Page 16 of Pretty Baby

“Grant!” Caleb launched himself but Grant was easily able to catch him. Caleb was giggling and peppering Grant’s face with kisses. “You sent me roses again! That’s three times.”

He hugged his boy tightly. Grant had sent roses after every one of the dates. The boy needed to realize that he was special and deserved to be treated right. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I love them!” Caleb wrapped his legs around Grant’s waist. “I think you deserve a proper kiss for them.”

No man could resist such a tempting offer. “I will never say no to one of your kisses.”

Caleb pressed his lips against Grant’s and Grant allowed his boy to lead them into a slow tongue dance. It was erotic as hell and Grant was very tempted to carry Caleb into the house and find the closest flat surface. He pulled back as he pinched Caleb’s ass. “That’s enough of that. We have somewhere to be.”

Caleb stuck his bottom lip out. “More kisses.”

Laughing Grant smacked Caleb’s ass before he set him down. “You are tempting but I promised to take you to the movies.” During one of their phone conversations, Caleb had gotten distracted by a new romance movie being released. After some pressing from Grant; Caleb had admitted to loving romance comedies and couldn’t wait until this one came to his On Demand. That was when Grant had suggested a movie date. Caleb had tried to play off that he wanted Grant to pick another date but the excitement in his voice hadn’t fooled Grant.

Caleb stood in front of him in designer jeans and a black long sleeve shirt. Grant would love to see his boy in brighter colors but so far his boy had dressed conservatively for their dates. These clothes just didn’t match the glimpses that Grant saw of his desires. He was still hiding. “Are you sure you want to see that movie?” Caleb questioned. “There’s a new action movie out with fast cars and plenty of explosions.

“Are you kidding?” Grant responded. “I would much rather hold my boy during a romantic movie than see cars and explosions.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes before he shrugged. “Okay, I guess I’m ready then.”

“Where are your babies?” He hadn’t heard a sound out of any of the animals and he had expected to have been mauled.

“Oh.” Caleb blushed. “I put them in the back of the house. Most Dom… guys don’t like them to be around.”

“Baby, they are important to you. They’ll be important to me.” Grant glanced at his watch. “We have a little bit of time. Can I meet them?”

Caleb smiled. “You really want to?”

“Yes.” He might have thought about this ahead of time. In every conversation they’d had over the phone the dogs or cats were brought up because they’d do something sweet or cute and Caleb just had to tell him about it. Caleb loved his animals and Grant was going to embrace them fully to show his boy that his feelings were important. What Caleb loved Grant would learn to love. He didn’t have an issue with dogs but he’d never been a cat person.

“Okay, come into the living room. If the door is open Daisy and Gunny will want to go play.”

Grant stepped through the front door and closed it behind him. He followed Caleb into the living room surprised at the bland color theme and masculine furniture. It just didn’t fit his boy.

“I’ll be right back,” Caleb told him. He was obviously nervous but with only a quick glance over his shoulder, he hurried from the room.

Grant took the opportunity to peer around the room. There was nothing personal that showed who Caleb was. No pictures of friends or family. Not even any pictures of him. Grant made a circle around the room checking out the décor that had to have been brought in by a decorator or someone else. When he finally made it to the mantle Grant smiled.

Here was his boy. Or at least of what was important to Caleb. On the mantle were pictures framed and lined up. All of Caleb’s animals. Eight pictures in all. Six individual pictures and two group. Caleb wasn’t in any of them but he was probably the one taking the pictures. If he was; Caleb had some talent. All eight of the photos looked professional.

He heard the faint sound of nails clicking against the hardwood floors and turned as Caleb led what looked like a parade. Caleb carried a tiny black kitten in his arms while the rest of the gang followed behind him. First the black lab, then the pit-bull, the pug, and finally a huge white cat.

Grant laughed delightedly. “Look at them follow you.”

Caleb beamed. “They’re such good babies.”

The pit-bull was the first to break the line and rush at him. That was Daisy. The once scared baby that had been used as a bait dog. Caleb’s love and affection really shone through. Grant crouched down and gave her plenty of pats and loving. Then he reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out one of the treats he’d brought. She gobbled it up and that had the pug rushing forward.

“Hey there Gunny!” Gunny accepted a couple of pats but nosed his pocket. “I have a treat for you too.” He handed over the treat. Gunny grabbed it and ran off to Caleb.

“Come here Lucy,” he called to the black lab.

Lucy rose from her seated position and slowly made her way over to him. Grant could see that age was catching up with the sweet gal. He was glad he’d picked a soft treat for her. He scratched under Lucy’s chin and she leaned her entire eighty-pound weight against him. Grant laughed before he pulled out the soft treat. He offered it to her. Lucy sniffed before gently taking it from his fingers.

Grant looked for the cats and saw that the white big boy had jumped onto the arm of the couch. He stood and walked over to him. “I didn’t forget you, Gus.” He rubbed between the big cat’s eyes before handing over his treat.

He looked over at Caleb and found the boy wiping his eyes.

“Hey,” Grant said quietly. He walked over to his boy and embraced Caleb before he led him to the couch. Grant sat pulling Caleb into his lap. His boy still held on to the baby kitten. “Talk to me. What’s upset you?”

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