On the Sand [A Jarheads Novel]

by Sean Michael

  "Your phone is going to cook us Thanksgiving dinner? I haven't been keeping up with the times."

  He smacked Rock and waved at Jenny at the front desk. “We'll be back in a few hours."

  She waved back and he led the way to Rock's truck. “More room in the back for stuff."

  "We're really going all out, the whole fucking nine yards...” Rock might have been growling and grumbling, but he was climbing into the truck, starting it up. “Grocery store?"

  Dick nodded, sliding his phone back in his pocket. They didn't need it quite yet.

  He'd made a list of the basics—the things he knew they'd need and they got those first, filling the cart with a huge turkey, vegetables, sweet potatoes, stuff to make cornbread, a few pre-made pie shells, along with a can of crushed pumpkin, the stuff for chocolate pie and a package of pecans.

  "Is this everything?” Rock asked when they pulled up into a quiet aisle and he stopped.

  "No. I don't know what we need to go with any of it."

  "Well, don't look at me."

  Chuckling, he pulled out the phone and called home.

  It rang a couple times, then he heard the dogs barking and Rig laughing. “'lo?"

  "Hey, Rig. The mutts keeping you amused?"

  "Yep. They're playing with the squeaky mouse and trying to distract me from my reading. What's up?” Rig sounded almost perky.

  "Say I wanted to make Granny Boulware's pea salad, what would I need?"

  Rock mouthed “ah", nodding and grinning.

  "Peas and mayo. Onions, celery and cheese. Oh, man, that sounds good. You craving some, Pretty? I could make some for you."

  "Yeah, I've been craving that and your seven layer salad—I thought I could buy the ingredients and then make eyes at you."

  "Mmm. Well, buy double all the stuff I told you and add. Uh. Bacon. Olives. Tomatoes. Lettuce. Eggs. You want me to make a list and send it to your phone?"

  "That would be awesome.” He tried to figure out how to ask about some of the other recipes he was going to need ... the pumpkin pie he could use the one on the can, same with the pecan pie, but there was the cheese ball, and the dips Rig made, not to mention the sweet potatoes ... “Anything you been craving lately—just add it to the list, okay?"

  "Coffee coffee coffee.” Rig chuckled again. “We need to go for Thanksgiving stuff, too, huh? Maybe I should come with you. I'm not cleared to drive yet."

  Oh man, he was so busted. Oh, well, it wasn't like Rig wasn't going to figure it out when they got home. “Actually ... I'm kind of already at the grocery store and there's a huge turkey in the cart. You want to just walk me through all the bits I've got left?"

  "Oh? Oh, Pretty, I didn't expect you to deal with all that..."

  "I've got Rock driving the cart, so we're good. I just need to know what to buy for like stuffing and I have sweet potatoes but don't know what's needed to turn it into yummy stuff. So if you can just walk us through the store..."

  He got another laugh, then they headed off, Rig supervising, teasing Rock via phone whenever he went on a hunt to keep the big guy interested and not growly. It worked. It wasn't perfect, but it worked and by the time they were done, nobody was pissed.

  They stayed on the phone with Rig until they were packing up the truck, and he could hear that Rig was fading. “Okay, we're heading home with our booty. See you in a bit."

  "'kay, Pretty. I'm going to get a shower, I think.” The phone clicked off.

  Oh, man, he hoped Rig was out of the shower by the time they got home—it made Rock growly when Rig did that on his own.

  "You want to drop me at the gym and I'll finish up there?” He had his car, so Rock wouldn't have to come back.

  "Yeah, that'll work. You really think we can turn all that shit into a Thanksgiving dinner Rig'll be happy with?"

  "Are you kidding? He's going to be tickled pink we're doing it in the first place and will eat it no matter what it tastes like. Well, little tiny bites of it—we'll have leftovers for weeks."

  "Yeah. But it'll be normal and shit. Like before."

  He put his hand on Rock's knee. “Yeah. It'll be just like normal."

  Or what passed for it these days.

  Chapter Forty One

  Rock was wearing a fucking apron. He was mixing and stirring and fucking baking. He'd made his own Goddamned chocolate pie, as well as a pumpkin and a pecan.

  And it was only mid-afternoon.

  He growled a little more, just because.

  Truth was, it wasn't awful. Dick was wearing an apron, too, and at least his own wasn't red and pink but a manly black. Or at least it had been when he'd started.

