Jack's Way

A Total-E-Bound Publication

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Jack’s Way ISBN # 978-0-85715-608-2 ©Copyright Em Woods 2011 Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright July 2011 Edited by Stacey Birkel Total-E-Bound Publishing This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

JACK’S WAY Em Woods

Dedication For Ms. Ava March, Thank you for all your encouragement! Enjoy the cowboy yumminess.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Mustang: Ford Motor Company Staedtler: Staedtler & UHL Corona: Grupo Modelo Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co. Chevy: General Motors American Airlines: AMR Corporation

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Chapter One

“Benjamin.” Joan’s urgent whisper scarcely made it out of the little black box on his desk. He closed his eyes, wishing for the thousandth time that working for a high profile architecture firm in New Hampshire meant he could escape the big city drama. Setting his pencil down on his drafting table, he slid off his stool and pressed the two-way. “Yes?” “Christian’s here.” A loud crash from somewhere down the hall punctuated her statement. Ben’s eyes narrowed as he stared at his closed door. “That’s not possible. He’s still in treatment.” “He’s in treatment, all right, but it isn’t the one where you get any kind of help.” He blinked at the intercom, mute. “Ben?” She was louder this time, more worried. “What are you talking about?” “For God’s sake. He’s drunk.” A second bang came from just outside his door at Joan’s desk. The line went dead. Then, he didn’t need the open line to hear what his assistant was saying to his ex-lover. “You nutcase! Look what you just did to my desk.” “Where’s Ben?” Christian’s drunken slur carried through the closed door. “He’s not here. Take your fool self home before I call the police.” She was like a mother hen, all gossip and ruffled feathers. But don’t be the idiot who crossed her. She’d peck your eyes out. “His car’s in the lot. I know he’s around.” He didn’t want Joan caught in the middle of this. One thing had been consistent in his relationship with Christian—his ex was violent when he drank. Things usually ended in a nasty brawl because Ben wasn’t the pushover his ex liked to think he was. He had known after only two months of dating he wanted out. It had taken another four to get it done.

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When Christian had agreed to in-clinic therapy after yet another vicious argument, Ben had used the opportunity to make a clean break. That had been three months ago. He’d finally started to relax. Six months was a short-term relationship, after all, and Christian hadn’t so much as called. Until now. Ben was gripping the doorknob before he realised he’d even moved. He took one more deep breath before opening the door to take in the scene. Joan’s back was to Ben and Christian wobbled on weak legs in front of her, poking her in the shoulder. He leaned in, momentarily losing his balance before catching himself on her arm. “Where’s he at?” “Right here.” Ben leaned against the door jam, crossed one foot over the other. He cocked his head to the side. “What do you want, Christian?” “You left me.” “Three months ago.” Ben clenched his teeth. He hadn’t planned to officially out himself at work, but with half the office staff gawking from the hall, there was nothing he could do now. Damn it. Christian slapped at his pants, finally pulling a shorty from his rear pocket and taking a long pull from the clear bottle. He swiped at the trickle that ran down the side of his chin. “Are you sure it wasn’t yesterday?” “I’m sure.” Ben shook his head, straightened from his doorway. “Time for you to go.” “Not going anywhere.” Christian hiccupped, whirled to face the growing crowd, bracing his hand against the wall when he lost his balance yet again. He waved his other arm in Ben’s direction. “If any of you ladies want to know how he is in bed—you’ve got a long wait coming. But if you’re rich, successful and have a dick…now that he’ll fuck in a heartbeat.” “That’s enough.” Ben stepped forwards, nodding in his assistant’s direction. Joan dialled the phone then kept her voice low as she spoke with security. Ben noticed a slight movement at the edge of the crowd. The owner of the firm stepped out of his office. Ben groaned under his breath. While Jim was an okay boss, he was also homophobic as hell. Fuck. There wasn’t enough damage control in the world to fix this.

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“But I’m just getting started.” Christian’s eyes were bright, glossy, in the artificial light. He turned back to his audience. “He used me to get in good with Benson. And now he’s cut me loose like a too-small fish.” Ben’s pulse pounded in his ears. “Have you lost your mind?” He stepped closer, unable to believe his life was crumbling in front of him like this. His fists balled at his side, every muscle bulging with the effort to control himself. Christian faced Ben, a private smile curving his lips. “No, baby. I just want everyone to know the real you.” A low murmur rippled through the on-lookers then they drew back to the walls, letting two uniformed police officers through. “Someone call for a unit?” Joan stepped close, hooking her arm in Ben’s. “I did.” She pointed to Christian, her hand a little unsteady. “He barged in here threatening me and making a scene.” The older of the two officers looked her way. “Threatened you, you say?” “Yes, sir.” Ben resisted looking at her. In the five years he’d worked there at Steinburg’s, he’d never heard her call anyone sir. “Want to press charges, ma’am?” Joan squeezed Ben’s arm. He patted her hand, eased her grip on his skin, answering for her. “We just want him to leave.” “That gives us two options.” The officer looked at Christian. “You can either leave willingly, or we can remove you.” Christian snorted, stowed the bottle away in his pocket. “I’ll call a cab.” “No need. We’ll take you where you need to go.” The older man’s face was soft and yielding but his eyes told a different story. Hard and unforgiving, they spoke clearly to even a drunken man. “Fine. I live over on Broadway.” The second officer held his hand out. “We’ll take the bottle.” Christian wobbled a bit, then pulled the nearly empty flask from his pants. “Almost gone anyway.”

