Right Move--A Gay Cowboy Romance

by A. M. Arthur

  “You just went away on me for a while,” Levi said. “You don’t think he’s doing something illegal, do you?”

  “No.” He trusted his brother not to do anything that might separate them for the long term. “Maybe I’ll finally bring it up when we go home. Let’s not talk about sad stuff. It’s too fucking pretty up here. And also...” George glanced over his shoulder for someone nearby. “Hey, Rey, can you take our picture?”

  Rey grinned as he approached. George handed him his phone and positioned himself and Levi with the valley behind them. He kind of wanted to put his arm around Levi’s waist. Levi slid a friendly arm across his shoulders and leaned in slightly. Good enough. Rey took several from different angles before handing it back.

  “You two look good together,” he whispered, then wandered off toward his family.

  George’s face got hot but he still scrolled through the images. They did look good together. A great contrast of Levi’s tall and dark to his own slender and blond. He zoomed in on a close up and damn, but their blue eyes shined. Levi’s were a deeper, more cerulean blue, while George’s were a paler shade.

  “I think I agree with Rey,” Levi said.

  “Me too.” Even though Levi had introduced George as a close friend, Rey was clearly an observant guy. Or he was just projecting. George was unused to being around near-strangers on a regular basis, so his people-reading skills were pretty lacking. Thankfully, Levi never seemed to hold that against him.

  George took a few more pictures before they were all asked to mount up. He was getting better at that but still needed a boost from Levi to get himself situated properly. Then he stealthily took some video of Levi expertly swinging himself up into the saddle. Maybe ten seconds’ worth but damn, it showed off his ass nicely in those jeans.

  The group was mostly quiet on the return trip to the campsite, where Reyes and Hugo hitched the horse back up to the chuck wagon, before setting off to the southeast and the ranch. At least, George was pretty sure of the direction but without a compass, he was just guessing. He trusted the horsemen to get them home safely.

  Home. No, Clean Slate isn’t home, it’s just a vacation.

  But hot damn, George felt at peace up here with the big, open skies and millions of stars at night. The quiet beauty of roving wilderness and the animals that lived peacefully near their respectful human neighbors. As long as he had Wi-Fi for work, George could be happy living in a place like this. But Orry wouldn’t.

  And George couldn’t imagine moving this far away from his beloved twin.

  As soon as he had Wi-Fi again, George texted a bunch of pictures to Orry, assuring him that he was safe, undamaged and almost back from the camping trip. Orry replied fast, complimenting the pictures and thanking him for the update. George wanted to call and hear his brother’s voice, but he’d wait until he had more privacy.

  His stomach was growling for lunch by the time they got back, but everyone had to untack and brush down their horse first. A few of the other hands helped with the saddles and blankets—many hands made light work—and George nearly cheered when they were released to the guesthouse for lunch. A simple turkey sandwich with mustard and pickles had never tasted more like heaven. A platter of sliced vegetables and dip replaced the fruit bowl this meal, and George tried not to go overboard on his portions. He’d always loved raw veggie trays.

  He and Levi ate on the porch, sharing the steps instead of the furniture, because the sun was shining right on them, and it felt amazing against his face. George couldn’t remember the last time he’d been exposed to this much constant fresh air, and he wanted to bask in every moment.

  “There aren’t any specific activities this afternoon,” Levi said after he’d polished off half of a loaded sandwich. “I was thinking of asking Reyes if I can borrow an ATV. Go home for a little while and visit my cats. Make sure Ginger is doing okay.”

  “Oh, cool.” George dipped a carrot stick in dip but didn’t eat it, disappointment tightening his belly. “I bet they miss you.”

  “I miss them and don’t normally worry this much, but after Ginger’s accident...”

  “You’re an overprotective cat papa. I get it.”

  Some of his unhappiness must have bled through in George’s voice, because Levi nudged one shoulder against his. “You want to come with me?”

  A few hours of privacy in Levi’s tiny home? Hell to the yes, he wanted to go. That disappointment dissolved, quickly replaced by anticipation. “Definitely.” He couldn’t bring himself to meet Levi’s gaze, though, worried he didn’t have a very good poker face on right now.

  “Excellent.”

  When they were both done, Levi took their plates and cups into the guesthouse with the promise of hunting down Reyes, or someone else who could give them permission to use an ATV. Riding horses might have been fun, but George’s ass needed a bit of rest after today’s long return trip.

  “Permission granted,” Levi said upon return. “Reyes said the keys are in the ignitions, so we can take whichever.”

  “Cool. I’ve never actually ridden on one before.”

  “Want me to teach you how to drive it?”

  His gut wobbled with nerves. “Um, maybe on the return trip? I’d rather watch you do it first.”

  “Sure. No problem. I’m happy to share new experiences with you, George.”

  “I hope you mean that.”

  Levi quirked a single eyebrow. “I do. Some things you may need to ease into more slowly, but I think I’m up for the challenge.”

  George glanced around but no one was close enough to hear the blatant flirting. “Then let’s go check on your cats.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Levi was both excited and nervous to spend a few hours alone with George, far away from other people for the first time since Sunday night’s epic make-out session. He craved the taste of George in his mouth again, the sensation of his slimmer body pressed close to Levi’s. The chance to eventually do so much more.

