“Please….” The exquisite, interminable wait was heavenly, transporting him to a level of desire that could only be assuaged by immediate release. “Please, Lil,” Grier begged again, sighing loudly when Lil pushed the thong off to the side and swallowed his cock down to the root.
He came instantly, twitching and shuddering as jets of come shot down Lil’s throat. “Oh crap,” he cried out, apologizing for not warning Lil, who disregarded it with a wave of his hand and continued to gulp down each drop greedily.
“Oh, God,” Grier moaned and hauled Lil up his chest and held him in a tight vice. “Thank you.”
“I think it’s the other way around. Every time I see you in lace, I can’t keep my hands or lips away from you.”
“That’s good to know. Jillian’s remark the other day made me feel like some sort of freak.”
“Fuck that bitch. What did she say, love?”
“She threatened to bring up my fondness for lace if I tried to get custody of Luca.”
“When was this?”
“The day I had my encounter at the bar.”
“That’s why you were in such a state.”
Grier nodded. “I’m scared, Lil. What if they think I’m some kind of deviant?”
“First of all, what you do in the privacy of your bedroom has nothing to do with your ability as a parent. If that were the case, half the population wouldn’t be allowed to have children.”
“Are you positive? She seemed very sure of herself.”
“Grier, stop it. You’re not being rational. Do you honestly think she’d dare to bring up your kink when you could easily throw it right back? Didn’t you tell me she liked to wear men’s underwear?”
“Yeah.”
“Lots of women do. That doesn’t make them deviants, and you shouldn’t worry about being labeled either. She’s simply blowing smoke in the hopes that you’ll drop the idea of claiming Luca. This is why I think it’s important that you seek legal advice. At least you go into the fight armed with the right weapons.”
“You’re sure this is going to turn into a fight?”
“I would fight tooth and nail to get that boy.”
“Would you?”
“Absolutely, and Jillian won’t give him up that quickly, so yeah, this will be a battle, but you can win if you get the right representation.”
“They always award custody to the mother.”
“In the past they have, but not so much these days. Fathers have equal rights and are winning in court.”
“How do you know all this?” Grier asked, touched that Lil was so interested in his case.
“I’ve been reading up.”
“Am I that important to you?”
Lil kissed him gently. “You both are, my love.”
Lil rolled them over so he was back on top and wasn’t surprised when Grier closed his eyes to avoid his intense scrutiny. Lil had caught the sparkle before the eyelids shuttered, hiding the feelings that were so close to the surface. The temptation to give in and tell Grier how much he truly cared was overwhelming, but Lil held back, knowing it would be another cause for stress. He didn’t want to add another decision to Grier’s already overloaded plate. There would be time in the next few days, and he’d know when the moment was right. For now, he needed to kiss him again, hoping to rekindle the earlier magic that had been interrupted by harsh reality.
It didn’t take long before Lil’s body responded to the torrid kisses, and his erection returned in full force. He slid his hand down Grier’s torso and removed the lacy fabric, reaching for the lube and the condom, which he kept in the drawer beside his custom-made bed frame. After he’d prepared himself, he readied his partner with slick fingers, loving the versatility of Grier, who wasn’t stuck in any role. Considering the circumstances surrounding his sexuality, Grier was as comfortable being on the receiving end as he was being on top. He was more concerned about Lil’s pleasure than he was about dominance, and it showed in every studied movement of his hands and mouth. He made love selflessly, intent on bringing the utmost satisfaction, which made Lil care for him even more.
When they were replete, they dozed in each other’s arms. The next time Lil opened his eyes, he was alone in the king-sized bed. The bedroom door was open, and he called out to Grier, who strolled into the room in a leisurely manner.
“You rang?”
Lil laughed, thinking of Lurch from The Addams Family. However, the man standing in the doorway, adorned with nothing but colorful tattoos, was a far cry from the seven-foot monster. Lil pushed the pillows up against the headboard and sank into the soft down, soaking up the sight of his guest. “What are you doing, love?”
“I was thirsty, and I decided to explore while I was in the kitchen. Your apartment is amazing.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you choose everything on your own?”
“I had help from my interior design department.”
“You have your own department?” Grier looked surprised.
“Sure. I design houses, and I like to offer my clients everything they need under one roof.”
“One-stop shopping,” Grier said with a smirk.
Lil nodded.
“How many people work for you?”
“I have several draftsmen, two assistants, a couple of apprentice architects, and then the designers. About fifteen people, all told.”
Grier whistled. “Wow.”
“We’ll go down there tomorrow. I want you to meet everyone and get a feel for the business. You would love my designers.”
“Are they gay?”
“You sound like your father.”
Grier opened his mouth to protest but shut it again. “You’re right. That was a dumb question.”
“I’m an equal opportunity employer, love, but the majority of my people are, in fact, gay.”
“A coincidence?”
“I hire them based on their talent and nothing else, but this is San Francisco.”
“Isn’t it simpler, though, working with people who share your orientation?”
