Page 13 of Awakening His Daddy (The Lactin Brotherhood #17)

Chapter 13

Izzy

Joe and Leo don’t have many similarities, but stubbornness is definitely one thing they share. I don’t want to make him miserable, but I know he is. He’s changed his shirt three times already, and it’s not even dinner yet.

He’s going to run out of shirts quickly at this rate. Good thing he keeps extra clothes at the cabin.

Leo does too, but he’s slimmer than me, and while the pants are snug, his hoodies are okay since he likes his tops big and his bottoms tight.

Ha, I just made a sex joke, and I didn’t even mean to. Although, he doesn’t really like tops at all, so…

“How about I make some dinner and you can have another pill before we get ready for bed?”

“More pills sound good. But my tummy is still upset.”

“I know, but you haven’t eaten for hours, so I think you should try something light.”

He heads to the kitchen while I keep watching the latest movie in our queue. It’s one I’ve seen before, but I enjoy it anyway.

“Can you come and sit at the table?”

I want to say no, but I remember how much he enjoys having dinner at the dining table instead of the coffee table.

So, I stumble into a chair and glare at the soup.

“It’s chicken and stars.”

“I love chicken and stars!” I reach for my spoon and sigh when I see my cast.

“I thought it would be easier for you if you picked it up and sipped it.” He demonstrates with his bowl.

So I try to, and it works.

I don’t make it very far before I’m not hungry anymore, and I like to eat.

“The directions said that you might have an upset stomach because of the pills, but having food in your stomach will help.”

“Can I have some crackers?”

“That’s a good idea.” He hands me a few. “Eat those, and we’ll see how you feel then.”

I eat five of the crackers and my stomach rolls. “I’m full.”

“Izzy,” he scolds and then sighs. “I suppose you did pretty good. I’m just used to you eating everything in sight.” I nod because he’s not wrong.

“Can I have more pills now? My arms hurts.”

He pauses for a moment and then nods before bringing me two codeine pills.

“Why don’t you go watch more TV while I clean up?”

“I’m sorry I can’t help.” I’m not really.

He grins at me. “I know you’re not, but I enjoy cleaning up.”

“I’m glad you’re here to help me.” I kiss his cheek as I head back into the living room.

I love this cabin. The kitchen and the living room area are open, with high wooden beams across the ceiling. The fireplace is big and made of stacked stone. Large accordion doors lead out to the back deck, which normally has a gorgeous view of the field and then the forest beyond. Now, though, the snow is so bad, you can’t see shit. I really hope it stops soon. I wouldn’t mind being stuck here forever with Joe, but I don’t want the power to go out, and I know he’s uncomfortable.

If he would let me help him, he wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

With a sigh, I plop down on the couch and grab the remote. Stupid right hand not knowing the buttons.

I can’t believe how many movies Leo found for us to watch, so I pick the next one in the queue and snuggle into my soft-as-sin kitty blanket.

It might seem silly, but it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten because there was so much meaning behind it.

I was cold, I love cats, and he wanted to do something nice for me. He said it was for being a good boy. God, I would be such a good boy. Well, most of the time. How will I get my spankings if I don’t misbehave sometimes?

The opening credits are almost done when the power goes out with a pop.

I shriek and freeze in place.

Suddenly I’m back in the closet, begging for someone to let me out, or to just turn on a light. Even the hall light, so I can see it under the door. It will be enough?—

Large arms encircle me, and I grab onto them with everything I have, burying my face in the warmth of his broad chest.

“Shh, it’s okay, baby. It’s okay.”

Joe…

“It’s too dark, I can’t see. It’s too dark.”

“It’s okay. Look, the fireplace is still lit.”

I pull my head out of his strong, warm chest just enough to peek out, and he’s right. The fireplace is giving off a soft, warm glow.

“It’s nice.” I burrow back into his chest, and he chuckles. Fuck, he smells good.

“I’m going to go and get?—”

“No!” I gasp and grab onto him.

“You can come with me. I’m just going to get the flashlights and light some candles.”

