Page 6 of Hitting the Jackpot (Las Vegas Littles #4)

Lake pressed his lips together. Jimmy was new to the area after having moved there after dating his partner online for over a year. Jimmy had recently become obsessed with Area 51 and all things aliens. Much to his Master’s dismay.

“I wasn’t abducted, and I promise Johnathon isn’t working with the aliens,” Lake said.

“Hmm.” Jimmy eyed Johnathon. “I’ll be watching you just in case. You might not even know that you’re working for them.”

“Boy,” Master Ken growled. “What did I tell you about accusing other people about working for the aliens?”

“Sorry!” Jimmy didn’t stop looking at Johnathon with suspicion though.

“Here you go, sir.” Johnathon handed the cards back to Master Ken. “Have a great night.”

“We will. Thank you both.” Master Ken guided his boy into the club.

Johnathon turned to Lake with a scowl. “How come I couldn’t have been abducted and you be working for the aliens?”

Lake shrugged. “Maybe I don’t have the ‘I work for aliens’ look?” he offered.

Johnathon gasped. “I look like I could?”

“Uh, no?”

“I don’t believe you! You think I could be working for aliens,” Johnathon accused.

“No,” Lake drawled. He got drawn into the weirdest conversations at work. It was great! But he just knew this was going to be a conversation for the entire night now. “It’s just out of the two of us, if someone was working for the aliens, it wouldn’t be me.”

One of the other security guards walked by on the other side of the glass door.

“Hey, Larry!” Johnathon called. “I got a question for you!”

Lake was grinning as he turned to place Zeb in his favorite spot by the monitor. The screen showed both ends of the hallway that led to the club so Lake could keep an eye out for trouble coming or going.

He spotted the small plastic pink brush with a sticky note and wanted to dance.

The sticky note said For Zeb and Lake knew it was from Jesse. Every shift there had been something for Zeb. A new bow, a headband, and now a brush.

How great was it that Jesse was spoiling Zeb just the way that made Lake all gooey on the inside.

A lot of men, especially older men, who were part of the club thought that littles were cute but didn’t really understand the meaning behind regressing.

True, it was different for every person who found themselves identifying as little, middle, or engaged with any kind of age regression.

For Lake it was the release from having to be perfect all the time.

When Lake was little, he could be silly, quiet, and didn’t have to make any of the hard decisions. He didn’t have to justify how he felt inside or meet anyone’s expectations. It was a break from real life.

Even some of the Daddies that Lake meant supported their little partners but didn’t engage outside of taking care of their partner.

Luckily Remi, Eric, and Dane had shown Lake that there were men who would get on the floor and play with them.

Lake was beyond thrilled that Jesse appeared to be more like their friends. Jesse was totally embracing Zeb as the pretty princess he was!

“Look at your brush!” Lake said, showing Zeb.

Zeb liked the brush.

Lake set the brush down beside Zeb as he spotted another couple heading down the hall toward him.

The club was located in a section of the casino that could only be accessed with a code. It kept the space around them safe. The setup was well thought out and Lake appreciated that Jesse had taken extra steps to make sure they were all comfortable.

* * * * *

Jesse

He checked his phone for the third time in as many minutes. Dinner should be delivered at any moment and Lake wouldn’t be too far behind. Looking around his office, Jesse wondered what Lake would think about the space where Jesse spent most of his time.

Having his office located on one of the top floors of his casino just made sense logistically. Jesse didn’t want to spend hours in a car trying to get around town when traffic this close to the Las Vegas strip was always hectic.

Jesse lived in the top floor penthouse, had his office a few floors below that, and even ate most of his meals from one of the many restaurants they housed. He walked over to his desk where the plans for the newest restaurant lay.

His casino already hosted the highest-rated steak house, Italian restaurant, bistro, and coffee house. What had been missing? A special place for people who wanted a fresher and healthier option. A vegan restaurant that would be perfect for Lake.

Was he opening a restaurant all because of one man? Yes, yes, he was. However, Lake’s preferences had just shown Jesse there was a lack of options in town. That was just smart business, and Jesse was a fucking genius at business.

He jumped then hurried for the door when he heard the knock.

Jesse swung open the door and smiled at the young lady bringing up dinner. “Thank you, Christy.”

“My pleasure, sir.” Christy pushed the cart inside. “Would you like me to set this up at your desk or on the table?”

“I can do it.” Jesse wanted everything perfect for Lake. It was technically their first date after all.

“Are you sure, sir? I don’t mind,” Christy replied.

“I appreciate it, but I’ve got it from here.” He passed her a hefty tip before walking her to the door.

“Thanks!” Christy strode away and Jesse turned back to the cart.

He’d already placed a peach tablecloth over the small table in the corner that he hardly used.

Most of the time Jesse ate sitting at his desk while working.

Bad habit, yes, but Jesse was determined to turn his life around.

After some serious conversations with his friends and brother, Jesse was ready to make the changes necessary for getting what he wanted most out of life. A partner to share everything with.

Jesse had been paying close attention to Lake for months now.

He loved seeing Lake in the lacy peach bodysuit that he’d worn a few times. The soft color stood out against Lake’s dark tanned skin. The softness also fit Lake’s kind nature. Jesse wanted to cradle Lake in his arms and make sure no one ever hurt him again.

And Lake had been hurt.

Jesse was around their mutual friend group enough to hear some whispered conversations about Lake’s family. Jesse never pushed for more information although it killed him not to. Jesse hoped that someday Lake would trust him enough to share his story.

In the meantime, Jesse would show Lake that he was serious about the two of him.

It had been eye-opening when Jesse had been called out by his friends and brother.