  Riding the ATV down the worn path to Mack’s place was a special kind of torture, with George pressed up close to Levi’s back and butt, arms cinched around his waist. Neither of them had showered since the previous morning, and George smelled faintly of sweat and horse, and Levi loved those scents. Craved them on George’s skin. He drove slowly over the rutted path that was easier to travel on horse, he imagined, but they managed.

  The cabin came into view, and Levi steered past Mack’s place to the small patch of land Levi currently called home. No one came out right away, and he imagined it was because his girls didn’t hear the familiar roar of his truck engine. Just the unusual sound of the ATV. But as soon as he shut it off and clucked his tongue, Baby zoomed out from beneath the house and jumped into his lap.

  “Well, hello, Baby girl.” Levi scratched her ears and chin, absorbing the familiar sound of her purr as it rumbled from her throat. “I missed you.”

  George climbed off, and Levi immediately missed his body heat. Ginger and Sporty both came out of the brush, and Sporty jumped onto the ATV, too, trying to push Baby off his lap. Ginger headbutted George’s shin. George gently picked her up, and Levi’s heart fluttered at how sweet the pair looked together. Ginger had the loudest purr of the trio, and she filled the quiet air with her contentment and joy.

  “I think the girls are happy to see us,” George said.

  “Definitely. I owe them some treats for being away this long.” Levi freed his lap of wrestling cats and got off the ATV. He’d nearly tripped more than once walking to his home, because they wouldn’t stop weaving around his ankles. He didn’t bother locking the door right now because they were in the middle of nowhere with no tourists coming and going—plus Wes was walking over to feed the girls—so he went right inside.

  George hesitated.

  “Please, come in,” Levi said. “Welcome to my very humble abode.”


  “I’ve never been inside a tiny house before.” George stepped inside, then put Ginger down. The trio of cats stared up at them expectantly.

  “Feel free to explore. Everyone always wants to see the composting toilet.”

  George chuckled. “I’ve heard of them but never seen one.”

  “You have to get used to them. Oh, and if you don’t mind, will you remove your shoes? I’m not a clean freak or anything. It’s just something I’ve done since I got the place.”

  “Of course. This is your house, your rules.” George put his sneakers on the small mat next to Levi’s boots, then began to poke around the simple living and kitchen space. The bathroom was beneath the lofted “bedroom,” which was little more than a queen-size mattress and built-in dresser for his clothes. Levi grabbed a bag of their favorite treats from a cabinet and offered a few to each of his girls. Then he sat on the floor and petted them for a while, enjoying their soft fur and excited purrs. Three beautiful little lives he’d had the great fortune to rescue from a box on the side of the road.

  One of the reasons he’d chosen this particular home model was because the design turned the steps up to his loft into tiered shelves/cabinets that he used for storage. Plus, the litter box when they were traveling or experiencing bad weather. George ascended those steps carefully, one hand on the wall for balance because there was no rail. It had taken Levi a few weeks to get used to it, but the cats loved chasing each other up and down them.

  George gazed around a moment, then sat on the top step to look out over the compact living space. “This is pretty cool. A house you can take anywhere you want.”

  “That was the point. I missed the nomadic life I’d had with the rodeo. I wanted the freedom to just go where I could drive to, but I didn’t want to have to rely on motels.”

  “Did you stay in a lot of motels with the rodeo?”

  “Not very many. We had a bunch of RVs. I used to share one with Robin, my brother Xander and a guy named Petey. It was cramped but we loved what we did and we made it work. Although sometimes the sound of Xander and Robin fucking through a wall as thin as a bedsheet got to be a little much. But I think some of that was just me envying how in love they were.”

  “I know I said it before but I’m so sorry about Xander. I can’t imagine how devastated I’d be if something ever happened to Orry.”

  “Thanks.” Levi’s throat didn’t tighten the way it normally did when he talked about his late brother. “It’s hard to believe it’ll be four years this Christmas Day.”

  “I guess that’s a hard holiday for you, huh?”

  “Yes and no.” He stroked Baby’s soft head. “I have hundreds of amazing Christmas memories from the first three decades of my life. And last year was a huge turning point for my grief, because I spent it here with Robin. The brother I’d missed. I fell in love with this land. The peace and the beauty.”

  “How long do you think you’ll stay?”

  Levi didn’t miss the subtle tremble in George’s question. He looked up and held George’s gaze. “I don’t know. I love trick riding and I love working at the ghost town with Robin. Shawn’s great. Everyone who works here, be it the ghost town or the ranch, is great.”

  “But?”

  “No but.” He didn’t like that they were having this conversation so far apart but if this made George feel comfortable, Levi wouldn’t complain. “Sometimes I get itchy feet. A rolling stone gathers no moss and all. I’d actually hoped to spend some of the ghost town’s down time traveling a bit. Seeing more of Northern California.”

  “Shit, I wrecked those plans.”

  “Hardly.” Levi pulled Sporty off his lap and went up three steps. Sat. “Ginger getting hurt put those plans off, and I do not regret being here with you right now. Not even a tiny bit. You have been a breath of fresh air in my life George, not a burden. Never a burden.”

