by Diane Leyne
“Those are thoroughbreds. Buttercup is a draft horse, a Jutland to be precise, like the kind that the Carlsberg Brewery uses in its advertising. She’s supposed to be a working horse, helping to plow the fields and various other chores around a farm. Draft horses are also what’s called cold-blooded. Very calm.”
“Supposed?”
“Yeah, but Buttercup is mostly just a pet.”
“A big pet. You forgot big.”
“Yes, big. They needed to be. Mostly draft horses have been replaced by farm equipment. Buttercup never did do much farm work, though, did you girl?” He patted her neck. “She’s always just hung around, looking pretty.”
Noah wasn’t sure if the horse understood but she seemed to nod her head and whiny in response. Then she gave a little jump and Noah clutched Tanner tighter.
“Holy shit! Was she trying to throw us off? Maybe two of us is too much? It’s so far down. We could get hurt.”
Tanner laughed and patted his hand. “Don’t worry, she wasn’t trying to buck us off. She’s just impatient. She loves going on walks. She’s not much of a runner, but she likes getting out.” He sighed. “I don’t spend as much time with her as I should. If you are nervous, though, just hold tight to me. I’ll look after you.”
He took the hand he was patting and raised it to his mouth. Then he kissed the palm, his open mouth pressing against Noah’s palm. His tongue caressing it lightly for several seconds before he held it against his heart.
“Trust me.”
* * * *
Tanner was glad that Noah couldn’t see his face. He felt so good with the younger man holding him. He knew he had a big goofy grin on his face.
Was he being an idiot? In all the romance novels, there was always someone who refused to communicate. Sometimes it was both halves of the couple. They never speak about their feelings or anything else, which leads to all sorts of misunderstandings.
Had he made it clear enough to Noah that he was looking for a relationship and not just a quick roll in the hay? He’d like a roll in the hay, of course, but not only a roll in the hay.
He tugged on the reins and Buttercup obediently came to a stop.
“What’s wrong? Something’s wrong. Let me down off this monster!”
Tanner shifted in the saddle so that he was half turned, facing Noah over his left shoulder. He could see the fear on the other man’s face. He was afraid. Tanner hadn’t actually considered that not everyone was comfortable in the saddle and had thought his protestations were some kind of teasing, but Noah was really frightened. He wrapped the reins around the pommel of the saddle.
Reaching out his left hand, he cupped Noah’s face.
“Don’t be afraid. You can trust Buttercup, and you can trust me to look after you.”
Noah’s bright blue eyes immediately took on a shuttered look and Tanner sighed. He was going to be a tough nut to crack.
“Let’s get this out in the open right now. I want you and I plan on having you, but I want more than sex. I think we have a connection. I’ll be patient to a point, but I want you to know I’m looking for an actual relationship, not just sex or submission, although I’ll expect both. In case you didn’t know, I’m a Dom. I’ll take care of you, if you’ll let me.”
“Can’t we just fuck?”
Tanner roared with laughter. Then he trailed his thumb over Noah’s full lower lip.
“I plan to fuck you often and thoroughly. But I don’t just care about your body and I hope you care about more than just mine.”
“I’m…I’m not planning on staying in Satisfaction. I can’t really talk about it…but I’ll probably be leaving in a few weeks. Or maybe months. I’m not sure. So maybe this isn’t a good idea. I–I understand if you’ve changed your mind.”
Tanner wanted to demand that Noah explain himself, make a commitment, and offer his submission. But Tanner had learned patience many years ago, both from having been raised on a farm working with animals and from his time as an army ranger, where his life and those of his men was frequently on the line.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily. We’ll take things one day at a time, but I’m tired of being patient. I want a taste, but you have to meet me halfway.” Tightening his grip on Noah’s face, he leaned back. Noah hesitated and then leaned forward. Tanner shifted his hand to cup Noah’s jaw as he leaned in for a kiss.
He paused just before their lips touched. He could see the warring emotion on Noah’s face. There was attraction and there was wariness, too. There was trust and submission, too, as Noah closed his eyes and waited. Tanner touched his lips gently to Noah’s, mouth closed at first, moving softly, demanding nothing.
