by V. L. Locey
“Fuck yeah,” I huffed, my eyes on his sac. I leaned forward, the motion stretching my arms and pulling on the shoulder sockets a bit. He went up to his toes. I took one orb into my mouth, sucking loudly, moaning around his nuts. Bishop loved oral play as much as he did anal. Just like I did. I mouthed his sac wantonly, slurping and whining, spittle coating my chin and throat. His breathing was ragged when he let go of his prick. It bounced off my forehead. I fell on it like a starving coyote, taking him deep. He thrust, his cock slipping down my throat making me gag. When he pulled out I whimpered.
“You want me to fuck your face?” I bobbed my head, lips stretched wide around his dick. He started pumping, his fingers like a steel band on my wrists. He began to move, quick short jabs of his hips that pushed his dick down my throat. My cock ached but that yearning only added to the moment. I knew he would get me off, and it would be phenomenal. It always was. A burst of rich precum hit my tongue right before he pulled out. His eyes were nothing but black, the beautiful sky blue swallowed by lust. “Fuck but your mouth is heaven.” He released my wrists. My arms tingled, the shoulder sockets complaining a bit. Shaking the feeling back into my hands, I looked up.
“Will you fuck me now?” I asked on a reedy exhalation.
He reached up to remove the ponytail holder from his hair then shook the honey-wheat strands free.
“I would love to.” He reached down, yanked me to my feet, and kissed me back into the glass door. I grabbed two handfuls of hair, tipping his head to the left so we could delve further and deeper. We were both panting like mules when we broke apart. “Strip down and get on the bed. On your back. I want to look into your eyes when my dick hits home.”
I stripped in seconds, flinging my clothes to the four winds as Bishop hurried over to his bag to find condoms and lube. He pulled off his shirt and whipped it over his head just before he joined me on the bed.
“We should get tested,” I said as he crawled between my legs. His gaze lifted from my well-fucked mouth to catch my sight. “Then we can get rid of the condoms. I’d love to feel you come inside me and only me,” I said as I palmed my stiff dick. What I’d just said registered, and a tremor of worry set up shop inside my brain. “I mean...I don’t mean you have to be exclusive with me obviously. You’ll be back on campus in a month, hours away. Let’s just forget what I said.”
“Fuck that,” he replied, arms locked, he lowered his lips to mine. “I want to feel that too. Imagine how good it would feel to fill up your ass? Fuck, just thinking about it makes me want to come.”
I gave him an awkward smile. “And as for the other thing, I’m totally happy to be with you and only you. If that’s what you want?”
Shit. This was the moment of truth then. Speak up, Nate.
“I’d like that. I think...” I slid my palms up over his arms, enjoying the play of hard muscle under tan skin. “I think I might be falling for you.”
A soft smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “I think I already fell.”
“Then I better catch you,” I whispered, opening my arms. He lay over me, our mouths melding. We kissed forever it seemed, stroking and touching until the want was too great to be ignored any longer. With an expert touch, his slippery fingers worked me open, rubbing my prostate over and over until I was unable to speak coherently. “Hurry...hurry,” I pleaded when he sat back to roll the condom down over his engorged dick.
He dropped back over me, pinning my legs to my belly with his chest, the blunt head of his cock pressing into me. He slid in smoothly, one long sweet thrust that filled and stretched me. I grasped my knees, nails biting into flesh, then urged him to move.
“Fuck me, professor,” I huffed, my words rough as a gravel lane. “Hard.”
“Whatever you say, cowboy.” He pulled out then slammed back in. Over and over and over, his dick wringing cries of passion from me that bounced off the soft white walls of our hotel room. He sat back, sweat beaded on his upper lip, and placed his hands over mine. His gaze darted down to where we were joined. “I love seeing my cock moving in and out of you. Your ass is so tight...”
He rocked back and forth then slammed home, his head whipping back as he blew apart. His cock kicked and pulsed. Fuck but I so wanted to feel that hot rush of spunk flowing into me. With a grunt he reached for my dick, his fingers stroking the head. I howled in release, coating his hand as I clamped down around the fat cock inside me. Dots swam before me as I battled to catch my breath. Bishop continued milking me as he rode his own release.
