question, he didn’t show it. Instead he grinned wickedly, and excitement turned that lead shame in my stomach into heated pleasure. He leaned in closer until his mouth hovered an inch from mine and all I’d have to do was tilt my head up slightly and our lips would touch. I didn’t dare to move, though.
“Yes, if my boy deserves it. Do you want to be spanked, Max?”
“No.”Lies, my brain shouted.
“Next question.” He shifted to sit in the chair next to mine and shut the laptop.
I stared at him for a moment, taking in his deep brown eyes, and the way the corners of his mouth dimpled when he smiled. He truly was a confident man, and that self-assured attitude had my cock swelling in my jeans. I wanted him to take me, but the fearful part of my mind reminded me I’d never had a cock in my ass, and I’d seen his; it wasn’t small. I didn’t know if I could handle the pain ofthat thingstretching me. Did he bottom? I sure hoped so. I’d always wanted to fuck a man, too. But then, I was rushing ahead of myself. We hadn’t even talked about anything.
“I….” Glancing at the closed laptop, I rested my hands on my thighs so I didn’t wring them together again like I wanted to. My gaze switched from my hands to JP and then back again, and I shivered. “How long have you been a… a Daddy?”
JP blinked at me, clearly surprised by the question, and sat back in his chair. He stroked his chin in thought, his eyes on me and not looking away. “For about six years now. I stumbled into the community when I went to a club. I knew I was a Dom, but being a Daddy is different in some ways. It intrigued me. Taking care of people is something I do instinctively. I quickly realized that I was a Daddy.”
“Oh.” I licked my dry lips and nodded. “I’ve never been to a club.”
“Ever?” His eyes nearly bugged when I shook my head.
“There are too many germs. Everywhere. And people in large groups are disgusting. Public bathrooms are theworst. Have you seen the people in there? They don’t even wash their hands.” I shuddered at the thought. “It’s so messy.”
He touched my shoulder, and I jumped because I hadn’t noticed him move. “Have you thought about what I said, Max? Could you have OCD?”
“Maybe?” I hated how unsure I sounded, and I doubly hated that I was admitting this weakness to him. Yesterday he was trying to make my life hell. He’d made me regret wanting to work for Mr. Elwood since I started about two months ago, making me work on the floor as often as possible, stapling those damned papers, and I’d striven for perfection. Every time a staple was crooked, I’d pulled it out and stapled it again. I’d done everything I could to appease him and Mr. Elwood, even though they reminded me I was only there because I’d blackmailed them. Constantly. Nonstop.
JP hummed. “I’m glad you’re thinking about what I said. Taking what someone says and considering their words is a good trait to have, Max.”
My chest swelled in pride and I sat up straighter. “Thank you.”
He ran his hand over my head, and I leaned into his touch, as though I was starved. There was no way to stop myself when it felt so good. “You’re welcome. Now, we’re going to spend today talking. I want to know more about you, Max. How did you get where you are today? What made you want to work for city hall?”
“Mom.” I sighed. “She’s a judge, which you know. Dad works in finance. They’re both very successful in their careers, as all Kalinskis should be. Mom was very supportive of Mayor Midberry. She thought he had good values, and she wants one of her children in politics.”
He frowned. “So, because she wants someone in the family in politics, youhadto do it?”
I nodded furiously. “My oldest brother, Giles, is a doctor. He’s a hero as far as my parents are concerned. Brings home the bacon for his family. Then there’s Leon, he’s my next-oldest brother. He works as a petroleum engineer. His wife, Evelyn, is a trauma surgeon, but she’s friends with one of the secretaries who works in Rubinson’s office.” I finally dropped my gaze to my hands and stared at my blunt nails. I traced my thumbnail just to keep doing something as I talked about my family. Compared to them, I really was a failure. “My sister, Brea, she’s amazing. She’s an accountant. She always wanted to get into finance like our dad. She’s already made a pile of money for herself trading stocks.”
“What about you? What career did you want?” he asked.
I hadn’t thought about what I wanted. That kind of decision was never an option. Mom had told me that I was it, the one who would go into politics, and like a dutiful son, I’d never argued. I didn’t hate it—I actually enjoyed politics—but I never excelled at it like any of my other siblings would have. They did everything to the best of their abilities; I could barely pass my last college classes.
