by Julia Talbot
Eli grinned at the ceiling, stroking Jed's short hair. "Hell, yes."
"But he still has to go, mister."
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
Tilting Jed's chin up, Eli kissed him silly, kissed him until there was nothing in Jed's eyes but hazy pleasure. Jed chuckled.
"All right, it can wait until tomorrow."
Eli nodded, satisfied. "Good."
***
Goddamnit, Jed was just gonna kill the man. Scorch was due at the vet in an hour, and it was a half hour drive, and where was Eli Marshall? Out running. And running. The man was obsessed.
Jed fed the other dogs, pushing Ojo away before he could eat his food and Spot's, too, listening to Jumbo growl impartially at everyone else and putting poor old Scorch's dish on the other side of the room to give him a head start on the other greedy guts. Then he went looking for Eli.
The sun warmed things up, but the morning still came pretty crisp, and Jed his breath still steamed when he stepped out, but there was Eli in nothing but running shorts and a thin t-shirt, just glowing in the morning light.
Damn, that man had a terminal case of the pretty.
Eli came running right on up to the porch before stopping, bending down and putting his hands on his knees to breathe before checking his watch.
"Make your time?"
"Yeah, and then some."
"Good. And you're back just in time to take your dog to the vet. Like you were supposed to do last week."
Eli made a face. "Damn it, Jed, I've got PT drills I've got to do."
"You made the appointment."
Really, sometimes Eli made him crazed. How had the man survived before him? Eli hated to get groceries, hated to go to the vet or the doctor, and flat refused to shop for things like underwear and socks but once a year, at which point he would buy fifty pairs of the exact same kind.
Made Jed feel downright girly sometimes.
"I know. But I didn't realize I was going to be running rookie training this year, Thatcher. I thought I would have more time to get ready for my own PT tests and refresher course."
Every spring, a smokejumper had to pass a physical training test and take a refresher course in order to be certified. Eli had explained that a while back. This year they'd asked him to be a trainer, so instead of his tests coming up in late April, they were coming in March. Jed got that. He did.
But it still made him crazed.
"So, I guess I'll take him in. I have to take a horse down to auction for Junior Austin, too, so I won't be home until late afternoon." He gave Eli a hard look. "You owe me, mister."
Eli gave him an unrepentant grin in return. "A blow job?"
"And fajitas."
"You're on."
"Cool." He went down and took him a kiss, but managed to keep his hands off all that sweaty muscle. Later.
Eli kissed him right back, but held off, too. "Go on. I promise good things when you get home."
"You'd damned well better."
The day went by faster than he expected. Scorch was a good pup the whole time, no puking or pooping in the truck, but old man Austin's pony was fractious, kicking up a ruckus and denting the hell out of the trailer. He collected Junior's cash, took his ten percent, and stopped off at KFC for lunch. He'd take Eli some cole slaw. The man loved it. Even if he didn't deserve it. Oh, and some biscuits.
He was pretty sure Eli hadn't made fajitas.
Scorch jumped right on out and went looking for Eli. The pup had it as bad as he did. Jed took his time, though, figuring dog and man needed a reunion before the other man claimed his prize. He unhooked the trailer and fed the critters and finally he headed up to the house, leaving his boots on the back porch and going in to wash up.
The kitchen sparkled in the late afternoon light, and it smelled heavenly, so Jed put the cole slaw away and started investigating.
"Ooh. Roast beef."
The easiest roast beef recipe in the world, as it was all wrapped in foil and smelled like mushrooms and onions, but damn, Eli was going all out for a guy who made breakfast and fajitas well, and that was it.
"Figured it was the least I could do." He turned and there was Eli in a pair of cargos and a long sleeved black t-shirt, looking even more edible than the roast with every muscle outlined just so.
"It is. The most you can do is come over here and suck me."
He just loved Eli's mouth, loved a man's lips on him, and Eli knew it, licking those pretty lips and wandering over, pushing Jed down into a kitchen chair. Eli bent, hands on the table behind Jed, and have him a scorching kiss, like liquid fire in his mouth, all the way down to his belly in one swallow. Reaching up, he put his hands on Eli's shoulders, holding on and kissing back, hips rising as he slumped in the chair, thighs going wide.
