Giving Notice - Chapter 1 (sequel to The New Job)

Max woke slowly. The quiet murmur of cartoon sound effects coming from Corey’s television were the first thing that registered to the nineteen year-old golden retriever’s sleep-dulled senses. He could feel his newly christened ‘baby bro’ Corey breathing gently against his back, the feline’s warm spotted arm wrapped around his chest. His eyes cracked open, the morning light blinding him for a moment. “Yeeeeeerrrrrrh,” he yawned, stretching.

Corey popped up suddenly, the cheetah’s sideways face filled Max’s vision, his nose mere inches from Max’s own. “Morning!” the cheetah chirped, grinning. “I thought you were going to sleep forever!”

Max blinked. “What time is it?” he asked with a contented stretch.

“TV, what time is it?” Corey called, looking up.

“It’s seven twenty A.M.,” the television replied in a soothing synthetic voice.

“Seven twenty,” Corey repeated with a giggle. “A.M., in case you were wondering.”

Max stuck his tongue out at the cheetah and shifted in bed. Corey snuggled into Max’s side, resting his head on the canine’s shoulder. “Last night was f—yeooooooohh,” Max started, before his sentence trailed off into a yawn. “Last night was fun,” he repeated with a grin.

Corey purred and placed his paw on Max’s diaper bulge. “So fun! You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to have a sleepover with another toddler, baby bro! Seriously, we can do that any time you— wait… are you peeing?” Corey began laughing, giving Max’s diaper a serious squeeze. “You are!”

Max joined in the laughter. “Just trying to make sure Mr. Jennings earns his keep,” the retriever smirked. “When does he come around, anyway?”

Corey gave Max’s diaper one final squish, then sat up in the crib. “Just whenever we wake up. He listens to the baby monitors in our rooms. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t shown up yet, now that we’re both up and talking.”

The baby monitor mounted on the wall next to Corey’s television lit up. “I’m actually not taking care of you boys this morning,” the deer’s voice responded. “Mr. Andrews said he would get you up and moving today. I’ve already emailed to let him know you kids are awake. You will be very good for Mr. Andrews, and make sure you thank him for taking such good care of you!”

“We will!” Max and Corey responded in unison. “I’ve just been laying here watching cartoons while I waited for you to wake up,” Corey said to Max. “Thanks for sleeping over last night, Max, seriously. And for the sex. That was way better than a morning handy from Mr. Jennings.”

“I’ll try not to be offended,” the deer’s voice rang out from the baby monitor, carrying with it a hint of an amused smile.

Max blinked and raised an eyebrow at the baby monitor. “Wait, really? That’s, uh, part of your services, Mr. Jennings?” The deer’s voice chuckled in response.

Corey nodded. “Not allowed to beat yourself off, remember, it’s the rules. But Mr. Jennings gives me a quick paw every morning during changing time so I don’t literally lose my mind with horniness. He also puts a plug in if I ask,” the cheetah added matter-of-factly. “Mr. Jennings is really nice.”

Max hadn’t thought about it until now, but he couldn’t imagine his horny cheetah friend lasting more than three days without some sort of sexual stimulation. With the house rule of no masturbation in place, it was probably for the best that Mr. Jennings was willing to provide the nineteen year-old cheetah an outlet for his teenage hormones.

There was an unexpected knock at the door. “Come in!” Corey called out. The door opened and Stephen entered, dressed in a sharp graphite-colored business suit with a plum purple shirt and white tie.

“Good morning, boys,” the handsome wolf said, smiling. “Did you sleep okay?” He leaned forward and kissed the wagging Max through the bars of the crib, then reached into his pocket for the magnetic key fob that would unlock the gate.

“We did,” Max said. “Most fun sleepover ever! I just woke up.” When Stephen opened the crib, Max crawled out and gave his boyfriend a tight hug.

Corey scooted out of the crib right behind Max. “I’ve been up for ever,” he said. “I’ve been watching cartoons. Thank you again for letting Max sleep over last night, Mr. Andrews. We had the best time and I hope we can do it again soon!” He leaned forward and gave Stephen a hug as well.

Stephen smiled down to the two shorter furs. “I’m so happy to hear that, boys. I told Mike Jennings that I’d take care of you boys this morning, because I want to take Max to breakfast and I particularly wanted to see if you babies had had fun last night. Oh, but you boys are both soaked. Corey, can you untape your diaper for me and put it in your diaper pail while I get Max out of his wet diapee?”

“Yes, Mr. Andrews,” Corey said as he reached behind himself and peeled open his diaper’s tail tape.