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Ben watched them leave, intent on seeing the back of his ex go. He started to move away when a soft, clammy hand gripped his arm. He turned to face his boss, dreading what he knew was coming. “Pack your belongings. You’re on suspension until we investigate his claims.” “How long?” His boss shrugged his bony shoulders, a smirk turning the corners of his mouth. “Could be a while.” “But I’m in the middle of Benson’s remodel.” “It’s just a remodel so I’ll have no problem assigning someone else. Get out.” The ratty little man disappeared back into his corner office, shutting his door on the commotion that erupted from the other designers. Ben stared at the closed door, replayed the words in his head. Bastard. What he called a remodel was actually a complete build from the ground up, adding five-thousand square feet to the total of James Benson’s estate home. “Well, fuck him,” Joan said from his elbow. Ben turned to see her face. “What did you say?” She peered at him, green eyes sharp and watchful, then smoothed her greying hair back against her head. “When you find another job, you call me. I’m coming with you.” He nodded, not sure how this day had become so bizarre, feeling a bit like he had fallen down the proverbial rabbit’s hole. “I need a box first.”

**** From inside his car, Ben traced the exterior of his building with his gaze. He counted the floors, stopped on number ten at the corner. His place—a roomy two-bedroom flat that overlooked a small, man-made lake. The building probably looked old as dirt to some but he saw the beauty in every dip and swirl of the ornate scrolls decorating the roof edge. He appreciated the time and sweat that went into designing then overseeing the plans until, brick by brick, the complex was finished. Endless hours full of labour. Full of passion. That was why he had bought the place. He heaved a sigh and climbed out of his Mustang.

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The numbness of being fired for the first time in his life had worn off an hour ago. Now he could barely contain the emotions pitching around in his belly and he didn’t want to throw up in his car. Ben grabbed the shoebox holding his stuff off the passenger seat. With the exception of one little knick-knack from his college roommate, the box contained only work tools. His drawing compass, twelve-inch metal ruler, Staedtler template, calculator and favourite pencils were all that he cared to take with him. He had always counted his father’s tools as his most cherished possessions and continued to use them long after the firm had shifted to the latest drafting software. Today, though, the collection felt pitifully small and much like a failure—to have nothing else to show for both his personal and professional life. He climbed the stone steps leading to the entrance, shaking off the feeling of loneliness. Ben flipped to his door key and let himself into the foyer of the building. The tap of his shoes echoed loud to his ears as he crossed the slate floor to the antique brass mailboxes with the intention of collecting his mail before heading up to lose himself in the six pack of Corona sitting in his fridge. Ben closed his eyes and let his chin drop to his chest when the little door wouldn’t open past a crack. When he finally pried it wide enough, he stared at the stuffed full cubbyhole, trying to think when he last checked his box. The past week had been nothing but work and sleep—his only thoughts were of the layout of Benson’s house. Ben flipped the lid to the shoebox open and wrestled the envelopes and flyers from his mailbox, cramming them on top of his other things. He’d have plenty of time to sort through it all…starting tomorrow. Hell, starting tomorrow, he’d have time to do any damn thing he pleased. Except work. He snapped the latch closed and tucked the box close to his hip. Ben didn’t have to wait long for the elevator and soon he was unlocking the front door to his corner suite. He kicked off his shoes and chucked the package towards the kitchen table as he passed on the way to the fridge for that beer. The box caught the edge of the chair and Ben could only watch as time slowed. The flimsy box tumbled to the ground, spilling its contents across the tile floor. He wondered

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what fate had against him today. First, his ex showed up drunk, then his boss fired him. Now he couldn’t even set a simple fucking box on the table without causing a big mess. For a split-second, he thought about grabbing the trashcan and pitching the whole lot. But the return address on one of the scattered letters caught his attention. Colorado. He picked up the letter and sank into a nearby chair, beer forgotten. He tore the flap and pulled out the crisp white square of notepaper. A racing horse emblazoned in red across the top of the page. Dr. Matthew Wilder, DVM, written in neat cursive font, sprawled just under that. Ben read the letter twice, easy enough since it was only a couple of lines long. Benjamin, Haven’t seen you in a while, hope all is well. Thought it was time you brought your sorry butt to Colorado to see my new practice. When should I pick you up from the airport? Matt He couldn’t help but smile. Matt was right. He hadn’t seen his college roommate in ages, but living on opposite sides of the country hadn’t stopped them from keeping in touch. Mostly because Matt said he liked the fact that Ben didn’t wear his “gayness” like a neon shirt. Ben appreciated that. He didn’t hide his preference but he didn’t consider it anyone’s business either. The phone rang, jolting Ben out of his thoughts and back to reality. He leaned over to the side table and pushed the button that sent the call to the answering machine. A small click and the tape whirred into action, announcing that Ben Morillo wasn’t available to take their call and to leave a message. A long beep. A pause. “I didn’t mean to get you fired, Benny.” Christian’s voice slurred more than before. “But if you’d have stayed, I wouldn’t have come down there like that. You should have listened.” A hiccup, more dead air.

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Ben rose from his seat with the letter crumpled in his hand, shaking. A hint of light from the floor drew his attention. A small pewter box sat with its lid skewed off to the side, winking at him. He bent, picked it up. Read the inscription again, smoothed his thumb over the words he knew by heart. Life may not be the party we hoped for…but while we’re here, we should dance. He opened the note again. Before he knew it, he was dialling the familiar number. “Hey, man, you get my note finally?” Matt said. Ben worked to say something, but he couldn’t even push hello past all the other crap that wanted to spill out to his friend. “Ben?” Matt shushed someone. “Are you okay?” “No.” “What do you need me to do?” Ben cleared his throat. “I’m going to be on the next flight to Colorado. I’ll call when I know my arrival time.” Wherever Matt was Ben could hear was the soft nickering of a pony over the low static of his phone. “I don’t know if it’ll be me but someone will be there.” Ben scrubbed his hand across his face. “Thanks.” “See you when you get here.” Hanging up, Ben flipped open his laptop. Once the internet glowed on his screen, he searched flights and picked the first one out the next morning. Six a.m. Too damn early but he’d still take it. He needed to get out of there for a while, needed to not see the rush hour traffic that wouldn’t include him, needed to not be close enough to seriously think about whether he should find Christian, beat him senseless, then go get drunk.

