Page 48 of Master Daddy

I watch as Milo gets it off the rack, lowers it with perfect form… and grinds. His arms shake and he pushes with everything he has, but the bar stalls halfway.

“N-n-n-n-no,” Milo concedes, knowing that it’s not going to go up.

Connor is right there, helping Milo re-rack it safely. My friend drops to the bench, breathing hard, but he’s smiling through the disappointment. “Your turn, babe. Go get it.”

My heart is hammering as I lie back on the bench.

Mason leans over me, eyes locked on mine, voice low and steady.

“You’ve got this, little one. Remember every cue. Drive through your heels. Tight back. Explode up. That ass is still glowing from your Daddy’s hand… use it.”

I nod, take a deep breath, and unrack the bar.

The weight feels brutal, but I think through every single thing Mason taught me during all those training sessions. I feel the warm sting in my spanked cheeks, the fire he lit in me, the love and belief in his eyes.

I lower the bar to my chest—controlled, steady—then push.

It’s a fight. My arms burn, my chest screams, but I refuse to quit. Inch by inch the bar rises. With a loud grunt that echoes through the gym I lock it out, arms straight, triumphant.

The place erupts.

I rerack the bar and sit up, dizzy and elated. Milo throws himself at me, hugging me tight. “You did it! I’m so proud of you!”

We jump up and down together, laughing and crying happy tears while the whole gang cheers. I’ve never felt stronger or more loved.

Then I’m in Mason’s arms. He lifts me clean off the ground, spinning me once before crushing me to his chest. “You were incredible,” Mason murmurs into my hair. “A total champion.”

“I owe it all to you,” I whisper, burying my face in his neck. “My coach. My Daddy. My everything.”

Mason shakes his head, pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes.

“I helped, sure,” Mason sys, a big smile on his face. “But you won this on your own merit, Luke. You’re a champion because of you. I’m just proud as hell to have played a small part in it.”

My Daddy’s words fill me up until I feel like I might burst. I kiss him right there in front of everyone.

The celebration quickly moves to the diner…

We take over half the place: pancakes stacked high with extra whipped cream and chocolate chips, thick milkshakes, bottomless coffee, and laughter that fills the whole room.

Milo and I keep replaying the lifts, teasing each other good-naturedly while our Daddies watch with proud, indulgent smiles. Taron declares himself the official contest photographer, showing off videos on his phone.

As we’re finishing up the last bites of pancakes, Mason clears his throat and taps his coffee mug with a spoon…

“While we’re all here,” Mason says, voice warm, “I’ve got some news. The sale of the Hardrock Healing Club is officially complete. Luke and I are the new owners.” He looks at me with so much love it makes my eyes sting. “Once we’re done here, we’re heading over there for some victory sauna and cold plunge action. You’re all welcome to join. And no bullshit excuses Daddies, we need to show the boys how to cold plunge!”

Cheers erupt around the table.

I beam at Mason, squeezing his hand under the table. This feels like the perfect full-circle moment—from that first terrifying bench press where he saved me, to now, building a life and a business together.

Later, at the Healing Club, the whole group piles in. We change into swimwear and rotate through the saunas, laughing and sharing stories. When it’s time for the cold plunge, Mason takes my hand.

“Together?” Mason asks, just like the day he proposed forever.

“Together,” I answer.

We jump into the icy water holding hands, gasping and laughing as the cold shocks us. When we surface, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply, not caring about the audience.

“My life is perfect,” I whisper against his lips.

My daddy smiles, that rare, beautiful smile that’s only for me.

“Mine too, little one. And it’s all because of you.”

As we climb out and wrap ourselves in thick towels, surrounded by our friends, the future stretches out bright and full of possibility.

I have my Daddy, my friends, my town, and now a business we’ll build together.

I lean into Mason’s side and let out a contented sigh.

This is exactly where I’m meant to be.