Glenn, Stormy - Cowboy Keeper [Blaecleah Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Stormy Glenn

  He had just started unbuttoning his jeans to clean the cum out of them when he heard a branch snap behind him. Billy froze, terror making it impossible to speak past the lump in his throat.

  “I saw what you did, Billy.”

  Billy cringed when he heard the unmistakable sound of his brother’s whip unfurling. He knew what was coming. Billy swung around so fast he landed on his ass in the cold creek water. He could see the hatred burning in his brother’s eyes, the spark of insanity.

  Billy started scooting back into the creek on his hands and feet as Clem advanced on him, snapping the whip in his hand. He held one hand out in front of him as if the small gesture might ward Clem off.

  “No, Clem, it wasn’t what you think, I swear.”

  “I saw you kiss Rourke Blaecleah.”

  Billy’s eyes widened as Clem raised the whip into the air. “Clem, no!”

  “You fucking fag!”

  Billy screamed!

  Chapter 2

  “Billy!” Rourke called out again as he searched the woods for the man. He had been shocked at how fast Billy could run. One second, Billy was running away from him. The next second, Billy had simply been gone from sight. Rourke had never seen anyone run so fast.

  Rourke finally came to a stop, admitting that he wasn’t going to find Billy in the darkening forest. He’d have to wait until the next time he spotted Billy in town. He wanted to just go over to the Thornton farm, but he knew that was impossible.

  Clem, Billy’s older brother, hated him. Rourke didn’t exactly know why. He and Clem used to be pretty good friends. But the summer they both turned eighteen, Clem had gone away for a few weeks. When he came back, he was a changed man, filled with hatred and anger.

  Rourke had tried to talk to Clem, to make him see sense. His behavior was atrocious. It had only caused a fight between them. The rift had grown until it was so huge, Rourke didn’t think it would ever be closed.

  And frankly, until today, Rourke hadn’t cared. He really didn’t want anything to do with the Thornton boys. That all changed the minute Rourke’s mouth settled over Billy’s and he got his first real good taste of the man.

  Rourke had been with more than his fair share of men. He even had somewhat of a reputation in the bars he frequented. He’d pretty much fuck anything with a pulse and a dick. He wasn’t picky.

  He had yet to find the one man that would give him a good reason to stop fooling around. He had started to think maybe he never would, and then he kissed Billy. There was something in Billy’s kiss that had rocked Rourke’s very foundation. He didn’t know what it was, but he wanted to explore it some more.

  Rourke was totally shocked at his reaction to Billy. He simply planned to kiss Billy and scare the crap out of him. Clem and Billy were both known to be homophobes. He thought one touch of his lips pressed against Billy’s and the man would run screaming home to Clem.

  When Billy had leaned into the kiss, grabbing at his shirt and practically climbing up the front of him, Rourke had been astonished. He’d also gotten hard as a rock in seconds. Billy tasted like sweet summer rain. Rourke hadn’t been able to get enough.

  Rourke shook his head, more confused than he could remember being since he discovered he was gay. Billy had been a real surprise, and Rourke didn’t know how he felt about it. And it wasn’t like he could just go ask the guy.

  He hadn’t set foot on Thornton property in years. Clem and Billy were just as forbidden on the Blaecleah ranch, which was why Rourke had come to investigate when he spotted Billy watching the wedding from the trees.

  Rourke’s older brother, Lachlan, and his lover, Asa, were getting married in the backyard. They’d been through a lot to get where they were today. Rourke wasn’t about to let anyone ruin their special day together.

  Seeing Billy had sent a note of panic into Rourke. They suspected that Clem was responsible for the barn burning down, and maybe Billy, too. Where Clem went, Billy wasn’t far behind. And the two of them created a lot of trouble together.

  Rourke had rushed over, coming up behind Billy to stop him from causing trouble. He hadn’t expected to find Billy gently caressing a picture as if it were the crown jewels of England. He certainly hadn’t expected to discover that it was a picture of him.

