by Andrew Grey
Robert kissed him harder, finding a nipple with his fingers and tweaking it gently, sending a jolt of pleasure racing up Zeke’s spine. He moaned softly, arching his back, scraping his boots on the ground in a desperate need for purchase, grinding his hips upward, cock throbbing in his jeans. He needed more, wanted to feel more, taste more of Robert. Each touch sent him higher, and when Robert worked his belt open, then popped the top of his jeans, his breath flew from his lungs. Robert slipped his hand inside and over his cock, taking Zeke in his hot grip, making his head spin.
“Robert…,” Zeke gasped, but Robert only kissed him harder, stealing his ability to speak. Zeke quivered as Robert gripped him tighter. He loved how Robert was so damn giving, driving him wild without worrying about himself. For the last couple of years, sex had been quick and rather selfish—get off and then get out and back on your way. It hadn’t been loving or tender.
Robert slipped down his zipper and drew him out into the air, stroking as he kissed him harder. Robert pulled away and hummed happily before taking him deep inside wet heat.
Zeke gripped the grass, tearing at it as Robert sucked him hard and long, lips tugging and pulling as he moved along his shaft. Damn, Zeke wasn’t sure how long he was going to last, though this felt too good to go fast. He wanted this sensation and care to last forever, but even thinking unsexy thoughts didn’t work. Robert overwhelmed them, shooting them away each time he took Zeke deep. Zeke gave himself over, groaning softly as Robert added ecstasy on top of pleasure, sending him flying until he could hold back no more.
After, he didn’t want to move. Zeke was happy and as loose and satiated as he could ever remember being. He kept his eyes closed, the breeze blowing over his skin. God, he could stay here forever.
“You alive in there?”
“Yes,” Zeke answered without cracking his eyes open. “Give me a minute and I’ll….”
Robert put a finger to his lips. “This isn’t a tit-for-tat kind of thing.” He kissed him, Zeke’s own flavor bursting on his lips. Robert dueled with his tongue, and Zeke wound his arms around Robert’s neck, holding him tight as their kisses became languid and gentle.
“I think my brains turned to mush.” Along with his backbone. Moving seemed like such an effort, so he lay still, holding Robert, listening to his soft breathing.
“You and I need to get back to work,” Robert said without moving. “There’s still a lot of fence to check.”
Zeke couldn’t argue with him, but he was content where he was, and things like the rodeo and people getting hurt seemed so far away. Going back meant dealing with things he’d rather stayed far away from him. But that wasn’t practical, and running away from stuff wasn’t really his style.
“Yeah, we should,” Zeke agreed, but he didn’t move either. “People think working on a ranch gives you plenty of time for peace and quiet.”
Robert placed his hand in the center of Zeke’s chest. “Those only come from here.” He patted gently and then kissed him before sitting up. “We should go. The last thing I want is your dad wondering where we are and what we’ve been doing on my first full day of work.”
Zeke slowly got up and put himself back together. They stored their supplies and mounted the horses to head off to check the rest of the fence line.
They rode side by side, companionably, talking quietly as they checked the condition of the fence, spending hours together, just the two of them in the saddle. Things didn’t get much better than that. But Zeke knew it was borrowed time, with plenty on the horizon to break their peace.
Chapter 5
ROBERT WAS danged sore after spending most of the day in the saddle. He hadn’t spent that kind of time on a horse in quite a while, and his legs ached. By dinnertime he was so stiff, he could barely move. Samuel looked at him sideways as he gingerly put his butt in the chair, but Robert was not going to complain at all. He wished the seat was something other than wood, but he ate and kept his mouth shut, waiting for the ibuprofen he’d taken to kick in.
“You did good today,” Samuel said between bites.
Zeke exchanged glances with Robert and then returned to eating. Robert knew something was going on between the two of them, but he wasn’t sure what. They didn’t talk much, and even though Zeke had said his dad was distant, the tension in the air bordered on uncomfortable. Robert glanced to Zeke again, but he shrugged like he didn’t understand what was going on either. But something definitely had Samuel on edge. If Robert knew him better, he’d say the man was scared and trying to hide it, but he couldn’t be sure. This wasn’t the same guy who’d come over to talk to him at the bar.
