by Jena Wade
He held himself up on shaky arms and kissed Cory’s sweet mouth. Cory sighed and relaxed into the pillow, then dropped his legs as Perry pulled out.
Perry collapsed beside Cory and waited until their breathing slowed.
It couldn’t be real. Pleasure like this didn’t happen outside of the movies, right? Perry wasn’t so sure. He’d just had his world rocked and hadn’t quite recovered.
“Well. That was worth the wait,” Cory said.
“Yeah. If I’d know it was going to be that good I would’ve taken you up on your first offer.” Perry chuckled. Reluctantly he slipped off the condom and headed toward the bathroom to clean himself up. When he came back, he tossed a warm washcloth at Cory. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Cory threw the cloth back to Perry when he was finished. “Can I stay here? I don’t want to walk back to my apartment. Actually, I’m not sure I can walk at all.”
Guilt gnawed at Perry. “Sorry about that. I should’ve known better.” He climbed into the bed, this time pulling the covers over himself and Cory.
“Does that mean I can stay?” Cory asked.
Nothing sounded better than curling up beside Cory for the entire night. “Yeah. I want you to stay.” Perry was sure he’d never said those words before. Most certainly never meant them like he did now.
Cory yawned and rested his head on Perry’s chest. He snuggled in close and said, “Good night.”
Dumbfounded, Perry stared at Cory. This was the last thing he expected from the man who claimed to want to fuck around all the time. Perry wasn’t going to argue, though. He’d made the decision to take what he could get from Cory, and if that was one night of hot sex and cuddling, he wasn’t going to complain.
He closed his eyes and relaxed as Cory burrowed closer to him. This was something he could get used to. Easily.
Chapter Seven
Cory roused from a deep sleep. He groaned as he tried to roll over and snuggle closer to Perry. Every muscle in his body protested. The pain was similar to what it once felt like to be saddle sore, only he hadn’t had that feeling in years. Even his arms hurt. And his shoulders. Hell, his damn eyelids hurt.
He searched with his hands to find the warm body that he’d been wrapped around all night, but came up empty. He lifted his head and looked around the room just as Perry exited the bathroom, buckling his belt as he walked. His hair was wet from his shower and little beads of water clung to his chest. Suddenly Cory’s mouth was drier than the desert, and he desperately needed to lick that water clean off Perry’s skin.
Cory took stock of his aches once more. He could handle another round. Maybe. It wasn’t like he had to work today. Then again, he should help Perry unload the last of the wagons. Then maybe they would have time for a leisurely trail ride. They’d be home in time to work with their horses.
With the finals just a month away Cory couldn’t afford to miss a training day. Damn responsibilities. He’d much rather lie in bed and spend time with Perry.
“What’s the frown for?” Perry sat at the edge of the bed and gazed at Cory, his expression unreadable.
Did Perry regret last night? God. Cory hoped not. That was not how he wanted to start his morning.
“I was just thinking that it’d be nice to have another go-around with you. But I think I’m too fucking sore to even consider it.”
Perry raised his brow and smiled wickedly. “What can I say? I’m just that damn good.”
“Well, in my defense I haven’t baled hay in years.” Carefully Cory lifted himself up from the bed and stretched. The cracking of bones rattled in his ears and the last bits of sleep left his hazy mind. “Besides, I think I feel pretty good considering it was my first time.” Of course, he was still riding on cloud nine now that he’d finally gotten his way with Perry. The possibility of an actual relationship with the only man he’d ever wanted had him feeling happier than he’d ever been.
“First time what?”
Cory stared at Perry for a moment. “First time having sex.” Hadn’t it been obvious?
Perry’s eyes widened, and he stood. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
Startled at the sudden change in mood, Cory pulled on his jeans; he didn’t bother finding his boxers. “What? No. Why would I joke about that?” He laughed, trying to ease the tension that had filled the room. “I thought you knew.”
