Hogtying the Bartender

by Charlie Richards

  “Why don’t you finish that drink, so you can head over there and find out?”

  Liking that idea very much, Vance swallowed the rest of his drink in several gulps. “I’ll be back.”

  “I won’t expect my refill for a while,” Brand called, laughing.

  Vance would have felt embarrassed, since he heard a few catcalls behind him, but the idea of breaking his dry spell made everything else inconsequential.

  Chapter Two

  Jimmy grinned at the customer, leaning on the bar with one forearm. “Aww, I’m flattered, handsome,” he replied in response to the guy’s request for his phone number. Jimmy just loved drunks requesting his digits. Not! Seeing as he dealt with it on a regular basis, he knew his way around it, though. “But I’m already taken. And my man is a jealous thing.”

  “Damn, too bad,” the guy said with a slight slur in his voice. He leered at Jimmy. “I’d love to take real good care of you. If the moron every lets you go”—he actually reached down and cupped himself—”let me know.”

  Yeah. No. Not in a million years. Not if you were the last man on the planet.

  Instead of revealing his thoughts, Jimmy straightened and turned, grabbing a fresh beer from the cooler case. “Enjoy your drink.” He popped the cap and set it in front of the guy.

  Turning before he had to endure any more of the blond’s inappropriate comments, Jimmy glanced toward the end of the bar in search of a new customer. The new bartender—Clayton—was another addition to The Red Door bar team, especially on a Saturday night. Clayton was knowledgeable, fast, and efficient... which meant there were no customers to help at that end.

  Relief and annoyance filled Jimmy in equal measure. He didn’t know if he was grateful the new guy could keep up with him or if he was bummed. After all, keeping busy made the night go by faster.

  Hearing a throat clear behind him, Jimmy turned. His mouth immediately went dry as he took in the man standing there. He was even better looking up close.

  The stranger’s form-fitting Wranglers showed off muscular legs. His short-sleeve, pearl-buttoned, navy-green shirt clung to him, revealing not only a muscular torso, but also forearms threaded with ropey muscle. His black Stetson mostly hid his face, what with the way he kept his head dipped, but the man’s lips were thin and a little pink, and Jimmy wanted to see if they tasted as good as he hoped.

  Jimmy offered his most winningest smile as he crossed the few steps needed to place him in front of the man he’d mentally dubbed The Cowboy. “Hi, handsome.” His voice came out a bit husky, and he swallowed quickly. Leaning one forearm on the counter, Jimmy peered at the hottie from beneath his lashes. “What can I get for you?” He curved his lips into a pouty smile. “Do for you?”

  “Coming on strong, aren’t you, Jimmy?” the man stated, his deep voice barely carrying over the music. “Especially since you have a boyfriend.”

  Suppressing a wince—shit, he heard that—Jimmy shrugged. Adopting his best wry smirk, he stated, “The man was drunk and a little belligerent.” Jimmy held The Cowboy’s gaze as he went for honest. “Normally, the best way to keep a guy at arm’s length is to have him think his love interest is unattainable.”

  The brim of the man’s hat lifted as he tipped his head up. His eyes appeared to gleam in the club lighting, a wash of greens and browns. His lips were curved into a sensuous smile.

  “Does that mean you are attainable, Jimmy?”

  Jimmy didn’t wear a name badge... which meant the guy had asked about him. Seeing as Jimmy had never seen the stranger who’d entered with The Cowboy and who’d stopped by the bar for drinks for them, he knew the huge dude hadn’t been able to tell the hottie more than Jimmy’s interest. He wondered who in the bar the guy was friends with.

  That’s not the most important thing, though.

  “Oh, yeah,” Jimmy rumbled huskily. “I’m definitely attainable... to the right guy.”

  Good grief! I’m coming onto this guy like a bitch cat in heat.

  Jimmy just couldn’t seem to help himself. It’d been about six months since his last relationship had ended. In that time, he just hadn’t been able to find anyone that interested him... or his prick.

  This guy did both.

  What kind of guy wore a Stetson into The Red Door?

  A hot one!

  Mentally laughing at his inner voice’s banter, Jimmy grinned at the customer. “We have a pretty well-stocked bar.” Then he remembered what this man’s friend had ordered. “Are you the bourbon man or the vodka guy?”

