“Good. Now, how long have you been worrying about this?” he asked as he gave Emmett’s cheeks a gentle caress with his thumbs before letting him go and leaning back against the arm of the couch.
Emmett shrugged, not sure he wanted to say. He stood, starting to gather their dishes, but paused when Rooster said his name in thatyou better behave, little boyway that always made his knees weak. Sighing, he said, “Since my mom called me last week.”
Rooster tsked. “Are you supposed to be worrying about things behind my back, baby?”
Whoops.
“No, Daddy.”
He put their plates and garbage back on the coffee table when he felt Rooster stand behind him. They hadn’t talked about what would happen if he disobeyed since that wasn’t really what their dynamic had developed into. And had he even really broken a rule? Sure, they both liked when Rooster made decisions, and he maybe, sort of asked that Emmett come to him if he ever needed anything or had a problem…
Spinning around, he twisted his fingers in front of him. “Am I in trouble?”
Rooster was smiling, the crooked, indulgent one that made his little side push toward the surface. “No. I’m very proud of you for sharing your concerns with me and for asking me to come with you, even though you weren’t sure how I’d react.”
Warmth blossomed in his chest at the praise, and it spread through his limbs as Rooster ran the back of his fingers downone of Emmett’s cheeks. His eyes fluttered, and the urge to bury himself in his daddy’s chest for the rest of the night rose in him.
“I’ve got an idea,” Rooster said, cupping his chin and tipping his face up. “How about we postpone movie night?—”
“Oh, but?—”
“—and take a bath together instead,” Rooster finished, grinning when Emmett sucked in an excited breath.
“Really?” The tub in the upstairs bathroom was huge, but they’d only had one other chance to use it together. Suddenly, watching the Christmas movie he’d picked out held less appeal.
Rooster thumbed his dimple. “Really. Let’s clean up down here and then head up.”
Emmett rushed to clear away their dishes and trash while Rooster went around and turned off lights and the tree and checked the front door. Before heading upstairs, Emmett went back through the living room and grabbed Snowball and Woofie from where they were half-buried under a blanket on the couch. When he reached the top of the stairs, he heard water running in the bathroom, but he detoured into his bedroom, leaving the stuffies on the end of the bed to wait for them.
He stepped into the bathroom and sucked in a breath. Rooster was already half-naked, his shirt discarded and pants unbuttoned. He was leaning back against the sink, hands next to his hips, as he watched the tub slowly fill, but he turned and smiled at Emmett as soon as he came in.
“Come ’ere, little boy,” he said, voice low and husky as he held out a hand.
Emmett took it and wasn’t surprised when he got pulled in, landing with a little huff against Rooster’s bare chest. “Hi, Daddy.”
His smile widened, but he didn’t say anything, simply leaned down and pressed a sweet, chaste kiss to Emmett’s lips. Then another. Then one more. Heat began to pool in Emmett’s belly as he twined his arms up and around Rooster’s neck.
When his daddy pulled away instead of deepening the kisses, he gave him his best pout.
“Suck in that sexy lip, baby,” he growled, giving Emmett’s butt a quick pat. “Do you want bubbles?”
Distracted, he nodded and hurried to grab the bottle so he could add some before the tub got too full. When he finished, he turned back around. Rooster had shed his pants, and Emmett couldn’t look away from his half-hard cock. As he watched, it plumped up a little more, and Emmett clenched his butt and licked his lips.
Rooster groaned. “You look hungry.” He prowled toward him. “Is there something you want?”
“Just you, Daddy,” he whispered, raising his arms complacently when Rooster grabbed the hem of his shirt.
“That’s a good answer.” Slowly, Rooster raised his sweater up his body, trailing the backs of his fingers up Emmett’s sensitive sides and making him shiver. “I always want you too, Emmett.”
He jolted at the words, not expecting them, and lifted his gaze to meet Rooster’s intense brown eyes. Before he could figure out what to say, Rooster continued.
“I know it can be a little scary, but I want you to remember something,” he said, tugging Emmett’s sweater off over his head and tossing it onto the bathroom counter. As he started to unbutton his jeans, Emmett slowly let his arms fall back to his sides as he stared at Rooster’s serious face in anticipation. “We’re perfect for each other.”
“Daddy…” His heart felt like it was growing three sizes in his chest, but Rooster wasn’t done.
“We are, little boy. And that won’t change even if Erik throws a fit or Viper gets a girlfriend. You and me?” He dropped into a crouch to tug Emmett’s pants off, ignoring how his breaths were coming faster and his hands were fisted at his sides to stop him from throwing himself at Rooster. “We’re rock fucking solid. Nothing will change how we feel about each other or how adorable I find you. Or how as soon as I think you won’t freak out, I’m going to ask you to move in with me.”
Emmett sucked in a breath so hard he started to cough, then shot Rooster a glare when he chuckled as he pushed to his feet. “You did that on purpose,” he rasped.
