Legal Artistry

by Andrew Grey

  "You're picking on me,” Dieter said.

  "No, I'm not. I was thinking the same thing about you.” Gerald smirked slightly before returning to his meal.

  "I'm sorry I've been so busy these last few weeks,” Gerald said as they finished their meals, his eyes dancing with excitement. “Yours is the first really major case I've handled, and it took time to make sure everything was done correctly."

  Dieter always wondered whenever Gerald said things like that if he was just a case to Gerald. So much of their time, conversation, and energy revolved around his court case, and he wondered sometimes if Gerald was with him because of the case. He hated even thinking it, but the notion wouldn't go away. Dieter knew he wouldn't really know until it was over if he was excitement enough for Gerald, or if their attraction was based upon the adrenaline and energy that his case generated. He hoped it was more than just the court case and that he was enough, because Dieter loved Gerald, he knew that, and Gerald really seemed to love him. “The flowers you sent Monday were beautiful,” Dieter said after swallowing his bite of beef, trying to get his mind off the case and onto the other things that Gerald did for him.

  "I was thinking of you and wanted to show it,” Gerald said, and Dieter internally chastised himself for doubting how Gerald felt, but deep down, the worry still remained to a small extent. He ignored it, though, as he concentrated on the soft look in Gerald's eyes. “I haven't had much time, and I wanted you to know that I missed you,” Gerald said as he reached across the table to touch his hand, and Dieter colored slightly, not because he was embarrassed by Gerald's display of affection, but by his own doubtful thoughts that just wouldn't seem to go away. Gerald began to pull his hand away, but Dieter held it and saw Gerald smile warmly.

  They finished their dinner, and the server cleared their plates. Gerald asked if he'd like dessert, but Dieter was too stuffed to eat another bite. The server brought coffee, and they talked for a while, saying nothing really, the words not nearly as important as the fact that they were together and the rest of the world stayed outside those plate-glass windows. The server silently placed the check on the table, and Gerald put his credit card on it, barely looking away from Dieter's eyes.

  "Are you ready to go?” Dieter asked softly, his doubts now seeming like a distant memory under Gerald's gaze, and he felt a bit foolish for even letting them come forward.

  The server returned and Gerald signed the check. “Yes,” Gerald answered, pushing back his chair to stand up. He waited for Dieter, and together they stepped out onto the sidewalk and into the sounds of the city evening. The restaurant had been so quiet, so intimate, that the street seemed like a cacophony of sound and noise. Walking back to where their cars were parked, Gerald held Dieter's hand until they entered the parking structure. “I'll meet you at my house,” Gerald said when they stood next to Dieter's car. “Don't take too long."

  Dieter nodded. “I won't,” he said, with Gerald kissing him sweetly before walking to his own car. Suddenly in a hurry, Dieter got in his car and sped out of the structure. Traffic was still bad, and it took him longer than he'd hoped to get home, although as excited as he was, instantaneous would probably have been too long. Rushing into the house, Dieter sprinted to his closet and found a small bag. Throwing in a few changes of clothes and his shaving kit, he rushed back out of the house, barely remembering to lock the door behind him before throwing his bag in the backseat.

  Driving to Gerald's, Dieter somehow managed not to get a speeding ticket as he made his way through the streets. After parking out front, Dieter picked up his bag from the backseat before walking to the front door. Knocking softly, he waited until the door swung open. As Dieter stepped inside, the door closed behind him, and Dieter found himself pinned against it, Gerald's insistent lips pressing to his. Caught between the door and Gerald's warmth, Dieter threw his arms around Gerald's neck, returning the kisses with gusto. Dieter's pants tightened, and he felt Gerald's excitement press to his, and Dieter gasped and moaned into the kiss, his hips pressing forward, grinding into Gerald's. He hadn't seen him all week, and his body craved Gerald's touch, his spirit needing him. The buttons on Dieter's shirt opened, and he felt the coolness of the room against his skin as the fabric parted and fell to the floor. He felt Gerald guiding him away from the door and onto the sofa.

  Gerald's lips fell away as they sank onto the sofa, and Dieter gasped when Gerald sucked on one of his nipples, and he inhaled deeply when he felt Gerald's hand slip beneath the waist of his pants. “God,” Dieter panted as warm fingers encircled his length. As Dieter thrust his hips forward, the sensations threatened to overwhelm him, and Gerald hadn't even removed his pants.

