Tending Tyler

by Jodi Payne

  Matt chuckled softly, hands reaching for him. “Oh, I do thank God for that. I’m ready to admire.”

  He let Matt’s strong hands pull him in, practically lifting him as he moved to straddle Matt’s thighs. He put some lube on his fingers and kissed his lover hard as he made Matt’s cock good and slippery. Matt opened up to him, tongue sliding along his, and Tyler could taste himself there, just barely.

  Jesus, that was hot.

  He walked his knees a little farther forward and lined up, wanting Matt to get a little taste, a little tease. “Want me?” he whispered into their kiss.

  “Fucking burn for you.” There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in his cowboy.

  “God, the things you say.” Tyler leaned back and took Matt in with a heavy groan as the head of the thick cock pushed past his muscle, stretching him just right as he was still a little tender from the night before. He sank down, taking Matt in as deep as he could manage and paused a second to get a breath.

  His lover wasn’t making it easy. Matt’s head was thrown back, cords of his neck standing out. Tyler swore he could hear the heavy muscles in Matt’s forearms creak.

  He started to move, gasping at the friction and the pressure as Matt filled him up. He focused, listening and watching, trying to respond to what his lover needed. The cowboy was distracting though, he couldn’t ignore Matt’s intensity and all that tan skin.

  It didn’t take long for Matt to find his hips, to tug him down and fill him, the pressure damn near overwhelming.

  “Matt!” He got the message. He moved faster and took his lover in deeper, bouncing in Matt’s lap as Matt pulled on him. It only took a slight rock of his hips for Matt’s prick to find that perfect spot inside him and set every nerve on fire again. He rode the sensations, giving himself the jolts while Matt’s hips fed the fire, slamming up toward him.

  Tyler shifted his grip, one hand bracing around the back of Matt’s neck and the other taking hold of his cock. He didn’t have to work too hard, it slid through his fingers every time Matt moved, but he wanted to be ready when Matt was. “Fuck. Fuck, babe.”

  “You’re gonna shoot on me, make me smell like you.” Matt’s words made his eyes go wide, the pressure inside him getting heavier.

  “Yeah. Yeah, soon.” He gulped air and came down on Matt hard, stars shooting past his vision. “No not soon, babe. N…now!” No joke. He gasped and rocked in Matt’s lap, coming for a second time, as if he’d hadn’t in days.

  He felt Matt thrust a few more times, then a rough cry winged out, filling the air.

  He leaned forward, tucking his forehead against Matt’s jaw, breathing hard. That was the best sound ever; the sound of Matt, always so capable and in control, just letting go.

  “Fuck. Fuck, honey. I needed that.” Matt chuckled, chest moving under him.

  “Uh-huh.” He leaned harder, wanting more contact, wanting to be held. “Love this porch.”

  Matt’s arms wrapped around him. “Lord, yes. It’s a good place.”

  “Mmm. This is perfect.” The ranch could go ahead and be crazy town tomorrow. They had this tonight.

  Matt nuzzled his temple, humming softly. They had the sounds of the ranch—cattle lowing, the buzz of crickets, a periodic bark from a dog.

  “Shower? And then a snuggle. What do you think?”

  “It’s a good plan, honey. Shower, snuggle, and I might let you have the remote.”

  “Wow. That’s love.” He shifted with a groan that sounded like he was ninety. If he woke up tomorrow and couldn’t move he’d just float in the pool all day.

  But for tonight, he was going to get his man into a nice hot shower, bundle them both into bed, and lose himself to sleep in Matt’s strong arms.

  14

  “Lord have mercy.” Matthew wiped his forehead, the back of his neck. Daddy was bringing a dozen new goats in and they were trying to all build another goat shed. The sun was beating down, and his head was with his lover in the pool.

  He could use a cold drink, a dip, and a sandwich.

  He really, really could.

  Kris pulled up in a four by four and hopped out. “Water, y’all!” she shouted, like someone had been listening to him think. “Is now a good time for a break, Boss?”

  “Yeah. It’s looking good.” He met her eyes. “Tell me why I run a ranch again?”

  “Got me.” She laughed and handed him a bottle of water. “Don’t let that pretty Yankee of yours get you questioning your life choices.”

