Cowboy: The Mathesons - Book 2

by Rhodes, Declan

  As we arrived at the main lodge, Mason said, “Be ready for a crowd. I think you are the last to arrive. Benji and my parents arrived on separate flights late last night. Everybody else has been here all week.”

  As the double doors to the lodge opened, I heard shouts of “Simon!” Next came a round of applause. I felt like a celebrity returning home to a rousing welcome.

  Tate whispered, “They love you more than they love me,” and then he laughed.

  Most of the faces were familiar, but I’d never met the man who wrapped Mason in a massive hug in greeting. It was his partner, Kyle.

  After a sweet kiss, Mason tugged Kyle over to greet my moms and me. He said, “This here is the awesome man responsible for The Hideaway. Kyle, meet Simon and his moms Missy and Tina.”

  I heard Mom Tina whisper, “He’s quite handsome. I wonder whether he would model for me.”

  Mason also introduced us to Kyle’s father, Bentley, and Kyle’s sister, Lily, who was familiar from video phone calls with Guy Matheson and their gorgeous toddler daughter, Tilda.

  After Tate’s mom, Petra, hugged me, she said, “We always knew that we would see you again, Simon. Sometimes it takes Tate a little while to get his head together, but you’ve got a great man. We’re tremendously proud of him. We don’t see enough of him since he’s out there in New York, but we know that he’s doing wonderful things.”

  I turned my head to look at Tate standing next to me. He was blushing. In an uncharacteristically soft voice, he said, “Thank you, Mom.”

  As the crowd broke into smaller groups chatting together, Tate looked for his favorite in the crowd, Tilda. He joined Guy and Lily on a sofa in the main lodge lobby. I stood nearby and watched Tate bouncing Tilda on his lap. She squealed with delight.

  After Kyle excused himself to attend to resort matters, Mason joined me in watching Tate. He said, “My little brother is such a huge beast, but he’s always been phenomenal with little kids. Look at that. Tilda loves him.”

  I whispered, “You know, someday we’re going to have one of our own.”

  Mason grinned. “That would be perfect. Yours can play with ours once I have Kyle convinced that we’re ready. I can’t wait. I don’t know if I want a boy or a girl. I think either one would be fantastic.”

  I said, “He or she would be so spoiled in a place like this. My moms took me to the beach out on Long Island, but this is my first time at a winter resort.”

  “Have you skied before, Simon?”

  I laughed nervously. “No, and I hear that it’s a good way to break a leg.”

  Matheson wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “That won’t happen with Kyle as an expert instructor. It’s also harder to seriously injure yourself when you’re on cross country skis, despite what my little brother, Benji, might say. I’ll let Kyle know that you need a place on the schedule. You’ll love it. The trails through the woods are gorgeous.”

  * * *

  It was almost 10:00 p.m. by the time Tate and I were finally able to say goodnight to everyone and retire to our own private cabin. Tate said, “I hope you didn’t eat too much. We’ve got a feast on the way tomorrow. Kyle’s chef will create an out-of-this-world Thanksgiving. You can count on that.”

  “I tried to take it easy on the buffet spread for dinner, but I think I might gain ten pounds while we’re here.”

  As he wrapped me in his arms, Tate asked, “How about a dip in that hot tub before bed?”

  “I was going to ask about that. It sounds like the perfect thing to lead to a great night’s sleep.”

  We both stripped down in the living room. I reached for my suitcase to find my swim trunks. Shaking his head, Tate said, “No, naked is perfect.”

  I was nervous about being naked outside, but it was dark, and our cabin was tucked in its own small grove of pine trees. No one would see us.

  Tate reached for his jeans and stuffed his hand in one of the pockets. I said, “Please, don’t bring your phone.”

  “No, I’ve got something else. I think you’ll like this.”

  I noticed a small box in Tate’s right hand as he suddenly fell to one knee at my feet. It only took seconds to figure out what it was. I gasped.

