Lil laughed. “No one can accuse her of being wishy-washy.”
“No,” Grier continued. “The bottom line is she was obsessed with me, and our families played along with her fantasy. She was the little princess amongst the three boys and always got her way. When she began to notice that I’d rather be Barbie than Ken, she was outraged.”
“I’ll bet.”
“She was sure that she could change me.”
“It’s hard to let go of a dream.”
“She started telling our parents that I was sweet on her. She’d go out of her way to catch me in private and rub up against me like some horny cat. She was convinced I’d succumb to her charms.”
“Well, you must have at one point.”
“Lil, I was on the cusp of my eighteenth birthday. The sum total of my sexual experience could fit in the palm of my hand. I was perpetually horny and would have gotten hard if the wind blew against my dick.”
“I gather she did—blow it, I mean.”
“Pfft… hardly.”
“What happened?”
“We went to the senior prom together, and I got shitfaced. Afterward, she pretty much forced me.”
“That little thing? She’s barely five feet tall.”
“She’s actually five two and has a brown belt in Taekwondo.”
“We’re digressing.”
“Right. Anyway, Jillian was determined to have sex with me. She’d convinced herself that once we went to bed I’d see the light. She had me naked and hard in less than five minutes, and before I knew what was happening, I was inside her and pumping away frantically.”
“Shit… and no condom, of course.”
“Of course not! I’m ashamed to say I barely remember her body or the experience.”
“Then what did you guys do?”
“We hardly spoke to each other after that. She must have had an epiphany that night, realizing I wasn’t going to morph into Ken despite her beguiling ways.”
“The pregnancy?”
“Before I left for college in August, she told me she was pregnant. I was shocked, and frightened, but I offered to marry her.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Thank God she had the brains to say no.”
“Jill not only said no, she told me to stop worrying about it because she would have an abortion, and then, in the same breath, sent me off to college with a hug.”
“She obviously had a change of heart.”
“I should have known she was lying! Jillian is a healer, Lil. She’s always wanted to be a nurse like her mother. When I came home for Thanksgiving, she was five months pregnant. I almost died when I saw her.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing! The tension around both houses was terrible. Jillian had told everyone she was raped and refused to have an abortion. Her parents were blindsided, and mine were sympathetic to the umpteenth degree. Jillian was like a child to them as well.”
“I don’t understand the whole rape scenario.”
“She didn’t want to destroy the friendship between our families. I’ll give her that much. She stood her ground and never caved despite their badgering. It was easier to blame some unknown assailant than admit that I’d violated her,” Grier spat out.
“But it was the other way around!?” Lil exclaimed. He was outraged at Jillian’s manipulation. “This woman is something else.”
“I know it looks shitty, but she does care for me. She wanted to protect me from the wrath of our respective fathers, who would have cheerfully castrated me if they found out the truth.”
“What happened when Luca was born?”
“I wasn’t around,” Grier said bitterly. “She had him in March, and she put ‘unknown’ under father on his birth certificate. She even named him without consulting me.”
“Luca is a nice name.”
“That’s not the point. She didn’t give me a chance to be a part of his birth or his naming.”
“I guess she wanted to relieve you of the responsibility.”
“I guess,” Grier buried his face against Lil’s neck. “You smell good.”
“Thank you, but don’t change the subject.”
“What else do you want to know?”
“Have you talked about the future? Luca seems very comfortable with you, so I’m assuming you’re involved in his life, however remotely.”
“I’ve put my life on hold for this boy. Why do you think I still live with my dad? So I can be close to Luca. I’ve been the official babysitter since he was two years old. And I’m saving on rent so I can help toward his future.”
“You’re putting money away for him or giving it to Jillian?”
“I opened a trust fund for him shortly after he was born. I put in about three hundred dollars a month.”
“You must have thousands in there by now.”
“He’ll need it for college.”
“Does Jillian work?”
“Yes. She finished her nursing degree after Luca was born and graduated at the top of her class. She did end up following in Tita Nita’s footsteps after all.”
“You call her mother Tita?”
“Yes, we’ve totally assimilated the Filipino culture.”
“I think that’s great.”
“It makes it easier for Luca.”
“Jillian sounds quite formidable.”
Grier snorted. “She was the alpha of the group. Ali, Jake, and I were like her lap dogs.”
“What does Jake think of all of this?”
“Jake has no clue. What was I going to say? ‘Oh, by the way, I fucked your sister last night’?”
“Don’t be crass… I thought he was your best friend.”
“He is, but he’s also her brother.”
“Isn’t she willing to come clean now that the worst has passed?”
“What do you mean?”
“All the shock and drama that came with the sudden pregnancy is over. Now that everyone has seen Luca in the flesh, they must want the best for this child, and having a father is preferable to having none.”
“Jillian feels it would cloud her parents’ opinion of me, and eventually the families would have to take sides. She doesn’t want that.”
“What do you want,” Lil asked.
“I’ve let her call the shots so far.”
“Are you usually this passive?”
“No, but I feel guilty.”
“For what?”
“For disappointing her, I guess, and for not manning up. I let her handle everything and stuck my head in the sand.”
