The Wanderer

by Jan Irving

  A warm, calloused hand cupped his rear end, and Jude wilted against Gabriel, staring at the mirror hed deliberately hung so he could watch himself with his lover.

  Gabriel pulled him close so his back rested against Gabriels chest. He reached up and flicked a single jet ear bob Jude had attached to his left earlobe on impulse.

  “Pretty,” Gabriel whispered. “Delicate.” He kissed the side of Judes neck, his jaw still clean shaven. Jude shivered. He was used to wearing pink marks on his body from Gabriels whiskers.

  Judes breathing picked up as Gabriel explored him, stroking up to his nipples, pinching them so they were hard stars, pointing needily toward Gabriels fingers.

  His cock jutted out now, hard and slender. Gabriel touched him there, and he whimpered.

  “Hmmm, well have to do something about that.” Gabriel let him go and returned to the bed, opening a leather bag full of his necessities. He pulled out some silk cording, along with the oil hed used previously when theyd had congress.

  “Come here, boy,” he ordered.

  Jude complied, almost feeling the crack of Gabriels hand on his ass.

  Gabriel cocked his head at Judes impudent erection. “We need to fix this. Push it closer so I can see to it.”

  Judes sex brushed the back of Gabriels hand. Gabriel took it firmly and wrapped it and his balls in the silk twine.

  “Uh…” Jude looked down, seeing that his body was constricted somehow.

  Gabriel slapped his hip. “So you dont come too soon.”

  * * *

  A little while later, Jude opened the back door of his new clinic and the endless wind caught in his hair, touched his face. Gabriel brushed him aside and walked outside first. He looked over his shoulder at Jude, and his face was almost stern in the sepia light. Jude felt his silent question.

  He licked his lips and reached for his lovers hand. Behind them on the second floor, a lamp was burning in Mouses room as Shen Lei watched over him.

  Jude looked back a moment, feeling a tug, but then he followed Gabriel into the night.

  * * *

  A mile out of town, the moon was half concealed by silver clouds. The air was cool against Judes face and legs where they were bare of covering. He looked around, seeing the empty landscape through new eyes. This was not the familiar tall grass, but a midnight garden to share with his lover.

  “Let the coat drop now,” Gabriel directed, and Jude let Gabriels slicker fall, revealing his nude body to Gabriels dark eyes. He was conscious of his aching sex. Gabriel reached for it, stroking Judes confined cock and balls.

  Jude took his hand and kissed the back of it, the wiggly veins that stood out, the battered and scarred flesh, the sunburned moles.

  Gabriel made an approving sound and then tugged Judes wrist, leading him as he would his horse. Navigating carefully in his boots over the white, cratered ground, Jude followed silently until they arrived at a small stream surrounded by willow trees.

  Jude recognized it as a favorite picnic place among the townspeople. He remembered coming here, throwing out a blanket. Now he was led here by desire, his hard cock wobbling between his legs.

  Gabriel turned his back on Jude, ignoring him as he made a fire. He produced a tin cup and coffee from his coat pocket, filling it with water and heating it on the coals as Jude waited and watched.

  As the coffee was heating, Gabriel stood, removed his gun belt, and opened his denim trousers. His cock fell out, thick as a hefty tree branch. He walked over to Jude and pressed him down to the ground.

  “Wear this for me,” Gabriel rasped. He uncoiled a slender rope from around his belt, forming a loose loop that he lifted over Judes neck.

  Jude stared at him.

  Tugging gently on the rope, Gabriel pulled him closer. His warm, dry lips brushed against Judes, and Jude whimpered.

  “Now, Jude…”

  Knowing what Gabriel needed, Jude licked Gabriels tongue one last time and then shifted to his hands and knees. The tether around his neck excited him. He looked back over his shoulder to see it held in Gabriels fist. Jude moaned when Gabriel inserted oily fingers into his opening. He was brisk, businesslike, but Jude felt his excitement.

  Without further delay, he mounted Jude and thrust heavily inside, and Jude huffed out a breath, his back arching.

  “Jude, what are you imagining?” Gabriel whispered, upright behind Judes raised ass. He ran playful fingers down his spine even as he thrust in and out.