  Rourke started back toward the wedding reception, thoughts of Billy dominating his mind. He knew he couldn’t say anything to his brothers. They would die laughing if they knew Rourke had kissed Billy and liked it.

  Besides that, Lachlan and Asa had a particular dislike for both Clem and Billy. First, Clem and Billy had tried to beat Asa up the night Lachlan met him because he was gay, then Clem had accosted Asa and Lachlan in town, and then tried to burn the barn down with them in it. Lachlan and Asa had reason to dislike both Clem and Billy.

  Rourke could see that the wedding reception was still in full swing by the time he got back. The sun was starting to set, and he thought things would have been winding down, but apparently everyone was still having a grand old time.

  “Hey, where’d you head off to?”

  Rourke turned to look at his brother, Quaid, taking the beer the man held out to him. He took a long sip before he replied. He needed a minute to come up with a plausible answer, one that wouldn’t make his brother suspicious.

  “I thought I heard some noises out by the barn.” Rourke shrugged. “I went to go check.”

  Quaid looked in the direction of the new barn, his eyes narrowing. “Did you find anything?”

  “Nothing worth reporting.” Rourke quickly put the beer bottle to his lips and took another sip as his brother turned to look at him. He could see the curiosity in his brother’s face and knew he wanted to ask something more. Rourke just hoped he’d drop it.

  “If you hear anything else, let me know.”

  Rourke nodded, knowing he wouldn’t say a word. If he saw Billy on the property again, Rourke didn’t want anyone there when he confronted the man. The things he had to say, and the answers he wanted, were for no one but him.

  “Where’s the bride and groom?”

  Quaid snorted. “You know Asa’s going to kill you if you keep calling him the bride.”

  “Yeah.” Rourke chuckled. “He’s just so easy to mess with.”

  Quaid rolled his eyes. “Just don’t say anything right now. Ma would skin you alive if you messed up the first wedding she got to throw. She’s been planning this thing for years.”

  “Have you ever thought about getting married?”

  “Me?” Quaid’s eyebrows shot up. “Get married? Are you out of your mind?”

  “Oh, come on, Ma would be thrilled to throw another wedding.”

  Rourke could feel Quaid’s eyes roam up and down his body. There was a slight disdainful curl to the corner of Quaid’s lip. “You first.”

  “Yeah, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

  “Haven’t you found someone to wear those fur-lined cuffs of yours yet?”

  “Oh, I’ve found plenty of men to wear them,” Rourke replied, knowing Quaid knew of the kinky side of Rourke’s nature. “I just haven’t found anyone that deserves them.”

  “Deserves them?” Quaid sputtered. “Are you telling me you actually make people earn the right to wear your handcuffs?”

  Rourke felt his face flush as several people standing near them paused in what they were doing to stare at him. He wanted to kick his brother something fierce. “Can you keep your voice down?”

  “Are you ashamed of your kink, Rourke?” Quaid snickered.

  “Hell no, I just don’t think it’s for everyone’s ears, especially Ma’s.”

  Quaid grimaced and looked around quickly. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “I know I’m right.” Rourke grinned as a picture formed in his head. “Could you imagine the look on Ma’s face if I brought one of my toys home in handcuffs? Ma would have a coronary.”

  “Toys?” Quaid frowned. “You actually call them toys?”

  “Well, I certainly don’t
call them boyfriends.”

  “Geez, no wonder you can’t find anyone permanent. You’re an asshole.”

  “Quaid Blaecleah!”

  Rourke and Quaid both jumped at the sound of their ma’s stern voice. Rourke turned to find his mother standing behind him and Quaid, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at the both of them.

  “Sorry, Ma, Quaid and I were just talking. He really didn’t mean it.” Rourke just hoped that she only heard Quaid swear. If she had heard the rest of it, well, he would never hear the rest of it. His ma would give him an earful.

  Ma shook her finger at the both of them, her eyes narrowing. “The only reason I’m not washing your mouth out with soap is because I don’t want to leave the festivities. If I hear either of you swearing again, I’ll call your da.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” both Rourke and Quaid replied. Rourke held his breath until his ma nodded and walked off. His eyes were wide as he turned to look back at his brother. “Whew, that was a close one.”