“Grier, come on. You’re being way too hard on yourself. She played you from the beginning.”
“I don’t see it that way, Lil. I was the prince in her fantasy, and when I turned out to be the princess, her bubble burst to hell.”
“You’re hardly a princess, Grier.”
“I have issues, Lil.”
Lil pushed him away so he could look into the ebony eyes instead of just listening to Grier’s voice. His opinion of Grier hadn’t diminished, regardless of what he’d heard. In fact, he was even more drawn to the man who showed a depth of sensitivity Lil would have never suspected considering the bad-boy exterior. He kissed him gently. “Tell me what terrible issues you have, Grier.” Lil began to tongue the onyx earrings on Grier’s left earlobe. “Are you a shape shifter?” he whispered, noting the goose flesh that erupted close to Grier’s neckline.
“I may as well be for all my kinks.”
“Dark?” Lil pressed.
“More like frilly.”
Lil’s voice tripped. “But the leather… and the tats?”
“Are you turned off?”
“Au contraire,” Lil purred. “There aren’t a lot of things that surprise me these days, but you, my hot number, are a glorious mass of contradictions.” He pushed Grier down on the bed and straddled him, never taking his eyes off the man whose inner heat radiated
in tempting waves Lil had yet to enjoy. He popped open the top button of Grier’s jeans and parted the fabric. The red lace peeked out, and Lil almost choked on his shocked breath. Jesus Christ. He was so hard he nearly shot his load right then and there.
He bent toward Grier and crushed his mouth against his.
LIL LOST himself in the intoxicating taste as he slid his tongue between Grier’s parted lips. He swept the soft contours and gently sucked on Grier’s tongue, encouraged when Grier clutched at his ass and yanked him up against his rigid cock. There was nothing tentative about Grier anymore. The nerves and insecurity he’d exhibited thirty minutes ago seemed to have evaporated in the wake of Lil’s response to his kinky revelation.
“Grier, I’ve got to see,” Lil breathed, pushing away reluctantly.
“Go for it,” Grier urged, lifting his hips so Lil could pull off his pants effortlessly. He lay in full view, his cock fully erect and pressing against the red lace tanga that barely concealed anything. The wet spot bloomed darkly as Grier’s arousal increased with Lil’s fevered gaze.
“So fucking beautiful,” Lil whispered before laying his cheek against the soft fabric. He began to tongue Grier through the lace until it was sopping wet, and Grier’s lusty moans acted like an accelerant to the heat that suffused Lil’s body. He drew the flimsy fabric down Grier’s raised hips, exposing the engorged penis that thrust forward eagerly. He continued to strip Grier, tossing the red lace aside and turning his attention to Grier’s T-shirt, yanking it up his raised arms. When Grier was completely naked, Lil admired every part of the magnificent young body that was fully displayed for his pleasure. The secret tattoos Grier had alluded to were tiny blue stars that got smaller and smaller as they traveled down his silky love trail from his navel to his groin, ending in a small constellational burst just above the root of his penis, which was as perfectly proportioned as the rest of him. Grier wasn’t overly large, in Lil’s opinion, nor was he too small. His cock was perfect―thick and cut―oozing with beads of precum that slid down the swollen shaft, tempting Lil like nothing in recent history. He wanted Grier desperately.
He spread Grier’s legs apart, and then his hand feathered its way up and down Grier’s inner thighs, loving the light layer of dark hair instead of the usual clean-shaven look more common in his recent liaisons. So far, every button was being pressed by this surprising man who trusted him with much more than his body.
Lil controlled the tempo, curling his tongue around Grier’s cockhead, and then taking it all in his mouth and sucking gently. He caressed Grier’s heavy sac, surprised, but delighted, to find it denuded, the one part of him Lil preferred bare. Grier squirmed, but surrendered, splaying his legs even farther as Lil nibbled his way down the rigid shaft, tracing the veins that stood out in relief.
He began to suck Grier’s cock in earnest, foregoing the coy, teasing flicks. He lodged it deep inside his throat and caressed him with practiced muscles that made most men scream with pleasure. Grier was no different, and he began to pant while urging Lil on, crying out with pleasure as his thighs gripped Lil’s head. “I’m going to come.”
The warning was ignored, and Lil continued, anticipating the warm gush that soon flooded him with a briny taste that was all Grier. He pulled back slightly so he could swallow without choking, and he continued to suck gently until he felt Grier getting softer. He released him and clambered up to his mouth, kissing Grier deeply as his own erection flattened against Grier’s stomach.
Grier tore his mouth away, scorching Lil’s face with his heated breath as he begged, “Fuck me.”
Lil grabbed the travel-sized bottle of lube and the condom off the nightstand. He tore at the foil with his teeth and rolled the condom onto his cock with one hand while his other was busy squirting the soothing gel around Grier’s clenched entry. He inserted a finger, poking through the tight ring and loosening him up. “Ready?”
“Yes,” Grier huffed and raised his hips with his hands, draping his legs over Lil’s shoulders. “Do me, Lil.”
