Page 39 of Daddy Marc's Gem

“That so?” Marc rubbed his chin. He’d planned on saving it for the following weekend, however… “All right. It’s a deal.”

Hours later, after the last helper had departed with promises to visit soon, Marc closed the front door and leaned against it. Dolly tilted her head, staring up at him with tongue hanging, a dog smile giving the impression that she approved of everything. Marc patted her head then after a moment, she trotted off toward the kitchen where Foster was wiping down counters.

Marc followed, watching Foster from the doorway, taking in the sight of him moving about the room with quiet purpose. Something about the domesticity of it all—Foster caring for the kitchen as if it had always been his home—made Marc’s heart swell. Dolly padded over to Foster, nudging his leg with her nose until he acknowledged her.

“Hey, sweet girl.” Foster scratched behind her ears. “You getting used to your new home yet?"

She responded by licking the back of his hand, drawing a soft laugh from Foster. This was what he’d been missing all these years—not a partner, but this particular man with his gentle ways and shy smiles.

“Hey,” Marc said softly, crossing the room to stand behind him. He slid his hands around Foster’s waist, who relaxed against Marc’s chest. “You don't need to clean anymore. Everything looks perfect.”

Foster stilled his hands on the countertop. “I wanted to make sure I didn't leave a mess. Everyone was so nice to help, and I don’t want to leave your place a disaster on my first official night here.”

“Not mine. Ours.” Marc pressed his lips to the side of Foster’s neck. “Take a lesson from Dolly. She’s already claimed her spot on the braided rug in front of the fireplace. We might have to fight her for it.”

Foster chuckled as he set down the rag, then turned in Marc’s embrace. “She’s not the shy one, that’s for sure.”

They stole tiny kisses from each other for a few moments until Marc deepened the kiss, drawing a soft moan from Foster’s lips. He tasted sweet, like the lemonade they’d all been drinking while working. Marc pulled back to stare into those blue eyes that seemed to shift between shy uncertainty and absolute trust.

“Come with me,” Marc whispered, taking Foster’s hand.

Foster followed without hesitation, his fingers laced through Marc’s. Dolly watched them leave, then settled onto her bed next to the kitchenette.

Marc led Foster to their bedroom where the newly placed cedar chest stood at the foot of the bed. Lamplight cast a warm glow across the room, softening the shadows. Foster’s books had found homes on the shelves, his clothes hung in the closet beside Marc’s, and a framed photo of his grandparents now sat on the nightstand.

“Are you tired? Hungry?”

“A bit tired, but...” Foster trailed off as his gaze met Marc’s, a flush creeping up his neck. “Not too tired for anything you might have in mind.”

Marc smiled, reaching up to trace his thumb along Foster’s jawline. “Daddy’s going to take very good care of you tonight.”

Foster ducked his head. “Come on. Whendon’tyou take amazing care of me?”

Marc leaned in, whispering next to Foster’s ear. “Let’s just say I want tonight to be extra memorable.” The shiver he got in response to his words told him he was on the right track. “But first, I want to make sure you’re completely relaxed and able to enjoy what I have in store for you.” Marc tugged Foster’s hand, guiding him to the adjoining bathroom. “I’m going to draw you a hot bath so you can soak in some Epsom salts while I feed you.”

Foster froze mid-stride, his jaw falling open. “You’re going to feed me in the bathtub? Seriously?”

Marc paused and locked eyes with him. “Do you need to use your safeword?”

He snorted. “Lord, no. I’d be a fool.”

With a chuckle, Marc continued to lead Foster to the bathroom. After carefully undressing him, Foster silent throughout the experience as if in awe, Marc turned on the spigot of the clawfoot tub. He tested the temperature of the water with his wrist. and soon steam was filling the room. He added a cup of lavender-scented salts, swirling his fingers through the heated water to mix it all together.

“Here.” Marc held out his hand. “Let me help you into the tub.”

Foster still hadn’t said a word, but Marc didn’t want to disrupt his calm with questions. He wanted Foster to be completely relaxed for what he had in store for him. Foster sunk into the water with a sigh, letting his head fall back on the rolled-up towel Marc had placed at the lip of the tub. Once Foster seemed settled, he dimmed the lights then lit several candles, the glow from the flames dancing across the tiled walls.

“Close your eyes, baby,” Marc whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

As Marc made his way back to the kitchen, he ran through his mind what sort of finger foods he could quickly put together. He also hoped that the other item he needed for after Foster’s bath was usable. If not, they could still explore in other ways.

Dolly came sniffing around as soon as he opened the cheese and cold cut drawer. He patted her on the head after pulling out all the items he wanted.

“You’re a quick study, aren’t you girl?”

After he gathered everything together on a small platter, tucked two water bottles under his arm, and paid the cheesetax, he returned to their bedroom suite. When he entered the bathroom, it didn’t seem as if Foster had moved, his eyes still closed, his breathing deep and even. The water lapped gently against the porcelain as Marc set the platter on the vanity, then pulled the wooden hamper between that and the tub. He sat on the lid, then retrieved the food, balancing it on his knee.

“You still with me?” Marc kept his voice low so as not to startle him.

---