Saddle Up

by A. M. Arthur

  “No. If you say you’re sure, then I’m sure. I guess I’m a little nervous.”

  Reyes dropped his hand to Miles’s shoulder. “Tell me why.”

  “Because it’s you, and it’s your first time. I want it to be good.”

  “It will be. Everything we do together is perfect, Miles. Never doubt that.” Something sad flickered in Reyes’s eyes. “I’ll treasure every new moment we share, every experience we create.”

  “Me, too. Now get in my bed.”

  Reyes’s eyebrows jumped, but he did as ordered. Miles climbed on top of him and proceeded to kiss his boyfriend senseless. He lost track of the time he spent licking, sucking, and nipping at his lips and tongue and throat. They lost clothing a bit at a time, until they were writhing naked on his bed, hard cocks rubbing together, their bodies a tangle of limbs and sweat.

  Miles explored Reyes’s tattoos with his lips and tongue, tasting skin, tracing lines, working his way down to his prize. He sucked on the head of Reyes’s cock, loving the bitter taste of precome, and the headier flavor of Reyes himself. Before Reyes, giving head had been an expectation and a chore. Now it was a fucking pleasure in and of itself.

  He played, sucking dick and stroking balls, until Reyes warned him off. With a lusty groan, Reyes dove for the dresser drawer where he kept the lube, and he was back in seconds, on his back, legs spread for Miles. Pleasure and need speared Miles’s gut. A terrible desire to push inside this man, to fuck him to orgasm, and then coat his insides with his come.

  Fuck, I’ve never wanted someone this much before.

  Miles floated on pure desire as he coated a single finger with lube and brushed it against Reyes’s unclaimed hole. It fucked with his head a little bit, because Miles didn’t remember his first time. Only that he’d been sore the next day, and he wanted everything about this to be amazing for Reyes.

  And it would be, because it was them. Together. Forever.

  Please.

  He pushed against that tight ring of muscle, all the while watching Reyes’s face for any sign of distress. Reyes held his gaze with blazing eyes full of love and desire, so Miles pushed harder, and he might have gasped when his finger breached Reyes for the first time. Nudged into heated pressure, working that lube in a bit at a time.

  “Fuck, that feels good,” Reyes said. “Yeah.”

  Miles leaned down to worry both of Reyes’s nipples with his teeth, taking his time on each one, until Reyes begged for a second finger. The fit was tighter, somehow hotter, and Reyes groaned once as Miles pushed in to the first knuckle. Then the second. Reyes rocked his hips, silently asking for more, so Miles fucked him slowly with his fingers, scissoring a little to help get him loose. Miles didn’t have a huge dick, but he wanted this to be amazing, not painful. Never painful.

  He’d woken up in the morning too many times wondering why his ass hurt so much. He would never do that to another person, especially not Reyes. So he played, stretching and working in more lube, occasionally brushing over Reyes’s gland, until Reyes was a panting, begging mess beneath him.

  “Fucking now,” Reyes said. “Need you, mi alma.”

  “You’ve got me, my soul.” He eased his fingers out, then used his slick hand to stroke Reyes’s cock, savoring the way Reyes thrust into his fist, unable to get a proper breath. Miles used his free hand to drizzle cold slick onto his own dick, his heart twisting up tight in anticipation.

  He’d never gone bare before. Ever.

  That I remember, anyway.

  Miles pushed those thoughts aside and focused on his lover. Notched the head of his cock to Reyes’s entrance. He held eye contact with Reyes, because this moment was too special to look anywhere else. Miles tried to put all his love and adoration and thanks into his expression as he pushed inside.

  Reyes let out a long, breathy moan as Miles breached him, hands fisting the blanket before reaching out to grip Miles by the hips. Steadying without directing. Miles braced one hand on the bed by Reyes’s head, the other still holding the base of his cock. He hated breaking eye contact, but Miles had to look. Down to the place where their bodies were joined in the most intimate of ways. Down to where Miles was inside Reyes.

  “Oh fuck,” Miles gasped. “Oh.”

  “Keep going, please,” Reyes said. “Please.”