  "Gerry, it's too soon,” Dieter gasped, and the fingers and hand slipped out of his pants, lips moving to lick and suck his other nipple. Gerald's weight pressed him into the sofa cushions, and Dieter tried not to thrust his hips. It was happening so quickly, and he didn't really want to come in his pants like a teenager, but Gerald felt so good, and once Dieter managed to work Gerald's shirt off, the skin-on-skin contact nearly sent him over the edge and Dieter had to think unsexy thoughts to keep his body under control.

  Dieter's stomach muscles fluttered when Gerald's lips moved away from his nipple, kissing down his stomach, Gerald's tongue swirling into his belly button. The giggle that threatened was cut off when he felt fingers opening his belt before the zipper slid down tooth by tooth. “Is this what you want?” Gerald asked, as Dieter felt his underwear being pulled down around him, and then he was engulfed in wet, sucking heat. Whenever Gerald sucked him, Dieter thought his head was going to explode, and this time was no exception.

  Dieter's hips thrust forward, and Gerald took all of him deep. Dieter whimpered softly, trying to keep himself under some semblance of control, but he could already feel it fading fast, too fast. Gerald sucked hard, forcefully pinning Dieter to the cushions as he bobbed his head, driving Dieter quickly to the peak of need and desire until he couldn't control it any longer and he poured himself hard and fast down Gerald's throat before collapsing back on the cushions in a completely limp heap. “You're so good to me,” Dieter said contentedly, his eyes still closed as he waited for the room to stop spinning.

  Stretching his hands over his head, he felt Gerald's palms caress his skin from his elbows to his belly, warm lips kissing him there. Then Gerald's weight lifted off him, and he allowed his eyes to slide open.

  "Come to bed with me?” Gerald asked him, his voice deep, and Dieter accepted his offered hand as he lifted himself off the sofa, pants falling to the floor before he could reach them. “Step out of them,” Gerald said. Dieter complied and followed Gerald into the bedroom, already nearly naked. After slipping off the last of his own clothes, Dieter climbed onto the bed, watching as Gerald stripped. Dieter loved watching Gerald's body appear from under his clothing. Long legs and a strong chest drew him like a moth to a flame. Scooting toward the edge of the bed, Dieter traced his fingers along Gerald's hip before sliding them around his balls and along his length. “If you keep that up, I'm not going to last very long,” Gerald told him through clenched teeth before bending forward and taking Dieter's lips in a searing kiss. Using the kiss as cover, Gerald climbed onto the bed, Dieter moving along with him, letting Gerald direct him to wherever he wanted him. “What do you want, Dieter?” Gerald asked between deep kisses.

  He had no idea what to say. “Everything, anything, as long as it's with you,” Dieter answered, drawing Gerald down on top of him, bringing their bodies into contact, chest to chest, cock to cock, lips to lips. The kissing began again, and Dieter lifted his legs, entwining them around Gerald's waist as their hips rocked together. “Love you,” Dieter said against Gerald's lips before kissing him. He did love Gerald, there was no doubt in his mind, but he'd never been in love before, and he'd never had someone in his life like this before. There had always been just him, Gram, and Auntie Kate. He'd already lost them, and somewhere down deep, he was finding it hard to believe that he
wouldn't lose Gerald too.

  Gentle fingers skimmed down Dieter's hips, gliding over his butt before teasing the sensitive skin of his opening, and all other thoughts, except what Gerald made him feel, flew from Dieter's mind. “You like it when I touch you here, don't you?” Gerald asked breathily as he teased Dieter's opening with small, circular movements that provided just enough sensation to register, but not quite enough for Dieter to know exactly what he was doing. It was maddeningly delightful, and Dieter squirmed beneath his lover, trying to get him to give just a little bit more. “Gerry! That's so mean!” The fingers slipped away and Dieter groaned in frustration. “That's not what I meant,” he whined against Gerald's lips.

