Page 28 of Kit

“Now, brush your teeth and anything else you need to do.”

I hurried in the bathroom, then came out and saw the bedcovers turned down. My teddy sat waiting for me.

Parker was in shorts and nothing else.

“Where are your PJs, Daddy?”

“I don’t really have any.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t use them.”

“Do you sleep naked?”

He laughed. “It’s my preference. But I have these on for tonight.” He indicated his shorts, which were blue and fit him nicely in all the right places.

“Is it your bedtime, too?” I asked.

“Yep.”

“We had fun today, didn’t we?”

“I did. Did you, baby boy?”

“It was so much fun. I want to play all those games again. And watch TV with you. And have good food. It’s so much fun to visit here, Daddy.”

“I’m glad you like it,”

I climbed into the big bed, grabbing Teddy. Parker turned out the light. There was a little lamp on by the bedside, but everything else was shadowy and dark.

He got in the bed beside me and turned to face me. “Comfy?”

“Yep.”

“Good boy.”

Those two words made my insides swirl.

We had both said we were tired, the shorthand for no nookie tonight. I wanted to wait. It was too early for us. I desired him, but I liked the burn I felt as I anticipated what was to come.

Parker leaned back and turned off the lamp. The room plunged into darkness.

I squirmed a little closer to Parker, feeling his warmth beneath the blankets but not quite touching. I hugged Teddy to my chest harder than ever.

The room still felt alien and strange. Parker was right beside me, but my body shivered in fits and starts.

“Daddy.”

“Yes?”

“Will you hold my hand? I really hate the dark.”

There was motion under the covers. Suddenly, fingers brushed against my wrist. I turned my hand palm up and Parker grasped it, warm and strong.

I squeezed with my own fingers.

“There’s a nightlight in the bathroom,” he said. “I’ll get nightlights for the bedroom and hall tomorrow.”