Legal Artistry (25 page)

This had not been the reaction he'd hoped for. He'd thought Dieter would be excited, and they'd hurry upstairs to celebrate. Instead, Dieter had gotten quiet, and in the kitchen he moved slowly, without looking at him, acting like someone had just died. “Sweetheart, I didn't want you to feel bad.” Gerald stepped to him, touching Dieter's shoulder. “I want to live with you and go to sleep with you every night and see you first thing every morning. It doesn't matter if we live at my place or if we live here. As long as we're together, that's what's important to me—the rest is just geography."

"Do you mean it?” Dieter asked, some of his energy returning. “But what about your house? It's really nice and you put a lot into it."

"It's a house. I bought it a few years ago, and while it's my first house, I guess what I want is a home, and that's with you. We could sell the house, or look into renting it, but I want to be with you."

"But you'll be giving up so much.” Dieter stopped what he was doing and looked around the old-fashioned kitchen that probably still looked much the same as it did when his grandmother was alive.

"I won't be giving up anything that's important,” Gerald replied wrapping his arms around Dieter's waist to tug him close. “That's just a building. I know you grew up here and have lived your entire life in this house. It has much more meaning for you, and I'd be more than happy to live here with you.” Gerald leaned close, smelling the scent of Dieter's hair, and said, “And sleep upstairs in your bed with you, and make love to you for a very long time, in this house.” There, he felt it, that little shudder that winged its way through Dieter's body. “That is, if you'll have me."

Dieter turned around in his arms and kissed him. “Yes, I'll have you,” Dieter said with joyous laughter. “Do you want to celebrate now, or should we eat first?"

Gerald smiled at the playful look in Dieter's eyes. “We should eat first, because once I get you upstairs, I don't intend to let you go until morning.” Gerald stepped back so Dieter could move. “But let's not take too long, okay?” Gerald expected Dieter to go back to work, but instead he set the dishes aside and took Gerald's hand, leading him out of the kitchen and into the dining room and then through the hallway to the living room.

"You probably think I'm holding on too tightly, and maybe I am, but in that corner is where Auntie Kate used to read me stories. I just can't sell this house—it's so full of memories.” Dieter turned to look at him, eyes soft, almost pleading. “But I'd like to make some new memories here with you, and I'd really like it if you'd move in here with me.” Dieter stepped close to him, placing his arms around his waist before resting his head on Gerald's shoulder, like it belonged there, and as far as Gerald was concerned, it did.

"Sweetheart, I'll be just as happy living with you here, or at my house, or in a tent, as long as I get to be with you,” Gerald told him with a huge smile before gently using a finger to tilt Dieter's head up slightly. “I love you so much.” Gerald kissed Dieter's lips ever so lightly.

"I love you too,” Dieter said, and Gerald felt him bounce slightly in his arms. “I can't believe we're going to live together."

"And sleep together, every night,” Gerald reminded him, tightening his grip, hugging Dieter tighter. He should have known how Dieter would feel about leaving this house. The man had lived here his entire life, and if Gerald were honest with himself, it really didn't matter where they lived as long as they were together. Yes, he knew it sounded like a cliche, but for him it was true.

"I should finish making dinner,” Dieter said without making any effort to get away.

"You know, we could skip dinner and just go upstairs,” Gerald offered, not feeling very hungry for food, but definitely ready to spend some quiet, alone time with his lover. Well, at least alone time, because if things worked out as he was expecting, they were rarely quiet.

Their stomachs answered for them, loudly. “We really should eat,” Dieter said before giggling and rubbing Gerald's stomach. “I promise that after dinner we can have a nice, long dessert in our bed.” Gerald liked the sound of that, he really did.

"Is there anything I can do to help?” Gerald asked, holding Dieter's hand as they walked back toward the kitchen.

"I have stuff for salad if you'd like one.” Dieter got out the fixings, and Gerald made the salad while Dieter finished the rest of dinner. The food was simple but good, and they ate Dieter's burgers and salad with smiles on their faces. Afterward, they cleaned up, and then Dieter took Gerald by the hand and led him upstairs.

The bedroom door shut behind them with a quiet snick, closing out everything but Dieter's searing look and the shiver that shot down Gerald's spine. “I want to take care of you,” Dieter murmured before taking his lips in a deep kiss. “Will you let me?” Dieter asked, and Gerald bobbed his head forward slightly. “You always take care of me and take the time to show me that you love me.” Dieter's fingers began working the buttons on his shirt, and Gerald let his hands hang at his side. “You always tell me you love me,” Dieter whispered, his voice, though soft, wrapping around Gerald like a thick blanket, “and then you make love to me and show me what your words really mean.” Dieter slid Gerald's shirt off his arms and then Dieter's mouth sucked lightly at the base of his neck, and Gerald stretched without conscious thought to ask for more.