Stephen turned to Max and leaned forward to peel off one of Max’s tapes, planting a kiss on the golden retriever’s cheek as he did. He repeated the action three more times, with three more kisses. Max grinned at his handsome wolf.

Once both boys were stripped, Stephen took their paws and led the naked pair out the door and down the hall to the restroom. Thankfully, he didn’t offer to help them use the potty or wipe themselves. I honestly would die, Max thought. It was bad enough when Mr. Jennings offered it yesterday morning.

The big toddlers washed their paws and then Stephen led them back to Corey’s room. “Alright boys, let’s get you both ready for the day! Why don’t you hop up on your changing table so we can get you changed into a nice new diaper, Corey? Max, do you want to be my helper?”

Max grinned at the wolf, wagging again. “Sure. I need to practice so I don’t have another powder-pocalypse the next time I change myself.” He wrapped an arm around Stephen’s waist happily.

Stephen raised an eyebrow and gave Max a glance. “Dare I ask?” he wondered aloud.

Corey began giggling. “Oh, Mr. Andrews, there was just... So. Much. Powder. I think Max must have used half the bottle!”

“I did not!” Max protested, blushing. Nevertheless, he joined Corey’s laughter. “I think the cap was just loose or something.”

Corey grinned, laying back on the changing table and getting settled with a wriggle. “No really, Mr. Andrews, you should’ve seen it. I had to use a hundred baby wipes to get Max’s fur to stop being white. He looked like a ghost dog!”

Stephen chuckled and began cleaning Corey with a baby wipe. “That’s okay. Back when I very first started living in the nursery across from this one, the first time I tried to change myself I put the diaper on backwards and my dick ended up sticking out the tail hole, so I had to completely start over again. Honestly, it took a lot of practice. But now I like to think I’m pretty good at it. Being a baby helped me become a better daddy, I guess.” The wolf unfolded a fresh diaper as he spoke, deftly sliding it under Corey and threading the cheetah’s long, thin tail through. He added a stuffer and then began lightly sprinkling Corey’s bits with powder, while Max watched Stephen’s motions and attempted to take mental notes.

Corey’s eyes grew wide. “I didn’t know you used to live in the Nursery Cul-De-Sac, Mr. Andrews,” he said. “But you’re a daddy now? Does that mean you’re Max’s daddy?”

Both Stephen and Max froze in place, and a faint blush rose to their cheeks simultaneously. “We, ah, haven’t actually discussed that,” Stephen said, recovering first. “Though it would be dishonest for me to say that I hadn’t considered that as a possibility. Still, I’m a bit rusty at it,” Stephen admitted as he finished taping Corey’s diaper.

“Seem to be doing fine to me, sir,” the cheetah said as he slid down from the changing table. He turned his head so only Max could see his face, and he gave the canine an impish wink.

“Do you want me to help you get dressed, Corey?” Stephen asked the cheetah.

Corey shook his head and began rummaging through his clothes. “I got it, Mr. Andrews, but thank you. Go ahead and get Max changed, though I doubt either of us minds seeing him nekkie.” Corey gave Stephen a grin before turning back to his shelves.

Max rolled his eyes and hoisted himself up onto Corey’s changing table. “You’re a mess, Corey,” he said.

The cheetah blew Max a raspberry. “Told you, horny diaper-obsessed kitten. You were warned.”

Stephen smiled and gently laid Max back, then picked out one of Corey’s diapers for him to wear, since both boys were conveniently of similar size and build.

Once Max was diapered, he collected his teddy bear Bailey and his few other belongings and gave Corey a big hug. “Have a good day at work, baby bro,” he told the cheetah.

“You too!” Corey replied. Max and Stephen returned to Max’s nursery to drop off his items while Corey departed for the dining hall, waving to the wolf and retriever as he passed Max’s open door. Stephen picked out a cute outfit for Max, fire engine red shorts with snaps across the crotch, and a red and white ringer tee featuring a cartoon fire truck. Ankle-length yellow socks and a pair of red and white velcro shoes completed the look.

Once Stephen had finished dressing him, Max placed Bailey in his crib, kissing the teddy bear’s forehead before tucking him in. Stephen took Max’s paw and they stepped back out into the hall.

“I’m so glad you had fun with Corey, sweetheart,” Stephen said as they walked. “I never doubted that you two would hit it off. I got the impression that Corey has felt a little lonely lately, so you couldn’t have joined StartAgain at a better time.”