  Rig would be up soon and would come out and see what they were up to and he couldn't wait to see the expression on his cowboy's face.

  "He's been napping forever,” he growled.

  "Yeah, but he'll be up longer, too, I'll bet."

  He just grunted and banged the pots in the sink, washing them as noisily as possible.

  The dogs started barking and Rig's voice sounded. “Good Lord, y'all! You let me sleep a thousand years and..."

  Rig just stared, eyes huge.

  Rock nudged Dick and winked. “Hey Rig. You finally up?"

  "Working on it. ‘course I might be dreaming. Look at this!"

  "What this?” He grinned. “You never seen a pair of ex-marines cooking before?"

  Dick snorted and muttered, “I'm thinking he hasn't,” under his breath.

  "I have, just not together. Y'all ... it smells good!” Rig headed over, hand sliding down his back in greeting. “You've been busy."

  "I made chocolate pie.” It had been a lot fucking easier than he'd expected. But he'd bet it wouldn't be as good as Rig's.

  "Oh?” Rig grinned, leaned into him. “Well, it may just become your job, if it's as good as Momma's was."

  "Yours is always best."

  Dick grinned “Suck up."

  "Nah, that's Rig's job, too.” He winked and took a kiss from his own personal cowboy. Rig kissed him back, nice and slow, and his knees went weak. He hadn't felt that in weeks. Weeks. He stared into grey eyes as their lips parted. “Hey."

  "You taste good.” Rig smiled at him, really smiled, and the terrible pale was fading from his Rabbit's cheeks.

  Rock smiled back. “Like chocolate."

  "Hey, I want me some of that,” Dick said.

  "Chocolate?"

  Dick laughed. “Yeah, I'll take some of that, too.” Dick gave him a quick kiss and then puckered up for Rig.

  "Mmmhmm.” Dick got the same, warm smile, then Rig kissed the kid, nice and thorough, making sure Dick felt it, balls-deep.

  Damn. Watching that was almost as good as feeling it.

  The kid looked like he'd been knocked on the head when the kiss ended.

  "You taste good too, Pretty. Real good.” Rig swayed a little, grinning.

  Dick beamed. “You've woken just in time. I need direction on the salads. And Rock needs walking through the sweet potato casserole. I'll get you a shake, too."

  "No more shakes.” Rig held up his hand. “Not right now. I want something real. Eggs. I want some eggs."

  "Oh, I can do that. Don't even need a recipe.” Dick grinned. “You want them boiled? Scrambled? Fried?"

  "Scrambled. Please. Two.” Rig stretched a little, creaking. “Let me get a cup of coffee and I'll help."

  "No coffee.” Rock wrapped his arm around Rig's waist and led him over to the table. “Sit. We need you to tell us what to do."

  "I miss coffee.” Rig looked good in his sweater, looked cozy. “Are you listening to me?"

  "I'm right here, I can hear you.” He helped Rig into his chair and took another kiss. “But coffee's not on your approved list. How about some milk?"

  Rig rolled his eyes, pressing their lips together again. “Man, as soon as I can suck that cock of yours, I'm so angling for my coffee."

  Rock groaned, his knees going weak at the words. “That's so cheating."

  D
ick piped up from over at the stove. “Spunk's got protein in it."

  "It does.” Rig's eyes lit up a little, fingers on his fly. “You going to let me have some?"

  He just about died. “You.” He swallowed. “You up to it?” Fuck, his prick was going to tear right through his jeans.

  "I can stop, if something hurts, huh?” Rig leaned, nice and careful, cheek rubbing along his cock through his jeans. “I think you deserve a reward for making pie."

  "Oh, fuck, me too.” He curled his fingers into his palms to keep from tearing open his jeans like some fuck-starved kid.

  "Uh-huh. I think you both deserve some. You willing to wait for yours ‘til this evening, Pretty?” Rig's lips were moving over his fly, that breath hot as hell. Rock didn't care what Dick said, the kid was waiting.

  There was a sweet groan from the over by the stove. “I can live all day on the promise."

  Those grey eyes flashed up to his. “I want your cock, Blue."

  "It's all yours, Rig. Every fucking inch.” Rig pushed the apron to one side, worked his fly open. His cock pushed out, just battering at his zipper to get to that mouth.

  Dick slid into the chair across the table from Rig. “Wanna watch this."