  “Shee-it. This land needs a Whitehead on it, and that’s me, until they bury me here.” Then his girls would run it—his money was on Sophia, to be honest—and his grandbabies and great-babies. The thought suited him to the bone. “Speaking of Tyler, though, I’m fixin’ to check in on him, maybe get in the pool for a second.”

  “Must be good to be the boss,” she shot back, and Matthew flipped her off.

  “That’s me. I spend my days eating bonbons and my nights dancing.”

  She pinned him with an amused look. “That’s what you call it now? Dancing? Y’all had me going for my gun. I thought it was coyotes.”

  Oh, fuck a doodle god damn doo. He was glad he could blame his burning cheeks on the heat. “Watch it, woman. You know how many times I had to convince the girls I didn’t need to take my gun and check on you and Lisa?”

  Kris didn’t look the slightest bit embarrassed. “Don’t you just love a warm night?”

  “You know it.” He’d never done that before—not because Deb had been a prude, because that woman knew how to seduce a poor idiot—but because he hadn’t built that porch yet.

  “I’m freed up. I can stay here and finish this with the boys. What time are we expecting your daddy?”

  “Give him two and a half, three hours. He’s toodling.” Daddy loved his wanders taking the back roads. “You make sure you drink enough water.”

  “Yessir. Take the ride, leave the water. There’s a couple of flats back there.” Kris tugged a pair of beat-up work gloves from her back pocket.

  “I’ll walk up. It ain’t far.” He grinned and tipped his hat, then headed up to the house, checking on this fence post, this horse, this momma cow on his way.

  He clomped up the stairs to grab him a Coke and get in the shade.

  “Marco!”

  “Polo!”

  Wait. Was that the girls?

  “Marco!” That was definitely Ty.

  “Polo!” He knew those giggles all too well.

  “Are you ladies playing fair? You’re not out of the pool, are you?”

  Well, shit. Momma must have brought them home early. He had to find him a lady to come watch the girls during the days.

  He popped open his can and wandered around to see what was what in the pool.

  There was a happy but ear-splitting squeal as Tyler caught Sophia by the arm and tore off his blindfold. “Ahha!”

  Sophia sighed dramatically, but she was grinning and trying so hard not to laugh.

  “Daddy!” Emma hauled herself out of the pool and ran to him.

  “Hey, baby girl! I’m sweaty and stinky. When did y’all get home?” He kissed the top of her head and waved to Tyler and Sophia. “Hey, y’all!”

  “Right after shopping. Mamaw had a hair appointment. Tyler said it was okay for us to swim with him.”

  “That was super nice of him. Did y’all have lunch?” He took another drink. Lord, he was tempted to get his swim shorts on and jump in.

  Tyler hung on one of the pool ladders. “I asked if they were hungry, they said not yet. Are you coming in?”

  Sophia got out of the pool and walked over to get her kiss. “Tyler is good at pool games, Daddy.”

  “Is he? Excellent.” He rubbed their noses together. “You know, I think I will. I’m hot and gross. Let me change.”

  It didn’t take five minutes to get inside and pull off his work clothes, throw on a pair of trunks.

  The girls and Tyler were chatting, holding hands and floating on their
backs when he got back to the pool.

  “Not even a swimming hole?”

  “Nope. There are some public pools in some places, but not close to where I grew up. This is a treat.” Tyler kicked his feet gently.

  “So how did you learn to swim then?”

  “I had a very wise mother who made sure I took lessons. She worked really hard to pay for them too.”

  “Daddy works hard so we can have stuff like dance lessons too!” Sophia’s smile lit everything up. “It’s the same thing!”

  Sweet girl—he did work hard, but it was because he wanted to, not because he needed to.

  “It is. You’re very lucky girls. I appreciate you sharing him with me.”

  “No problem.” Emma chuckled, the sound making Matthew smile. “There’s a lot of him.”

  “Uh-huh. A way lot,” Sophia added.

  “Do not make me beat you both.” He walked down into the pool, shuddering at the sudden chill.

  “So mean.” Tyler let go of the girls’ hands and swam in his direction. “Hey, you. Did the goats get here yet?”

  “Not for a few hours. Soon. The new pen is almost done though.” He sank down to his chin and gasped as his heart skipped a beat. Whoa.

