Page 35 of Viking Ink

It felt freeing to finally admit how deeply I cared for Rhys, and I felt a sense of something like wonder that Rhys shared those feelings.

I wanted to pinch myself and make sure I wasn’t dreaming, but I settled for wrapping my arms around Rhys and pulling him close. He let out another of those adorable sleepy huffs, and turned his face towards me.

“Too early,” he mumbled.

I let out a soft laugh. My baby boy didn’t like early mornings. He screwed his face up and tried to scowl at me, but all it did was make me laugh harder.

“You’re not being very nice to me, Daddy.”

Fuck, didn’t that make my heart sing, hearing that word from my sweet boy’s lips?

Rolling over, I was careful not to crush my boy. I held my weight over him. I kissed him slow and sweet, his pout evaporating under the press of my lips. “Now baby bear, I’m not a terrible Daddy.” I ran my nose along his throat, my beard tickling his skin by the way he giggled. Damn, I could listen to that sweet sound all day.

“I didn’t say you were terrible, I just said you weren’t being very nice to me.” He let out a sexy little moan as I trailed my lips down his throat, nipping gently at the tender, pale skin. He sighed out a pleading, “Daddy.”

“What’s wrong, baby bear? I’m being nice now, aren’t I?” I rested on one of my arms, letting the fingers of my other hand run across the fabric of the light T-shirt he wore. I lifted his tee, getting a tantalizing glimpse of his pale skin. “Shirt off, baby bear?”

I waited to see how Rhys reacted, and felt a bubble of pride when he nodded emphatically.

“God, yes,” he said excitedly, fingers grabbing at the hem of my tee.

“Give me a minute, hasty boy.” I sat up and pulled my shirt off, and the hooded look Rhys gave me made my blood hum. I reached out and tugged at his tee, his hands joining mine to help divest him of the garment. I shared my boy’s need for skin-on-skin contact, chests flush against each other.

I kissed him slowly, feeling him melt beneath me. I couldn’t wait to get to know every inch of my boy’s body. God, I loved thinking and saying that. My boy. I loved his playful little side, and couldn’t wait to explore that with him, but I also adored Rhys the man, with all his quirks and ways. I loved how he brought out the good in people.

Looking into his sky-blue eyes, I couldn’t help but grin like a fool. “You’re perfect, you know that?”

Rhys blushed and turned his head away.

That wouldn’t do. I needed him to believe me. “Hey, baby bear, look at me.”

Rhys turned his head back, but kept his gaze downcast. “I’m not perfect.”

“We can agree to differ. In my eyes, you’re pretty damn perfect”— I leaned down and kissed his nose—“and sexy as fuck.”

Rhys gave a bashful smile, lifting his gaze at last. “You really think so?”

“Let me show you, baby boy. Remember, you can use safe words if it gets too much.”

Rhys nodded shyly. “Even when we’re just fooling around?”

“Yes, baby, even then. I want you to enjoy what we do together.” I ran my hands lightly down his ribs until they settled on slim hips. “This is all new ground for you, and I don’t want to push you too hard.”

Rhys fluttered his lashes and smiled. “Right now, Daddy, the only thing hard is being ignored by you.”

I dropped my head to Rhys’s chest, laughing. “You’re cheeky, but I’m going to let it slide this time, ’cause Daddy really wants to get a taste of his boy.”

“Yes, please, Daddy.” Rhys’s voice was a breathless little whisper that made my blood hum. I wanted to see what other sounds I could pull from him. Fingering the waistband of his sleep pants, I caught his eye. Rhys gave a shy nod, his cheeks turning a delightful red as I slowly slid his pants down his slim thighs. A giggle burst from him when I threw the offending garment over my shoulder.

I moved down to kiss the soft, flat muscles of his stomach. Moving lower, I kissed his hip, nosing at the delicate skin. He still smelled slightly of the bubble bath. Moving between his spread legs, I kissed and nipped his inner thighs, avoiding his cock. I wasn’t above wanting to see my pretty boy beg for me.

“Daddy, please.” Rhys whispered. I didn’t think my sweet boy even knew what he wanted, but I was more than happy to show him. I reached out, gently stroking his cock. He had the prettiest dick I’d ever seen, and I told him so, earning more of those lovely blushes I was so fond of. The colour extended from his cheeks down his neck and chest. He couldn’t hide it, and I loved it.

“Where do you want Daddy’s mouth, baby?” I kissed his inner thigh. “Here?” Then I moved to kiss alongside his cock, rubbing my nose against the coarse hair of his groin.

“D-Daddy, don’t tease,” Rhys huffed.

“Not teasing, baby bear. All you have to tell me is where you want my mouth.” I was pushing Rhys a little, but I wanted my boy to learn to ask me for what he wanted, and to not be ashamed of what he craved. “Tell me, baby.” I kissed his stomach.

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