He waited.
Gradually, Noah relaxed and started leaning into the kiss, his tense body loosening up. It was Noah who opened his mouth first, wanting more. Tanner shifted his grip, releasing Noah’s jaw and sliding around to grip the back of his head. Then he opened his own mouth, admitting Noah’s questing tongue. He answered in kind, his own tongue dueling the invader before pushing into Noah’s mouth, taking charge of the kiss.
It was Buttercup who brought him down to earth. She nickered and stomped a foot, impatient with their dawdling. She clearly wanted to go for a walk and she was impatient with the two humans on her back. Shaking her head, she started walking again.
Tanner pulled his mouth away with a laugh, ruffling Noah’s hair and grinning before turning back in the saddle and picking up the reins.
* * * *
Noah held Tanner tightly as the beast below them started moving again. It felt good to be close to another person. Too good, maybe. Because of the way they were sitting, his crotch was mashed against Tanner’s butt. The movement of the damned horse was rocking his cock against Tanner’s ass and he could feel himself slowly getting hard.
He closed his eyes and imagined them in the same positions, but naked. In his fantasy, his cock was buried up Tanner’s ass. Or, even better, Tanner’s cock buried up his. Was that even possible on a horse? The rocking of the beast would do the fucking for them. He would sit up front and Tanner’s arms would be around him and the movement of the horse would probably result some nasty damage to Tanner’s cock if the horse moved unpredictably…holy crap…just like that.
The horse came to a sudden stop.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He heard Tanner chuckle. “We’ve arrived. Scootch back a bit.”
Carefully, Noah slid back on the saddle. He watched as Tanner maneuvered carefully until he was able to swing his right leg over the saddle while balancing in the stirrup with his left foot. Then he gave a little hop and he was standing on solid ground, and Noah wanted nothing more than to join him. He slid forward until he was in position to copy what Tanner did, but it was harder than it looked. He got his weight shifted so he was balanced on the stirrup, but when he swung his right leg free, he realized that he hadn’t quite got it right. Now his momentum and body weight were taking his right foot down, but he couldn’t get his left foot free.
He knew he was starting to panic. What if this beast ran while his foot was stuck? He’d be dragged and killed. He held on tight to the saddle but could feel himself slipping.
And then Tanner’s strong arms came around him.
“Relax. I’ve got you.”
And he did.
Chapter Five
Tanner enjoyed the feel of Noah’s hard body against his. The boy…he had to stop thinking of him like that. Noah was slender, but Tanner could feel the muscle beneath his t-shirt.
“Just lift your foot and slide it out. Relax. See, Buttercup’s not going to run away. She’s too busy eating.”
He could feel Noah take a deep breath and try to follow Tanner’s instructions. Gradually, his breathing slowed and his body relaxed, and he was back in control enough to remove his foot from the errant stirrup.
Slowly, Tanner let him slide to the ground while holding him tight against his body, Noah’s firm ass pressed against Ta
nner’s hard-as-steel cock. He placed his chin on Noah’s shoulder. They fit together so perfectly. He tilted his head to the side and kissed Noah’s neck as one of his hands slid lower to grip the younger man’s cock through his jeans.
Tanner could feel Noah’s cock grow hard under his caressing fingers. He continued to stroke him even as he pressed his own erection against Noah’s ass, grinding against him.
Tanner nibbled his way up Noah’s neck, noting with amusement that he’d shaved, too. He rubbed his own smooth cheek up against Noah’s before turning his body around so that Tanner could kiss his delicious mouth.
With one hand on Noah’s waist and the other behind his head, he kissed him again. But whereas the last kiss was gentle and full of promise, this one was hard and full of intent. He didn’t wait for Noah this time. Tanner thrust his tongue inside Noah’s hot, waiting mouth, ravaging it in imitation of the act that was to come.
He could feel Noah’s arms come around him, pulling them tightly together, two hard bodies and two hard cocks straining for release.
