Loving the Cowboy Read online

  “It happened because you wanted it to.”

  “No, you ambushed me on the pretense of going for a ride.”

  Ryan sighed. “What’s your problem, Tim? You turning straight as you get older?”

  “’Course I’m not. That’s a dumbass thing to say just ’cause I didn’t want you kissing me.”

  “I might be a dumbass, but you’re a fucking liar. You wanted me to kiss you and you enjoyed every damned second of it, or does your dick get hard for no reason at all?”

  “What? Well, that… I—”

  “Yeah, that.” Ryan stared at Tim’s bulging fly.

  “I’m sorry. I guess I was leading you on a bit there. I like you, Ryan, but there’s no room in my life for a relationship.”

  “Who the hell is talking relationships? You like me, I like you. I wanted to kiss you, maybe get as far as a blow job…maybe even fuck, but there’s no plan in my head to have us commit to each other until death do us part, or any shit like that.”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh, is right. So, wanna saddle up and go for that ride?” He leered at Tim. “Maybe that hard-on will’ve died done enough by then, so it won’t get in the way.”

  Tim reddened then chuckled. “I am bein’ an ass, aren’t I?”

  “No argument there. Go on, see to Rosie while I get Midnight ready. He’s no bronco, but he’ll do in a pinch.”

  “How come you don’t have your own horse here?” Tim asked while he patted Rosie’s neck.

  “Long story. I might tell you one day if you stop your prick teasin’.”

  “Hey, you started it.”

  “I wasn’t teasin’ you, Tim.” He walked to the far end of the stable to Midnight’s stall, muttering under his breath. Maybe he shouldn’t have kissed Tim, but darn it, he’d looked way ripe and ready for some friskiness—a frisky colt, that was. Ready to buck when it felt threatened. And he’d lied when he’d told Tim he didn’t want anything serious to happen. I’d love to have that colt wrap his legs around me so I could fuck him till we’re both panting, sweaty and exhausted. But he’d also love to have Tim by his side for the foreseeable future. It didn’t look as if that was likely, though.

  Not yet, anyway, but I’m a patient man.

  Tim watched him walk away and could have kicked himself. Why the hell had he acted like some dizzy debutante afraid of the big bad villain? It was just Ryan, and he liked Ryan, and Ryan liked him…and that kiss had been dyn-o-mite. Jeez, but you’re an ass, Tim Barrett.

  Beside him, Rosie whinnied softly. “You don’t have to agree with me, you know.” He flung the saddle up on her back then secured the girth straps. He waited until Ryan approached leading Midnight then he pushed the stable doors open.

  “You okay?” Ryan asked.

  Tim shrugged. “Feelin’ a tad foolish.”

  “Don’t. Just blame it on my crassness. I shouldn’t have presumed you’d be okay with me grabbin’ you like that.”

  “It didn’t feel crass, Ryan. I-I just kinda panicked.”

  “And it’s okay. So lock up those doors and let’s get movin’.” He swung up onto Midnight’s saddle and Tim had to admit that he looked damned good up there. Every inch the macho horseman, and his cock, which had been almost back to its normal healthy self, pulsed with renewed interest. He turned away to lock the doors then, after a quick attempt to adjust himself, hopefully unseen by Ryan, he mounted Rosie. When he looked at Ryan’s amused expression his cheeks grew hot. The fucker had seen him.

  Like Ryan had predicted, the moon was full, big and so bright Tim could make out the face with total clarity.

  “Beautiful, huh?”

  “Yeah.” Ryan smiled at him without looking up at the sky.

  Tim tipped his head upward. “The moon.”

  “Yeah, the moon’s beautiful too.”

  Tim couldn’t think of anything to say to that so he stayed quiet while their horses trotted side by side along the trail that led to the outer edges of Royce’s dad’s spread. He thinks I’m beautiful. Does he need glasses or somethin’? Fair-lookin’ is what I’d call me, hardly beautiful…

  “Real handy having this extra land close to the Seven Plus,” Ryan remarked, and Tim was glad he seemed to have gotten off his teasing banter. Although he’d said he wasn’t teasing, earlier.

  “Royce told me when the land the Seven Plus is on came up for sale, his dad bought it for him and Parker.”

  “Wow, that’s the way to get a start on a business venture.”