“What do you need tomorrow?” Zeke asked Samuel.
Samuel ignored the question. “I’m going into town and I’ll be gone all morning.” He finished eating and stood, his chair scraping on the floor. Without another word, he went down the hall and into what Robert assumed was an office and closed the door.
“That went well,” Zeke said as he pushed his empty plate back with a clatter of silverware.
Robert ate the last of his chicken and rice. Zeke had done the cooking, and it was quite good. It was his turn to try to make something tomorrow, and he hoped it tasted as good as this had.
“I have no idea what’s bothering him, but he’s worried over something.” Zeke took his dishes to the sink and returned for Robert’s when he finished.
“Let me help you,” Robert offered.
“No. You go out and walk a little, keep those legs limber. If you don’t, by tomorrow morning you won’t be able to move.” Zeke started filling the sink with water.
“But you cooked,” Robert protested. Zeke waved him off, so Robert gingerly got to his feet. He should have known better than to spend that much time in the saddle right off the bat, and his legs were reminding him of it with each step he took. But he’d been excited to be on a horse again. He had forgotten how much he missed it.
Robert went outside and to his cabin to hunt up a pair of old gym shorts. He put them on, groaning as his chafed legs breathed a sigh of relief. Then he went back out into the evening air. Robert walked slowly to the barn and checked that the horses were set for the night. Then he left, closing the door. The sun was just about to set, and shadow ruled the valley. He continued walking just to keep his legs limber, heading around the back of the house.
The ranch had a number of buildings, and Robert poked his head in each of them to see what they were. The first held two four-wheelers that were dusty. Robert wasn’t sure if they ran, but it would be fun to ride on one of those. He closed the door, continuing on. One building was little better than a ruin, and another was used as hay storage. Robert needed to speak with Zeke about it and adjust his inventory. That is, if the hay wasn’t old or rotten. Horses had to have good-quality feed if they were to stay healthy. Robert latched the door closed and walked to the last shed. It was bigger than the others and the paint was recent and bright. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed it before and figured it must have been because it was way in the back. He tugged at the door and found it locked. Curious why this was locked and nothing else on the ranch was, he walked around to the side to peer in the window.
“Robert,” Zeke called sharply, and he moved around the building until he saw Zeke striding toward him. “What are you doing way back here? It’s getting dark.” His voice held a nervous edge as he got closer, breathing more heavily than usual.
“I was just looking,” Robert answered as innocently as he could. If Samuel and Zeke had chosen to lock that building, it was really none of his business. Though he couldn’t help wondering what Zeke and his dad were hiding. He decided not to ask, explaining about the hay and the four-wheelers instead.
“We’ll check out the hay in the morning. I bet Dad put it there when the loft was full and forgot it was there.” Zeke patted him on the back. “I think the four-wheelers run. They did last year, but they’ll probably need some looking at.”
“Do you have someone who does that?” Ro
bert asked.
Zeke held his arms out. “You’re looking at him. I keep all the equipment running.” He grinned. “It’s one of my hidden talents. Though I haven’t had much time to work on things lately.”
“Well, then, why don’t I work on the other things that need to be done around here, while you get the four-wheelers running? That way some tasks can be done more quickly. The horses and barn are in good shape, and the herd is safe, though I think I heard wolf cries last night.”
“Dad used to keep dogs,” Zeke said, shaking his head. “Just another thing I need to add to my list. Maybe I’ll ask around to see if anyone has any pups.” He yawned, and Robert turned away as Samuel called Zeke from the back door. Zeke trudged off, and Robert figured it was time to go in. Full dark was descending, and the sun rose early enough.
He had just reached the door to his cabin when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, groaning softly at the name on the display. “Hey, Glenn,” he said, going inside, a jab of pain shooting up his leg. “Damn….”
