Taste. Part 22

"Absolutely not," Lil said, grinning. "I would have done the same thing."

"Well, it got me into a s.h.i.+tload of trouble. Following that incident, I thought I'd lay low and play along with everyone's plan. Jillian and I became an item around school, and my father and her parents were encouraged."

"What about your mom?"

"I think she saw through my performance but remained silent for my dad's sake."

"And it blew up in your face when she got knocked up."

"Yup."

"But rape?"

"In fairness, I think she was between a rock and a hard place. After the prom, I told her point blank that I didn't love her the way a man loves a woman. Things got very uncomfortable, and she must have flipped out when she found herself pregnant."

"But you offered to marry her."

"I was angry at her for being so stupid and getting knocked up in the first place. My marriage proposal wasn't exactly romantic. I sort of shouted my offer."

"At least she didn't take you up on it."

"I wish she had. Even if we had gotten a divorce nine months later, I would have been Luca's legal father. Now I'm n.o.body."

"You can change that."

"Not without a huge fight."

"Isn't he worth fighting for?"

"I don't want him to get hurt, Lil. I want Jillian to come to her senses without involving the court."

"I don't think that's possible. Not from everything I've heard so far."

"Maybe not, but I'd like to try."

"Shall we put this decision on hold for this week?"

"Yes," Grier nodded. "I want to enjoy my vacation."

"I can't wait to show you my city."

"I can't wait to explore. I want to see so many things."

"Like what?"

"The winding street, the colorful Victorians that are always featured on postcards, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, the ocean," Grier said excitedly. "I want to see the Pacific Ocean and the giant Redwoods."

Lil couldn't help but grin. "We'll do all of that and more."

"What else?"

"You've got to see the Castro."

"h.e.l.l, yeah."

"And the Art Inst.i.tute of California."

Grier frowned. "Lil, I can't."

"There's no harm in checking it out, is there?"

"I guess not."

Lil knew that Grier's thoughts had automatically reverted back to Luca. He'd gotten pretty good at reading Grier's facial expressions, and there was a certain look in his eyes whenever he thought about his son. Lil couldn't begin to comprehend the kind of responsibility it took to raise a child. He'd had a little taste of it in the few days he'd spent in Luca's company, but it was a formidable task, and his admiration for Grier's devotion to his son had increased with every new piece of information he uncovered. Grier's choice to put Luca's needs above his own was more significant than having his name on any birth certificate, and it spoke volumes about the kind of man Lil had fallen in love with. He hoped that this week in San Francisco would deepen their bond, and he had every intention of presenting Grier with a few options he would have never had before meeting him. Lil had been doing his research, and one of the places he planned to show Grier was the inside of a lawyer's office.

THEY took a cab from the airport, driving into the city on the Baysh.o.r.e Freeway, exiting at Sixteenth Street and turning right on Van Ness up toward California Street, where Lil's apartment building was located. He'd moved to this part of town a few years ago, leaving the Castro area behind, because he'd wanted something bigger, with easier access to his office, which was in the financial district. He'd also wanted a place with a garage since he often made trips to job sites in the East Bay and could no longer get away without owning a vehicle. He'd toured the skysc.r.a.pers surrounding the Embarcadero area and had been sorely tempted by the panoramic views, but his inherent fear of heights, and niggling thoughts of fire and earthquake, had prevented him from making the leap to high-rise living. Instead, he'd found an older apartment building that had been gutted and converted into high-end condominiums. His three-room apartment was on the top floor, giving him a nice view of Lafayette Park and the surrounding areas. took a cab from the airport, driving into the city on the Baysh.o.r.e Freeway, exiting at Sixteenth Street and turning right on Van Ness up toward California Street, where Lil's apartment building was located. He'd moved to this part of town a few years ago, leaving the Castro area behind, because he'd wanted something bigger, with easier access to his office, which was in the financial district. He'd also wanted a place with a garage since he often made trips to job sites in the East Bay and could no longer get away without owning a vehicle. He'd toured the skysc.r.a.pers surrounding the Embarcadero area and had been sorely tempted by the panoramic views, but his inherent fear of heights, and niggling thoughts of fire and earthquake, had prevented him from making the leap to high-rise living. Instead, he'd found an older apartment building that had been gutted and converted into high-end condominiums. His three-room apartment was on the top floor, giving him a nice view of Lafayette Park and the surrounding areas.

