Page 20 of Soothe Me, Daddy
“It’s fine. Just remember to breathe in between sentences or questions. How will anyone be able to answer you if you don’t give them time?” Isaac chuckled, gentling the reprimand.
“I get so…”
“Excited?” Isaac supplied with a smile.
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“It’s not a bad thing, Henley. Life is for living. If you can’t be excited about it, you’re not enjoying it.”
“Do you enjoy your life?”
“Very much so. I have a loving family, fantastic colleagues, amazing career. What more could I ask for than what has been given to me already?” He flicked his gaze over to Henley then back to the road. “Including you.”
Henley smiled. “Thank you.”
That conversation, however settling it was that day, proved to be only one of two of its kind that week. They were inundated with getting the store up and running, and with two unexpected trips making for long days, they had no time to breathe.
The second conversation consisted of Isaac asking Henley if he had any toys. After clarification was needed regarding which type of toys, Henley snorted and told Isaac he had plenty. Isaac detailed specifically what he wanted Henley to do that night to remove some of his stress, and two of those toys got used so much, the batteries died. But he went to work on Thursday feeling much better.
By Friday afternoon, though, Henley wanted to cry. Isaac had been amazing with him: rubbing his back to calm him when needed, being stern when he pushed too hard or whined too much, reminding him to eat and drink, asking about his family and friends. But he hadn’ttouchedhim in any other way. No kisses, no petting, no not-so-innocent touches. Nothing.
Although he felt settled in some ways, he was lively in others. He wanted Isaac something fierce and couldn’t decide how to make it happen. Every time his thoughts turned to the idea of pushing things to make Isaac snap, his brain reminded him that Isaac knew what he was doing. His heart didn’t agree, though.
When he drove home after dropping the leftover uniforms back at the warehouse, he was ready to hibernate for the weekend. Forget going out anywhere, he was going to hide away and get centred once more.
Unfortunately, someone else had other ideas.
Henley was submerged in a luxuriously hot bath with plenty of lavender bubbles when someone knocked on his front door. At first, Henley ignored them. He wasn’t expecting anyone, and those who he wanted to see had a key and could let themselves in. But when the knocking continued and his phone began ringing, he realised he needed to sort it so he could get back to his bath.
Grumbling when the cool air hit his overheated skin, Henley draped a dressing gown around him, and dripping, went to the door.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“Open the door, Henley.”
Henley quickly unlocked the door and opened it wide, eyebrows raised at his unexpected visitor.
“Can I come in? I don’t want you catching a chill.”
Henley nodded, and Isaac manoeuvred past him into the hallway.
“I’ve brought some dinner. Why don’t you finish your bath or shower? It will be ready for when you’ve finished.”
“Okay.”
He watched as Isaac’s gaze roamed across his face and down to his bare feet and back up again. “Go on. Enjoy the water.”
“Yes.” Henley drifted to the stairs before turning back with his hand on the bannister. “Thank you, Daddy,” he whispered, tears threatening to fall.
“You’re welcome. Go. Enjoy.”
Henley climbed the stairs, careful of his wet feet, and slowly sank back into the warmth. He couldn’t believe Isaac was at his house, making dinner. Or maybe he was just serving it, he wasn’t sure, but regardless, Isaac was in his house.
Trying to relax when the object of his affection was on the floor below him was next to impossible, but the heat seeping into his muscles did the trick until a knock on the bathroom door.
“Yes?”
“Would you like something to drink?” Isaac called.
