by Carol Lynne
“Maybe,” Hal agreed.
“At the very least, I think you owe it to Casey to let him know what he’s up against.” Gill walked over to get the next sheet of wallboard.
Hal wondered if he could tell Casey about his past? He honestly didn’t know. He’d tried over the years to forget that time in his life, only clinging to the hatred he’d felt as a way of remembering.
Gill hoisted the sheet into place and Hal resumed his place on the chair. He had another couple of hours before he could see Casey, so he might as well use the time wisely. Thinking of Casey had his cock perking up. Hal tried to suppress his thoughts, knowing Gill was at crotch level and wouldn’t appreciate it.
Forty minutes later, Hal’s cell phone rang. He put the hammer in his tool belt and answered. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Kyle Brynn. Uh, from Brynn’s Bakery. I wanted to call and express my sympathies for Reverend Sharp’s condition. Even though I can’t really help with the construction, I felt I needed to do something. I’ve made up some donuts and hoped you could spare someone to pick them up.”
Hal knew Kyle was in a wheelchair and didn’t drive much. He had a handicapped equipped delivery van, but he rarely left his building. “That’s very thoughtful of you. It’s just me and Gill right now, and he’s getting ready to go open the station, but I’ll figure something out.”
“Okay, well, they’ll be waiting. Um, I’m sorry if I gave Reverend Sharp the impression I didn’t like him. I’ve been down lately, and unfortunately it seems others have suffered for my mood.”
Hal thought if anyone had a reason to be down it was Kyle. The fact the man was trying to make amends touched Hal. “Think nothing of it. I appreciate the sentiment though.”
After saying goodbye, Hal hung up. “That was Kyle. He’s got some donuts for someone to pick up and bring over.”
“I’ll do it,” Gill volunteered.
Hal looked at his watch. “By the time you get there and back, you’ll be late opening the station.”
“So, I don’t think the boss’ll dock my pay.” Gill winked, shrugging into his coat.
“Thanks.”
A few minutes after Gill left, Shepard Black strolled through the door followed by two men Hal had seen in town but didn’t know. “Morning,” Shep said. “I brought a few of my ranch hands with me to help for a bit.” He gestured to the two men, “This is Rance, and this young guy is my newest hand, Jeremy.”
“Any help is appreciated,” Hal said, shaking the new worker’s hands. “I know you have your own ranch to tend to. I’d like to get you all started and then slip away for a few minutes to check on Casey.”
Shep nodded, and the four of them got to work. Almost thirty minutes later, Gill finally walked in with two big boxes of donuts. After thanking Gill and waving him out the door, the men took a short break. Hal started a fresh pot in the coffeemaker Casey had thoughtfully brought over the previous week.
As they ate a couple of donuts and sipped the hot beverage, Shep turned toward him. “How far are you expecting to get before Christmas Eve?”
“Huh?” Hal wondered what exactly the man was talking about.
“On the room,” Shep chuckled.
“Oh, well, Casey and I had hoped to have at least the sheetrock up and the kitchen cabinets in, but I’d like to get it totally finished. Now that it seems I have more help I don’t think it’s an unreachable goal.” Actually, he thought it was quite possible they could have the entire room complete. Hal smiled, thinking about the surprise Casey would be in for. “Casey will be in the clinic for at least another day, but I’m going to try and keep him away from the church. I’ve already talked to Quade about having one of the other members of the church fill in for him for the next couple of weeks. He needs some stress-free living for a while longer to get his ulcers fully healed.”
Shep grinned. “So in other words, you want to surprise him with a finished building?”
Hal grinned back. “Yep. That is, if I can keep him away. For some reason, I think he’s under the impression if he does a good job on the addition, his congregation will come to accept him. He’s been killing himself, literally, trying to work on this with me during the day, while attending to his other duties in the early morning and evenings.”
Shep seemed to sober. “This is a small town, Hal. It takes folks a good while to accept newcomers, Reverend Sharp more than most. It wasn’t anything personal, but none of us wanted to be fooled again. I don’t know about the others, but I decided to sit back and watch a while before making a determination. I’ll admit, it was selfish as hell, but I don’t put my trust into many, and I didn’t want to be taken for a fool again.”