Max grinned at his wolf boyfriend. “I’m sorry again for freaking out last night,” he said gently. “Like I told Corey, this is all still new for me and I’m still adjusting. I’m really grateful you’re so patient with me.”

Stephen chuckled. “You’re doing a great job adjusting, Max. Truly. Most new hires struggle with life here in the mansion when they first start. It’s a lot to take in. I’m really proud of you, pup.”

Once again, Max’s heart fluttered in his chest. I love when I make Stephen proud, he thought with a wag. He squeezed Stephen’s paw.

The pair arrived at the elevator, but Stephen kept walking. “We’re not going to breakfast?” Max asked, looking up at his boyfriend.

“We are. I’m going to make us breakfast in my suite,” Stephen answered, turning the corner and guiding Max down the long hall to his room. “I want to hear all about your sleepover, and I’ve got a surprise for you. Remember?”

Max wagged excitedly, causing his diaper to crinkle even more loudly. He happily followed Stephen back to the wolf’s opulent suite. Stephen unlocked the door and led Max inside, seating him on a stool at the breakfast bar.

“This way, we can talk while I make breakfast,” Stephen said with a grin. He began rummaging his small refrigerator for ingredients. “How do you like your eggs, pup?” he asked as he worked.

“Scrambled,” Max replied. “Can I help?”

The gray wolf shook his head. “Just keep me company and look adorable, I’ll handle the cooking,” he said as he took a skillet out of one of the cabinets. “I like cooking, but it’s usually just more trouble than it’s worth cooking for one. Do you want shredded cheese over your eggs?”

“Mmm! Yes please!” Max said. “Did everything go okay with the new potential employee yesterday? You seemed really tired last night,” he asked.

“Not exactly,” Stephen responded. He cut a pat of butter into the skillet and began warming it. “I don’t think we’re going to hire him. Yesterday was his second interview, and when I explained exactly what StartAgain is, he immediately grew uncomfortable. The impression I got was that his idea of ‘kinky’ is talking dirty in bed.” The wolf pulled open a pack of bacon and began laying strips into the skillet.

Max nodded. “You did tell me that you get a lot of applications from vanilla guys who don’t know what they’re applying to.” The retriever’s mouth began watering as the scent of bacon filled the air.

Stephen laughed wryly. “That’s one of the more challenging parts of my job, explaining what StartAgain is without scaring people off. We have to make sure that they’re actually going to enjoy their time here. You were a special case, because I’d sneaked into your web browser and saw that you were into a lot of things. You’re only maybe the third new employee I’ve ever hired on the spot like that. Normally it takes multiple interviews to determine whether an applicant would fit in around here. With you, I immediately got the feeling that you needed this place.”

Max laughed. “You knocked me out and I thought I’d been kidnapped!”

“You should’ve read the contract, silly pup,” Stephen offered with a grin. “Literally the third paragraph explains that you’ll be drugged unconscious for your trip to the mansion. We never know how a new hire will work out, and if someone ultimately doesn’t fit in then we don’t want them showing up here again unannounced after they’ve been released.” Stephen flipped the sizzling bacon, then cracked a few eggs into a bowl and began whisking them as he spoke. “No matter how carefully we try to screen new hires, there’s always going to be a few who make it through the process but don’t work out.”

Max swallowed. “I’m working out though, right? Am I doing everything okay?” He shifted in the stool.

Stephen looked up at Max, then set the bowl down. He reached across the breakfast bar and took Max’s paws into his own. “You’re not going anywhere, Max,” Stephen reassured the canine. “James told me how hard you worked in the library yesterday. He was absolutely glowing. And if you can impress James Warren, you definitely belong here. Besides, you’ve already made so many friends! So don’t worry about that. The decision has already been made to offer you a full-time position.”

Max felt tears welling in his eyes. He hadn’t realized how much StartAgain had already become his home, and he was filled with relief knowing that he wouldn’t be forced to leave at the end of the month. “Oh! Is that my surprise? Isn’t that sudden though? I’ve only officially been working for one day.”

Stephen gave Max’s paws one more squeeze, then returned to his eggs. “No, that’s not the surprise I have planned. As for being sudden, one day is all I need, Max. Even if you weren’t the best worker, I wouldn’t let you walk out the door. And even if I could, James wouldn’t. He’s absolutely driving me crazy with the I-told-you-so’s. ‘Stephen, I’ve been trying to cheer you up for two years,’ he said. ‘Max walks into your life and a day later you’re your old self again. If you let that boy go, I’m going to yell at you until I die and then I’m going to come back as a ghost to haunt you,’ he said. That’s James’s way of showing support,” Stephen chuckled.

