A Bundle of Mannies

by Lorelei M. Hart

  “You dog!” Rob was more of a player than I’d given him credit for. “But no. Graham is the little boy I take care of. He’s doing well, but he still has a ways to go before he’s 100 percent.”

  “Sure. And when he’s well, you’ll just go on to another family, huh? Don’t you get lonely?”

  We climbed out of the low sportscar and strolled toward the door. As we stepped inside, I breathed in the scents of drinks and cassoulet. My stomach growled, the healthy salad I’d had for dinner no match for the French fare. When the hostess seated us, I traced a circle on the table. “It does get lonely, by the way, moving from place to place. I’m thinking the rest of you had it right, going to work in traditional medicine and putting down roots.”

  “Really?” Our conversation ceased while we placed our orders, Rob also ordering something to eat. When we were alone again, he continued. “Because we have some openings at the hospital. I’ve seen them posted. You should check them out. If you like the idea of sticking around here.”

  “Hmm. I might just do that. Thanks, Rob.” We ate cassoulet, drank wine, and talked about old friends late into the night, and when I got home, Rob had turned in. I was disappointed, wishing I could tell him all about my evening, but I wasn’t going to wake him. He worked too hard.

  Instead, I went to bed and lay awake for a while, imagining what it would be like if I went to work at a regular hospital and came home to Walker and Graham, if they were my family. What would it be like?

  Would he want me to stick around once he didn’t need me as a manny anymore?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Walker

  “Pleassssse.” It was so unlike Graham to be whining, yet I couldn’t blame him. Had I been in his shoes I’d have started my pleas to not be trapped either in the house or at therapies weeks ago.

  “The doctor said to wait until your next appointment.” He’d had to cancel the last two appointments due to emergencies, and, while it was nice to no longer be the man’s priority, I fully understood Graham’s frustration about school. Ken had been over quite a few times in the past two weeks and kept going on and on about the school play, and Graham wanted to be a part of it.

  “Which was supposed to be yesterday.” He put his little fists on his hips, which, for most kids, would be an act of defiance or possibly mockery of their parent and nothing more. With Graham, it was almost a miracle to see him standing there, unassisted, his hands not poised to grab on to something.

  “There is too much paperwork if we’re wrong.” And while true, the team wanting to meet with us and redo education and safety plans and four thousand other things, paperwork wasn’t the hinderance I implied.

  I wasn’t really sure what was. Fear he wasn’t ready? The comfort that came with him being here while I worked, even if he was doing school with Sebastian and not with me? Or was it the Sebastian only staying as long as he was needed clause in his manny contract looming over our home?

  Sure, we had discussed possibly starting something more when his contract was up, but what more could we have if he got stationed in Australia or something? Another continent was unlikely, but even this country was huge, and he could easily be a day’s drive away. Or several. He’d mentioned in passing one night he was thinking of applying to the hospital in town but never brought it up again and I didn’t either. Pushing someone to stay local because you wanted to date them or whatever was hardly the way to start a healthy relationship.

  “You do paperwork for work. You’re good at it.”

  “What’s up, guys?” Sebastian stood in the kitchen doorway. When did he get there?

  “I want to go to school.” Graham poked himself in the chest. “Dad wants to be a doctor’s pet.”

  “What’s a doctor’s pet?” Sebastian closed the short distance between us and him.

  “Like a teacher’s pet but with doctors.” Graham left off his implied duhhhhh.

  “Oh.” Sebastian tapped his chin, smirking at me. “Yeah, he has the tendency. It’s almost like he wants to make sure you get well without any complications or something.”

  “You’re just as bad.” Only instead of puffing, this time he rolled his eyes, his posture relaxing somewhat.

  “Then you guys probably don’t want to come with me.” Sebastian shrugged.

  “I do. The server is down for maintenance, so it’s perfect timing.” I’d have dropped everything even if I had a huge meeting, if I’d not already done a ton of work, or if his trip was to the post office or something equally lame. Any time I could spend with Sebastian I took advantage of, knowing it was going to be limited. Far too limited.