“Fucking hell fire, Nate,” he panted, easing out once the tremors had subsided. He flopped to my left, pulling on my still quaking body, until he had me lying half on him. Our lips roamed over the other’s, tender pecks and soft brushes, our uneven breaths mingling. “I mean...wow, dude!”
I chuckled roughly, his arm coming across my lower back. “That was...pretty spectacular.”
“And then some.” His gaze met mine, and it was all there. Everything we’d just said and shared was right there.
“I do love you,” I confessed, the words sticky like honey from a comb and just as sweet.
He ran a finger along my jaw. “I love you too.” He used that finger to lead my mouth back to his time and again. “Quite a discovery we’ve made out there in the wilds of Wyoming.”
“That trike of yours or us?” I asked just to hear him say it once more.
“Oh, the trike for sure.” I gave his little pink nipple a flick. He twitched and sniggered. “Us of course, although that bone pile is a damn close sexy second.”
I could live with that. Gladly as a matter of fact. We’d just have to figure out exactly how we would live with this new love. But that worry was for later.
Chapter Twelve
Seems that worry wasn’t the only concern Bishop and I would have.
No sooner had we returned to the ranch then trouble showed up at my front door. Literally, we had just dropped our bags to the floor after landing at Jackson Hole at eight at night and someone was knocking on the door.
I rolled my eyes as Bishop shrugged. “A foreman’s work is never done,” he said as I stalked to the door and opened it. There stood Kyle looking like someone had just run over his dog.
“Glad to see you’re back. Hope you had fun. We have an issue up at the big house,” he said in a rush. “Hey, prof,” he added when Bishop walked up on us.
“What’s going on?” I enquired of my second in command.
“The video footage of the outer windows has turned up something that has everyone on this fucking spread pointing a finger at Will,” Kyle ground out through teeth so tightly clenched it was a wonder they didn’t snap off. “I’ve been arguing with Mona for days. I think she’s working on swaying Landon and Montrell to her side. I don’t know what the shit she has against my brother but—”
I held up a hand. “Okay, just take a deep breath before you stroke out. Let me get my hat, and we’ll head to the house.” I looked over at Bishop. “Do you want to sit in?”
“Nope! This is ranch business. I might take your truck out to the dig site to check on the dig.” I wasn’t surprised. Even though they’d been in contact with each other while we’d been in California, I knew he was anxious to get back to his baby.
“Take it. I’ll ride up with Kyle and get this sorted.”
Bishop gave me a nod and a kiss. I grabbed my Stetson from the side table by the door and walked out into the sweet sun. My gaze touched on the Tetons then Kyle was in my face.
“I appreciate you stepping in, Nate. Landon respects you and your opinion,” he said as we rode past corrals where horses grazed contentedly. I’d need to visit Tiberius after this mess at the big house was resolved. I’d gotten little news from the ranch from Kyle while I’d been away other than a few quick notes about everything being fine and to enjoy myself.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this development earlier?” I asked. His frown deepened. “And what exactly is this development?”
“I didn’t want you to worry over something like this,” he confessed, his brow deeply grooved. “You deserved a few fucking days off without ranch shit weighing you down.”
I blew out a breath. “I appreciate that.” He nodded. “So what am I walking into here?”
We pulled into the drive to the big house, the massive log cabin home flanked by green ash, Ponderosa pines, and Douglas firs.
“Video tape footage shows a tall, thin male in a dark hoodie shimmying open a window on the western side of the house at two ten in the morning.” He looked my way. I was waiting for something more incriminating. A tall, lean man could describe any of the hands on the ranch. “Yes, the hood was up over his head so seeing the thief’s face is impossible.”
“So why are they so sure it was Will?” None of this made sense. “If the hood is up and—”
“The hoodie is Will’s. It’s that dark blue one with some anime show logo on the back.”
“Oh.” I’d seen him in that hoodie a few times. “Still, that’s not damning evidence. Someone could have taken the hoodie from the bunkhouse.”