  “Feels so fucking good.”

  “Yeah. Miles!”

  He pushed harder, more of his dick disappearing inside the man he loved with each small thrust. Reyes’s expression was glazed, overjoyed, and didn’t show the tiniest hint of discomfort or pain, and when Miles’s hips were flush with Reyes’s ass, they both groaned.

  “So full,” Reyes said. “Oh fuck, you gotta move.”

  “Christ, Reyes.” No sex or experience he’d ever had compared to moving inside another person with no barrier between them. Intimacy times infinity, and when Miles began to withdraw and push back in, slow and steady, Reyes raised his legs. Deepening Miles’s access. Miles pushed Reyes’s legs back by the calf and held them there, keeping Reyes open, at his mercy.

  And Reyes simply watched him with blazing affection and trust, soft noises dropping from his lips with each thrust. Miles went slow, needing to savor this, despite his orgasm teasing him from just beyond his reach. He didn’t know when or if Reyes would want to do this again, and Miles needed every single second, every push and groan and slide of skin.

  Perspiration dotted Reyes’s skin, and Miles rested Reyes’s ankles on his shoulders so Miles could trace those beautiful, glistening tattoos. He outlined the sun radiating from Reyes’s navel, the symbols on his shoulders, every swirl of black ink on smooth copper skin. When he’d touched every tattoo he could reach, Miles resumed stroking Reyes’s cock.

  “Close,” Reyes gasped.

  “Me, too.” Miles doubted they could come together, but they’d be close. He thrust harder, chasing his own orgasm, while tipping Reyes into his.

  Reyes shouted something in Spanish as he came, his semen coating Miles’s fist and splattering his belly and chest. Miles squeezed every drop he could out, and then licked his hand clean. He started to pull out, but Reyes wrapped his legs around Miles’s waist and shook his head.

  “Come in me.”

  “Are you sure?” Miles asked, a little overwhelmed by the emotions in Reyes’s eyes.

  “Positive. Need to feel it.”

  “Okay.”

  Miles was close, close enough that after only a few more strokes—and Reyes clamping down hard—an orgasm shattered down Miles’s spine. He pushed deep, his hips stuttering a bit, as he came inside his boyfriend. Sharing something so intimate, something he’d never shared with another person. Reyes tugged him down into a long, sensual kiss that left Miles’s lips tender and wet.

  “Thank you,” Reyes whispered against his cheek. “That was amazing. Perfect.”

  Miles nuzzled his throat, then licked a damp spot. “I loved this. Love you.”

  “Me, too.”

  They stayed like that awhile longer, until Miles’s spent cock slid out, and then they rested together on top of the covers until Miles shivered. As much as Miles wanted to stay in bed with his boyfriend forever, it was time to clean up. It had been a hard day, but well worth the stress. All Miles wanted was to live his life the way he wanted, without feeling as if Dallas would jump out from behind a tree at any moment to ruin his life. And he’d finally put those wheels into motion.

  While they waited for the hot water to kick in, Miles wrapped his arms around Reyes from behind and rested his cheek against Reyes’s shoulder. Reyes reached back to play with his hair, which desperately needed a cut. He hadn’t bothered in months, and it stuck out in flyaway curls all the time.

  “What are you thinking?” Reyes asked.

  “I’m thinking how happy I am. Content. Settled. Even with Dallas still a question mark, and Arthur still sick, I’ve ne
ver been happier than I am right now. Thanks to this ranch, the ghost town, and you.”

  Reyes twisted around so they were face-to-face, belly to belly. “I feel the same. I’ve never been in love before, Miles, and I can’t predict the future, but I’ll take this joy for as long as I have it.”

  Odd words, but whatever. Miles was too happy to think about the future. All he cared about was the here and now, and right now, he was in love and safe.

  And for right now, that was all Miles needed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Reyes woke to Mack’s ringtone blasting from his phone. Miles was plastered across his back, so Reyes fumbled in the general direction of the noise, snaring it from the pocket of his jeans on the floor. He barely noted that it was just after six in the morning which racketed up his anxiety tenfold as he took the call.