  “Vodka.” After answering readily, he rested his left elbow on the counter while holding his right over it. “I’m Vance.”

  Pleased to have a name to go with a face for his slap bank, Jimmy took Vance’s hand. “Very pleased to meet you.”

  To Jimmy’s delight, Vance didn’t release him. Instead, he rubbed his thumb lightly over the back of Jimmy’s hand. “Since you made your interest known, and I return that interest”—he paused and cleared his throat, his head tipping so his hat brim nearly shielded his eyes—”I haven’t tried anything like this in years.”

  Jimmy figured Vance hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud... or at least not loud enough for Jimmy to hear.

  Too bad. I did. And it’s hawt!

  Squeezing the hand that he still held, Jimmy offered, “It’s slow, at the moment.” He took another quick look around to verify that fact—yep, only the guy Clayton is serving. Grinning at Vance, he stated, “I could get away for fifteen minutes, and we could take a few to... talk about what you mean.” Jimmy allowed his voice to take on a husky timber as he gave the man a heated once over.

  Jimmy noticed the way Vance’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he still dipped his head.

  “Give me a sec.” After receiving one more nod, Jimmy finally released Vance’s hand. His palm tingled where he’d been gripped, and he absently clenched and released his fingers. Jimmy quickly crossed the few steps needed to reach the taps where Clayton was pouring a brew. “Hey, I’m gonna take fifteen,” he stated, leaning close to the bigger man. “If you need a hand, call for Pierce.”

  Clayton glanced Jimmy’s way, then flicked his focus beyond him where he knew Vance stood. As he returned his focus to the beer he poured, the corner of his thick lips curved into a smirk. “Didn’t know you had a thing for cowboys. Guess that’s why I never seen ya slip away with a guy before,” he rumbled in his soft baritone. “Go have fun. I got this.”

  Jimmy refused to acknowledge the heat climbing his neck as he tapped the back of his fingers against Clayton’s meaty upper arm. “Thanks, man. I won’t be long.”

  Huffing a laugh, Clayton muttered, “Then you’re doin’ somethin’ wrong.”

  Surprised at Clayton’s teasing—he didn’t know him all that well, after all—Jimmy bit back a laugh. “I’ll remember that,” he replied, then headed back toward his waiting hook-up.

  “Come with me,” Jimmy ordered, slipping his fingers along Vance’s palm. When he gripped the cowboy’s hand, he noticed Vance tense and jolt just a little, but to Jimmy’s relief, he didn’t pull away. “This way.”

  Jimmy noticed Vance dipped his head in a semblance of a nod as he followed behind him. The move was not only one of agreement, but effectively shielded his face in shadow. So many reasons for that popped through Jimmy’s mind, and a slither of unease trickled through him.

  As Jimmy led the way along the wall and toward the back hall, all sorts of reasons for the hot guy’s desire to hide his identity popped into his mind.

  He doesn’t want to be pegged as gay... or even bisexual. He has a wife or girlfriend at home and doesn’t want to run the chance of anyone recognizing him. He’s an asshole and plans to leave me bruised and broken and—Fuck! Stop that! Maybe he’s just shy.

  Upon reaching the door that led to the back, Jimmy punched in a code to unlock it. He spotted Garth—a big, broad bouncer who not only kept an eye on the door to the back but also the ha
llway to the toilets—and gave him a nod. The enormous black male gave him a half smile and a wink, then returned to perusing the area.

  Jimmy felt a small measure of relief after that acknowledgment. Using a shoulder to push open the door, he slipped his hand into his front pocket and pulled out his phone. He quickly typed in an S.O.S. text to go to Garth’s cell but didn’t send it. After locking his phone and shoving it back into his pocket, Jimmy flashed a smile up at Vance.

  “So, first question.” Jimmy had to know a couple of things. “You’re single, right? Nobody waiting at home for you?”

  Vance shook his head, a smile quirking a corner of his thin lips. “Nobody waiting at home. I’m single,” he confirmed. “What was with the phone? And the door?”

  “Security.” Jimmy decided to be honest, so he smirked and told him, “Having to use a door code is for club security, so random people can’t get back here and use the office and storage areas for hook-ups.” Continuing toward one of those storage areas, Jimmy added, “And the phone was for me.” He cut a side-eyed look Vance’s way. “In case you turn out to be an asshole, and I need a rescue.”

