Page 3 of Their Little Helper (The Lactin Brotherhood #22)

SANTOS

Strangling him would be too easy but it would shut him up.

“He’s been slowly getting used to everyone and is still sorting out what he’s looking for.” It was so obvious I wanted to shake the annoying smart-ass. “You can’t just plop down on his lap and claim him. I saw him first and I was being fucking patient.”

That was the last time I took advice from anyone else…I should’ve known going after what I wanted was the best plan. It was always the best plan and other people were just out to drive me batshit crazy.

“But I did.” The annoying man with the stupid nickname smirked at me. “And I can. So he’s mine. I think we’re back to the ‘you snooze, you lose’ part.”

All I had to do was make sure it was a jury of Dally’s peers and they’d know how annoying he was. They’d never convict me just on principle. Justifiable homicide. I could make a good case for it.

“He’s not a fucking dessert. He’s a worried sub who’s trying to figure out his place in this stupid group.” They all drove me mad. “Being patient and letting him sort through his feelings was me being nice.”

Fuck that shit.

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

They really did come in last.

“I can be nice and make sure I get what I want.” Dally’s head bobbed as he fucked with me in a singsong voice. “Just because you can’t doesn’t make it my problem.”

No.

No. This wasn’t the way to handle the situation.

The fucker was distracting me.

Shifting my gaze to the sweet boy Dally was camped out on, I focused on the wide-eyed cutie and ignored Dally. “I’m sorry I wasn’t clear about my intentions. You were so shy the first time I tried to talk to you, I thought you might need time to get used to the group.”

Or to lactating…or to liking men…

Honestly, the sheer number of things he could be processing was longer than I wanted to admit.

Dally huffed, wiggling his ass to remind the boy he was still there, but the cutie seemed to be able to multi-task even with an erection. “You…you were very polite, but…but I thought you must’ve thought I was someone else? Meeting people…here or anywhere else hasn’t been easy.”

Based on his reactions, I had a feeling that was an understatement.

“Sometimes people are stupid.” And sometimes they were just annoying attention whores.

Like the one who couldn’t shut up. “But sometimes they’re sexy and smart and go after what they want right away.”

The brat even kissed my sweet boy’s cheek.

Dickhead.

Just because he was technically sexy didn’t mean he got to keep my boy.

“Bulldozers are not always good long-term partners.” They were just drama queens. “They’re useful tools sometimes, but they can’t fix everything.”

My sweet boy was trying not to smile and his eyes were sparkling, but he couldn’t deny the reality of the bulldozer currently camped out on his lap. “I’ve never been in this situation before.”

And?

“And?” Dally couldn’t wait his fucking turn and interrupted my thinking.

“And I’m…confused?” Blinking at both of us, my boy looked like he wasn’t sure he was living in reality any longer. “This is…weird.”

We needed to work on his self-esteem.

“We’re going to work on your self-esteem, baby.” Dally’s words made me insane.

“Stop copying my thoughts.” He was so rude. “Get an original idea and stop saying everything that pops into your head. He doesn’t need to hear worries like that. You can build up a sub without explaining what the problem is to begin with.”

How did he not know that?

“I’m not going to hide anything from my boy.” Dally’s head pulled back in shock. “I’m his Daddy and honesty is incredibly important.”

“It’s not being honest to tell him in your first meeting that you think his self-esteem needs work. That’s just mean and is going to make him worry more.” He was like a walking, talking sledgehammer. “You slowly build up a sub like that and help them see their worth.”

Drama queens just had to make everything about themselves.

“I won’t go into a relationship hiding what I think from him. No matter if it’s how sexy he is and how I want to ride him or if it’s about his self-esteem. I won’t lie to him.”

Dally was like talking to a brick wall.

It was no wonder the orc people were debating what kind of mystical creature he was.

“It’s not lying to protect his feelings and slowly make him see he’s worth having a partner who will stand by his side and take care of him and see that he’s a wonderful submissive.” Emotions took time. “You can’t rush that.”

My boy was quiet as his gaze bounced between us, but he didn’t look upset. “He’s not the rushing type. It took him two visits just to talk to anyone.”

From what I’d heard, the first visit hadn’t gone smoothly and it’d gone downhill from there.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been there until late on the next one and had to hear about the problems second-hand.

The janitorial staff were confused by us, but watched everything incredibly closely and were a wonderful source of information.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry.” Dally frowned, kissing my boy’s cheek again. “I missed a few meetings because of work stuff. I knew I should’ve been here. It’s where I’m most needed.”

For fuck’s sake.

“Stop kissing my boy.” It was just so rude. “Just because you’re technically attractive and wiggling on his lap doesn’t mean you get to keep doing that.”

I was never going to get a chance if he kept making my boy horny.

It was cheating.

“I was going to talk to him today and ask him out for coffee next week. He’s shy.” And seemed to be a complete introvert who’d somehow worked up the courage to come to the Lactin Brotherhood meetup.

“So?” Dally’s head cocked. “Just because he’s shy doesn’t mean I can’t get to know him.”

“This isn’t getting to know him. This is bulldozing your way into his life.” They were two different things. “He’s not a toy or an ice cream cone. He’s a person I want to get to know.”

That got a blush from the sweet sub but a frown from Dally. “I’m not stopping you. I’m just not moving.”

“If you say finders keepers one more time I’m going to call the fucking catering company.” That threat had him stopping in his verbal tracks.

“That’s cheating.” He wasn’t being dramatic but he glared at me. “We fight fair.”

“Then stop deliberately pushing my buttons to chase me off.” He was one step away from licking my boy’s dick and I wasn’t going to let it get that far without a fight.