“How the hell was I supposed to know?” Perry’s voice rose, and he ran a hand through his hair.
“Dude, what’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is I could’ve fucking hurt you. A lot.” Perry’s face and chest turned beet red, and his breath came out ragged.
For a moment Cory wasn’t sure what to say. He hadn’t expected this reaction. He shrugged. “I’m sore, but I’ve had worse from riding too long.”
“You said that you like to fuck around. That’s why you like traveling so much. What was that? A lie?” Anger radiated from Perry. It must’ve been contagious because Cory suddenly wasn’t feeling so easygoing about the subject.
What the hell had Perry thought of him? “‘Fuck around’ as in I like to travel a lot and not be tied down anywhere. I didn’t mean that I fuck around with a lot of guys. Or any guys. That’s just stupid.” Not to mention the fact that he didn’t want other guys. He wanted Perry.
Perry shook his head and stormed into the kitchen area.
Cory watched in a state of semishock as Perry began to make coffee. It was the most violent coffee-making process he’d ever seen. Perry scooped coffee into the filter, grounds flying through the air and landing on the counter. Then he threw the coffee back into the cupboard and slammed the door.
He still couldn’t fathom what the hell Perry was so pissed about.
“I’m really not sure what the big deal is. So I was a virgin. Who cares?” Cory regretted ever mentioning it. But he couldn’t bring himself to regret last night. Even if Perry hated him, even if the sex had been horrible for Perry, Cory wasn’t going to regret it.
“Yeah. It might be no big deal to you. But it’s a big damn deal to me.” Perry gripped the edge of the countertop and glared at Cory. “You know when we first met I assumed you didn’t take anything seriously. You were just a spoiled kid with too much money and no responsibility. Then I got to know you and I realized, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you’re different. I never would’ve—” Perry took a deep breath. “Last night never would’ve fucking happened if I’d known the truth about you.”
Irritation boiled in Cory’s stomach. “What truth?”
“You used me, Cory.”
“That’s what you think?” There were times he acted like a spoiled rich kid, but he thought Perry knew him better. Especially after he’d shared so much about himself with Perry. His dreams for the future, which he hadn’t shared with anyone else.
“Why the hell else would you neglect to tell me you were a virgin? Are you trying to get me fired? You didn’t like the changes I made around the ranch, is that it? What was the fucking point?”
Cory wished he’d been sitting when Perry shouted the words at him.
I like you. I’m falling for you. That’s the point.
There was no way he was going to say the words, though. Perry had shot through his emotions enough for one day; he wasn’t about to hand out any more ammunition.
“Where in the hell would you get that idea?”
“’Cause that’s how I lost my other goddamn job. The boss’s son didn’t like a faggot working for them, so he claimed I came on to him, and I was fired. You just took it one step further.”
No wonder he was paranoid about fucking around with coworkers.
“Maybe I just wanted to get laid.” Cory kept his voice even, though he wasn’t sure how. How could Perry think that of him? He located his boots, but didn’t bother putting them on. He wanted to get away from Perry as quickly as he could. “Don’t worry about your job. No one needs to know about last night. I know I’m going to forget about it.” With the help of a bottle
of scotch. Wasn’t that what people did to drown their sorrows? Too bad he wasn’t much of a drinker.
Cory made it out the door before Perry started talking again. He didn’t want to hear anything the man had to say. He’d heard enough.
Christ. When did he become so damn stupid? Thinking he had a chance at something real with Perry. Guess he could finally confirm with his sponsor in California about the training seminar they wanted him to help with. There was no reason for him to stick around the ranch. Maybe after a few months he could forget Perry. Maybe it would be a good time to start fucking around. Apparently that’s what Perry thought he did anyway.
* * * *
Perry stared after Cory as he walked out of the house. He couldn’t believe Cory had been a virgin. He was still coming to terms with the fact that he’d slept with his boss’s grandson. Finding out Cory had been a virgin wasn’t something he’d expected. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. How was he going to face Garrett knowing he’d taken Cory’s virginity?