  Rock chuckled, the sound husky and needy even to his own ears. He took the apron right off and then dropped his hands onto Rig's head, fingers stroking through those curls. Rig smiled, then slid that hot, soft tongue all the way up along his prick. Oh. Oh, fuck yes. He made a sound that he was going to call a moan; it just ripped from his throat, his cock jerking hard.

  "Oh ... Oh, Blue...” Rig groaned, wrapped his lips around Rock's prick and just pulled. Hard. Pulled him right into that perfect motherfucking mouth.

  Jesus fuck.

  "Rig...” He caught himself before his knees buckled, locking them as his hands tightened in Rig's hair. His Rabbit just went to town, sucking, pulling, working him. “Fuck. Fuck. Rig. Oh.” He held his hips still as long as he could, but it was too good and he held Rig's head still, fucked that sweet mouth. Rig hummed, the tip of Rig's tongue slapped the head of Rock's cock with every stroke. “Fuck. Now. Rig. Shit."

  He jerked, his orgasm coming out of him, pulled out by that magic mouth. Rig drank him right down, fingers on his balls, stroking them, encouraging each pulse, each shock. Looking down, watching, he thought that was the prettiest sight he'd seen in too damn long. “Fucking good, Rig. So fucking good."

  "Mmmhmm.” Rig nodded, licked him clean.

  Dick sighed, the sound happy.

  Rig's forehead rested on his belly, both of them breathing together. He stroked his hand through Rig's hair and just stood there, enjoying the fucking afterglow.

  "Mmm. Perfect appetizer.” Rig's smile tickled his skin.

  "You know it."

  "That's my cue, isn't it?” Dick bounced up, adjusted himself in his jeans and went over to the stove.

  Rig chuckled. “Sorry, Dick. I wasn't pushing.” Those eyes were twinkling.

  "I know. But I have to make sure you keep your strength up for my turn."

  Rock chuckled and bent to kiss him. Oh, hell. Those lips were supposed to taste like him. Just like that.

  He lost himself in it, in the flavor of his own come on Rig's lips, on the heat of Rig's mouth, that tongue sliding along his own. Groaning, he went to his knees, deepening the kiss.

  Rig's moan was the finest sound he'd ever heard. He didn't stop kissing until Dick brought over Rig's scrambled eggs. “I suppose I'd better get back to work."

  "I'll help. I just want my eggs."

  Rig was hungry. It was fucking good to see him chowing down like that.

  Rock grinned and put himself away, getting the apron back on. “You're only allowed to supervise. Dick said so."

  "Did Dick say I could have coffee?"

  "No coffee.” Dick grinned. “I'll get you a refill on the milk, though."

  Rock grinned and leaned in to whisper. “You know he's been on the Internet. Probably knows more about the disease than your doctor."

  "Can't you hide that damn thing?"

  "I kind of like that he knows what he does."

  Rig ate the egg. All of it. And drank about half of the milk. “Yeah, yeah. I'll sit here and make pea salad, keep y'all out of trouble."

  "Yeah, we need you to make sure we don't stuff the turkey with marshmallows or something."

  "Oh, ew. No marshmallow stuffing.” Rig laughed, swatted his ass. “Bring me the cans of peas."

  "Is he allowed to make the pea salad, Dick?"

  "If he can do it sitting right where he is."

  "I can. Come on. Let me play too."

  Rock looked over at Dick. “I think he's having a relapse. He thinks this is playing."

  Dick laughed, bringing a big bowl and the rest of the ingredients over to Rig.

  "You don't think I'd've made us Thanksgiving dinner for all these years if I hated it, do you?"

  "No, I know you like. it. Fucking hard work, though."

  "Yep.” Rig hummed contentedly, getting right to work.

  It was fucking good to see

  Grunting happily, he started peeling the sweet potatoes.

  Chapter Forty Two

  He wasn't sure whether to be tickled or worried that they wouldn't need him anymore. Right. Like his marines would have done this for anyone but him. Rig chuckled and wandered through the kitchen, cleaning a little, trying to talk himself out of making a pot of coffee and having one cup.

  Just one.

  Nice and early.

  Before the boys found out.

  Dick came out, utterly naked and yawning. “Oh, there you are.” He got a soft smile. “Happy Thanksgiving."

  Goddamn it.

  "Hey, Pretty. Do you have ‘keep Rig from coffee temptation’ radar?"