“Thanks for being honest, but I can tell you, there’s no finer man than Casey.” Shep smiled and nodded. Hal felt relieved. He’d change the attitudes of the town, one conversation at a time if he had to Casey would never again feel people didn’t like him.
Casey opened his eyes when a calloused hand touched his face. He grinned, “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself,” Hal said, leaning over to give him a brief kiss.
“Mmm,” Casey moaned. “That’s nice.” He reached out and grabbed the front of Hal’s coat, pulling him back down for another. Casey’s tongue stroked against Hal’s as the kiss went deeper. Casey felt the tenting of the sheet at his groin and grinned. He broke the kiss and looked down. “Someone else seems happy to see you.”
Hal groaned and ran his hand over Casey’s erection. “You’re killing me.”
Casey laughed and lifted the side of the sheet for Hal’s wandering hand. Hal chuckled and shook his finger. “Now you’re trying to get me kicked out of here.”
“Well honestly, that wasn’t my first thought.” Casey let the blanket fall. “Have you been working?”
Pulling up the little stool, Hal sat down and leaned on the bed. “I have. If I make you a promise the room will be done enough for your party will you promise to not stress over it? I’ve already asked Nate to come and decorate and get all the donations you’ll need.”
Casey felt his face pinch. Was Hal saying he wasn’t needed at all? “Seems like you’ve taken care of everything but replacing me on Sundays.”
Hal looked guilty. “Well, I actually asked the board if they could find one of the congregation to lead the services for the next two weeks.”
“You what?” Casey couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He sat up and tried to swing his legs over the side of the bed. If he was going to have an argument, he needed his pants. He looked around the room. “Where are my clothes?”
Hal put his hands on Casey’s shoulders. “Just relax. I know what you’re thinking and you couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Casey narrowed his eyes, “Oh yeah, what am I thinking?”
“That we don’t need you,” Hal stated. He moved one hand off Casey’s shoulder to cup his cheek. “It’s because we need you that we’re doing this. You could die from this, Case. Don’t you understand that?”
“I’m not gonna die. It was just a little blood,” Casey pouted. What if they liked the person who filled in more than him? Would he be well rested and out of a job? “What am I supposed to do with myself?”
Hal leaned in and kissed him. “Let me get to know you, let me take care of you.” Casey received another kiss, this one longer, deeper. “It will be nice for the congregation to step into your shoes for a change to see just how hard you work every day.”
Casey took a deep breath. Dr. Singer had told him flat out that he needed to find a way to deal with his stress. Maybe taking a little break wasn’t a bad idea. After all, it wasn’t like anyone was really going to miss him. He looked into those sky blue eyes in front of him. Spending time with Hal would certainly be a good thing. He pictured the two of them snuggled in front of Hal’s big fireplace.
“Will you be sure and tell whoever plans to fill in, to come and see me? I already have the next couple of sermons planned, and I’d like to help them.”
“Sure.”
“Will you do one more thing for me?” Casey pleaded with Hal.
At Hal’s nod he continued. “Please see if you can get me out of here today? I’m feeling fine and I just want to be in a real bed with a thick mattress.” Casey gave Hal a look that said he didn’t plan on being alone. It had been too darn long since he’d slept in another man’s arms, and he’d never been in love so this would be even better.
Grinning, Hal sighed. “I’ll ask if I can pick you up at the end of the day and take you home with me. Is there anything you’d like me to get from your house?”
Casey rubbed his razor stubble. “My shaving kit, a couple pairs of sweats and some T-shirts, socks. I think that should do me for a couple of days.”
Hal seemed to be making a mental note. “Underwear?”
Smiling, Casey shook his head. “Don’t plan on needing them. How warm’s your house anyway? I might just run around nude all day. I’m a little paranoid in town, but no chance of anyone seeing me at your place. Well, except you.”
“You’re going to make it hard for me to leave you every day to get the building done, aren’t you?”
