Wild Trail

by A. M. Arthur

  He bent over Wes and rubbed his beard over the mark, earning a sharp hiss from Wes. “This was my favorite part of last night,” Mack said. “Putting this mark here, making you crazy with just my mouth on your back.”

  “Loved that, too. Hated you for it a little, but loved it more. I never knew I was so sensitive there.”

  Mack licked the mark; Wes shivered, the skin on his shoulders and neck pebbling. As much as Mack wanted to drive Wes that crazy again, he didn’t want to go too far on already bruised skin and accidentally hurt Wes. So he went with his second favorite memory and pulled Wes’s taut cheeks apart. Rubbed his beard across Wes’s hole just for the gasp Wes let out.

  “Seem to remember you saying how you loved feeling that between your cheeks,” Mack said. “Still true.”

  “Fuck yes, that’s true.”

  Mack wasn’t usually much for making his bed partners beg for what they wanted. He typically liked direct sex, two parties getting off. Wes made him want to pull out every bit of his inner toppy bastard and be “daddy.” Make Wes beg for his mouth and his beard, and for every dirty fantasy rolling around in that blond head.

  Next time. Yes, there would be a next time.

  He dragged his tongue from the back of Wes’s balls, across his taint and hole, and up to the top of his cleft. One long swipe that put Wes’s unique taste back on his tongue. And it got a soft, breathy gasp from Wes. Last night, Wes had said he was an incredibly oral guy. Mack hadn’t admitted that yeah, so was he, and he was going to enjoy the hell out of this rare chance to really rim a guy—a guy he liked a whole hell of a lot more than he probably should.

  Eating Wes out took his undivided attention for a long time. Licking, then stabbing at his hole. Nibbling at the muscle, working it with his lips, teeth and tongue. Occasionally rubbing his beard over the sensitive spot, soaking in every noise Wes made. Every time he shivered and moaned and jerked. And Wes didn’t censor himself, which was refreshing. Then again, most of Mack’s hookups lately had happened in semi-public places. Getting a guy like Wes in private, with plenty of time to enjoy themselves?

  Priceless.

  Too bad he’d only have it for a few more nights.

  He worked Wes until he could thrust his tongue inside, and then added a finger. Prying Wes open, preparing him, because Mack had a feeling once he was inside Wes, he wasn’t going to be able to go slow.

  “Jesus,” Wes said. “Fuck.”

  “Soon.” Mack could do this for hours, but Reyes was coming back at some point, and he’d rather have the main event conclude before that happened.

  “Now, Mack, please.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Please.”

  The second please did it every time. Mack rolled on the condom first, then ripped open the lube sachet. Pushed most of it into Wes with two fingers, which got him a gasp that lowered into a soft growl. Wes rolled his hips and fucked himself on Mack’s fingers a few times, before Mack pulled out and smeared the last of the lube onto his dick. Then he laid a teasing smack on Wes’s right cheek. “Up and at ’em, boss,” Mack said. “You’re riding.”

  Wes glanced over his shoulder, those pretty blue eyes shining. “I’m riding, huh? Do I get to put a saddle on you first?”

  Mack tapped his erection. “Saddle’s on. You ready to ride?”

  “I honestly can’t decide if this conversation is sexy or ridiculous.” Wes stood, then gave Mack a shove onto his back. Climbed back on, his knees on the bed straddling Mack’s thighs, before Mack could get settled. Wes stroked Mack’s cock in a loose, lazy grip. “But there is something inspiring about riding my very own cowboy.”

  My very own cowboy.

  Mack liked that way more than he ought to, so he pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the long, lean body hovering over him. Knee-walking forward and planting one hand on Mack’s chest, while the other steadied Mack’s cock. Mack held onto Wes’s slim hips, wanting that tactile connection as Wes slowly lowered himself.

  Pressure against the head of his cock gave way to slick heat. Wes worked himself down with gentle rocks of his hips, rising and lowering, head thrown back. Mack thrust up, curious, and was rewarded with a sharp gasp from Wes. And a glare. Wes took his revenge by leaning down and biting Mack’s nipple. Mack thrust again, and Wes soothed his nipple with that enticing silver ball in his tongue.

