Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
“Me too. Come with me, kitten.” I stood up and took his hand, pulling him to his feet before leading him into the bathroom, which was so small, both of us barely fit inside.
I found his toothbrush and spread toothpaste on the bristles, smiling at its glittery blue appearance. Henley said he preferred fun, fruity paste over the boring minty kind. He opened wide and I carefully scrubbed the surface of each of his teeth.
After he spat and rinsed, I asked, “Do you need changed again before bed?” But he shook his head.
“No, I’m okay.”
“Okay then, let’s get you tucked into bed.” When I’d gone through his dresser drawers earlier, I didn’t notice any pajamas to dress him in, but the clothes he wore were plenty comfortable enough to sleep in.
I walked him to his bed and peeled back his comforter. But when I patted the mattress, Henley didn’t move to climb in. Instead, his gaze dropped to the floor and his fingers wrapped in his hair for the first time in hours.
“What’s wrong?” I knew he was tired, so I wasn’t sure why he wasn’t lying down. “Do you want to sleep with Officer Bear?” Maybe he was missing his soft toy to snuggle with.
“That sounds nice, but…I’d rather sleep with a different officer.” It took me entirely too long to understand what he meant. Just as realization struck me, Henley added quickly, “I’m sorry, was that too much? It’s just…this day has been so nice and I hate to see it end. I’d really like for you to stay with me.” He looked up at me with a round-eyed expression that stole my heart. “Please, Daddy?”
I wouldn’t deny him a damn thing, but I would especially never turn down the chance to hold him all night. “It’s definitely not too much.” That would be a difficult line for Henley to cross. “I’d love to stay with you, sweetheart. Climb into bed and I’ll be right back.”
His grin stretched from ear to ear as he dove beneath the covers. After a quick visit to the restroom of my own to take care of business and brush my teeth with my finger and fruity toothpaste, I joined Henley back in his bedroom. I was proud of him for letting me know what he needed, even if it made him a little nervous.
Unlike Henley, my clothes weren’t comfortable to sleep in. I kicked off my shoes and slid them under the bed before I unsnapped my jeans, watching my boy for any signs of discomfort. I found none; just a pair of widened eyes watching me hungrily.
I undid the zipper and slid the denim down my legs, revealing a pair of black boxer briefs. Knowing I would get too hot in my sweater, I shrugged it off as well and folded my clothes into a pile on the floor. When I turned to face Henley, I was struck by his heated gaze.
The tip of his tongue traced along his lips as he looked up and down my form. But then he gave a small shake of his head and a sweet smile. “You have a beautiful body, Daddy.”
“Thank you.” I climbed into bed next to him and kissed the tip of his nose. “So do you.”
He giggled and pressed his lips to mine. It was the longest kiss he’d given me all night, but he didn’t move to deepen it, so neither did I. When he pulled away, Henley rested his head on my chest and I tucked the blankets around both of us.
“Are you warm enough?”
He nodded against my chest and wrapped his arm around me. “This is perfect, Daddy.”
It truly was, especially when Henley popped his binky back into his mouth and I felt the gentle movement of his suckling cheeks against my skin. “Yes it is. Goodnight, kitten. I hope you have sweet dreams.”
He mumbled, “Goodnight, Daddy,” around his binky, and within a few minutes, his suckling stopped and his breathing was soft and slow.
As my sweet boy snoozed in my arms, I thought back on our incredible day. Each thing we explored drew me closer to Henley, and made me fall a little deeper. I held the most precious gift I could ever hope to receive, and I never planned on letting go.
Chapter Six
Henley
My eyes fluttered open, and once my surroundings sank in, I smiled; I was still cuddled up with Amir’s warm, gorgeous body. Normally, I would roll all over the bed throughout the night, but I hadn’t moved an inch. My arm was wrapped around his middle, and my head was nestled against his chest.
My pacifier had fallen out of my mouth at some point, and was lying on the mattress next to him. I picked it up and placed it on the nightstand; I didn’t want it anymore. I was awake and perfectly calm. I didn’t need the soothing device.