“We share a love for beauty. The rest is immaterial. Besides, I don’t fraternize with my staff. It’s bad business.”
“Okay.”
“My chief designer is straight and married with two kids.”
“All right… don’t belabor the point.”
“My point is that it doesn’t matter who’s in your bed. What matters is what you bring to the table.”
“Not everyone thinks like you.”
“So surround yourself with like-minded individuals.”
“Don’t start.”
“Are you hungry?” Lil asked, changing the subject altogether.
“I could eat.”
“Do you like Japanese food?”
“Sure.”
“Japantown isn’t far from here. I know a great sushi bar.”
“I need a shower first,” Grier said.
“Shall we?” Lil queried.
“It is big enough for two?”
Lil took Grier by the hand. “See for yourself.”
THE BATHROOM, and the shower stall in particular, was like everything else in Lil’s apartment―flawlessly planned and perfect for sharing. There was no fear of elbows banging on tiled walls as they navigated the generous glass enclosure. The aroma of the Neutrogena body wash permeated the air as the room quickly steamed up from the heat of the water that cascaded out of the shiny chrome rain-shower fixture. Lil showed him how the flick of a switch could turn the calming rain function into a self-pressurized spray that would provide a vigorous massage if so desired.
They took their time, leisurely exploring their bodies once again as they soaped each other with tender care. Not surprisingly, the entire process turned into another round of lovemaking, which was completed on the plush Egyptian cotton towels Lil spread out on the marble floor, outside the stall, and away from the pummeling spray.
“Your light fixtures are very unusual,” Grier said after catching
his breath, following another earth-shattering orgasm.
“This is the strangest pillow talk ever,” Lil commented.
“I was going to ask you earlier, but I got distracted.” Grier turned on his side to kiss Lil and commented, “You’re burning up.”
“I get this way whenever you’re around,” Lil joked.
“Shall I crack open a window?”
“No, we’ll catch a cold. The fog’s already starting to roll in.”
“Cold? You don’t know cold until you’ve experienced winter in Chitown.”
“You’re right. It’s not high on my Bucket List, believe me.”
“That movie made me cry,” Grier admitted.
“Me too,” Lil exclaimed. “Yet another thing we have in common.”
“Tell me about your lighting.”
“The LEDs are remote-controlled, and each room has a sensor that will turn the lights off and on as they detect movement. It’s convenient, especially when your arms are full of groceries, or in this case a beautiful man. Another benefit is that I never have to change a light bulb.”
Grier stood and pulled Lil up. “Give me the grand tour. I want to know everything about your apartment.”
Lil wrapped a towel around his waist and followed Grier into the bedroom. The brunet hadn’t bothered with a towel, and Lil enjoyed the view of his taut and muscular backside. “What do you want to know?”
“Your bed―I’ve never laid on anything as comfortable.”
Lil grinned. “You have a very discerning body. It’s a Hypnos.”
“Never heard of it.”
“It’s a world-renowned British company that makes the finest mattresses in the world, but you won’t find them on display at Sears.”
“This probably costs more than my Harley.”
Lil laughed. “It does.”
“Shit… what about the frame?”
“Charles P. Rogers.”
“Who?”
“He manufactures custom bed frames. The tufted leather can be quite user-friendly.” Lil smiled, thinking of all the times he’d butted his head against the padded leather rather than suffering a minor concussion if he’d had a wooden headboard.
Grier ran his hands over the black leather, admiring the workmanship. “Very nice,” he murmured.
“These names will be commonplace when you get into interior design.”
Grier snorted. “Pigs would have to fly.”
Lil took him in his arms. “You’ve got to want it bad enough.”
“I can’t just walk away from my responsibilities.”
“Your ability to provide a good future for Luca will increase with a college degree, and why not spend the rest of your life doing something you love?”
“My father would have a cow.”
“Your father seems like a reasonable man. I’m sure he could be persuaded.”
Grier maneuvered Lil gently out to the living room to continue his tour. “Your furniture looks imported.”
“And you,” Lil said as he kissed Grier’s parted lips, “have an excellent eye. The leather pieces are from Milan. The coffee and side tables are Philippe Starck designs bought from Cassina USA. The rug is Persian.”
“What about the dining room table?” It was a huge slab of round glass resting on a crisscrossed frame of iodized steel.
“That’s a Mario Bellini design, also from Cassina.”
“Don’t you like American designers?”
“I love them all, but the design has to fit the space and the client’s taste. Right now I’m into Italian. Next year it may be Oriental or Early Americana. I’m constantly changing. I get bored after looking at the same thing day in and day out.”
“Does that include your men?”
“In the past it has.”
“What about me?” Grier asked, moving into Lil’s embrace. “Will you get bored with me in a few weeks or months?”
Lil met Grier’s questioning gaze with one of his own. “Will you?”
“It’s pointless, isn’t it?” Grier sighed and pushed Lil away. “I’ll be gone in a week, and we may never see each other again.”
“Hey.” Lil reached out and caught Grier’s hand. He tugged gently, drawing the reluctant man back into his arms. Grier was tense and poised for flight. “It doesn’t have to end this week.”
