His Stepson Wears Lace

by Kelex

  “You came into this marriage with nothing. Spent everything you could get your hands on. And then left me for another man. In what universe do you think you get spousal support?”

  Chaz jumped in then. “Mrs. Parker did leave Mr. Parker a Dear John letter claiming she’d left him for another man. That alone is abandonment of their marriage, and by state law, frees Mr. Parker from paying any spousal support.”

  “The supposed letter,” Bobby said. “Gloria contends it’s a fraud, of course. Mr. Parker’s way of getting out of paying spousal support.”

  “The hell it was,” Anson spat. He glared at Gloria. “It’s never enough, is it? No man will ever be enough. You’ve already got your hooks in a multi-millionaire yet want to rob me blind. What in the fuck did I ever do to you? I gave you everything you wanted.”

  Gloria lifted a brow. “Except for you. I had you for a few weeks in the beginning… but then you pulled farther and farther away every single day. Maybe I did leave you… but you left me a long time ago, Anson.”

  Anson realized there was some truth to her words. He’d spent more and more time at work as things had spiraled into chaos. At least at work he had consistency. A means to feel productive and in control. “We weren’t meant for one another. You and I both know that. Haven’t you wrung enough blood out of this rock?”

  “Technically, the trust is considered untouchable because the money was earmarked for Anson and Anson alone. The wording of it is quite good. Anson was right. His grandfather was the master of the estate plan. I don’t think you’re going to find a judge that’s going to give you what you want—Dear John letter or not.”

  Gloria eyed Bobby a moment. “Who’s side are you on? You told me there was a slim chance.”

  “That was before looking over the trust itself,” Bobby declared. “After reading the way it was written, I think it’s going to be not worth the fight.”

  “I should’ve known you had all the attorneys in the city in your pocket,” Gloria said, glaring at Anson.

  “It’s not that,” Bobby said. “Yes, I know Anson, but in all honesty, you were married a year. Like he said, you brought nothing to the marriage. The trust is sewn up. Getting half the house and your bills paid off is as good as you’re gonna get. It’s more than what you had when you married him.”

  “Fine,” Gloria murmured before looking down at a gaudy ring on her finger. “Honestly there’s really no point… Charles has already asked me to marry him. Once we tied the knot, the spousal support would end.”

  Anson shook his head. Jereme was right. She’s already got husband number six ready to take her down the aisle. “Thank you,” he murmured lowly.

  Gloria nodded royally, like she’d deemed him worthy of her regard.

  Once the finalities were done, they wrapped up the meeting. Before he could get back to his office, his father called him in.

  “How’d that go?”

  Anson shrugged. “About as much as I expected.” He took a seat across from his father’s desk. “Maybe a little better than expected, actually.”

  His father sat back in his chair. “So where’d you go this past weekend? Do anything fun?”

  A wave of worry washed over Anson. “Why’re you asking?”

  His dad sighed. “Jeff Haskins went up to see his kid at college this weekend and happened to see you walking down the street hand-in-hand with some young kid. Then he felt the need to call me and let me know all about it.”

  Anson shrugged it off. “He’s not a kid. He’s attending college there as well. Almost twenty.”

  His father’s bushy brows rose. “A twenty-year-old?”

  “Would you be so shocked if he was a she?” He would accept whoever I dated. Some acceptance.

  “Anson, you’re nearing thirty-five.”

  “Thirty-three,” he corrected his father.

  “Still, son. A thirteen-year age difference.”

  “Mom was twelve years your junior, wasn’t she?”

  “But that was different,” his father blasted. “She wasn’t my stepdaughter.”

  Anson eyed his father. How in the world had the man found out? Fuck him and his eyes all over. “Jereme is an adult. And we didn’t start anything until after Gloria had left me.”

  “Is that why she left you?”

  “No.”

