“I will not go into the details of this situation other than to say that it is my intent to safeguard the property located at 820 West Vine Street for my grandson August Stiel. At no time shall a property transaction related to the Stiel family, the Stiel Corporation, or the foundation negatively affect Augie’s business. My wishes in this matter have been recorded in the proper legal instruments, copies of which can be found in the attached files. My attorney is privy to all of these dealings but is bound by privilege to keep them quiet until after my death.
“Other files included in the documentation are cognitive testing and assessment reports by two doctors attesting to my ability to make this informed decision and to sign in good faith my current Last Will and Testament.”
Grandfather took a deep breath and seemed to deflate a little.
“Augie, if you’re watching this, I need you to understand why I didn’t say anything to you about it while I was alive.”
It was spooky watching this now, knowing full well that the man was still alive.
“Nathan has left the room now. I suspect he has some loyalty to your mother, Eric, and Brett. I have been struggling with some memory issues lately. My biggest fear is being easily influenced by others in this family, various board members, or even Nathan himself. Any of those people might cause me to change my mind and dissolve this trust if I’m in a vulnerable state. I’ve written personal letters to each of you to be delivered upon my death. As you know by now, your letter has instructions on where to find this documentation in Melody’s box in case you need to defend your claim. Now, don’t worry, son. The doctors have done everything possible to back up this legal decision with the proper documentation, and it’s my hope I’ll be around for a very long time to help support your business directly.”
I felt my eyes fill.
“I want you to have your dream, but I can’t abide this decision splitting our family apart. I’m sure you can understand I don’t want to spend any of my remaining time arguing over property rights when I feel like I’ve spent my entire life doing that.”
Saint’s arm reached out to pull me against his side. Soft lips pressed on top of my hair as Grandfather continued.
“Be happy in your life in Hobie. Remember money isn’t everything. Find someone to love and love him well.”
The image blacked out, leaving me slack-jawed and staring at a blank screen.
“Rewind that last part,” I whispered, swiping at my eyes.
“He said him.”
“No. He couldn’t have. He said them.”
“No, baby,” Saint insisted gently. “He said him. It was clear.”
I turned to him in shock. “But… he almost sounded okay with it.”
“You said something at one point about coming out to your family again. Doesn’t that mean they already know?”
“Well, yes, when I was a teen and couldn’t hide it, but it wasn’t acceptable. They made it very clear.”
Saint sighed. “Well, that’s bullshit. No one gets to say whether or not your sexuality is acceptable or not. Maybe he’s mellowed? A lot has changed in the past decade.”
I set the computer on the nightstand and leaned into Saint’s chest, wrapping my arms around his warm back. His own arms came around to hold me tight. I wanted to tell him how grateful I was for his strong, supportive presence. I wanted to tell him to stay forever.
But more than anything, I wanted to forget everything I’d just learned, if only for a few moments.
I reached out my lips to suck a path along his collarbone and down to his nipple. Without saying a word, he knew exactly what I needed. He turned us around to lay me down on the bed beneath him where he began mapping my body with his tongue.
A desperate choking noise escaped my throat.
Losing myself in Saint’s ministrations was the closest I may have ever come to the true feeling of freedom.
I forced all rational thought out of my head and let go. As his tongue and teeth bathed, nipped, and explored every inch of my body, I thought I’d happily died and gone to heaven. He was so attentive, so possessive in a way no one had ever been with me. I let myself fantasize that he was claiming my body for his own, claiming me for his own.
If only I could have taken a mental snapshot and sent it back in time to a young teenaged Augie. This is something that’s going to happen to you, and it’s going to blow your mind.
A laugh bubbled up from my chest.
Saint’s tongue froze halfway out of his mouth, the tip barely grazing my nipple. Every hair on my body was at rigid attention awaiting the next commands by the sensual drill sergeant.