Page 29 of In the Name of the Father

“I won’t, I promise. You can lie on the couch and rest your feet in my lap, and I can read while you snooze. Ever have a foot massage?”

“A…a what?” Seth tried to make sense of everything Malcolm was saying, but his head was filled with cotton. “Why would you want to rub my feet?”

Malcolm regarded him with compassion then cupped his cheek. “Because it would make you feel good.”

Oh. “If you want to, you can.”

“All right, I will.” Malcolm offered him a warm smile, then shut off the faucets. He dipped his hand into the water, then shook it out. “Come here and tell me what you think of the temperature.”

Seth obeyed him then nodded. “It’s perfect.”

Malcolm rose. “Let’s get you out of those clothes. I can leave the room for a sec or turn around if you’d rather not wear your underwear in the bath.”

“You don’t have to leave.” Seth considered Malcolm’s offer. He wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary to turn around, but… Seth shook his head. Too much was happening at once. “But, if you could turn around I’d appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

Malcolm did as he’d promised he would, and Seth quickly shed his garments and socks. He clutched the edge of the tub then climbed in, the hot water shocking his skin for a moment before it quickly wrapped him in a soothing embrace. He lowered his body into the tub.

Seth let out a satisfied sigh. He rested his head against the back of the hard surface and closed his eyes.

“Would you like your water bottle? The heat might make you dehydrated.”

Seth’s hands flew to cover his genitals at the rumble of Malcolm’s deep voice. However, when he opened his eyes, he noted that Malcolm still had his back to him.

“That would be nice, thank you.” Seth cleared his throat. “Um, it’s okay if you want to turn around now.”

Malcolm reached for the bottle then, without lowering his gaze the way Seth would’ve done had the situation been reversed, he handed Seth the water.

“Why don’t you take a few sips now.” Malcolm plucked Seth’s washcloth off the rail. “Here. You can use this if you’d like. This is more about you relaxing than washing, though, so I’ll be shampooing your hair.”

Seth’s jaw went slack as he accepted the cloth from Malcolm. The last time anyone had done that for him had been his mom. He idly rubbed the cloth along his arms while Malcolm retrieved a bottle of some fancy herbal shampoo he’d never heard of before. As Malcolm got himself settled on the edge of the tub behind him, Seth subtly pushed the cloth down so it would cover him some more.

He didn’t want to be so shy and uncomfortable with Malcolm. Instead, he would’ve loved to have been naked with his handsome fantasy. Seth chewed on his lip.

He didn’t mean it like that. He’s only trying to help you feel better and respect your privacy.

“Tip your head back so I can pour some water over your hair. Keep your eyes closed.”

The warm liquid soaked his skin and Seth gave himself over to Malcolm’s care. Then a cold dollop of the fragrant shampoo was worked into his scalp and Seth tried not to shiver. He wasn’t cold, only thrilled. The intimacy of the moment surprised him.

“That’s it, Seth. Let yourself go. You’re safe and I won’t let anyone harm you.”

Seth’s bottom lip trembled, but he wouldn’t cry. The moment was too beautiful to sully with sadness.

Malcolm’s fingers worked his scalp with a skilled touch. The moment captured him, held him in the thrall of being so close to this man, this stranger whom he now felt was more trustworthy than anyone in his family had ever been.

“Mmm. S’nice.”

The guttural tone of his own voice startled Seth. He hadn’t meant to say a word, but it was as if he couldn’t hold in his appreciation. Malcolm deserved to know how much what he was doing for him meant.

“Good, sweetheart. I’m glad. Now keep your eyes closed so I can rinse you off.”

Sweetheart. He keeps saying that.

What did it mean? Whatever might be intended behind the word—Seth loved it. He wasn’t sure if that was simply the way Malcolm’s nature was, that he was very affectionate with people he liked, or if maybe it signified something more personal.

I hope it’s more.

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