Heart of Stone

by Ari McKay

  “Have you now?” Stone liked the sound of that. He’d wondered how Luke tasted, too, and now he wanted to find out. He moved closer and shot Luke a challenging look. “Then why don’t you get over here and do it?”

  A flash of shock crossed Luke’s face, and it seemed Stone had managed to shut his mouth, which was definitely a first, but he didn’t take long to recover. Shifting to lie on his side, he leaned over and clamped his hand on the back of Stone’s head, drawing Stone into a kiss that was light at first, but a low moan escaped Luke as soon as their lips touched, and he deepened the kiss, claiming the taste he’d said he wanted.

  Stone parted his lips, giving a soft moan of his own as Luke kissed him. Luke tasted sweet, and Stone wanted more of him. “Move over,” he growled against Luke’s lips. “Since you don’t mind.”

  Luke scooted back to make room for him. “Plenty of room in here for two.”

  Stone moved onto the bed and pulled the covers down so he could look at Luke’s chest. He’d avoided peeking when he’d undressed Luke earlier, but he looked his fill now. He caressed Luke’s pale skin, running his fingers though the crisp hair on Luke’s chest. “You look good. Almost as good as you taste.”

  Luke’s eyes were half-lidded, and he was practically purring at the touch of Stone’s hand. “If you see anything you want, you sure enough can have it.”

  “That’s good to know,” Stone continued to caress Luke, pleased to know he was the one making Luke look like he was about to melt right into the mattress. He slid his hand lower, pushing the covers farther down so he could see if Luke was as aroused as he was. Apparently so, and Stone gave a little growl of satisfaction. “I think I see what I want.”

  Luke kicked the covers out of the way, and Stone wasn’t the least bit surprised the man had no shame about baring himself. “It’s all yours,” Luke drawled. “You just tell me what you want to do with it.” His expression turned more serious then, and he reached out to caress Stone’s cheek tenderly. “I mean it. I ain’t ashamed to say I find pleasure in both givin’ and takin’, and I’m willin’ to do whatever you want me to do. I just want to make you happy, Stone. That’s all.”

  “You do.” Stone wasn’t comfortable with saying things like that, but he owed it to Luke, especially when the look in Luke’s eyes made his heart beat faster. A corner of his mind was worried, warning him these feelings were dangerous enough, but telling Luke how he felt would be disastrous. Stone ignored it, too mesmerized by the way Luke was touching him. Like he cared. Like Stone mattered. “Touch me. I want you to touch me.”

  Luke leaned in to nibble kisses along Stone’s sharp jaw. “I’ve been wantin’ to touch you since the day I laid eyes on you.”

  Luke claimed another kiss, this one deep and drugging, as he began unfastening the buttons on Stone’s shirt, impatiently pushing the fabric out of the way so he could caress the smooth, bare skin beneath, seeming eager to stroke every inch he could reach.

  The kiss was wonderful, but the slide of Luke’s hand over his skin made Stone moan with need. It had been so long since anyone had touched him, and he was coming to life beneath Luke’s caressing fingers. He wanted more; he wanted Luke to keep touching him until he died.

  He wanted to touch, too, so he skimmed his hand along Luke’s side, down to the sharp angle of his hip. Then he tugged, pulling Luke closer, wanting to feel Luke along every inch of him, sighing softly at the press of bare skin against bare skin.

  Luke bit lightly at Stone’s bottom lip and broke away. “You’ve got too many clothes on. It’s hinderin’ my attempts to touch you like I want.”

  Stone unfastened his trousers and quickly pushed them down and off. “There. Now you got no excuse for not givin’ me what I want. And I want it all.”

  Luke’s smile turned wicked as he skimmed his fingertips slowly down the length of Stone’s torso, leaving a trail of fire along the way. The muscles in his abdomen quivered in response to the too-light touch, but Luke seemed determined to torment him.

  “You want me to touch you, right?” Butter wouldn’t melt in Luke’s mouth, and his innocent look was belied by the devilish way he curled his fingers around Stone’s hard cock. “Like this?”

