by BA Tortuga
“Damn superstitious bayou baby.” He settled in, blinking a little slow.
“You know it.” Galen kissed his cheek, the sound of the wind seeming less threatening. “It’ll blow out soon.”
“We got a lot of work to do.”
“We do. But we’ll do it, darlin’. Together.”
Chapter Nineteen
THE SECOND time Galen woke up to quiet, he knew the storm had blown over.
He had Shane in his arms, the dogs curled up against them, and the roof still hovered over their head. Hell, he figured that was a good sign. Galen grunted, moving his arm out from under Shane’s head, shaking it awake.
The dogs needed out, and he needed to get an idea of the damage.
Shane popped awake, head coming up, eyes wide and blue as a cloudless sky. “It’s over? Is it done? We got lights back yet?”
“No lights yet,” Galen said, checking the switches. “But the wind’s not howling. Want to help me take the dogs out?”
“Yeah. Yeah, let me get my jeans.” Shane stumbled across the floor, still in pure automatic mode.
“We got time.” Hell, neither of them had to go to work or anything.
“Huh?” He got one of those confused blinks, and then Shane shook himself awake a little more. “Sorry. Right. What was I doing?”
“Coming over to tell me good morning?” Galen spread his arms, giving Shane a good look.
“Oh. Cool.” Shane headed right over, arms wrapping around his waist and squeezing tight. “Mornin’, Len.”
“Mmm.” He draped his arms around Shane, so easy and right and good. “Hey. You look less pooped.”
“Yeah. I musta slept hard.” Shane lifted his face for a kiss, natural as anything.
Closing his eyes and saying a little thank-you to the god who watched out for fools and ex-football players, Galen bent and took that kiss, tasting Shane nice and deep. Shane leaned, letting him in, hand on his hip, thumb drawing lazy circles.
One hand flat on the small of Shane’s back, Galen let the other hand travel, tracing lines of muscle and bone, learning Shane all over again. “You need to eat more, darlin’.”
“You need to cook more. I been going out a lot.”
“Yeah. I hear you. They kept making me eat flaming cheese.” He laid his cheek right on the top of Shane’s head and held on a little.
“Oh, weird. You smell good.” Shane had something dark and swirly on his shoulder, like a bruise but not. He brushed his finger over it, but it was still there. He leaned, took a good, hard look. Ink. Shane had ink. “It’s a G and an S. I got it a while ago.”
“I… damn, Shane. That’s pretty.” His heart set up a slow, steady pounding. “You’re… I…. Damn.” Pulling back, he hauled Shane up to kiss the man silly.
He did love the way Shane went still and then cuddled in, lips soft in contrast with the raspy stubble on the pointed chin. Galen tasted and loved on his man a little, lips pushing Shane’s mouth open so his tongue could slide inside. Oh fuck, that was good.
Those long-fingered hands slid up his arms, holding tight as Shane’s tongue slid against his, pushing a little. The tiny show of aggression had him groaning, had him pushing Shane back against the wall, turning until they smacked against the door frame. He put his hands under that tight little ass and lifted, holding Shane right where he needed the pressure the most.
One of Shane’s legs wrapped around him, heel digging hard into him, keeping him tight and right. They rocked, hips punching back and forth, their cocks sliding along one another. Galen figured he was in heaven. Sure enough. Shane started sucking on his tongue, pulling hard in time with the slip-slide of their cocks.
Oh. Oh, that was fine. His skin felt hot, tight, his lips swollen and tender. His prick slid against Shane’s, wet at the tip, so hard he ached. “More, darlin’.”
Shane’s lips found his jaw, the suction sharp and stinging, bound to leave a bruise. Shit! That had him jerking, his hands sliding a little. Growling, he bent to suck his own mark up on that tanned skin, right where Shane’s shoulder met his neck. Shane’s muscles clenched, that rough cry just what he needed to hear.
“Yeah. Oh, darlin’.” His voice sounded like it had been torn up by the storm, rough and needy. Galen bit down on the bruise, worrying it.
“Yours.” Shane twisted, muscles rubbing against him hard enough that it burned. Then sharp teeth caught his bicep, hard enough to ache.
