Page 21 of Puppy Pride (Pride Camp 2025)

Chapter Twenty

Demetrius

I ordered my cock to stand down as I cleaned the dishes and put away the leftovers.

At my insistence, Jai was in the bedroom preparing himself.

Although I found it challenging for me to be hands off, I left the interpretation of that verb to him.

“I’m ready, Big D.” His voice came in sharp, excited yips.

I dried my hands on a tea towel, after having washed them, and sauntered into the bedroom. I’d removed my shoes earlier, but was still fully dressed. I didn’t know where tonight was going to lead—

Apparently to some interesting places.

Jai was on all fours on the bed.

Naked.

He’d pulled back the comforter, so he was just on the top sheet. And apparently he’d dug through my bag, because all the contents were laid out before him on the mattress.

I put my hands on my hips. “You know, I had plans. ”

He grinned up at me mischievously. “Puppy likes to explore.”

“Puppy likes to get into trouble.” He’d always been a scamp.

He shrugged. “That’s why you brought me home.” His dark-brown eyes shone.

From this angle, I couldn’t see all of him, but I didn’t mind. We had all the time in the world.

Or, well, about fifteen hours.

Realtor waiting to see me in the morning and all that.

I grasped the first object. “Does pup want a collar?”

He nodded.

“This is just a training collar.” Because I didn’t want him to think that me putting this around his neck meant he was committing to something more serious.

“I know.” He batted his eyes. “I want Daddy to train me.”

His words stilled me. Before, he’d called me Big D. To make the switch meant something…or at least it did to me.

I cocked my head.

He held my gaze.

Okay. He’s well aware of what he’s saying and what the ramifications are.

I placed the yellow sparkly collar around his neck and secured it. “My beautiful Buttercup.”

He ducked his head in evident shyness. At times, in the past, he’d been brash and playful. Other times, he’d been reflective and soulful. Him having to shove those memories away after Gary—shoving me away—hurt my heart. I wanted to give him everything.

This was our second chance.

I grasped the paws.

He extended his hands to let me put them on. As I did, his grin increased .

Seeing him incandescent with happiness lit something within me. So I grasped the floppy ears.

He ducked his head so I could attach them. His nose twitched. “Woof!”

“Yes, pup, you look beautiful.” I sat on the edge of the bed. I fingered the bag of treats. “These are still your favorites?”

Enthusiastic nodding that nearly dislodged the ears.

I chuckled as I righted them. “And I remember you had a preference for squeaky toys over balls—although sometimes I could convince you to play with both.”

He blinked several times.

“I remember, Buttercup. I remember everything about you. I treasured every moment I had with you.” I missed the simplicity of our time at the club.

I knew how to make pups feel good and safe.

I didn’t feel nearly as confident in dealing with the complexity of teenagers.

In essence, I’d suppressed my Daddy tendencies when I’d become a real father.

Pups had taken a back seat to skinned knees, rollerblades, and grieving over losing Erlene.

Now, I had a chance to recapture what I was missing.

I snagged a squeaky toy and squeezed.

His eyes lit.

“Why don’t you play for a bit?”

More enthusiastic head bobbing.

I held the toy out.

He snagged it between his teeth.

“Would you mind if I sit on the bed and watch you play?”

He shook his head.

I propped a pillow against the headboard, sat, and stretched my long legs out before me.

After a moment, he squeezed his toy between his teeth .

It squeaked.

He vibrated with excitement. Then he continued chomping on it and shaking his head as if to dislodge it.

Slowly, I petted his hair.

His luminous eyes stared up at me.

“Do you want scritches? You were playing, and I don’t want to interrupt, but I thought you might want cuddles—”

He launched himself into my lap.

I oofed as he landed on me. Then he laid his head against my chest.

Without needing any further encouragement, I ran my hand through his hair, using my nails on his scalp.

Then I scratched up and down his back, reveling in the soft skin.

Of all the pups, he’d always had the softest skin.

Almost delicate to the touch—yet he loved the rough and tumble as much as the quiet moments of bonding and connection.

I blinked back tears. I had Buttercup in my lap.

My boy was back where he belonged. Only this time we didn’t have artificial barriers.

We had never exchanged real names at the club.

I was Daddy D and he was Buttercup. We didn’t know each other beyond that.

Now? Jai knew about my kids. I had a better understanding of why he’d had to stop coming to the club. He’d moved away. Erlene died.

Yet we’d found our way back to each other.

But, we were different people.

He sniffed.

“Are you okay?” I cupped his cheek.

“Woof.”

I smiled. “I don’t know what that means. I’ll take it as happiness.”

“It is.” He smiled, then ducked his head a little shyly. “Might you…” He bit his lower lip.

“Might I…?”

“Might you get undressed?”

I stilled. I’d only planned for play, because that was all we’d ever done. Plenty of Daddies and pups brought sex into the relationship. I’d never crossed that line with anyone. Partly because I was committed to Erlene, for certain, but mostly because no one had ever made me want to make the leap.

He gazed up at me through those impossibly long lashes. “Daddy was very generous with me the other night. I want to return the favor.”

The night of the blow job. Apparently that medical crisis had been the most excitement at camp all week, and things had run smoothly the rest of the time—which I appreciated. Jai didn’t need more drama in his life.

“You want Daddy to…?”

“I want Daddy’s cock in my mouth. If that’s okay.” He added that quickly.

We’d never played in any sexual manner before—although plenty of people did. I’d witnessed many a pup being debauched. I’d never considered doing that with Jai.

