Page 21 of Soothe Me, Daddy
If he answered yes, Isaac would come in while he was in the bath. If he answered no, Isaac would go back downstairs. If Isaac wanted to take things slow, why would he ask to come in when Henley was only dressed in bubbles?
“Henley? It’s not a trick question.” There was humour in his tone.
Taking a breath, he answered, “Yes, please.”
Watching as the door handle turned, Henley swallowed hard, trying to affect a calm appearance when, in fact, his heart was racing. Isaac entered, holding a beer bottle and a glass of water.
“I wasn’t sure which you would prefer.”
“Water, please.”
Isaac settled the bottle on the sink and brought the glass to him, crouching next to the bath. “Let me hold it. Your hands will be slippery.”
Henley nodded, and Isaac rested the glass against his bottom lip. As Henley moulded his mouth to it, Isaac carefully tilted it, allowing the cool liquid to fill his mouth. Not realising how thirsty he had been, Henley gulped down several swallows before locking gazes with Isaac and lifting his head. A small drop dripped onto his warmed skin, causing his breath to hitch, and Isaac wiped it away with his finger.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Dinner is ready as soon as you are. Don’t rush, though. Enjoy yourself.” Isaac stood, turning away from Henley, and Henley felt a moment of panic.
“Stay!”
Grey eyes met his, and Isaac must have seen something in his expression because he laid a folded towel on the toilet seat and sat, resting his elbows on his knees.
They were silent for a long while, and when the bath had cooled enough that Henley developed goosebumps, he decided he’d had enough.
“I’m finished.”
“Have you washed?” Isaac asked, sitting upright.
“Yes. I always wash first and relax when I’m done.”
Isaac smiled. “My clever boy.”
Henley didn’t think he would ever get tired of hearing that.
“Come on. Let’s get you dry.”
Isaac lifted another towel off the radiator and held it out for Henley, who had a moment of indecision before pulling the plug and standing up. The water flowed off him like a waterfall, and he refused to meet Isaac’s gaze, not wanting to see disappointmentorlust. He couldn’t handle either now as bare as he was, physically and emotionally.
With Isaac towelling him off in a no-nonsense manner, Henley felt more secure, and once the towel was wrapped around his waist, he found his equilibrium again.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Isaac leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Why don’t you go and get dressed—pyjama bottoms or joggers and a t-shirt would be good—and come down and meet me in the kitchen.”
“Okay.”
Picking up the half-empty glass and the full beer bottle, Isaac gave a half-smile before exiting the room.
Henley inhaled and exhaled slowly before following. As he passed the stairs, he saw Isaac was already at the bottom, and Henley smiled as he continued to his room. Entering his space always soothed him. Painted light blue walls, and royal blue curtains and duvet cover matched well with the pine floorboards and furniture. He loved his room. It never failed to calm his excitable nature and was the perfect place to fall asleep.
The drawers contained his trousers and pyjamas, so he chose his favourite pyjama bottoms: dark blue flannel with Tweety Pie on them. They were a gift from Becca a few years ago when she started calling him “sweetie pie,” and he’d misheard her and asked why she was calling him Tweety Pie. Soon after that, the pyjamas appeared. They made him smile every time.
Flinging the towel towards the washing basket, Henley pulled them on, going commando underneath. He didn’t usually wear a t-shirt when he was at home, but Isaac had asked him to, so he slid on a light grey round-neck one.
He checked his hair in the mirror, running his fingers through it to tidy it up and reminding himself he needed to dye his hair again soon. The blue colour was beginning to fade. He wasn’t sure what colour he would go for next. Maybe he could ask Isaac.
Thinking of Isaac had him hurrying out of his room and down the stairs. The kitchen smelled heavenly, and as he entered, he saw the table had been set for two with candles in the middle.