  Ginger darted up the steps and climbed onto George’s lap.

  “I think someone else has gotten attached, too,” Levi added.

  George swallowed hard, his expression softening. “I’ve gotten a bit attached myself.”

  They weren’t talking about the cat anymore, and George was too close to a comfortable mattress. Levi needed to be the mature one and keep his ass where he was, but George licked his lips and Levi had to taste them again. To remember what it felt like to kiss George. He avoided stepping on Sporty during his ascent of the steps. George eased Ginger off his lap and scooted a bit to the side so Levi could sit next to him.

  Levi cupped his cheek in one palm, arousal heating his blood. An abundance of naked emotions shined in George’s eyes. “I didn’t ask you here to seduce you, George.”

  George rested a hand on Levi’s thigh. “Maybe I came here because I want you to seduce me.”

  “George.”

  “Not all the way. Not this soon, but I trust you, Levi. I’m attracted to you, and I’ve never felt this way about a guy before. I just...want to feel good with you. Make me feel good?”

  How was a guy supposed to say no to such a sweetly asked question? “If I do anything you don’t like, tell me and I’ll stop.”

  “I promise.”

  Levi swooped in before George finished speaking, and the sweet taste of George was back on his lips. His tongue. George fisted the front of Levi’s shirt and hauled him closer—as if Levi was going anywhere. Levi made sweet love to George’s mouth while careful to keep his hands from slipping below George’s shoulders. He loved the thickness of George’s hair and the soft noises he made in his throat as they kissed. Needy noises that went straight to Levi’s dick, but he wasn’t going to push anything on George.

  George’s free hand dropped to Levi’s hip and squeezed, reminding Levi which part of his body was not getting any friction right now. “Anything...you...want...George,” Levi said between kisses.

  That wandering hand circled forward and squeezed Levi’s erection. Levi nearly bit George’s tongue from the bold move and amazing sensation of a hand on his dick. Ginger ruined the moment by jumping into Levi’s lap. She bumped against George’s hand, and they both laughed as they drew back.

  “Someone’s protective,” George teased.

  “Of you or of me? Silly girl. We’re a little busy right now.”

  Ginger purred.

  “I never expected my first time to be cockblocked by a cat,” George said with an impish smile.

  “Around these parts, you’ve got to learn to expect the unexpected.” Levi glanced at George’s impressively tented crotch. “Do you want to lie down on the bed with me? It’s a lot easier to cuddle than sitting on these steps.”

  “Okay.”

  Levi rose first, unable to fully stand in the short space, then offered George his hand. George took it and held tight for the few brief steps it took to reach the mattress. They stretched out together, facing each other, and Levi pulled a pillow down for them to share. He nuzzled his nose against George’s, adoring the innocent smile on George’s face. The eagerness, too. The face of someone who truly wanted to have a new experience, and he wanted it with Levi.

  I don’t deserve such a precious gift.

  Maybe he didn’t deserve it but he would absolutely take care with it.

  “I kind of feel like a teenager again,” Levi said. “Sneaking off into another boy’s bedroom.”

  George rested his hand on Levi’s hip. “I wish I knew what that feels like but this is also pretty damned amazing. Being here with you. You make me feel so many things, Levi.”

  “I’m going to have fun making you feel a whole lot more.”

  “Bring it on.”

  Levi brought it by easing George on to his back and sliding half his taller, broader body on top of him. Inserting his leg between George’s so his erection rode Levi’s thigh. Levi’s rode George’s, too, and George let out a soft gasp. Thrust up once in a way that mad
e Levi want to skip foreplay and simply slide his dick home. But he wouldn’t. Couldn’t. He wanted to show George all the possible ways for them to pleasure each other before crossing that border—if George wanted to go there with him.

  “You are so beautiful,” Levi whispered. “Not just physically but your soul. Your heart. Your trust is a gift, and I thank you for it.”

  “I love the weird way you talk sometimes.”

  “It took me a long time and a lot of bad choices before I learned the true value of trust and kindness. I want to shower you with both.”

  George’s eyes went adorably half lidded. “Shower away.”

  “I will. One step at a time.”

  Levi did his favorite thing and made love to George’s mouth with long, leisurely strokes of his tongue. Mimicking how he’d adore making love to George’s body one day. If they went that far. Levi wouldn’t dare presume at such an early stage. When he first presented the vacation vouchers to George, he had never imagined being at this point so quickly. But Clean Slate Ranch was a magical place, and George was blossoming under her big blue sky and vast, rolling lands.

  Once George began humping up against him, Levi thrust down, enjoying the friction on his erection. It had been ages since he’d gotten off with another person, and George was amazingly addictive. Innocent and raw and needy. George squeezed his hips, fingers spread low without quite reaching Levi’s butt. Levi rutted harder, urging him to touch more. Lower.

  “Oh fuck.” George nipped at his jaw. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to come in my jeans.”

  “That wet spot might be hard to explain.” Levi met his gaze. “Do you want to take them off?”

  “Yes.” Not a moment’s hesitation.

  “Can I take off mine, too?”