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? You better not be or Barry is going to have kittens.” Damn, Glenn was off the rails.
“Just sore. Don’t get your panties in a twist. I spent too much time on a horse.” Robert rolled his eyes, closing the door. “I need you to call my parents. They want to go to Paris. Help them make any arrangements they need, please. Put it on my card.” He’d needed to tell him before he forgot.
“Okay,” Glenn said, probably making notes. “Are you getting anything written? Barry is interested in your new material.”
Robert huffed. “I’ve been gone less than a week and he’s already harping.” He tamped down his frustration. “The music is starting again. I haven’t written anything new yet, but I’m hoping it’s a matter of time. If I need anything, I’ll call.”
“Where are you now?” Glenn asked.
“Out west on a ranch.” Robert smiled. “I got me a job.”
Glenn coughed, and Robert jerked the phone away from his ear when Glenn’s smacked the floor. “You what? How can you do that without being recognized? What did you do?” The questions came quickly as panic rose in Glenn’s voice.
“I cut my hair and shaved. Hell, I didn’t recognize myself when I looked in the mirror.” Robert smiled as Glenn released a long groan. “Don’t tell Barry. He doesn’t need to know, and he’ll treat this like a diplomatic incident. It’s my appearance and I can change it any time I damned well please.” Robert was about to end this call. This was why he’d needed a break. These people were way too up in his business all the damn time.
A knock on the door made him jump slightly, and he lowered his voice. “I need to go. Tell Barry I’m fine and will call soon.” Robert hung up and opened the door. Zeke looked at him strangely, and Robert wondered if Zeke had heard him on the phone. He hoped not. The last thing he wanted was Zeke wondering about him and who he was. For a second he felt guilty for holding back on Zeke and Samuel. They’d been nice to him. But he was well aware that if they knew who he was, they’d likely tell someone, even accidentally, and the ranch would be swarmed with fans and he’d have to leave like some thief in the night. He liked it here, and it was good for him and his musical soul. Robert had no doubt about that.
“I thought I’d….” Zeke’s gaze landed on Robert’s phone. “If you’re busy or are in the middle of something….”
Robert shook his head and set his phone aside. Hopefully Glenn and Barry would leave him alone for a while. “No. Come on in.” He didn’t want to think about phone calls, tours, or anything else at the moment.
Zeke closed the door, and instantly the rest of the world fell away.
“Can I get you something?” Robert went to the small refrigerator, pulled out a couple of beers, and handed one to Zeke before slowly sitting on the sofa. His legs were killing him, and those muscles were as tight as a drum and only getting tighter. He knew he was in for one hell of a rough night.
“You should have said something today. There’s no need to hurt yourself,” Zeke told him as he raised his beer bottle. Robert did the same. They clinked and then drank, the beer cold and going down smoothly—too smoothly, because it tasted like more, and getting drunk was not a good idea, even if it made the pain go away.
The day’s work was catching up to him fast. Robert settled in a position that didn’t feel like shit, and the ache in his legs receded after a few minutes, so he didn’t move, afraid the pain would return. “You want another?” Robert asked, hoping Zeke would get them.
“Sure.” Zeke got them and returned.
They sat together, drinking, and Robert put his head back. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat with someone, not talking, just being in the same room. That never happened. Everyone wanted something from him or needed his attention, constantly. His life with others was noise on top of noise, and it got to him after a while.
Robert had drunk most of the beer when his bladder started calling. He got up, wincing with each step as he made his way to the bathroom.
By the time he was done and had returned to where Zeke stood waiting for him, he could only walk stiff-legged, feeling like Frankenstein’s monster. Zeke handed him his beer, and Robert drank the rest. He wasn’t sure how he was going to sleep at all.
“Come on.” Zeke took the bottles and set them next to the sink. Then he held Robert’s hand and led him to the bedroom. He left him a minute and returned with a couple of aspirin and a glass of water. “Take these. They’ll help.”