Reluctantly, but firmly, Tanner pulled away. He walked over to Buttercup and removed the saddlebags with their food and the blanket that was rolled and tied to the back of the saddle. And a rifle.
He shrugged as Noah looked at him inquiringly. “You never know what you are going to come across out in the wilderness. I’m not a hunter, but it can save your life from a predator or be used as a distress signal if you get hurt.”
Then he deposited his burden in the clearing, setting the rifle to one side.
“I’m going for a swim. Help me off with my boots.”
He moved over to and sat down on an old tree stump and lifted one of his feet. Noah approached hesitantly.
“We’ll have to get you some boots so you can ride with me properly. The heel prevents your foot from sliding through the stirrup the way your sneaker did. Now turn around. You’ve seen this done before. Just last week at the Whips and Spurs, when Jules needed help getting her boots off. You saw what Quin did.”
* * * *
Noah had seen. He’d thought it was the funniest thing. Quin had stood with his back to Jules and she’d placed one booted foot between his legs and braced the other on his butt. Then he’d grabbed tight and she’d tugged and he’d tugged and the boot had come off. They’d repeated the process with the other. Noah had been amused and fascinated. It had seemed like an awful lot of work.
But now that’s what Tanner wanted him to do. He shrugged and took his position. Those boots had been stubborn, but it had only taken a minute to get them off. Now Noah stood back, not sure what to do next. He tried to avoid meeting Tanner’s gaze but he finally looked up. Tanner was standing with his arms out straight, clearly waiting.
With shaking hands, Noah undid Tanner’s shirt buttons before tugging it up from his pants and sliding it off. His body was even more impressive than Noah had expected. Tanner’s body was hard and ripped and…. Oh, god, it was covered with scars. Noah was overcome with the urge to trace each of them with his tongue. He started with the one on Tanner’s shoulder blade. Lightly, he pressed his tongue to it. It looked old. It looked like a gunshot wound.
He looked up questioningly.
“I was an army ranger. I got three Purple Hearts. That was one of them. Time for exploring later, though. You set up our picnic while I go for a swim.”
Noah reached for Tanner’s belt, but the other man stopped him.
“I think I’ll do this myself, or I won’t make it to my swim.”
To Noah’s disappointment, Tanner turned away, quickly removing his jeans. Tanner realized that he’d gone commando when he saw the hard, rounded buttocks. He hoped for a glimpse of cock, but Tanner moved quickly, diving into the water and setting out across the pond with a firm stroke.
Noah walked over to the bags and the blanket. It was old and soft, and he spread it carefully on the grass, then he moved the rifle carefully to one side. Then he unpacked the plates, cutlery, and drinks. Finally, he unpacked the food. Then he walked over to the pond and stood uncertainly, not sure if he should join Tanner or wait.
He watched as the other man floated on his back, his face raised to the sun, his body gleaming with moisture, his cock…Holy crap. Considering it was soft, his cock was huge. A monster.
Without thinking, Noah jumped into the water.
* * * *
Noah heard Tanner laugh as he treaded water slowly, trying to catch his breath while recovering from the icy temperature of the water.
“Did I forget to mention that this pond is fed from underground springs that come down from the mountains? It’s a little cold.” Noah watched as Tanner levered himself out of the water and then stood on the bank, watching.
“Cold? Cold? This is frigid.”
“Then why don’t you get out and we can eat? I’m starving.” Tanner walked away, before calling over shoulder. “Then I’m planning on having you for dessert.”
Noah scrambled out of the water quickly. He could feel his cock and balls hugging his body tightly. He walked over to Tanner self-consciously, wishing he was displaying himself better. Tanner laughed and tugged him closer, running his warm tongue over Noah’s frozen cock.
He was surprised. He’d expected Tanner to make Noah service him, but he was down on his knees, his long, wet hair spilling over his shoulders as he took Noah’s cock in his mouth, swirling his tongue over the head and sliding across the slit. It was just like Noah’s fantasy, except for the goose bumps, of course. He could feel his cock growing and thickening within Tanner’s hot, wet mouth.
