When Clarisse and Mac returned from one boat trip, Sully had returned home before them and already picked up Bart. When she walked into the living room, she stopped. “What’s that?”
Sully sat on the sofa and watched TV. Bart lay in his lap while chewing on the butt plug. It had become his favorite toy. Sully looked at where she pointed. “It’s a doggy ramp. So he can get up on the couch by himself. I got one for our bed, too.”
Clarisse hugged him. “Thank you, Master!”
Sully scratched the dog’s head. “I saw them in the pet store today when I was getting him more food and I thought we could use them.”
Mac laughed. “See, pet? I told you he’d be okay with Bart.”
She couldn’t pull her gaze away from Sully’s grey eyes. “I love you so much.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “I love you, too.” He spanked her, once. “Why aren’t you naked?”
“Uh-oh,” Mac said from the bedroom doorway. He’d already stripped off his shirt. “I think you’re in trouble.”
She smiled. When she tried to stand, he pulled her back. “Missed you guys.”
“Missed you too, Master.”
He released her and did a mental countdown. One more week.
While she had talked to him several times for clarification about some of their terms, she’d expressed no desire to end or modify their relationship, except she constantly hinted at wishing the three months were up already.
Sully kissed Mac and Clarisse good-bye the next morning. “I need to run some errands,” he cryptically said. Mac had enough sense not to question him. Clarisse looked curious, but reined it in. He suspected she’d ask Mac for information as soon as he walked out the door.
In the Jag, Sully drove to a jeweler’s in Tarpon Springs before heading to Tad’s. He located Tad in a common room, arguing over a poker hand with a fellow resident.
When Tad spotted Sully, he raised his hand in greeting. “Probably a good thing you’re here. I’m about ready to break out the shootin’ irons on this varmint.”
“Fuck you, Moore,” the other elderly gent said.
Sully didn’t bother hiding his smile.
“Yeah, bet you’d like to fuck me more, Mickey.” He grabbed his crotch. “Go read your goddamned rule book and get back to me when you feel like playing honest.” He led Sully to his room.
“I thought you and Mickey were friends.”
Tad grinned. “Oh, we are. Same old bullshit every time. What’s up?” His face clouded. “Is Risse okay?”
“She’s fine.” Sully fought a bout of nerves. This plan seemed like a good and noble idea at the time, but now he wasn’t so sure. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Tad lowered himself to his sofa with a grunt. “Sure. What?”
Sully reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring box before he sat. He opened it and showed it to Tad.”
Tad smiled. “I love you, boy, but I’m not marryin’ you. Don’t think Mac would agree. Besides, you’re not my type and you’re too damn young for me.”
Sully laughed, then grew serious again. “I wanted to ask your permission to marry Clarisse.”
Tad stared at him for a long moment. “Risse?”
“Yes, sir.”
The older man blew out a long, haggard breath. “What happened with you and Mac?”
Sully reddened. Now for the hard part. “Well, see, that’s the thing.
We both love her.”
“Only one of you can marry her.”
Sully nodded.
Tad stared at the ring. “Mac’s okay with this?”
“It was his idea.”
“Well, fuck me. No shit?”
“No shit.”
“But do you love her?”
“As much as I love Mac. We both love her. I promise we’ll take good care of her.”
“I have no doubt you will.” Tad’s face broke into a lopsided grin.
“So she gets a two-fer-one deal?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“She’s been kinda quiet on that topic lately. I was wondering what was going on.” He looked at the emerald and diamond ring. “It’s beautiful. Looks expensive.”
Sully closed the box and returned it to his pocket. “Yes.”
Tad smiled and stood. “Wait here.” He tottered into his bedroom and returned a moment later holding something. He handed it to Sully before he sat again. It was a beautiful engagement ring, rubies and diamonds in an antique setting. “That was my Karen’s ring,” he softly said. “I saved a long time to afford it.”
He held up his left hand, where he wore a wedding band on his left ring finger, and a more delicate mate to it on his pinky. “I’ll wear these until the day I die. Then Risse can have them and do what she wants with them. But I’d be honored if you’d give that one to her. I know Karen would have loved it.”
Sully slipped it into the ring box with the other for safe keeping.
“I’m the one who’s honored.” He smiled. “So does that mean you’re okay with this?”
“Hell yeah, I’m okay with it. Means she won’t be gallavantin’ all over the place and end up with some abusive jerk.” He grinned.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be asking to move in and cramp y’all’s style.”
The only problem Sully had with accepting the ring was that he’d promised Mac he could pick out his own ring for Clarisse. Now he had one ring too many. Clarisse was at the vet with Bart when Sully returned.
Mac immediately crossed his arms, his face dark. “What’s wrong?”
Sully showed him the ring box and explained. “I need to take the one back I picked out and get a refund or a credit toward the one you want to get her.”
Mac fingered the rings. “What’s wrong with this one? It’s beautiful.”
Sully took the box back. “Because I want you to pick a ring out for her.”
He pointed at the box. “I like that one.”
“Brant, I mean you need to go to the store and pick one out you want her to wear.”
He stepped forward. “Can we drop formal for a minute?”
Sully nodded.
Mac grabbed Sully’s hand and opened the ring box again. “Sul, I like the ring you picked out for her. It’s something I would have picked out. I’ll pick out my wedding band for her. I think she should wear Karen’s ring. It’s gorgeous.”
Sully studied him. “You’re not upset?”
Mac smiled. “No, I’m not upset, dude.”
“How about I let you pick out my wedding band for her to make up for it?”
“Jesus, Sul, quit worrying about it.”
“Okay, then at least go with me and give me your input. I’d feel better about it.”
Mac snorted. “You’re really worried about this, aren’t you?”
“Dammit, I want to be fair!”
Mac pulled Sully to him and kissed him, hard. “You are fair. Be honest. You’d whip my ass if I danced around an issue like this.”
He sighed and took a moment to compose his thoughts. “I don’t want you to hate me in a few years for being married to her and you aren’t.”
Mac rolled his eyes. “Fuck. Me.” He poked Sully in the chest.
“You, Master.” He pointed at himself. “Me, slave. Duh.”
“It’s not funny.”
“No, it’s not fucking funny. Jesus, Sul, grow a set for crying out loud!”
“How can you be so okay with this?”
Mac’s expression softened as he seemingly grasped the crux of Sully’s unease. “Because,” he said, his tone gentle, “you’re my Master, and I’m your slave. If you’ll recall, that’s the way I wanted it.
It’s still the way I want it. It’s the way I’ll always want it.”
“I couldn’t be as generous about this as you are.”