by Unknown
“It is important for a man to own his own piece of land.”
Whitaker scratched the side of his chin, his bushy auburn beard could give some men envy. “You don’t own the land though,” he said matter-of-factly. “Not yet.”
Daniel swallowed hard. “Only a matter of time.” Pulse skittering, he needed to change the subject quick. “What do you think would be a proper job?”
“Working for me,” Whitaker replied as if it was as plain as the sun in the sky. “Give up your dreams of farming. I’ll buy out your farm and turn it into grazing land for my horses. I need more land to expand my herd. You can be my bookkeeper.”
“Bookkeeper?” Daniel couldn’t believe it. “That’s a piecrust promise, as my mother would say. Easily made and easily broken.”
Whitaker scowled. “Are you doubting my word?”
“Not your word, just that employment might not be permanent. You’ve been after my farm for months now. Why do you think offering me a job would suddenly make me sell?”
“I figured you might not know what to do with yourself without your farm. A man does need to feel useful.”
“And after you’ve bought my land you could fire me a month later just to get rid of me.”
Whitaker put a hand over his heart. “I would never do such a thing. I need you just as bad as you need me.”
Bull. You no longer needed your partner either and he wound up dead. Daniel wasn’t dense; he could see the writing on the wall.
Whitaker’s emerald eyes darkened as if he was discouraged by Daniel’s refusal. “I’ll pay you more than you make off this here farm. You’ve finished school, I’m sure. I’ve always hated looking at numbers.”
“Still trying to bribe me?” He raised his hand above his head. “I’ve had it up to here with your pushing. I’m not one of your slaves. You can’t bend and break me to your will.”
Whitaker bristled. “Break you?” he asked innocently. “I’m merely trying to be helpful, neighborly.”
“You don’t know the meaning of being a good neighbor. You’ve never once offered to help me or at the very least sent some of your workers to assist me. You’re just waiting to see if I fail.”
“I’ve often times wondered if you knew what you were doing. You haven’t had experience with planting.”
He’d learned how to oversee the process from his father. He knew plenty just none firsthand. Daniel waved to the blooming cotton. “Obviously I figured it out quite well.”
“You just got lucky. God looks after fools.”
Fire surged inside him and he focused on not making fists. His voice rose. “Are you calling me a fool?”
“Just saying if I was in your shoes the cotton would have already been picked and sold by now. I’m not sure who is running the show. You or that darkie.” He pointed at James. “If you took the whip to him now and then you’d get a lot more work out of him.”
Why that son of a bitch. Daniel drew rapid breaths, his long fuse burning down. If Whitaker didn’t watch it he’d witness his explosive temper.
“I don’t recall asking for your opinion.”
“The advice is free,” Whitaker said, grinning. “And my job offer still stands.”
“While I appreciate your offer,” Daniel replied with barely veiled civility, “I’m not ready to give up on my farm when it has just started producing. James and I are managing just fine.”
Whitaker grunted. “So you’re worried about him, huh?” He rocked back on his heels and leered at James. “I suppose I could buy him from you along with the farm.”
James stiffened but didn’t say a word.
Daniel’s voice took on a steely quality. “The farm isn’t for sale. James isn’t for sale.” Gaze narrowed, he glared at the man who had a stouter build and at least fifty pounds on him. He wouldn’t mind getting the man’s fashionable pin striped suit dirty. Feet spread shoulder width apart; he took on a fighting stance. Despite his exhaustion, he was willing to tussle with the man to prove his point.
It seemed Whitaker could not take no for an answer.
“I’d kindly appreciate it if you left my property,” Daniel said in a low voice.
Whitaker had the decency to take two steps back. “No need to get riled. I was only thinking of your interests.”
“Hardly. You were only thinking of yourself.”
Whitaker threw his hands in the air. “If you want to kill yourself making a living as a farmer, and a miserable one at that, then I don’t give a damn.”
