Master By Choice

by M. A. Innes

  Jackson chuckled but let his hand slide along Cooper’s side to rub his belly. Skipping over his dick, Jackson caressed Cooper’s balls before reaching through his legs to nudge the plug. Somehow, watching his hand going through Cooper’s legs like that was even hotter.

  Cooper moaned at the pleasure that seemed to course through him. Jackson chuckled again before reaching down to grab the ball. Throwing it across the room, he gave Cooper a smile. “Go fetch, pup.”

  Jackson’s hand came down to rub my head as Cooper ran over to the ball, only to get distracted by the tunnel again. Smiling, I closed my eyes and soaked up the warmth of Jackson’s touch and the sound of Cooper playing.

  When Cooper finally remembered to bring the ball back, I felt Jackson move. I knew Cooper was getting more teasing caresses from the way he whined and the little needy bark that escaped.

  “Some pups can come just by wagging their tail, even when they’re locked away like you are. We’ll have to see if we can teach you. Would you like that? Would you like to feel how good it is to have all that pleasure rush through you when your dick is still locked away?” Jackson didn’t seem to need an answer, even though Cooper’s bark was clearly an agreement. “I think you would.”

  I heard the sound of the ball thudding across the room, and Jackson’s hand came back down to start rubbing long strokes down my back. The warmth of his body and the softness of the bed had me relaxing even further. As I finally started to drift off, I heard Jackson speaking quietly. “My pretty pup.”

  I had a feeling he wasn’t talking about Cooper—and for the first time, there was no fear and no worry when I thought of showing him the quiet part of myself that I kept hidden away. Master thought I was perfect just the way I was.

  Chapter 9

  Jackson

  Throwing myself onto the couch, I looked at my phone and gave myself a mental pep talk. I wasn’t exactly nervous, but it was a big deal, and I felt the weight pressing down on me. Swiping my finger across the screen, I quickly brought my mother’s number up and let the call connect.

  When she finally picked up, I could hear the smile in her voice. “Jackson, I thought I was going to get a call from you.”

  The not-so-subtle guilt trip hit its mark. “Sorry, it’s been a little busy the past couple of days.”

  Try a busy couple of weeks.

  Between work and the time I was spending with my boys, calling friends and even family had been bumped down the to-do list. Which was probably why Melissa didn’t even bother calling and just showed up randomly.

  “Melissa said you’d been busy. How is work going?” Her voice was even and nothing about it said she knew more than I’d already told her. I was glad Melissa had kept her mouth shut.

  “It’s going great. Classes are full, and everything’s going very well.” And now to the real reason I called. No point in putting it off because then it would sound like I was ashamed of them. “Do you remember when I told you that I had a date a few weeks ago?”

  She paused for a moment. “Yes, someone you met online, correct?”

  “Yes.” She’d learned to give us some space as we’d gotten older and had started answering her questions honestly, so it wasn’t that surprising when she didn’t press for details immediately. “Well, I’ve been seeing them for a while, and I’d like to bring them over on Sunday for dinner.”

  She was quiet for several long seconds, so long it was starting to make me nervous. “Them? That’s another pronoun for—what did they call it the other day on the radio? Gender something or non-something…before you bring them over, your father and I need more information, sweetie. I don’t think I know how to use ‘them’ in place of he or she without offending someone. Can I say ‘someone,’ or is that wrong? I don’t remember.”

  My head fell back against the couch. “Thanks for being so open-minded, but, um, no, it’s actually two guys that I’m seeing…them…the two of them.”

  “Oh.” The long pauses were going to get on my nerves.

  Finally, she started talking again. “Is bringing them both over at the same time a good idea? I know that dating around is common. Lydia down the street said her daughter is seeing a man and a woman, right now. We would love to meet the men you’re dating, but I don’t want drama—”

  “I’m not dating two guys at the same time.” So that wasn’t exactly right. “Well, I am but not like that. They’re already a couple, and we’re all dating together.”

  “Ohhh.” Another long pause had me fidgeting and reaching for the remote. Turning on the TV and muting it, I started flicking channels. When she found her words, I kind of wished she’d kept them to herself. “It’s like the sixties all over again.”

  “Mother.”

  She laughed. “You’re such a prude.”

  “I’m private.”

  “If that’s what they’re calling it these days, that’s fine.” She chuckled again. “Now, tell me about your gentlemen friends.”

  “They’re great. Sawyer works for a landscaping developer and helps put together the plans for large corporate jobs, and Cooper is a barista, but he’s going back to school because he’s up for a managerial position and might be running his own store soon.” Trying to think of what else wouldn’t be oversharing, I kept going. “Cooper is funny and outgoing. Sawyer is definitely quieter and more laid-back.”

  “They sound very nice. Going back to school can be hard. Is Cooper changing careers? One of those boys down the street that you used to hang out with in high school recently did that. His mother was saying he started out with an English degree, but now he’s going back to school to be an accountant. It’s been tough. He’s been complaining that the age difference between him and his classmates is significant. She thinks he should switch to a strictly online program, but—”

  Knowing her tendency to keep going, and not seeing an end in sight, I jumped in. “Cooper isn’t that much older than everyone else in the program.”