We pulled up in front of the house. Kyle slammed the truck into park and killed the engine. “I know! That’s what I’ve been saying but Mona is arguing that with his record and the videotape, it’s enough to dismiss him. I’m calling BS on that shit. Will’s not an angel but he’s saying he didn’t do it, and I have to believe him.” I nodded silently. “I want to believe him,” Kyle amended then blew out a breath that billowed his cheeks. “Can you just talk to them? Landon will listen to you. Just tell them something to give Will a fucking break?”
“I’ll look at the videotape and make a call.” I clapped him on the shoulder. I wasn’t going to promise to lie if it looked to me like Will was the one who had pulled a B&E. As much as I liked Kyle, I was not willing to tarnish the relationship between myself and Landon or be discredited simply to cover for some wild young man. “Let’s go see what we can see.”
***
A half hour later all the parties involved were gathered in the living room staring at the curio cabinet that had been burgled. Will, Kyle, Mona, Landon, me, Montrell, and Perry. Why Perry was here I didn’t know but the two youngest men in the room seemed to be involved in a glower war.
I watched the footage one more time on Landon’s laptop then flipped the lid shut. Will was slouched over a padded chair, a cloud of “I give no fucks” hanging over him like a thunderhead. Perry was fidgety, chewing on his lower lip, his eyes darting around the room.
“Did you call Mark?” I enquired of Landon.
He shook his head. “I was trying to keep the law out of this considering the evidence that’s starting to pile up.”
I took a deep breath to reply then Perry bolted to his feet. “It wasn’t Will!” he shouted to the stunned onlookers. “He doesn’t want me to say anything but—”
“Shut the fuck up, Perry,” Will snarled, his tone vibrating with anger.
“No, this is bullshit! He didn’t do it. He was with me the night the goose cup was stolen!” Perry announced. Mona gaped. Landon leaned up, his elbows coming to rest on his knees. “We were at the Lone Vale cabin.”
I shot Kyle a confused look. He sat back on the sofa, stunned. “What the hell were you two doing out there?” I was wondering that myself. The Lone Vale was a rundown excuse for a cabin that sat way out by the base of the mountains. It was a way station of sorts, a place for a horse and rider to stop while out breaking open watering holes for the cattle in winter. It had to be a hundred years old, but it was used on occasion and so we maintained it for emergency reasons only.
Perry’s cheeks went red. Will glowered at Perry. I was more than a little confused.
“We were there because...because Will wanted to—” Perry stammered.
“Shut your fucking face!” Will snapped, tossing off the blanket of nonchalance as he jumped up and over the coffee table, the flying tackle knocking Perry off his feet into the curio cabinet. Glass shattered as the two young males took wide swings at each other.
Mona yelped in fright. Kyle, Landon, and I shook off the shock and rushed into the melee, Landon grabbing Perry and hauling him not only off Will but across the room. Guess hockey players know a thing or two about fighting. Kyle jerked his younger brother to his feet, and I stepped in between the siblings to keep Kyle from adding to Will’s injuries. I pushed the incensed young man to the wall. Tiny bits of glass clung to his hair. His lower lip was split and his cheek already swelling. Guess young Mr. Yellow Horse also knew a thing or two about fighting even if he now had a bloody nose. I pinned Will to the wall with a hand in the middle of his heaving chest.
“What the ever-loving fuck is going on here?” Montrell shouted as Mona rushed off to find a broom and dustpan I imagined, but perhaps she was looking for her phone to call the sheriff.
“Okay everyone just settle the hell down!” I barked, my palm flat on Will’s breastbone. A terse moment or two passed, the room silent save for huffing men and the tinkle of glass shards tumbling to the floor. “Now, the first thing you both will do is apologize to Mr. Reece for using his living room as a boxing ring.”
“Sorry, sir,” Perry mumbled, blood trickling from his nose. Landon nodded and released the young man.
I glowered at Will. Kyle stepped forward, and I gave him a sharp look. He paused, but I could see the fury etched into his features.
“Your turn,” I told Will. He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand but remained silent.
“Will, I swear I’ll—” Kyle began to say.
Will’s eyes shimmered with tears, ire, and belligerence. “You’ll what? Take a belt to me like asshole did?! Go ahead. Hit me!” Tears welled in his eyes.