Mounting his stallion, he pointed the horse to the road. “You’ll regret your decision, Mr. Bronson. Mark my words.”
Not one to back down, he rose to the bait. “And what will happen if I do regret my decision? Since you seem to be able to see into the future.”
“You’ll lose this farm and coming begging to me to save your sorry ass.” Whitaker flashed a smug smile before kicking the mount in the flank and galloping to his side of the property line.
“Next year,” Daniel grumbled, “I’m putting up a fence.”
James ambled over to him cheeks puffed, he looked like he was trying hard not to burst out laughing. “Wouldn’t keep him out, sir. He’s like a fly drawn to buttermilk.”
He hated being called sir, but there was no way of knowing if Whitaker was still in earshot. They walked a fine line of social expectations. It would catch up with them one day.
“Guess I’ll just have to make the buttermilk unappealing.”
“Can’t do that,” James said in a low, husky voice. “It will always be appealing.”
“He has something up his sleeve,” Daniel grumbled. “I don’t trust him. We need to be careful.”
“Yes, sir. Trouble coming?”
Daniel folded his arms across his chest. “He gave me a warning, but I won’t be bullied. Under no circumstances will I go running to Whitaker for assistance.”
“Looks like we have to help ourselves then,” James said. “Best keep picking till it gets dark.”
“Dark,” Daniel said with a sigh. “That’s several hours away.”
“How observant of you, sir,” James pointed out and they both chuckled. His lover always knew how to get him to relax.
James put a hand on his shoulder. It was more of a friendly than intimate gesture but Daniel’s mind went to other places quickly. How long had it been since they’d had sex?
James gave him a knowing look. “Tonight we can relax properly.” He spoke it as a statement not a question.
Daniel’s balls tightened. “Yes. Tonight.” He cursed under his breath. The sun couldn’t go down fast enough.
***
After a supper of beans flavored with bacon, Daniel and James walked down to the river that ran behind their property. Shedding their clothes, they dove into the water naked. Daniel surfaced and let out a loud sigh. “This feels good.”
Taking his hand, James pulled him to the shadows of the river’s bend. Threading his fingers through Daniel’s wet hair and cupping the back of his head, he tugged Daniel against him. Lips close, the two men stared into each other’s eyes. Desire simmered in his blood.
“Kiss me,” James breathed.
Daniel let out a low rumble and joined their mouths in a possessive crush. James melted into him. Reaching around Daniel, he cupped his ass. He gave a firm squeeze and James moaned, letting Daniel’s tongue slide inside the sweet cavern.
While each thrust of his tongue fueled the fire in his groin, his cock throbbed eager to play.
Pulling his fingers away from James’ grasp, he turned the colored man in his arms. His erection bumped against James’ backside. Kissing his temple, Daniel whispered in his ear, “Go back to the bank.”
James frowned but obeyed, swimming over the side of the river. “We just got here.”
“Oh we’re not done.” Daniel dug through his pile of clothes and fished out a bar of soap from his trouser pocket. Realizing he forgot to grab a rag, he picked up James’ shirt. It needed to be washed anyway. “W
e both need a bath.”
A grin brightened James’ tired features, his white teeth glistening in the dark.
“Front or back first?”
James sat on the bank, legs knee deep in the water. “Front.”
Kissing James as if he needed the man’s touch to live, he went about soaping his lover’s shoulders and chest. Heart pounding in his ears, he finally came up for air. His fingers trailed through the potent lather to rub his nipples, rolling them between his thumbs and forefingers until they pebbled.
James’ breath hitched. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
Daniel tweaked his nipples again and James gritted his teeth to keep from making a sound.
“Someone could see or hear us,” James rasped.
“I don’t care.” Daniel knew it was a rash decision, but in this moment he wanted to live out a fantasy with the man he loved. He’d dreamed about fucking him in the river since they’d moved here.
Daniel’s soapy hands caressed James’ torso and legs before dipping to wash his thighs. When his fingers encircled the man’s length, James’ eyes rolled back. “You’re the boss. And this feels too good to argue.”