  “This time I am a young Saxon noble of some sort,” Jude said. “And you are a Norman warrior who has taken me captive for your use.”

  “Yes.” Gabriel hand ran over his back as if enjoying his subservience. “I knew as soon as I rode you down on my horse, put my rope around you, that Id have you. I dragged you into the woods and opened you, and when you took my cock, you wanted it.”

  “I shouldnt; youre my enemy.” Jude groaned when Gabriel lifted him so he was sitting on the edge of his lap. His sex went deep, splitting Jude wider than ever before. He breathed around the pain-pleasure of it.

  Gabriel tugged the rope. “Do you want to come?” His other hand moved down to play with Judes confined cock, and Jude shuddered.

  “Please, sir.”

  “Ill consider it.” Gabriel pressed up on a slow beat, their bodies wet where they crushed together. “Do you feel a whore, full of me?”

  “Yes,” Jude hissed, needing this. His body was stretched, receiving. He was Gabriels vessel, filled with him, used by him.

  Gabriel lifted Jude off him, and Jude groaned. The rope fell to the ground as he caught the rustle of Gabriels clothing and felt his lovers warm thighs between the back of his legs. He looked over his shoulder to see Gabriel was nude, his cock heavy and glistening between his legs. Jude shifted, making another needy sound. “Gabriel.”

  As if knowing what he wanted, Gabriel tugged his leather belt free of his clothing. “Jude?”

  Jude lifted his ass, and Gabriel smacked it with his belt. “You accept this from me?” Gabriel was panting now that Judes ass was striped.

  “Yes.”

  Very deliberately, Gabriel pushed Judes face into the dirt, rubbing it in. Jude held his position, listening to the slick sounds of Gabriel touching himself, and then hot cum splashed his ass and back.

  * * *

  Much later, Jude was tethered to the tree with his legs spread wide, still wearing the little silk cords around his sex.

  Gabriel was lying between his thighs, licking and sucking softly at his cock.

  “Please, oh, please, sir.”

  Gabriel thrust two fingers into Jude. He swallowed his cock deep, pulling on it hard.

  Jude screamed, his hands clenching into the dirt. His balls were rock hard against his body.

  Gabriel used his teeth to worry at the ties that bound Jude.

  “Please, sir, God.”

  Biting delicately, licking where he was most sensitive, spearing his well-used opening, and then the binding was gone and Gabriel took him in his mouth, deep, and Jude shouted again, hands in Gabriels long hair, wild, coming, coming so long, filling Gabriels mouth.

  He collapsed against the willow tree, panting, smiling, as Gabriel freed him from the rope. “I do enjoy our games, Mr. Fontenot,” he said.

  Gabriel pillowed his head against Judes open thigh. “Little one.”

  Jude stroked the old whip scars on Gabriels upper back. After a moment, he moved his body down so he could put his lips against the carved O on Gabriels hip. He mouthed it, sleepy, and Gabriel allowed it.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mouse woke, sweaty, panting. After a moment, the new paint smell, the soft breathing coming from Shen Lei coalesced into his world. He was in Doc Judes new clinic. The air was still cool, so it was night.

  The bedroom contained only the bed and one dresser that Shen Lei had taken the time to let him examine with his hands, as well as the chair where Shen Lei was sitting. Remembering his map of the room, Mouse got out of bed and went to the w
indow. It was open, and the breeze made him shiver in his nightshirt.

  “William?” Shen Lei called. He was the only one who ever used Mouses real name. “What is it?”

  Mouse shook his head. “Something.”

  * * *

  Joanna knew the look and feel of trouble. Once trouble had excited her. Trouble meant men. Trouble meant danger. Shed run away from her affluent and safe Boston life rather than be married to some old man. The irony, of course, was how many old men shed gone on to service in a hundred dusty towns.

  But it had always been on her terms.

  She would have moved on from Sylvan except for one thing: she had a child here, Mouse. She stayed even though Doc Jude took much better care of him than she ever could.

  David Smith yanked her from the floor of her bedroom. Her silk gown fell off one shoulder, and she remembered how it used to arouse him, that hint of flesh. He put a gentle hand on the lump of a bruise. “You chose the wrong side.”

  “David…” Usually she could reason with him, but hed come to her fresh from the opium tent.