  “I’ve been waiting for this moment all the way from New York,” said Tate. “I struggled to keep quiet tonight all evening long. At first, I thought about bringing it out in front of both families, but the moment never seemed right. I think this is better. Just the two of us, naked and in love.”

  “Oh, my God, are you for real? Are you sure about this?”

  For once, Tate wasn’t the least bit indecisive. He said, “Simon, I’ve never been so confident about anything in my life.” He popped open the box, and a gold ring sparkled in the light from a lamp near the living room sofa.

  I held a hand over my mouth as I watched.

  Tate asked, “Would you make me the happiest man in the entire world and marry me?”

  “Oh, man, a thousand times yes! I’ll be your husband. I want to be with you for the rest of my life!”

  As Tate placed the ring on my finger, the tears started to flow. I couldn’t help it. Tate rose to his feet and kissed them away.

  I said, “I guarantee the tears are all happy, but this is a dream come true. It’s the perfect time, Tate, and the perfect place.”

  We were both already buck naked, and I was happy to hear Tate’s next suggestion. He said, “We’ve already shucked off our clothes. I suggest that we skip the hot tub and retire to bed early. I think we’ve got something to celebrate.”

  Tate climbed up the ladder to the sleeping loft behind me. I asked, “Did you bring the condom and lube?”

  He didn’t answer, and I glanced over my shoulder to see why. He couldn’t talk. Tate carried the condom packet in his teeth, and Kyle thoughtfully furnished the loft with a small bottle of lube.

  I asked, “I wonder if he does that for all the guests.”

  Tate chuckled as he settled into the loft beside me and took the packet out of his mouth. “Tonight I think the cowboy’s going for a ride.”

  “Yeah, you’ve decided that?”

  “Do you have a better idea?”

  I grinned. “No, but tomorrow night we reverse it.”

  “Damn, you even make this part exciting,” growled Tate as I rolled the condom down over his thick cock. “Roll over. Let’s start with you on all fours.”

  I grunted, “Fuck,” and rested on all fours waiting for that first big thrust. I clenched my teeth anticipating the sharp intensity of the penetration. I couldn’t wait for the moments when the sensation would melt into pure pleasure.

  Tate said, “We’re going to get you lubed up, too.” I gasped as first one finger and then the second slipped inside making the path a little more slippery and more comfortable for both of us.

  He didn’t waste any opportunities to make sex more erotic. Tate’s fingers fucked me slowly. I started to rock my hips forward and back as he spread them slightly opening me up and readying me for that cock. I lowered myself onto my elbows sticking my ass straight up in the air and whispering, “Holy fuck, that’s good.”

  “We’re just getting started,” said Tate. After he pulled the fingers back, he leaned in close on his knees and began teasing my outer ring with the head of his cock. As Tate’s body draped itself across my back, I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck. He moaned, “My future husband.”

  It only took one thrust for Tate to slip inside. I bit my lip and closed my eyes. It was painful for a moment, but then that incredible full sensation spread through my body. I growled, “Oh fuck, Tate.”

  He always started out gentle when we fucked, but soon he was rocking his hips with more speed and intensity. He buried his cock to the hilt in my ass. As I started to gasp for breath, Tate said, “I’m rolling you over so I can see that handsome face.”

  Using his powerfully muscular arms, Tate flipped me over, and seconds later that cock was buried deep inside me again. I wrapped my legs tight arou
nd his torso and stared up into his eyes.

  He grunted and said, “I love you, Simon, more than anything in the world. And I’m not just saying that because you’re one awesome fuck.”

  My laugh turned into a gasp when he punctuated the comment with a powerful thrust as an exclamation point. I managed to respond in a breathless tone. “I love you, too. Oh, fuck fuck…”

  We lost ourselves in the act of making love. Tate wrapped his thick fingers around my cock and started to pump it in rhythm with the thrusts of his hips. I reached up to grip his shoulders.

  We rocked together as one, gasping and grunting, and soon we were both at the edge. I moaned, “Close…I’m gonna come.”

  “Aw, fuck, come, Simon. I’m there, too.”