Grier’s face was flush with anticipation, and his lashes fluttered when Lil breached him without another thought, intent on taking what was offered so blatantly. He was in so deep his balls kissed Grier’s butt cheeks, and he gasped with the sheer ecstasy of the moment. Their eyes met in a heated exchange, saying more with one look than a thousand words could possibly evoke.
Lil began to move again, pumping his hips steadily, knowing when to press and when to pull back. He could feel Grier’s stomach muscles clenching as he angled himself to spear the tiny gland, chuckling when the expletive escaped from Grier’s lips. “Oh fuck.”
He sped up and began the final assault, knowing he couldn’t last much longer. He was ready to explode as he listened to Grier’s breathing get heavier. He slid a hand behind Grier’s neck and braced himself with his forearms, all the while grinding against his pelvis. Their orgasms were immediate and simultaneous, bursting forth in a fevered celebration of lust.
“You’re amazing,” Lil choked out, unable to stop himself. He knew better than to say anything in the heat of passion, knowing the words came easily and meant nothing in the clear light of day; nonetheless, he couldn’t hold back. Grier had affected him more than he realized, and the feelings were obviously mutual as he felt Grier wrapping his arms and legs around Lil, intent on staying connected for as long as possible.
“Lil?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what? You almost killed me with that fucking lingerie.”
“You liked?”
“Oh God,” Lil moaned against Grier’s neck, still locked into place. “Was that just for me or do you run around in red lace routinely?”
“I only dress like that for very special people.”
“Good to know.”
“I take it you’re into lingerie?”
Lil laughed throatily. “Did you doubt it for a minute?”
“Somehow I knew it.”
Lil kissed him, wanting to stay inside of Grier forever. Inevitably, the need for comfort kicked in, and he finally loosened his hold and pushed away. “Let’s clean up, okay?”
“Okay,” Grier said, but he tightened his grip, unwilling to let Lil go.
“Come on,” Lil cajoled, “we have all night, don’t we?”
“I have to be home by eight.”
“Something important?”
“I’m helping my dad with a move.”
“I see.” As Lil headed toward the bathroom, he turned back and asked, “How long have you had this little kink of yours?”
“Since Jillian started dressing me.”
Lil almost tripped. “Say what?”
“Remember, I told you we were all joined at the hip? I was the doll she liked to dress.”
“Holy fuck.”
“I love color, as you know, and I resented my tighty-whities, so Jill lent me her frilly pink panties. I let her use my boring old briefs.”
“And yet,” Lil chortled, “this woman was surprised when you announced you were gay?”
“I guess she didn’t think that through,” Grier said, laughing.
“How long did you guys exchange underwear?”
“Until middle school, probably when she got her period.”
“She’s a piece of work.”
“Yeah, we would call her the iron butterfly.”
“I’d love to meet her.”
“Come to the Taste tomorrow evening. We can go out after my shift, and you can meet Jillian.”
“Okay. What about the afternoon? Will I see you?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then we’ll just have to make tonight count.”
Grier smiled seductively. “I can handle that.”
“Of course you can; you’re young,” Lil pronounced. “Give me an hour or so to recover.”
“Are you hungry?” Grier asked.
“Are you?”
“I haven’t had anything since our pizza.”
“That was a lifetime ago,” Lil exclaimed. “Let me grab a shower. We can go upstairs and scrounge around in the kitchen when I’m done.”
“I can cook if you have the ingredients.”
Lil’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re just one surprise after another.”
Grier shrugged. “With Mom gone and Dad on the road so much, I’ve learned to fend for myself.”
“Are you ever going to get your own place?”
“Not until I feel comfortable leaving Luca.”
“How do you think that’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know.” Grier frowned. “Can we shelve this for now?”
“Sure,” Lil replied, sensing Grier’s discomfort. “Give me a minute, and then you can have your turn.”
Lil shut the door and stepped into the stall, turning the spigot and reveling in the cleansing spray of water. His mind was still on Grier and everything that had transpired in the last few hours. He was intrigued and very much interested in learning more about him. That he was physically attracted was undeniable, but his involvement had more to do with Grier’s personality than his beautiful body. He seemed to have gotten the raw end of a deal orchestrated by a very intelligent and rather self-serving woman. Lil could understand the guilt that had driven Grier initially, but it was years ago, and Jillian had trusted him enough to babysit the boy, proving his worth as a father and responsible person. It was wrong that he wasn’t being given the option to claim Luca as his child.
There was an element Lil didn’t understand―the dynamic between the two families―but surely there was some way they could work things out. He was appalled that Grier’s life had been put on hold for seven years. It was an eternity for someone his age.
By the time Lil was twenty-five, he’d already graduated and had his architectural degree. He was one of the lucky people who had parents rich enough to send him to college without saddling him with student loans, a benefit Luca would enjoy if what Grier said was true. The boy’s future was virtually made, and yet his father’s was not.
Lil knew it was pointless to get involved. He’d only be here for five more days, not enough time to make any kind of difference in Grier’s choices, but he was inexplicably drawn to father and son. It was the idea of Luca growing up not knowing who his daddy was that disturbed him more than anything else.
Dreamspinner Press Year Four Greatest Hits Page 137