Dreamspinner Press Year Six Greatest Hits

by JD Ruskin

  “In the bedroom,” I growled. He scampered down the hall, turning now and again to make sure I was after him. It was a game we played, and today the familiarity was comforting. I knew my part, and I knew how everything would go afterward too.

  Guy opened the bedroom door with a flourish and pulled me in.

  “What do you think?” He thrust his hands in his pockets, waiting for my answer.

  The room was elegant. That had to be the word for it. It was like something you’d see in a really expensive hotel—not that I’d been in one, but I’d seen movies. The walls were a smooth red, like they were covered in fabric. Maybe they were. The big four-poster bed was covered by a black bedspread and a pile of red pillows. Black-and-red-striped drapes that lay across the wooden floor were tied back with thick gold cords that ended in fluffy tassels.

  Beyond the bed, Guy had created a sitting area with black leather chairs and low glass tables. The walls were covered with his artwork, a half-dozen large canvases, all male nudes.

  “Guy, this is really incredible. It’s rich.”

  He giggled excitedly. “You are the first man to see it.”

  I looked all around again, and then at him. He was so happy that I liked it. From the day we met, he was always most delighted if I was pleased, didn’t matter with what. I never could figure out why my opinion about anything mattered to someone as talented as he was.

  I held out my arms and he moved into them. I hugged him hard, and set my head on top of his in the way he either liked or hated depending on his mood.

  “It’s beautiful. I’m honored.” I ran my hands up and down his back and took a step back. “Now, how about you undecorate that lovely body?”

  He giggled again as he slipped off his loafers and toed off his socks. Lowering his head so he could look at me through thick eyelashes, he played with his belt buckle. Then he turned around so I could watch the belt snake slowly through each loop.

  “Very sexy.” I threw myself on the bed and settled down to watch.

  He turned around, looked me up and down with wide eyes, and slowly began to pull the shirt out of his black pants.

  “Look at those abs! Somebody’s been working out hard. I like it.”

  He grinned and pulled his shirt over his head, squirming his hips left and right. He did love to squirm.

  “Pants.”

  He unzipped and let them fall to his ankles. All I saw were bare balls and his stand-up cock.

  “No boxers? I am shocked. Shocked.”

  Guy giggled.

  I rolled to sit at the edge of the bed. “Come here and let me have a closer look.”

  I swept him into an embrace, nipping and kissing along his collarbone. He settled his hands on my shirt and began to work the buttons. I let him push it off while I nibbled on his nipples, and he shook with held-in laughter. He was a ticklish boy.

  I ran my hands up and down his muscled abdomen, groaning my appreciation. I was rock hard.

  “Do you need help with your boots, Josh?”

  “You know I do.”

  He turned his back to me, and I stuck out my right leg. He straddled it, bent over, and tugged weakly.

  “I like the view.”

  He giggled again, and I put my left foot on his butt and pushed. My boot popped off, and he tossed it aside.

  “Hey, careful! Those are my good boots.”

  He rolled his eyes, waved his hand, and got in position to remove my other boot.

  “Maybe you should stay like that for a while. You look so cute.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding. I can’t wait that long.”

  I laughed now. “You can’t wait? Heck, I’m the one who never gets any.”

  “Let me make it all better.” He shucked the boot, tossed it aside, and hopped up on the bed next to me, landing on his back. I rolled over on my side beside him and began to run my fingers up and down his belly. He pushed my hand lower, but I batted him away.

  “Fine,” he said in a pretend huff. He scrambled up to kneel alongside my belly, and I lay back. “I’ll just lick your cock then.”

  His dark eyes glowed as he undid my belt and pants and pulled out my prick. His pointed tongue darted out and slid up the side.

  “Oh, yes. More.”

  Guy had a wicked tongue. Like a snake, he slithered it around my crown in circles till I couldn’t take anymore.

  “Suck me.”

  Like he was just waiting for my moan, he opened his mouth and swallowed me deep, running his tongue up and down my length, making sure to hit that special spot just under the head. I thrust up and back and lost myself in the feel and his exaggerated slurpy sounds.

