The living room was lit only by the city glow coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the single floor lamp Jacob must have switched on when he got home.
Jacob himself was sprawled across the pristine white sectional that faced the view, one leg hooked over the armrest, the other stretched out along the cushions. His sneakers—still laced, still filthy from the park walk—were propped up on the seat beside him, soles leaving faint gray smudges on the fabric Tane had paid a small fortune to have steam-cleaned two weeks ago.
Jacob’s head turned at the sound of the door. His face lit up: relief first, then that bright, boyish grin that usually melted Tane’s resolve in seconds.
“You’re back!” Jacob said, pushing up onto his elbows. “I was starting to think you’d been kidnapped by aliens or something.”
Tane closed the door behind him, set his keys in the bowl, and locked the deadbolt out of habit. He crossed the room slowly, eyes flicking from Jacob’s face to the shoes, then back again.
“Shoes off the couch,” he said, voice low and even.
Jacob blinked, then glanced down at his own feet as if just noticing them. The grin turned sly.
“Make me.”
Tane stopped three steps away, arms folding across his chest. The shoulder protested the motion, but he ignored it. “Boy.”
Jacob tilted his head, all mock innocence. “What? They’re clean.Mostly. And it’s not like I tracked mud in. I walked on sidewalks, Captain. I’m civilized.”
Tane shook his head once—slow, deliberate, the disapproval plain. “You know the rule. Shoes come off at the door. Always have. Especially when you’re in my house.”
Jacob rolled his eyes dramatically, but there was a flicker of something else under the sass… anticipation, maybe, or the tiniest edge of nerves. Whatever the motivation, Jacob didn’t move his feet.
Tane exhaled through his nose.
The day had been long: the drive, the meeting, the quiet threat of FBI shadows and rivals circling like sharks. He didn’t have the bandwidth to lecture about partying tonight—not after Antonio’s explicit order to keep Jacob locked down tighter.
That conversation could wait until tomorrow.
But this? This small, deliberate act of defiance?Thishe could handle. This heneededto handle. A reset. A reminder. Something simple and physical to cut through the noise in both their heads.
“Up,” Tane commanded, his voice a bark of intent.
Jacob’s grin faltered for half a second. “You’re serious?”
“Very.”
Jacob searched his face, then—slowly, making a performance of it—swung his legs down and sat up properly. The sneakershit the floor with twin thuds. He kicked them off one at a time, socks mismatched as usual, one black, one with cartoon bears, and wiggled his toes against the rug.
“Better?” he asked, voice lighter now, testing.
Tane didn’t answer right away. He crossed to the sideboard, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out the slim maple paddle, the one with the rounded edges and the small holes drilled in a neat grid pattern. It wasn’t the heaviest implement they owned, but it stung like hell and left a nice, even burn without breaking skin.
Perfect for a quick correction.
Jacob’s eyes tracked the paddle the second it came into view. His throat moved on a swallow.
“Pants down,” Tane said, turning back to him. “Bend over the arm of the couch. Now.”
Jacob hesitated… just long enough to make it clear he wasn’t folding instantly… then stood. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his joggers and shoved them down along with his briefs in one motion, kicking the bundle aside. His cock was already half-hard, bobbing against his thigh as he moved. The sight sent a familiar heat curling low in Tane’s gut, but he kept his expression stern.
Jacob draped himself over the rounded arm of the sectional, forearms braced on the cushions, ass presented. The city lights painted faint stripes across his bare skin.
Tane stepped up behind him, resting the cool wood of the paddle against one cheek for a moment, letting Jacob feel the weight, the promise.
“How many?” Jacob asked, voice smaller now, the sass mostly gone.
“Ten,” Tane said. “Five each side. Count them out loud. And thank me after each one.”