Taken might be the wrong word. Cory had offered it willingly.
Only Perry hadn’t known. Would he have done things differently had he known? He liked to think so, but Cory was hard to resist.
Fuck. He knew better than to get involved with someone he worked with. He should look for another job right now.
Only he couldn’t imagine breaking all ties with Cory. Or leaving the ranch he’d come to think of as home.
Despite everything that happened this morning, he still liked Cory. He was still attracted to him; that was for damn sure. Hell, this morning he’d thought they might actually have something special, something that they could build on into something more. Like a relationship. Now he didn’t know what the hell they had.
Perry jammed his hat on his head and pulled on his boots. He needed to get to work. Maybe the labor would take his mind off Cory. And whatever the future may hold.
What if Cory was trying to get him fired?
What if he wasn’t?
What if Perry was just an idiot who overreacted?
A knot formed in his gut as he realized just how badly he’d screwed things up. Fuck. He hadn’t even given Cory a chance to explain. He’d just jumped to conclusions and didn’t look back.
Once Perry was outside he let his eyes adjust to the early morning light. Normally he was working before the sun came up. But he’d been reluctant to get out of bed this morning with Cory beside him.
He looked around the yard for any sign of Cory, but couldn’t find him.
Damn it. Any conversation he needed to have with Cory would have to wait until chores were done. The animals weren’t going to be happy being fed so late as it was.
* * * *
Cory stormed into his apartment and slammed the door. The bang reverberated throughout the room.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. That was not how he anticipated this morning going.
What the fuck had he been thinking? Of course Perry wasn’t interested in him. Perry thought he was an irresponsible kid with too much money and not enough ambition.
It would be best if he just left. Got as far away from Perry as possible.
Decision made, he grabbed his duffel from the foot of the bed and started throwing in his clothes. He didn’t even bother to check if they were clean or dirty; he just tossed them in. He could do laundry on the road.
Once the duffel was full, he started gathering his tack. Normally he would have it all cleaned before he left for a competition, especially the finals, but this time he would have to do it on the road. Maybe the change in routine would be good for him.
“Cory?” His grandpa’s voice startled him and Cory jumped.
“Hey Grandpa, I was just getting my tack around.” So I can get the hell out of here and away from the stupid ranch manager.
Garrett stepped into the room and clicked the door closed. “You plan on leaving?”
“Yeah, I figured I might as well take the job in California before finals. Make a little extra pocket money.” At least that story sounded plausible. But like most things, his grandpa could see right through it.
“Seems to me you’re running. Kinda like you ran out of Perry’s cabin this morning. Half-naked.”
“I wasn’t—” Cory looked down at himself. He still only wore a pair of jeans and his socks from the day before, which were now stained with dirt from the driveway. Yeah. He’d run out of Perry’s cabin half-naked. “Don’t you ever sleep?” Why the hell was his grandpa up at this hour anyway?
“Old habits die hard.” Garrett sat in Cory’s office chair and leaned back as he folded his arms across his chest. “You want to talk about it?”
Cory seethed with anger just recalling the events of this morning. He let out a long breath. It would hardly be helpful to tell his grandpa that he’d stupidly lost his virginity to Perry. It was kind of embarrassing to be a twenty-two-year old virgin anyway. “Nope.”
“You want me to fire him?”
“What? No. Why would I— No.” Cory kept himself busy, tucking his bridles into their designated bags and then doing the same with his saddles. “Can we not make a big deal out of this? It was nothing. I shouldn’t even be talking about it with you. It’s weird.”
Garrett shrugged. “All right. It’s your life. But running away never really solved anything.”
“I’m not running. I’ve decided to take a job before finals. It’s not like I’m helpful around here anyway. At least if I leave I’ll be doing something productive.” And he wouldn’t have to see Perry every day.