  “Yes!” Stone groaned the word, fisting his hands in the sheets as Luke touched him. He was breathing hard, and he had to force himself to keep still. He wanted to move, to feel Luke caressing him and driving him over the edge, but he didn’t want it to be over too soon. He looked at Luke and licked his lips. “Yeah, like that.”

  Luke didn’t seem to be in any hurry either, because he stroked Stone slowly, building up his need and then backing off again and again. He watched Stone’s face avidly, seeming to enjoy the signs of pleasure he saw there.

  “Tease.” Stone bit out the word between clenched teeth, as Luke seemed determined to drive him mad. “You’re goin’ to kill me.” He framed Luke’s face between his hands. “I saw how you looked at me that day in the stable. Like you wanted to push me up against the wall and take me. I want to see you look at me like that again.”

  Luke brushed a kiss to Stone’s palm. “That’s just what I’ll do right now if you want me to.”

  “I want you to. I want you to take me.”

  Luke rolled away long enough to rummage around in a drawer in the bedside table, and he pulled out a bottle of Neatsfoot oil, smiling sheepishly. “I’ve needed this a fair bit since you got here. You’ve kept me so wound up, I don’t know how long I can hold out once I’m in you.”

  Stone couldn’t help the satisfied smile that curved his lips at the thought of Luke wanting him so much that he had to take the edge off from time to time. He held out his arms, beckoning for Luke to come back, wanting to feel Luke against him. “Show me what you thought about doin’ to me when you got all wound up.”

  Luke straddled Stone’s hips and grabbed Stone’s wrists, pinning them against the pillow over his head, the easygoing air replaced by pure need. He rocked his hips provocatively. “I thought about this. I thought about you beggin’ me for more.”

  Stone Harrison wasn’t the type of man to beg, but the sudden, fierce expression on Luke’s face stole his breath and made him ache in ways he’d never felt before. The tone of Luke’s voice sent a shiver down his spine, and Stone arched his back, need shooting through him like a bolt of lightning.

  “Please, Luke.” He cast his pride aside and begged, his voice full of need. “More. I need more.”

  “Oh God, Stone, so do I.” Luke released Stone’s wrists so he could grab the bottle of oil. “I need you right now, or I just might die.”

  “Then have me.” Stone bucked his hips impatiently and grasped the bars of the iron headboard. “Don’t worry about bein’ gentle. Just give us what we both want!”

  Uncorking the bottle, Luke poured a generous amount of oil into his palm, crooning softly and soothingly as he prepared Stone with gentle fingers despite Stone’s demands. “I don’t want to hurt you. It’s been a while for you, I’m guessin’, and I want this to be good. Nothin’ but pleasure.”

  Stone tossed his head on the pillow, the touch of Luke’s fingers and his words almost undoing him then and there. He was on fire, and he was ready to combust from pure need. He couldn’t remember ever wanting anyone this badly before, and he looked at Luke, not hiding how desperate he was. “Damn it, Luke! Now!”

  Finally, Luke poured out another dollop of oil and put the bottle aside, grinning wickedly down at Stone as he made a show of preparing himself. But all teasing ended as he settled Stone’s legs over his shoulders and positioned himself, slowly easing his thick cock into Stone’s pliant body.

  “So good.” Luke groaned, his fair skin growing flushed. “So perfect!”

  “Perfect.” Stone echoed the word, holding his breath as he adjusted to Luke’s hard length within him. The way Luke filled him felt so damned good, and he wriggled impatiently, trying to pull Luke even deeper. “Move,” he demanded.

  Luke didn’t hesitate to obey, setting a
steady rhythm as he claimed Stone with deep, powerful thrusts, and Stone felt a jolt of pure pleasure every time Luke’s cock rubbed against something inside him, making him whimper and moan. Luke curled his fingers around Stone’s cock again, stroking him in sync with the rhythm of their bodies.

  “Let go, boss,” Luke murmured, gazing down at Stone with warm affection in his eyes. “I’ve got you.”

  Stone held Luke’s eyes, wanting to give Luke exactly what he asked for. His body tightened as need coiled within him like a clock spring being wound, and then suddenly he cried out Luke’s name as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over and through him.

  Luke’s face was alight as he watched Stone avidly, and it seemed as if the waves of Stone’s pleasure washed over him as well. He pounded into Stone hard and fast, and Stone moved with him, spurring him on. In mere moments, Luke surged deep and shuddered as he came.

