Beneath the Palisade

by Joel Skelton

  Laughing madly, Ian spun him around the room. When he’d made a complete circle, he marched them into the kitchen and deposited his man on the kitchen table.

  “It’s cold.” Harper winced.

  “It won’t be for long.” Unwrapping Harper’s legs, Ian pushed them back as far as they could go. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce to you Rough Tina!” He slammed his dick in hard.

  Harper gasped, shaking his head back and forth.

  Ian pulled out and slammed back in again and again. He increased his effort until his balls slapped the round, pert ass he penetrated. Holding nothing back, he increased his assault, causing Harper to moan and whimper. The table jumped across the floor until it crashed against the refrigerator.

  Pausing long enough to coat his hand with Harper’s precum, he took his mate’s cock in one hand, pushed his leg back with the other, and banged with newfound enthusiasm.

  Harper thrashed and pounded the table with his fists, his head scrunched against the door of the fridge. Ian pummeled his ass relentlessly. Their naked bodies glistened with sweat from head to toe.

  “Oh God, I’m getting close,” Ian hollered, jacking Harper’s rock-hard shaft furiously.

  “Ian… Ian… oh fuck….” Harper gripped the table on both sides.

  “Oh, baby, I’m going to fill you up. I’m….” Ian steadied his stance; he was there. “Oh fuck, I’m cumming,” he roared, squirting his load deep.

  “Holy shit!” Harper’s cock exploded, sending jets of thick white cum high into the air.

  Ian slowed his thrusts, his body rocked to its core as he milked himself dry.

  Harper ripped Ian’s hand off his cock. “I can’t take it anymore.”

  Still buried deep, Ian collapsed on top of his lover, spent and panting. “How’d that work out for you?” he asked between breaths.

  “Your… Tina…. It was spot on.”

  “COME along, sissy pants.” Ian had reached the clearing and stood with his arms folded, waiting for Harper to catch up.

  “I’ll give you sissy pants.” Harper swatted away a bank of spider webbing he had managed to walk through. “Oh, not sure you noticed, but there were a whole bunch of snakes back there.”

  “No there wasn’t. You’re just trying to scare me.”

  “I thought you were the master.” Harper laughed when he’d reached the clearing.

  “I am the master. Don’t you forget it. How much further do you want to walk?”

  Harper glanced around to get his bearings. “I think this could work, right here. What do you think?”

  “You’re thinking the house sits right about here?” Ian turned in a three sixty.

  “Yeah. What is this, southeast we’re facing? We’d have the morning sunrise, and the hot afternoon sun would be on the back of the house where we position the driveway and garage. How does that sound?” Harper took delight in watching Ian scope out the property. A mere twenty-four hours earlier, he’d been charged to live in the tiny little apartment. What a trouper. Now the floodgates had been opened. The sky was the limit. It was important he let Ian make the decision here. There’d already been a few signs of insecurity regarding Harper’s substantial wealth. This had to be a collaborative effort. He didn’t want to come off as being the one who had the final say in how things should go because he was the one footing the bill.

  “Harp, that’s what I think too. We don’t want any of this great view compromised by a car or a garage. Hey, what do you think about a large screened-in porch? Wouldn’t it be nice to sit out here in the middle of the woods at night with nature all around us and not get eaten alive?”

  “Oh, I really love that idea. Ian, not that I want to start downing trees left and right, but the view to the lake, I’m kind of thinking I’d like it to be more open.”

  “I’m with you on that one too.”

  Harper wasn’t sure how sensitive his partner would be when it came to saying goodbye to majestic pines and birch to make way for a house. The property was too wooded. They would have to clear a spot but, if they planned it right, only give up what they had to. “Let’s go into town and have some breakfast. We can pick up some supplies at Pamida and come back here and mark off where we want the house to sit before we head back home.”

  “How in the hell can they get an entire home back in here?” Ian asked, doubtful.