  “It’s not that cold.” Tyler floated up and gave him a kiss. “You’re just that hot.”

  “Kissing!” the girls squealed, and he laughed, spinning Tyler around before diving to get his girls. He grabbed one in each arm, squeezing and smooching before dunking underwater with them.

  Emma came up wriggling. “Tyler! Help!”

  “Oh no! A damsel in distress!” Tyler took her hands, pretending to pull with all his might. “Can’t…break…free!”

  “Harder, Tyler! The sea monster has me!”

  Emma squealed, Sophia climbed up his back, and Matthew roared, playing along. This was the best game. He loved the sound of laughter.

  “It’s the hairiest sea monster I’ve ever seen! Maybe…maybe it’s ticklish?” Tyler’s hands landed on his hips. “Get him, Em!”

  “Tickledaddy!” Emma squealed, her little fingers digging into his ribs. Damn, she could poke.

  “I’m gonna get you!” He roared playfully, tackling both Tyler and Em.

  “Don’t splash, Tyler! It’s against the pool rules!” Sophia shouted, so serious.

  “Oh. Sorry!” Tyler laughed, hanging on him. “Rules, Daddy.”

  “Rules, huh?” He took a chance, kissing Tyler and dunking him at the same time.

  Tyler tugged him down, returning the underwater kiss and sneaking in a grope the girls couldn’t see. His eyes went wide, and he gasped, getting a mouthful of water.

  He came up sputtering and laughing like a dork.

  “You okay, cowboy? I’m CPR certified, if you need mouth to mouth.” Tyler was laughing too. The little shit swam toward the ladder.

  “Let’s get him, girls,” he whispered, swimming up to grab Tyler and spin him around, the girls grabbing Tyler’s feet and tickling.

  “Hey!” Tyler shouted, grinning and wriggling in his arms like one of the girls. “Hang on! I’m the guest here, is this how you treat your guests? Hey!”

  Guest his ass. They’d said things that was way deeper than guest. “You’re not a guest, turkey. You belong here.”

  “Yeah, turkey!” Emma parroted, pouncing on Tyler and gobbling at him.

  “Daddy doesn’t have guests.” Sophia said solemnly. “Like, ever. Right, Daddy? You’re new.”

  “He is new, but he’s welcome. Family.” A lover. A friend. Someone to spend years with.

  “Family means I get to dive off your shoulders. Come on, Tyler!” Emma hauled on Tyler, and Tyler pretended to resist.

  “I don’t know, this family is kind of crazy. Do I want to be family?”

  “Too late!” Emma tugged and Tyler let her win, laughing.

  Sophia settled in his arms for a second. “Hey, Mr. Daddy. I love you.”

  “Hey, Miss Sophia-Bedelia. I love you more.” He smooched her, then he took off with her, making her fly across the pool.

  Krissy pulled up in her truck and hopped out, stalking over to the pool with smoke shooting out of her ears. “Hey, Boss. Sorry to interrupt, but Jimmy found another whole section of fence down and we’ve got strays to round up. The shed’s going okay but I didn’t know if you wanted to supervise that or ride out with me. Little Tim’s getting the horses.”

  “Motherfucker. I’m coming.” He met Tyler’s eyes, the girls knowing not to even fuss at him about cussing. “Can you please watch them until I get ahold of Momma or somebody?”

  Tyler stood and gave his arm a squeeze. “Don’t worry about calling your mom. We’re fine. Do what you need to do.”

  “Thank you. Girls, be good.” He kissed Tyler hard, then he hauled himself out of the pool. “What the fuck is going on, Krissy?”

  She handed him a towel and followed him in. “This isn’t kids, Boss. This is testing to see where they can get the most cattle out.”

  “Get the boys to move everyone to the near pasture. Leave Daniel to get the goats settled. We’ll ride out and check this shit out. Stupid motherfuckers, trying to steal shit from us.” He put on his jeans and boots, grabbing a T-shirt from the drawer.

  “I’m on it. I’ll meet you at the barn.” Krissy turned and marched out.

  He grabbed his phone, his .45, and an energy drink on his way out. Tyler had the babies. Sophia and Emma both knew how to call Mamaw. Shit, Daddy would be there in a couple of hours. It was all good.