  “Who’s riding who here?” Wes asked. “Give me the reins for a bit, daddy.”

  Mack’s belly wobbled as it had every time Wes used that pet name. Calling Wes “boss” the first time had been a bit of slip and tease, but now...he liked it. And if Wes wanted to play the boss and top from the bottom, Mack would play along. He released his grip on Wes’s hips and folded his arms behind his own head, eager to give Wes control for a while. “Ride away,” Mack said.

  Wes did, raising and lowering his hips in slow, circling motions, getting used to Mack’s girth. He trailed his fingers through the hair on Mack’s chest and abdomen, like he was petting a cat. Going easy for a while, and Mack let him do it. No sense in rushing toward the climax, because hot damn, he liked being inside of Wes.

  Then Wes planted both palms on Mack’s chest, shifted his knees a bit, and started riding Mack for real. Harder and faster, his ass smacking against Mack’s pubes on every thrust, balls bouncing on Mack’s lower belly. Wes’s chest shined with perspiration, and he was taking deeper breaths, not quite panting. The wanton sight made Mack want to get back into the game, drive for a while.

  He gave Wes a chance to wind down first, until Wes came to a stop, sitting on Mack’s lap, still full of Mack’s cock. “Jesus, you feel good in me,” Wes panted.

  “You feel good on me. Don’t stop on my account.”

  “Not. Gotta cramp in my leg.”

  “In that case.” Mack dumped Wes onto his back. His cock slipped out, but that wouldn’t be the case for long. He arranged Wes with his knees hooked over Mack’s elbows, and then pushed back inside. Wes let out a long sigh as Mack’s hips met Wes’s ass. “Let daddy drive for a while.”

  Wes’s eyes softened around the edges. He licked his lips, then let out a breathy, “Yes, please.”

  Mack liked this position because it gave him room to kiss. He captured Wes’s mouth as he resumed fucking, loving the way that stud rolled over his tongue, his lips, inside of his mouth. Wes fit perfectly against him, pushing back against Mack’s thrusts, devouring his mouth, fingers dragging over Mack’s back and ass. Urging him on. Not like Mack needed urging. His balls started drawing up, so Mack slowed down. Didn’t want this to be over yet.

  He altered his angle a bit, and he knew he’d found the right spot when Wes’s eyes shot wide. “Oh shit,” Wes said. “There. Fuck.”

  Using this new knowledge to his full advantage, Mack slowed again, gentle rolls of his hips dragging his dick across Wes’s prostate. Milking the sensation for all it was worth as clear fluid pooled at the tip of Wes’s dick and left a shiny trail on his belly. Wes clutched at him, gasping, fucking writhing beneath him.

  “You’re killing me,” Wes said.

  “That’d be a damned shame.”

  Mack pulled out of Wes completely, earning him a startled squawk. Before Wes could protest, Mack hauled him onto his hands and knees, pulled his cheeks apart and stabbed his tongue into Wes’s hole. Wes cried out, hips jerking hard. Mack held him still, ignored the taste of the lube and enjoyed himself.

  “Fuck, you’re going to make me come.”

  With a soft growl, Mack rubbed his beard over Wes’s hole once more, then draped himself over Wes’s trembling body. Pushed back inside Wes, happy to be there again. He reached around to clasp Wes’s dick as he began driving them both to orgasm. Wes spilled first, his body going crazy tight around Mack as he came. Mack caught most of it in his palm, and he used it to slick Wes’s dick, milking him until Wes pulled Mack’s hand away.

 
“Holy fuck,” Wes panted.

  “Now that’s a compliment.”

  Wes snorted. “You going to finish?”

  “You sore?”

  “Nope. Go for it.”

  Mack nipped the side of Wes’s neck. It only took a handful of hard thrusts for Mack to fill the condom, his own orgasm ripping down his spine and tingling across his skin. Holy fuck was right. Mack stilled a moment, savoring the sensation of still being inside of Wes, before he reluctantly pulled out. Wes wilted to the bed, boneless and gasping. Mack curled up behind him, half-draped over Wes, breathing in the younger man. Enjoying how perfect it felt to hold Wes like this, and not pondering too hard on what that might mean.