  “Good,” his father said before sighing. “If you truly didn’t start anything until after the marriage was over, and the fact he’s over the age of consent, I understand your perception that there’s no wrong-doing here. But you also have to understand that your perception and other people’s perception are two dramatically different things. Our city’s not that big, Anson. A lot of people know a lot of people. If it gets out that you’re screwing your twenty-year-old stepson, that’s going to be a big fucking deal. Public perception would put you well into the wrong, no matter if you were or not. And that could impact the practice.”

  “So what’re you saying, Dad?”

  “Is this kid more important than your career? More important than this firm that your great-grandfather started?”

  Anson sat up straighter. “You want me to quit.”

  “No. Heavens no. I want my sons working with me, side by side, just as I worked with my father and my grandfather.” His father shook his head. “But you have to decide if that’s what you want. Because there’s a chance no one in their right mind would hire you as their lawyer if this news gets out. I’m not saying it’s right. I’m not telling you that you’re wrong. I’m just telling you what people are probably going to think. They’re going to wonder if it really did start once he was grown. If you weren’t fucking him behind Gloria’s back. The rumor mill just might crush you.”

  “And what if I choose him?”

  His father’s eyes narrowed some. “If you’re choosing him because you think it’ll piss me off, then you’re a stupid ass.” He paused, eyeing Anson a moment. “But if you’re choosing him because he makes you happy, then… choose him.”

  Anson eyed his father, shocked by the man’s words.

  “I love you, Anson. I know I don’t say that as much as I probably should, but I do. I’m not saying these things to hurt you or make your life any more difficult than it already is. If it was just some other guy, I wouldn’t think twice about it. But him being your stepson changes things dramatically. You have to see that.”

  “It’s not like I was his father in any way.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” his father said. “People are going to do what people do. And they’re going to make your life a living hell. They won’t understand. No matter how hard you try explaining it.”

  “I didn’t have to try too hard with you, it seems.”

  “Oh, I’ll admit that my mind went to places it likely shouldn’t have gone when I first heard the news. But once I cooled off and thought about it, I knew there had to be an explanation. That’s because I know what kind of a man you are.” His father frowned. “And I trust you. If you say he was an adult… and that there was nothing between you during the marriage… well, I believe you. You’ve never given me a reason not to.”

  In that moment, he knew this was just as hard for his father as it was for him. His dad was trying to protect the firm’s reputation, of course—but he was also trying to save Anson from the court of popular opinion.

  He’d seen better men than him torn down because of it.

  Did he choose Jereme? And if so, what happened to everything he’d worked for? “I’ve got to get going. Gloria has a crew coming over to pack her crap up and move it out. I want to be there to supervise.”

  “Yeah, okay,” his dad said. “Just think things through, son. Know what you’re facing if you make that choice.”

  That question whispered through his mind the rest of the day.

  He went home and met with Gloria and her moving crew. Twice in one day was two times too many. He didn’t relish her being in his space again, but he knew it was hopefully for the last time ever. The cre
w was prompt and efficient. Gloria directed them what to pack, and they quickly jumped into gear.

  “I heard these guys do good work. I’m impressed,” Gloria said.

  “Not bad at all. They should be done in no time.”

  “And then I’ll truly be out of your hair,” she offered with a smile. “It wasn’t all bad, was it?”

  There had been fun. Laughs. Especially in the beginning. But it hadn’t been great, either. Gloria seemed in an uncharacteristic good mood—especially after the argument earlier—but the end was nigh. Maybe she was as ready to move on as he was. And there was no reason to act like an asshole, either. “No. It wasn’t all bad.”

  She smiled up at him before reaching out and brushing some of his hair back. He flinched slightly, not wanting her touch.

  He belonged to another.

  “You need a haircut,” she murmured before pulling her hand away. “You always look hotter when your hair is short.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said lowly.

  “By the way, I’m leaving Jereme’s stuff in his room. I figure he’ll likely want to go through and take what he wants out.”

  “Yeah,” Anson said. “I’ll connect with him and get that all set up. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’ve been calling for over a week and can’t get him to respond. He’s mad at me. Heavens knows why.”