  Nodding once more, Vance grinned. “Fair enough. Soooo...” He began while Jimmy turned and opened a door on the left. Vance allowed himself to be ushered inside, then paused in the middle of the room and peered around at the shelves and boxes, obviously taking in the extensive amount of liquor. “From you bringing me here, I hope that means we aren’t going to spend your fifteen-minute break chatting.”

  Jimmy closed the door behind him, then used the hold he still had on Vance’s fingers to tug... hard. Vance stumbled back toward him a few steps. Taking advantage, Jimmy used his free hand to grab Vance’s upper arm as he stepped sideways. With just the right tug, then push, he had Vance’s back pressed against the door.

  “Nope. Hopefully, there will be very little talking,” Jimmy told him, releasing Vance’s hand and arm in favor of placing his hands on the lean man’s torso. “That okay with you?”

  Vance peered at him as he rested his palms on Jimmy’s shoulders. “More than okay.” Sliding his hands toward his neck, he licked his lips before mumbling, “Been a long damn time. Don’t remember protocol for this. I—”

  Jimmy grinned broadly as he rubbed his hands down Vance’s chest, enjoying the feel of the soft shirt over firm muscle. His dick filled the rest of the way as he felt the muscles under his palms quiver. Vance’s words caused his heart to thud wildly in his chest.

  “Oh, honey...” Jimmy crooned, sliding his hands over Vance’s abdominals, feeling their hard lines of delineation beneath his fingertips. Yum! I would love a chance to see those. “What foolish man let you go?”

  Vance’s nostrils flared, and the green dominated his hazel eyes, betraying his desire. “Woman, actually, but that was a long time ago. Just didn’t—” He furrowed his brows as he shook his head. “I could say the same about you. A hot young stud like you.”

  Jimmy just kept from preening, even recognizing a blatant subject change. That was okay. They were a hook-up looking to enjoy a little physical company. It wasn’t as if they needed to share their whole life stories to enjoy each other’s bodies. Jimmy also liked that Vance found him hot... very much, indeed.

  “Well—” Jimmy dipped his fingertips into Vance’s waistband while sliding the belt free of the buckle with his thumbs. “He was an untrusting guy who proved to be an asshole when he didn’t believe I was faithful,” he murmured, offering a vague answer while distracting his one-night stand. When Jimmy used one hand to pop the button on the jeans and the other to tug Vance’s shirt free of his jeans, he relished the hitch in the man’s breathing.

  “W-Were you f-faithful?”

  Jimmy peered at Vance through his lashes, taking in the man’s flushed cheeks, heavy-lidded expression, and how his lips were parted on panting breaths. “Are you asking if I enjoyed this kind of encounter behind his back?” While speaking, Jimmy brazenly unzipped Vance’s jeans. He immediately dipped his other hand between the flaps and cupped the cloth-covered erection he found within.

  They didn’t have a lot of time, after all, and Jimmy’s dick throbbed, urging him on.

  Vance groaned and bucked his hips. His fingers tightened on Jimmy’s shoulder blades. He then slid his thumbs over and began massaging the sides of his neck.

  “Mmm, yeah,” Vance groaned.

  While Jimmy had no idea if Vance was agreeing in response to his question or if he was just expressing his enjoyment of Jimmy’s palm massaging the long, thick length he found at Vance’s groin, he still answered.

  “I was faithful,” Jimmy whispered. “I’m not a cheater.” Leaning close and pressing his chest against Vance’s, he used the position to rub their torsos together while putting his lips close to Vance’s ear. At the same time, Jimmy eased Vance’s jeans down a little so he could pull the man’s underwear over his erection before pushing that down, too. “But he was, and more, so I dumped him.” Jimmy wasn’t certain what made him admit that, so he quickly pulled away and lowered to his knees. Focusing on Vance’s cock, he hummed appreciatively. His soon-to-be lover was long, at least nine inches, and thick.

  Good god, his prick would feel so fucking amazing in my ass.

  Jimmy’s chute muscles clenched at his thoughts.

  “Then we have something in common,” Vance rumbled, using his thumbs to urge Jimmy’s chin up. His heated gaze clashed with Jimmy’s, and his grin turned feral. “I’m a man of my word.”

