Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“No way! I love them. Ooh, and look!” Now that Keegan’s whole body was in the liquid, the paint was soaking off of his skin, and the colors were spreading across the water’s surface and infusing into the bubbles. “It’s like tie dye.”
I chuckled as I watched him swirl the colors together. At first, they did look like tie dye, but soon they all mixed into what looked like a giant mud puddle. It was much less appealing. To me, anyway; Keegan still looked to be having a great time. He swatted at the bubbles, trapping them between his palms and clapping until they popped and turned to foam.
I thought perhaps he was pretending to be a crocodile, snapping up the bubbles like that, but then he started quacking, so I must have misread the game. Were the bubbles bread crumbs? I wasn’t entirely sure, but Keegan seemed pleased to play in his foamy, muddy paint soup. Maybe I should have given him a shower instead.
I hated to ruin his fun, but I felt like he wasn’t getting clean in the mixture, so it was time to change it up. I told Keegan I would be right back, retrieved a washcloth and large plastic cup from the kitchen, and returned to the bathroom to find my boy sitting still in his paint puddle, giving me a curious look.
“Daddy, if you were giving a duck a bath with rubber ducks, do you think it would try to be their mom, or bite them on the head?”
Caught off guard by the random question, I blinked in silence for a minute before erupting into laughter. “I’m not sure, baby,” I finally answered. “I guess it would depend on if it was a nice duck or a grumpy duck.” Seemingly content with my answer, Keegan nodded and went back to squashing bubbles.
I lowered myself onto my knees next to the tub, and reached into the murky water to pull the plug from the bottom.
“Aw, do I have to get out already?” Keegan pouted, pushing out his bottom lip.
“Not yet. I’m just replacing the water; I don’t think you’re getting very clean in here.” I turned on the tap and tested the temperature of the fresh, clean liquid once more.
“I’m a dirty duck, quack quack,” Keegan announced as he splashed around, making me chuckle again.
“You are a very dirty duck, but I think I can fix that.” I held the cloth beneath the faucet until it was soaked, and then poured a blob of soap onto its surface before touching it to Keegan’s chest. Though it was a clean spot, I was taking the opportunity to touch him everywhere.
I cleansed his chest in small, gentle circles, traveling from his collarbone to just above his navel, which was hidden beneath the water’s surface. I studied every inch as I washed him. Our bodies couldn’t be more different; I was thick-set, padded by good food and admittedly lax habits, and covered in a layer of coarse, salt and pepper hair.
Keegan was slim and smooth. I could feel the bumps of his ribs through his skin, though I couldn’t make them out with my eyes. He was delicate, but not weak. His sass and strong will were proof of that. He was the perfect blend of strength and gracefulness.
Once his torso was covered in suds, I filled the tall cup with warm water and poured it over his skin.
“Mm, that feels good,” Keegan hummed, before lifting his arm out of the basin, stretching it out towards me. His silent instructions were clear, so I got to work.
His arms took a bit more scrubbing to remove the colorful splatters, but my boy didn’t seem to mind; he hummed with each swipe, and his mouth tipped up into a pretty smile as his eyes slid closed.
I thoroughly cleaned his right arm and hand, followed by the left before moving on to his face. In removing the few paint smears on his skin, I also took off his makeup, but it didn’t detract from his beauty in the slightest. He was naturally gorgeous, inside and out.
I filled the cup again and asked him to tip his head back. I used my hand to shield his eyes and poured the water over his head. He moaned as it trickled down his back, and again when I massaged shampoo into his locks, gently scratching his scalp.
But as much as he was enjoying his bath, I was sure it wasn't as much as I enjoyed giving it to him. This is what I’d been missing in my life; someone to care for and dote on. I wanted to meet every one of Keegan’s needs, and spoil him with my time and attention.