  * * *

  Back in his bedroom at the clinic, Jude took a deep breath. If he could find his courage, he could ask Gabriel. His fingers shook as he closed the door softly behind them. “In medical school, I was infatuated with a male patient. It was completely inappropriate.”

  “Oh?” Gabriel nuzzled him, sexually sated, rubbing his forehead against Judes. “We have established that under that prim exterior, you are a lusty fellow.” “He let other men possess him, and I told myself it was wrong.” Jude rubbed

  the back of his neck until Gabriels hand took over the action, easing the tension. “I

  wanted him.”

  “Did you ever tell him?”

  Jude shook his head. “Im not as brave as you are.” He looked into Gabriels

  eyes. Licked his lips. “Gabriel…”

  “Not brave?” Gabriel raised a brow. He cupped Judes cheek, his fingers

  stuttering over skin, the slight rasp of beard, the sad shape of Judes mouth. “If you

  could do anything right now, what would that be, Doc?” he invited gently. Ask you to stay. Jude shook his head, slowly unbuttoning Gabriels shirt,

  pushing it from broad shoulders. “Still too thin.”

  Olive skin. Small brown nipples. The shadows of lean muscle, pliable,

  vulnerable flesh. Gabriel cupped Judes head gently in his calloused hands, bringing

  him to his chest.

  Jude opened his lips against that warm skin. “You are beautiful.” Gabriels head fell back as Jude plied him with his lips. Touching, tasting

  Gabriels nipples until they were sharp points of need.

  Gabriel was on his back now on Judes bed. Jude dug his fingers into his

  shoulders, kneading the flesh. “I wonder if youd consider…” He cleared his throat,

  heart pounding. “That is, there is always work in Sylvan. Carpentry and…and

  painting. You have demonstrated an aptitude for it.”

  A sudden smile bloomed on Gabriels lips. “Painting? Doc…”

  “Doc Jude!” Mouse, pounding on Judes bedroom door.

  * * *

  Gabriel fitted shells into his shotgun as he stepped out of the clinic. His black coat swirled around him in the dust. He saw that even the stars were obscured.

  “Where?” he asked.

  “They got her behind the saloon. I think…they hurt her,” Mouse said.

  Gabriel nodded. His jaw tightened when the door was flung open behind him and Jude came out, shrugging into a coat.

  “I told you Id handle it,” Gabriel said, turning to glare.

  “Mouse said there were four of them, including Smith. Four.”

  “Who else in this town will stand up for a whore?” Gabriel asked. He rested the shotgun on his shoulder. “You know I have to go, Jude.”

  “Yes,” Jude said. “Im going with you.”

  Gabriel held his gaze and then pushed open his coat, revealing one of his polished Colts. He handed it butt first to Jude. “Dont take it if you arent willing to use it,” he warned.

  * * *

  Mouse and Shen Lei and Seamus trailed behind them as they walked down the boardwalk.

  Judes heart was beating in his throat. What was he doing? But there was no choice. Joanna. Shed been one of his first friends in Sylvan, along with Ming.

  He glanced at Gabriel, seeing perspiration sparkling on his cheeks and forehead, but his eyes were calm, his hands holding the shotgun purposefully.

  “Doc Jude!” Ming ran out into the street, his hair down his back and not in a neat braid. “What are you doing?”

  “Smith has Joanna,” Jude said. He gripped the gun tighter. It felt unfamiliar and heavy.

  “I will come with you.”

  “Of course you will,” Gabriel said, looking over his shoulder at Shen Lei and Mouse, at his old servant, Seamus, who held his gaze defiantly, at Wally Steen and Ralph Bellows and Marcia Anderson, the town baker now her husband had passed on, and Hamilton Knowles, the telegraph operator. “Maybe we should have posted leaflets.”

  * * *

  “Keep a few feet from me so they dont get us both if they open up. And let me do the talking,” Gabriel instructed Jude. “If you have to shoot, do it more than once. It takes more than one bullet to put a man down unless you know what you are aiming at. Hitting him once is just apt to make him angry.”

  Jude nodded, listening carefully. His hands were still shaking.

  “Jude…” Gabriel paused, looking at him. Very gently, “Ill never be a painter.” Jude swallowed. “No.”