“Mine! Oh, honey. Mine.” That was all he needed to know. Shane might not need to be everything, but Galen didn’t do anything halfway. Heat sprayed up over his belly, onto his cock, Shane’s moan filling the air along with the scent of come.
His head fell back, giving Shane all of the skin of his throat and chest, his hips pumping as his balls drew up. Just a little more….
“Mine.” Shane’s lips wrapped around one of his nipples, sucking good and hard.
“Uhn!” Yeah. He shot so hard he saw stars, his eyes rolling like dice. Shane was right there, holding him, urging him on. It was better than any dream he’d had on the road.
“Fine bastard.” The words were soft, just whispered against him, but damn, they felt good.
“Me? You’re the one with the tattoo.” That was making him all tingly. Still.
“Bunch of us went together. I wanted something… good.”
“Works for me, darlin’. I love it.” He winked, letting Shane slide to the floor. “I might get me one.”
“Yeah? Gonna let me watch?”
“Hell, yes.” The thought of how he’d felt, watching Shane get pierced when they’d gone on vacation in New Orleans. Yeah. It was inspiring.
He got a grin. “Cool. It’s kinda hot. Made me buzzed.”
“Long as no one else got to see the hot part.” He knew Shane hadn’t cheated on him, but he just… he didn’t want anyone to see Shane all het up.
“Nah. Shit, I had Tim Richards bring me home and pour me onto the couch after we all went back out for a few.” Shane looked a little embarrassed, a little ashamed.
“Well, that’s okay, then.” Better than Wade. He stroked Shane’s hot cheek. “You okay?”
“Yep. I just… I did a lot of partying, you know? It wasn’t working for me like it used to.”
Oh. Oh yeah, Galen remembered how that felt. Really. “Well…. We’ll make sure you don’t have to.”
“Yeah. Got better things to do than miss you, huh?”
“You know it.” Something creaked, crashed. “Like clean up the yard.”
Shane snorted, chuckling and reaching up for his hand. “No shit. God knows, Vic’s prob’ly on the deck wanting chicken.”
“Oh. I wonder if he’s back. Bad storms bring them in.” They got jeans and mudders on, and Galen hauled Shane to the kitchen door, the dogs starting to bounce and dance.
“Come on, beasts. Outside to do your business.” Shane pulled the boards away from the door, face going a little gray as they got to see outside. Lord. They didn’t have to worry about being bored.
“Shit and shinola.” The place looked like a car bomb had come on up in the yard and gone boom.
“Yeah. Yeah. I better get up on the roof, huh? Check the shingles?”
“Be careful.” His first instinct was to say no, but if Shane wanted to do the work, Galen needed to let him.
“Yeah. I’ll look first, make sure we’re sound.” Shane headed out, hollering at the dogs.
“Good man.” Galen set to clearing what he could of the porches, stacking wood and pieces of window, avoiding the small glass. Man, he ought to put on more clothes.
“Roof looks good. The bait shop’s in big trouble.”
“Yeah?” Well, shit. That would take some time and effort. “The back porch is okay. The front needs a new post.”
They spent the next two hours cataloging everything, mourning the loss of a couple old cypress trees.
Filthy and tired, they both jumped when a pickup truck headed their way, Red Cross sign on one side. A guy who look
ed about as tired as Galen felt waved. “Y’all okay?”
“Hey. Yeah. We’re without power, though. Any idea when that might get back?” They needed it for hot water, for everything.
“Couple days, at least. Maybe more. I got bottled water, propane. Some food.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” Galen smiled at the guy, picking his way over to shake hands. “We did okay, really. It’s mostly the outbuildings.”
“Dave.” He got a firm shake. “Most folks did about the same. It wasn’t as bad as they thought.”
“Galen. Lord, I’d hate to see it worse. Shane! Want some water?”
“Hey, yeah. We oughta.”
Shane waved from the roof, the Red Cross dude waving back. “I’ll leave you a case. You might need it.”
“Thanks. If the garage survived intact, we’ve got propane, so we ought to be fine.” It was nice to know folks weren’t as bad off as Galen had feared.
“Do you have a way out if you need it? That little Jeep down the drive is totaled.”
“Shit.” Galen glanced up at Shane, hoping he hadn’t heard. “Yeah. I got a truck. It’ll need to be cleared, but it’s good.”