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Chapter Two

“Shit.” Jack slapped the steering wheel of his old Ford. “Double shit.” Only God knew why he was on his way to the airport to pick up some slouch from New Hampshire. Especially when his favourite mare, Mandy, was going into labour. If Doc Wilder hadn’t given him an ultimatum, he’d still be at the ranch. Go get Ben or I will. Either way, someone is going to be at the airport. Doc would’ve left too. Mandy had bitten him more times than Jack could count. He’d tried to tell the vet she didn’t have anything against him in particular—she bit any man who came near Jack. She was one jealous bitch and nothing Jack did made it any better. But Doc said they had an understanding. She didn’t like him, and he didn’t like her, so the faster he got his stuff done, the better. Jack flicked his turn signal on and took the right turn to the airport. Within five minutes, he was waving to Sally at the counter. “That commuter come in yet?” She jerked her head towards the airstrip then went back to popping her chewing gum and talking on the phone. He pushed through the door, and watched the twin-prop wind down. Only enough room in there for one person other than the pilot so this must be his guy. The whine of the engines quieted and the side door bounced open. Gerald stepped out, leveraged the steps down to the ground, and waved his passenger out. Jack had never believed in love at first sight but, damn, this was close. Chestnut brown hair that brushed his collar, long nose and a full, kissable mouth led his gaze to smooth muscles under a polo shirt and cargo shorts. The man scanned the deserted tarmac, searching for his friend. Jack lifted a hand and the man nodded then descended the rest of the steps with casual grace. He only had one bag slung over his shoulder and didn’t act like he planned on looking for another. “Ben?” The man smiled, grim but it was there. “Yeah. That’s me.” Ben’s eyes were a vibrant green. The colour of pine trees in spring, Jack thought. He let the deep rumble of Ben’s voice wash over him as he glanced past the stranger to Gerald, who

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shrugged and twisted his fingers in front of his lips, like a key to a lock. “You got any more luggage?” Ben shook his head, his gaze roaming over Jack’s face. “Where’s Matt?” “My ranch.” Jack motioned towards the door leading into the terminal, more than happy to follow the firm ass on display in front of him. “One of my mares went into labour last night.” Ben looked over his shoulder, about to speak and caught Jack ogling him. A knowing grin curved his lips and he let his eyes wander down to take in the rigid length of Jack’s cock outlined in soft denim. He lifted his gaze to meet Jack’s stare. Jack smiled at him and knew without a doubt he was getting laid soon. Thank God. For a half-second, he’d thought Ben was as straight as Doc Wilder.

**** Ben tried not to think about the cowboy walking behind him. Or the raging hard-on he’d been sporting. He hadn’t come here to find a man. He’d come here to get away from one. He shook his head, shifted his bag on his shoulder. “That one yours?” He pointed at the rusted-out F150 parked a few feet from the door. “Yep.” Good God. “Let’s go.” Jack chuckled. “She’s not the prettiest thing but she gets over the bumps okay.” “Did I say anything?” “Nope.” Jack opened the passenger door, waited for Ben to climb in. Ben stopped in front of Jack, taking in the soft brown hair and hazel eyes. His face was tanned from the sun, but not leathery looking, so he took care of himself. “I can close my own door.” “Maybe I’m not that kind of guy.” If there were a sound to truth, it would have been Jack’s voice. But then, Christian had seemed normal at first too. Ben slid up onto the bench seat and dropped his bag between his feet. “Maybe I don’t care.”

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“Buckle up, honey.” Ben jerked his head around but the door swung shut in his face and Jack was rounding the front of the truck. “Fuck.” He pulled his buckle tight and leaned his forehead against the glass of the passenger window. He didn’t need this. The driver’s side door opened, the truck dipped a fraction, and the door closed. Then nothing. Ben rolled his head to look at Jack. Who was looking at him. “What?” “Doc’s worried about you.” “He say something to you?” Ben sat up straight. “No.” Jack put the key in the ignition but left the truck quiet. “Doc’s even forgotten his mom during an emergency though.” Ben laughed, deep and honest for the first time in months. “I bet that went over well. Irene probably walked to wherever he was and kicked his ass.” Jack stared, not quite open-mouthed but close. He cleared his throat, shook his head a bit, then started the truck. Ben continued to watch him as they pulled out of the parking lot and turned in the direction of nowhere. A few dozen miles and a whole lot of nothing-but-trees later, Ben looked over at Jack. “How far from your place are we?” “Just up the road now.” Jack slung his arm over the wheel and leaned his elbow on the door. “What’s your ranch called?” Jack’s brows scrunched together. “What?” “Don’t you all name your ranches out here?” Ben watched the Rocky Mountains go by, reflected on the window next to him. “No name yet. Nothing I love enough to shout it to the world.” Ben looked across the cab at the hard set of Jack’s mouth, the tightness in his cheeks. “I’ve never thought of it that way.” Jack shrugged. “My dad’s place borders mine. It’s called the Allie.” “Who’s Allie?” “My mom.” Jack stretched his back, the vinyl of the bench seat creaking with the weight shift. “She died when I was five.”

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“I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. That was a long time ago.” Ben couldn’t help but notice the shuttered look and thought maybe it wasn’t so far in the past after all. “Your dad remarry?” Jack smiled, the sadness gone in a flash. “He sure did. Amanda is the feistiest woman you’ll ever meet.” “How does she like living in a place named after your dad’s first wife?” Ben winced. Damn it. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.” “She’s the one who named it.” Jack glanced over at him. “Said that if it weren’t for Allie, she’d not have had me.” A sharp pang tore at Ben’s heart, memories of his own mother flashed through his mind. He cleared his throat, cleared his thoughts. “I’m going to need a job while I’m here.” “I’m sure Doc’ll have something.” “I’m not cut out for the crap he does.” Jack shot him another look and Ben braced for what was coming. “So, what are you cut out for? Matt hasn’t said what it is you do exactly.” “Back home I’m an architect.” A small dirt drive with an archway of weathered timber came into view on the left. A faded sign hung from overhead, blank. “You weren’t kidding.” “About?” “No name.” Jack turned the truck down the lane. “Nope.” They rode the rest of the way in silence. Ben couldn’t believe the view of the place. Mountains rose up, tips white with snow and slopes covered with trees and patches of light green grass. Thin lines zigzagged up the steep inclines. Ben pointed towards them. “Those lines—what are they?” “Trails.” Jack stopped the truck. “Here we are.” Ben had been so busy looking up, he’d missed what was going on around him. Jack had pulled into a dirt yard, facing an early 1900’s ranch house. The outside was covered with white board siding, painted recently from the looks of it. A porch reached from one side to the other, and Ben could make out an old red brick