  “You know I like that.” After a while, I eased him off and sat up. “I think it’s time you got some attention. Would you like that?”

  His eyes widened. I stroked his jaw, then got up, shed my jeans, and went to the nightstand where I knew he kept condoms and lube.

  I rolled him onto his back, grabbed his legs, and pulled him close to the edge of the bed.

  He pulled his legs up, and I painted lube down his crack and pushed back on his thighs. He let them fall open wide. Gently, I slipped one finger in and out of his hole, probing deeper with each push until I hit his sweet spot. His ass flew off the bed, then settled back down to rock steady on my finger. I slid in another. He squirmed in earnest.

  “Please, Josh. Please, fuck me.”

  I sheathed my dick and pushed in with a slow, controlled movement.

  “Hard,” he cried. “Hard, Josh.”

  But I pulled out and eased in slowly, teasing him.

  “You are so pretty like this.” Brushing my fingertips up his chest, I pinched his nipples, making him scrunch up his face. “So pretty.”

  I pushed in hard and watched his eyes fly open. He was hot and tight, his muscles gripping my dick. I grabbed his and pumped it and his ass hard and fast, my sweat dripping on his abs. I could smell his desire.

  He inhaled huge, his whole body tightening. Then he yelled and came all over my hand and chest. That sent me over. I shot hard, shuddered, and fell into his arms.

  “I’ve missed you,” he sighed. He gazed at me with the look he always gave me. Total acceptance. I could do and be anything with Guy, and it was okay. Every time I came here, he was happy to see me, and it would be like this forever.

  I smeared his cum across his chest with my fingers. He giggled and stuck out his tongue. I put my fingers to his mouth, and he licked them, all the while looking at my face. I smiled and pulled out slowly.

  “You stay here. I’ll be right back.” I headed for the bathroom. It was still done in a dazzling gold and white that I was sure would blind me if I ever came in with a drunk on.

  I cleaned up and returned to the bedroom with a warm washcloth and a towel. Guy hadn’t moved. Gently, I wiped off his chest, stomach, and ass. I crawled onto the bed and wrapped myself around him, his back to my chest, resting my chin on his shoulder. He rubbed my arms in slow, lazy strokes.

  “You want to go have drinks and dinner at Ted’s before you drive back?”

  Guy knew I loved the steaks at Ted Turner’s Montana Grill. “That sounds real good.”

  We took a shower together, playfully bathing each other. He toweled me off, then helped me put on my clothes and brought me my boots. I watched him pull four different shirts from his closet before he settled on one. It was my favorite, a shiny deep purple shirt with long sleeves. He paired it with tight black jeans. I knew he’d wear a black leather jacket with it.

  We walked the few blocks to the Baxter Hotel. It was early yet, and we were seated right away.

  Guy ordered a beer and a rare steak with a baked potato for me, then a martini and salmon and a salad for himself. We always got the same thing.

  As we waited for our food, he told me all about his latest paintings and some new people he’d met in Bozeman and LA. I had always envied the way he was accepted by everyone.

  When our food came, he ordered another m
artini, and I switched to coffee.

  “So, besides the great new horse, how’s the ranch?”

  “Good. Could be a real good year if we get normal rain.” I told him how Sarah was doing, about how full the cabins were, and about the cattle Jesse was running. I skipped any mention of Dane or the downed fence line.

  “Why do you ask me about all this stuff anyway? You’re not really interested.”

  “I am too,” he said. “It’s your way of life, and I’m interested in you.”

  I felt that uncomfortable guilty tug of my conscience. If I said the word, Guy and I would be in a deep relationship. But as much as I loved him, I wasn’t in love. He accepted that.

  “Well, I better be getting back.”

  We paid and headed out through the cavernous two-story lobby to Main Street. Who’d we bump into coming in? Jesse and Dane, on their way into Ted’s. Crap.

  “Hey, little brother, I wish I’d known you were here. We could have all eaten together,” Jesse said. “Guy, how you been?”