“More light. That sounds good.” More light is good.

“Alright, hold on to me.” He turns me and places my hands on the small of his back so I can follow him into the kitchen.

I grab his waist and stop.

“It’s dark.”

“Don’t worry, baby, just a few more steps.”

When we make it to the table, the lights turn on again.

“Oh, thank god,” I exhale.

“I think we should light some candles just in case it goes out again.”

“The power could go out again?”

“It probably will.”

“Okay, light candles, light all the candles.”

“Maybe not all the candles.” He chuckles and lights one. “We don’t want to set off the smoke alarms.”

The lights go out again, and I shriek, again.

“Hey, it’s still okay. I’m here, and here’s a flashlight just for you.” I look up and reach for the small but bright flashlight.

“Thanks.”

He lights a few more candles and leads me back to the couch. The room isn’t as bright as I would like, but it’s better, and Joe is with me. He’ll keep my monsters at bay.

But now it’s really quiet in here.

“Can we listen to the radio?” I know that they keep a battery-operated radio here in case of emergencies.

“Sure.” My face lights up, “but no Christmas music.” My face falls.

“Why no Christmas music? Everyone loves Christmas music.”

“It’s just so repetitive and all the songs are the same.”

“You just said the same thing twice, only in a different way,” I point out with a laugh.

“Exactly like Christmas music!” He seems excited that I got his point.

“I don’t mind what we listen to,” I want Christmas music, “but I’d like to have something on.” Now my head slumps low. “I don’t like the quiet.”

“It’s okay, I’m here, remember?” He pulls me into a hug, and I nod against his strong, delicious chest. “If you let go, I’ll get the radio.”

“I’m good here.”

I can feel his chuckle through his chest, but then he gently eases me back and goes to the kitchen. I watch him the whole way and clutch my flashlight tightly, just in case I need it.

I hear the sound of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” get louder as Joe brings the radio into the living room and sits down.

He gives me a sheepish look. “It was the first station I found.”

I smile and snuggle closer to him. “Thank you. What should we do now?”

“We could go to bed,” he teases.

“We could go to bed,” I purr.

“I meant to sleep.”

“But that’s no fun, and I’m not tired.”

“How about cards?”

“Oh, I like cards.”

He opens the drawer on the coffee table and pulls out a well-worn deck of cards and shuffles.

“Go Fish?” he asks.

“Alright, but prepare to lose.” He deals. “Do you have any fives?”

“Go fish.”

“I think we should go to bed now,” he says after he’s beat me again.

“Sure, we can go to bed,” I answer, fully intending on going to his bed.

“ You can go to your own bed.”

“But it’s dark, and I’m hurt.” I hold out my arm and pout.

“I know. But we should sleep in our own beds.”

“But with the power out, won’t we get cold?”

“I’ll get you extra blankets.”

“Fine,” I huff. “Can I take a shower, even if the power is out? My hair smells like hospital.”

“Yeah, it does. Let me get you a bag to wrap your arm.”

“Will the water be warm?”

“Yeah, it will, but not for long.”

“Okay, I can be quick, but I will probably need your help.”

“Izzy—”

“How am I supposed to open the shampoo bottle? The conditioner? The body wash?”

“Fine, but you better not try to flash me.”

“I’ll let you control the shower curtain.”

He nods and takes me to the bathroom.

“I’ll be right back.”

“No! Don’t say that and don’t leave me.”

He chuckles. “Nothing is going to hurt you or me. I promise.”

Obviously, he’s never seen any horror movies, but I nod my head.

If the sounds the wind is making are any indication, would-be killers would’ve frozen to death by now.

I set my flashlight on the sink and try to get undressed while the water warms up. I’m still struggling with my pants when he comes back in and grins.

“Don’t laugh at me.” I pout. “Help me.”

With a smile and a tug, he pulls my pants to the ground.

“You can do your own boxers.”

Oh, I can, can I?

I might struggle more than necessary to get him to help me, and honestly, my dick stays soft because I’m in pain and my stomach is still rolling.