  “I did some research on the web. They require about thirty-five feet on one side of the foundation for the crane to lift the sections of house into place. It sucks to lose more trees, but it’s the only way this will work.”

  “I hate to see them go, but hon, we’ve got plenty of trees around here. I don’t think we’ll miss a few more. What do we do, call them up and order a house?” Ian laughed. “This is crazy, Harp. Fun crazy.”

  “We have to draw up a rough floor plan. When we have that, then we make an appointment and go in and try to fit our plan into theirs. From there, it’s kind of like planning to have any house built. You pick out fixtures, appliances, everything. The only difference is it’s built indoors and then moved in chunks to here. I figure while you’re working on your garden plans this winter, I can work on the house. We can share our ideas as we go.”

  “This has to cost a fortune. I know what you’re going to say, but still.”

  “Ian, I’m told it will cost less per square foot than a home built on site. I promise you, that’s what I’ve read on the Internet. What do you think? Should we start working on a floor plan?”

  “Yeah, okay.” Ian laughed. “It probably wouldn’t have been the best, but I’d have survived a winter in the apartment with you.”

  “I know that. I need food.”

  Ian started back toward the cabins. “You were kidding about the snakes, right?”

  THE Lip Smacker did a respectable breakfast business. Most of the tables were full, and the ones that weren’t hadn’t been cleaned off yet. They waited by the sign instructing a hostess would seat them.

  “Eggs Benedict. That’s what I’m thinking.” Harper looked over to Ian for a comment.

  “That could work. The meat skillet thing is good too. With maybe a pancake. Hey, is that Alex back there sitting in the booth with those cops?” Ian stepped over to get a better look.

  “What? Where?” He looked over Ian’s shoulder. It was. Alex looked like shit. “Oh God, I hope the kid didn’t get himself into trouble.”

  “Good morning, boys. Give me just a minute and I’ll have a table cleared for you.” Audrey looked like shit too.

  “Oh, we’re in no hurry, Audrey.” He came close to asking if everything was all right but held back.

  He and Ian moved over to the door while a couple paid their tab. When they turned to leave, Ian’s curiosity got the best of him and he made his move. “Audrey, everything okay with Alex?”

  “Honestly, no, it’s not. He’s had a terrible thing happen. Let me get your table ready.”

  Ian looked over and frowned. “Doesn’t sound good.”

  Harper was curious to find out what was going down. If Alex was in some kind of trouble and needed legal assistance, Harper would be more than happy to help the kid if he could.

  “Okay, follow me.” Audrey led them over to a table in the middle of the dining room.

  “Audrey, I don’t mean to be nosey, but if Alex is in some kind of trouble with the law, I’m an attorney, and maybe I can help him out.”

  “Well, I just lost a bet.” Audrey placed the menus down in front of them. “I had you pegged for a teacher. You just kind of looked like one. Silly me, I don’t know why I think the things I do.”

  “I’m not smart enough to be a teacher. Anyway, I’d like to help if he’s in some kind of trouble. He seems like a good kid.” Maybe it was because they suspected Alex was one of their own that he felt a pang of responsibility. It surprised him.

  “Alex is a blue ribbon kid, no question about that. He’s been working his tail off all summer long, saving for something big. Not sure
what, he’s a touch on the quiet side. Anyway, I guess his father made off with all his savings. He’s been driving around the last two days with no sleep trying to find him. When he came in to work this morning, I took one look and made him come clean. I called the police.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ian was practically out of his chair.

  “Hard to believe, isn’t it? Who does that to their own kid? Dad’s a piece of work, let me tell you. If only his mother was still around. She’d’a never let a thing like this happen, that’s for sure. Coffee for you both?”

  “Yes, please,” they answered in unison.

  “Can you believe that shit? God, I feel terrible for the kid.” Ian looked over, incredulous.

  “It’s a cruel world out there.” Harper knew as much from spending so much time in the legal profession. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, a new twist on ugly reared its head.