After a couple strokes, James’ cock swelled even more, showing his appreciation.
“But you’re courting trouble.”
Daniel grunted. Whitaker was trouble. Apparently he’d had the devil on his doorstep since he bought this farm. Maybe that’s why the last owner let him have it cheap.
“Too late for that,” Daniel replied with a sly grin. “Mmm. We don’t do this nearly enough.”
“Yes,” James agreed. He supported himself with his arms behind him.
They’d both been too tired lately to do much more than hold each other. Seeing the pleasure on James’ face reminded him it was well worth the hour less of sleep.
Hand pumping his cock, Daniel relished the sight of his lover’s muscled chest and flexing biceps. Farm work had chiseled his features. James looked like a dark Adonis sitting in front of him, strong and masculine, yet tall and slender.
“You’re the only man for me, James. Always have been and always will be.”
James moaned. “Say that again.”
“You’re the only man for me.”
“Ooh. I never tire of hearing that.”
Daniel stroked the ebony cock faster and James’ smile grew. Fingers slick with soap it was hard to get good friction. He dipped his hand into the river, washing it off, and then resumed making his lover come.
Arms twitching, James’ energy and restraint gradually depleted. At last he quit fighting, and lay back in the dirt as an orgasm wracked his body. Shoving his wrist in his mouth he silenced his cry of ecstasy.
Ropes of come covered Daniel’s hand and torso.
James panted and then fell silent as he worked on regaining his composure. “God, I needed that,” he huffed.
Daniel’s heart flipped. That was just as good as a thank you. He waded deeper into the river and washed off James’ seed. When he returned, his lover was sitting again. “Now it is time for your bath.”
Daniel shook his head. “No. We’ve only washed half of you.”
“That’s true,” James said, sliding back into the water. He swam into the middle of the river, his smile beckoning for Daniel to pursue.
So that’s how it is going to be.
“You know,” Daniel said, kicking to catch up, “I shouldn’t have to catch you when you belong to me.”
James laughed and switched to floating on his back. “The chase is half the fun.” Arms plowing through the water he stayed a fair distance ahead.
Daniel eyed James’ front now on display. He stopped swimming and switched to treading water, mesmerized by the man’s powerful thighs. His lover’s flaccid cock began to swell.
James swam a lap around him and then paused. “A chase involves at least two people, you know.”
“I’m well aware of that,” Daniel replied in a husky voice, “but I figured if I set the trap my prey would come to me.”
James sighed, his fun thwarted. “Be lazy if you want to,” he muttered and then threw his arms around Daniel. The weight of the man pushed them both underwater. They righted themselves and kicked with combined effort.
When they reached the surface, still clutching each other, Daniel beamed. “We’re going back to the bank if I drag you,” he said in a gravelly voice.
James didn’t argue. He eagerly walked the shallows until he was close enough to the bank to reach out and grab hold. The man wiggled his ass and Daniel growled.
“You’re irresistible,” he said, running his hands down James’ back and feeling every muscle bulging under his calloused fingers.
“Good. I’d be worried if I wasn’t.”
Daniel swatted him across his ass. “No need to get cocky.”
“If I cowed to you then you wouldn’t want me,” James tossed back, looking over his shoulder.
Daniel grunted. They’d said this banter for years and it was hard not to chortle. They both enjoyed this line of dialogue so it continued. He swatted James’ ass again. “You still don’t have to be cocky. I don’t fuck cocky men.”
James shoulders slumped in exaggerated defeat. “Yes, sir.”
“That’s better.” Daniel kissed his neck and felt the shiver race down James’ spine.
He retrieved the lye again and soaped James’ shoulders and back, slowly working his way lower. His massage deepened once he reached his lover’s behind. One soapy finger sank into his ass and James sighed.
“You’re going to spoil me and then I’ll be impossible to live with.”