  “If it goes to shit, get clear.”

  * * *

  Jude followed on Gabriels heels as they rounded the last building. Time seemed to stretch like heated molasses as they stepped off the boardwalk and into the street. The wind swirled past, and the first light of dawn was bleeding into the horizon.

  Smith and two other men were standing over Joannas prone body. Only her hair moved in the breeze.

  “Oh, its you,” Freddie Right crowed, recognizing Gabriel. “Good idea bringing the doc to patch you up, huh?”

  Gabriel raised the shotgun and shot Right in the leg. The gunman went down with a cry of pain, holding his thigh.

  The sound echoed like the thunder of God through the narrow street. Mack Swanson, Rights partner, went for his gun but never cleared leather.

  Gabriel shot his hand.

  He howled. “Goddamn you.”

  Jude stood frozen, as shocked as Smiths men by Gabriels ruthlessness and speed.

  “You didnt even warn us.” Smith spit. “What the hell is that?”

  Gabriel tossed the shotgun aside. He strode right up to Smith, whose gun wavered and then dropped as he held Gabriels eyes. “This fair?”

  “Jesus Christ.” Smith swore.

  “Drop your gun belt. Hands up,” Gabriel ordered.

  Smith obeyed, and only then did Gabriel seem to relax slightly. Ming and Shen Lei and Mouse ran to Joanna, who was sitting up, shaking her head. “Shes all right,” Ming called.

  “Look out!” Mouse yelled.

  Jude caught the whine of a shot, and then dust and rock exploded at Gabriels feet. On the rooftop opposite, a man was firing his rifle.

  Gabriel rolled, reaching desperately for the fallen shotgun.

  Jude watched as he grabbed it and lifted it smoothly. It spit fire, and the rifleman fell. In the same instant, David Smith dived for his gun belt and yanked out his Colt, leveling it at Gabriel.

  Another shot rang out, and Smith clutched his arm, but he still gripped his gun, face twisted.

  Judes hand shook. He couldnt do it again. He couldnt shoot Smith.

  Gabriel snatched his pistol and fired, holding Smiths gaze.

  “Damn you!” Smith yelled. But he didnt drop his gun. Why didnt he drop his gun? It wavered, but he raised it…

  Gabriel fired again, and a black hole erupted in Smiths forehead. He looked
surprised as he collapsed, hand still twitching on his gun belt.

  Jude could hear the wind in the grass again.

  Gabriel looked down expressionlessly at the man hed killed and then at Jude.

  Judes gaze locked with Gabriels.

  Gabriel walked to him, saying gently, “Itll be all right now, Jude.”

  Unable to speak, Jude nodded.

  In a daze, he saw Ming carrying Joanna toward him. “Its just a bruise, Doc,” Joanna whispered. She reached for Mouses hand. He examined the lump on her cheek with exploring fingers.

  Ralph was kneeling beside Smith. “Nice shot to his arm. Shoulda stopped him. Guess the only one who will feel bad is Eli, but who knows. Even his old man didnt seem to like him.” He looked at Jude. “Never knew you could shoot so well, Doc.”

  Jude grimaced, deciding not to mention hed been firing a warning shot. He didnt want to take a closer look.

  “None of the rest of them are dead, cept the man who fell off the roof and Smith,” Wally Steen said with disgust. “Guess we better fix them up and wire the marshal.”

  * * *

  The sun was high and burning on the street later that morning. Jude had seen to everyone, and now he was contemplating a hot bath and sleep when he saw Gabriel leading his stallion and mule, coat stirring in the wind in a familiar way, hat pulled down low over his dark eyes.

  Jude stared, a foot between them. “God bless you,” Gabriel whispered. He mounted his horse, dark eyes clinging to Judes face.

  “Doc…” Mouse gripped his arm as he watched Gabriel riding away. “You love him.”

  “Yes,” Jude said. A few townspeople looked in his direction at his word, but they didnt seem surprised.

  Jude looked at Mouse, face working. “Mouse, oh, Mouse.”

  Mouse was in his arms, and Jude squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Dont worry, Doc. Seamus said Gabriel told him to stay in the clinic and watch over us, so I wont be alone. And Ming can handle the injured men until the judge and marshal arrive.”