  "I know exactly what you want,” Gerald told him, and Dieter felt him smile before he kissed Dieter again. This time Dieter jumped slightly when Gerald slid a wet finger into his body. “And I'm going to give it to you, sweetheart, I promise.” Gerald curled his finger, and Dieter felt the fireworks go off inside his body. He had no idea how Gerald knew just how and where to touch him, but he did that every single time, driving Dieter nearly insane. Pressing against the sensation, Dieter tried to take Gerald deeper, but the finger slid over the spot again, and he cried out as a zing of supercharged pleasure shot up his spine. Then the finger slipped from his body, and Dieter whimpered at its loss.

  Gerald's weight shifted above him. As he sat up, Dieter watched as Gerald got himself ready. Dieter saw Gerald's chest expand with each breath, his eyes, soft and bright blue, shining down at him. Dieter continued to watch every movement his lover made as he finished rolling on the condom and then leaned toward him, his lips once again finding Dieter's, the kiss searing as Gerald slowly breached his body. This was still new for him, and each sensation seemed almost like their first time together. Only now, he knew what to expect, and he relished the feeling of Gerald deep inside his body, every pulse and movement of the long thickness inside him seeming to touch at his very core. “Yes,” Dieter hissed when he felt Gerald's hips against his butt, and he locked his feet behind Gerald's back to restrict his movement. Gerald lifted his head slightly, and Dieter locked eyes with his lover, stroking Gerald's cheeks. “You're so beautiful like this,” Dieter mumbled, throwing his head back when Gerald made his cock jump inside him, touching that spot once again.

  "I'm beautiful?” Gerald scoffed lightly. “You look like an absolute angel, a sweet, beautiful angel.” Gerald slowly slid back, withdrawing from Dieter's body before pressing back inside, and Dieter saw two of Gerald as his eyes crossed and his breath caught.

  "Yes, right there,” Dieter cried, and Gerald adjusted himself slightly before pulling out and driving back into Dieter's body. Putting his arms around Gerald's neck, Dieter held on as Gerald drove into him, touching that spot, driving Dieter to the point where he could barely see straight.

  Being connected to Gerald was an almost transcendental experience for Dieter, and all he could do was hold on and let his lover drive him to the very peak of pleasure. Dieter's head throbbed and his body shook, muscles quivering as he opened his heart and body to Gerald, and he felt Gerald playing both of them like a virtuoso. Dieter's cock bounced against his stomach, and a few times he tried to take himself in hand, but every time he let go of Gerald's neck, he felt as though he were falling and he grabbed on once again. Not that it mattered. Dieter could still feel his excitement building with each drive of Gerald's body, each time his length slapped against his tummy. “Gerry, I'm... I feel like I'm falling,” Dieter said softly, trying to keep his mind from swirling around and around.

  "I know the feeling,” Gerald said with a hard kiss, “I've already fallen for you."

  "Oh,” Dieter gasped as his body reacted physically to Gerald's sentiment.

  "Come for me, sweetheart. I want to see you come without touching yourself.” Gerald groaned as he drove deep, and Dieter arched his back up against Gerald's body, his cock brushing lightly against Gerald's skin, but that was just enough to send him over the edge with a cry that filled the room and echoed off the walls, leaving Dieter feeling a little hoarse as his body throbbed and he felt his release from his head to the heels of his feet. Then he felt Gerald tense before burying himself deep into his body as his lover's orgasm overtook him.

  Collapsing back onto the mattress, Dieter managed to keep his eyes open long enough to see the amazing smile on Gerald's face. Then his eyes slid closed, and he gasped softly when their bodies disconnected before settling back down against the warmth of the mattress. He felt Gerald kiss him, and he watched through half-lidded eyes as Gerald retrieved a cloth and, after a cleanup, climbed into bed with him. Dieter rolled onto his side, holding Gerald tightly to him as Gerald's arm settled around his back, a hand stroking lightly along his skin. “I love you, sweetheart,” Gerald said, and Dieter angled his face toward the sound of Gerald's words, sleep already threatening to overtake him.

  "I love you too,” Dieter replied happily before receiving a gentle kiss. Then he settled his head against the pillow and began to fall asleep to the sound of Gerald's soft chuckles. “What?” he mumbled, snuggling a little closer to the warmth.

  "You're so cute. You always cuddle close and fall asleep after sex,” Gerald told him, continuing to gently rub his skin.

  "You want to talk?” Dieter asked, trying to roll over and open his eyes.