  “Didn’t start out a business venture,” Tim said. “At first they only planned on building the house and having a stable for their own horses. Then the idea of the dude ranch came to Royce. Parker was leery at first, but when Royce advertised it as a kind of experiment, he got so much response that Parker got excited about the prospect too…and Seven Plus was born.”

  “And it’s definitely on the plus side now,” Ryan remarked. “Any more horses and they’ll have to add to the stable.”

  “Yeah, I heard Royce talkin’ about that the other day.”

  “You like working here, don’t you?”

  “Totally, Ryan. I can’t imagine working anywhere else now.”

  “So you wouldn’t go back on the circuit, ever?”

  “Not full time, no. I still enter the local rodeos couple times of the year. It’s a fun break, but the uncertainty of winning the next cash award keeps me here where I know my next paycheck is guaranteed. I grubbed around for too long—the transportation, the upkeep, the feed, the vet bills. When you don’t have enough to look after your bronco, never mind yourself, it loses some of the glamor.”

  Ryan chuckled. “I hear ya. But you have to admit there’s thrills to be had. I used to love to hear the roar of the crowd when I came outta the gate. Those few seconds of cheers would ring in my ears, sometimes for days. If I beat the clock, it was glorious.”

  “So, you saying you’d go back?” Tim glanced at the handsome wrangler at his side.

  “It’s a temptation that’s hard to ignore.” He met Tim’s glance with a mischievous smile and winked. “Kinda like you.” He reached across and rubbed Tim’s thigh. “I’d like to kiss you again.”

  Tim’s pulse raced. He wanted to feel those soft lips, the rasp of Ryan’s scruff on his face again. No doubt about it, he wanted the man. But where could it go? Nowhere, but Ryan had more or less said he didn’t want a relationship any more than Tim did—so what was the harm in one night with him? They could get it out of their systems and go on like nothing happened. Just a hot memory.

  “Hard to kiss me when we’re up here on our horses,” he finally said, trying to keep his tone light. “Don’t think they’d approve.”

  Ryan laughed. “Maybe Rosie’s got a jealous streak, but I don’t think Midnight could give a toss.” He dismounted and tied Midnight’s reins to a low-lying tree branch. “Wanna join me?”

  Chapter Six

  “What d’you have in mind?”

  “Don’t play coy, Tim. You know exactly what I have in mind.”

  “And what if I don’t want that?”

  “You do.” Ryan reach up, put his arms around Tim’s waist and hauled him off the saddle. Tim yelped, then he was crushed against Ryan’s hard chest and Ryan’s lips crashed against his and the blood rushing through his head drove every sensible thought from his mind.

  “Jesus,” he breathed into Ryan’s mouth when Ryan let them up for air. “Can’t you kiss like any normal guy?”

  Ryan’s lips didn’t leave Tim’s while he muttered, “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “You know, nice and slow…”

  “We’re beyond nice and slow.” To prove it, Ryan thrust his tongue past Tim’s mumbled protests, gliding over Tim’s with a sensuous slide that had Tim seeing stars. Ryan’s lips were soft and warm yet held a demanding sensuality that Tim couldn’t ignore. He held on to Ryan for support more than anything else, afraid his knees would buckle and he’d slump to the ground in an embarrassing heap. He wrappe
d his arms around Ryan’s neck and enjoyed the heck out of the kiss, thrusting back into the heat of Ryan’s mouth.

  “Yeah…” Ryan’s breathy moan was followed by Tim’s belt being unbuckled and his button fly being undone, then Ryan’s hand was gently squeezing Tim’s cock through his boxer briefs, and sounds of satisfaction replaced Ryan’s moan.

  “Wait, wait…”

  “What now?” Ryan’s tone was a mixture of impatience and some amusement.

  “I didn’t secure Rosie—she might wander off.”

  “Tie her up with Midnight. They can keep each other company, same as us. And be quick about it, will ya? No more stonewalling.”

  “Eager much?” Tim said tartly.

  “You have no idea.”

  Tim’s hands, shaking with anticipation, made a difficult job of tying Rosie’s reins to Midnight’s, and he grinned when he heard Ryan growl.

  “I’m coming.”