  And three…two…one…

  “How much younger than you is he, Jackson?”

  Me dating two guys or the non-binary individual she was picturing was fine, but me dating a younger man was scandalous, evidently. “Lots.”

  “Jackson.” I could almost hear her shaking her head.

  “They don’t mind the age difference, and it doesn’t feel that significant most of the time.” So, maybe I was lying, but I wasn’t going to explain that they liked having a master who was older.

  That could jump from oversharing to just plain weird.

  “Did you find them on one of those sex apps? Jackson, I—”

  Laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch, it took me a minute to be able to respond, but at least it stopped the crazy train she was on. “No, I didn’t find them on some kind of hook-up app. They’re nice guys and looking for something serious. I promise. You’re going to love them.”

  And it was time to play the ace in the hole. “Their own families basically disowned them a few years ago when they came out. They’re nervous about meeting you guys.”

  She switched from worried I’d been stalking twinks on sex apps to overprotective mother hen mode in seconds. “Oh, Jackson, that’s terrible.”

  “They didn’t really believe me when I said you weren’t going to care that there are two of them. They’re prepared for the worst.” The fact that I didn’t even have to stretch the truth to get her sympathy said just how terrible their parents had been.

  “Of course I don’t mind. Your father won’t either. You would have had to bring home more than two nice young men to get his attention these days.” And someone was still a little bitter over his new hobbies. “Maybe if one was a girl and a stripper.”

  “Mother!”

  “Well, he’s been in that workshop of his for a solid week, trying to figure out how to do something with the joints on those stupid birdhouses. Last month was the little stools that are all slightly lopsided. He’s driving me crazy. Do you need a stool? I still have four.”
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  “No.” She was not going to do that to me. I’d managed to avoid those so far, and I wasn’t going to get stuck with any of them.

  She sighed. “Goodwill told me I couldn’t donate the other ones. I think they’re still mad about the bookshelves.”

  Deciding that changing topics was probably a good idea, I brought the conversation back around to Sunday. “I don’t know what you’ve planned, but the guys want to learn to grill, and I said that I’d see if you were good with us doing steaks or something like that?”

  “Of course, that’s fine. But they’ve never grilled?” Considering it was the only way my father could cook food without burning it, I could understand her surprise.

  “Nope, they barely boil water.” So I was slightly exaggerating on that one—but not by much.

  “Those poor dears.”

  They were going to be mothered to death.

  Before she could get back around to the furniture or whatever else he was doing that made her nuts, I decided to retreat. “I’ve got to get some paperwork done, but I’ll call you back later in the week to iron out the time. Love you.”

  “Love you too, and I can’t wait to meet your young men.” My parents were insane, but I knew how good I had it, so I wasn’t going to complain.

  At least, not too much.

  Getting off the phone before she could change her mind about letting me escape, I hung up and set it down on the table. It was just after seven—so not late enough for bed. But I felt unsettled and wasn’t sure what else I wanted to do, besides the mountain of paperwork that was piling up.

  Part of the problem was the silence after having Sawyer and Cooper over most of the weekend. They were anything but quiet. I loved it. Cooper’s mild chaos and Sawyer’s steady presence—well, until Cooper got him riled up—were perfect. They were so funny.

  But it made my time away from them feel much more…alone.

  At the rate that Cooper texted, I shouldn’t be lonely, but it wasn’t the same. The chime of my phone had me smiling. “Speak of the devil.”

  Standing up, I reached for the phone and headed for the kitchen. Opening the text message, I barked out a laugh. “How did he talk you into that, Sawyer?”

  Some kind of bribe—or more than likely, something that he’d need to be punished for.

  And knowing Cooper, he’d already thought about that. Something about being restrained and denied made his need and energy just go right into overdrive. Smiling at the picture, I couldn’t take my eyes off it. It was cute and sexy as hell. My cock was already achingly hard from just picturing my two boys.

  I still wasn’t sure how Cooper had talked him into it, but there, standing side-by-side, were my boys, pants down to their thighs while they took a bathroom mirror selfie of their trapped cocks. Texting him as I walked into the kitchen, I grinned as I responded.

  My boys look so sexy, but you’d better not be trying to play with yourselves. I know you remember the rules.

  Setting the phone on the counter, I started digging around in the fridge. I found some leftover chicken and went about making a stir-fry to go with it. Before long, I heard my phone go off. Too curious to wait, I walked over to see what my handful was up to now.

  We’re being good Master…and we have our cages on, so we can’t play with our dicks…but kissing is allowed…right?

  A string of cute and dirty emojis followed, and I could only attempt to guess what he meant. From the little wiggly butt that was shaking on my screen, though, Cooper didn’t mean kissing on the mouth.

  Before I could even think of what to say, my phone chimed again, that time from Sawyer. It was short and to the point.

  He’s making me crazy.

  There were no cute little characters from Sawyer, but I could guess right away what Cooper was up to. Texting Sawyer back first, all I could do was shake my head at Cooper’s antics.

  Is he trying to figure out a way to come or a way to get punished and hoping I’ll let him come after?

