Page 59 of In the Name of the Father

Malcolm let out a sigh. He could be such a fool at times. “I won’t, Nate. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Nate smacked him on the back. “Excellent. You’re growing some sense.” Nate tugged Tina to his side. “Whaddya say, baby girl. McDonalds? I think they’re having a two for one special on the cheeseburgers. Don’t ever say I don’t give you the best.”

Tina pursed her lips then turned to Malcolm. “Do you see whatI’mdealing with?”

Malcolm laughed, loving that he had such wonderful and understanding friends. However, his mind was only on one thing.

Seth.

Chapter Sixteen

Seth sat on the edge of the bed, staring into the mirror he and Malcolm had been standing in front of only moments before. Their guests had arrived, but he couldn’t make himself move from that spot. Once again, panic had gripped his heart and had him frozen, unable to function like a normal person.

They’re Daddy’s guests. His friends, not mine.

He dropped his head into his hands. How could he be so ungrateful after everything Daddy had done for him? Why did he have to have it all? Daddy had once said he was falling in love, so maybe, someday, he’d love him for real. He was probably taking things slowly, that’s all. Daddy was a careful man, smart. All the same, when he’d told Seth he’d be there for him as long as Seth wanted, it’d sounded as if Daddy thought their relationship wouldn’t last, that maybe Seth would move on at some point.

But I won’t. Not ever.

And Daddy still hadn’t tried to make love to him. They’d been sharing a bed, had touched, kissed, used their mouths on each other, used their fingers…And the toys. They’d even been tested and cleared of STDs, yet Daddy still hadn’t wanted to be with him as if they were a true couple. Even though Daddy had insisted that intercourse wasn’t necessary, Seth couldn’t help but wonder why he still wasn’t interested now that they’d been sleeping together for so long.

Maybe something’s changed.

Seth realized he was chewing on his thumbnail, so he sat on his hands. Voices carried to the bedroom and it sounded as if maybe they were coming from the foyer instead of the living room. Seth straightened. The front door opened then shut again before the house went quiet.

Oh no.

Had they left because he hadn’t gone to greet them quickly enough, had been too rude to Daddy’s guests? His heart thumped, sweat beading at his hairline as he swallowed past the lump in his throat. Seth gripped the edge of the mattress and wondered how he could explain himself to Daddy so he wouldn’t give up on him completely.

The creak of footsteps in the hallway sounded and Seth had trouble catching his breath. He’d been freaking out abouteverythinghis entire life. Handling any type of conflict would always send him into a freefall of emotions he wasn’t capable of dealing with.

That’s why I need my Daddy.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

Seth looked up as Daddy entered the room and expected to see anger radiating from his features. Instead, he was met with his compassionate gaze.

“Did they leave because of me?” Seth was afraid to hear the answer, to discover how badly he’d messed things up.

Daddy sat next to him then took his hand, lacing their fingers together. “No, baby. They left because of me.”

“Huh?” Seth whipped his head around, staring at Daddy in confusion. “ButI’mthe one who was rude and didn’t come out to greet them.”

“Well…” Daddy played with their joined fingers. “I’m thinking maybe you didn’t come out of the bedroom because I hurt your feelings.” He locked eyes with Seth. “Maybe I haven’t been clear enough about my intentions toward you, clear about us.”

Seth snapped his mouth shut. His nerves were such a chaotic mess he couldn’t determine whether what Daddy was about to tell him would be good or horrible.

“Whatareyour intentions?” Seth bit his lip. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out quite like that.

“I’ve always intended to be with you for as long as you’d have me. But I realized tonight that I haven’t told you how much I love you, that Ihopeyou’ll want me forever.” Daddy cupped his cheek. “Because having you forever is all I’ll ever want.”

Seth tried to slow down the roar of emotion tumbling through him so he could speak, but he couldn’t find his voice. Instead, he climbed onto Daddy’s lap and threw his arms around his neck. Daddy buried his nose in Seth’s hair and wrapped him in a firm embrace. They held each other in silence, Seth marveling at how perfectly they fit together in all the ways that two people could.

“Daddy…” Seth straddled him so he could see his face. “I love you, too. And allIwant is to belong to you forever, to always be your boy.”

Daddy smiled at him with glittering eyes. “Then you shall have what you want.”

They both lunged at the same time, their mouths smashing together in a battle of lips, tongue and teeth, the need for connection so desperate that Seth ached to tear off their clothes, to touch naked skin, to feel Daddy everywhere.

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