  They were already playing and giggling in the pool as he headed out, he wasn’t going to worry about them. He could see tons of movement up by the barns as he got closer, the cowboys and horses swarming, Krissy shouting. Even Lisa was out helping where she could.

  He got Violet saddled up, the black mare stamping and restless, feeding off their emotions. “It’s okay, girl. We’ll run.”

  Krissy climbed up on her Beau, a broad-shouldered bay, and came around beside him. “We’re ready, Boss.”

  “Let’s do this.” He nodded to Little Tim, and they took off, trailing Tim’s dust.

  Assholes. Fucking asshole. He felt a dull rage build up in his chest and he swallowed it back.

  He’d deal with this, then he’d go home, and they could have a couple beers and meet the new goats.

  15

  Hanging out with the girls in the pool was one thing, but they were all pruny and waterlogged and probably had had plenty of sun, so Tyler had hauled them inside for lunch.

  “Okay.” He stuck his nose in the fridge and looked around. There’s a ton of leftovers, guys. What are you in the mood for?”

  “Grilled cheese?” That was Sophia.

  And then Emma asked. “Peanut butter and banana sammiches on crispy toast?”

  “Yeah, okay.” That was a no on leftovers. He looked around for cheese. He could do this. “Emma, pick a banana, please? Sophia, grab bread for everyone? I’ll have grilled cheese too. Where’s the peanut butter?” He put the cheese on the counter.

  “Is it nasty bananas or yummy ones, Sister?”

  “Yummy. Nasty bananas are for smoothies and Mamaw’s bread.” Sophia grabbed the loaf of bread and a tub of butter. “Daddy keeps the peanut butter up above the fridge because we ate a whole jar one afternoon and puked. We were little. He just holds a grudge.”

  He laughed. “I bet he does. Have you ever cleaned up peanut butter puke? Ugh. No thank you.” He’d cleaned up enough at the bar to know any puke was too much puke. He looked up at the cabinet over the fridge, then went and got a chair. “Even I am too damn short. Shit. Don’t tell your father I said ‘damn’.” Shit. “Or shit either.”

  Both girls started to giggle, the sound merry and a little wicked.

  He got the jar down and put the chair back, giggling along with them. He was going to get himself in so much trouble with these two.

  “Okay. Sophia, what pan does your dad use for grilled cheese? Can you get it out for me?” He found a butter knif
e and handed it to Emma. “You can spread the peanut butter how you like it, kiddo.”

  “The one on the stove. It was great-granny’s. It gets hot.”

  The huge iron skillet sat on the stove like a monster.

  “Tyler, you got to put the bananas in it and stir, don’t you? And spread when it’s hot?”

  “I’ll help you, Em. I know how.” Sophia had the smugness that only an older sibling could.

  “Thanks, Soph. I appreciate the help. Any tips on the grilled cheese?” Stir in the bananas? He stared at the skillet—he’d never used cast iron anything. If Sophia wanted to show off a little he’d let her. “Do I put butter in this thing, or just on the bread?”

  “Daddy just puts it on the bread. Do you want a different skillet? Daddy only ever uses that one, but Momma used other ones.”

  “Can you show me where the others are?” He needed to get the job done, it didn’t matter if he did it Daddy’s way, right?

  Sophia pointed to a cabinet and he found much more familiar frying pans inside. He even dug one out with a lid. Perfect. Okay. He had this. He put together two sandwiches and tried to keep one eye on Sophia so he’d know about this peanut butter concoction the next time.

  “Emma, why don’t you pour some drinks for you and your sister?”

  “Cokes?” Oh, that was a hopeful look.

  He wanted to be indulgent because Emma was so sweet, but Matt had left him in charge, and he wanted to get it right. “Does your dad have a rule about sodas?”

  Emma started to shake her head, but then she sighed. “Daddy says not for lunch or breakfast. They’re not good for us.”

  He nodded. “He’s right, they’re not. But you were honest, and I appreciate that, so can you girls agree on one to share?”

  “Oh…can we have a cocktail, Sister?”

  Sophia nodded. “Get the orange juice.”

  “Did someone say cocktail? Because I am a bartender, you know.” He flipped the grilled cheese in the pan grinning at the brown melty perfection.