  Panting, he eased out and collapsed beside Stone, wrapping both arms around him and pulling him close, nuzzling his cheek. “That was worth the wait.”

  Stone felt a delicious lassitude stealing over him in the aftermath, and he sighed, enjoying the closeness and connection to Luke. It was an odd feeling in some ways, different from anything he’d felt before. “Glad you think so.”

  “Definitely.” Luke caressed Stone’s back from shoulder to hip in languorous strokes, seeming to enjoy the closeness as well. “It’s good between us, just like I knew it would be.”

  Stone gave him a questioning look. “How could you know that?” he asked drowsily. “I tried not to let you see what I am.”

  Luke chuckled and gave him a warm squeeze. “I know you tried to hide from me, but you’re too much like Priss for me not to see the truth. We’re like salt and pepper. Different, but tasty together.”

  “Hmph.” Stone gave a snort, not certain he liked that Luke could read him so easily. “You must be the pepper. I’m too boring for that.”

  “You’re a lot of things, boss,” Luke said softly, his voice full of affection as he stroked Stone’s hair and back gently, soothing him into sleep. “But boring sure as hell ain’t one of them.”

  Stone smiled, feeling more content than he had in longer than he could remember. There was something else, too, but he was too tired to put his finger on it. Instead he snuggled closer to Luke’s warmth, and then sleep claimed him at last.

  10

  WHEN Luke awoke the next morning, it took him a moment to remember why he felt so uncommonly good, but then memories of the night before returned, and he smiled. Not about the part where he’d almost frozen to death in that sudden blizzard, but about what happened after with Stone. It seemed all that mortal peril had made Stone finally realize he wanted to do something about the powerful attraction other than deny it, which had led to a mighty good night for Luke indeed.

  He frowned when he opened his eyes to see the sun was up and the bed was empty, and he wondered why Stone hadn’t woken him. Snow or no snow, there were still chores to do, and Luke hauled himself out of bed, got a quick wash, and dressed in his warmest clothes.

  Mary was in the kitchen, and she smiled at him when he walked in. “Mr. Harrison said I was to let you sleep as long as you wanted,” she said, as if anticipating his first question, and she gazed at him with obvious concern. “He said you got caught in that blizzard last night.”

  “That I did, but Mr. Harrison came and fetched me out of it before any real harm was done. You didn’t walk here today, did you?”

  “No, my pa brought me in the sleigh. He’s comin’ for me before sunset.”

  “Good.” Luke nodded approvingly. If Mary’s father hadn’t been planning to pick her up, Luke would have offered to carry her back to town himself.

  “Mr. Harrison also said you wasn’t to do no chores today.” Mary’s expression turned stern, and she wagged her finger at him. “You’re to take the day off.”

  Luke was aghast at the mere idea. He hadn’t taken a full day off that wasn’t a Sunday in longer than he could remember, but if he didn’t, Mary would tell Stone, and there was no telling what Stone might do if he disobeyed. Then again, he thought mischievously, it might be fun to find out.

  But truth to tell, he was tired and achy still, and so after eating a late breakfast, he occupied himself with a little book work, and when that ran out, he tried reading until it put him to sleep for a couple of hours. By the time Mary went home that afternoon, Luke was getting antsy enough that he puttered around the kitchen, putting leftovers together for a nice dinner for Stone, even setting the table. He tried not to keep looking at the door to see if Stone was coming yet, but he couldn’t help it; he was eager to see Stone again, eager to take him back to bed for more kissing and touching than they’d gotten to do last night. Tonight, they could take it nice and slow because they wouldn’t be so desperate, and he could set about exploring and memorizing every inch of Stone’s gorgeous body like he so wanted to do.

  It wouldn’t be easy to hide how he felt, not when he wanted to tell the whole world Stone Harrison was his man, but he’d manage it somehow when they were out where prying eyes might see. Here in the big house with Mary gone for the day, they were safe, and Luke intended to spend that evening and every other from now on showing Stone how good it could be and how much he was loved until maybe he started loving Luke right back.