  The two shook hands while my brain searched for a way to react. Finally, I went with basic introductions.

  “Guy, this is Jesse’s old Army buddy, Dane. Dane, this is Guy. We hung out together in college.”

  Guy openly sized up Dane as they shook hands. Dane said something like “good to meet you.” I kept my eyes on Guy. The minute lasted forever.

  “Have a good dinner,” Guy said, and somehow we were finally out on the street.

  “Boy, that Army friend is hot.” Guy was giddy.

  “You think?” I kept us moving down the street toward Guy’s gallery.

  “You don’t? Man, I thought muscles were your thing. Is he gay?”

  “Don’t know.”

  “You should find out, Josh. He was really eyeing you.”

  “You got to be kidding.”

  We walked on to where my truck was parked, and I got in. Standing so his back and the door blocked anyone’s view, Guy ran his hands up and down my chest and squeezed my crotch.

  “Thanks for visiting, Josh. Come back soon.”

  “Good luck in LA. Call and tell me how it goes.”

  “I will.”

  He watched me back out, and when I glanced in the rearview mirror, he waved. I raised my hand and headed for home.

  AFTER THAT, days passed without my talking to Dane. It seemed to be the way he was going to be. I saw him, walking somewhere around the ranch, or running. He was big into exercise. But he didn’t walk or run by me.

  I saw Jesse, though, and he told me he and Dane were having a great time together, like old times, and he thought Dane might be beginning to relax. Great, I told him.

  To get my mind off Dane, I began to help my aunt make breakfast for the guests. Meant I had to turn in earlier each night, and that helped some.

  If Aunt Kate thought it was unusual, she didn’t let on. She greeted me with a peck on the cheek and a “How’s my favorite nephew today?”

  “Your favorite until Jesse shows up,” I answered. It was our standard greeting.

  She chuckled and pointed me toward the bacon and the grilling stove.

  “How’s that horse coming, honey?” Since my parents had died, Aunt Kate had tried to be like a mom to me. I didn’t appreciate it early on, but I was grateful now.

  “I’ve got a saddle on him, and I’ve ridden him some.” I put the bacon on the griddle, each piece making a spitting hiss as it hit the heat.

  She put down the spoon she was scrambling eggs with and turned toward me. Her hazel eyes, now a vivid contrast to the silver hair that had once been gold, sparkled with pride.

  “That’s wonderful, Josh. When you brought that horse home and I saw him banging up the sides of the trailer, I wondered if even you could do it. But you have a way with horses like I’ve never seen.”

  She poured the eggs into a big pan and started scrambling.

  “I guess that’s what’s been keeping you quiet and so off to yourself lately,” she added.

  I glanced her way, but she didn’t look up from the pan, and I was grateful. “Yeah, I don’t want the progress to stop.” It was partly true.

  She was quiet a minute. “Jesse and Dane will be making room for you soon, Josh. Just give them time.”

  “Oh, I know, Aunt Kate. Dane is Jesse’s best friend and all. And they haven’t seen each other in a real long time.”

  “And poor Dane has some things to work through, just like Jesse when he got home. Would you get the dishes out? I’ll watch the bacon.”

  I stepped into the dining room to lay out plates, cups, and silverware, and heat up the food bar pans. When I returned, Aunt Kate handed me the pot of oatmeal. Next came the first big pan of eggs and the pancakes.

  “I think you can lay down some more bacon and start the second pan of eggs,” she said. “You know, I think Dane might be even more troubled than Jesse was.”

  “Makes sense, I guess. Dane’s been in a lot longer.”

  “Twelve years,” she sighed, wiping her hands on her apron. “Much of it in Afghanistan, from what he says. I think he must have nightmares.”

  “So, you’ve been talking to him?”

  “Some,” she said. “He doesn’t talk much. But he is always polite and helpful. And a good listener. He’s going to rebuild the laundry room for me—just the way I want.”

  “No kidding?”

  “As soon as he finishes with the door on the calving barn. I think Dane’s a good man,” she continued. “He just needs some time to get used to the civilized world again, and to try to put some of that fighting behind him.” Her voice trailed off as she stacked some more of her golden pancakes on a serving plate.