“If I’m doing my job right I am.” Casey pulled Hal down for another kiss. He knew it was all new and that’s why he couldn’t get enough, but every time he touched the bigger man, he melted.
Groaning, Hal broke the kiss. “Let me round up Isaac before I leave. I’ll finish as early as I can and hopefully be back to get you.”
“Thanks,” Casey said as Hal gave him one last peck before walking out the door.
Breaking for the day, Hal headed over to pack a bag for Casey. He dug the set of keys out of his pocket and opened the door. Hal wanted to get this over with as soon as possible and get to the clinic, so he wasted no time finding a bag and shoving clothes inside. Despite what Casey had asked for, Hal put in a pair of jeans, long-underwear and wool socks. If he was lucky maybe Hal could get Casey out of the house to help him hunt down a Christmas tree.
Opening the bottom drawer of Casey’s dresser, his eyes bugged. With a grin he put a few more things into Casey’s bag. After finding a pair of snow boots in the closet and locking the house, Hal was on his way to get his man.
He chuckled to himself. His man. He’d never had anyone he’d considered in that particular term. What was it about Casey that was so different from every other man he’d slept with? Hell, he hadn’t even fucked Casey yet. The image of the two of them had Hal’s cock pushing hard against his zipper. He could well imagine Casey’s sweet little body under him, or above him, riding up and down on Hal’s cock.
Pulling up in front of the clinic, Hal shook his head. Plenty of time for that later. Casey needed a few days before he’d be up to the gymnastics Hal had in mind.
Chapter Seven
“Watch the sidewalk here. It can get pretty slippery,” Hal said, as he wrapped an arm around Casey.
Casey was steady on his feet, but he liked the feel of Hal’s warmth so he didn’t discourage it. Once they were inside, Hal started flipping on lights. He sat Casey down on the bench just inside the door and knelt in front of him.
“Let’s get these off,” Hal said, pulling off Casey’s boots.
Looking at the top of Hal’s head, Casey smiled. Hal was treating him like he was really something special. An overwhelming wave of lust ran through Casey, and he tilted Hal’s head up, devouring his mouth in a kiss.
Moaning into the kiss, Hal moved between Casey’s legs. Slipping his hands under Casey’s ass, Hal squeezed. “Yes,” Casey whispered, wrapping his legs around Hal’s torso. “Want you.”
Hal groaned before shaking his head. “You need to rest,” he said, kissing Casey’s neck.
“I need to come,” Casey corrected. “It’ll alleviate the stress on my balls,” he added with a grin.
After looking into his eyes for a few seconds, Hal stood, picking Casey up into his arms. “I don’t have any stuff in here,” Hal said in explanation as he carried Casey toward what he assumed was the bedroom. He’d never had anyone carry him before, but he had to admit, it made him feel cherished.
Licking the soft skin at the base of Hal’s neck, Casey latched on and sucked. When Hal didn’t protest, Casey sucked harder, sure he was bringing up a bruise. Unless Hal planned to wear a turtleneck the rest of the week, everyone he came into contact with would see Casey’s mark. He liked that, he admitted to himself. The thought of staking his claim in such a visual fashion hardened his cock even more.
Without releasing him, Hal tumbled them both onto the big bed. Within seconds, they’d pulled each other’s shirts off, trying to get at skin. Hal pushed his hands under the elastic of Casey’s sweats. “Need to feel you,” he panted, wrapping his fingers around Casey’s cock.
Thrusting into the touch, Casey tried to work Hal’s jeans off, but the belt was impeding his progress. Frustrated, Casey unbuttoned the jeans before sliding the zipper down, leaving the belt in place. He palmed the bulge hidden behind Hal’s briefs. “Need,” Casey begged.
Hal managed to get his belt undone one handed, still stroking Casey with the other. As soon as the belt was free of the buckle, Casey used his hands and legs to slide the denim down. The first press of Hal’s naked shaft against his own, tipped Casey over the edge. Embarrassment overtook him as warmth shot between them. “Sorry,” he apologised. He hadn’t come that fast since he was fourteen.
Hal kissed him and reached over to the side table. Coming back with a bottle of lube and a new box of condoms, he sat back on his heels. “Don’t be sorry. It makes me feel good to know you want me that much.”
