by Sue Brown
“I’m going to make you hot and hard again, then I’m going to ride you, cowboy.”
“I’m a fireman, not a cowboy,” Dale pointed out.
Ben scowled at him. “Then I’ll slide up and down your pole.”
Dale chuckled, stroking a hand down Ben’s spine until he reached his arse, covered with a fine layer of fuzz. He cupped it, letting his fingers stray toward the crack. Ben squirmed and Dale did it again, tracing the sensitive skin behind Ben’s balls.
“Fuck!” Ben did a full-body shiver and sat up. His cock was almost purple, and it wouldn’t take much to make him blow.
Ben reached into the basket and got the lube and condom. “Get me ready?”
“Don’t tell me Mrs. Wilson packed the essentials?” Dale cracked up at Ben’s disgusted face.
“Don’t go there,” Ben begged.
Dale flicked open the lube. Ben leaned over him to grab another cushion. His stiff cock dangled invitingly in front of Dale’s mouth, but when Dale went to lick it, Ben jerked back.
“Don’t! So close.”
Dale had visions of Ben jerking off over his face, and fuck, didn’t his prick stiffen at the thought? But he slicked his fingers and pressed one against Ben’s hole. It took very little persuasion to enter and feel Ben’s channel close around him. He fucked him gently, then pressed in another one. Dale made no attempt to go near Ben’s prostate, knowing it would probably be game over if he brushed it.
“’Kay now,” Ben said, his voice tight and hoarse. “Going to ride you now.”
Dale withdrew his fingers and wiped them on the sheet. He reached for the condom, but Ben took it. Ben slicked his hand and jacked Dale’s cock until it was hard and ready to go again; then he rolled the rubber down the hard shaft.
Ben positioned himself and slowly sank onto Dale’s cock, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Dale saw his lips moving and smiled, knowing Ben was trying to stave off his orgasm. Eventually Ben was seated as far as he could go.
Another minute and Ben opened his eyes. He smiled down at Dale. “Ready to slide, fireman?”
“The bell is ringing,” Dale said. “The engine is revved up and ready to go.” Dale held Ben’s hips, but that was the only control he had. This was Ben’s ride, and he wasn’t going to take long.
Ben rose up and gave him a strained smile. “Hold on tight.” He was beautiful, wild and abandoned, none of the English gentleman as he fucked himself to completion. Sweat beaded across his forehead, and a blush spread up his torso.
Dale watched as Ben rode his cock, not wanting to take his eyes off him for a second. Ben’s pace faltered and he slammed down one more time before he came, his cock untouched by either of them, striping come across Dale’s belly and chest. Dale waited until Ben’s eyes focused; then he moved, turning Ben on his back and fucking him until he came a second time.
They took time to recover, facing each other in the mess of the cushions. Dale kept his hand on Ben’s hip, needing to keep him close. Ben buried his face against Dale’s chest and stayed there, his breathing slowing down until Dale wondered if he was asleep. The rumbling sound of Dale’s stomach made Ben raise his head, a broad grin on his face.
“Does the beast need feeding again?”
Dale’s stomach growled again in agreement. “Is there any food left?”
“Mrs. Wilson packed for seconds.”
As they ate more food, Ben said, “You know, I’ve always had a thing for firemen.”
Dale grinned. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard that. “Don’t tell me, it’s the sexy uniform.”
“I prefer you out of uniform and standing to attention.”
Dale snorted and tugged Ben against his chest and kissed him until they were both breathless. “You can slide down my pole anytime you want, your lordship.”
Chapter Fourteen
BEN thrust his hands in his pockets and stamped his feet in a vain attempt to keep warm. Two days after their picnic, the temperature dropped again. There had been snowflakes—snowflakes!—overnight. Ben wished he was anywhere but standing on the village green watching football—Calminster village versus the fire station. It happened every year, but usually Ben managed to avoid having to watch the match. The organizer of the match, the local vicar, always invited him, but Ben had always refused politely, and neither acknowledged the fact that Ben would rather have hot pokers inserted into his eyes. Dale suggested he join in this year, but even he took a step back when Ben told him what he’d do if he mentioned it again. But Ben was a Boyfriend™, and that apparently meant freezing his nuts as he watched Dale run around the village green, getting muddier by the second and apparently enjoying every moment of it.
