“Come on. We need to get up. My dirty boy got us all filthy and now we need to wash up and clean our clothes or we’ll be all sticky.” I gave him a reprimanding look, but the chuckle he gave me let me know it didn’t hit its mark.
Instead, it hit somewhere deep inside my chest.
21
NATHAN
The snow fell softly as I bundled my little bird into his coat and ushered him to the door. I’d had some worry about the weather, but the forecast had said there should only be a few flurries in the morning leading into the afternoon and taper off before most people sat down to eat.
“Are you sure about this, Nate? Maybe we should just stay home.” Aiden stopped and turned around in my arms, casting a wary glance up at the overcast sky. When he looked back at me, and his gaze caught mine, I leaned in and pressed my forehead against his.
I wanted to give him whatever he wanted, but I also didn’t want to let him hide. He still had a lot of anxiety over what had happened the last time we went to his parents’ house and the idea of going back there with me played heavily on his nerves. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to put things off.
Not that I particularly wanted the first official meeting with his parents to end up being this farce of a holiday meal. Though, as I gazed at Aiden’s face, no matter how anxious he was, I couldn’t deny that this year I had plenty to be thankful for.
He grimaced and walked out the door, stopping to stare ahead. I nearly bumped into him as I walked behind him and pulled the door closed.
“Aiden?” I wasn’t sure what had stopped him and I scanned the street, but I didn’t see any potential threats.
The look he gave me as he turned around was… confusing. A lot was going on there and I wasn’t sure how to read it.
“Is that your car?” He almost choked on the last word. Which, I guess the suped up SUV could barely be classified as acar.
I chuckled and kissed his head, grabbing the keys out of his hand and turning back to look at the door.
“Baby. It’s Thanksgiving. This isyourfamily’s holiday. We can do whatever you want to do, but Iknowthat you want to spend the holiday with your parents and your sister. But tell me now, am I locking the door or are we going back inside?” I looked over at the car, already loaded up with the goodies we were taking with us, before I turned back to him, waiting him out.
As I stared into his eyes, a thought struck me that chilled me worse than the snow swirling around us ever could. “Little bird? Do you want to go to your parents’ alone?”
His head snapped up, eyes wide and his forehead creased as he stared at me as though I’d spoken in tongues and couldn’t quite decipher what I’d said.
“I mean, we’ve only been back together for a week, so if it’s too soon for you to want to bring me around, I’d understand.”
Aiden launched himself at me, covering my mouth with his hand. “Don’t be silly. Of course I want you to come to my parents’ house with me. This is our do-over. Our opportunity to do it right this time.”
He sagged against me for a moment, like a deflated balloon that lost all of its air. I wasn’t sure what was up with him, but I could tell something was bothering him. And since we had alittle bit of a drive, I hoped I could get it out of him before we got there so we could settle it and not have an uncomfortable meal.
He leaned back and chewed his bottom lip, until I reached up and tugged it free. I leaned in, pulling him close to me, nuzzling against his ear. “Now, now, little bird. We’ve already discussed this. I’m the only one allowed to give you pleasureorpain.”
A soft gasp ripped from deep within his chest as his head shot up, eyes glazed. Maybe it had been a little mean to tease him, but it was better than him being in his head, needlessly worrying about how his parents were potentially silently judging the fact that I was his Daddy.
Little did he know, he had much bigger worries when it came to me with his parents. But hopefully, no one would ever be the wiser about those fears he should have been focusing on.
I booped his nose and smirked at his obvious arousal. “Later. First, we need to get through dinner with your family, baby. Now, let’s go before we’re late.”
Aiden groaned and stomped toward the SUV, but he didn’t put up a fight, despite his petulance. I smiled and shook my head at his antics. I loved how he had a bit of a bratty side. He made my hand itch to punish him and I wondered if he’d be into that.
It still amazed me how things had worked out.
Getting in the SUV, I quickly turned it on and cranked up the heat, knowing he got cold easily. He eagerly leaned forward, holding his hands up to the vents, and cast me a grateful smile. “Thanks, Daddy.”
I brushed a stray lock of his hair aside and my heart slammed into my ribcage as the depths of my feelings for him overwhelmed me. Staring into his eyes, I wondered how he had managed to captivate me so completely. “Of course, little bird.”
We made our way to his parents’ house in a comfortable silence, and my hand found its way to his knee. My fingers gently stroked him through his jeans, attempting to soothe his unease. He stared out the window, still with an anxious look on his face, and sighed.
But I didn’t stop. I’d never stop offering comfort to my little bird when he needed it.
“You don’t have to worry about your parents. You know that. Right? They love you and just want you to be happy.”