  They lay there for a while, simply existing, until it got too chilly for Mack’s damp skin. “Come on, let’s take a shower.”

  “I don’t think I can move my legs,” Wes replied.

  “Hah. I can barely move mine, but we’re both sticky, and my roommate could walk in at any moment and see our bare asses hanging out.”

  “I’m sure he’s seen your ass before.”

  “Sure he has, but not while I’m in bed with a hot guy I’ve just nailed.”

  “And you nailed him very well.” Wes tilted his head up for a kiss. “I don’t even mind the peppermint-beer breath anymore.”

  Mack laughed. “Wonderful. Up and at ’em, boss.”

  They laughed and tickled their way through a long, hot shower like they were a couple doing it for the hundredth time. Mack’s complete ease with Wes continued to surprise him, and for the first time, he realized he was going to miss Wes when he left the ranch on Saturday.

  I can’t get attached. It’s a summer fling, nothing more.

  Reyes was reading on his bed when they emerged from the bathroom, towels around their waists, and he ignored them completely. Wes got adorably shy just then and took his clothes into the bathroom to get dressed. Mack simply dropped his towel by his bed and slipped into a pair of boxer shorts.

  When Wes came back out, his damp hair tousled in a cute flyaway style, Mack walked him to the cabin door. He nearly asked Wes to stay the night, but that was a bad idea for so many reasons. The hint of sadness in Wes’s eyes almost made him change his mind; Wes didn’t want to go, any more than Mack wanted to send him away.

  “I don’t know how I’m going to be hands-off with you tomorrow,” Mack whispered.

  Wes grinned. “You and me both. Although if you drive me into town to see Dr. Weaver, maybe we can find a place to park and make out.”

  “You’re a little temptress, you know that?”

  “Yes, I do.” Wes leaned in for a long kiss that, if this hadn’t been a fling, might have felt like something a whole lot bigger. Almost like a promise. “Night.”

  “Night,” Mack replied.

  He let Wes leave, watched that departing ass for a moment before Wes disappeared into the shadows, and then he turned. Reyes was staring at him, both eyebrows arched.

  “What?” Mack asked.

  “Nothing, just...be careful?”

  Mack didn’t patronize his best friend by asking for clarification.

  Be careful with your heart.

  He wasn’t entirely sure that he hadn’t already given part of it away.

  Chapter Fourteen

  On Saturday morning, Wes woke with a weird pit in his stomach and a sense of unease he couldn’t shake. He stared at the underside of Miles’s bunk, the room barely lit from the rising sun, uncertain why he felt so strange.

  We’re leaving today. I’m leaving Mack behind.

  The last two days had tested the limits of Wes’s physical restraint every time he was in proximity to Mack. The need to touch him, kiss him, lick him, bend over for him—so intense that it kind of scared him. On both Thursday and Friday night, he’d gone to Mack’s cabin for more amazing sex, and knowing Wes wouldn’t have that tonight...depressing as hell.

  I got attached to my vacation fling. I was not supposed to do that.

  To be fair to himself, though, he had a funny feeling Mack had done the same thing. The way Mack had clung to him during their shared shower, washing Wes’s skin for him, the long look as Wes said goodbye. Last night had been their goodbye, because at three o’clock this afternoon, Wes was leaving.

  They hadn’t made each other any promises. They hadn’t even exchanged phone numbers. It needed to be a clean break, so they could both move on. Live their lives.

  Except Wes wasn’t making a clean break. Even though he’d only known Mack for a week, Wes was leaving a small part of his heart behind with that gruff, papa bear cowboy.

  No one else was awake yet, so Wes slipped into the bathroom for a long, hot shower. He jerked off to memories of Mack faux-fucking him in the shower on Thursday—an impromptu fuck with Mack’s dick riding the crease of Wes’s ass and conditioner for lube, and Christ, it had been hot. Wes hadn’t been sure he could get it up again, but both he and Mack had come twice that night, and it had been awesome.

  So many awesome memories of this vacation. Back to the real world tomorrow.

  The thought left him depressed as he got dressed. Conrad was starting to stir, but Wes wasn’t in the mood for his friends, so he slipped out of their room and crept downstairs. The house was pretty quiet, except for Patrice puttering around in the kitchen. He snuck out to the front porch. The sun was rising over the horizon, painting streaks of purple and red across the sky.