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chimney poking over the top of the house. It was all one floor but it sprawled so Ben knew the inside would be spectacular if Jack had fixed it up. “Y’all going to sit in there all day?” The familiar voice had Ben leaping out of the truck with a whoop. He raced over to his long time friend, skidded to a halt just in front of him, his hands up in the air. “Almost forgot. No hugs from the gay guy.” Matt laughed, reached out and grabbed him tight. “We haven’t followed that rule since we slept together. Get over here.” Ben hugged him back, enjoying the feel of someone not out for his own purpose. They broke apart, still laughing. “It’s good to see you, man.” “How’s my mare, Doc?” “She and the foal are doing fine.” Matt held up his arm—a bloody bandage just under his elbow. “The doc is not so fine. That damn horse bit me again.” “What?” Ben pulled Matt’s arm towards him, ignoring Jack’s snort. “You need to be cleaned up.” He half-dragged his friend behind him towards the house. “He can clean up at his place.” Jack trailed behind them. Ben stopped short, looking over his shoulder. “You can’t be serious.” Matt eased out of Ben’s grip. “I’m okay. He’s right. Every time I treat that tramp, she bites me.” “But—” Ben reached for Matt’s arm. Jack nodded his head in the direction of Matt’s car. “See you tomorrow.” Matt stifled a laugh. “C’mon, Ben. We better head out. Someone’s getting grouchy.” “He asked for a job here. He stays here.” Jack said, the look on his face was nothing less than mulish. Ben didn’t know whether to kick Jack’s ass or wrap his arms around him. Matt was out and out laughing now. And the more Matt found funny, the cloudier Jack’s face got. Matt waved. “Later, you two.” He winked at Ben as he climbed into his car. Ben waited until Jack was even with him on the steps of the porch and Matt’s taillights were long gone. “Something wrong?”

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If there was a more innocent face in all of Colorado, Ben didn’t know who it would belong to. “No. Why?” Jack asked.

**** Jesus, he’d acted like a school bully. He’d just about chased Doc off his property. Without asking what he needed to know about the damn horses. He waited for Ben to answer because he sure as hell wasn’t digging his hole any deeper than it already was. Ben’s eyes narrowed, his nose flared just a bit. “I haven’t seen him in two years, Jack. I’m supposed to be visiting him.” Ben’s comment, though true, stung like hell. How could he have lost focus like that? He’d forgotten that Ben wasn’t here for him. Jack bit the inside of his lip, kicked his boot against the next step. “After I’ve checked on the mare, I’ll take you into his place.” Ben rolled his eyes. “Just call Matt. Ask him what you have to do for the horses tonight.” He walked to the truck, grabbed his bag and came back to stand in front of Jack. Jack glanced at the barn, letting out a long breath. “Mandy isn’t going to like this,” he mumbled. “Your step-mom? What’s she got to do with this?” Jack stopped short in the doorway, half turned, then laughed. “No. Amanda is my mom. Mandy is my horse.” Ben raised both eyebrows. “How does Amanda feel about you naming a cranky horse after her?” “I told you before, nothing gets named without her help.” Jack smiled at the thought of his step-mom. She was as ornery as Jack’s favourite mare. Mandy had been only hours old when she’d nipped at his dad. Right then, Amanda had declared she had good sense and was to be named after her. “Let’s head in the house. I’ll show you where to put your stuff before I call Doc.” Ben shrugged. “Sounds fine.” Jack snagged Ben’s bag on his way past. He couldn’t help but notice the bag wasn’t very heavy—a fast reminder Ben wasn’t here to stay. I need to remember that.

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Chapter Three

Ben groaned at the pounding in his head. He rolled over, threw his arm across his face, and tried to ignore it. “Ben.” More pounding. Slowly, he realised the racket came from his bedroom door. He glanced at the window. Still dark. “Go away.” “Get up. It’s time to start work.” Jack’s voice came from the other side of the oak door. “You’ve got ten minutes or you’re going without breakfast.” Shit. “You’re a slave driver already?” Ben curled into a ball under his blanket. “The sooner you learn that, the better.” Jack wasn’t in the hall anymore. Ben hollered when his warm cocoon disappeared and cold air rushed goose bumps along his skin. He sat up in the middle of the bed, glaring at an entirely too chipper Jack. Jack threw a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt at Ben’s chest. “Get dressed.” That’s when Ben remembered he slept naked. Jack raked his gaze down Ben’s body. His eyes widened when he saw Ben’s morning wood. His tongue snaked out, wetting his lips. “Damn.” Ben shifted his hips, enjoying the way Jack’s eyes followed the movement. He slid to the edge of the bed, swiping the clothes to the side. Hooking his fingers in the edge of Jack’s jeans, Ben pulled him close, letting Jack know his intent but giving him time to say no. One by one, Ben flipped the buttons open, freeing the delicious erection from the restriction of the denim. He pushed the jeans low on Jack’s hips, then wrapped his hand around the thick cock inches from his mouth, giving a light squeeze to the rigid length. Jack hissed low, pumping his hips forwards. Ben leant forwards, licked the bead of pre-cum from the head then sank onto Jack’s prick, sucking in just the head. He swirled his tongue along the silky skin skimming between his lips, dipping into the slit at the tip. Ben closed his eyes and moaned, loving the feel of all that power and passion pulsing in his mouth.