  “Not yet you’re not.” He grabbed Tim’s arm and swung him into another hard embrace, wasting no time in plunging his tongue into Tim’s mouth and causing a near meltdown in Tim’s brain. Through the kiss Ryan unbuttoned Tim’s shirt and pulled it open. He ran kisses down Tim’s throat to his chest where he nuzzled the smooth skin, licking and gently biting Tim’s nipples before he sank to his knees, yanking Tim’s jeans and boxer briefs down in one smooth move.

  “Oh, yeah…” Ryan’s warm breath on Tim’s cock was a carnal thrill all by itself. “That is one bee-yoot-iful dick. Long and thick, just as I like ’em. And that pre-cum right there…” He licked the head then sucked at the bubble of pearl-like juice. “Man, you taste good…” As though he wanted to show his appreciation, he took Tim’s shaft in his hand and licked it from base to tip then back down again. Tim’s groan must’ve sounded like encouragement as Ryan swallowed him all the way to the back of his throat.

  Tim almost came from the sensation. He hadn’t been blown by a real person in a long time. Watching porn stars giving each other head went only so far, and now he cursed himself for not indulging sooner. But would he have enjoyed it this much, he wondered. This was amazing. His eyes rolled back and he gave himself up to Ryan’s expert sucking. It was obvious Ryan loved giving head and he was really, really good at it, and when Ryan fondled and gently squeezed Tim’s balls, he knew he wasn’t going to last much longer under the erotic onslaught.

  “Ryan, Ryan,” he moaned, bucking his hips forward, giving the wrangler even more to suck on. He was aware of a rapid movement below and figured Ryan was taking care of himself. Shit. He wanted to do that…maybe later. As it was, the warning signs of his impending orgasm were spreading tingling sensations down his spine, through his thighs and his balls that Ryan was now licking. He ran his tongue over each one then slid all the way up Tim’s cock to catch the head once more in his mouth.

  “Ryan…” Now it was a warning. “Coming…oh, God, I’m coming.”

  Ryan gave an answering slurp and sucked harder, and Tim, shaking with the power of his climax, almost fell over. He placed his hands on Ryan’s broad shoulders to steady himself and got lost in the power of his orgasm, shooting down Ryan’s throat. Ryan gulped and swallowed till he’d gotten what felt like every last drop out of Tim, then stood and claimed Tim’s mouth again. Holding Tim’s and his own hard cocks in one hand, he started jerking himself off, and Tim could swear that the action was making him hard again. He sucked on Ryan’s tongue, tasting himself. Ryan groaned and Tim knocked his hand away, taking hold of Ryan’s cock and pumping the thick length furiously until Ryan came, spraying warm cum through Tim’s hand and over his bare torso.

  They rested their foreheads together, panting heavily, both of them shaking in each other’s arms. “Wow…” Tim’s murmured sound of approval resulted in Ryan’s arms tightening around him. They were a mess, hot and sweaty, covered in cum, but he wouldn’t have traded this moment for anything else. He’d needed this more than he’d realized, and being with Ryan had been a bonus to add to the sheer craziness of what they had just shared, out there among the trees, his naked butt exposed, and their horses casting dubious looks their way.

  Tim chuckled and, after a quizzical stare, Ryan got it and laughed along with him.

  “I think a shower is needed,” he said, giving Ryan a peck on the lips after he’d hauled his jeans back up.

  “Or a swim in the crick.”

  “Uh-uh, that crick has fish in it and I don’t want them nibbling on my bits, thank you very much.”

  “Chicken.”

  “Darned right, but…” He ran his fingers down the side of Ryan’s face, lingering over his lower lip. “How about if I offer you my shower?”

  “With you in it?” He nibbled on Tim’s forefinger.

  “That could be arranged.”

  “Then your kind offer is accepted.”

  “Kinda figured it would be.”

  “Getting cocky all of a sudden, aren’t you?”

  “All your fault, I’d say.”

  Ryan laughed and slapped Tim’s butt. “Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  After they had unsaddled the horses and given them a quick rub-down, they locked the stable doors again and made their way quietly to the bunkhouse. Ryan was pleased that there was no one in the common room when they passed through.

  “Bob’s probably asleep,” Tim whispered, leaning into Ryan, who had his arm around Tim’s waist. “And Stu is out on one of his dates.”

  “Perfect timing,” Ryan whispered back, kissing Tim’s cheek. God, but he was so ready to tear the younger man’s clothes off that hot body and plow him through the mattress…but shower first. They were both kinda sticky, and definitely smelled of sex…although he didn’t mind that at all.