  Switching screens, I went back to Cooper.

  If you make Sawyer crazy, I’m going to let him orgasm first.

  Cooper responded in seconds.

  That’s mean…I’ve been so good…is he going to get to come when you go on your date?? I’ve been so good…can we have kisses?

  More dirty emojis filled the screen after his actual words, and I knew I was going to have to look up the meaning to some of them.

  Sawyer’s text came in before I could begin deciphering Cooper’s hieroglyphics.

  Both. Anything. He’s horny and bored. And he started picking out classes at his school today, so it’s making him antsy.

  Ah, that made sense.

  How about you have him get into his gear, and his pup can play ball for a while?

  Rewarding Cooper when he was deliberately driving Sawyer nuts wasn’t a good idea, but a distraction was clearly in order. Switching back, slightly frustrated to have to keep going to different screens, I texted Cooper.

  I’m not sure you’ve been good enough for kisses. Especially the naughty kind you’re hinting at.

  More like begging for, but that wasn’t the point.

  There was nothing back from Sawyer yet, which was slightly concerning, but Cooper responded right away.

  He’s a tattletale.

  Laughing, I finally saw the message from Sawyer come in. Going back to his screen and reading his message, I was starting to wish he used more of the funny little pictures, so I could have guessed what he was feeling.

  I offered, but he thought it would be weird without you with him.

  Not willing to guess how he’d taken that, I texted back.

  How did that make you feel? I don’t want to come between the time you spend together.

  Reminding myself that communication was key and not to feel bad about things changing between them…because change wasn’t always bad, I waited to see what he would say. When his text came back after a long silence, I was relieved.

  I understood it. It’s different now that you play with him, and I get to curl up with you. I don’t mind. You make everything better with us. You don’t come between us.

  It was a long text for Sawyer, and I wished he was with me, so I could pull him into a hug. Texting back, I decided to try one of Cooper’s ridiculous emojis. Sending an odd, smiling little creature who seemed to be hugging an imaginary person, I hoped Sawyer got the message.

  I like it when you curl up with me. You both have made my life much richer, and I have to admit, when you’re not here, I miss you.

  Going back to Cooper, I’d finally figured out what to tell him.

  How about you talk Sawyer into having pup time? I’m sure he’d like to cuddle with you.

  Cooper’s response popped up immediately.

  That’s a great idea!

  None of the little icons made sense that time, so I ignored them. When the quiet from both boys stretched out into several minutes, I went back to finish dinner. It was a bit maddening not knowing what was going on, but I wasn’t going to let myself stalk them.

  Because I didn’t have to.

  When they finished talking, Cooper would let me know exactly what had happened. I wasn’t sure if the constant chatter was his way of keeping me involved or just part of his personality, but I was rapidly becoming addicted to knowing what was going on in their life away from me.

  By the time the stir-fry was done, which wasn’t really that long, I heard my phone go off. Taking my phone and my plate to the table, I swiped the screen and warmth filled me as I saw what Cooper had sent.

  It was a picture.

  Sexy but not just another random dick pic, Cooper had taken a very awkward photo of Sawyer. He was curled up in his puppy gear, head resting on Cooper’s lap with his face pointed away from the camera. I got a beautiful shot of Sawyer’s back and then down to his legs that were curled up under him with his little tail sticking out. It must have been hard for Cooper to get the shot, but it was worth it.

 
Sawyer was beautiful.

  When I pulled myself away from the picture and actually started to read the message, I was even more touched.

  Sawyer said I could send the picture…just not his face…isn’t he such a cute pup…so cuddly…he was a little embarrassed about showing you but he didn’t tell me no when I got the phone out…isn’t he so cute…I can’t wait until you see him in person as a pup…haha that was funny…

  Sawyer had let him send the picture.

  I knew how hard that would have been for him. But just like when he’d dragged the puppy bed over to curl up on, I knew it was his way of showing me he was trying to open up, and that he was getting there.

  I kept telling him there was no rush, and I meant it. But I couldn’t wait for the moment when he finally showed me, because I knew that was when he would be all in. No more holding back and no more second-guessing what we were doing.

  Responding, my eyes kept going to the picture.

  Tell my pup that Master said he’s beautiful.

  Even if he wasn’t quite ready yet, they were both my perfect, funny, sweet pups.

  Chapter 10

  Cooper

  I still hadn’t decided if it was a good idea or not. Jackson hadn’t said no and hadn’t even really been worried, aside from pointing out that she was bossy and nosy, so there was probably nothing wrong. It was just weird.

  I was having lunch with Melissa.

  Sawyer hadn’t been able to think up a rational reason not to go—well, for me not to go. He’d flat-out refused. He’d admitted that she seemed sincere when she’d explained she wanted to get to know us, but then he’d also said that it probably meant giving me the third degree in questions.

  I wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing, though.

  Sure, there would be some stuff that I wouldn’t talk about. Topics that Sawyer would lose his marbles over, and things that Jackson probably didn’t want his sister to hear about. But she’d researched pups and knew people like us…or at least knew other people in slightly unconventional relationships. So I guess that made me curious too. I wanted to know more about what she knew and what she thought of us.