Dropping down, Eli knelt between his legs, hands all over him as Eli kept the kisses coming, kept him off balance and out of breath, and he never even heard his zipper go down, just felt cool air and a warm hand. Jed groaned, needing, belly on fire and balls drawn up.
The kiss broke off and he got one glimpse of red, swollen lips before Eli scrunched down and took his cock right in, mouth sliding right down along him. Fuck, there was nothing as soft and good as Eli's lips fresh from a kiss, dropping over his prick. Nothing. Unless you counted when Eli tightened his lips and started sucking.
Jed let his head fall back, let his mouth fall open so the little sounds could come out, and he rode right into Eli's mouth, hips rising and falling like crazy. This wasn't a reward for good behavior, it was heaven on earth, and Jed knew himself to be a lucky man.
"Love... Eli." Yeah, he was babbling. So what? He arched, his muscles bunching and pulling, his head just about to explode.
Hell, he did explode finally, just lost it when he felt the tiniest hint of Eli's teeth, scraping at him, shooting so hard he saw spots in front of his eyes.
Jed just sat there, panting, as Eli licked him clean, hands dangling at his sides, about to slide off the chair.
"Damn, mister. That was a hell of a hello."
Eli nodded, looking up at him, and oh. Oh fuck, that mouth. Jed bent to kiss it, and Eli moaned, arm starting to work. When he pulled away he could see Eli rubbing himself through his pants, and Jed slid off the chair, legs like jelly, to help. His fingers stumbled over Eli's zipper, but Jed finally got it, getting Eli out and stroking nice and hard, breathing in the scent of man and lust and kissing his own come off Eli's lips.
Didn't take any time at all, really, and Eli was coming, just snapping his hips, shoving his cock into Jed's palm. Wet heat splattered his wrist and hand, his legs and belly.
"Mmmnnh."
That was the sweetest noise he'd heard in a month of Sundays. Licking his hand clean, he leaned against Eli, just wanting to purr.
"So, was that the appetizer?"
A snort reverberated against his neck. "I was going to make nachos, actually."
"No, this is good."
"You think so?"
Did he ever. "Yeah."
"Well then, wait and see what I can do with dessert."
That would be worth any number of dogs to the vet. Hell, that would even be worth the banana cream worm medicine he had all over his boots.
April 2005
"We should go to the beach."
"What?"
Kev looked at him like he'd lost his mind. It was, Ross reflected, a pretty normal look for Kev when he was around. Bless his heart.
"The beach. Wilmington. Myrtle Beach. You know? Boardwalks. Goony Golf. Corn dogs and fries with vinegar."
"Hell's Angels. Tourists. Bad old folks' buffet food."
"Baby, you are a killjoy." Ross went over and poked Kev right in the middle of his chest, provoking. "You ended up liking the stock car races, right?"
"Well. Kinda."
Oh, that came hard, Kev not liking to admit he liked redneck entertainment. But he had, just bouncing and gripping Ross' arm at each wreck. Ross just grinned, knowing it would madden his opponent.
"Sure, if you call love a technicolor yawn."
"Love means never having to say 'I'm sorry I puked on your jump boots, Ross'. Come on. Let's go. It's a two hour drive to Wilmington. Two and a half to Myrtle. Pick one."
Those dark eyes just looked so serious as Kev pondered. Made Ross want to kiss Kev's nose. Then his mouth. And on down. But he really wanted to get out of the house before noon, so Ross reined himself in.
"Okay. Wilmington, then. At least they have historical stuff."
"You would wanna see that. Well, go get an overnight bag packed, baby."
"What about Pancake?"
Lord. "The dog can come with us. Now go on."
Kev went, and Ross spent five minutes calling up the little bungalow rental place he knew in Wilmington, making sure they had room for two men and a rambunctious yellow lab. Sure enough, they did, and Ross started drooling thinking about calabash style popcorn shrimp and hush puppies, and about Kev in a bathing suit lazing in the sun.
Then he went to pack, too.
Shorts, jacket, flip flops. Book, just in case Kev wanted to see one too many museums.
"You should take the cut-offs."