  “Mack?”

  All he heard on the other end was indiscernible sobbing, and Reyes’s heart fell to the floor. Next to him, Miles was coming awake, but Reyes stared at his jeans, his insides filling with dread. “Mack, what’s happened?”

  He braced for the worst, and Miles squeezed his shoulder.

  “He woke up,” Mack said in a rusty voice. “Arthur woke up.”

  “Holy shit.” Reyes sat up straight. “Arthur woke up,” he said for Miles’s benefit.

  Miles’s mouth fell open, and he clutched at Reyes’s arm, so Reyes set the call to speaker.

  “He woke up about an hour ago, and the doctors have been doing tests,” Mack continued. “He’s aware, no obvious brain damage from being without oxygen. It’s a fucking miracle.”

  Reyes wrapped his free arm around Miles and drew him in for a sideways hug, overjoyed at the news and the obvious excitement from Mack, despite the tears.

  Tears of fucking joy.

  “That’s amazing news,” Miles said. “I’m so glad for you guys. And for Arthur.”

  “Same,” Reyes added. “I’m happy for you, brother.” And he was. So fucking happy. Mack got his grandfather back, and Clean Slate got its owner back.

  “It’s not like he’s in perfect health,” Mack said. “He’ll have to do in-patient cardiac rehab for a few weeks, so he can adjust to life post-trauma, and then he’ll need a brand-new lifestyle. Another heart attack like this one will probably kill him, and I think he realizes it now.”

  “No more red meat.”

  “Among other things.”

  “Does this mean he’ll be moved out of ICU soon?” Miles asked.

  “Later today, he’ll go to the cardiac unit,” Mack replied. “I’m just so fucking relieved this nightmare is almost over.”

  “I bet,” Reyes said. “You want me to spread the word?”

  “I already called Judson, and Wes is calling Patrice right now, but if you want to tell the others, I won’t fight you. I feel like I haven’t slept in a month.”

  “Then go home. Now that Arthur is out of the woods, you and Wes need to go home and get some real rest. I mean it, man.”

  “I know, and we will. Thank you.”

  “Take care and give Arthur a kiss for me.”

  Mack chuckled. “Later, guys.”

  Reyes hung up, then tackled Miles to the bed with a hoot of laughter. Smothered him in a hug that was all tangled limbs and positive feelings. “That call really happened, right?”

  “Yeah, it did.” Miles dropped kisses all over his face. “Now get dressed and go tell Colt. He’ll probably kiss you, too, for delivering the news.”

  “He might. Jealous?”

  “Nope. I also have no idea if Avery stayed over like he did Monday night, so be prepared to shield your eyes.”

  Reyes snorted. “I’ve seen Colt naked, nothing will shock me.”

  “What?” Miles tried to sit up. “I need that story.”

  “Nope, not today.” He pressed a happy kiss to Miles’s lips. “Be back soon, I promise.”

  Miles snared his hand before he could get out of bed. “How are you this morning?”

  For an instant, Reyes thought that was a dumb question considering Arthur’s new—then he realized Miles was referring to last night. “I’m amazing. A little tender, but I have zero regrets. You?”

  “No regrets.”

  Reyes grinned, then slid out of bed and into his discarded jeans. For once, he got to be the bearer of great news, and he didn’t want to wait. He slipped into his boots, and then left for the cabin next door. No one ever locked their doors—that he was aware of, anyway—so Reyes knocked hard several times before barging inside.

  Colt was rolling out of bed, hair askew, eyes a bit wild. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, for once.” Reyes stopped halfway to his friend and grinned. “Arthur is awake and there doesn’t seem to be any brain damage.”

  “He’s...what?” Colt blinked hard several times. “You’re shitting me.”

  “Nope.” Reyes made a delighted sound he’d never admit might have been a giggle, and then described his phone call with Mack. Colt whooped, then lifted Reyes off the floor in a big bear hug. Reyes wiped his eyes as Colt set him down, his own joy trying to squeeze out in small, unwanted tears.

  “Mack must be over the moon,” Colt said.

