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for me to kick back on your couch and watch the morning news while you’re fighting rush hour

traffic? I think I’m getting the better end of this bargain.”

Corey’s nose curled up adorably and he shook his head. “I don’t think so. Watching the news is

torture.”

“True, but at least one of us needs to be informed.” I released Corey and started folding the pile of

laundry on the bed. “Is all of this supposed to go to my place?”

“Yeah, I mean, if it’s not too much. That way I have options,” he explained. I bit my tongue before

telling him all of his stuff in my space wouldn’t be excessive. Baby steps.

“Options are good,” I replied off-handedly. “You get ready and I’ll pack once you’re gone. It’ll

give me something to do other than watch the news.”

“When you put it that way, it’s almost like I’m doing you a favor,” he quipped. “You’ll have to

remember that. I think boys who do favors for their Daddies deserve special treats.”

“Then I guess you’d better behave so you’ll be able to earn a treat later,” I shot back.

We’d overcome the hump and it felt like we were finally in a good place. Now, to keep it that

way.

18

COREY

BEST. MORNING. EVER.

I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I drove to work. I probably looked like a complete

idiot, smiling and waving rather than getting annoyed with my fellow morning commuters, but I

couldn’t help it. Daddy was at my apartment. He loved me despite the fact I admitted I would

probably never be his little boy at my place because it felt weird. He didn’t tell me I was silly for

wanting him to stay there until I was gone for the day so I could imagine that my life wasn’t as

segmented as it was.

And really, that was the only dark cloud hanging over me. Daddy deserved more. Hell, I was

starting to agree that I deserved better than compartmentalizing my entire life, but I wasn’t willing to

unpack those boxes just yet. Soon, but not today. I felt a bit better about taking things at my own pace

since I knew Daddy would keep reminding me that there was nothing wrong with wanting to be

cautious.

Even walking through the employee entrance to find stacks of boxes that needed to be unpacked