  It was full dark before the kitchen door opened and Stone stepped inside. His back to Luke, he took off his wet, muddy boots, and then he removed his coat and hat and put them on the pegs. Only then did he turn around, but he didn’t meet Luke’s eyes.

  “We lost ten head in the pasture. Spent all day butchering ’em. I’m goin’ to go clean up.”

  The loss of so many cattle was disappointing, but not surprising; the ranch had suffered worse losses over the years, and so Luke merely nodded acceptance of the news.

  “If you want a bath, I’ll heat up some water for you and scrub your back,” he offered, giving Stone a playful grin.

  Stone went very still, and then he raised his head, but he still didn’t meet Luke’s gaze. Instead he seemed to focus on a point somewhere over Luke’s left shoulder, and when he spoke, his tone was wooden. “That ain’t a good idea. It’d be best to forget that anything untoward happened.”

  Luke’s stomach plummeted to his boots, and he stared at Stone, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. “’Tweren’t nothing untoward,” he protested, taking a step toward Stone and stretching out his hand beseechingly. “It was the best night of my life, and I don’t want to forget it.”

  He paused, horrified by a thought that suddenly occurred to him. “Did I hurt you? I swear, I didn’t mean to, and if I did, I’m awful sorry. You just tell me what it was I did wrong, and I won’t never do it again. I’ll do better next time, I promise.” He was on the verge of begging, something he had never done before in his life, but for Stone, he was willing to throw his pride out the window. “Just give me another chance to make it good for you, please.”

  Stone took a step back, and Luke saw the betraying flush creeping into his cheeks. He shook his head. “You didn’t hurt me. But there can’t be a next time.” Stone’s voice was hoarse. “There shouldn’t have been a first time. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’d been drinkin’, and when that happens, I do things I shouldn’t. I was feelin’ guilty for almost gettin’ you killed, and the bottle was there, and I… I was weak. I’m sorry, but you can put the blame on me.”

  Luke stared at Stone with growing dismay. As relieved as he was to know he hadn’t hurt Stone, he almost wished that had been the problem. That he could fix. Flat-out denial was going to be harder to deal with.

  “I don’t understand. Why can’t there be a next time? What we did wasn’t wrong.” He fell silent, thinking about what Stone had said, and he swallowed hard, fighting the heavy ball of ice forming in his guts. “Unless it didn’t mean nothin’ to you. Is that it? You felt bad, and I was convenient, and that’s all there was to it?”

  At last, S
tone looked at him, eyes flying up and locking onto his, the shock and denial on his face telling Luke what he needed to know before Stone even opened his mouth. “No! It wasn’t like that. I wish I could lie to you and say it was, because then you’d hate me, and it’d be over. It did mean somethin’, and it can’t. You know the way the world works, Luke. You’ve seen it. That’s why you helped Priss. People talk, and that talk can ruin a person. The hands are already talkin’ about us!” Stone frowned and shook his head. “All day I had to listen to them talkin’ about me ridin’ out to rescue you. I’m terrified they can see the truth about what we did on my face. It’s been hard enough to hide what I am all these years, even with not lettin’ anybody close. That’s why we can’t do this. It’d cost us both too much.”

  “I don’t care!” Luke shook his head vehemently. “This ranch ain’t worth givin’ up happiness. Yeah, I helped Priss because I wanted her and Sarah to be safe and happy, but people talk more about women who don’t act like they need a man more’n they talk about men, and you know it. It’d be easier for us, and we’d be careful, but even if people found out, so what? We could leave and start over somewhere else. I’d do it if it meant bein’ with you.”

  He stopped short of blurting out Because I love you, not wanting to make himself look completely pathetic.

  Stone’s eyes were dark, and his lips twisted in bitterness. “It ain’t as easy as you seem to think. You’ve been here on this ranch the whole time I’ve been wanderin’ half the country, tryin’ to find a place to call home. It ain’t easy out there for men like us, Luke. I got a bullet through the shoulder that told me there’re folks who wouldn’t be satisfied with ridin’ us out of town on a rail. They’d want to kill us for bein’ what we are. You said this ranch was your home, and even as short a time as I’ve been here, it’s become my home, too. I don’t want to lose it. Takin’ a drink last night was one of the most stupid things I’ve ever done, because it made me forget that.”