Whatever nonsense Dally was going to say was halted when my boy touched a yellow line on the god-awful shirt.

Shit.

We both took a deep breath and let the situation deescalate so my boy could let us know what the problem was.

Well, we were clearly the problem but we needed more information before we could handle it.

Hmm.

All we got to begin with was a deep breath, more curious glances, and another tap on the yellow line.

It wasn’t a lot to go on but it was a start, so I did my best to gently poke at it as Dally seemed to be processing the situation.

“I’m going to take a wild guess and say our behavior is just a bit stressful for you. ”

He gave me a slow nod and peeked over to see Dally’s reaction.

I knew it was going to be weird and ridiculous, but I was quiet and patient until it came out.

Yep.

I was always right.

“But he’s sexy when he’s losing his marbles.” Dally gave my boy what he thought was an adorable pouty frown. “One more good poke and he was going to come after me. Then I was going to kiss him because he can’t complain about consent when he’s strangling me.”

For fuck’s sake.

Thankfully, my boy had more common sense and poked yellow again.

That got a dramatic sigh from Dally and he collapsed against my boy. “Aww, just one kiss? He’s not homicidal yet. I’ve learned the signs. Corporate types hire someone when they actually want you dead. We’re not at that point yet.”

God.

Refusing to ask, I was glad when my boy took the same path. It just took him a few long moments of curious staring before he gave his head a shake. Dally seemed to understand the clues and gave another slightly toned-down sigh. “Fine. Okay, what are our options?”

For him to get off my boy’s lap.

I managed not to say that but my expression must’ve made my feelings clear because my boy peeked over at me and gave me a shy smile.

He. Was. Adorable.

I was being polite, though, and returned his smile without mentioning Dally’s bad behavior. “I’m doing my best to keep your stress levels in mind when I respond.”

Because I was a good Master.

Dally on the other hand was just Dally. “Since I don’t think he’s going to wander off and find someone else to torment, I think our top options are for us to Rock-Paper-Scissors for you or to share you. What would you suggest?”

Before my boy could answer, I held up a hand for his attention. “I’m not going anywhere, but I won’t rush you. You are also not the toy in a Happy Meal, so while I will submit to that nonsense if it’s what you want, it’s not reasonable.”

And the smile was back.

“You’ll also want to acknowledge that I’ve restrained myself very well and that shows I would make a wonderful Dom.” Of whatever sort he needed. “I’ve never been a Daddy but if that lunatic can do it then so can I.”

Dally rolled his eyes and stroked my boy’s chest. “I think you’d be a wonderful Happy Meal treat I’d be very happy to play with.”

“For fuck’s sake. That’s not fair. You’re cheating again and we’ve had this discussion. When you’re wiggling on his lap you can’t say things like that.” He just kept proving he could not be trusted to fight fair.

Dally sighed, sitting up. “It was true, but you’re right. Until you’ve had lap and grope time to even things out, I’ll do better at keeping my sexual fantasies about Harley here under control.”

Harley.

That was my boy’s name.

Dally pounced on that weakness and smirked. “You didn’t know his name.”

“I know more important things. He likes orange juice, not apple juice or soda. He’s not big on sweets, but salty things are his weakness.

He’s polite even though he doesn’t talk to strangers easily, and he finds a variety of body types desirable.

” I was glad that he wasn’t just into bossy twinks.

“I think that’s a much broader list than just knowing his name. ”

I knew important facts.

Dally rolled his eyes and smiled at Harley. “I was getting to know you too and not just stalking you.”

I couldn’t resist sucking in a breath, but Harley let out a soft laugh and touched green.

Ha.

“He doesn’t mind that I was watching him and slowly getting him used to seeing me.” Not everyone was as…fast as Dally.

“No. He means he doesn’t mind that I’m getting to know him.” Dally waved his hand at me dismissively. “Read the room.”

We were being watched by the entire room, so no, I wasn’t going to give it any attention.

“Both.” Harley’s soft, deep voice stopped us both. “I…I didn’t realize anyone who knew I was a sub wanted to get to know me. The…the only people in the lifestyle that approach me are always subs.”

Dally and I both cocked our heads in an unfortunately matching move that made Harley smile again. I ignored how ridiculous we looked and stayed on point. “That’s ridiculous. You’re not a Dom in any sense of the role.”

There was no way he was even a switch.

“I’m glad you both realized that.” Harley glanced between us, looking more at ease since we’d stopped our heated debate over Dally’s terrible behavior. “I was…I was starting to think it was me that was the problem.”

“Never.” Dally kissed Harley’s cheek. “You’re special and adorable and the cutest sub ever, and we both think so.”

Before I could respond, the drama queen turned to me. “Right? He needs reassurance. Lips on cheek and words, Pokey.”

Reminding myself that Harley would be upset if I strangled Dally while the frustrating man was on his lap, I focused on my boy.

“I really hate it when I have to agree with him, but you are very special and I noticed that right away. There is nothing wrong with you and you are not the problem. Other people are just stupid.”

“Kiss him.” Dally rolled his eyes. “That’s what he needs and as his Daddy it’s my job to make sure he gets it.”

That was the dumbest logic I’d ever heard.

“Well, I’m his Papa, so I know that sometimes littles need patience from the Dom in their life. I can be very fucking patient even though I would love to kiss him and give him physical reassurance.” He was so pushy. “But you’re on his lap.”

Still.

And I wasn’t sure how I was going to get him off it.

Something told me that Harley was already getting attached to the dramatic troublemaker.

Ugh.

Littles made friends with the most frustrating people.