Everyone had looked surprised when Ben turned up. Ben was more surprised than all of them, but Dale insisted and Ben didn’t want to upset him. He had no idea what was happening on the pitch, but from the yelling and hollering, the fire station’s team was winning.
Ben stood on the sidelines, as usual slightly apart from everyone else. To his surprise, Mick’s wife, Beth, smiled as she approached him, a small kid hanging on to each hand.
“Hello, Lord Calminster. Can we stand with you?”
He smiled at her a little shyly, unused to people seeking out his company just to be nice. “Please do. Who are these two?” He indicated the children, who hid behind her skirt.
“These are my grandchildren. James and Laura. Their parents are house-hunting, so we’ve got them for the day.”
“Is Mick playing?” He hadn’t seen Mick on the pitch.
“Not if he can help it. He’s the sub, but they’re under orders not to make him play.” She grinned at him. “Who are you supporting?”
“Er… is it wrong if I say both?”
“Whatever you say is wrong?”
“Something like that.” Ben rubbed his arms. He was going to be an icicle by the end of ninety minutes.
Beth smirked as she watched Dale tear down one side after the ball. “I can’t believe he got you here.”
“Nor can I. It wasn’t by choice, believe me.”
Dale shouted something and passed the ball. Ben watched his face the whole time, feeding off his enthusiasm and fun. Dale looked up and caught Ben’s eye just for a second; then his attention was back on the pitch.
“He likes you being here for him. They all like their wives and partners here,” Beth said. “They know no one wants to be here, and that’s why it’s special. Because everyone is making the effort.”
Ben hadn’t thought about the fact that no one wanted to be standing here getting cold. “At least it’s only once a year.”
She burst out laughing. “Once a year? You really are out of it, Lord Calminster. They get together as often as they can.” She patted him on the arm at the horror on his face. “You win big brownie points for this.”
“You mean he owes me?” Ben liked that idea.
“Now you get the idea.”
Dale jogged up to him. “Hey. Hi, Beth.”
Beth smiled at him. “Hi, Dale. I’ll leave you two to chat.”
“Having fun?” Dale beamed at Ben.
Ben took a deep breath. “Of course I am.”
“Liar!”
“If you know I’m lying, why did you ask?”
“Just to see you squirm.” Dale smirked at him.
“Is it over yet?”
“This is halftime.”
Ben was in Special Hell. “You know I’m going to make you suffer.”
“Bring it on!”
They stared at each other, and Ben knew Dale wanted to kiss him, but not here, not in front of the village.
“Maloney! Get your arse over here!” Tank’s bellow interrupted their moment.
“I’ve got to—” Dale started.
Ben nodded. “Later.”
After another half an hour, Ben was convinced he’d never be warm again. He was about to escape to the café when Patrick, the young waiter, and his mother approached.
“Hi, Pa
trick. What can I do for you?”
Patrick gave his mother a grim nod, then took a couple of steps closer. “We’re so sorry, your lordship. We had no idea.”
“No idea about what?” Ben knew he was fuzzy from the cold, but he didn’t have a clue what Patrick was talking about. “Patrick, what’s happened?”
“It’s Uncle Olly. He’s been the one starting the fires,” Patrick’s expression clearly expected the worst. Ben stared at him. “Olly? Oliver Miller?” The man he’d sacked a few weeks ago.
Tears spilled over onto Mrs. Rayham’s cheeks as Patrick nodded. “He’s my brother,” she said.
“He started all the fires?” Ben wasn’t surprised. Miller had a vicious streak in him a mile wide.
“He’s so angry at you because his wife has left him and taken the kids after he got sacked. He just wanted to cause some trouble.”
“By hurting his friends in the village?” Ben scowled at them, and Mrs. Rayham shrank back.
