Love Is Proud

by JMS Books Authors

  “So what’ve you been up to?”

  “Oh, God, I’m sorry. I thought I had been really subtle and all this time you were thinking I wanted to dump you?”

  “Come on, give.”

  Jamie pulled back and Ryan looked up at him although he stayed in the circle of his arms. “I have been organising a celebration.”

  “Why? What sort of celebration?”

  “A celebration of us. The barbeque at my mum’s house. I’ve invited all my friends, all my family, all your friends and family.”

  Ryan put his hands on Jamie’s shoulders and pushed back a little. “What the hell for? And how are all those people going to fit in your mother’s back garden?”

  “I want to show you off and it isn’t really at my mum’s, it will be at The Meadows. We’ve been together a year and I thought…well, I thought…”

  Ryan was fairly sure his jaw was hanging open. “Huh?” the Meadows was a huge, fancy restaurant and hotel about half an hour away.

  “I want to celebrate us. Our first year together. I…I love you, too. I don’t always show it and I don’t always…let people see. I want everyone to know that you are the man that I love. I love you. Wonderful you. Exactly as you are. Blue hair and eyeliner and all.” He paused and touched Ryan’s cheek. “God, I love your eyeliner.”

  Ryan’s eyes were wet and his throat hurt. His jaw worked. “Eyeliner, huh?”

  “Yeah. Eyeliner.”

  “I’ve actually got us a table booked for tonight.” Jamie’s voice was soft.

  “Well.” Ryan cleared his throat and sniffed. “Well. I’ll put the lettuce away.”

  When he spoke, Jamie’s voice was gentle, unsure. “I thought that…I have something to ask you. I…well, depending on what you say we might have something else to celebrate?”

  Ryan’s heart was beating so hard he could hardly breathe. He nodded and didn’t attempt to stop the tear that escaped, smudging his eyeliner as it went.

  * * * *

  ABOUT RUBY MOONE

  Ruby lives in the north west of England. In school she was told she would never get anywhere if she didn’t stop daydreaming. Eventually she started to write down the daydreams, and voilà! The beautiful men in her head came to life. Ruby writes Regency and contemporary gay romance. For more information, visit rubymoone.com.

  The Riderless Horse by H.D. Nels

  I liked my spot in the bar. It had been mine practically since the place opened. Sure there were times when some poor soul would wander and plant his ass in my spot. Usually he would wither and scurry off under the scrutiny of my glare. Dakota just chuckled and figured I’d take the misguided soul home and have my wicked way with him.

  One early spring evening I stopped in after my shift rotation and parked myself on my usual perch. Dakota brought over my brew of choice and absently placed it in front of me. No greeting or fanfare, no hey handsome, good to see you. He treated me as if I was just another customer. It took while and a couple of shots of Sambuca—for Dakota, not me—before he finally opened up. He told me how The Cuir prided itself on involvement in the gay community and Dakota, one of the owners, went all out to participate in things like Pride, sponsoring the gay men’s choir, and putting a team in the rodeo. His breath hitched when he mentioned the rodeo. Our city hosted an annual gay rodeo which was part of the international gay rodeo circuit. The major gay bars in town all entered teams. Only a few short days ago one the regulars, a true hottie, pulled out for reasons known only to him and his new beau named Beau. Dakota had a very short window to replace Tyler or forfeit his team’s participation. We sat while I provided comfort and soon a sinister smile spread over his face. Dakota poured me a shot, then a second. He had a wide grin and called Wes, a young bartender, over to join us. He whispered something and the man’s face lit up with a huge smile. Dakota brought one more shot and then went to tend to other patrons. Every time he spoke at a table, collective pairs of eyes wandered my way and a few men nodded.

  I was feeling the shots and wanted to get some idea of what was going down. Wes beamed, clapped me on the back and brought over a black muscle shirt with bold white letters. CUIR TEAM 2016—G.R.R.R. with the acronym spelled out below in smaller white font below, Gay Rockies Rodeo Roundup. I shook my head briefly until Tina walked up and wrapped a python of an arm around my shoulders. She was a big woman, part-owner of the bar and, from what I’ve been told, fluently bi-sexual. “You’re our home team hero. You’ve saved us from losing face, especially to that bunch of bangers at Boyzwalk. Come out back with me and Wes. We’ll explain the events we’re in and who you’re teamed up with. Take your shirt off and put on the team uniform.”