The cut-offs had been a joke on a buddy of his, who wore a pair almost like them to mow the lawn and scandalize the neighbors. But Kev had liked them. A lot.
"You sure? They're a little skimpy."
"I'm sure."
Oh, that look would almost be worth leaving late for. That sex-kitten Kev look he loved so, eyes dark, cheeks pink.
"I'll wear them for you when we get there, then."
"Promise?" Kev grinned at him, eyes just all over him, and Ross nodded.
"Hell, yes."
"Well, I'm ready. Just let me get Pancake and his dish and the food."
"You got it."
And when Kev wandered out, Ross packed the cut-offs and tossed the book. Maybe there wouldn't be so many museums after all.
***
The drive to Wilmington was pretty cool. He had to admit, he was a homebody, and it took some effort to get him out of the house, but with Ross in the cab of the truck and Pancake howling along with the radio in the bed, it was a good time.
Ross sang along with the Eagles, pretty good at harmony because of his brothers, he said. Kev liked Ross' brothers. He'd met them at Christmas. Jed was a rock, and Ken was a character, and Ross' family was just steady and accepting.
Made him feel bad sometimes that Ross'd never even met his folks.
They stopped at Popeye's on the way and got chicken and biscuits, eating sitting on the tailgate and feeding bits of boneless stuff to Pancake. When they got done licking each other's fingers they headed on, and got into Wilmington about two.
"You got us a beach bungalow?"
"I did."
"Cool."
It was cool. So cool that as soon as they got inside and let Pancake out in the tiny fenced yard he grabbed Ross and took a kiss, thanking him for insisting that they take this little break. Ross kissed back with enthusiasm, grabbing his butt and squeezing. Ross loved his butt.
"So, cut-offs before or after, baby?"
"After. Where's the bed?"
"This way, baby."
Warm hand clutching his, Ross hauled him off to the bedroom, chuckling a little. He couldn't help being so eager. Ross made him crazy. The bed looked just right, and felt even better as he sat to pull Ross close and tug at the button and zipper of Ross' jeans. That thick cock just pushed right out into his hand as he closed it.
"Oh. Baby. Yeah."
Pushing Ross away, Kev slipped to his knees between the bed and Ross' body, leaning to take the head of Ross' cock into his mouth. Oh, yeah. Salty, heated skin, tasting like the air outside the back door, so close to the beach. He used his tongue on the underside, right up to the head like Ross liked.
Ross groaned, hips jerking, hands cupping his cheeks.
"Kev. Damn. Your mouth."
Heck, yes. Ross liked his mouth almost as much as his ass. Kev let go reluctantly, one last lick giving him a taste of pre-come. He wanted Ross in him. He stripped off, watching Ross's pupils dilate, watching that cock jerk for him. While he struggled out of his jeans, Ross stripped the rest of the way. too, and before he could even blink they were on the bed with Ross between his spread legs.
"We didn't bring the lube in."
"Sure we did." He grinned, holding it up. "I had it in my jeans pocket."
"Clever, baby."
Sometimes clever actually worked in his favor. Thank God. Kev handed the lube over and watched as Ross worked it open and got his fingers good and wet, pushing two right inside him. He belly clenched, and his body tried to fight it as always, but Kevin relaxed, letting Ross in.
They didn't waste much time. They'd gotten good at this part, at Ross stretching him, slicking him up, getting him in position for Ross to slip right inside. Like they just had.
Oh, full.
"God, baby. Good."
Straining, Ross started moving, in and out, so hot it burned. Kev cried out, legs falling open wider, letting Ross have him. Giving it up.
They moved together faster and faster, Ross' hands on his skin and Ross' cock inside him all Kevin could feel, and before he was even ready it was over; he shot all over Ross' belly. A deep groan was Ross' answer, and that thick cock throbbed inside him, Ross bucking as he came.
They collapsed together, both of them wheezing, and stayed there for a long time, kinda glued together with sweat and come. Yeah. He was glad Ross poked him out of his shell sometimes. Especially when it meant they could do shit like that.
***
The cut-offs were actually the most comfortable things for swinging in a hammock, throwing a ball for the dog. He'd have to tell the cowboy who'd extolled their virtues that he was right, much as it irked him.
