by Lynn Stark
Jace chuckled. “Call it anything you like, baby. Now, do you want more?”
Nodding, Merck lowered his head and began lapping up the beer as it ran over the man’s balls. He licked them, rubbing his tongue over the orbs within the soft sac, teasing his way upward even as the flow of beer stopped. The tip of his tongue slid upward, along the thick and twisting veins, to the flat triangle beneath the head. Jace jumped and moaned as he wrapped his fingers around the thick base of the shaft and began rubbing his tongue vigorously over the sensitive bundle of nerves. Strong fingers slid through his hair, holding him close, as he continued to love on the man’s cock. Merck wrapped his other hand around his own cock, stroking slowly, building the tension in his body. When he felt Jace’s cock harden he slid his mouth over the spongy head, engulfing it. A shout of pleasure filled his ears as hot cum splashed against the back of his throat. Swallowing quickly, he drank down every tangy jet of the creamy fluid.
“Fuck, baby, I think you’re trying to kill me.” The fingers which had held him now stroked over his ear and down along his jaw as his mouth slid upward along the softening length. Merck smiled and rested his head on a thigh, completely content. “Come here, baby,” Jace said. Merck raised his head, his amber gaze meeting his near-black one. “I want you here with me.”
A moment later Merck was straddling the other man’s lap. The wooden chair groaned in protest under their combined weight. Jace’s swiftly recovering cock pressed into the crack of his ass, making him tremble with anticipation. Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him close as a hungry mouth devoured his. His own cock was between them, hard, aching, needing a release.
When they parted they simply stared at one another. It was these moments when there was something of an unreal quality to the situation. Was it really this simple? Could two people just meet and fall in love?
“I love this. Holding you close, tasting you, feeling the heat of your skin on mine. But I think we should clean up and go to bed. A nice mattress beneath us will enhance the experience.”
A fist pounding on the back door startled them apart. Merck swore as he landed on his ass on the floor. If that wasn’t bad enough he landed in a puddle of beer. Swearing again as Jace laughed and held out a hand, he got to his feet, beer trickling down the backs of his legs.
“I’ll go see who it is. Get cleaned up, because I’m pretty sure they’re not wanting to see me.”
Jace pulled on his jeans, zipping them up as he walked toward the back door.
Merck grabbed his clothes and headed for the closest bathroom, which was just off the kitchen. He wiped the beer off and pulled on his jeans and shirt. Five minutes later he was pulling on his coat and boots, heading out to the bunkhouse. As he stomped through the melting snow he grumbled and cursed. He could be in bed right now, a fire going, music playing, and making the moves on Jace.
But no, he had to go talk to two idiot cowboys who’d decided to beat the living daylights out of each other. Frustrated, angry, Merck was ready to rip heads off by the time he got to the bunkhouse. It didn’t help that Jace tormented him with little pats to his ass as they walked side by side. The two involved in the fight had been separated and were in chairs on opposite sides of the main room. They were bloody and battered, eyes swelling, lips split, and clothes torn.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you two this time? Or is it just the same old shit?”
Neither man would look at him. Neither man spoke. Merck looked to Russell, who was in his red-and-black flannel pajamas and appeared as ready to kill the two men as he was. The way his gray hair was sticking up he guessed he had been woken from a sound sleep by the pair.
“I warned the two of you last time that if you got into a fight again, you’d be docked a week’s pay. Well, this is it.”
One of them finally spoke up. “Shit, Merck, I can’t afford to lose the money.”
“You should have thought of that before you got in a fight with Rick. It’s either lost wages or lost job. Your choice.” He looked around at the men in the room. “Anyone else have a problem with my rules?”
“No, boss.” It was said in unison. The second combatant hadn’t said a word, accepting his fate.
“Are there going to be any more problems tonight?”
“No, boss.”
“Good. Now settle down and let Russ get back to his beauty sleep. It looks like he could use it.”
The joke eased the tension. Rick and Sam, the second man involved in the right, got up and went in opposite directions. There were two large rooms at end of the bunkhouse, six beds in each. Fortunately the two didn’t share space.
As they were walking back to the house Jace pulled him close. “I think there’s something going on between those two.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. They started working here about the same time. It’s always tense between them.”
“Are they gay?”
“No clue. I don’t stick my nose into other people’s business and I expect the same kind of respect. If it doesn’t cause harm, I don’t get involved. I usually just let them work out their own problems.”
They went back into the house and locked the door. At least no one had walked in on them. The only reason why Dude had come up to the house was because the phone in the bunkhouse was out again and he had turned his cell phone off. It was just one more thing on the never-ending list of things to be done around the place.
“I think what you need is a hot shower and a little loving,” Jace told him, taking his coat and hat from him to hang them up with his. “Go on. I’ll get the lights.”
Merck went, eager to get back to what they had been planning before the untimely interruption. Stripping out of his clothes took mere seconds. He headed into the bathroom and went to the large shower to turn on the water. It didn’t take long for the water to heat up. He stepped in, hoping Jace wasn’t going to be long. There were a lot of things they could do in the shower and he was willing to try a few of them. Giving the man another blow job while the water splashed on them both would be really hot. Then maybe Jace could give him a blow job, same scenario. With his cock jerking with his thoughts, Merck didn’t know if he would last long. One touch from Jace might be all it took to send him over the edge.