  We both howled as I shot hard with the cum arcing over onto my chest and belly. Tate shuddered when he erupted seconds later. It was the most erotic vision imaginable. A powerful orgasm swept through that massive muscular body with his cock locked inside me.

  Tate slowed the fucking until he finally pulled out and lay down beside me. On his back, he reached out for me, and I rolled to my side scooting up close.

  Turning his head and looking into my eyes, he said, “Don’t ever stop being my cowboy. You’re the man of my dreams, Simon.”

  “And you’re my hero, Tate.”

  Epilogue - Tate

  At first, I resisted Simon’s idea, but when I saw us both in pinstripes with the caps on our heads, I agreed that he made a good choice. For Ally’s next costume party, we dressed up as Yankees baseball players. Simon bought jerseys with our names on the back, Matheson and LeWayne.

  Simon’s business was pulling in new clients left and right. He’d already added two employees to help out, and he wasn’t sure if he could stay in his first office for much longer. They were running out of space.

  With the solid income, I agreed to the purchase of a pair of season tickets for the Yankees. That meant we could go to more than eighty home games throughout the season. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that many free evenings available, but I knew we would attend more than twenty games. Only about six weeks into the season, I already knew many of the players’ names, and Simon kept busy giving me a crash course on all the rules and strategy of baseball.

  Ally dressed as Martha Washington for her party. Like most of the other guests, when Simon and I arrived, we asked her about George. She said, “I heard that he’s busy on the other side of the Delaware. Maybe he’ll make the crossing later tonight.”

  We were both surprised when we found Penny in the crowd. She had a tall, thin man at her side. I laughed at their clever costumes. He appeared as a pencil and wore a pink rubber hat. Penny dressed in a much larger pink costume. She was one of those big thick erasers that I had to buy each year in elementary school.

  I asked, “Who’s the big pencil?”

  “Oh, Tate, this is Andrew.”

  He reached out a hand to shake. Simon asked, “Is there anything special about Andrew?’

  “He runs a coffee shop in the Village.”

  Simon smirked. “You know what I mean.”

  Penny responded by reaching out to hug Andrew, and they kissed each other on the lips. She asked, “Is that what you wanted to know?”

  With permission from Ally, I mentioned the party to Ted. Simon and I were regulars at Sagebrush. He was a natural catching on to both the line dances and two-step in record time. We occasionally switched partners with other couples. The first time I suggested that Simon dance with Skip while I danced with Ted, I worried about the outcome.

  Fortunately, Simon came back to me breathless saying, “Wow, that was exhilarating. He’s a madman, but it was fun.”

  Ted backed out of the invitation to the party over the phone two nights in advance. I asked, “Do you have something better to do on that night?”

  “Actually, I do. His name is Mike.”

  “Wow. Yes, I think that’s the best excuse. You know, you could bring Mike with you.”

  Ted said, “No, I think it’s too early for that. We’re both still sniffing around trying to decide if this is for real. I hope so. I’ve never laughed so long and hard with somebody.”

  “Does he dance?”

  “He’s promised to learn how.”

  I smiled. “Then I’m all for him. Good luck, buddy. You’ve got all the good thoughts from both Simon and me.”

  The acquaintances at the party that we only saw once or twice a year were all excited to see the rings on our fingers. They all asked the same question, too—“what’s the date for the wedding?”

  We didn’t have a specific one planned, and we couldn’t decide whether to marry in Manhattan or travel to the California mountains and have the ceremony in Shady Valley. Mason wanted a double wedding, and we were considering that option, too.

  Halfway through the party, Simon found another baseball fan. It was a man named George. He owned an art gallery, and we’d met him several times before. Baseball didn’t come up in conversation until he saw our uniforms.

  While I stood quietly at Simon’s side listening to the shared anecdotes, George sized me up, and then he whispered in Simon’s ear.

  I said, “Hey, it’s not fair telling secrets.”

  Simon held a hand up to stop me. I heard him say to George, “No, we’ve never done that.”

  George whispered again.

  Simon said, “Yeah, that sounds fun.”