  “We can just lock the doors.” Sebastian directed his attention at me. “I’m sure Graham is mature enough not to open them for strangers and to call 9-1-1 if needed.”

  I nodded in agreement at his silliness.

  “I’m not old enough.” He stomped, this time grabbing on to the walker as he wobbled slightly. “It’s illegal.”

  “So you do want to go out with a nurse’s pet to celebrate?” Sebastian clapped his hands once.

  “Fine.” Graham shook his head at the silly, gleeful face Sebastian had slapped on. He could easily do one of those stupid over-the-top kids’ shows popular with the toddler set when he got goofy like this. “But tomorrow, I want to go to school.” He turned around and, leaving his walker there, headed out through the doorway, probably to get his coat. I didn’t love him leaving it random places like he’d been doing, but the PT was encouraging it, saying his progress was beyond any he’d seen in this type of surgery. The medical team all seemed to concur, and an article was being written up in a medical journal about it.

  “And it’s doctor’s pet,” he called from the living room.

  I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Or maybe nurse’s.” Sebastian’s arms came around me, and I sank into them. He usually didn’t show me signs of affection like this, especially with Graham awake. I got it, I did. We’d decided to not pursue anything, at least for the time being, and so much as a kiss would have me forgetting our agreement, and that would be bad.

  Probably.

  “Why do I feel like we’ve been conned?” I kissed his check, unable to resist.

  “Not conned as much as I want to go out and celebrate, and you two are my favorite people, so you win the trip of a lifetime—or of a Thursday anyway.”

  “Celebrate?” I leaned back to meet his eyes.

  “I got a…the job.”

  My heart sank.

  “So you’re leaving.”

  “I was thinking more of so I can stay.” His lips brushed mine chastely as Graham called from the next room.

  “Can you help me with my shoe?”

  “On it.” Sebastian gave me a quick peck and bounded out of the room to help Graham.

  I still didn’t know the details or what they would mean. I wasn’t sure I needed to. He’d said he took the job so he could stay. Stay. The most beautiful thing I’d heard all day.

  My phone went off in my pocket, and I took it out to see Clara’s name flashing.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, this is Ken’s mom. I was wondering if Graham was well enough for a birthday do-over, maybe? One without sickness or unruly cousins?”

  “Let me ask him. When were you thinking?”

  “Saturday?”

  “Hey, Graham,” I called out as I walked in the direction of where he’d gone. “Want to have a sleepover on Saturday with Ken?”

  His squeal of joy was all the answer either of us needed, and we quickly made arrangements.

  “I never get invited to cool places like sleepovers,” Sebastian teased as I shut the trunk after Graham was settled inside the car.

  “Funny.” I took his hand with a gentle squeeze. “I was just thinking about inviting you to one on Saturday.”

  “Just thinking?”

  “Since the second the Clara invited Graham,” I confessed earning me the brightest smile. “Do you want to come?”
/>   “Oh I think we both will be coming plenty.” He walked around to the passenger-side door.

  Why did Saturday need to be so far away?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sebastian

  Saturday finally did come, although it took a week and a half since Ken’s do-over had to be postponed one more time when Clara’s grandmother staged an unplanned visit, and we all agreed having an elderly person who went to bed at eight and needed quiet to rest would put a quash on the party. Plus, she didn’t travel often, and the family rightfully wanted to make her stay special. At nearly ninety, even a robust ninety, she might not make many more trips.

  So by the time the new and adjusted date arrived, Walker and I were so keyed up, we couldn’t pass one another in the hallway without sneaky little hand brushes and flirtatious glances. As we threw things in Graham’s backpack, prior to escorting him down the street, even he noticed something was odd.

  He paused, reaching in his sock drawer, and turned to face us. Turned so smoothly, my heart beat faster. “Are you guys trying to get rid of me?” he asked. “Last time I had to beg to go. Now, I swear you are trying to get me there early.”

