Page 17 of Pretty Baby

“Not upset,” Caleb told him. “I just don’t know what to do with you.”

“What do you mean?” Grant questioned. He was glad Caleb wasn’t upset but he didn’t completely understand what was going on in his mind. He wanted to understand his boy.

“You are too damn nice. No one does anything nice for me. Nobody cares about my day or what’s important to me. Like…like not even my mom asks how I am. That is the first question you ask me every single day. And you brought my babies treats!”

“I did,” Grant said. “Because you love them. I want them to like me.”

Caleb gave a watery laugh. “I don’t think that will be a problem. Lucy is the most standoffish and she already likes you.”

The black lab had followed them over to the couch and lying on top of his boots.

“One time…a Dom came over. It was before I kept them in the back of the house when people came over. Daisy got excited that I was home and jumped on him. He kicked her.”

Grant frowned. “That asshole. I hoped you kicked him out.”

“I did,” Caleb nodded vigorously. “The prick.”

“Good.”

“But you are doing more than just putting up with them like my staff or agent. You wanted to meet them and brought them treats.”

No one had been nice to his boy or his pets. That was obvious. Grant was going to show Caleb that not everyone was out to use or abuse him.

“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” Grant asked. “Having someone come in and turn everything upside down.”

“So much so,” Caleb admitted.

Grant cupped Caleb’s face. He forced his boy to meet his eyes. “I want you to really hear me, okay?”

Caleb nodded.

“You deserve better than you’ve been treated. I think probably your entire life. You are a kind, wonderful, warm, and sexy man. I am proud that you have decided to give me a chance at getting to know you better.”

“Thank you.” Caleb leaned forward and cuddled into his chest.

Grant stroked his back until he was reminded that there was one little one that hadn’t gotten a treat. “Let me see this baby.” He picked up the black kitten from Caleb and held her up.

Lily, or Lily pad, as Caleb called her batted at his nose and he chuckled. She was fucking adorable. He pulled one last treat and offered it to her. Instead of taking it like the others Lily batted it back at him.

Both Grant and Caleb laughed. Caleb picked the treat up from Grant’s palm and of course, the little demon took it from her human.

“Thank you for bringing them treats,” Caleb said.

Grant had stopped at the pet treat shop downtown on his way over. He’d known that people loved their animals but the number of homemade foods, treats, toys, and clothes and blown him away. He hated to admit that he was glad Caleb didn’t have any of his fur babies in those clothes. Grant thought that was weird.

“We should be going,” Grant said. “Do you need to put the animals up?”

“No, they have full run of the house most of the time,” Caleb told him. He stood and held his hand out to Grant.

Grant let Caleb help him up before Grant pulled him close. “Ready?”

“Yes.” Caleb led him to the front entry. He grabbed his keys as Grant waited on the porch. Once the house was locked up Caleb turned to him with a beaming smile. His eyes were still a little red but Grant was pleased that he seemed happy.

Grant already cared more for Caleb then he’d ever felt for anyone before and it was only their third date. He could see himself falling for the boy if Caleb continued to show Grant how truly sweet he was. Grant was ashamed that he hadn’t seen past Caleb’s insecurities earlier. He felt like a failure as a Daddy. It didn’t help that none of his friends hadn’t either. But he was going to make up for his shortcomings to Caleb. He’d prove that if Caleb gave him the chance Grant would take care of the boy.

4

Caleb

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