  An expression of confusion spread across my face as George began clearing some space around us. He motioned for me to step back.

  I asked, “What’s going on?”

  Simon said, “We’re recreating a special event.”

  George spoke up. “It’s October 8, 1956.”

  The date meant nothing to me, but I saw a couple of other guests nod. Simon said, “You’d better not drop me.”

  I was even more confused. “Drop you? I don’t think I get it.”

  George said, “Pitcher Don Larsen and catcher Yogi Berra. World Series. Perfect game.”

  Before I could ask another question, I watched Simon take a step back and then come running at me. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. For a split-second, I considered stepping aside. Otherwise, I feared that Simon was going to tackle me.

  Instead, he leaped up from the floor into my arms. I reflexively caught him and held him tightly while he wrapped both arms and legs around me like he was climbing a pole. I stumbled backward. Fortunately, I didn’t fall.

  The entire crowd applauded. George exclaimed, “Perfect catch!” and Simon kissed me.

  As I struggled to catch my breath, he said, “I love you, Tate. Don’t ever let me go.”

  * * *

  I hope you loved reading Cowboy as much as I loved writing it for you! If you haven’t read the first book in the Mathesons series, check out First now. It is the story of Mason and Kyle.

  Also, don’t miss signing up for my mailing list if you want to make sure you don’t miss any of my upcoming books, announcements of sales, and free stories and bonus chapters! I never send out spam.

  Just click the link below.

  http://eepurl.com/b_qC_1

  Also by Declan Rhodes

  The Weighting Game

  The Mathesons

  First (Mason and Kyle)

  Baseball and Softball

  A Brand New Ballgame (Chase and Aaron)

  The Money Pitch (Mo and Jack)

  First Time Up (Eric and Harley)

  Distant Replay (Andy and Zane)

  The League 5-Book Boxed Set

  Pitchers and Catchers 5-Book Boxed Set

  Making the Cut

  All-Stars

  Romance In the City

  The Pretend Husband (Liam and Alex)

  The First Time Around (Mark and Daniel)

  Winter Sports

  Built for Speed (James and Lucas)

  Trained to Win (Jordi and Tristan)

  More Books

  Fit To Be Married

  Late Nig
ht Means Love

  Order Up

  First - The Mathesons Book 1

  Reviews

  “I really liked the family aspect of this book. The bringing together of the Mathesons and the Greenes made for a really warm, frustrating, loving and challenging set of stories in this, Kyle and Mason’s love story. ”

  “This story checked all the boxes: sexy, sweet, angsty with an HEA.”

  “If ever a book was titled perfectly, it would be this friends to lovers romance. This story is packed full of firsts for both Mason and Kyle. With one guarding his heart and the other still getting his bearings in his new life, it felt a little like a coming of age story even though Mason and Kyle are past that age. They aren't immature by any means, but there is something almost innocent about Mason learning to let go and Kyle learning, well, everything about a relationship with a man. ”

  For Mason Matheson, being first-born into a large, prosperous family meant the responsibility to compete to be first in many ways. When Kyle Greene, a childhood friend of Mason and his family, decides its time to broaden his horizons and experiment with men, Mason is determined to be Kyle's "first."

  Mason began the week shoehorned into a minivan with his four adult brothers and one sister on the way to Kyle's mountain ski lodge for a vacation week. Matheson and Greene, the company founded by the elder generation of two close families, enjoyed a windfall of business, and Mason's father, John, decided that it was time to gather around, bring the two families together for the first time in years, and celebrate. For a whole week. Away from work. Away from the city. With brothers and sisters. Mason dreaded the upcoming seven days. Then he saw Kyle again for the first time since high school.

  Former Olympic slalom skier Kyle is hurting from the three-pronged lousy luck of a blown-out knee ending his competitive skiing career, the death of his mother, and the disintegration of his marriage. All that he had left was his family, disapproving father Bentley and loving sister Lily, and his recently purchased ski resort, The Hideaway. He saw the arrival of the Matheson clan as an opportunity to get back on his feet and surround himself with a crowd of people who cared.