Max grinned. “I really like Mr. Warren. He pulled me aside yesterday and basically told me he approves of me seeing you. And he said if anyone gives me any grief, to let him know and he’ll deal with them. And he said he’s going to give me and Seventeen an extra hour of lunch to spend in a double gag this afternoon,” Max added with a blush. “That was our reward for getting the cooking section cleaned up in just one day.”

Stephen smiled as he poured the egg mixture into a small pan and began stirring it over a low heat. “I told you you’d like him. He’s been my best friend for years. He wants everyone to think he’s this big, gruff, scary hawk when really he’s just a softie. Well, unless you cross him.” He checked the bacon. Satisfied, he pulled a small metal baking sheet down from an overhead cabinet and began laying the strips of bacon on it to cool. He adjusted the heat of the burner and resumed stirring the eggs and they began to harden.

Max sighed contentedly. “So what is my surprise?” he asked. “I can’t imagine anything better than being told I’ll be allowed to stay here with you.”

Stephen grinned and moved half the scrambled eggs from the skillet to a plate. He took a pouch of shredded cheese from the fridge and sprinkled some over the eggs. It began melting tantalizingly as he added a few strips of bacon alongside the eggs. “Well, tomorrow is Saturday,” he said. “Neither of us has to work. So I made plans for us to spend the whole day together. How would you like to join me for a day trip into town so we can do some shopping for your nursery? Orange juice or apple?”

Max’s jaw dropped. “Really? We can do that?” His tail began wagging of its own accord. “Oh, and apple juice please.”

Stephen chuckled. “Of course we can do that. You’ll have to be blindfolded until we’re well away from the mansion though. I trust you, but the rules say that part-time employees aren’t allowed to know where the mansion is until after they’re formally hired as full-time at the end of the probationary month.” He poured apple juice into a pair of juice glasses and then placed Max’s meal in front of him. Stephen quickly made himself a plate and joined Max on the other side of the bar.

“Thah’ be aweshum!” Max said around a mouth full of cheesy eggs. He swallowed and added, “a day trip with you, I mean.”

“Maxwell, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Stephen said in his fatherly voice. He bit into a crispy slice of bacon.

Max blushed. “Sorry, Stephen,” he replied. “Breakfast is really good, thank you.” He leaned over and kissed the wolf’s cheek.

Stephen flashed Max a grin. “You’re very welcome, pup. Like I said, I really like cooking, even though this almost doesn’t count. Wait until I make you my lasagna sometime. But tell me, what did you boys get up to after I left last night?”

Max blushed. “Pretty much what you expect. Corey went down on me and sucked me off. Then we talked for a little while about our families and growing up and stuff. Then he mounted me and pawed me. Then we fell asleep.”

Stephen chuckled. “Sounds like you had fun. Good, I’m really glad.” He took a sip of his juice.

“Oh, and we decided to be brothers,” Max said with a wag. “Baby bros. Corey’s really awesome.” Max smiled at his boyfriend. “We’re probably gonna end up being best friends.”

Stephen nodded, eyes glimmering. “Having relationships like that is really special, and really good for your little side. I think that’s a wonderful idea!” He speared a fluffy bit of egg on his fork and popped it into his mouth.

Max chewed his food thoughtfully, while a small knot began forming in his stomach. He wanted to ask Stephen a question, but his nerves were getting the better of him. He squirmed uncomfortably, causing the wolf to raise a brow.

“Everything okay, pup?” Stephen asked gently.

Max nodded. “I… I really like having a brother,” he said earnestly. “But it makes me think about what Corey said this morning…”

The corners of Stephen’s eyes wrinkled as he smiled. “I was wondering if you’d bring that up again,” he said. “It’s been bouncing around in my head too,” the wolf admitted. “The thing is, I’m a little hesitant to ask that question. You’ve only been here a few days, and we’ve been going full speed ahead on every front. Faster than is wise, I’m sure, but I can’t help myself around you, Max. Still, I don’t want to make things be too much for you all at once. And I don’t want you getting so close to me that you shut yourself off from other options here. I like that you depend on me, it makes me feel wanted and appreciated. But at the same time, I want you to be able to explore all the new exciting possibilities in front of you.”

Max swallowed. “I get that,” the golden retriever murmured. “And I don’t want to sweep into your life and take up all your time and attention. I feel like that’s selfish of me. It was a silly thought.”