He closed his eyes as Tanner pulled back, Noah’s cock coming out of his mouth with a pop. Noah didn’t have a chance to be disappointed as Tanner turned his head slightly and took one of Noah’s balls in his mouth, suckling gently as he cupped the other in his right and while his left sank into Noah’s right ass cheek, holding him close.
Then he moved his mouth to suckle on Noah’s other ball before moving back to his cock. Using his right hand, he fondled and squeezed and tugged Noah’s balls while licking his way up Noah’s now-erect cock.
There was a pause, and Noah opened his eyes and looked down. Tanner held his gaze and wrapped his left hand around Noah’s hard length and lowered his open mouth, taking the head inside and sucking hard. He used his left hand to grip and stroke the hard length while his left squeezed and tugged on Noah’s balls and his lips wrapped around the head of Noah’s dick and sucked.
As good as this all felt, it was Tanner’s expression that did it. Their eyes locked, he could see Tanner’s cheeks hollow as he sucked hard and squeezed and tugged and then Noah was coming in long, hot spurts and Tanner was swallowing every drop until he’d sucked him dry.
Noah felt his legs grow rubbery and didn’t object when Tanner reached up and helped him down onto the blanket. Noah closed his eyes as he felt Tanner moving, standing, maybe. Then he knew the other man was gone. He knew he could put their food on the plate or maybe open a beer for Tanner, but all Noah wanted to do was lie back and enjoy the warmth of the sun on his naked body and think about how good it had felt to have Tanner’s mouth wrapped around his dick. He felt his cock twitch. He was getting hard again at the memory.
He was dying to return the favor but when Tanner returned, he was wearing his jeans and carrying Buttercup’s saddle. Noah sat up abruptly. Should he put his pants on, too?
“Don’t move.” Noah froze.
Tanner moved behind him and set down the saddle.
“Lean back and relax.” It was actually quite comfortable. It provided support on his back and let him recline without lying flat. He watched as Tanner made a second trip, returning with the saddlebags, filling a single plate with food and then move to sit beside him, laying the plate on Noah’s stomach before stretching out beside him.
* * * *
Tanner looked at Noah laying back, the full plate on his flat belly, his cock partially erect. Ah, the resilience of youth. Tanner reached out and gave it a tug,
and then another. Soon it was fully hard. He released it and turned to the food.
He picked up a fork and scooped up some chicken salad and carried it to Noah’s lips. Startled, the younger man automatically opened his mouth to receive the food. Next, Tanner took a forkful to his own mouth, and back and forth. He paused occasionally to have a sip of beer and offer Noah one. They continued eating this way in silence until the plate was empty. Then Tanner took it to the pond to rinse it off before replacing it in the saddlebag. Then he removed his pants again before kneeling beside Noah.
The younger man scrambled to his own knees, reaching for Tanner’s cock.
“Please, Tanner. Please let me. I want to taste you.”
“Okay, but just a brief one. You can suck me dry later. This first time, I plan on coming deep in your ass so you’ll know you are mine. And Sir, call me Sir!” he commanded.
“Tanner? Sir? Like the sub call their Doms at The Whips and Spurs? You…do you want me to submit to you? Be your submissive?” Noah pulled his hand back and watched as Tanner nodded and waited. “I didn’t realize you were a Dom. I won’t be anyone’s slave!” Noah’s voice rose with alarm. “I’ve looked after myself since I was eighteen.”
“Eighteen?” Tanner frowned, keying in on the pertinent fact. “What do you mean you looked after yourself? Sure when you were eighteen you were a legal adult, but you still had your family, didn’t you?”
Noah laughed without mirth. “Nope. They kicked me out the moment they legally could. They didn’t want a gay son around corrupting the rest of the kids.”
Tanner reached out a hand, but Noah knocked it away.
“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t doubt it a bit, but I’d like the privilege of taking care of you.” He reached out again and this time Noah allowed his touch. He cupped Noah’s jaw and waited.