“You already are,” Daniel replied, fucking him with his finger. Having a change of thought, he pulled out, grabbed James’ shirt and gently rinsed and scrubbed off the soap.
Dropping to his knees in the river, he licked the inside of his lover’s cheeks first, working around the hole. His tongue rimmed the hole before darting inside.
James sighed. “Oh yes.”
Daniel flicked and licked seriously now, eager to get more of a reaction from his partner. Each tiny mewl heightened his arousal. Fire licked his loins, his cock bulging.
Daniel continued devouring his ass.
James groaned his breathing heavy. “Best bath ever.”
Daniel pushed his tongue deep into the hole, striving to give him more pleasure.
James hissed, but Daniel knew it wasn’t enough. However his lover’s relaxed ass was now ready.
Soaping his cock to ease the entrance, he made James wait.
His lover sighed in frustration.
Ha. Waiting was good for him.
Standing, he pressed himself against James’ backside. Grabbing James’ hips he held him steady while he plunged his cock inside. The warm tightness fit him like a glove. After giving James a minute to adjust to being filled, Daniel thrust into him again, this time sinking to the hilt. Maybe if they made time for this more often he’d have more restraint; as it was he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. The punishing rhythm sent them both into climax instantaneously. Hot seed pulsed into his lover’s ass.
Clenching his teeth, Daniel let out a silent cry, James’ name echoing in his head.
Wrapping his arms around the colored man, he held him as they rode out the aftershocks. Once the orgasm passed, he pulled out, spun him around and kissed him.
James glowed, but tiredness weighed heavy in his eyes. And they had to get up early in the morning. “Want more?” James whispered.
Daniel always wanted more but his bath would wait. He climbed out of the river and offered his hand to pull his lover on the bank. “Another day,” Daniel said. “If we had an endless supply of soap we’d bathe properly every night.” A smile stretched his lips. “I’ll take my bath soon. Maybe even tomorrow.”
The two of them were half dressed when Daniel heard rustling on the opposite bank. He whipped around and saw a colored woman about twenty, staring at them wide-eyed.
Daniel didn’t know whethe
r to laugh or cuss. If she’d been hiding there the whole time she’d gotten quite a show, one some people would pay dearly for in upper-class brothels.
“I’ll go to talk to her.” He took two steps toward the river and James reached out and stopped him.
“If you go after her she’ll just run. She already looks like deer in a hunter’s sights.”
Daniel nodded. He didn’t know what he was going to say anyway.
“I’ll go,” James said. “Maybe she’ll listen to me.”
Daniel put his shirt on, back to the frightened woman. He tried to feign disinterest, but he was curious at how this meeting was going to go.
James whispered to her and the woman whispered back. Daniel couldn’t make out any of the words. That was probably for the best. A few minutes later splashing in the water alerted him James was on his way back.
“What’d she say?” he asked.
“She was short with me,” James grumbled. “She said she wouldn’t tell Whittaker. Said what we did was none of her business.”
“But she was watching the whole time?”
“Yes. I knew it was a bad idea. The darkness isn’t enough to hide secrets.”
Daniel’s stomach roiled. “Do you believe her about keeping quiet?”
James shrugged. “Who knows. Not sure she’d gain anything by telling.”
“True, but Whitaker hates me already.”
“The two of us are odd,” James said, picking up his wet shirt but not bothering to put it on. “We might live outside of town, but there is plenty of gossip about us.”
“Gossip is rarely harmful.”
James stared at the ground and then at their humble house. “I disagree with you, sir,” he said softly. “Whitaker could use this against us.”
Did you enjoy this story? Shiloh Saddler is primarily an erotic GLBT author and her favorite genre is M/M historical romance. You can check out her other titles wherever ebooks are sold. Most are set in the 19th century U.S. Also, expect the next installment of James and Daniel’s story in the third volume of Sexy to Go.
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Blog: http://www.ShilohSaddler.blogspot.com
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