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Chapter Nine

James

After cuddling together in my bed, I noticed that Ethan had stuck his thumb in his mouth and his breathing was evening out. I wanted to stay there forever, but we were a mess and needed to clean up before we could sleep. “How about a quick shower, sweetheart?”

Ethan opened his eyes, and his face had that adorable haze of sleepiness that could make me melt. He pulled his thumb out and yawned. "Together?"

"If you’re comfortable, then yeah. I’ll wash you up before you pass out. Then you can get comfy again. Promise." I tapped his nose. "Sound good?"

His eyes went wide with sudden clarity, the tired fog lifting for a brief second. "Yeah, okay."

We untangled ourselves from the sheets and headed to the bathroom.

The water took a minute to warm up, so I used that time to offer a bit more kissing practice.

Not that he needed it. Ethan was quickly becoming an expert at making my toes tingle and my dick harden just from sweeping his tongue across mine.

By the time the water was the perfect temperature, Ethan was nearly vibrating with anticipation. “In you go.”

He stepped under the spray and splashed me with warm water until I was standing right beside him. “Settle down so I can clean you up.” I wet the washcloth and lathered it up with body wash.

Ethan wiggled a bit before leaning back against the tile wall. "Hurry up with the washing, Daddy. I tired."

I kissed the top of his head. "I know, baby. I’ll hurry." I squeezed a glob of shampoo and worked it through his hair, massaging his scalp, and he completely relaxed under my touch.

His body was lean and waiting for me to take care of him. I started with his chest, gently washing it before going over one shoulder and down his arm before tracing back to his other side. It didn’t take a long time for me to have every inch of him sparkling clean.

"Daddy, you're so good at this."

I stood up and nipped at his ear, then licked along the edge. "You’re all cleaned up, sweetheart. Even behind the ears." I shut off the water and grabbed a towel from the hook just outside the door.

Ethan wrapped himself in it and looked like the world's sweetest burrito. “So fluffy!”

I couldn't help but pull him in and kiss his damp, soap-smelling neck. He turned around to let me dry him properly, with his arms up and out of the way, until he was ready to put on his pajamas.

"Did you bring jammies?" I towel-dried his hair then combed through it with my fingers.

He swayed from foot to foot. "Yep." He bounced under my hands until I took a step back.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed for bedtime.”

He lay back on my bed and didn’t bother pulling out his clothes, so I grabbed his bag and went through it. On the top was a stuffed giraffe. “Who is this guy?”

“Raffy!” He reached for the giraffe. “Mine.”

I handed it over and then pulled out the PJs I found next.

“Bottoms up, sweetheart.” He lifted his legs first and then once his feet were in, he held up his ass so I could slip the pajamas up his back and slide his arms in.

It didn't take a lot of effort because Ethan was so pliant and eager and completely willing to do whatever I asked of him.

And when he was dressed in his jammies and his thumb was back in his mouth, I just stood there and took a moment to admire the sight before me. I didn't know it was possible for a grown man to look so cute and innocent and vulnerable, but there he was. “My sweet boy.”

“My Daddy.” He spoke around his thumb, but I understood him perfectly. I didn’t need any words. I could see it in his eyes.

He was mine. I was his.

“You look beautiful, baby.” I pulled his leg up and kissed the inside of his calf. “Like you belong in my bed.”

He grinned and nodded his head, hugging his giraffe even tighter to his chest.

“Let me lock up and I’ll be right back.” I turned toward the door and then looked back. “Are your morning alarms set?”

He nodded again but closed his eyes.

“Good boy.”

He was already drifting off with his face smushed into the pillow.

I hated leaving him for even a minute, but I wanted to turn off the lights and get a glass of water for him. There were probably other things I could do to make sure Ethan had a comfortable night and morning, but I still had some learning to do. We both did.

And it sounded like he was willing to give me as much time as I needed, even if it took forever.

When my eyes opened just ahead of my alarm, Ethan was exactly where he was when I fell asleep. Draped across my torso, straddling one leg, and resting his head on my bicep.

I hadn't slept so well in years. Many years.

It was still dark outside, so I closed my eyes and basked in the moment a little while longer. When I woke up again, there was a tiny sliver of light coming through the crack in the drapes, and Ethan was gone.

Not gone gone. Just… no longer attached to my side. Now, he was under the covers and doing some unholy things to my cock with his warm tongue and tentative fingers.

"God, baby." I clutched at the sheets as he worked his mouth over my cock with deliberate licks and kisses. The flap on the back of his pajamas was too tempting to ignore so I released the snaps and slid my palm across his smooth skin. "Good morning to you, too."

He glanced back at me with a mischievous grin and then pulled off, resting his cheek along my dick. "I had a dream about this, and I really wanted to try it out. You have such a nice, big cock."

I let out a raspy laugh. He was gonna be the death of me, but what a way to go. "Thank you, sweetheart." I was still hard and ready for more. “Are you just gonna leave me hanging?”

He winked and slid back down, taking me into his mouth again.

My hips bucked up before I could stop myself as I sought out more friction. More warmth. More… "God, Ethan."

He worked me with those full lips in a rhythm that seemed haphazard but brought me closer to the edge. There wasn’t anything holding me back, so I let go, groaning loudly as I came in his mouth.

My fist closed around his cock, and I stroked him twice before he was erupting against my side, wetting his pajamas and soaking through. Between that and the pleased little sounds he made when I came in his mouth, I was a goner. There was no turning back.