Kev wandered over, looking brown and happy, and Ross reached out with his toes to use Kev's leg to push off on.
"So this was a good idea, huh?"
"Yeah." Kev bounced and reached down to grab the ball from Pancake. "It was a really good idea. You were right."
"You like the cut-offs still?"
Ross couldn't help but preen a little, stretch a little, running his hand over his bare belly. Kev looked, just like he was supposed to, eyes glazing a little.
"Uh huh."
"Good. They're comfy."
"Uh huh."
"Wanna come over here and suck me?"
"Uh huh."
Kev came right over, but the whole hammock thing wasn't working. Ross sorta swung wildly when Kev put a hand on his chest. Pancake set to barking, too, thinking they were playing.
So much for sexy.
Just laughing his head off, Kev staggered away and threw the ball for Pancake, getting the mutt off them.
"That was suave."
"For both of us. Come on, baby. Let's go inside."
They were staying an extra night, but they'd have to get up tomorrow morning and go, and Ross wanted to take advantage of the time. One museum was all they'd hit, the rest of the time spend on the beach or in the bedroom, and damned if Kev didn't look more relaxed than he had in a long, long time.
"Still want me to suck you?" Slipping one hand into Ross' back pocket, Kev moved close, close enough to feel the heat of his sun-warmed skin.
Ross turned a little and took a kiss, grinning a bit. "No, baby. I think I want to suck you."
Oh, yeah. That made those dark eyes sparkle, made them widen as Kev petted him absently, and Ross slid to his knees, ignoring the creak and pop that reminded him he was getting damned old. The waistband of Kev's beach pants almost foiled him, the little drawstring was in such a knot, but he got it finally, sliding them down over Kev's hips, licking his lips at the sight of Kev's long cock.
"Oh. Ross."
Man, Kev just looked down at him like he was some kind of god or something, and he hadn't even started. Jed had laughed and laughed one time when he'd said the diffe
rence between men and women in bed was that men were so damned grateful, but it was true. Tilting just a bit, Ross rubbed his stubbly cheek broadside against that hot cock, and Kev's groan vibrated all the way down to his toes.
The time for teasing was over. Opening up, Ross sucked Kev's cock in, lips sealing tight around the hard flesh, pulling strongly. Gasping, cursing, Kev started pushing in and out of his mouth, just babbling like he did, and Ross really did feel like he was doing something special. Something just for them.
Sucking harder, Ross reached around and cupped Kev's balls, gently stroking the sacs, letting his fingers catch on the tiny hairs.
"Ross! Oh. Please. I need, I don't know. But I need you."
"Mmhmmm." Yeah. Oh, yeah. He let one finger drift up to trace Kev's hole, and that made Kev go wild, just fucking his face with short, sharp thrusts. Yeah. He wanted it, wanted to feel and taste Kev let go.
He got his wish. As soon as he pushed on finger inside Kev's body. Kev whimpered, going still for long moment before bucking and shouting, coming right down his throat. Hell, yes.
Swaying, Kev looked down at him, and those lanky muscles in Kev's thighs started to shake.
"I think I need to sit down."
"Sure, baby." Kev got so sleepy right after they did it, like coming was his sleeping pill. Ross wrestled him to the couch, propping him up on one arm, Ross leaning back against the other. Yeah, Kev's eyes were all droopy. Ross popped the button on his cut-offs, so hard he was hurting where he rubbed against the zipper, but he'd do it himself. Kev was kinda down for the count.
His cock slapped right into his hand, and Ross started pulling, sensation zinging up his spine. He licked his lips and tasted Kev, and that made him grunt, made him rock into his own tight grip. Already high and tight, his balls drew up even more, and the groan that came out of him was shockingly loud.
"Oh. Oh, man."
He looked over and there was Kev, staring at him like a starving man at a banquet. Damn. He moved faster, his hand scraping against the zipper of the cut-offs, his hips rising. Fuck, it was hot, doing this with Kev watching.
"Ross. So hot. Love it when you. God. Want to see you come."
That was all it took to draw it out of him, too, just boom. His back arched, his balls emptying in great bursts, shudders wracking him.