Robert was past thinking at the moment. He downed the pills and handed Zeke back the glass. It hurt to move, and bending over was an impossibility. Robert closed his eyes, willing the pills to do their work.
Zeke tugged Robert’s shirt out of his shorts and pulled it up over his head. A chill raced through him as his skin encountered the air. He kept his eyes closed as Zeke stroked his chest and down his belly, sending flutters of heat racing through him. Robert honestly didn’t know if he was up for any sort of amorous activity tonight. The pain in his legs seemed to overpower even Zeke’s almost magic ministrations, even when Zeke tugged at the waistband of his shorts. The cotton slid down Robert’s legs, and Zeke helped him get his shoes off. Robert rocked from side to side to get the fabric off before Zeke led him to the bed.
“Lie down on your belly.”
Robert gritted his teeth and got onto the bed. He lay down, stretching out his legs and sighing as the pain subsided. He wished it would go away and thought about getting some more alcohol to dull his mind and give the pain a chance to dissipate.
He started slightly when Zeke ran his hand up his calf. He gritted his teeth and clamped his eyes closed as deft fingers stroked his skin and muscle, coaxing it to release the tension it held. Robert breathed shallowly as pain spiked and then eased, bathing his mind in near euphoria. He held still as Zeke worked his way upward, the muscles loosening slowly, the pain receding to a dull ache. “God, that’s intense… but good.”
Zeke tugged his briefs down, and Robert lifted his hips, putting himself in Zeke’s magical hands. The second leg got the same treatment, and by the time Zeke reached his ass once again, Robert’s heart pounded and then evened out as the pain diminished further. Long strokes followed, all the way up and down his legs and inner thighs, and he spread them apart, Robert opening himself to Zeke. “That’s it.” He worked Robert’s left leg, stroking slowly, gliding up and down his skin, wisping over his balls before pulling away.
Robert sighed long and low as music played in his head, soft and languid, a single guitar playing quietly, the melody taking root deep in his brain, Zeke pulling it out of him. Robert sighed in tune to the music in his mind, swallowing, his body letting go of the pain as Zeke continued working his legs.
“Oh God,” Robert groaned as Zeke’s fingers slid up his inner thighs to his ass, spreading the cheeks, ghosting along his cleft and then away once again. He continued rubbing, and Robert stretched out, letting Zeke have his way.
Zeke’s hands kneaded his butt, sending waves of relief washing over his legs as well. Robert whimpered as the pain receded further, pleasure blocking out what was left. Then Zeke’s lips and tongue joined his hands, adding pleasure on top of relief, and Robert quivered and rocked his hips, sliding his cock against the bedding. This was amazing, and when Zeke spread his cheeks to probe his opening, Robert gripped the bedding as a bone-deep ache for more washed over him. Robert pushed back against him, waves of heat rippling through his body as Zeke gripped his cheeks, burying his face between them.
“Zeke, I….” Robert shook like a leaf, holding the bedding in an attempt to keep it together as Zeke’s tongue sent him to ecstasy.
He pulled away, and Robert groaned softly, wishing for more.
“Roll over,” Zeke whispered, and Robert complied without thought. Zeke slicked his hands with lotion and stroked Robert’s aching thighs.
“That’s so good.” He was damn near on fire already, and Zeke continued stoking the flame. He leaned close, his hot breath on Robert’s cock, making it jump with anticipation. Robert needed relief and squirmed his hips to try to get it even as Zeke continued his massage. “Teasing is so mean.”
Zeke snickered softly. “I’m not teasing you.” He leaned in to run his tongue along Robert’s shaft.
He clamped his eyes closed, losing himself in the ecstasy of touch and care. “That’s what it feels like,” Robert moaned softly.
“Then I’ll have to see to that.” Zeke closed his lips around him, sucking him deeply. Robert whimpered and thrust his hips upward. “Lie still,” Zeke said, letting Robert’s cock slip away. “You need to promise me you’ll lie right there, still, and not move. Relax. You can’t undo all my work.”