“What the hell makes you think you aren’t productive around here?” Garrett’s voice rose, causing Cory to stop and face him.
“C’mon, Grandpa, you don’t need me around here. Perry’s doing just fine.” Without me.
Cory hadn’t realized just how much he wished he was involved in the ranch. Was it too late? Probably. He couldn’t work with Perry after last night, and he didn’t want to see Perry lose his job.
“Have you given any thought to what you’re doing after finals?” Garrett asked.
Cory sighed and set his tack down. His grandpa deserved his full attention for this. He pulled up a chair and sat. “I don’t know, Grandpa. I thought that I had an idea…a plan. I wanted to get more involved with the ranch. But I just don’t see how it can work anymore.” Being around Perry each and every day wasn’t likely to be easy.
“I thought it would be nice if you stayed here during the off-season for once. You know, we don’t talk about it much, but I’m not getting any younger. I can’t keep this place running without some help.”
“Isn’t that what you hired a ranch manager for? He seems to do a good job. You don’t need me around.” He couldn’t even say Perry’s name out loud. How would he ever face him in person?
“Perry can’t do everything. Your grandmother and I built this place from the ground up and ran it together for a long time. It took two of us. It took a partnership.”
Cory’s stomach rolled. “You might as well just forget that line of thinking. Perry and I aren’t a thing. We aren’t going to be a thing. We most certainly aren’t going to run this place together. Last night was…stupid. It was nothing. It’s not happening again.” Cory scrubbed his hands over his face. “God. I can’t believe I’m discussing this with you.”
Garrett lifted his hands in defeat. “All right. I can take a hint. Just…think about it, okay?” He stood and walked toward the door. “I know competing is important to you. And you’re good at it. Damn good. But I think you can make room in your life for competition and the ranch. And maybe something more.”
It was the first time that his grandpa had said he wanted Cory to take over the ranch. He’d hinted at it, but never stated it outright. For a moment, Cory let himself dream. He could restart the camp that they used to run. That was what he really wanted to do.
But he couldn’t do it alone, and he damn sure couldn’t work with Perry every day without being with him. Not whe
n he knew what Perry really thought of him. It would never work. And he wasn’t about to have him fired. Perry did a damn good job around here. The ranch was lucky to have him. He had done more for the place in the last few months than Cory had in the last few years.
No. There was no way Cory could take over the ranch. Not right now. Maybe someday. Until then, he would stick to traveling.
* * * *
Perry entered the barn in the early afternoon. It was about time he got started on the training session he had planned with the horses he was working with. He stopped short when he found Cory cleaning out Bug’s stall.
“What are you doing?”
Cory didn’t even look up at him, and Perry’s heart sank. He’d royally fucked things up this morning.
“You of all people should recognize work when you see it.”
“Cory, maybe you and I should talk.” Perry didn’t know what he was going to say, but he was pretty sure it was going to start with I’m sorry and end with please forgive me.
“We’ve said all we need to say.” Cory continued to clean out the stall until it was down to the bare dirt. Perry moved out of the way so Cory didn’t hit him with the wheelbarrow when he pushed it out into the hallway.
“I think maybe we’ve had a misunderstanding.”
Cory kept walking. “Yeah, I know. I completely misunderstood what was happening. You seem to have figured it out just fine.”
“Damn it, Cory, will you just fucking listen to me for a minute.” Perry followed Cory to the outside of the barn, feeling a bit foolish for chasing him just to have a conversation. But it was necessary, and he was willing to look like a fool.
Cory headed toward the pasture to empty the wheelbarrow and Perry stopped short at the sight of Cory’s truck and trailer hooked up and ready to head out of the driveway.
Once Cory returned with the empty wheelbarrow, Perry stood in front of him, blocking his way. “You’re leaving?” He searched Cory’s face for any indication that it wasn’t true. That he wasn’t leaving already. Not after last night.