  Because you’re a shitty mother. But then who am I to talk? I was probably a shitty stepfather. “Well, maybe things will improve. It’s nearing the end of the semester. He’s probably just busy.”

  “The holidays are almost here.” Gloria cocked her head toward Anson. “What’re your plans for Christmas?”

  He frowned. What did it matter to her? “I don’t know, why?”

  “Well… I haven’t told Charles about Jereme yet. I don’t know how he’ll react.”

  Anson turned toward Gloria. There was no way in hell that someone like Atwood hadn’t had her investigated already. The man likely knew all about her history. He wished he’d thought of doing it himself, but then, he’d already been married to her at the point the idea formed. It seemed too little, too late. “Meaning?”

  “Would it be possible for Jereme to stay here over winter break? If he plans to come home, of course. I’m not sure what he wants to do.”

  Anson frowned. “You’re going to abandon your own son over the holidays so you can hide him from your new boyfriend?”

  “You make it sound so horrible. I mean, Jereme’s not a little kid anymore. And I won’t avoid him completely. Maybe I can come here and open presents with him later on Christmas Day. Charles likes to take naps in the afternoon. We’ve never really been all that into celebrating holidays anyway. I mean, hell—he didn’t even come home for Thanksgiving. It’ll be fine.”

  Why would he bother coming home? We had take-out meals and watched TV all day—in separate rooms. “Fuck, Gloria. You’re one piece of work.”

  Her jaw set. “Can he stay or not?”

  “Jereme is always welcome in my home. I’ll make sure he knows he can come here.”

  Gloria frowned. “Are you two communicating? Has he talked to you this week?”

  “Yeah. And he’s fine,” Anson spat, enjoying the look of outrage that he knew more than she did about her own son.

  Gloria glared at him. “I wasn’t aware the two of you were friends. You didn’t seem too fond of him while he was here.”

  “I barely got the chance to know him while he was here,” Anson said, realizing he might have said too much. “But I do check in with him from time to time.”

  Gloria’s glare faded some. “Well, I guess I should be happy to know he’s okay.”

  Anson bit his tongue.

  Gloria spied some of the men coming down with boxes. “I should go check in and see what the progress is. We shouldn’t be here much longer, I wouldn’t think. These guys really seem to know what they’re doing.”

  Anson watched his soon to be ex-wife heading upstairs and couldn’t wait until she was out of his life for good. His mind wandered back to Jereme.

  Could they have a future once he was divorced?

  Or would the world be against them every damned step of the way? Anson wasn’t so sure they could walk through that fire and remain intact.

  Chapter Ten

  Jereme was excited to see winter break arrive. School was over for the semester, and while his grades likely wouldn’t be stellar, he was fairly sure he’d passed everything. In a month, a new semester would start and he could start out from scratch and work to improve. But the thing he was happiest about was the fact that Anson was hosting him for the entire break.

  Of course, he was trying to ignore the fact his mother was hiding him from her new boyfriend—but then, it’s not like she hadn’t done that before. One way he wasn’t hiding—he was supposed to be spending a month with Anson. If his mother saw his Honda out front, it was no big deal. He wouldn’t have to come up with excuses or explanations.

  And she’d set the whole thing up!

  It had been a long week since he’d last seen Anson. They’d called and texted a few times, but they’d been brief. Jereme had been so behind in his studies he’d needed every spare minute to get himself caught up. As he drove back to home, snow began to fall outside. It was crazy, especially considering it had just been in the seventies two weeks before.

  It felt like a lifetime ago…

  He pulled up before the house and jumped out.

  The door opened up, and he saw Anson waiting for him. A slow, sly smile crossed Anson’s lips and got his heart beating faster. He crossed the yard and stopped at the door, his bag over one shoulder.

  “Hey.”

  Anson grinned a little more. “Hey.” He stepped back and nodded. “Come in.”