"I thought you were all about modern?" Grier asked, standing in front of the twelve-story building, which must have been built at least fifty years ago.

"Wait until you get inside."

Chapter 22.

IT WOULD WOULD be several hours before Grier had a chance to really investigate the interior design of Lil's apartment. At the moment, all he noticed were the accent lights strategically placed throughout the bedroom and the sixty-inch wall-mounted plasma TV. His determined blond had slowly navigated him from the front door to his bed without taking his mouth off Grier's lips. be several hours before Grier had a chance to really investigate the interior design of Lil's apartment. At the moment, all he noticed were the accent lights strategically placed throughout the bedroom and the sixty-inch wall-mounted plasma TV. His determined blond had slowly navigated him from the front door to his bed without taking his mouth off Grier's lips.

"I've wanted to kiss you since we left Chicago."

"Why didn't you?" Grier panted, breathless from Lil's a.s.sault.

"We would have been thrown off the plane."

"Disgraced," Grier quipped, running both hands underneath Lil's s.h.i.+rt and pulling it off in one swift move. He latched onto Lil's nipple and began sucking the puckered skin, running little circles of wet heat around the brown nub.

Lil hissed. "Yes."

"You like this, don't you?" Grier said softly, moving onto the other nipple and sucking it so hard Lil cried out and canted his hips off the mattress.

"Uhh...."

Grier stripped Lil, throwing his jeans across the room, followed by his boxer briefs, leaving the blond splayed and vulnerable. He sat on his haunches in between Lil's legs and stared at the blue eyes that were burning bright with desire.

"I want you, love."

"Soon," Grier answered, removing his own T-s.h.i.+rt.

Lil reached up and traced the red and blue tattoos down Grier's right arm, murmuring soft endearments. His fingers feathered over Grier's chest, stopping to tweak each nipple, but moving down steadily. He unfastened Grier's jeans, pa.s.sing the b.u.t.tons through the grommets slowly, torturing them both with his glacial pace. When the last b.u.t.ton came undone, and he parted the denim, he sucked in a breath, overjoyed by the sight of the black lace thong. "I was hoping...."

"I almost didn't," Grier said as he bent down and kissed Lil. "I had visions of being strip-searched at the airport."

"You would have caused a riot," Lil teased, hardly able to keep the excitement out of his voice.

"Not everyone is into leather and lace."

"Fools."

"Lil."

"Let me." Lil changed position, s.h.i.+fting around so now Grier lay supine. He grabbed both hems and pulled the jeans off Grier's long legs, throwing the heavy fabric off to the side. Grier tucked his hands under his head like a pillow, so he could watch Lil, who was intent on tasting every inch of Grier's body, starting with his armpits. Lil burrowed into the soft spot, inhaling the musky scent and moaning with pleasure. He tugged at the short hair with his teeth, only letting go when Grier cried out and s.h.i.+fted position. He left a trail of saliva across Grier's chest, following the starry cascade down the taut stomach muscles until he got to the thong and began nibbling at the garter like a mouse with cheese.

"Please," Grier begged.

Lil bypa.s.sed the garter and began sucking on Grier's c.o.c.k through the black lace. He sneaked his tongue past the edges and toyed with Grier's swollen shaft, lapping at the silky organ until it was bathed in saliva, and then he moved back to nuzzle the bulge through the fabric, driving Grier mad with the dueling sensations. Grier began begging in a voice rough with need, pulling on Lil's hair and rutting against his face.

"Please...." The exquisite, interminable wait was heavenly, transporting him to a level of desire that could only be a.s.suaged by immediate release. "Please, Lil," Grier begged again, sighing loudly when Lil pushed the thong off to the side and swallowed his c.o.c.k down to the root.

He came instantly, twitching and shuddering as jets of come shot down Lil's throat. "Oh c.r.a.p," 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, G.o.d," 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."

"f.u.c.k that b.i.t.c.h. 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 circ.u.mstances surrounding his s.e.xuality, 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 The Addams Family. 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?" 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.