  Audrey returned with their coffee. “I’ve got to find him a place to live. I’m afraid if his old man comes back with empty pockets, the kid is going to kill him. Knowing his dad like I do, I have a feeling we won’t see him around here until the money is all gone. That son of a bitch. Excuse my French. Do you know what you’d like?”

  “Eggs Benedict for me. Ian?”

  “Is it too early to get a cheeseburger?” Ian displayed a special look when he knew he was being troublesome. He wore almost the identical look when he was sitting on the toilet.

  “Not at all, honey. You’re like me. I have to be in a special mood for eggs. A cheeseburger it is. You want bacon on that?”

  “Great!” Ian’s face lit up. “Yes, please.”

  “No fries this early. Are hashbrowns okay?”

  “Please.” Ian waited for Audrey to walk away. “Harper, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “You mean am I as happy as you are you have a cheeseburger coming? Oh, I guess so. Hadn’t really thought about it that much. Why?”

  “Ah, come on, you goofball. I’m talking about Alex.”

  They were on the same wavelength, there was no doubt about it. “Wait. I think something is beginning to surface….” A lot was beginning to surface. And at breakneck speed. “We hire Alex to caretake the cabins over the winter. As part of his salary, we let him stay in the office apartment. In the spring, or when we get the cabins up and running, he can decide if he wants to continue to work for us, or work here, or a combination of both, or something completely different. Is that what you were thinking?” Harper laughed, knowing he’d blasted the socks off Ian with his reply.

  “I love you, but I also want to slap you. I want to slap you really hard.” Ian couldn’t help laughing.

  “Why? It all came together for me in one complete burst. Sorry for living.”

  “The Snyders aren’t expecting me at any particular time tomorrow. I told them I would call in the morning to set up a time for a walkthrough. Depending on what Alex has going on today, maybe we can make some of this happen before we leave.”

  “I’m game. Let’s run it past Audrey when she comes back.” This wasn’t something he necessarily felt they needed, Audrey’s approval, but it couldn’t hurt.

  “Top off your coffees?” Audrey stopped by with a steaming pot.

  “We’ve got an idea we want to run past you.”

  Ian did a solid job of explaining their need to have someone around the cabins this winter, and thought perhaps it might be the solution for finding a place for Alex to hang his hat. At least until he figured out something else.

  “I don’t know where he’s going to come up with a better offer. I’ll stop by their booth and tell him you guys want to talk when he’s through giving the police the details.”

  “Great. Audrey, is he supposed to be working right now? We thought if he was free, we could help him get situated before we head back to the Cities.” He hoped if Alex was on the schedule, Audrey would figure out a way to do without him.

  “I got the bases covered. You guys are saints, I hope you know that. Be right back with your food.”

  They’d almost finished eating when the two officers that were talking with Alex walked by. A few minutes later, Alex approached their table. “Audrey said you wanted to see me.”

  “Have a seat.” Ian pulled out a chair.

  Harper winked at Ian and took the lead. “Alex, I’m an attorney. When we came in this morning and saw you talking to the police, well, I thought if you were in any kind of trouble, maybe I could help you out. We asked Audrey if everything was okay. She kind of let us in on what happened between you and your father.” I wonder if the kid resents what I’m saying.

  Alex nodded.

  “Ian and I had planned to spend the winter living in the apartment behind the office but, after thinking our plan through, decided it would probably be best for us to remain in the Cities. Anyway, because we’re not going to be around, we’re looking to hire a caretaker over the winter. We’d feel even better if the person we hired actually lived in the apartment. You know, to keep a better eye on the place. Would you be interested?”

  Alex looked exhausted. He nodded several more times to show them he understood but was having a hard time looking them in the face. A few moments passed before he lifted his head, looked them both in the eye, and said, “Yes.”

  “Really? That’s fantastic.” Ian sat up in his chair. “If you’re up to it, do you want to follow us back to the apartment? We can show you around. It’s yours starting today if you want.”

  Harper reached over and squeezed the boy’s arm when his lower lip had began to tremble. “You’re doing us a huge favor.”