  We gave each other a glance, but this one held a little panic. Graham was young, but he wasn’t stupid. If anything, he was more observant than most I’d known. Should we say something? But no. I gave a tiny headshake. If he liked the idea, which I hoped to heaven he would, something that might change his life would distract and detract from the experience he was about to have. A sleepover with the one kid who’d come to visit while he was at home, who’d carted over his homework and had dinner with us a few times. Tonight was about him—or at least it was until we delivered him to Ken’s house and returned here.

  “Do you think we could take you early?” Walker gave him a little elbow in the ribs, a friendly gesture that, at one time, would have set him off balance. Now, not at all. “Because we plan to hit the bars and party all night long.”

  “You won’t be here?” Appalled was followed by hilarity on the kid’s face. He laughed so long and hard, I moved in close in case he did lose his center of gravity. “Dad, you don’t go to bars. Neither does Sebastian. You guys will just do what you always do and watch TV, eat popcorn, and talk about boring work stuff.”

  Let him keep thinking that!

  “You got our number,” I told him, taking the socks he held then zipping the main compartment of his backpack closed after tucking them inside. “We’re old and dull, and it’s lucky you have someone like Ken to enjoy your youth with, eh, Walker-gramps?”

  “Right, Sebastian-elderdude. I was thinking we could have hot milk and get to bed by nine, so our old bones can absorb the calcium.”

  Graham’s eye roll was epic. “You guys are so weird. I’m ready to get out of here. It’s a little early, but maybe I could go now.”

  I started to say it wasn’t good manners to be early, but Walker beat me by saying he’d give a call and check. And ten minutes later, we were walking back in the door, kissing as it clicked closed behind us. His lips were so hot, so firm, and so demanding, my knees wobbled as he guided me to the sofa.

  We plopped down, never breaking contact, hands tearing at clothing until we were naked before stopping the kiss long enough to grab a breath.

  “Shall I go heat up the milk?” I asked him, pressing my lips to his collar bones, sucking a little and nibbling. “Or would you rather fuck me right here on the couch?”

  “Mmm. Milk does sound good if we’re going to be in bed by eight.”

  “We could be there sooner if we skip the milk.” I trailed kisses over his chest, the light fur tickling my lips. “But then we’d miss out on you fucking me on the couch. Maybe.”

  He growled and yanked me to straddle his lap. “Let’s kiss some more while we figure it out.” His cock was pointing right up and tucked between my ass cheeks, the tip just reaching the magic spot. Mine was vibrating with want. I leaned in for the kiss, his cock so close…but I didn’t want to rush, so I went for the kiss. Walker, in true alpha fashion, took control, palming my cheek and tilting my face for better access. His mastery sent chills down my spine and up again.

  “I want you,” he murmured while nibbling at my mouth. “I want to be deep inside you, want to knot you. But we have all night.”

  The word “knot” did it for me. “If you don’t fuck me now, I’m going to combust.”

  He cupped my ass cheeks in his palms and lifted me an inch or two off his lap. “You don’t need foreplay?”

  “Walker,” I gasped, feeling his head prod at my hole, stretching it even with slight pressure, “What do you call every day we’ve been together but foreplay? Skewer me. I want your knot.”

  “As you wish, omega.” Gripping my ass, he pulled them apart and opened me enough to make room for that stiff, hot cock to make an entrance. I hadn’t had anyone in my bed in a long time, but even if I had, his size would have stung. Burned. Made me shout his name as my own weight took me down onto his length.

  I bottomed out, and he lifted me again, my dick scraping his belly and leaving a trail of precum behind. At the apex, he lowered me, faster this time, not just letting gravity do the work. I got my knees under me, on either side of him, and used their muscles to help, to move high and low, take myself out to the tip and down to balls deep, hands resting on his shoulders.

  “You’re so tight, omega.” His panting breaths huffed out the words as we moved faster. “Do you think you can get one hand wrapped around that rod of yours so we can come together? After all the foreplay, I’m about to spurt the goods inside you.”