Casey took the lube out of Hal’s hand. “Let me get myself ready.”
Shaking his head, Hal took the bottle back. “No, I want to taste you first.” After sheathing himself, Hal once again insinuated himself between Casey’s spread thighs.
With his eyes closed, Casey enjoyed every kiss, lick and suck Hal blessed him with, as he worked his way down Casey’s body. “Nice,” Casey moaned, as Hal licked the sensitive skin behind his balls.
When the warm velvet of Hal’s tongue brushed across his puckered hole, Casey’s hips automatically thrust into the air. Over and over, Hal licked and kissed, slowly loosening Casey’s muscles.
Positioning his arms under his knees, Casey brought his legs against his chest, giving Hal free reign. A grunt from the big man had Casey smiling. Oh yeah, he could definitely get used to Hal’s talented tongue. Casey cried out as Hal introduced a lubed finger into his neglected passage.
“So hot,” Hal murmured easing his finger in and out.
“Want you,” Casey moaned. He’d had quite a few lovers in the past, but Casey had never felt this humbled by their touch.
“Need to stretch you more. I don’t want to hurt you,” Hal panted. It was obvious to Casey that Hal wanted him just as much.
Shaking his head, Casey groaned. “No, I want to feel every inch of you sliding inside me.”
Hal looked up into Casey’s eyes. Casey could see the fire burning in those light blue eyes he’d come to love. “I won’t last long,” Hal said, withdrawing his fingers.
“Neither will I, but we’ve got time.” Casey spread his legs, welcoming Hal’s much bigger body between them. As Hal positioned the head of his cock at Casey’s hole, he closed his eyes. “Fill me.”
The breach was slow, but Hal steadily pushed his way inside Casey’s body, one glorious inch at a time. “So good,” Casey whispered. Never had he been so filled, both in body and soul.
When Hal stopped, Casey realised he was fully impaled on Hal’s cock. Casey shook his head, he felt like he was having an out-of-body experience. Opening his eyes, he stared up into Hal’s. “You fit.”
Hal grinned, sweat already beading on his forehead. “Was there ever a doubt?”
“No.” Casey smiled back.
Hal pulled back, taking that precious cock with him. Casey’s body did its best to suck the shaft back in, not wanting to be parted for a second.
He was just about to cry out in frustration, when Hal thrust back into him. The immediate feeling of being full threatened to steal Casey’s breath. “More,” he panted.
Repositioning his legs, Hal took Casey’s words to heart and began pistoning in and out of his sensitive hole. “Yes,” Casey cried. He began to move in counterpoint to Hal, wanting, no begging, for everything he could get.
Reaching up, Casey skimmed his hands over Hal’s well-developed chest muscles, stopping at his pebbled nipples. The need to taste was overwhelming, but the pounding rhythm didn’t leave Casey in the position to reach them comfortably. He settled instead for squeezing and twisting the tawny coloured discs.
“Not gonna last,” Hal moaned.
Casey took that as his cue and moved one hand from Hal’s body. He wrapped his fingers around his cock and pumped himself to Hal’s already established rhythm.
“So sexy,” Hal said, eyes feasting on Casey’s cock. “Come for me.”
The soft words and intense gaze pushed Casey over the edge into bliss. He forgot to breathe as his body bowed and his cock erupted. “Never, never felt like this,” Casey shouted as he painted his chest with cum.
He felt Hal thrust into him a few more times, before a roar echoed throughout the large bedroom. Collapsing on top of him, Hal’s weight was very much welcomed. They didn’t say anything while trying to come down from such heights.
When Hal’s cock slipped free, he quickly removed the condom, tying it off. Hal threw the rubber into the trash beside the bed before settling beside Casey. Moving easily back into Hal’s arms, Casey yawned.
“Tired, baby?” Hal questioned, running his hand up and down Casey’s back.
“Content,” Casey answered, kissing Hal’s chest.
Hal didn’t say anything for a few minutes. Just as Casey was about to drift off, Hal started to speak. “I haven’t been with many men, but that felt different.”
