“If you’d allow it, I’d like to collar you eventually.” I paused, thinking of how to explain what I meant. “Not because you’re an animal or anything like that. For me, a collar representsconnection and protection. So long as your neck has my mark – my collar – then everyone knows you’re mine. They know if they do anything to upset my boy, they’ll have to deal with me.”
Tanner’s breaths turned rapid the more I spoke and his head gave a small, consistent nod like he couldn’t help himself. I sensed he was aroused, especially when he decided to wiggle his ass against my groin.
Biting back a groan, I decided it was time to change the subject. If we didn’t stop, I’d be taking him on the ground, horse and snow be damned.
“The room’s ready for you,” I said, shifting to a safer topic. “Your things are unpacked. Whenever you want to see it, I’ll show you.”
“Now,” he said immediately. “Can we go now?”
I smiled. “Yeah, bud. We can go now.”
We rode back to the barn, and I helped him down before taking care of Ginger. Bobby Allen gave us a knowing look as we left but didn’t comment.
Back at the house, I led Tanner upstairs. My heart was pounding—I’d arranged everything the way I thought he’d like it, but what if I’d gotten it wrong? What if he hated it?
“Close your eyes,” I told him when we reached the door.
He obeyed without question, and I opened the door, leading him inside.
“Okay. Open them.”
He did, and I carefully watched his face.
The room looked completely different from the generic guest space it had been. His clothes were put away in the closet, minus the small pile I’d left on top of the dresser. The rabbit sat on the bed, propped against the pillows. The star blanket was draped over the reading chair I’d moved from my own room. The books were arranged on a small shelf I’d found in storage, including the untouched coloring books.
On the nightstand, I’d placed a small lamp and the photo of him with his parents. And hanging on the wall was a framed picture I’d grabbed from my room—one of the whole ranch family at last year’s Christmas party, Tanner included.
“Simon,” he breathed, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. “This is…”
“Too much?” I asked, suddenly worried.
He turned to me. “It’s perfect. You made it feel like mine.”
“It is yours,” I said. “For as long as you want it.”
He launched himself at me, wrapping his arms around my neck and burying his face in my shoulder. I caught him easily, holding him tight.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweet boy.” I pressed a kiss to his temple. “You deserve to have a space that feels like home.”
We stood like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other. Eventually, he pulled back enough to look at me.
“I found the note,” he said. “The one you left this morning.”
“Yeah?”
“You signed it ‘Daddy.’”
“I did.” I searched his face.
He pressed up on his toes and kissed me. It was soft and sweet and perfect—a promise of things to come.
When we finally broke apart, he smiled at me. “It’s more than okay.”
A knock on the doorframe made us both turn. Ashley stood there, looking amused.
“Hate to interrupt,” he said, “but lunch is ready. And Griffin wanted me to tell you both that he and Ashley are planning a movie night tonight if you want to join.”