Stephen shook his head, gazing intently at Max. “No, it’s not a silly thought. It’s special and wonderful. And if I’m being honest, it’s something I’ve thought about nonstop since the moment you had your emotional episode in my office the day before yesterday. You… you make me want to protect you from the world, pup. I just want to wrap you in my arms and hold you and never let you go.”

Max leaned forward and kissed Stephen slowly, tenderly. At last he pulled away, a tear rolling down his furry cheek. His heart felt like it was pounding too quickly in his chest, and his breath was short. He stared up into Stephen’s eyes. “Will you be my Daddy?” he asked quietly. “Because I can’t imagine anyone else I would ever want. I’m falling in love with you, Stephen. Both big Max and little Max are falling in love with you.”

Stephen’s eyes lit up. “I’m falling in love too, pup. Both with sexy big Maxwell and his beautiful eyes and sweet smile, and adorable little Max who makes me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time. Are you sure that’s what you want, though?”

“More than anything, Stephen. Daddy. Be my Daddy.” Max heard the words coming from his mouth, and they sounded so perfect and so right as they hung in the air. “Please.”

Stephen laced his long gray fingers between Max’s. “Of course I will, pup. I think we were destined to end up Daddy and baby boy, that’s what it feels like. My baby boy. My perfect, beautiful little pup whose laugh makes me glow. And I’m your Daddy. I’ll always protect you, always take care of you.” Stephen was trembling, and his eyes were wet with tears. “I didn’t know I could feel this way again. After I lost Sam, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to connect with anyone again. Not this powerfully. He left a hole in my heart. And I’ll always miss him, of course I will. But… I think maybe the hole Sam left just happened to be Max-shaped, you know? I… I love you, Max.”

Max threw his arms around Stephen and gave the wolf a tight hug. Stephen buried his muzzle in Max’s neck and began crying in earnest, healing tears made of both immense joy and years of pent-up sorrow and loss finally being let out. He ran his paws up the back of Max’s shirt and through the retriever’s soft fur, pulling the canine as close as he could.

“Shhhh…” Max cooed into his ear. “My Daddy. And my wonderful, loving boyfriend. It’s okay, just let it out. I’m right here, Stephen. Daddy. I love you too, so much. And it’s only going to grow more and more. So just let it all out, just like that.”

They sat for several minutes, Max holding Stephen close and rocking him as the wolf collected himself. Finally, Stephen gently pulled away. “I’m sorry about that, pup. I promise I don’t usually go to pieces like that.” The wolf stood and walked around the bar top and into the kitchenette, retrieving a paper towel to dry his face with.

“Hush, silly Daddy,” Max replied with a smile. “Daddy, heheh,” he repeated, the newness of it delighting him. “And you’re allowed to have feelings too, you know.”

Stephen nodded. “See? Now we’re even. We’ve both had an embarrassing emotional breakdown in front of each other,” he said with a half-smile.

Max giggled. “Oh, did you? I must’ve missed that. When you told me you love me, I kind of lost track of everything else. I can be terribly one-track minded sometimes, you know.” He slid down from his stool and walked up to Stephen, then hugged the tall wolf.

“I do love you, Max. It’s so fast, and probably inappropriate, and I just don’t care. I love you, pup.” Stephen took Max’s paw into his own. “You make me feel things I didn’t know I could still feel. And I’m going to work hard to be the best Daddy I can be for you.”

“And I’m going to be the best little pup ever. There will never be another daddy who will feel as loved and appreciated and supported, I promise,” Max replied. He breathed in Stephen’s heavenly scent and sighed happily.

“Well, I’ll start my Daddy duties by getting you to work on time,” Stephen grinned. He looked at the clock hanging on the wall. “Quarter to nine. We should probably get you to the library. And don’t forget, tomorrow we’ll go in town and do some fun shopping together.” He kept holding Max’s hand, gently steering the retriever toward the door.

Max stepped through and Stephen closed and locked the door. “Will you be here in the mansion all day, or did you need to go out again?” Max asked.

“Here all day,” Stephen replied. “I try my best to avoid leaving on Fridays, so I can catch up on paperwork and emails. It doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s the plan anyway. Can I swing by the library and pick you up at five? I’d like to spend the evening with my pup if I can. If you don’t have plans, I mean.”

Max smiled. “You are my plans,” he said simply. The pair began walking toward the library, both glowing. “Oh!” Max called out suddenly. “I forgot to tell you about breakfast yesterday!”

“Oh?” Stephen asked, curious. “What did you eat?”