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Jack’s legs quivered. His fingers tightened in Ben’s hair and he thrust his hips forwards, dragging another moan from deep in Ben’s gut. He pulled out, angled Ben’s head back and pushed forwards again, upping the pace, driving his cock deeper with each stroke. Fucking delicious. Ben savoured every drop of cream that crossed his tongue. God, he’d always liked sucking cock but this…this was something else. Right then, there was nothing he wanted more than to drink every drop of cum from the throbbing cock filling his mouth. Ben rolled Jack’s balls in his fingers before sliding back to tap the hole nestled between Jack’s cheeks. Jack grunted, shoved deep into Ben’s mouth and came with a shout. He swallowed everything Jack gave up, then pulled back gently, licking Jack’s cock clean as he let him go. Ben leant forwards, kissed the smooth patch of skin over Jack’s hipbone before buttoning his jeans back up. “Good morning.” “It sure is.” Jack’s words were low, rough. Loosening his fingers from Ben’s hair, Jack took a deep breath. He stepped back, ran his fingers down Ben’s face, and winked. “Thanks for that. Now get dressed.” Ben stared at him, his mouth hanging open. He wasn’t mute long, though. “You’re just going to leave me like this?” Jack stopped at the door—the look he gave Ben over his shoulder almost making him shoot his load without a single touch. “Oh, I’ll take care of you, but you’re not going to be expecting it when I do.” And he left. Blinking through the haze, Ben stretched out on the bed as he fisted his own cock. He did have ten minutes. Jack reappeared in the door. “If you do that, you’ll get nothing more from me.” Ben’s breath hitched even as anticipation zinged along his nerves. Like he was stalking prey, Jack walked to the bed. He planted his hands on either side of Ben’s hips and licked the length of his cock. “Mmm. And that would be a shame.” He pushed away and was gone again. Ben lay there, panting. He closed his eyes, concentrated on calming down. Shit. He could still see Jack’s tongue curling around the head of his dick, lapping at the cum slicking the tip.

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“Bastard.” He lunged off the bed and snatched up the clothes. Jack knew he’d be feeling that all day. Ben smiled as he eased the jeans over his erection. Damn, he couldn’t wait for his turn, because Jack was in for a surprise.

**** Jack watched Ben shovel out the last of the stalls. The man clearly didn’t do manual labour but he never so much as complained once all day. Ben straightened slowly, rubbing the small of his back as he leaned the shovel against the wall outside the pen. He hesitated only a moment before grabbing the handles of the wheelbarrow and pushing the last load out to the compost pile. Crunching gravel heralded Ben’s return. Jack leaned against a nearby stall. “All done?” Wiping the sweat from his face with his sleeve as he came back into the cool interior of the barn, Ben nodded. “Yep. Unless you’ve got something else for me to do.” “Mm-hmm.” Jack hid his grin at the crestfallen look on Ben’s face. He curled his finger in a come-here gesture. Ben stopped in front of him, his head cocked to the side, one eyebrow lifted. “What?” Twisting his fingers in the neck of Ben’s shirt, Jack pulled him forwards until there was barely a breath between them. “This…me and you…isn’t simple. You know that, right?” Ben closed the distance, sealing his lips over Jack’s mouth. Demanded entry. Despite the hard day’s work and sweat to go with it, Jack couldn’t resist the lure of that tempting mouth, the promise in those green eyes. He stroked Ben’s tongue with his own, slid his hand behind Ben’s neck to hold him close. Jack leaned against the wall behind him, pulling Ben with him. Even through two layers of denim, he felt the erection straining the worn material of Ben’s borrowed jeans. He broke away from Ben’s mouth to trail kisses down his neck. He smiled when Ben tipped his head to the side as he licked and nipped a path down the gritty stretch of skin. The salty taste reminded Jack of exactly how dirty they both were. Gripping Ben’s hips and pushing him away slightly, he pointed to the house. “Let’s take this to the shower.” “Hell yes.” Ben turned and hauled ass out the door, disappearing into the yard.

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Jack started to follow but a whinny from the far corner caught Jack’s attention. He stopped at Mandy’s stall, ran a hand down her neck in greeting. She nosed at his pocket and he dug out the cube of sugar. She nipped it out of his fingers and turned her back on him. “Hey!” Ben yelled from outside the barn. “You coming or what?” “Right behind you, honey.” Jack raised his voice for Ben to hear him. He patted Mandy’s rump, earning a disgusted look over her shoulder. “You’re just mad ‘cause I’m getting some action.” He double-checked her latch, added another blanket for her foal and jogged to the house. He had a debt to repay. The sound of running water reached him as he entered the kitchen. Ben was in the guest bathroom. Jack smiled. That would do. He stripped in his own room, then padded down the hall to Ben. Ben heard the rasp of the shower curtain sliding across the metal rail, barely preceding a draught of cool air. He kept his hands propped on the far wall, letting the water run down his back as Jack slipped into the tub. Jack skimmed his fingers along Ben’s waist, dipping beneath Ben’s arms to kneel at his feet. “Your turn,” he said. Ben tried not to wriggle when Jack slid his lips over the sensitive area at Ben’s hip, lapping at the water gliding over his heated skin. Sliding his hands up Ben’s legs, over his ass and settling them at Ben’s waist, Jack continued to lick and kiss until Ben couldn’t hold in the trembling those soft lips created. “You’re trying to kill me,” Ben whispered. “Not yet.” Jack brushed his fingers over Ben’s stomach, moved them up to flick at his nipples, teasing them into hard nubs. Ben shifted again, this time with more urgency, his cock nudging Jack’s cheek. Jack pressed his face to the curly brown hair surrounding the base of the hard prick jutting towards him. He darted his tongue out to taste Ben’s skin, then licked the furry sack nestled tight to Ben’s cock.