  "No. Go to sleep,” Gerald said softly, and Dieter slid his eyes closed, his mind already floating on happy, contented clouds that blew apart at an annoying ringing sound.

  "Make it stop,” Dieter said, burying his head in the crook of Gerald's arm, trying to escape the noise. He heard another soft chuckle and then felt the bed shake as the warmth near him slipped away. Rolling to where Gerald had been lying, Dieter soaked in his residual warmth as he heard his lover answer the phone, his voice getting closer. He didn't really pay attention to what was being said, but he heard Gerald say good-bye and then soft laughter as he tried to get back into bed.

  "You took my spot,” Gerald said before tapping Dieter's hip, and he slid over as Gerald's warmth rejoined him in the bed. “By the way, that was your phone,” Gerald told him. “The call was from Mark. He called because he and some friends were going dancing tomorrow night and he wanted to know if you'd like to come along. I hope it's okay, but I said it sounded like fun.” Gerald settled on the mattress, and Dieter felt him spoon to his back. “I like holding you like this.” Gerald kissed his shoulder, and Dieter made an unidentifiable sound as sleep overtook him again.

  Dieter slept like the dead and woke to an empty bed. Stretching, he opened his eyes to sunshine peeking around the curtains of Gerald's bedroom windows. A slight twinge or soreness caught his attention, but it wasn't too painful and tended to remind him of the loving he'd received the night before. Pushing back the covers, Dieter followed his nose through the house and into the kitchen.

  "You're still naked,” Gerald commented with a leer from the stove. “Not that I'm complaining.” Gerald stepped closer, and Dieter found himself wrapped in strong arms with warm hands cupping his butt. “I like this.” Their kiss tasted minty, and Dieter sighed as the kiss deepened and his body reacted, his cock sliding against the soft fabric of Gerald's sweats. “You should get dressed before I forget breakfast and just drag you back to bed."

  Dieter thought going back to bed sounded like a marvelous idea, but his stomach growled, reminding him that he really needed to eat. Stepping away from Gerald's incredible hands, he padded back toward the bedroom. “There are sweats in the bottom drawer if you'd like to borrow a pair,” Gerald said as Dieter walked down the hall.

  Opening the bottom drawer, he found a pair of old gray sweats and stepped into them. They were clean, but they still carried a bit of Gerald's scent, which he found quite nice. Padding back to the kitchen, he saw Gerald placing breakfast on the small table. “What did you have planned for today?” Dieter asked after he sat down and Gerald had joined him.

  "Other than spending most of the day in bed with you? I
need to get some wine for dinner, and I thought we could visit your friends Mark and Tyler if you wanted. My mother practically commanded me to come to dinner tonight, but I told her that I had other plans."

  Dieter swallowed a bite of his eggs. “I don't want to come between you and your family."

  "You're not. It's just that I'd rather spend some time with you right now. Since we got back from Vienna, we haven't had a lot of time together, and I missed spending time with you."

  Dieter smiled as he took another bite. “I was wondering.... What happens now? I mean, you filed suit, but what happens next?"

  "We wait for the Austrians to respond. The court will notify them, and they will be given a certain amount of time to respond. I suspect that I'll be hearing from their legal representation fairly soon."

  That's what he'd been afraid of. “You tried to warn me this could take time, but I just want it over with."

  "Try not to think about it too much. Sometimes things can drag themselves out for a long time. We have to be patient. Sometimes, though, we get lucky and things move relatively quickly. We'll just have to see. If we were filing our suit in Los Angeles or New York, it could take years, but we filed in Milwaukee, where the bench has been fairly stable and full, so their docket isn't as backed up,” Gerald told him, reaching across the table to take Dieter's hand. “I don't want you to worry about anything to do with the lawsuit right now. We've done all we can for now."

  Dieter blew out the breath he'd been holding. “I guess you're right. You told me we were on a long road once."

  "And this is just one of the early steps,” Gerald finished, and they went back to eating, but Dieter still felt nervous and jumpy.

  "What if we lose?” Dieter asked.

  "No matter what happens, we'll know we did our best. If we didn't do something, you'd never have a chance to get the paintings back. So you're doing the only thing open to you.” Gerald stood and moved behind Dieter, nuzzling behind one of his ears.