Kyle stood amid the broken glass, eyes round, mouth slack. “I would never...”
Mona came rushing in with a broom and not the sheriff, thank God. We had enough going on here at the moment, things that, I sensed, were deep personal issues that did not require law enforcement. Not yet anyway...
Will jerked free of my hand, stomping over to a large window, his back to the rest of us. He sniffed a bit, his shoulders drooping for a moment then coming back up as his armor fell into place.
“Sorry, Mr. Reece,” Will said after a moment. “I didn’t steal your stupid cup though.” He turned around to face us, attitude back in place. “I don’t know what her problem with me is.” He jerked a thumb at Mona, sweeping away. Her brown eyes narrowed. “But it wasn’t me.”
“It’s your hoodie, Will,” Kyle softly replied.
I took a step, heard glass crunch, and stepped back. “Perry, tell us the truth about that night.”
Will spun around, his spine stiff, and fixed his attention on the Tetons. Perry swiped at his leaking nose with a bandana from his back pocket, smearing red all over his upper lip.
“It wasn’t him.” His sight flew to Will by the window. “We were...drinking.”
Will’s shoulders softened. I didn’t buy that lie for a damn minute, nor did Kyle by the looks of his rolling eyes, but we let it go. There was something powerful those two boys were hiding but now wasn’t the time to expose it. Things had a way of being brought into the light given time. Right now, we had a bigger issue than two hands sneaking off to get drunk, or whatever it was they were really doing at the Lone Vale cabin.
“Why would you sneak off when you’re both legal to drink?” Landon asked, dropping down beside Montrell, who was visibly shaken. Landon took then patted his husband’s hand.
Perry shuffled a foot around. “My grandfather made me promise to never touch alcohol.”
“Sensible man, your grandfather,” I stated flatly. “So our bigger problem is the fact that someone stole Will’s hoodie to frame him for this theft. Why? Will, do you have any kind of explanation?”
He glanced around the room then shook his head. “Not really. I mean...I guess I pissed off a few of the guys. Borrowed a book once.” I doubted that was all he had done, but I’d heard not
hing of any problems from Perry, so I had to accept that as gospel. For now. “Look, I know you all think—”
“You have no idea what I’m thinking,” I interjected. Will tried to stare me down. He lost. “We have a thief among our workers. That is something that I will not tolerate on the Prairie Smoke. Now, the way I look at it we have a few options that we can—”
A high-pitched squealing tone filled the room followed quickly by a long static “chsushhhh” of a walkie talkie button being pushed. I stared at the mantle, happy to see one of the bright yellow long-range walkie talkies sitting in its charging base.
“Home base! Jibbery-jibbery-jibbery!!” Whoever was trying to contact us wasn’t Bishop, that much I could tell but little else. Whatever he had said was unrecognizable. Another squawking tone and more shouting came next. “Home base! Jibbery-jibbery-jibbery-jibbery! Poachers crackle-crackle-prof down! Help! Jibbery-jibbery!”
Then silence. The stunned kind of quietude as your heart drops to your stomach.
“Dear God,” I whispered then ran for the front door, boots grinding glass into the hardwood floors. Kyle, Landon, Perry, and Will followed me outside, each man racing to a pickup truck. I hit the brakes to gawk at the trucks, my mind suddenly unable to choose which one to get into.
“With me,” Kyle barked, nudging me in the side to jar me into motion. I bobbed my head, his words slicing through the panic. I threw myself into the cab and then time seemed to stand still as if we were driving into a vortex. I knew we were in a truck barreling over pastureland at breakneck speed, but I was somewhere else. Somewhere back in time when Devon had called me from the hospital to tell me to get back now. I’d only left to go home and shower. By the time I waded through quitting time traffic in Chicago and sped into the pediatric ICU, Kailey had died. I never got to say goodbye. And in some terrible sick way, I felt that if it had been me there with her, I’d have been able to keep her alive another day. It was a twisted form of deflection, putting my guilt onto Devon. It was shameful and pitiful. And it drove a wedge between us that eventually broke us up. When they say that only the strongest couples survive losing a child, they’re not wrong.