When the steam-covered door opened his gaze went to what Jace held in his hands. In one hand was a length of black rope, the sight of which made his cock jerk. In the other was a rather intimidating butt plug from his toy collection. Heat swept over Merck and his heart began beating faster as he figured out just what Jace was planning.
He wasn’t wrong he discovered a moment later when Jace placed the butt plug on the shelf beside the bottle of waterproof lube, freeing up his hands to tie Merck’s wrists together.
They stared at one another when he had finished. “You don’t mind if I fuck you like this, do you?”
“Fuck no!” Merck replied, already feeling like a slut eager to bend over and have the thing jammed into him. “I want to play.”
“Good, I want to play, too.” The rope was tied to the bar. Then Jace was moving Merck’s body into the position he wanted it. His legs quivered as he anticipated his lover’s next move. A finger slid down into the cleft of his ass, finding his asshole and rimming it until he was pushing back, wanting more. “Do you want me to fuck your ass?”
“Yes, I want you to fuck my ass.”
With his own cock throbbing and his balls pulling up tight to his body, Merck knew it wouldn’t be long before he came. Just the dirty talk was enough to send him over the edge if Jace kept it up. He wrapped his fingers around the bar and held on as a lubed finger pressed its way into the tight ring of muscle. A moan of pleasure left his lips. Fire was flickering along his limbs. His nipples were tight, aching pebbles.
As if Jace knew what he needed a hand slid over his back then around to his chest. A nipple was caught, pinched, rolled, and then pulled. The sensation seemed to pull at other parts of his body. His cock jerked and wept droplets of pr
e-cum. His asshole tightened around the finger pushing deep inside him. Moaning, his hips moving, he pushed against the finger in his ass and pulled against the fingers holding his nipple.
It wasn’t long before Jace had his asshole stretched and was introducing the flexible, lifelike cock into his ass. The wide head popped past his sphincter. Merck shouted his pleasure, enjoying the burn, the sudden overwhelming sensation of being stretched to the limits. Once he had caught his breath Jace began fucking him with the toy, driving it deep before pulling it back until only the head remained within. His moans of pleasure filled the shower stall. His muscles began to tense. He was so close to losing his load as the man pegged his gland over and over. Then Jace pushed the toy all the way in, his asshole sliding shut around the narrow shaft near the flat base.
Jace stepped up behind him and grabbed him by the hips. His cock was jammed between Merck’s legs, rubbing his balls and along his own cock. Tied to the bar, stretched out across the shower, he was completely at his lover’s mercy as he began to fuck his cock against Merck’s. Each time Jace’s groin pushed against the butt plug it was shoved forward into his dark channel, pegging his prostate.
The pleasure was so intense Merck dazedly thought he just might pass out. The combination of sensations, the huge fake cock in his ass, the cock rubbing his own and his balls, the hand now in his hair and holding tight, were pushing him close to the edge of complete oblivion. He remembered just in time that he had passed out the night before and prayed he didn’t do it again.
“Jace, I…”
Too late. Merck came hard and fast, his body jerking violently. The man behind him wrapped his powerful arms around him, supporting him, as Jace followed him over the edge, shouting his pleasure, holding him up even as his own world spun with blinding pleasure. Twin streams of pearly cum jetted onto the wet tile floor as their balls emptied.
Merck was grateful for the man’s strength. Though he didn’t think he was going to pass out, his legs felt as wobbly as a newborn calf’s. His fingers cramped around the bar.
Firm lips were pressed between his shoulder blades. “You good, baby?”
“Yes,” he said weakly, laughing.
“Do you want this out?” The butt plug was played with.
“Not yet.”
A moment later his wrists were released with the single tug on the end of the rope. Jace turned him, pulling him close. Their sagging cocks nestled together. “You’re amazing,” he told Merck, his voice thick with emotion. “How did I get so lucky to meet such an incredible man?”
Once again Merck was equally amazed that he’d met Jace. He was everything anyone could ever want. And the man didn’t snore.
What would have happened if he hadn’t stopped in the town’s square to watch Piper and her pets? What if he hadn’t walked Ms. Bradley across the street?
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said finally, stroking his hands over muscled shoulders. “But I’m glad it happened.”
Jace kissed him long and hard, causing his toes to curl into the carpet. When he was released he grinned and left his lover standing beside the bed. He lit the fire and adjusted the screen in front of it. Then he was turning on the CD player, adjusting it so the music was soft and in no way intrusive. After that he was turning off the light and climbing into bed, waiting expectantly. Jace was there a moment later, pulling the blankets over them both before reaching for him. They held each other, muscular arms locked around strong bodies, warm breath caressing beard-shadowed jaws.
“You do know how to do sexy,” Jace said softly, kissing his ear.
“You don’t mind?”
“No. It’s perfect. And pretty soon we’ll have Piper here with us.”
Merck’s hand slid down over Jace’s back. “It’ll take more than wishes to get her here.”