  “He is. And he’s exhausted. I ordered him and Wes to go home and sleep, but Lord knows when he’ll actually do it.”

  “Mack loves that old man to bits. He won’t go home until he’s absolutely sure Arthur is okay.” Colt wandered to the coffee maker by his mini fridge and started putting grounds into a filter. “You want some?”

  “Nah, I’ve got a ranch full of people to share the good news with.” Reyes noticed a pattern of very faint bruises on Colt’s back, and his mind jumped to Miles’s comment about Avery staying over. At least Avery had been around to give Colt the comfort he needed the other night. He was glad both his friends had strong partners to support them.

  Now I have one, too.

  Reyes really needed to stop living in this fantasy where he and Miles had a perfect future waiting for them. He needed to tell Miles about Miguel...but he simply didn’t want to. It would break Miles wide open, and Reyes simply wasn’t ready to lose him.

  Just a little while longer.

  After sharing another joyful hug with Colt, Reyes went about the business of knocking on cabin doors, wanting to give this good news in person instead of a group text. Everyone, even the hands who’d been recently hired, looked up to Arthur as a father figure because Arthur treated all his employees like family. Reyes delighted in being the bearer of good news.

  Once the ranch was taken care of, he called down to the horse rescue so the two women in charge could trickle down the news to their people. The news would make it to town soon enough. Reyes returned to his cabin and Miles, who was still in Reyes’s bed, waiting for him. They shared their happiness with mutual blow jobs, before it was time to get up for the workday.

  “I’m supposed to do the overnight camping trip with Robin tonight,” Reyes said while he did his weekly shave. Miles was in the shower, so Reyes spoke up loud enough to be heard over the rushing water. “I can swap, though, if you want me to.”

  “Nah, I’m good. Arthur is awake, and Dallas can’t legally come on the property. Do the trip.”

  “Okay.” Reyes tamped down on a small wave of disappointment—mostly because he liked sharing his bed with Miles, cramped though they were, and he didn’t like the idea of camping out without him. “Want to come with?”

  “I would, but Shawn will murder me if I leave him to do all the new prep tomorrow morning alone. Don’t worry, I’ll keep myself entertained.”

  Reyes smiled at his own reflection. “I know you will. You and me need to do another private campout soon.”

  Miles peeked out from behind the shower curtain, his dark hair flat from the water, which ran down his cheeks in rivulets. “Count on
it.” He winked, then ducked back inside to finish washing.

  Horse riding in the wilderness and willingly going on camping trips. For such a city boy, Miles was definitely becoming a country mouse. Albeit a country mouse with a spine of steel and an incredible strength of will. Those things had always been inside of Miles, buried deeply under emotional distress, and Reyes was privileged to have helped Miles unearth them. To help Miles on his journey toward becoming a strong, equal partner for whoever came next.

  Because men who’d done the things Reyes had done didn’t deserve happily-ever-afters—but he’d take his happily-for-now for as long as possible and make memories that would have to sustain him long into the future.

  A future with or without Miles in his life.

  * * *

  Reyes spent the entire camping trip thinking about Miles: his smile, his curly hair, the way he walked with confidence now. Everything about him, and it didn’t stop when the group returned to the ranch Thursday at lunch. Reyes shot off a text to Miles before heading into the kitchen for a sandwich.

  Missed you. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

  Miles replied about ten minutes later. Missed you too. Gotta go, tho. Shawn feeling bad, so I’m sending him home after the lunch rush is over. Bye, my heart.

  Reyes texted back that he hoped Shawn felt better soon.

  The rest of the afternoon passed at a snail’s pace, and then he was finally walking to the cabin with two plates of food from the kitchen. Miles came in at six thirty on the dot with a paper bag in one hand, and a huge grin on his face. Reyes stood, curious, especially when Miles flung himself into Reyes’s arms with a squeal.

  “Okay, something happened today,” Reyes said. Miles seemed to vibrate in his arms like an excited puppy.

  “Something did.” Miles pulled back, his green eyes shining. “Dallas was arrested for violating the no-contact order.”

  “You’re kidding.”