  "You were out here for coffee?” Dick laughed, came close enough to nuzzle against him. “You wouldn't have found any, you know."

  "Huh?” Oh. Warm. Strong. His Pretty.

  "There isn't any in the house.” Dick's fingers slid along his spine, slipping up beneath his sweatshirt.

  "But you and Rock...” Mmm. That felt nice.

  Dick shrugged. “It didn't seem fair, making the place smell like coffee when you couldn't have any."

  "Oh ... Y'all...” He lifted his chin, begged a kiss. Dick gave it to him, mouth meeting his, the kiss starting soft and growing hard. He groaned, kissing right back. His prick tried to fill, just a bit, which gave him a thrill, because it hadn't in a while.

  Dick's porno noises filled his mouth, and his Pretty's cock was having no problems perking right up. Rig reached out, stroking Dick nice and easy. Even if he couldn't get off, Dick could. Dick hadn't gotten that blowjob last night, either. He'd been more tired out by the day than he'd expected. He was given a sweet groan, Dick rocking gently into his touch.

  Rig leaned hard, letting Dick support him while he loved on that fine, strong body. Dick fed one sweet noise after another into his mouth, rocking faster, pushing into his hand. His cock rubbed against Dick's thigh, the heat and sensation soothing him, feeling so good.

  His sweats were tugged down, Dick groaning as soon as they were skin on skin.

  "Oh...” He blinked, swayed. Oh. Oh, he might get it up. Strong fingers grabbed his ass, squeezed. “Dick. Bed?"

  He wanted to be able to feel this. Enjoy it. Dick nodded, lifted him and headed down the hall, pressing kisses over his face.

  Their pricks rubbed with every step.

  So strong.

  His men were so strong.

  Sexy.

  His.

  He was set down by the bed, Dick grabbing his hands and tugging him into bed. Rig got settled, Rock's arms wrapping right around him immediately. Dick chuckled and climbed in, rubbing up against him and bringing their mouths back together again.

  Oh, sweet. He moved, slow and so careful, his body trying to remember how to do this. Dick's tongue parted his lips, his Pretty not seeming to be in any hurry, just loving on him. Ro
ck's cock rubbed against his ass, filling easily, eagerly, swelling against him.

  "You taste so good,” murmured Dick, licking at his lips and then pressing into his mouth again.

  It was all he could do, to moan and touch, encourage Dick's cock to jerk and throb, leak against him. Dick's fingers slid over him, randomly at first, but then they slid to his nipple, playing with the spot where the ring was supposed to be, just flicking it back and forth.

  Oh. Oh, it was tender, still. Just barely aching.

  He wanted it back

  Dick grinned, the smile curing against his mouth, and then the little bit of flesh was tugged, hard.

  "Pretty!” He jerked, gasping loud, eyes wide.

  "Oh, I haven't heard that sound in far too long.” Dick nipped at his lower lip, fingers moving to his other nipple and rubbing it.

  "Don't stop.” He moaned as Rock's hand landed on his belly. “More."

  Rock groaned, mouth nuzzling into his neck as Dick gave him a quick kiss and started wriggling down, stopping to mouth at both nipples.

  "Please.” Oh, please. He wanted this back. Needed it. Licking all the way, Dick slowly went down on him, nibbling and nuzzling at his belly, and slowly getting closer and closer to his cock. He shuddered, watching. “I don't know if..."

  Looking up at him, Dick liked his navel. “Doesn't matter. Just want to taste you, ‘kay?"

  "Yeah. Yeah, please, huh?” He'd do anything for it.

  Beaming, Dick kissed his belly, and bent, tongue flicking across the tip of his cock. Rig closed his eyes, heart pounding as he just leaned into Rock's heat and felt. Rock's prick rubbed against his ass, nice and slow, and one hand slid over his belly. And Dick's tongue moved on him, licked at him. It was so hot, so good.

  He just moved, rocked and felt and soared. “Pretty. Blue. I. So good."

  Rock hummed, the sound vibrating along his skin, while Dick nibbled at the tip, and then took the whole head in. Rig might have sobbed, the pleasure just overwhelming. He wasn't even sure he was hard; he was pretty sure it didn't matter. It just felt so fucking good.

  Dick licked and kissed and sucked him, loved on him like he was the most precious thing in the world. The familiar rush of orgasm started building in the base of his spine, heat swelling, sliding through him.