That’s kind of not true. But you kept your distance because you’d heard he wasn’t looking for that. You were being respectful. Now he’s asking for more. Neither of us had any reason to ignore what was happening between the two of us. My kids were safe. He didn’t have any obligations.

“Daddy can undress.” For just a moment, Jai’s expression turned serious—with his brow furrowing.

“I, uh, have supplies. Not that I’m obligating you…

just letting you know what the options are.

Oh, and before you undress—” He held my gaze.

“Maybe you want to bring your other bag in? I’m asking you to stay the night.

” The if you want remained unspoken, but hung in the air .

“You’re certain?” We’d hardly spent any time in each other’s company during the past three weeks. I didn’t want to make assumptions.

“I’m sure.” He squeaked his toy. “I’m really sure.” Then he flopped like a starfish onto his belly, grabbed the squeaky bone in his mouth, and started chomping.

Naturally, I’d been very careful about buying expensive nontoxic toys.

I rose from the bed, made my way out to the vehicle, retrieved my overnight bag containing toiletries and clothes for tomorrow, and then returned to the cabin. After carefully locking the door and ensuring all the windows were covered, I headed to the bedroom.

To find Buttercup chomping on his toy.

“You’re going to dislodge the squeaker.” I’d bought one of the strongest I could. And dogs’ teeth were pretty sharp, but clearly he was on a mission.

He stopped, grinned, and resumed his task.

Smiling, I slowly unbuttoned my shirt. I’d gone a little dressier than he’d seen me before. I snagged a hanger from the closet and secured the shirt. Then I emptied my pockets. I’d charged my phone in the minivan on the way from Vancouver, so I had a full charge.

I glanced at the screen.

—Kids are great. All is well. Enjoy and we’ll talk tomorrow morning. —

From Alessandra. Of course. Because she understood in a way I was only beginning to.

Jai could be my one.

I sent back a thumbs-up emoji—because what could I say?

Thank you for giving me this time? Thank you for caring for the most important people in my life?

Thank you for giving me clarity when I needed that most?

Finally, thank you for your friendship. I was quite certain befriending parents wasn’t on her to-do list. Yet she’d done it.

After removing my khakis, I hung them in the closet as well. Off came my socks, and I stood there in just my boxer briefs.

“Woof.” A little lasciviously.

I smiled, hooked my boxers with my thumbs, and dragged them down.

Mindful of my growing erection.

Truthfully, I hadn’t counted on anything sexual tonight. My goal had been to get Jai comfortable with his Buttercup again. If that was all we got to tonight, I’d still be the happiest man on the planet.

Jai pulled his arms and then his legs into his torso and, in one graceful movement, was back on all fours. “Yum.”

My cock filled completely.

I moved toward the side of the bed.

He advanced toward me. He met, and held, my gaze.

I nodded.

He grinned, licked his lips, and positioned himself so his lips were a mere inch away from my cock.

I leaned forward to close the distance.

He grasped the base of my shaft, then licked the tip.

Pleasure raced through me. My mind tried to compute the last time this had happened—with a man or a woman—and it drew a blank. Years. So many years.

He swirled his tongue around my crown.

I bucked.

His eyes flashed triumph as he took me into his mouth.

With his enthusiasm, I didn’t need to ask if he was okay with this.

I didn’t need to wonder if the power dynamic was off.

Because, despite all evidence to the contrary, he was absolutely the one in control of this encounter.

Either of us could call it off, obviously. Neither of us was going to, apparently.

He sucked me deeper, continuing to work me with his tongue. At one point, he speared my slit, and I bucked again.

I placed a hand on his head—both to steady myself, but also to offer gentle encouragement.

Oh, and to feel his silky strands under my fingers.

A memory invaded—of holding him close and petting him when he’d clearly had a bad day.

I’d wondered, of course, but hadn’t asked.

Generally, he’d chosen to be nonverbal when he’d played.

Plenty of yips, barks, and other doggie sounds—but never actual words.

Would he have spilled about his life? I just didn’t have an answer to that question.

He raked his teeth along my length.

I moaned.

His sucking continued with abandon as he continued to bring me all the pleasure.

I had plans for him to come later—if I could stay awake.

I tended to fall asleep after sex. Especially if I was stressed.

Pretty much every moment since Keegan had first been bullied had been anxiety-provoking for me.

And since we’d all arrived home Monday, and the kids had started the convince Dad to move to Mission City campaign?

A lot of thinking and, if I was honest, a lot of stress.

He hummed—clearly enjoying himself—and that was enough to tip me over the edge.

“I’m coming, Buttercup. Pull off if—”

He redoubled his efforts, hollowing his cheeks and sucking harder.

Taking that as permission, I let myself go. My balls drew up and, within moments, I was coming in his mouth.

He swallowed as I emptied .

Yet a feeling of fullness overwhelmed me. Fullness in my heart. Fullness in my soul. Fullness of all the future possibilities.

After pulling off me with a pop, Jai swept all the toys, treats, and leash off the end of the bed where they clattered to the floor. He sat back on his haunches and offered his hand.

I took it.

He guided me to the bed.

I lay down.

He pulled the comforter over us and curled into my side.

“What about—”

After pressing a paw covered finger to my mouth to silence me, he pressed his lips to mine. Finally, he pulled back. “Rest now, talk later.”

We were barely at seven o’clock, but my eyelids were heavy.

“Yes, that.”

He grinned and laid his head against my shoulder.

Within moments, I was out.