Settling Down Read Online Free PDF Page B

reached for one of Tim’s hands again, and Tim allowed him to take it. He kissed the knuckles. “You want to impress them? Make that vegetarian lasagna I like so much. I promise you you’ll impress the pants off them.”
    “And don’t suggest a good Korean barbecue place.” His voice was flat, not even hinting at what Jae hoped was a joke.
    “Not unless you want to annoy my mother.” He even tried a soft smile, encouraging Tim to do the same.
    Tim sighed, and the signs of stress were so clear. The furrow never really left, his shoulders were tensed, and there was the start of little bags under Tim’s eyes.
    According to Gloria’s texts, he’d been the same at the store since Max’s visit. And it was driving her up a tree.
    Put that man over your knee and beat his ass until he calms the fuck down before I do it myself.
    He was not taking any part of this well. And with both sets of parents arriving soon, Jae needed to create some space between their relationship and their kink, treat Tim like his boyfriend and not as his pet. He was sure Tim’s dad wouldn’t be too happy with Tim behaving like a houseboy, no matter how much it turned his son on.
    “One more time, or I swear I’m looking it up on Google.”
    The thought of Tim making good on that threat, bowing to his mom and dad and saying something like “my hovercraft is full of eels” was enough to put the fear of some God into Jae’s very soul. They’d never live that embarrassment down. Fine. If it would give him one less thing to worry about. “Anyoung hashimnikka . An-yoh hashim-nee-kah.”
    “An-yo hashim-ne-ka.”
    Jae smiled as he managed to make the words sound more correct. “Lengthen the ‘nee’ and the ‘ka,’ and you’ve got it. Practice it.”
    Tim’s smile was tired but pleased. “I will, Sir. I will get it right.”
    “Good, I’m gonna grab a shower. Let’s see what’s on Netflix.”
    “But Sir….” Tim looked around the dining room. “I didn’t put out the good dishes on the table yet.”
    Jae held up a hand. “Leave it for now. You need to think about something else, and I need you next to me.”
    That was it. Make it something Jae required. It would work for now.
     
     
    MAX HADN’T shown his face back at Little Earthquakes since that first day, and Tim was still on pins and needles about it.
    He and Jae were waiting at the airport for his parents, and he couldn’t get the fear out of the back of his mind.
    Gloria was doing an awesome job of running things so he could take Saturday off, even if she threatened all sorts of mayhem if he texted her one more time. The background check on Cheri came back clear, so she was due to start right after the Leather Ball. His Mad Hatter costume was all put together, leather top hat and all. The goodie bags were halfway finished, each one hand tied with leather cord. Jae and Gloria’s ideas of silicone bracelets and cheeky stickers were not only wonderful, but didn’t eat into the budget as much as Tim thought it would. Things were going as smoothly as they could. Hell, he caught a glimpse of Jae looking at websites for collars, which filled him with a lovely warmth. Soon the world would know he was claimed.
    So why was he drumming his fingers against his thigh? And why couldn’t he just relax?
    Right. Max. That threat hung over his head like another box waiting to fall on his face and ruin everything. His teaching, his demo bottoming, his shop. Everything.
    Jae took one of his hands in his and squeezed. He looked up at the man and gave him a tight smile. This was one thing Max couldn’t take from him. A boyfriend, a master, and Head of the Household in training.
    And Tim melted a little at the thought. He was about to meet Jae’s parents. That was a big step.
    “Are you all right?” Jae asked.
    Tim nodded. It was mostly true. “You know, I could just pick up Poppa tomorrow myself since it will be very early. I know you’ve got that project you need to work