  “Yeah.” I rocked up and down, reaching one hand down and closing it around my dick. Squeezing and stroking, I brought myself to the edge in seconds then screamed as cum poured out of me and onto Walker’s groin.

  As it hit his skin, he roared and lifted his hips, locking deep in place and shooting his cum into me. His knot swelled, holding us together, and I released myself and slung my arms around his neck, clinging through the shooting stars and spiraling galaxies, the dark clouds and blinding light that was orgasm with this man’s dick in my ass.

  We fell to the side and lay panting once his knot abated. Then he laughed and pointed to the clock. “Not quite eight o’clock. Ready for bed?”

  I winced. “I might not be ready for a little bit. You’re massive. And really move.”

  He grinned, though his eyes were only half open. “Thanks, omega. Maybe a shower would revive you?”

  “You’re going to use me up and wear me out, alpha.” I chuckled, but every muscle was already sore.

  “I can’t get enough of you, omega.”

  We’d jumped ahead of the plan a little. I still worked for him. But the hospital wanted me as soon as possible, and I’d talk to Walker in the morning about what it might mean to us and to Graham. Tonight was all about us. I’d probably be walking like a greenhorn on a dude ranch by breakfast.

  But it would be so worth it. My wandering days might be over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Walker

  Rolling over, I nearly toppled out of my bed. I needed to reevaluate the sleeping arrangements. Or not.

  “Your thinking is hurting my brain.” Sebastian’s arm grabbed mine, wrapping it around him and holding my hand against his heart. “Regrets?”

  What?

  “Not a split nano second of one.” I kissed his neck just below his ear. “I just almost fell is all.”

  “Your bed is tiny,” he sassed. “I like it. Makes it all cozy.” His ass wiggled against my already stirring cock. “But if you fall and break your leg, maybe we won’t be able to have the previously promised morning shower sex.”

  “I know.” I left it there. Of course he saw right through me.

  “And the other bedroom—off limits?” He rolled so he was facing me, his hand cupping my cheek.

  “Kind of.” How could I tell him it felt wrong and I knew Harrison would want me to move on, and though I was more than ready to
do so, the room still felt like a bad idea? Heck, the entire place sort of did—like maybe I was holding onto the past as I moved forward for no other reason than it was easier. “I was thinking of maybe moving.”

  It had only been a half of a more and more frequent passing thought until I spoke the words, and, suddenly, it felt like an honest-to-goodness plan. It was time. Sure, Graham had his good friend down the road, but cars existed. And really, why was I holding on to a house more accessible to him on some days than others? Was that really fair just because his father picked it out with him in mind before either of us could have guessed he would be physically challenged? No. It wasn’t.

  Why had it taken me so long to put the pieces together?

  You were waiting for Sebastian.

  “Your brain is racing again.” His thumb caressed my cheekbone. “Were you waiting for me to respond, because it felt like you needed a minute with yourself.” He bit his bottom lip. “That sounded far dirtier than I meant it to.”

  “I like it when you sound dirty.” No. I liked him all the time.

  No, that wasn’t it.

  It was more…so much more.

  “I lied,” I confessed.

  “About the house?” His head tilted slightly to the left the way it did when he was trying not to let Graham know he hadn’t quite understood all of his words and he was trying his best to piece the meaning out of the clearer bits.

  “No, about liking you when you sound dirty. Truth is I love you all the time.” And I laid it out there. I loved Sebastian. Not because he took care of us or because he was patient with me as I figured things out or because he was hot as sin. No, I loved him because of all he was.

  His lips brushed mine as he mumbled his love for me against them. Words turned to kissing turned into our third knotting, and, as we lay there, joined together, drifting off into slumber, I couldn’t be happier. There were still things to discuss…so many things, our conversation cut short due to our inability to resist one another, but the important things were settled. I loved Sebastian. Sebastian loved me. He was going to be working at the local hospital and not in Australia, which, rationally I knew had never been on the table, but still…he was staying. Everything else could wait.