  I walked behind in a daze, peeling off my shirt and wondering when I’d lost control of the evening. I heard a few wolf whistles and hoots and grinned. I’m six-two, one ninety, and being a firefighter I work out hard, so I know I earned the admiration of the drunk crowd. I listened carefully as Tina explained our events. We were in the Barrel Race, Flag Race, Goat Dressing, and the Wild Drag Race. I can’t believe I actually giggled when they explained each event. That sentiment faded when they informed me that I was going to be in drag in that three-person event. My heart did a thump so loud I’m sure Dakota could hear it from the main bar when an absolutely gorgeous man walked in with four beer bottles in one hand and four shots in the other. He flashed a wide smile at me and distributed the drinks.

  “Todd, this is your rodeo partner, Riley Simms. Riley, Todd Brooks. Riley is going to be your guide and instructor for the arena events. He’s got acreage just south of town. You’re going to be spending all your free time together and I don’t want to hear of you doing anything except practice.” She narrowed her eyes and glared at us both. “I’ve heard of some of your activities, so once more, for the record—this is not a hookup. The Cuir is going to come out on top.” She whipped her head around to Wes when he snickered. “You got something to say, young buck?”

  Wes laughed. “Speaking of tops, how in heck are two devoted alpha males going to do anything besides practice? I mean, look at them. Aside from Todd giggling like a schoolgirl a few minutes ago, two more butch males were never made.”

  Riley flashed that wide grin at me once again. “If I can teach him to be a rodeo star I sure as heck can guide him toward the dark side of man-love. Besides, I hear he’s hung so much that even if I wasn’t a total top I’d run screaming.”

  I wondered who was spreading rumors about my private parts but figured we should get back to the program. Even in my drunken haze I knew I had serious work ahead of me if I was going to be a serious contender. I thanked all that’s mighty that I was starting my four day break. I’d have to book the long weekend off, but that wouldn’t be a problem. I needed to survive the morning’s hangover first.

  * * * *

  The sunlight streaming through my bedroom window bore holes through my eyelids and forced me reluctantly awake. I remembered enough from the bar to know that I was driving to Riley’s by noon to meet my horse and get started on training. I already had my water and ibuprofen the previous night so my head wasn’t pounding. I didn’t usually drink much, but the shock of my role as backup cowboy and the drinks it took to get me there was the exception.

  Once again I was dazzled by the wide smile and stunning good looks that greeted me when I got to Riley’s. I barely noticed the Heinz 57 with his nose buried in my crotch.

  “Go on Scratch, get away—find your own bone, that one’s mine. Go, shoo!” He gestured with his hat and Scratch scampered off. “Sorry ‘bout that, Todd. I never got around to teaching manners to the critters here. We’ll all behave while you learn to rodeo over the next four months.” Riley put his hands on his hips and looked me up and down. “Got any western gear? Those jeans are nice but not practical for what we’re going to put them through. You’re used to wearing a uniform, but cowboy gear is a bit different. Let’s go to town and get the whole thing over with in one shot.” We walked to his truck since my motorcycl
e was less suited for two fully grown males who were about to be laden with shopping bags.

  “Jeans show off your package nice. I like the belt and buckle you picked. That Stetson fits you just right. The real issue is the boots. You have to make sure they fit properly—don’t go for looks alone. They need to be comfortable.”

  We got me decked out and even I was impressed when I saw myself in the mirror. I needed to get a bit of formal wear as well for the dinner and ceremony that would follow the event. Riley tried a few times to get me to buy a set of chaps. He mentioned that they were not only practical for riding, either my bike or his horse, but I’d look hot wearing nothing but them. My dick twitched a bit at the thought of him seeing me next to naked, but I was there to prepare for the rodeo.