“He wasn’t thinking right, your lordship. When he realized he’d killed Bonnie, he was right upset.”
“Where is he now?” Ben asked.
“We don’t know,” Patrick said. “I made Mum call PC Verne when we found petrol cans in our shed. But he’s been missing a couple of days.”
Ben nodded. “Let me know if you see him. And thank you for telling me.”
Mrs. Rayham wiped her cheeks. “He’s a good man.”
Ben pressed his lips together to hold back the angry words, but Patrick got there first.
“No, he isn’t, Mum. I know he’s your brother, but he’s always been vile and too quick with his fists. Cath and the kids are better away from him.”
“Don’t say such things,” she said, but Patrick stood resolute.
“You said it yourself, Mum. Aunty Cath needs to make a new life.” Patrick held out his hand to Ben. “I won’t let him hurt anyone else.”
Ben shook his hand, impressed by the young man. “Make an appointment to see me next week, Patrick.”
Patrick looked surprised, but he nodded. “Come on, Mum. We promised to help with the teas.”
They headed for the café. Ben caught Dale’s worried expression. He smiled, and Dale smiled back and focused on his game again.
Ben made a note to call Verne if he didn’t get frostbite. Hell, he’d tap out the phone number with his nose if it got Miller locked up.
LATER that day, when Ben was warmer and Dale had stopped laughing at his complaints, he worked at his desk while Dale sat in the armchair by the fire, reading the latest Jack Reacher novel. He’d spoken to PC Verne and Station Commander Fang about Miller. Neither of them were surprised at Ben’s revelations.
“Ms. Barrett, your lordship.”
Ben frowned as his new lawyer swept in, as immaculate as ever. “Sabrina, what are you doing here?”
“Good afternoon, Ben. I thought I’d keep you up-to-date with my father’s antics.” She smiled at Dale. “And meet my replacement.”
Dale got to his feet and held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Delighted to meet you, Mr. Maloney.” Sabrina arched her eyebrow. Ben thought she wielded them like a lethal weapon. “I gave up waiting for Ben to introduce us.”
“Likewise. I think he was afraid of what might happen.”
Ben groaned and thunked his forehead on his desk. Sabrina and Dale both laughed at him, and Ben knew he was in deep trouble.
Colson came in with afternoon tea. Ben was tempted to escape with him as he left, because Sabrina and Dale were having far too much fun at his expense.
But Sabrina took her teacup and looked at them both. “I think we need to get down to work, gentlemen. I’m not just here to see Ben squirm.”
“I told your father again that it’ll be a cold day in hell before he gets his hands on Calminster Hall,” Ben said. “He doesn’t seem to be listening. He has a controlling share in Calminster Enterprises, and now he’s called for a board meeting of Calminster Enterprises for Monday morning to force the merger through.” The last part was mainly for Dale’s benefit, as Ben hadn’t told him that.
Dale’s expression darkened. “He can do that?”
Sabrina nodded. “As a major shareholder, he can force a vote of no confidence in Lord Calminster and force the takeover through.”
Ben’s stomach had not stopped churning since Sabrina told him that. Nevertheless, he waited as calmly as he could for Sabrina’s response.
“After our last conversation, I’ve spoken to all the major shareholders.”
“And?”
“They are all behind you, Ben. Every last one of them. Barrett cannot force this takeover.”
“But he has a controlling interest!” Ben said.
“On the contrary, he had a controlling interest. He sold me a fifteen percent stake in Calminster Enterprises as a birthday present. I sold it to Freely & Sons before I resigned, giving them the majority shareholding. The takeover is a dead duck.”
“You didn’t think to tell me this earlier?” Ben asked.
“It might not have worked. Freely likes you, but business is business.”
Sabrina smiled so coldly, Ben felt the short hairs shrivel on his balls. “I have reorganized Calminster Enterprises. We’ll see what happens at the meeting on Monday, where I’m proposing Calminster takes over Barrett Media and Leisure.”
