“Do you need me to help you change your clothes?” Jude asked.
“Yes, please.” Liam followed Jude’s gaze to the shelf.
“And maybe a diaper?” Jude asked.
Liam sucked in a breath.
“I think that’s a yes, but I need for you to use words,” Jude said gently.
“I want a diaper,” Liam whispered.
“Good boy. Such a brave little one for me.”
Liam smiled shyly.
“Come over here with Daddy.” Jude held out his hand.
Liam shuddered hard. Just like he’d done on the couch. Liam really liked the dynamic. Needed it. Jude knew how he felt. He’d missed this. There was an intimacy between a Daddy and a little that exceeded more than even sex. How had he lived without this?
His boy was obviously nervous but there was also excitement in those big blue eyes.
“All you have to say is stop,” Jude said as he turned Liam to face him, Liam’s back to the changing table. “You say stop and everything stops. We’ll talk and cuddle. I won’t be mad.”
“Okay.” Liam nodded. “If I say stop, then everything will stop.”
“Good boy,” Jude praised. He set his bag on the end of the changing table. “Shirt first?”
Liam held up his arms. The boy could only raise them up to his shoulders.
Jude carefully pulled the loose shirt off him. He hissed, making note of the red skin. Liam would start to peel soon. To heal. The poor baby. It was not going to be comfortable.
He had to push down the guilt of knowing if he’d been there, this wouldn’t have happened. Jude would have made sure that Liam had been drinking water, getting slathered with sunscreen, and hadn’t spent too much time in the sun.
Next came the lounge pants that Liam wore.
Jude knelt before slipping the cotton down Liam’s legs. That left Liam in only a pair of boxers.
“I’m going to take these off now,” Jude warned.
Liam nodded.
“Hey.” Jude looked up at Liam. Made sure Liam’s gaze met his. “We don’t have to do this.”
“I want to!” Liam said loudly. Maybe a little too loudly.
“It’s okay to be nervous,” Jude told him.
“I know.” Liam huffed. “I know this. I’ve done this before. I don’t know why—”
“You haven’t done this with me.” Jude winked. “I’m nervous too.”
“No, you’re not!” Liam replied. There was a small smile on his face. Just the start of one.
“I am,” Jude assured him. “Swear.”
“I’m being silly,” Liam told him.
“A silly boy.” Jude laughed. “It’s probably good that I know just what to do with a silly boy.” He yanked Liam’s boxers down. “There. Now I’ve seen you naked.”