  We got back to his place and the next stop was the stable to meet my mount. The only time I ever rode was on a trail ride in Banff where the horses were so gentle it seemed they were plodding along in their sleep. Riley had a few very fine-looking animals but he led me directly to one.

  “Todd, meet Beaumont. He’s a frisky quarter horse but aside from his mischievous streak, he really is a gentle beast. Let him smell your hand, maybe give him a carrot or two.” He handed me a couple of them and when I held one out on my palm, Beaumont nudged the back of my hand and happily munched on the carrot from the floor. I squinted. “Fool me once…” I held the second carrot the same way but with the leafy top trapped between my index finger and thumb. He tried his trick again, but when it didn’t work he picked the carrot off my palm and made short work of it. My lessons included mucking his stall and grooming him. I learned how to saddle him, how to mount and dismount, and how to guide him.

  By the end of my days off, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing him and Riley again. My six day rotation was a speed bump on the road to the rodeo. “Hey Riley, your horse is being an asshole.” I nudged Beaumont with my heels but he refused to move.

  “Ever try to walk while you’re having a pee? Beau is just emptying his bladder. Patience grasshopper, he’ll move along as soon as he’s done.” I blushed a bit, thinking about how impatient I was with the beautiful animal.

  * * * *

  I got through my shift rotation and began my four day break. The plan was for the entire Cuir team to meet at the bar. We hadn’t all met yet, so it was decided we’d go early the following morning to give us time to chat before the bar opened. Beaumont was a bit belligerent when I got there later in the evening. Riley explained that the horse had gotten used to me being there for four days, and then missed me for six.

  “You’re welcome to come by when your shifts end, just so you can spend more time around the livestock. Heck, bring your gear and stay over—my intentions are purely honourable.”

  I snorted. “Your intentions are to convert me to a moaning bottom. Throw in the horse and a rodeo just to distract me, but I can see right through your plan, mister.”

  “Yep, guilty as charged. But I also want to win a rodeo, and your horse wants to spend more time with you. He got good taste in man-flesh I might add. I like watching you two play your games of showmanship. Beau likes to think he’s in charge, you as the human, have to convince him you’re the boss.”

  I grinned. “Maybe I should just show him my dick. That might help him realize he’s less of a man than me. I mean less of a horse.”

  “Maybe you should just show it to me instead of scaring the wildlife. If what I heard is true, perhaps I shouldn’t have enrolled us in the wet whitey contest.”

  “What exactly is a wet whitey contest? Or do I even want to know, and maybe you should fill me in on what other events I’ll be in?”

  Riley walked to his bedroom and came back carrying white briefs underwear. “You wear only these, stand in a tub on stage at the bar, and someone dumps a bucket of warm water over you. The audience then picks a winner.” He grinned. “Maybe we should do a few practice runs here. Put them on and meet me in the bathroom.”

  He informed me that we were in the line dancing and two-step competitions as well. Since I had two left feet I knew I would need more coaching for those events. I was liking this guy more and more. There was personality behind all those gorgeous looks. I felt as if I’d known him for years.

  We went through each racing routine over and over. For the flag racing, I had to ride Beaumont to a barrel and pluck a flag from a bucket of oats, ride around a post and deposit it in another bucket, then ride through the same pattern back to the start. In the beginning there was a bit of an issue.

  “Hey Riley, your horse is being an asshole again. He won’t go anywhere and I’m sure he’s not having a marathon pee again.”

  Riley laughed. “No, he’s not, but I’ve been watching. You know to give directions by gently pulling on the reins if you want him to go left or right. You also know to give him signals with your knees and thighs when you’re working. You tugged on his rein to go right but nudged him with your left thigh. He got mixed messages. Horses can’t be assholes, that gift is only reserved for humans. They only want clear direction and will only behave the way a horse can.”

  We started off at a trot, worked up to a canter, and then a full-on gallop. We got good at that and I learned that, unlike riding my motorcycle, I had to keep myself aligned with Beaumont’s spine. If I leaned while we were doing the barrel race, it would cause him to lose his centre of gravity and cost us valuable time. Knees and thighs did the steering and that magnificent creature knew how to bring the best out of me.

