Page 98 of Courting Danger

“I want to reserve the silver room, if it isn’t taken for the night,” Pope declared.

They waited while Kat pulled the book from beneath the bar and checked the pages before scribbling his name in and passing him the key. “It’s all yours.”

“Perfect,” Pope replied. “Thank you. We’re going to get these two settled into the little’s room for a bit; it’s not too crowded tonight, is it?”

“Not from what I’ve seen, but I know that some of the crew were planning on dropping in later, after they finished up with something in the boathouse that someone refuses to tell me about.”

She tipped her head back, trying to peer up at her husband, but his beard was in the way.

“You’ll find out what it is when it’s finished,” Mark declared. “And not a moment sooner. Quit trying to mess up my surprise, woman.”

“It better be a damned good one for you to keep me in the dark like this,” she grumbled. “You know I hate secrets.”

“Which is exactly why it’s so difficult to surprise you,” he shot back, tapping her nose.

Grumbling, she batted at his finger, all in good-natured fun. Ocean could tell she wasn’t really complaining. Giving one another shit was a love language with them, the same way it was becoming between them and Danger, who’d stood laughing in the kitchen when he’d come in to find that Roan had drawn him a picture and stuck it to the refrigerator with magnets. The once plain sheet of paper boasted a sunset, with a flying monkey soaring past the sun wearing ruby slippers, a munchkin on its back, and groceries peeking out over the edge of the saddlebags. And there, on the beach below them, was the house, with them all playing in the surf, even Grunge and Diesel, whose shoes had arrived just that morning.

Danger had thrown his hands up in defeat, then hugged Roan, thanking him for the picture, before mussing up his hair and tickling him until neither of them could breathe. Several times, Roan demand that Ocean quit laughing and help him, but it had been too tempting to get in on the ticking too, until Roan managed to scurry away from them. He’d retreated to the den to start drawing another picture, one he hadn’t yet let any of them see yet.

Pope guided them to the little room, stopping at the door to sign them in.

“Who’s authorized to sign them out?” Grier asked since he was sitting at the post outside the door.

“Just me and Danger,” Pope declared. “Our pup is going to stay with our boy while he plays.”

“No worries,” Grier said. “It’s the first time they’ve been in, so I wanted to make sure no signals got crossed.”

“Always a wise idea, brutha, since a few of the littles are still unclaimed.”

“Alright boys,” Pope said, pressing a kiss first to Roan’s forehead, then Ocean’s snout. “Remember your manners, playnice, and if you need me, let the room monitor know, and they’ll get word to me.”

“We’ll be good, we promise,” Roan said, hugging him.

“I know you will,” Pope declared. “Just like I know Ocean will take care of you while you’re in there, so you don’t have to worry about anything, okay?”

“It’s okay, I’m not scared,” Roan said. “I’m excited to play.”

“Good,” Pope said, hugging him again before turning him loose so Roan could hug Danger too.

“And you, pup, make sure you remind him to pause and drink something and have his snacks after you’ve played awhile. I have a very special treat planned for you both later, so no getting dehydrated or tummy aches.”

“I will,” Ocean replied. “I’m looking forward to all the pets I’m going to get tonight.”

“I just bet you are,” Pope said, then leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You’ll get a very special reward of your own for watching over him, pup, and I promise you, you’ll love every spicy moment of it.”

His word sent a shiver down his spine, because he had a very good idea of exactly what it was his Dom had in store for him later, and he could hardly wait.

Pope unclipped his leash, tucked it in Roan’s backpack, and waited until they disappeared into the room before he turned to go.

Laughter and the squeals of little ones playing greeted them when they stepped inside. Today’s room monitor was Braxton, who stood against the inside wall, supervising the block castle they were building together.

Roan seemed torn over whether or not to join them and clung to Ocean’s arm, until Daisy spotted them and waved. “Come help us!”

It was part plea, part demand, and exactly what was needed to compel Roan to move away from the door, not that Ocean turned his hand loose, no way. It was his first time being little in a proper play space with other littles, and Ocean could feel that he was just a bit nervous because he’d never had the opportunity to play this way before.

The blocks were the size of bricks but made of colorful carboard with stone patterns etched in them. Daisy’s side was shorter than the other, but then she was petite herself, not even five feet tall, with blue and purple hair done in pigtails and bows and colorful tattoo sleeves running down both arms, her pretty pink jumper showing them off for the world to see.

“Your outfit is so cute!” Daisy said as she passed them bricks.