“Good deal. I’ve got other folks to see. You two be safe.”
“We will. Thanks again.” With a case of water they could get on until things got back to rights. Hell, if they had to, they could go get a little generator.
The guy toodled off, swinging wide around the fallen trees, just bouncing on the seat.
Picking his way back to the house, Galen shouted up. “Come help me drag this water to the house, darlin’.”
“Sure, Len. Gimme a couple.” Shane swung down, monkey-walking down the ladder.
Stopping to stare a bit, Galen stood, hands on his hips. Yeah, that was his. All his. The rest was just garnish on the plate.
Shane headed his direction, then stopped, head tilting. “You okay?”
“Huh? Hell, yes, darlin’. I am surprisingly okay, considering what all we have to do.” Except the whole Jeep thing. “We need to get you a new car.”
“Oh dude. No. The Jeep?” Shane sighed, shook his head. “I was afraid it wasn’t safe where I left it, but I couldn’t get closer.”
“I’m sorry, babe.” Meeting Shane halfway, Galen gave the man a rib-creaking hug. “She was getting rusted out anyway.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Still.” Shane leaned in hard, hands wrapped around his waist.
“You okay?” It would be hard for Shane to give up the one thing he thought of as his. But Galen would work toward getting Shane to think of the house as his too. It had never occurred to him that Shane didn’t think of it that way already.
“Yeah. Yeah. I got enough to put a down payment on something, and I can work the bar for the payment, huh?” Shane kissed his jaw, sighed softly.
“You have more than enough, darlin’. We need to talk about this whole real-estate thing. But that can wait until after vacation.” No business. Not now. Galen squeezed, hugging hard.
“Mmm.” Shane’s back popped, and he got a gasp, a shiver. “Oh. Oh, that felt good.”
“Yeah? You all stiff and sore? We can stop, have some food.” They had cans….
“You….” Shane looked around, looked a little stunned. “Man, I don’t know where to start.”
“We started. Time for a break.” Brooking no argument, he pulled Shane into the house and brushed weird stuff off the kitchen chairs.
“I…. You want me to make something?” When had Shane started fluttering?
“Nope. I want you to sit and talk with me while I create food.” That was his job, right? And Shane’s was to be easy in his skin and let Galen be the big man around the house.
“Okay. I don’t… I’m not sure what’s here.”
“Well, I know you didn’t use up all the canned peaches.” Slinging an arm around Shane’s back, Galen just stood a minute, soaking in the feel of that hot little body. “If we have to go eat Vic, we will.”
“You are not barbecuing my gator, Len. I will beat you.”
“Yeah? I’d like to see you try.” He pinched Shane’s butt, just a little. Man, he was feeling better all the time.
“You’re full of piss and vinegar.”
Yeah. Yeah, he was. He felt like he was finally coming home.
“Hey, we got through the storm. I figure this is a good sign.” He took a kiss, right on Shane’s open mouth, bruising in its intensity.
He could fucking feel Shane’s heart pounding against him, Shane groaning, kissing him back good and hard before pulling away. Panting. Hard. “You wanted something to eat.”
“It can wait.” Suddenly he needed a lot more than food. Galen pushed Shane back, stumbling until they fetched up against a wall. Pressing his hips against Shane’s, he grabbed both of Shane’s wrists, pressing them up over the man’s head.
“Galen.” Those bright eyes looked shocked. Hungry. Fucking hot, and damned if they didn’t get hotter when Shane tugged against his hands.
Sometimes a man forgot what was good in his life. Maybe it took a shock to remind him. Galen figured this was that time for him and Shane. Grinning a little, Galen tightened his grip and took another kiss, tongue pushing between Shane’s lips.
Those long, lean muscles jerked, Shane pulling good and hard. When he didn’t let go, he got himself a deep, hard kiss, Shane pushing back. Fucking A, it felt good. Right. Finally. Galen pushed one leg up between Shane’s thighs, lifting his lover off the floor, holding them up with sheer stubbornness.
Shane pushed down, rubbing hard enough that it had to ache. Felt damn good too.
“Oh, darlin’.” They broke the kiss, both of them panting. “What I’m going to do to you.”