  * * * *

  It was close to rodeo time and I knew I had to let my family know I wouldn’t be joining them on their annual camping holiday over the long weekend. Although I had been out on my own for a decade, we always spent the long weekend together. I asked if I might bring a guest to Sunday dinner and invited Riley along. I had spent many nights at his house, but I always slept in a guest room. We both felt it would be safer since neither of us did the bottom thing. Every night I fell asleep with a raging hard-on, knowing that handsome man was only a short distance away. I tried really hard not to stain the sheets as I jacked off to the fantasy of having him in my arms.

  We arrived to a typical prime rib dinner and plenty of family. Both of my grandmothers were regulars. Nana was Dad’s mother and grandma was Mom’s mom. Both grandfathers had been gone for years. Introductions were done and Riley was made to feel right at home. I knew that would be the case. We tucked into the meal and once dessert was demolished and coffee poured, I broke the news.

  “I can’t join you this year on the camping trip. I promised to fill in for someone at the rodeo in Strathmore.” I looked around the table for reactions, but Dad just shrugged and commented that it wasn’t a big deal as long as I was going to have fun. I never told them it was the gay rodeo, and I never told them I was gay. In fact, only the folks at The Cuir knew that about me.

  I offered Riley my hospitality for the night since it was late and he had a long drive ahead of him. He accepted and soon we were in my living room. I cracked us a couple of beers and sat beside him on my sofa. After almost four months of near constant contact I knew I was fucked. I had no idea how he felt, but I was head over heels in love with the man. He was as handsome tonight as he had been the first day we met. I sucked in air when he reached his arm behind me and rested it over my shoulders. His hand played absently with my bicep and I felt my cock filling with blood. I glanced over at him to see his eyes closed and a contented smile on his face.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m beat. I don’t even want this beer.” He turned his head to face me and I couldn’t resist. I leaned forward and kissed those beautiful full lips. He opened his eyes and smiled.

  “I think bed is an excellent idea.” He stood and held his hand out. I took his hand and led him to my bedroom. Thankfully, I’d made the bed and cleaned my room. I looked into his incredible hazel eyes and felt myself drawn in. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him again. I slowly unbuttoned his shirt and smiled as I dropped it on my d
resser. I undid his belt, opened the button on his jeans, and tugged the zipper down. I felt like a sneak when I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of his underwear and pulled it all down and off. His cock was a thing of beauty—long, thin, and intact. I slid the skin back so I could admire the smooth head. I wanted that beauty in my mouth. He distracted me when he repeated the process and soon I was equally naked. He looked at my cock, shrugged, and said, “Okay, so it is a monster. I know it has a heart of gold.” He glanced at my face. “If you get an erection, will you faint from loss of blood to your brain?”

  I snorted. “Shut up and do something before I spill before we begin.”

  Two devoted tops became curious bottoms that evening. It took a while, but with slow, meticulous effort, Riley was able to tame the beast. We even did a sixty-nine and swallowed every drop.

  * * * *

  Finally, the rodeo was upon us. I was going to rent a camper trailer, but Riley decided he wanted to tent. We got a spot in the middle of a meadow, surrounded by a billion like-minded campers. We went to the stable to look after our mounts. I think I was as much taken by Beaumont as I was with his owner. Riley was over at the next stall loving his mare, Wilma. We got settled in, registered, and met up with our team mates. Laura and Gina were our partners in crime. For the wild drag race, it would be Gina and Riley as regular people and me in drag. We just had to convince a twelve-hundred-pound steer that he needed to get across the arena, over a line, and then, with me on its back, turn back to the chutes and step over the line. It wasn’t the steer that worried me; it was the drag they were going to put me in. My grandma wouldn’t have worn a dress so shabby, and the red wig with a pair of buns on either side made me look like a Satan-wannabe.

  The first day consisted of rodeo event training for those who weren’t competing but wanted to get an idea of what was going on. I watched a twink as he tried to mount a pony to do rides around the ring. He wasn’t a child, probably early twenties. I made a comment along the lines that he might want to try a pony with training wheels. He looked at me horrified and I immediately felt like an ass.