“How do you figure?”
“We have time to go over our options. Why don’t we put this conversation on hold until you’ve had a chance to explore my city and all it has to offer?”
“I could never leave Luca.”
“Who said you’d have to?”
Grier cocked his head. “What are you saying?”
“Let’s go and eat,” Lil said, blithely changing the subject. He had no desire to get into a heated discussion on their first night in town. Furthermore, he needed more time to work on Grier and show him the benefits of living in San Francisco. He had every intention of making him an offer by the end of the week but didn’t want to spoil it by acting prematurely. “Put some clothes on, love, or we’ll end up in bed again.”
Grier smiled. “Not such a bad place.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be back for a more extended tour after dinner.”
When they were both dressed, Lil grabbed his keys, set the alarm, and hustled Grier out the door into the elevator that took them down to the basement garage. Grier whistled appreciatively when he saw the deep red Mercedes Benz E550 Cabriolet soft top parked in a slot marked with Lil’s last name.
“Holy shit!”
“You like? I got it about three months ago.”
“It’s fantastic. Do you ever put the top down?”
“All the time, love.”
“We’re not that different, are we? You like speed as much as I do.”
“I prefer to be cocooned in the loving arms of German engineering than free floating on high hope.”
“You can get killed just as quickly in a sports car.”
“I disagree, but I’m not going to debate the merits of one against the other. You’re free to ride your Harley to the ends of the earth. Just don’t expect me to wrap my skinny arms around your waist and hang on for dear life.”
“I’ll beat you down with loving persistence.”
“You do that, Grier. I’ll enjoy every minute of it.”
Lil drove expertly, navigating the car around streetcars, buses, and pedestrians as they headed toward Japantown, which wasn’t far away. Maki restaurant was on Post Street, and a car was pulling away from the curb just as they arrived. Lil slid the Mercedes into the vacated spot easily.
“That was a lucky break,” Grier said. “Parking in Chicago is usually a nightmare.”
“Here too,” Lil said, nodding, “but the stars seem to be aligned in our favor tonight.”
It was a very tiny restaurant, and all but one of the seven tables were occupied. A waitress came up to them immediately, smiled, and bowed ceremoniously at Lil, who was a regular, and had the forethought to call ahead to make a reservation. She led them to a table for two and brought them a tray of assorted sushi within minutes.
“I wasn’t sure if you like sushi, but they do have a lot of other choices on the menu,” Lil informed Grier as he picked up his chopsticks, separated them, and plucked a nigiri roll off the platter. He dipped it into the wasabi-laced soy sauce and placed it on his tongue.
“I like sushi,” Grier admitted, managing his own chopsticks with less flair but still grabbing the unagi sushi without mishap. He followed Lil’s lead, dipping it before eating, and sighing with pleasure as the flavor of the pungent horseradish-based mustard burst in his mouth.
They each ordered a wappa dish, which was steamed vegetables and fish served on a bed of rice in a bamboo steamer basket. They ate quickly, enjoying the first real meal they’d had since leaving Chicago hours ago. When they were finally replete, the plates removed, and the teacups refilled with aromatic green tea, Lil asked Grier what he wanted to see or do first while in the Bay Are
a. “I like to plan ahead.”
“I noticed,” Grier said, sipping at his hot tea gingerly. “I’d like to check out the clubs in the Castro area.”
“Do you want to do that now?”
“Sure.”
“We’ll stop and have a couple of drinks.”
“What about tomorrow,” Grier asked. “Do you have any ideas?”
“I thought I’d show you my office, and afterward, I plan on taking you to Alla Prima in North Beach.”
“What’s that?”
“They have the largest selection of La Perla lingerie in the city.”
“Really.” Grier moved in his seat. “Did you have something special in mind?”
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
“I’ve never been to a lingerie boutique.”
“I figured,” Lil said. “I accompanied my mother once on a shopping spree, and I remember this store very clearly because of the wide assortment and the beauty of the pieces. Hell, even my picky mother was impressed.”
“Does she live close by?”
“She lives in Hillsborough, which is about forty-five minutes away.”
“I’d like to meet her someday.”
“I’m sure you will eventually.” Lil nodded at the waitress who hovered, and she presented him with the bill almost instantly.
Grier made a motion to pull out his wallet, and Lil waved him away.
“Are we going to fight over money the entire week?” Grier frowned.
“You’re my guest.”
“I’d like to share the expenses of our meals at least.”
“And if I refuse, will it lead to a major sulk?”
“Yes,” Grier said forcefully.
“Okay, love. I’m not going to argue over money. It’s so crass.”
“Good,” Grier smiled and laid a hundred-dollar bill on the table.
Lil opened the leather case and glanced at their bill. He took out his wallet and peeled off two twenties from his roll of bills and handed Grier his change.
“Are you sure you took enough?”
“Don’t nitpick.”
“I won’t if you don’t play me.”
Dreamspinner Press Year Four Greatest Hits Page 146
