Tom stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He began to undress, shedding his clothes in a heap on the floor as he prepared for his evening shower. The hot water would help to ease the tension in his muscles, a welcome respite after a long day at work.
But his plans for a peaceful shower were soon interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Daddy?" came a small voice from the other side. "Can I bathe with you?"
Tom hesitated, his hand frozen in mid-air as he reached for the faucet. It was a request he hadn't heard in years, not since Lily was just a toddler. Back then, he hadn't thought twice about it - of course she could bathe with him. But now, things were different.
"Uh, I don't know, sweetie," he said, struggling to find the right words. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."
There was a pause on the other side of the door, and then Lily spoke again. "Aww, come on, Daddy. You're such a stick in the mud. We used to bathe together all the time when I was little."
Tom chuckled despite himself. Lily had always been a persuasive one, with a sharp wit and a quick tongue. He couldn't help but be charmed by her playful insults, even as he tried to maintain his resolve.
"I know, Lily, but you're not a little girl anymore," he said gently. "It's not really appropriate for us to bathe together now."
Lily pouted, but she didn't argue further. "Fine," she said, her voice petulant. "I'll just take a bath in the tub next to you, then."
Tom sighed, but he didn't have the heart to deny her. He finished undressing and stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading down his body as he tried to push aside his lingering doubts.
But even as he washed himself, he couldn't help but notice Lily watching him from the tub next to him. She giggled and made playful comments about his "dad bod," her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Tom tried to ignore her, but he found himself getting aroused despite himself. He quickly washed off and stepped out of the shower, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Could you wash my back, Daddy?" Lily asked, her voice innocent. "You always used to have the tickliest fingers."
Tom hesitated, but ultimately he couldn't resist. He grabbed a washcloth and stepped over to the tub, doing his best to keep things light and playful as he washed Lily's back.
But as he did, he couldn't help but notice how her body had changed since the last time they had bathed together. She was no longer the little girl he remembered, but a young woman on the cusp of adulthood.
Lily caught his gaze and smiled, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and unease. "Do you still love me, Daddy?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Of course I do, Lily," Tom said, his voice firm. "I will always love you, no matter what."
Lily smiled, then asked another question, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you still think I'm cute?"
Tom hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he also didn't want to encourage her crush.
"Lily, it's not appropriate for us to think about things like that," he said gently.
Lily pouted, but ultimately she forgave him. She hugged him tightly, her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed her cheek to his.
"I love you, Daddy," she whispered.
"I love you too, Lily," Tom said, his voice thick with emotion.
As they finished their baths, Tom couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He knew that Lily's crush on him was innocent, but he couldn't help but feel that it was wrong.
He resolved to keep a closer eye on her, and to make sure that their relationship stayed pure and platonic. It was a promise he made to himself, one that he knew he would have to keep no matter how difficult it might be.
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