Shane chuckled, nipped his chin. “Promises, promises.”
“Oh. Don’t dare me, darlin’.” It had been too fucking long. He picked Shane right up, slinging that lean body over his shoulder, and headed for the bedroom.
“Galen!” Fuck, those were the prettiest thighs, leading right into a tight, tight ass.
“Shane….” He grinned, waiting for the pinch. His free hand came up to pet a little, feeling Shane up.
Those fingers goosed his ass, right on cue. He grinned, bounced Shane a little. Some shit never changed.
He dumped Shane on the bed, thanking his stars they’d already cleaned it off to sleep, and came down right on top of that sweet body, his hand pulling Shane’s arms up over his head again.
“Hey.” Shane arched, rubbing on him like a cat, those little rings catching in the hairs on his chest.
“Hey, you.” He stared down, sort of learning all the new lines on Shane’s face, reacquainting himself with that smile. “God, you feel good.”
Oh, look at that smile. That was enough to get his motor running, even if he hadn’t already been in gear.
Galen rubbed, bending down to bite and lick, sucking up tiny bruises all along Shane’s inner arm. His damned motor was screaming in high gear.
“Oh. Oh fuck.” Shane’s muscles jerked and shifted, his lover’s hips bucking in time.
“Mmm-hmm. Gonna tear you up.” Everything else could wait. This was reconnecting. Fuck all that talking. Galen bit down, right at Shane’s chest, right next to one pierced nipple.
It was like touching Shane with a live wire. He got a cry, hands jerking violently in his grip. “Yes. Fuck. Len.”
“Yeah.” Shit, yes. His cock could pound nails, and he rubbed through their sweats. That little ring called to him, and Galen grabbed it with his teeth, pulling hard.
Mmm-hmm. Look at that body bow, stretching up for him.
Tanned, lean, body compact but perfect, Shane was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His hands got slippery with sweat, and he wished to hell he knew where the damned cuffs were. But they could do that later. For now he’d keep Shane too distracted to break his grip. Biting tended to do that.
Shane started babbling, begging for him, for more, harder. Shane was damn near crazed, hips bucking
and rolling under him, pushing up and slamming into him.
He pressed down as hard as he could, letting himself feel Shane all along his body. But soon enough he had to let go with one hand to get the clothes gone. Now.
“Want you.” Shane got those hungry lips on his upper arm, sucking good and hard, making his hips jerk.
“How do you want me, darlin’?” Galen asked, bucking hard. “Want me to fuck you?”
Those bright eyes caught hold of him, staring him down. “Good and hard, Len. So that I can feel it deep.”
“You’ll feel me for days.” Pushing up, he pulled Shane’s ass up to the cradle of his hips, stroking Shane’s cock a couple times before leaning to search for the lube.
Shane’s wrists were twisting in his hand, tugging. “I can’t touch you like this. So fucking fine, Galen.”
Hell, he’d forgotten he still had Shane’s hands in one of his. Go him, finding the slick all one-handed. He grinned down before bending to take a breathless kiss. “You’ll have all the time in the world to touch, babe.”
“All the time?” Shane nipped his bottom lip. Hard.
“You know it.” There. Jesus, that lube was hard to open. He squeezed it one-handed, getting his fingers wet so he could slip them between Shane’s legs.
“Talent, talent.” Oh man, if Shane could tease, he wasn’t doing his job.
Pushing against Shane’s hole, Galen slipped one finger in, going right for the tiny gland. He really needed to work on driving Shane crazy.
One leg went up, slid right up along his thigh, Shane bearing down against him.
“Oh fuck, darlin’.” His muscles went all tight and shivery. Galen concentrated on Shane, though, pushing in and pulling out, getting the man ready for him.
“Galen.” Shane jerked when he pegged that little gland, eyes rolling back in his head. “There. Right there.”
“Here?” He hit that spot again and again, watching the flush creep up to cover Shane’s chest and neck, making the bruises stand out more.
“Uh. Uh-huh.” Shane twisted, belly clenched so fucking tight.
The sweet cock that slapped Shane’s belly wasn’t shabby either. Made his fucking mouth water. But he concentrated on pushing two more fingers into Shane, getting him all open.