Jesse complained about being alone but no one in his support group had given him the sympathy that Jesse had thought he deserved.

Instead, Jesse was forced to face the fact that he was the one to blame.

Or that his need for more was the culprit.

Jesse hadn’t liked that revelation and even taken off a few weeks to spend with his brother, who Jesse had expected to understand. Jacob had agreed with his friends. There had been some hard talking between him and his twin, but Jacob had never been scared to tell Jesse the truth.

Returning home, Jesse had vowed to change.

He thought it would be easier.

His businesses were important, but they couldn’t be the most important thing in his life any longer. Not if Jesse wanted the boy that had caught his attention so long ago.

Jacob had been right about one thing. Jesse was very lucky that Lake hadn’t found someone else in the time that Jesse had been an idiot. Jesse couldn’t take the chance of losing Lake before he even got to really know him.

Jesse wasn’t blowing this chance!

He hurried over to the table and pushed in three chairs. On one chair he set a booster seat. Huh, not high enough. Pillow! He had a couple pillows in the closet from when he slept in his office on the couch. Jesse piled the pillows on the booster seat. Perfect.

Next, he added two long-stem candles. Then added the vase of a dozen pink roses in front of the chair for Lake. Once that was done, Jesse opened the curtains to the large floor-to-ceiling windows to show the gorgeous nighttime view of the strip.

Now all of that was set up, Jesse turned toward the food cart. Silver domes covered the three plates. Three glasses of ice water and a bowl of lemons. Jesse grabbed those first and put them in place.

His phone beeped. His guest was on the way from the elevator.

He carefully moved the plates where they belonged.

Three places for the three plates.

Jesse turned at the light knock on the open door. “Hi.”

Lake shifted nervously as he hovered in the doorway. Zeb was clutched to Lake’s chest. “Hi.”

“I have dinner ready for us,” Jesse said, motioning Lake forward.

Lake shuffled inside the office slowly.

Wanting Lake to be comfortable with him, Jesse left the door open. Jesse would know if anyone exited the elevator.

“Here.” Jesse held his hand out for Zeb. “I have a place for our beautiful boy.”

Lake beamed as he passed Zeb over.

Jesse placed Zeb into the pillow-covered booster seat before turning back toward Lake. Jesse pulled out the chair. “And for the other pretty baby.”

Lake blushed just like Jesse knew he would.

“Come on,” Jesse encouraged. “We don’t want the food to get cold.”

“Okay.” Lake sat and Jesse pushed the chair in.

Jesse sat across from Lake. He lifted Lake’s dome first. “Avocado and veggie grain bowl with cilantro sauce. It’s from the best vegan restaurant in town. Something light and yummy.”

Lake’s eyes were huge. “It smells so good!”

“And for our pretty boy, some lettuce.” Jesse lifted the dome off Zeb’s plate.

Lake clapped and cheered.

“And finally, mine. I ordered a creamy broccoli and tomato plant-based pasta. Completely vegan in case you’d like a bite,” Jesse told him.

“Oh! You didn’t have to order—”

“Sweet baby,” Jesse said. “It’s a pleasure to order something we can share.”

Lake dropped his gaze then looked up. “You called me baby.”

Jesse swallowed hard. “I did.”

“I liked it,” Lake said softly.

“I like saying it,” Jesse confessed.

“You don’t mind sharing food?” Lake asked.

“I’d love to share food with you,” Jesse replied. “For many more meals.”

“Okay,” Lake said. “For many more meals. Tomorrow too, right?”

“Yes, tomorrow too.” Jesse picked up the cloth napkin rolled around the silverware. “Now you need to eat. I don’t want you stressing out about getting back to work.”

“Yeah.” Lake picked up his own silverware.

“While we eat, you can tell me who’s working for the aliens and who’s in danger of being abducted.”

Lake groaned.

“I would be working with the aliens, wouldn’t I?” Jesse asked.

Lake nodded. “You would. Sorry?”

Jesse shrugged. “I guess it makes sense.”

“That’s all anyone is talking about.” Lake took a bite, and his entire face lit up. “This is so good!”

“I’m glad you like it,” Jesse said, pleased.

“But we’ve separated most of the club into two groups. The alien abductions and those that must be watched.”

“At least Dom’s not there. He would be having a field day with this.”

Lake giggled. “The group chat is already going wild. I have no idea who told him but when I grabbed my phone before heading up here, he stated he was making a spreadsheet.”

This time it was Jesse who groaned.

“Dom included the entire coffee shop, security team, and some of the dealers.”

It shouldn’t amuse him as much as it did. The entire conversation was ridiculous, and Jesse was enjoying every minute of it. If he learned anything from spending time with Jesse and their friend group, it was that they needed more ridiculous in their lives.

“Well, if I’m working for the aliens, then I insist that Remi, Eric, and Dane also get judged.”

Lake nodded. “Remi and Dane are with you. Eric’s one of us.”

“One of you,” Jesse scoffed.

“Me, Ezra, and Brandon.” Lake smirked. “You get Dom.”

“No!” Jesse said, horrified. “I refuse!”

Lake shook his head. “We took a vote.”

“No! Make another category,” Jesse demanded.

“What category?” Lake asked. He was trying to hide his grin. Lake wasn’t doing a good job of it, but he was trying.

“The…the…” Jesse snapped his fingers. “The ones the aliens return!”

Lake laughed so hard he shook the table as he held onto it.

Jesse felt like he was the richest man in the world, and it had nothing to do with the amount of money he had. Seeing Lake’s entire face light up in glee was worth every doubt that Jesse pushed down.