“Alright, in you go.” The spray feels warm and relaxing as the hospital smell fades away.

He pours me a handful of body wash.

“Make sure you wash good.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

I wash and rinse quickly; I don’t want the warm water to run out, and I hold out my hand again.

“Shampoo, be careful not to get it into your eyes.”

“I know.” Only it’s really hard to wash with one hand, and it gets into my eyes right away. “Ouch, ouch, ouch! It’s in my eye, it’s in my eye!”

Joe moves my hands away from my eyes and rubs them with a washcloth while I continue to dance and whine.

“It hurts. It hurts.”

“I know, baby, let me see.”

“Can’t.” I try to peel my eye open, but it won’t. “Can’t.”

“Come here and turn toward the water.” Joe turns me so my body is facing the water, and he moves my face closer to the shower head. “Just open it a tiny bit.”

I do, and the spray bouncing off his palm causes little droplets to filter into my eye and I sigh in relief. It still burns, but not so bad, so I lean back against him and let the warm water wash over me.

Wait?

Joe’s in the shower with me.

Holy shit! Joe’s in the shower with me!

He’s still clothed, though.

“Your clothes are getting soaked. You should take them off.” I try to sound very practical and not like the horny boy I am.

“No point. Since they’re already soaked,” he counters.

I let my head rest on his shoulder with a huff. “Will you condition my hair? Since you’re already soaked.”

“Fine.” He runs the condition through my hair. His strong hands massaging my scalp. “Don’t get any sexy ideas,” he lightly scolds.

Don’t look down then because it’s too late for that.

“Izzy,” he gasps. “What did I just say?”

“It was too late the moment you stepped into the shower,” I reason, and he chuckles.

“You can rinse yourself.”

“Fine,” I huff as he steps out. I turn quickly, hoping he gets an eyeful of my dick. He does, and he licks his lips before closing the shower curtain.

I hear the wet plop of his clothes landing on the floor, and I’m so tempted to look out. I know he’s hard. I felt it when I leaned against him, and he’s hiding a baseball bat in his pants.

“Keep that curtain closed,” he warns gruffly, and it’s almost enough to make me want to disobey just to hear his sexy angry voice.

“Yes, Daddy,” I sass, and there’s a long pause until I turn the water off.

“Maybe we could try?”

“Try what?” I yawn.

“I’ll be your Daddy.”

“Whoa, hold up.” I rip the shower curtain open just enough to peek my head out. “Really? Like?—”

“Platonic Daddy,” he clarifies, and I wrinkle my nose.

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll take care of you in every way a Daddy would, except the sexual part.”

“But that’s a fun and important part,” I whine.

“Izzy, I’m straight.”

“Sorry, I know. I’ll do my best to keep things as plutomic.” I mispronounce the word on purpose. “As possible.”

“You won’t just try, you will.”

“Fine,” I huff and open the shower curtain.

“Izzy!”

“What?!” I look at my wrapped arm. Everything looks okay still.

“You’re standing there naked.”

Right. I move my hands to cover my junk. Joe just rolls his eyes at me and hands me a towel.

Well, that sucks, but I know he’s interested. I’ve seen his “casual” looks and felt his touches. He wants me, but he’s not ready to admit it to himself yet.

“You’ll help me in all the other ways?” I ask.

“Yes, but you need to tell me if I smother you or if I take too much responsibility away from you.”

“Never going to happen. I don’t want to sound pathetic, but I’ve spent most of my life looking after myself. I want someone who can help me with the daily things, like remembering to make a lunch, tucking me into bed, but also to encourage and comfort me.”

“It doesn’t sound pathetic. It makes perfect sense.” He takes my hand and helps me out of the tub. He uses the towel strategically to hide all the good bits while he helps me dry off and get dressed.

“So you want to start right away?” he asks, and I nod. “Alright, let’s get your teeth brushed and get you into bed.”

“Can I sleep on the couch tonight?”

“You can, but why?”

“The light.”

“That’s a good idea. It will keep you warmer too.” He holds out my toothbrush. “Now brush.”

“Yes, Daddy.”