  He rarely saw such gorgeous sunrises in the city. Wes wasn’t a morning person in general, so he rarely saw the sunrise, period.

  A tall figure walking in his direction made Wes’s heart jump. Then he frowned when the person was Reyes, not Mack. He expected Reyes to continue walking toward his destination, but he came right toward Wes, hands in his jeans pockets, head ducked like he was nervous.

  “Morning,” Reyes said.

  “Yeah, morning.” Wes eyeballed him, curious and a little weirded out. Reyes had never initiated conversation with him, other than a few polite words when their paths crossed in the cabin. “Guess you’ll be glad you don’t have to keep spending your evenings with the horses.”

  Reyes’s lips twitched. “It’s not so bad when you know it makes your best friend happy.”

  His heart trilled. “Mack’s a great guy.”

  “He is. He’s also a stubborn ass and doesn’t know when to get out of his own way sometimes.” He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket and held it toward Wes. “Here. He won’t admit it, but he’s gotten attached to you. If you feel the same, don’t make this goodbye.”

  Wes took the paper, not surprised to see a phone number on it. Mack’s cell number, most likely. “He won’t beat you up if I call him, will he?”

  “Nah. He’s bigger, but I know how to fight dirty.”

  “Duly noted. Thank you.”

  “Call him only if you mean it, Wes. He had his heart broken once before.”

  “The ex he doesn’t like to talk about?”

  Reyes nodded.

  “Thanks again,” Wes said. He slipped the paper into his pocket, then watched Reyes disappear into the barn. Part of him wished he’d asked Reyes if Mack was up and about yet, but he was also glad he hadn’t. The last thing Wes wanted to do was pant around Mack like a dog in heat on his last day at the ranch. He wasn’t that pathetic.

  Nope, he’d spend the last day with his friends, doing whatever horse ride or hike was on the agenda, and then he’d go home. With Mack’s phone number safely in his pocket.

  Whether or not he used it was an entirely other story.

  * * *

  Mack didn’t normally interact with the guests on Saturday because he was busy preparing for the new crop due in tomorrow. Going over the guest lists, any physical limitations or restrictions, all the usual survey questions about sharing a room with a stranger of the same or opposite sex.
They only had twelve guests next week, down from this week’s sixteen, so Patrice’s food order was smaller. And correct. Mack and Judson had both double-checked Arthur before the order was placed on Thursday night.

  No more screwups like last weekend.

  The work helped keep his mind off Wes. Mostly. The guy still drifted into Mack’s thoughts every couple of minutes—everything from his blond hair to the way his blue eyes crinkled when he laughed. How he gasped when Mack bit his—

  No sexy thoughts. The last thing he needed was to try and explain an erection if someone came into his office.

  Someone like Colt, who ambled in without knocking around eleven o’clock. He dropped right into the chair opposite Mack’s desk and said, “So you’ve been banging the future bride’s Best Person, huh?”

  Mack’s pen skated across the paper he’d been writing on. “The hell, Colt?” He glanced at the open doorway. “Say it a little louder, huh?”

  “Sorry.” Colt’s grin was anything but sorry. “So it’s true? I mean, he’s the only person I can think of who’d sneak into your cabin every night.”

  He groaned. Colt’s cabin was next door to his. Hoping that Colt hadn’t noticed Wes coming and going had been naïve. “Yes, fine, we’ve been having sex. Happy?”

  “Hey, one of us is getting laid, so yeah, I’m happy.”

  “You’re going to get laid tonight when we go into the city.” The city where Wes lived.

  “Not necessarily. I’ve struck out a few times.”

  Mack snorted. “Being so drunk you can’t get it up isn’t striking out, dude, it’s being reckless.”

  “True. So are you going to keep seeing Wes, or was this just a vacation fling.”

  While Colt was constantly nosing into other people’s sex lives, he also wasn’t the most tactful person to ask for advice. Reyes was better for that. Or hell, even Judson or Patrice. But Colt could be a loyal friend when needed, and Mack’s heart was torn in two about Wes leaving today.