  “I need another beer.”

  Rourke chuckled as he watched his brother walk away. Ma’s interruption may have been ill timed, but it took Quaid’s mind off of Rourke’s love life and put it firmly on escaping their ma’s wrath. Rourke was thrilled.

  Not wanting to press the issue, Rourke walked in the opposite direction. He was going to avoid Quaid as long as he could, or at least until he had some answers to the burning questions in his head. Unfortunately, that required Billy, and that would have to wait.

  There was a wedding to celebrate.

  * * * *

  Rourke pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it into the laundry hamper. He was tired but relaxed from the two beers he’d had. He wasn’t a big drinker, never having more than a couple of beers at any gathering. Rourke liked keeping control of his senses.

  Rourke sat down on the side of the bed and kicked off his boots. He grabbed them and set them next to the side of the bed. He started to unbutton his jeans when a shadow moved past his bedroom window.

  Rourke froze for a moment before realizing whatever it was couldn’t see him in the dim light cast from his bathroom. He’d never turned on his bedroom light when he came inside. There didn’t seem to be a point. He was just planning on getting undressed and going to bed.

  He got up and padded over to the window. As far as he knew, all of the wedding guests had left and his family had pretty much gone to bed. The two grooms lived in their own house down the driveway, and they had left hours ago.

  Rourke parted the curtain with his hand and looked outside. It was a clear night, the moon and stars shining brightly in the sky. Rourke could see across the entire yard with only a few shadows unseen to him. He didn’t see anything moving.

  Smirking at himself for being paranoid, Rourke started to let the curtain drop back into place when he spotted movement by his truck. He peered closer until a form began to take shape. Someone was out by his truck.

  Swearing under his breath, Rourke walked back across the room and shoved his feet back into his boots. Grabbing a flashlight off of his dresser, Rourke hurried out of his bedroom toward the back door. He didn’t want to alarm anyone that he was coming until it was too late.

  Rourke moved slowly and quietly. He knew how to sneak out of the house without being heard. He’d done it enough times growing up. Rourke walked out the back door and shut it silently behind him. He crept down the back steps then moved around to the front of the house.

  At the edge of the house, Rourke paused to get his bearings. He could still make out most of the yard and even a few of the shadows. The shadow he’d seen move near his truck was still there, near the front.

  Rourke darted across the yard toward his truck. He flattened himself against the side of the truck and began to slowly work his way up along the side of the cab. Looking through the passenger window, Rourke could see someone trying to put a piece of white paper under his windshield wiper. He just couldn’t quite make out who it was.

  Rourke ducked down and made his way around the front of his truck. Peeking around the corner, Rourke noted that it wasn’t a big figure but rather small and slim. For some reason, Rourke had the immediate thought of Billy, but that couldn’t be right. Billy wasn’t allowed on Blaecleah property.

  Rourke crouched down low and waited until the silent figure had placed the paper under the windshield. When the figure turned away and started to sneak back across the yard, Rourke went into action. He jumped up and leapt across the space between them, taking the small figure down to the ground.

  The struggle was intense, the smaller figure kicking and hitting out at Rourke. By the time he pinned the small body to the ground, Rourke had several scratch marks and abrasions, and even a few bite marks.

  “Billy?” Rourke was astonished when he got a good look at the pale, grubby face below him. He had expected anyone but Billy. “What in the hell are you doing here?” Rourke glanced over at the vehicle sitting beside them, frowning as he glanced back at Billy. “What did you do to my truck, Billy?”

  Billy remained silent, his face filled with mutiny.

  “Damn it, Billy, answer me!” Rourke snapped, giving the man a small shake, but Billy remained silent. Rourke rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet. He dragged Billy up with him. The moment Billy was on his feet, he started to struggle again, hitting and kicking out at Rourke.