Warm hands trailed over Gerald's chest, stroking patterns that seemed to sear their way onto Gerald's skin as Dieter kissed along his shoulder. Dieter's hands moved slowly around to his back, stopping just above his butt, and Gerald arched backward, feeling Dieter support him, before molten lips clamped around a nipple. Gerald hissed and moaned softly, and Dieter sucked a little harder. Gerald spent much of his life thinking, and as Dieter's lips spread their heated magic over his skin, Gerald felt the thoughts that occupied his mind most of the time go silent, his racing mind quieting until only Dieter remained in his thoughts. This had happened before, but not like this, and Gerald began to realize just how deep his love for the man making his knees shake truly went.

Somehow, Gerald got his shoes off, a part of his clouded mind working to some extent, and he heard his belt tinkle and then the pressure around his waist fell away as his pants slid down his legs. Slowly, Dieter moved him until his legs hit the side of the mattress, and Dieter pressed him backward using only his lips. Dieter pulled Gerald's pants off his legs before tugging away his briefs, and Gerald lay naked, staring up into Dieter's love-filled eyes. Gerald had almost always taken control during sex. He hated feeling vulnerable, and he expected to feel that way now, but he didn't. He felt cared for, loved, and from the way Dieter looked at him, desired above everything and everyone else. He hoped Dieter would remove his clothes, but instead he felt fingers encircle him, and Gerald's eyes closed as the sensation of being held overtook him and his body relaxed into the feeling. Dieter loved him, and he could feel it in every single touch.

Slow strokes starting at the base worked their way along his entire length before ending with a light swipe across the head. “Sweetheart,” Gerald mumbled as he bucked lightly into Dieter's grip. A light touch on the inside of his thighs caused Gerald to spread his legs, letting his lover take whatever he wanted.

"Dieter!” Gerald gasped, his eyes flying open when he felt his lover's lips slide down his length. Gerald's hips bucked forward, and he felt Dieter's hands on his chest, soothing him back onto the mattress. “You're gonna kill me."

Dieter shook his head slightly, and Gerald felt Dieter's fingers at his lips. Opening his mouth, he sucked in two of Dieter's fingers as though they were his cock, moaning slightly when they slipped away again. Then a warm, wet finger pressed to his entrance, and Gerald's first instinct was to balk. He'd only allowed one person to do that, and not in a very long time, but this was Dieter, his Dieter, his lover, and Gerald's protest died on his lips as the finger breached him, spreading warmth throughout his body. He felt Dieter's finger move around inside him, and he wasn't too sure he liked it, until Dieter touched the spot and took him deep at the same time. In that instant, Gerald wasn't sure which he wanted more, and he began flexing his hips in small movements, trying to figure out how to make both things happen at once, and he growled when Dieter's lips slipped away.

"Have you done this before?” Dieter asked, touching the spot once again, and Gerald felt the air rush from his lungs as he cried out.

"Not in a long time,” Gerald answered, trying desperately to catch his breath.

"Oh,” Dieter said softly, and Gerald felt the finger slip from his body. “I don't want to hurt you,” Dieter said, “and I don't have any experience doing this."

Gerald realized he was being given a way out, and an easy one at that. But to his surprise, he found he wanted to feel Dieter inside him, and he wanted Dieter to make love to him. In fact, it was suddenly very important to him. His family was competitive and pretty dysfunctional, and Gerald had never really trusted many people in his life, but since he trusted Dieter with his heart, he knew he could trust him with his body. “You could never hurt me, sweetheart, at least not that way,” Gerald said with a small sniffle as he brought Dieter's lips to his, pulling off his lover's shirt.

"Are you sure?” Dieter inquired, the concern in his voice evident even as he quickly shed his clothes in a flurry of excited activity.