  Jereme entered the house, and it somehow felt different. It was a lot emptier, and he’d noticed the big ‘For Sale’ sign out front, but it was more than that. The elephant that had been in the room throughout their relationship was gone. At least, from the house.

  Maybe it was simply his imagination.

  “It looks so different,” Jereme said, and his voice echoed a little.

  “Yeah… hopefully it sells quickly,” Anson said, taking Jereme’s bag. “I’m ready to move on.”

  “What happens next?”

  Anson coaxed Jereme into the kitchen. “Why don’t we focus on being together right now… I don’t want to make too many plans until the divorce papers are signed and everything’s official.”

  Jereme couldn’t help but feel as if Anson was hiding something. But as he entered the kitchen, he saw a huge, bare Christmas tree in the corner of the family room. A smile crossed his lips, and he turned to eye Anson. “Wow.”

  Anson grinned. “I know the house is sort of empty right now. No point in filling it up, either. I did buy a few essentials… I didn’t want you not to have a tree for Christmas.”

  Jereme smiled. It was bigger than any tree he’d ever had. And real, not plastic. The scent filled up the space. “Decorations?”

  Anson nodded to some bags nearby. “I was going to decorate it, but I thought it might be fun to do it together. I can order us some pizzas… we can play some Christmas carols… make it an evening.”

  “I like it,” Jereme whispered seductively. But he noted a faraway look on Anson’s face. “Is something wrong?”

  “My dad found out about you. I’m still not sure how… or how many people know. But it might be out there.”

  Jereme tensed. “Mom?”

  “Doesn’t know, as far as I’m aware.”

  Jereme moved closer. “What does this mean?”

  Anson reached out and cradled Jereme’s head. “It means I have to make a choice.”

  Jereme felt panic spreading through him. “Between?”

  “My career here… and you.”

  He tried to take a step away, but Anson drew him even closer. “My choice was pretty much already made the minute I realized it would
have to be made. I choose you, Jereme. I choose you.”

  Jereme lifted his stare to his daddy, shocked by the words.

  “But I have to know you choose me, too.”

  “Of course I do,” Jereme whispered. “Why did you think you even had to ask?”

  Anson captured his lips, hungry and needful. His hands moved quickly, pulling at Jereme’s zipper and toggle. Once he saw the red lace holiday panties Jereme wore, he sighed and slid a hand under Jereme’s sweater. “Sweet Jesus, is this something new?”

  “I had a little mad money, so I bought something fun for Christmas.”

  Anson grinned and moved in earnest to strip Jereme down to the lingerie. Once he was bare, he spun slowly, showing off the red stretch lace halter and panties, with matching thigh-high stockings. He reached into his bag and grabbed the small plaid bow. After ripping off the backing, he slapped it on his chest near one of the straps. “Consider me an early Christmas present.”

  “Fuck, yeah, baby.”

  Anson grabbed him and tossed him over one shoulder before heading toward the stairs. He jostled around and squealed in a mixture of fear and anticipation as his daddy climbed the stairs. Jereme had a bird’s-eye view of the way down that was nearly terrifying, but only made the final ascent all the more exciting.

  When he landed in the middle of his bed, he laughed with excitement. Anson stripped quickly and slipped beside him in bed.

  “I got that test. All clean, baby.”

  Jereme pushed his shoulders down and climbed on top of Anson. “So, no condoms?”

  “If you don’t want them, they’re gone.”

  Jereme hooted before squirming down Anson’s body until he was face to cock with Anson’s shaft. He wasted no time drawing as much of his daddy as he could to the back of his throat. Anson’s fingers tangled in his hair as he feasted on that gorgeous cock. They later pulled at him before Anson forced him to stop.

  “I wanna taste, Daddy.”

  Anson got him pinned to the bed. “I want that sweet ass of yours.”

  Their week apart appeared too long for them. They were both eager. Too excited to be together to worry much about foreplay. Jereme wanted Anson inside him… to feel the connection made whole again. Apparently, Anson was just as impatient, and it excited him to see his daddy so enthusiastic to be with him.