  “Good, then you can tell me if you’re clean or not,” Jimmy whispered, leaning forward and pressing his face against Vance’s crotch. He inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of aroused male. Hearing Vance’s moan, feeling his hips buck just a bit, Jimmy moved one hand to his cowboy’s hip. The other he placed on his stomach, rucking his shirt up in the process and revealing his gorgeous six-pack abdominals.

  Oh, wow! He works out hard. Does he live on a nearby ranch?

  Jimmy knew there were a few on the outskirts of town, here and there.

  When Jimmy didn’t get a response, he tipped his head up and peered at Vance. Upon seeing his parted lips, the way his chest heaved as he sucked in each panting breath, a swell of power surged through Jimmy. Grinning widely, he stuck out his tongue and swiped it over the man’s sensitive flesh. Jimmy started at his balls, gently sliding his appendage over the soft sack. Vance mewled, the sound a strangled moan, drawing Jimmy’s focus back to his one-off’s face.

  Gorgeous.

  Holding Vance’s blissed-out gaze, Jimmy continued swiping the flat of his tongue upward. His cowboy’s masculine flavor burst across his taste buds, making them sing. He barely resisted the urge to continue past the man’s frenulum and swipe over his damp crown.

  Not yet.

  Jimmy pulled back and grinned up at Vance. “Well?”

  Vance sucked in a harsh breath, then blinked a couple of times. “What?”

  “I’m not gonna drink you, stud,” Jimmy stated bluntly. “But if you’re clean, I’ll forego the latex while blowing you.”

  After letting out a low, needy moan, Vance muttered hoarsely, “I-I’m clean.” He slid one hand from Jimmy’s shoulder to his neck, using his thumb to tease at Jimmy’s lips. “Plea...” Vance’s voice cut off when Jimmy nipped at the pad of his thumb, and he swallowed hard enough to cause his Adam’s apple to bob. “Please suck me.”

  More than happy to do that, Jimmy opened his mouth and obeyed.

  Chapter Three

  Vance groaned roughly as hot, wet suction surrounded his erection. He barely kept from allowing his eyes to roll to the back of his head. Only his desire to watch the gorgeous man sucking him gave him the strength to resist.

  And he is stunning.

  While Vance had absolutely no idea why the hot bartender found him so attractive as to use his break on him, Vance wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

  Oh, and fucking hell in a handbasket! Jimmy’s mouth feels
amazing.

  And with my dick stretching his lips, he looks even sexier.

  “Jimmy,” Vance whispered on a moan. “So good.”

  When Jimmy flicked his gaze up at him, there was a hungry twinkle in his eyes that did funny things to Vance’s insides. Between that look and the massage on his abdominals, he struggled to hold still. His breath came in harsh pants, his heart thudded in his chest, and his balls tingled.

  He was going to come embarrassingly fast.

  Evidently, Jimmy recognized his problem, for he moved his hand from Vance’s hip to his balls. He tugged at them lightly, gently pulling his tightening orbs away from his body. At the same time, Jimmy eased off his prick to tease the tip of his tongue over his piss slit.

  “Easy now, big guy,” Jimmy murmured, although his expression appeared extremely smug. “Take a few deep breaths.” Then a wicked gleam filled his deep blue eyes. “Unless you want more than this.” Jimmy gave him a hungry once over before kissing Vance’s crown in a light kiss. “We could arrange something.” His fingertips scraped along the grooves of Vance’s abdominals, causing his muscles to twitch and his hips to jerk. “No pressure.”

  Then Jimmy opened his mouth and wrapped his lips around Vance’s head. He used his tongue to tease at the sensitive, wrinkled skin beneath his crown. Then he swallowed Vance to the root, lodging his sensitive flesh in his throat.

  Vance felt Jimmy swallow around his dick’s head, massaging it. Never had he had someone do that for him before. A shudder rolled through his body as sparks erupted across the skin of his groin.

  Vance swallowed hard, trying to get moisture into his too-dry throat. “Yes!” he cried as a zing burst through the nerve endings at the base of his spine. Even Jimmy’s hand on his balls couldn’t stop his orgasm from bursting through him. Vance had just enough presence of mind to jerk his hips backward as he cried, “Coming!”

  Jimmy must have expected it, for in the next instant he draped a soft cloth over his crown.