“It’ll take some work, but we’ll get her here. We just have to show her what great guys we are.”
A short, humorless laugh escaped him. “Good luck with that. Now, what are you wanting to do with this?” he asked, finding Jace’s throbbing cock with a searching hand.
“I’m going to love you with it.”
And he did. One more magical, passionate night Merck would never forget.
Now if they could only figure out how to convince Piper that they were part of her future and her freedom.
Chapter Eight
Piper examined the store fronts closely, a sense of satisfaction and pride spreading through her. Silver’s Doggie Spa and Silver’s Pet Help Center were side by side. The doggie spa would cater to vacationers and residents wanting a secure place to leave their pets for a few hours a day. The pet help center would be there for those people needing advice or financial aid to care for their furry family member.
The amount of work she had done in the past few weeks was just mind-boggling. It was sad that all she had to compare it to was her life before arriving in Silver. Sure, there had been times when she had helped her mother with her charity work. But that had been her mother’s thing and she had never been made to feel as if she was even welcome to do it. When she tried to find other things to devote her time to her father had stepped in, all but putting a stop to anything which took her beyond the Barrow’s property line.
It had surprised her when he had allowed her to take on the cause of animal welfare, the treatment of rodeo animals in particular. It was a rough, tough world and Piper had ventured into it with the best of intentions. Even though the animals looked to be healthy, it was the reason behind their bucking which had disturbed her. Were they only trying to rid their backs of riders? Was there something someone was doing to encourage the intense bucking? She had been determined to find out. And it was no surprise when she had been met with cold suspicion and resistance by those in the rodeo world. She wasn’t the first to investigate their practices and she very much doubted she would be the last.
It had taken time but Piper had finally found a cowboy willing to show her the ropes, both figuratively and literally. Merck Rushton had taken her around, shown her the bulls and horses, the pens they were kept in, how they were moved, the ropes, saddles, and other equipment used on them.
While she was becoming reassured that the animals weren’t being abused it hadn’t been an instant thing. She had kept going back and now wondered if the reason had been more to do with the handsome and sexy stock contractor than her original mission.
Sighing, Piper took a last look at the new signs on the store fronts. They were, like every sign in and around Silver, rather understated. There was no flashy neon. There weren’t three-foot letters. There wasn’t even a curb sign. The signs were a rather calm blue with gold lettering. She liked them.
Going inside the doggie spa she walked through the security gate beyond the door to the waiting area, which was divided by a four foot wall and yet another gate and the welcome desk. It wouldn’t be a simple thing for a dog to just run out. All guests had to be leashed or in a carrier when brought in.
As she walked through to the first room she was again pleased with the end results. The open area in the middle was surrounded on three walls by what appeared to be shower stalls, with tempered glass doors. Inside each cubicle the floor was covered with durable, easily-cleaned carpet, a raised bed with an orthopedic pad and blanket, and stainless steel bowls for food and water.
Since the doggie spa would cater to pet owners at all financial levels, there were several larger pens which were very luxurious, including furniture covered with pet-resistant fabric, TVs for the pets who enjoyed, or were thought to enjoy, such a thing. Appropriate pet-rated shows would be provided. There was also a menu for the owners to choose their pet’s meals from and grooming services for those wanting it.
There were two large play areas inside and outside which would be utilized when the weather was mild enough for it. Piper walked around play areas. They were enclosed with welded, enamel-covered wire panels which were fixed to the ground. There was no way for a dog to push or dig under it. The tops we
re also covered with panels. There wouldn’t be any escapees over or under, she thought with a smile.
A poke on the leg reminded Piper that certain pets wanted their lunch. Bending down she scratched Sparkle behind the ear. The little pig grunted and ran off as fast as her little legs would carry her. Unlike a great many of the popular small pigs, Sparkle was not overweight. Some owners thought they should just feed their pig anything it wanted to eat, or that they were supposed to be fat to be happy. Some pigs were so overweight the joints in their legs were being destroyed. Others had health issues that could have been avoided by a careful, controlled diet.
Sparkle ran ahead of her into the spa as she opened the door. She went into the office and began nosing the door of the locked cabinet which held her pellets. They went into the dish, as did carrot chunks.
Piper sat down in the chair by the desk, smiling as she watched Sparkle crunch enthusiastically. Charm had chosen to stay home. Their new house had a window which looked out over the garden where there was a lot of bird activity. It had become the “to be” place in the house. It also was sunny so Piper had placed a towel for her cat to nap on. Mindy had chosen to try out one of the new guest enclosures, sleeping under a blanket on a tiny cot. She guessed that as far as product testing went, it was a success.
When the phone rang she looked at the caller ID. Her lips pressed together. It was her father again. He had located her during her second week in Silver. She wasn’t surprised that he had done so. And she wasn’t surprised that he was calling daily to try to convince her to return home, where, he stated in that unemotional, implacable way of his, she belonged.
Piper ignored the phone. Standing, she picked up her purse and her jacket. It was the beginning of June but the air off the mountains could be chilly at times. Waiting for Sparkle to finish getting a drink to rinse down her pellets and carrots, she sighed with relief when the phone finally stopped ringing.