“The world’s most evil Denver omelet,” Max replied. When Stephen’s brow furrowed in confusion, he laughed. “The server didn’t let me have silverware, so I had to eat it with my paws, right? And I’ve never eaten with my paws before, so I was super nervous and embarrassed. I grabbed a bit and got some on my bib, so then I started to argue with the omelet. Next thing I know, it turned into a full-on superhero versus villain battle. I was having so much fun! And then when I finished eating, I looked up and half the people in the dining hall were clapping and cheering for me.”

Stephen broke into a broad grin. “That sounds like a lot of fun!”

“It was!” Max replied. “For a little bit, I completely forgot I was an adult and I just let go. It felt amazing.”

Stephen pressed the elevator call button and the doors immediately opened. “Well, that won’t be the last time you feel like a kid again, pup, I promise.” He pressed the G button and the car began moving. “I’m really proud of you for being brave like that. I think you’re starting to see that you can be whoever and whatever you want to be here.” The pair stepped out of the elevator and made their way through the lobby.

“It’s so weird though,” Max said. “Just a couple of days ago, I would’ve died if anyone had ever found out about this side of me. And now it’s starting to feel… I dunno, normal, I guess? At least, not something to feel ashamed of. Hanging out with Corey helped a lot. Oh hey! If you’re my Daddy and Corey’s my brother… what does that make you to him?”

“Uncle?” Stephen offered. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to suddenly adopt Corey too, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Max thought for a moment, chewing his lip. “I mean, you did go down on him last night a little bit. That was hot. Like, really hot. Is it weird that I think that was hot?” The canine looked more than a little confused.

Stephen stopped walking and turned to Max. “It’s not weird, pup. Not by StartAgain standards, anyway. But I don’t want you to worry about anything between Corey and me, okay? He’s a very sweet little boy, and I’ve adored getting to know him since he started here, but he’s not competition. I promise. I enjoy spending time with the cubs, but that’s my Daddy side coming out, I guess. As far as any sort of romantic feelings, well… my heart belongs to you.”

Max nodded. “Oh, I’m not worried about that. Not at all. I don’t think Corey has any romantic feelings towards you. If anything, I think he might be crushing on Seventeen, maybe. That’s just a hunch. But it did make me feel a little funny how, uh… into it I was getting, watching you do things to him.”

“Funny good? Or funny bad?” Stephen asked.

“Funny good,” Max answered honestly. “Watching from the crib, watching you suck on him… I don’t know how to explain it. It was just really hot.” The canine squirmed a bit, feeling himself grow stiff within his diaper just talking about it.

Stephen laughed his musical laugh. “Do you know how badly I had to avoid peeking in on Corey’s nursery’s security camera feed last night, just to see what you boys were getting up to? I didn’t, because I’m a gentleman. But I was so tempted. So tempted, in fact, that it was mostly self-preservation that kept me from pulling up that camera feed on my laptop. If I had, I’d likely have been busted pawing again and be back in chastity as we speak.”

“Really?” Max asked, eyes wide.

“Are you even surprised?” Stephen asked. “Two cute little padded boys having naughty fun with each other in a crib? That’s literally my aesthetic. Especially when one of them is my very own sexy, handsome pup. Trust me, it’s for the best that I got home as tired as I did last night, else I probably wouldn’t have been able to pry myself away from Corey’s room and I would’ve ruined your sleepover.”

“Next time Corey and I have a sleepover, you’d better be prepared to stay,” Max said with a blushing smile. “Corey and I could both suck on Daddy’s bottle at the same time. Oh. My god, I really just said that out loud.” He turned an even brighter shade of scarlet.

“That’s the spirit, pup,” Stephen winked. “Another brick in that wall comes down. It’s making me happy to see. But we need to keep moving, else you’re going to be late. Very late, as tempted as I am to drag you back to my suite and have my way with you.”

Max whined. “Can we? Seriously?”

Stephen chuckled. “No, we cannot. Seriously. James needs your help in the library, and I’ve got a contract I need to review this morning so I can have it back to the vendor by lunch. But if you want, we can have dinner together and then spend the rest of the night at my place. If you want.”

“I want, Daddy!” Max grinned. “Just know that if I sleep in your bed tonight, I’m going to fuck you silly.”

“Language, Maxwell,” Stephen laughed. “And if you think you’re the one who’s going to be doing the fucking, you’ve got a big surprise coming.” The wolf winked.

The pair resumed walking toward the library, still holding paws and Max practically skipping through the halls. I love him so much, Max thought, grinning.