  Alex wiped his face with his sleeve. “I’d like to stop at my house to pick up a few things.”

  “Works for us.” It suddenly occurred to him that the kid might be walking into a dangerous situation. “We have to stop at Pamida. Would you like us to come with you? To help?”

  “No, that’s okay.” Alex sat back in his chair. “He’s not going to be there.”

  “Okay.” Ian removed the napkin from his lap and tossed it on his plate. “Take all the time you need. It’ll give us a chance to write down some instructions for you.” It was Ian’s turn to give the boy a pat. “Harp, you ready?”

  “See you later, Alex.” The three of them stood and walked out of the café together.

  “What do you think we should pay him?” Harper asked when they’d gotten into their car.

  “Let’s ask Alex.”

  “That’s a great idea.”

  BACK at the apartment, Ian hustled around gathering up their clothes and a few other personal items and began loading up the car. Harper, once he’d marked off the lot for the new house, looked through a stack of appliance manuals and reorganized them for Alex in case he ran into any trouble. He also included both his and Ian’s cell phone numbers. About an hour later, Alex drove up and parked.

  “Alex is here,” Ian shouted from where he was loading the car.

  Harper chuckled. The kid must have moved with lightning speed because his car was jam-packed. “Hey, let us give you a hand with this stuff.”

  Together the three of them unloaded the car. After they’d finished, Ian suggested they sit around the table and talk.

  “Alex, we have no idea what to pay you for caretaking the grounds this winter. Any ideas?” Ian looked over to Harper before adding, “Do you have an amount in mind?”

  “I… I don’t. I was thinking I’d maybe have to pay you guys rent or something to live here.”

  “Are you planning on working at the Lip Smacker through the winter months?” Harper was curious if Alex had had any kind of plans made before the shit hit the fan with his dad.

  “If Audrey does the same thing this year, she’ll only open for breakfast and lunch. I’m sure she’ll have shifts for me. Yeah, I’ll work there, I think.”

  “How about a thousand bucks.” Harper thought it sounded fair.

  “For the whole winter?” Ian appeared shocked.

  “
Sorry, no. A thousand bucks per month, and we won’t need anything for rent. It’s comforting to know you’re here looking after everything.” Harper could tell by the expression on Alex’s face he’d happened upon an acceptable wage.

  “Wow! Sure! I mean, are you sure?”

  “We’re sure.” Ian chuckled. “Harper, you know what we forgot about?”

  “What’s that?”

  “We have that satellite dish scheduled to be installed.”

  “We do? Oh yeah, that. Alex, are you okay with satellite television? That’s what we had planned on putting in if we were going to stay the winter.”

  “Oh heck yeah, that sounds great!” Alex launched his first big smile of the morning. “You guys tell me where you want it installed and I’ll make sure it happens.”

  “Great. We left a flatscreen television in the bedroom. Move it wherever you want. Ian, did you decide where you wanted the satellite placed?”

  “Place it in the spot that provides the best reception. If it doesn’t matter, tuck it in back somewhere so it’s out of our guests’ view.”

  “Sure. I’ll try to have it installed somewhere out of sight.” Alex began tapping his finger on the table.

  “Let’s see, I’m trying to think if there’s anything else we should cover.” Ian looked over to Harper.

  Something was up with Alex. He’d begun to fidget in his chair. “Alex, is there anything you want us to go over before we leave?” Harper asked.

  “You guys”—Alex looked across the table—“I’m gay too.”

  “Go on!” Ian did a really shitty job of feigning surprise. Shocked and amused in equal amounts, Harper burst into laughter.

  “Ian! Behave yourself. Don’t mind him, Alex. He’s impossible.”

  “At first”—Alex giggled—“I thought you guys were straight.”

  “Go on!” Ian went for round two. “What changed your mind?”

  “You called Harper Binky or some shit like that. And your bracelet.” Alex pointed to Ian’s bracelet.