  In Tim’s room, Ryan couldn’t resist backing him up against a wall and kissing him long and hard, thrilled that Tim reciprocated in like style, forcing his tongue into Ryan’s mouth, tangling and tussling with it until they were both panting breathlessly. It seemed to Ryan that he’d broken down at least some of Tim’s defenses. They undressed each other feverishly, tearing at parts that wouldn’t come undone. Tim pushed Ryan away but took his hand and rushed him into the bathroom.

  “Wow, I didn’t know you had that tattoo on your shoulder,” Tim said, caressing the ink. “It’s a beauty. A dragon, yes?”

  “Yes.” He turned around so that Tim could see the tail that coiled over Ryan’s back to his spine.

  “It’s amazing, much better than the ones some guys have with those random bits that never make any sense to me.” He stroked Ryan’s back then kissed his shoulder. “I like it.”

  “In the shower,” Ryan growled. “You’ve made me hard again and I want to be clean when we hit the sheets.”

  Tim chuckled as he stepped into the stall and turned on the hot spray. “Come on then, let’s get clean together.” He wrapped his arms around Ryan’s waist when he was in beside him. They shared a long and languorous kiss while the water cascaded all around them.

  “Shouldn’t we use soap?” Tim asked when they broke off the kiss.

  “That’s the usual way to shower, isn’t it?”

  Tim grinned and picked up a bottle of body wash from the shelf.

  “Oh, you use that perfumed stuff.” Ryan grimaced.

  “It’s not perfumed.” He waved the bottle in front of Ryan’s face. “It’s for men, see? Quit complainin’.” He poured some onto a sponge and started washing Ryan’s chest. “See, feels good, doesn’t it?” Ryan grunted a response and Tim reached around to smack his butt. “Doesn’t it?”

  “Hey, ow.”

  Tim laughed. “Turn around and I’ll kiss it better.”

  “Brat.”

  “Grouch. Hey, look at us. We’re having our first fight. That didn’t take long, did it?” Tim sighed dramatically. “I guess this newfound friendship is doomed before it got started.”

  “We’re not fightin’. Just a little lovers’ spat.”

  “Lovers, huh?” He leaned in to nuzzle
Ryan’s neck and kissed the dragon’s head on his shoulder. “Is that what we are now?”

  “Well, friends don’t generally get naked together in the shower and rub each other with a soapy sponge.” He took the sponge from Tim and started to wash him all over. “Mmm, you have the sweetest body. Those tight muscles and smooth skin. You’re a joy to behold.”

  “A joy to behold? You keep sayin’ things like that and I might get a swelled head.”

  “Well, this head”—he soaped up Tim’s cock—“is most definitely swelled, and I think it needs my attention right now.” He got on his knees and rinsed off Tom’s hard shaft before taking it in his mouth. He slid his way down to the base, swirling his tongue around the hot, thick flesh and bringing moans and groans from Tim.

  “Don’t make me come, Ryan,” Tim whispered. “I want you inside me when that happens.”

  Ryan gazed up at him for a moment before releasing him and turning him around. He slipped a soapy finger into Tim’s crack and pushed into his tight hole just enough to stroke his prostate, making Tim shudder and gasp and press back into Ryan’s touch. He withdrew his finger and swept his tongue over Tim’s entrance, probing with the tip, holding him steady by his hips. Tim bent over, giving Ryan more access, and Ryan loved the little mewling sounds of pleasure escaping Tim’s lips.

  Gotta get him outta this shower and onto his bed before I blow. He didn’t dare touch his own hard-as-steel cock, for fear of doing just that. He stood and turned Tim back to face him then delivered a searing kiss to his mouth.

  “Let’s dry off so we can get to stage two of this event of the champions.”

  Tim laughed. “Oh yeah, I’m gonna ride you, cowboy.” He grabbed a towel and started rubbing it over Ryan’s chest and back. He dropped to his knees so he could dry Ryan’s muscled legs and took time to kiss the head of Ryan’s hard, hot erection. “Mmm, can’t wait for this to be all the way inside me. It’s been way too long…”

  “How long?” Ryan frowned when he took the towel and passed it over Tim’s smoothly toned body.