"Yes, I'm sure,” Gerald answered as he reached to the nightstand for the lube. When he looked back, a naked and very excited Dieter met his gaze. Taking the bottle, Dieter opened it, squirting some on his fingers before sliding first one finger and then a second into his lover's body. Gerald tensed at the invasion, but as soon as Dieter began sucking him again, his concerns floated away, and Gerald lost himself in the movement of Dieter's lips and the twist of his fingers. At some point, Gerald thought he felt Dieter add a third finger, but he was too far gone to register it until he felt the light stretch and then Dieter was pegging that spot while Gerald thrust into his mouth, the last of his control slipping. Gerald lost it, shouting God knew what as he came in a mind-blowing orgasm that left him as limp as a noodle, splayed on the mattress, gasping for breath as he tried to get his mind working again.

"Are you okay?” Dieter asked, and Gerald opened his eyes to find Dieter stroking his forehead, peering down at him, looking very concerned. “I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Gerald smiled, still trying to get enough air. “No, sweetheart. You blew my mind."

"Oh,” Dieter said and looked pleased as Gerald pulled him into a kiss. “I guess that's okay, then."

"It's more than okay. It was amazing.” Gerald had been able to take Dieter to a place like that a few times. He'd seen his lover a little dazed and confused after he'd come, but this was the first time anyone had ever done that to him, and Gerald realized that maybe it was because he'd never let anyone get that close before. “You were amazing and I love you so much.” Gerald kissed Dieter hard, pulling him close so he could feel his lover's skin as they moved. The one thing he felt above all else was Dieter's length pressing insistently along his hip. “I think I'm ready for you,” Gerald whispered into Dieter's ear before nibbling on it with his lips.

"Are you sure?” Dieter asked, biting his lower lip. “We don't have to."

Gerald repositioned himself on the bed so he was more comfortable. “I want you so much,” Gerald said between kisses, surprising himself that what he was saying was very true. Gerald reached to the night table, and after finding what he wanted, he handed the silver foil pack to Dieter. “Maybe, since we're moving in together, we can get tested so we don't need these anymore,” Gerald said hopefully, “because I only want to make love to you for the rest of my life."

Gerald saw Dieter's smile shine through the room, his eyes dancing as he slowly nodded his assent. “That's what I want too.” Locking their gazes, Gerald watched as Dieter opened the packet and only looked away to roll on the condom. Positioning his legs on Dieter's shoulder, Gerald bent his knees and felt Dieter press at his opening, his body resisting at first, but then opening for his lover.

Gerald could feel every ridge and contour of Dieter as he filled his body, and every twitch sent ripples through his body. Hypersensitive to every movement, Gerald groaned long and low when he felt Dieter seat himself deep inside him. But what amazed him most was when Dieter slowly pulled away and Gerald moaned, loudly, surprised by the way it felt and by the sense of emptiness that engulfed him. He'd heard the sounds that Dieter made and he'd thought that was just him. It wasn't. Gerald gasped, feeling almost like he was balancing on the edge of a knife until Dieter slowly and deliberately pressed back into him. “Do you remember when you did this to me?” Dieter asked once he was fully seated again, leaning forward so their lips almost touched. “Fucked me so slowly, I thought I was going to die? Well, that's what I'm going to do to you."

"Oh God,” Gerald managed to moan as Dieter withdrew slowly and deliberately. “Are you sure you've never done this before?” Gerald arched his back, trying to get Dieter to move faster or give him just that much more sensation.

"No,” Dieter answered, pressing deep once again, then holding still, his hands stroking the skin of Gerald's chest, fingers tweaking his nipples. “But I had a masterful teacher."

"Masterful, huh?” Gerald's quip morphed onto a deep groan, and whatever else he was going to say flew from his head.

"Yeah,” Dieter replied. “Now you know what you do to me every time we make love. Do you see how you make me feel? How good you love me?"

"Yes,” Gerald hissed, breathing heavily because it was all he could do, and even though he'd experienced the climax of his life not fifteen minutes earlier, he could feel his excitement growing and his body reacting to Dieter's loving. Gerald wanted to swear and curse at the top of his lungs as Dieter refused to move any faster, but he gripped the bedding with one hand and stroked himself with the other as he slowly climbed the mountain of passion that Dieter built and then drove them steadily toward the peak. Gerald knew that no matter what he did, his pleasure was in Dieter's hands, and he loved it that way. Gerald had always done the driving, so to speak, and this was new and more pleasurable than he could ever have imagined. As they reached the peak, Gerald felt Dieter's control waver, his movements getting steadily more ragged, his lover's breathing coming in deep pants. A sheen of sweat covered both of them as Gerald's second release exploded from him, and he saw Dieter's eyes cross and his mouth hang open as he cried out like a wolf baying at the moon before throbbing inside him and collapsing onto Gerald's chest.