Page 1 of Now and Forever

Chapter One

Seth’s hand shook as he put away the last of the glasses from the dishwasher. He and Daddy would be leaving early in the morning for their trip to visit Daddy’s parents, so he wanted to make sure the kitchen was spotless. It wouldn’t be good to come back to a dirty house. He sucked in a breath as he neatly folded the towel hanging it perfectly over the towel rod. Now that he was thinking about it, he should probably vacuum as well, maybe do some dusting. Sure, he’d cleaned top to bottom a couple days ago, but this way, the house wouldn’t get that bad while they were gone for the week.

A whole week. He swallowed hard.What if they don’t like me?

Daddy had suggested he bring Bear, but there was no way. Asking to see Benny, Daddy’s treasured stuffed toy from when he was a kid, was one thing. Daddy’s mom would simply assume it was a bit of nostalgia—not something that was a part of Seth’s world as an adult. As it was, Seth knew he’d probably mess everything up anyway by blurting something out he shouldn’t. Daddy’s parents didn’t know about their lifestyle, and Seth had been calling him ‘Daddy’ for almost the entire nine months they’d been together. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d referred to him as Malcolm.

“Hey, baby,” Daddy spoke in passing on his way to the laundry room. “I’m missing a sock. Where the hell do those things go?”

The sound of Daddy patting the inside of the dryer accompanied some unintelligible mutterings. Finally, he emerged but was empty-handed.

“Well, that’s another one that’s evaporated into the ether. What if from now on, I only buy solid black socks in the exact same style?” Daddy chuckled. “Then it wouldn’t matter if I lost two or three here and there.” He frowned as he regarded Seth. “What’s wrong?”

Seth’s eyes widened. Even after all this time together, he kept forgetting that Daddy could tell the second something wasn’t right with him. He was terrible at hiding things—always had been—but at the same time, he didn’t want to be dishonest with his Daddy. However, his quandary remained. Daddy had too much on his mind with the trip. The last thing he needed to worry about was Seth’s stupid nerves.

He was damn tired of being so anxious about things all the time.

Maybe he was much better than he used to be—could stop and take a breath now and then instead of freaking out. He’d even learned to accept that he couldn’t make himself perfect, no matter how hard he tried. Still, why couldn’t he control it when he really, really wanted to?

Daddy tilted his head then took a step closer. “Seth, could you please answer me? I know something’s bothering you.” Daddy pointed at Seth’s body. “You’re twisting your hands and your leg is jiggling.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, baby. Perhaps you’re not ready for this whole trip.” He drew his eyebrows together, rubbing his chin. “It might be better to ask them to come here another time, instead. That way, you’d be in a familiar environment.”

“No! I don’t want to do that!”

Seth pressed his lips together, shoving his hands in his pockets as Malcolm regarded him with a stunned expression. Malcolm narrowed his eyes then leaned against the counter with one hip.

“Okay, sweetheart. Tell me why that would be an issue.”

“Because.”

He wasn’t in the mood to express his feelings. Some days, it seemed as if that’s all he did. If he wasn’t so busy working through his damn emotions and going to therapy, maybe he would’ve finished his GED by now and made something of himself. His eyes burned and he sniffed.

Malcolm shook his head. “You know that’s not an acceptable answer, Seth. Please don’t shut me out like that. It hurts my feelings.”

Seth’s stomach clenched. He’d never hurt Daddy, would never want him to feel bad. But why couldn’t he just the subject drop? Seth still had so much to do to get ready. He hadn’t even made up his mind yet on which shirt he should wear to meet Daddy’s parents.

“Everything’s fine, that’s all I mean. I’m ready to visit your parents.” He grunted. ”I can handle it. I’m not a baby.”

Malcolm crossed his arms. “Watch your tone. Looking out for your best interests isn’t me saying I think you’re a baby or incapable.”

Seth turned away from Daddy and began wiping the already clean counter. “Sorry. I’ll just finish up in here then go make sure I’m packed, maybe vacuum and…then…I…”

Seth cleared his throat. He wasn’t sure what he was rambling on about. His heart was pounding away as if it were a runaway train on the tracks and he was going to crash at any moment.

“Come on, boy.” Daddy’s hand landed on his arm. “You’re done in here.”

His tone was firm, but not angry. Seth recognized it immediately. Daddy wasn’t mad at him, but he was about to give him a time out. Seth hoped it was the kind where they snuggled together naked in bed, but somehow, he doubted it.

“Seth?” Daddy arched his eyebrows. “Let’s go.”

Seth gave him a jerky nod as he draped the cloth over the faucet. “All right, Daddy. But there’s nothing wrong.”

Daddy’s fingers wrapped around Seth’s wrist. The grip was enough to remind him who was in charge, but not even close to hurting. If anything, it gave Seth a much-needed dose of reassurance. He wasn’t a baby, but he sure as heck needed his Daddy.

Daddy tugged on his arm and led him through the living area then down the hall to the guest room. He wondered whether Daddy might be trying the bigger plug on him, to get him to pay attention. Whenever he wore the cage and plug at the same time, it kept him focused. Maybe the focus was on his cock and ass, but at least it prevented him from dwelling on other things. Daddy probably figured if he did that, Seth would calm down and go to sleep.

He gave an inner shrug. It could happen.

But still his heart thundered on.

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