“Your father—”
“Don’t worry, we only want Media and Leisure. We’ll leave the smaller companies for him to tinker with.”
“Have you had any sleep?” Ben asked, still processing her words.
“You don’t pay me to sleep,” she said, plucking an imaginary thread from her skirt.
“Thank God for Freely.”
“He would have bought the shares just to annoy my father. They have history. He would pay to see my father ground into the dirt.”
“You knew about this history beforehand?”
It was a rhetorical question, but she chose to answer him anyway. “I know everything, Ben.”
Ben made a mental note for the hundredth time never to underestimate this woman. “Can we really take over your father’s company?”
“I doubt it. But it’ll be fun trying.”
“You’re a very scary woman, Sabrina Barrett.”
“Sabrina Bradshaw,” she corrected, getting to her feet. “It’s time I left the Barrett name behind.”
Ben inclined his head. “Ms. Bradshaw.”
“Lord Calminster.” Sabrina smirked and bent to kiss Ben. “I need to get back to the office and minimize the damage my father’s bound to attempt.”
Ben hugged her with more feeling than he’d had the whole time they were together. She allowed it for a moment and then stepped back. “That’s enough of that. It’s not appropriate for our working relationship.”
“I’m starting to wonder who is working for whom.”
“Best not to think about it too much. Your head might start hurting. Good to meet you, Dale.” With that she left.
Ben shook his head and breathed much easier when the front door had shut behind her.
“She’s one scary broad,” Dale observed, speaking for the first time.
“More scary than Barrett?”
“He’s just a bully. I’ve seen a million dudes like him. I don’t see many women like Sabrina.”
Ben gritted his teeth. “Does she turn you on?”
Dale raised an eyebrow. “Uh… gay, like you?”
“Just ignore me. I’m being a moron.”
“She doesn’t do a thing for me. I like men like you.” Dale stepped into Ben’s space. “I like you.”
Ben rested his head on Dale’s shoulder, his hands lightly on Dale’s hips. “I’ll get the dungeons ready for Thomas Barrett.”
“You do that. Have you got a rack?”
“Didn’t you see the torture room?”
Dale stared at him, wide-eyed and excited. “No way, you’ve got a torture room? Show it to me now.”
; Ben raised his head. “Seriously?”
“Hell, yeah.” Dale grinned like a kid in a sweetie shop.
“Come on, then. But if you piss me off, I’ll put you in the stocks.”
Dale’s eyes went dark. “I can think of other uses for the stocks.”
Ben smacked him on the arm. “You’re a kinky bastard.”
“Well, duh!”
Chapter Fifteen
THE May Day parade had gone without a hitch, and the pole stayed upright despite the Calminster fire crew’s prediction that it would topple during the dance. Dale endured several days of bets being left on the whiteboard on how long it would take to fall over. Dale rolled his eyes and let them cackle it out, knowing any sign of weakness on his part would be pounced on immediately. Still, he was relieved when it was all over. Perhaps now they’d stop leaving L-plates on his locker. When they stuck one on the maypole, Dale stopped being so optimistic.
Dale spent two hours lifting kids in and out of the fire engine, letting them play with the siren and the horn, and generally behaving like a big kid himself. It was fun, but after a while his back started to ache, and he needed a replacement mug.
“Time out,” he called to two of the firemen chatting close by.
To his relief, Keith looked over and nodded. “My turn.”
Dale said goodbye to the kids and parents waiting in line and walked over to Tank. He groaned as he rolled his shoulders. “Damn, some of those kids are heavy.”
Tank snorted. “Why do you think we let the newbie volunteer?”
“Thanks.” Dale groaned. “You could’ve warned me.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Dale resisted the urge to thump his boss. “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?”
Tank shook his head. They were all on the alert for Miller and/or suspicious behavior. The small fires had died down over the past few days as the village prepared for the parade. After the meeting, the parade organizers had insisted every teenager get involved in helping whether they wanted to or not. However, they all knew with everyone’s attention diverted, the parade day was prime time to set another fire.