  Rourke grunted when Billy got in more than one good kick. He pinned Billy against the side of the truck and reached into the back for some rope. No matter how hard Billy struggled, in a matter of moments, Rourke had the man’s hands and feet bound.

  Billy was trussed up like a calf going to branding. Rourke grabbed the note off of his windshield and pushed it into the pocket of his jeans. He bent down and put his shoulder into Billy’s stomach, lifting the man into the air as he stood up.

  Billy grunted.

  “You brought this on yourself, Billy.”

  Rourke waited a moment, hoping Billy would talk. When he didn’t, Rourke shook his head and carried the man toward the house. He knew going in the front door would wake people up. The front door squeaked. Instead, Rourke carried Billy back around to the back door and into the house. He didn’t make it past the dining room table before a voice stopped him.

  “Who in the hell is that?”

  Rourke stopped walking, breathing deeply before turning to look at his brother Seamus, who was sitting at the dining room table with a glass of milk and some cookies. “Billy Thornton.”

  “Billy Thornton?” Seamus shouted as he jumped to his feet.

  “Ssshhh!” Rourke whispered sternly. “Do you want Ma and Da to hear you?”

  “What in the hell are you doing with Billy Thornton?” Seamus hissed. Rourke could see the anger in his eyes and knew he wasn’t going to get away with a simple explanation.

  “I caught him out by my truck.”

  “So you hog-tied him and brought him inside? Are you out of your mind?”

  “I want to know what he was doing out by my truck.” Rourke reached up and smacked Billy on the ass. “And he’s not cooperating.”

  “Geez, Rourke, you’re going to get us all killed. What if Clem finds out?”

  Rourke started to tell Seamus what he thought of his words when he noticed Billy shaking almost uncontrollably. It started at the mention of his brother Clem. Rourke was shocked and confused. He would have thought Billy would start shaking when he slapped him on the ass.

  “So what if Clem finds out?” Rourke asked. “Billy was trespassing on our land.”

  “Billy was doing what?”

  Shit! Rourke turned to see Quaid standing in the kitchen doorway. He almost rolled his eyes. “I caught Billy out by my truck. I brought him inside so I could talk to him and find out what he was doing there.”

  “And you had to hog-tie him to do that?”

  Rourke did roll his eyes this time then laid Billy down on the dining room table and started untying him, first his feet then his hands. The moment h
e was free, Billy scrambled off the table, backing up until he hit the wall.

  Billy’s wide blue eyes dominated his pale, dirty face. Rourke could see his fear. He could almost taste it in the air. He looked frantically from man to man to man. His hands trembled as he held them to his chest. Billy was terrified.

  Rourke knew he’d have to go slowly if he wanted to learn anything. He held his hand out in front of him, trying to soothe Billy. “Hey, come on, Billy, you know us. None of us would ever hurt you. Ma would have us up in a sling if we did.”

  Rourke nodded to his brothers as he slowly started toward the frightened man, gesturing for them to come in on each side of Billy as he came up the middle. They had Billy boxed in. “Why don’t you just come sit down, Billy, and we can talk about this.”

  Billy shook his head, his eyes getting wider by the moment. They filled with more terror than Rourke thought any one person could hold inside of him. Just when Rourke thought he might be able to reach out and grab Billy, the man dropped to his knees and scrambled across the floor.

  Before Rourke could turn around, Billy was under the dining room table, a chair pushed between the two of them. Rourke chuckled as much in surprise at Billy’s swiftness as in the thought that Billy had gotten past him.

  He squatted down next to the table and looked beneath it. Billy’s deep blue eyes stared back at him, filled with apprehension. Rourke gestured with his hand. “Come on, Billy, come out of there.”

  Billy shook his head.

  “Billy.”

  Billy shook his head again.

  Rourke was starting to lose his patience with the man. This game was getting tedious. He lunged, trying to reach Billy before he got away, but Billy was faster, scampering across the hardwood floor until he was out of reach once again. He turned and stared back at Rourke.

  “Damn it, Billy, this is getting ridiculous. Just come out from there.”