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His patience worn thin, Ben tugged Jack’s hair to tilt his head back, pressed the head of his cock to Jack’s lips. He was careful to keep the water hitting his back so nothing distracted the talented mouth he was about to lay claim to. Jack parted his lips for Ben, moaning when Ben pushed his cock into the welcoming heat of Jack’s mouth. The tiny vibrations ripped up Ben’s prick straight to his balls, tingling his nerves. Ben released Jack’s hair, trusting him to stay put. He pumped his hips forwards, sinking deep into Jack’s throat. He felt the tingle at the base of his spine, knew he was that close already. Jesus, it’s been too long. He had to pull away. The low whimper from Jack sliced at his resolve. Shit, it was a lethal weapon as far as Ben was concerned. He drew Jack to his feet, pressed him against the cool tile. The steam from the shower swirled around them, wrapped them in their own world. A safe world where he could need Jack if he wanted to. Jack’s hands slid around to cup Ben’s ass, giving him a pull forwards. “I want you inside me.” He set his foot on the edge of the tub, grabbed a bottle of slick from the shelf. “Fuck in the shower often?” Ben’s irritation caused his hard-on to wane a bit. Jack jerked his head up, the worry in his hazel eyes reassuring Ben like no words could. “No. Ben—” “Shh.” Ben pressed a finger to his lips. “I put it there this morning. For you. Us.” Ben grinned, leaned in for another kiss, drove his tongue between Jack’s lips as he tugged the tube from his hand. “Hate for it to go to waste.” Jack sucked in a breath, pushed his hips forwards, silently begged for Ben’s touch. Ben flipped the cap, squeezed some onto his fingers, and smoothed them around in the slippery liquid. Jack’s eyes widened, his breath short, the mewling sounds escaping his parted lips so at odds with the cowboy Ben had come to know, it drove Ben wild. Curving his hand under Jack’s thigh, Ben pulled at one cheek, gaining better access to what he wanted most. Ben stroked his fingers over the tight pucker and chuckled when Jack pressed down onto Ben’s hand.

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Ben loved that Jack couldn’t keep his body still, that the pleasure was just as intense for Jack as it was for him. His hands roamed Jack’s tight chest, his smooth shoulders flexing as Ben slid his fingers in and out, stretching him. He’d never wanted to fuck someone so badly in his life. Something about Jack made him want to bend the man over whatever was closest and ream Jack’s ass. “Please. Now.” Ben carefully removed his fingers, hesitating briefly. “Got a condom?” Jack opened his eyes a crack. “Same shelf.” Ben pushed the smile down. Yeah, his cowboy had been wanting it bad. He tore open the condom and rolled it on in one easy slide. A low moan brought Ben’s focus to his lover. Jack pumped his own cock as he watched every move Ben made. Ben flicked Jack’s hand with his finger. “Did I tell you to do that?” Jack’s eyes widened at the mild reprimand. “Excuse me?” Pressing hard against Jack, trapping him in the corner, Ben hardened his voice. “Did you think I’d let you tease me?” “Who’s teasing?” Jack tilted his head, a sparkle brightening his eyes, not in the least bit afraid of whatever he thought Ben would do next. Ben rubbed their cocks together. “Let’s get the record straight. Everywhere else on this ranch, you have the lead. It’s your home, it’s your business. Here…between us…you belong to me. You do as I tell you.” A soft whimper, barely louder than the pounding water, sent a hard shock of desire along Ben’s nerves. He shifted again. “Now is your chance to stop.” No hesitation. “Don’t stop.” Ben cupped Jack’s chin in one palm, tilted his face back to look in his eyes. “I want to make sure you understand.” He slid his free hand to wrap around Jack’s dick. Jack’s eyes dropped closed as a moan rumbled in his chest. Ben tightened his grip. Jack bucked against him. “Hmm. I think you like it a little rough.” Ben pressed against the muscular cowboy, pushing his cockhead along the soft skin just behind Jack’s balls. “Want me to fuck you?” “Yes.”

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“Need me to fuck you?” “Yes.” The desperation in Jack’s voice spurred Ben’s need to control him, to protect him. He lifted Jack’s leg to wrap around his hip and pushed against the tight ring of muscle exposed. Ben rocked his hips forwards. “Good. ‘Cause I’m gonna fuck you into the wall.” He sucked a mark behind Jack’s ear and pumped his hips, moving slow, inch by frustrating inch, until he was seated balls deep in the clutching heat of Jack’s ass. Jack’s grip tightened on his arms, his breath pushed out in a rush. “Fuck. Gimme a second.” Ben gritted his teeth to give him time to adjust. When Jack’s muscles eased, Ben pulled out, pushed in, pounding Jack’s ass. He’d dreamt about being inside that hot ass all night, daydreamt about it as they’d worked side by side in the barn. “More.” Ben nipped Jack’s neck. “You tortured me all day, Jack. You need to realise for everything there is a price.” “I’m liable to piss you off every day if this is punishment.” “Oh, this isn’t the punishment.” Ben ground the words out as he slammed into Jack one more time, came hard enough to see stars behind his eyes. His knees buckled and he collapsed forwards, resting his weight on Jack. Jack rocked against him, rubbing his erection between them, quickening the pace with each stroke. Ben lifted his head, stared at Jack with a slight smile. “No.” Desperation darkened Jack’s eyes to almost black. “No what?” Ben gripped the back of Jack’s neck, pulled his mouth close. He licked Jack’s lips, sipping at him, memorising the taste of his cowboy. Jack kissed him back, tried to take control. Ben gave a low growl and nipped at Jack’s mouth. “This is your punishment.” Ben lifted him, pulled out of the warm chute clutching at his cock. “You don’t come until I say.” Ben pecked his lips, treating his last statement for all the world like he’d said the sky was blue. Defiance flared briefly in Jack’s eyes but disappeared as fast. Ben’s dick twitched. Now he’s getting it. “Come on. We need to wash off.”

