Page 134 of B is for Beg

“You’re right. That would be too much to wear to the collaring ceremony next weekend,” I say. “Everyone would mistake you for the lucky sub. But you should wear it to the next party after that.”

“I will, Daddy.”

Cal sits on the bed beside Blake and strokes our boy’s bare thigh. “What are your thoughts on doing something like that?” he asks, looking between us.

“A collaring ceremony?” I ask as I join them on the bed.

Cal nods.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” I admit. I tilt my head. “It might be right for you and Blake, but as a Daddy, I’m not sure I like the notion of collaring my boy.”

“I wouldn’t want to do anything that doesn’t make us all happy,” Blake says.

“Nor would I,” Cal says. “I wanted to put the concept of doing something to mark our commitment out there.”

“More than moving in together?” I ask.

“Yes. Is it too soon to talk of more? It might be the right time for Hamish and Archie, but that doesn’t mean it is for us.”

I put a hand over each of theirs. “I love you both. I can’t see myself wanting to be with anyone else but the two of you, now or in the future. Do we need to do anything to prove that?”

Cal shrugs. “I guess not.”

“But you’d like to?”

“Yes, I would.”

“We’ve already agreed we wouldn’t want to get married, even if we could,” Cal says. “But long term, we should look into financial security for one another. I’m not even sure if the state would recognise people in a poly relationship as common-law partners.”

“We can look into that,” I say. “An accountant or a lawyer would probably be able to help. We can provide for each other in our wills whatever happens.”

“I know I’m changing the subject, but would Lexi be able to stay over at some point?” Blake asks.

He probably doesn’t want to think about any of us dying someday. Nor do I, really, so I’m glad of the opportunity to talk about happier things.

“Of course, baby boy.”

“We might want to lock our toys away when she does,” Cal says.

“Definitely. We wouldn’t want her asking awkward questions.” I look into Blake’s eyes. “You and Lexi are close, and I know you’re going to miss not living with her.”

“Tons,” he agrees in a watery voice.

Cal plays with the bow on the front of Blake’s corset. “So marriage is out, and so is a collaring ceremony… what would work for us?”

We lapse into silence, which I assume means we’re all thinking hard. The trouble is, I can’t think of anything that feels just right.

Blake gnaws on his lip, his head tilted as he looks at each of us in turn. His stare is intense as though he’ll find the perfect answer just by looking at us.

“Did it hurt?” he asks eventually, trailing his fingers over the bottom edge of Cal’s tattoo. It’s all that’s visible right now.

“A bit. There are more painful places to get a tattoo.”

“Is that what you’re thinking, baby boy?” I ask. “Matching tattoos?”

Blake nods slowly. “Maybe? I’ve seen plenty of models with tattoos. They can be covered up with make-up or airbrushed out afterwards if the company we’re posing for doesn’t want them in the shot.”

“Tattoos are permanent,” Cal warns. “Theycanbe covered up, and there is laser removal treatment, but realistically, once you’ve got one, you’re stuck with it.”