  “You get that bacon and eggs into serving pans, and I think I’m all set,” she continued. “When you come back this afternoon, pick up some pork chops for Jesse and Dane for dinner.”

  AROUND FOUR, I got the pork chops and dropped them at Jesse’s, then headed to my barn to clean it. I cranked the radio loud and went to work.

  Kenny Chesney was singing about a beach as I moved straw bales. Without warning, a big hand face-planted me into one. Then the hand seized my neck, gripping and flexing in a familiar rhythm that thankfully killed the panic rising in my gut.

  “You seem to like rough stuff,” I grunted, not bothering to try to get up. The smell of cow barn and sawdust hit my nose as Dane leaned over me, still not letting go of my neck.

  “Less than twenty-four hours after being with me, you’re fucking someone else? That how you work?” he ground out. He smashed his groin against my ass for emphasis.

  “And how do you work, Dane? You’re the one who said once was enough. What’s this about?”

  “I said I was sorry.”

  “What does that mean exactly?” I was totally bewildered by my current position and his communication.

  In response, he jerked me up and wrapped his arm around my waist so my back was flush against his chest. He nuzzled his nose in my neck, scratching me with his rough whiskers, then licked and blew cool air across my skin. I groaned when he slid his hand to my zipper, and my cock jumped. So much for me playing hard to get.

  “Fuck, cowboy. I can’t get you out of my mind. How about you take down your jeans right now?”

  “You’re going to do me over a straw bale?”

  “You haven’t had it that way before? What kind of cowboy are you?”

  I shook my head.

  “I said take down your jeans. Now.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Fuck, yes. I expect people to do what I say. But I’ll help you this once.”

  He dropped his hands to my belt and undid it. Then he did the same with my pants, pulling them down past my knees. He threw a horse blanket down on the hay bale and pushed me over it again.

  “I don’t want you to scratch anything important.”

  I heard the rip of the condom packet. Next thing I felt was a sharp burn as he pushed into me.

  I gritted my teeth. “You’
re hurting me.”

  “Reprimanding might be a better word.” He bent over me and licked my ear. “I don’t share, cowboy. At all. Tell me you understand that.”

  He pushed hard into me again. Silver sparks danced on the edges of my vision, and I tried to crawl away from the hurt. But he grabbed my hips and pulled me back onto him.

  “I said, tell me you understand. Tell me you won’t be fucking anybody else while you’re with me.”

  “You are nuts. I’m not with—”

  A crack rang through the barn. He had slapped my ass.

  “Ouch! Stop it.”

  But he didn’t. He hit me again. “Tell me you understand. You won’t be fucking anybody else.”

  “Okay,” I gasped, but not fast enough. Another blow landed on my ass. “Dane, I understand, okay?”

  “I won’t be fucking anybody else. Say it.” He smoothed a hand down my back, like he was coaxing me to follow his instructions.

  “I understand. I won’t be fucking anybody else. Dane, stop it, please.”

  He stilled and kissed the back of my neck softly. “Good boy, Josh.”

  He slid his hands down my ass, gentling the sting. He pulled back slow, then readjusted his angle and pushed into me again, hitting my gland. The silver sparks disappeared, replaced by jolts of pleasure and the sweet sensation of being filled with him. He teased my neck with nibbles, bites, and licks. I wanted to say something, but all I managed was a moan.

  “Did your artist do you like this? Did he make you feel this good?”

  “I did Guy.”

  He stilled at that, like he hadn’t considered the possibility of me topping. What kind of pansy did he think I was?

  Before I could come up with a sharp response to set him straight, his hands were on the hay bale alongside my head, trapping me as he thrust fast and hard and deep. I thought he might split me in half.

  Then I quit thinking about anything except feeling him inside me. “More.”

  He bit my shoulder, grabbed my hips, and shoved harder, his thighs banging into mine and knocking me forward. If not for his hands holding me, we’d have toppled over the bale.