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“You need to wash off.” A definite pout. Suppressing an eye roll, Ben washed them both, taking great care to avoid much contact with Jack’s dick. By the time they climbed out of the shower, Ben was having a hard time containing his amusement. Ben curled his arm around Jack’s shoulders, holding him close, the dampness from the shower sticking them together. “That was some payback.” “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Jack snapped. He peeled away from Ben, grabbed a towel and dried Ben with brisk swipes that made Ben grateful the towel was as soft as it looked. “Oh, I enjoyed it all right.” Ben pulled Jack against him, trapping their dicks between them. He nipped Jack’s bottom lip, whispering, “Maybe I should play nice and suck you off.” Jack pressed his lips to Ben’s. “Please.” The screen door banged downstairs, jerking both men harshly into reality. Pounding footsteps and a shouted, “Hey! Where are you guys?” confirmed they weren’t alone anymore. And that simply, Ben watched the switch flick in Jack’s eyes. His lover was back to business. The sweet submissive gone, replaced by the cowboy who could run this ranch in his sleep. Ben dropped his head against the wall. “Are you fucking kidding me?” “I’m going to kill him.” Jack grabbed a second towel and wrapped it around himself in time to meet Matt at the top of the stairs. “There you are,” their intruder said. Jack crossed his arms over his chest, but remained silent as he stared at their friend, making no effort to hide the situation or his hard-on. Ben leaned around the open door, keeping his hips hidden from view. “Do you have a clean pair of jeans I can borrow? Mine are nasty and I’m not parading in front of Matt.” Jack nodded and went to his room to get the change of clothes. Matt’s eyes were big circles when Ben looked at him again. “You’d better have a really good reason for coming in the house without knocking.” “I did knock,” Matt whispered. “But the door was wide open so I figured you guys were…decent.”

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Jack reappeared with his own clothes already on and a pile held out for Ben. “Next time, if we don’t answer, come back later.” Ben coughed to cover his laugh and took the pants and shirt from Jack. “What did you want, Matt? Something wrong?” “No. I just wanted to know if we could to go out for dinner.” Jack stepped forwards, but Matt rushed on. “Both of you, of course.” Ben came out of the bathroom, tugged the borrowed shirt over his head, beamed at Jack, then Matt. “We’d love to.” Jack rolled his shoulders. “Fine.” “I’ll be downstairs.” Matt scurried down the steps and, in seconds, the screen door slammed again. Ben slapped Jack’s back. “Now you know to shut the front door.” “Shut it? I’m going to fucking deadbolt it.” Ben laughed, slipped his hand into Jack’s and tugged him along with him. “Let’s go. I haven’t been out with him in ages. This’ll be fun.”

**** Jack leant back in his chair, taking another long look around the bar Matt had picked out in Denver. Dark wood panelling covered the walls, no windows of course, and one longass mirror behind the barkeep. He snorted. Straight out of some ancient movie somewhere—the clandestine bar, shrouded in mystery, where all the gay men went to meet and do “whatever they do”. He would much rather have stuck around home but, so far, he’d taken up all of Ben’s time and it wasn’t fair to Ben or Doc that he had. Glancing across the table, Jack watched the two men deep in conversation. The music was too loud to hear them and they weren’t making an effort to include him so he didn’t bother trying either. Ben glanced at him and winked.

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Jack nodded his head once and returned to checking out the bar and its occupants. He knew in his head that it was ridiculous to be miffed about being left out of the conversation, but he couldn’t help the little flare of hurt. Ben kicked him under the table and when Jack looked his way Ben’s eyebrows were raised in question. With a shrug of his shoulder, Jack picked up his glass and gestured behind Ben to the waiter for another beer. Now there was a cute little thing, all blond hair and blue eyes with a slender build. That ring on his finger, though, made him off limits for even a light flirt. Ben tapped Jack’s hand. “Hey.” “What?” Jack let his gaze continue around the bar. A hard squeeze this time and Jack met Ben’s steely glare. “See something you like?” Jack quirked a smile. “Yeah.” You. Matt stifled a cough and stood, gesturing towards the rear of the bar and the restrooms. “Be right back.” Ben never took his eyes off Jack. “What are you doing?” “Me?” Jack leant forwards, his cheeks flushing red. Of all the fucking nerve. Before he could say another word, a fresh mug of beer slid in front of Jack’s nose. The cute waiter cocked his hip on the table with his back to Jack as he spoke to Ben. “Five-fifty, handsome.” Ben smiled up at him and pulled a ten out of his wallet. “You got a keeper, honey?” Jack growled low in his throat and the little man straightened away from the table, putting distance between them. “Behind the bar.” He snagged the money and sailed away from them, already calling out to another customer. Ben looked at Jack, his lips pressed tight together. He took a deep breath. “Tell me what’s wrong.” “Nothing’s wrong.” Jack tucked his hands in his lap. “What’s wrong, Jack?” Ben repeated himself, his words taking an edge this time. Jack stared at his handsome lover. “If you wanted a night out with Doc, you should have said.” “I did say. That’s why we’re here.” Jack rolled his eyes.

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Ben shrugged and tossed down the last of his beer. “It’s just Matt.” Losing his grip on his temper, Jack stood abruptly, slapped his hands on the table and leaned over Ben. He opened his mouth to tell him about just Matt when the man in question came rushing around the corner from the bathroom, looking over his shoulder and hell bent for leather. Matt didn’t slow down until he was sliding into his seat, slinking down beside Ben. Curiosity had Jack watching the hallway. A big man, dressed in black jeans and T-shirt came to a stop just inside the main room, surveying the bar, looking for something. Or someone. When Jack shifted his attention to Matt, he looked like a wild animal backed into a corner as he stared at the man searching the room. Jack tapped his knuckle on the table, catching Matt’s eye. “He bother you?” One hard shake of Matt’s head cemented Jack’s suspicions. Apparently Ben’s too, because he jumped to his feet and started in the man’s direction. “Gotta take a piss?”Jack wedged himself in Ben’s path. “No one touches Matthew.” Ben shook off Jack’s hold. “Get the fuck out of my way.” “You don’t even know what happened. Calm down.” “Fuck off, Jack.” Jack turned furious eyes to Ben, fed up with the shitty treatment he’d been receiving from his lover since they’d arrived. First, he’d been left hard and wanting, then told to entertain himself while they “caught up”. And, fuck, it looked like he might get his ass kicked now too. “Remember what you said in the shower? There it’s you. Here it’s me. Sit your ass back down.” Ben’s eyes narrowed but he gave a stiff nod and walked with his back ramrod-straight to the table. “He’s not getting away with hurting you.” Ben sat down next to Matt, leaning to block the stranger’s view of Matt. Matt cleared his throat. “He…ah…didn’t. Hurt me, I mean.”

