Page 71 of The Intimacy of Control

“Mm, you know just how to take care of me.”

“Of course I do. You’re mine, aren’t you? Gotta make sure you’re all taken care of.” I slid the loofah across his chest and down his stomach.

“Are you going to let me wash you, too?”

“If that’s what you want. But you can’t use this on me.” I washed across his upper thighs. “These things get caught on stuff easily.”

“What stuff?”

I pulled back a bit, scrubbing along his upper back downward. “Like nipple and dick piercings.”

He hissed. “Oh, yeah. No, that makes sense. Is there a washcloth?”

I got my hand sudsy and wrapped my palm around his cock, giving him a gentle stroke. “I don’t think so. Just use your hands if you want.”

“Oh, I want.”

I chuckled and slowly ran my hand over his ass, making sure to get between his cheeks. “Hand me the wand, would you?”

Such an obedient boy. I took it from him, gently spraying over his shoulders first. He seemed much more relaxed. I didn’t know how I hadn’t noticed before. He usually helda lot of tension in his shoulders and back, like he was always preparing for something to fall on them.

How long had he been holding the entire world up on his shoulders? How long had he been afraid of letting go? I couldn’t help but crave to ask if it was since the drowning or if it’d always been that way. From what he’d said, it sounded like his parents had set him up with an impossible standard from the very start.

After I’d gotten everything off him, it was my turn. His fingers massaged my scalp in soothing, gentle motions, lulling me into something far more peaceful than rest. It felt the same as when I held him in my arms and fell asleep by his side.

I turned to him, letting him explore my skin with body soap on his hands. He seemed to be enjoying himself—that is, until he glanced at the jacuzzi. His face fell immediately, his gaze flicking off to the side.

I tilted my head, slowly reaching out for his chin. I took it between my fingers, slowly lifting it. “Would you get in if I got in with you?”

Water dripped from his hair down his face, stopping right above his upper lip. I wanted to lick it off. Drink whatever had touched his skin because his skin was mine, and I was greedy. “I don’t know about that.”

“Why?”

“Sounds terrifying.”

“Sure. But being around me feels like magic, right? We don’t have to be in there long. I’ll hold you the entire time, and maybe something magical will happen. Maybe you’ll be okay, since I’m there.”

The green in his hazel eyes damn near shined as he found my gaze. I thought I saw a twinkle in them. A twinkle of something close to hope and courage. “I don’t know, Forrest. I might freak out.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Implicitly.”

“Then trust that I won’t let anything happen to you. If you freak out, I’ll still be there. I promise.”

He grabbed the wand, pouring the water over my chest. “I’ll try. I guess.” One of his fingers went over my nipple, gently knocking the barbell through it. “As long as you promise to hold me.”

“I’ll always hold you, sweetie.”

“I believe you.” He put the wand back, turning toward me to cup my face. His lips were so soft against mine; I never wanted him to pull away. It felt right. It felt like…

Fuck, it felt like freedom with sparks of magic. Just like he’d said.

I stepped out of the shower, dripping water all over the tile floor as I walked to the jacuzzi. It took me a few seconds to figure out how to turn it on, but once I did, it started filling up rapidly. Jack was off to the side, staring at it warily.

When it was less than halfway full, I turned the faucet off, not daring to let it fill up too much. This was supposed to be good for him, not terrify him. I opened my arms, smiling. “Come here, honey. Let’s get in together.” He glanced from the jacuzzi and back at me, obviously uncertain and afraid. “Do you want me to get in first?”

A small nod.