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Jack looked back at the big man and saw the moment he found Matt in the crowd. The man’s face softened briefly until he noticed Ben and Jack. Then he flinched like he’d been hit and his jaw tightened, his lips forming a tight white line. “Doc,” Jack prompted. The veterinarian glanced at him, then over his shoulder. He squeaked and faced forwards again. “Is he still there?” “No.” Jack shook his head, watching Doc’s face for some clue to what was going down. “He just walked out the door.” Matt’s face paled but otherwise didn’t show a sign of reaction. “Thanks.” Ben’s mouth twitched. “You know that guy?” Matt half-shrugged. “Something like that.” A breath rushed from Ben. “You’re gay?” “Yeah.” Jack didn’t miss the relief that flashed across Ben’s face. “Since when?” Jack asked, his stomach pitching wildly. “Somewhere around the time I met Ben, I’d imagine.” “But…” Ben shook his head. Matt chewed his lip but didn’t elaborate. Jack watched him, watched Ben too. He shook his head, keeping his gaze trained on Ben as he tried to read his expression. And what he saw was devastation as Ben stared at Matt. Probably wishing for all those years back. Jack dropped his gaze and pushed away from the table and headed for the door. “Where are you going?” The harsh demand froze Jack in place. His chest heaved from the effort to stay there. He didn’t want to see this, didn’t want proof he was second best. Again. “Answer me.” This time Ben’s words came from directly behind him, his breath brushing Jack’s ear. Jack shook his head. He couldn’t answer past the knot in his throat. Ben’s hands settled on his waist, pulling Jack against him, rubbing tiny circles on Jack’s hips. “Cat got your tongue?” “Don’t.”

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For once Ben stayed quiet. Jack turned in Ben’s arms, his gaze roaming each feature on Ben’s face, memorising them. “When do I get to see the fun part of this date?” Laughing, Ben glanced over his shoulder at their friend slouched at the table, staring into his beer. He turned back to Jack, tightened his grip. “Let’s see what we can do about the fun part.” He tugged Jack towards the dance floor. “Dance with me, baby.” Jack’s mind raced to keep up. He gave a little nod and found himself towed to a corner spot out of the thick of the two-steppers. Ben slid his arms around Jack’s waist, pressing against Jack, leaving no doubt to how turned on he was right then. “Do you actually dance, city boy?” Ben seemed to think about it for a moment, then slowly, he tilted his head, a wicked spark deepening the playful green eyes to emerald. “What kind of dancin’ you got in mind, cowboy?” Easily enough, Jack manoeuvred them through the mass of other dancers and led Ben into the two-step, keeping their movements timed to the old Waylon Jennings song pouring from the oversized speakers in the corner. He leaned into Ben’s ear, nipping the tiny lobe. “First this kind, then later, it’ll be your turn to lead, honey.” A sharp inhale was the only give-away that Jack had surprised Ben. “You’re on.” The tension eased from Jack’s muscles and he relaxed into the rhythm that came so naturally with Ben. He winked at Ben before picking up the pace with the next song, refusing to relinquish him for even a moment. Tomorrow Ben might realise what the implications of Doc being gay meant, but for tonight, Ben belonged to Jack.

**** “Strip.” The tone in Ben’s voice offered no negotiation. Jack pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it into the hamper by the bathroom door in his room, then stepped out of his jeans and boots. He stared expectantly at Ben.

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Ben smiled as he rounded Jack, skimming his fingers in his wake. “Amazing.” Jack hissed when Ben brushed across his cock, moaned when Ben trailed his fingers along the crack of his ass. God, he wanted him in both places at once. “Want me, Jack?” “Yes.” “Need me?” Jack hesitated. Ben’s hand vanished. “Jack.” “Mmm.” His stomach pitched at the thought of giving up that piece of himself. “Do. You. Need. Me?” Jack clenched his teeth, his breath hissed out between them. “Yes.” Ben steered Jack to the desk opposite the bed. “Brace yourself.” Jack leant forwards, placing both hands on the cool surface, feeling the scratches and grooves in the old wooden desk his grandfather had built. “Ben.” His lover’s chuckle came from closer to the floor and the puff of air as he blew on Jack’s ass caught him off guard, almost sending him to his knees. Just barely, he held himself up, arching for a real touch from the man crouched behind him. “Easy, love.” Ben slid one hand between Jack’s legs, tapping gently to silently ask for a wider stance, at the same time he massaged the tight ring guarding Jack’s asshole with his thumb. Jack managed to comply, trembling as Ben palmed his balls, rolling them between his fingers. “Fuck easy. Stop playing around.” Jack leant forwards, pressing his cheek against the desk as he spread his ass to allow Ben closer. “I wish you could see this. You’re so fucking beautiful.” Ben tongued Jack’s hole, humming when Jack moaned. Jack bucked, squirming, wanting more. He almost lost his mind when the tip of Ben’s tongue speared inside. “Ben…God, please.” Ben tongue-fucked him in earnest then, moving his hand up to grip Jack’s cock, stroking in tandem with the sucking and licking.

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Jack stopped trying to breathe. His vision blurred. The orgasm raced down his spine and rocketed out the head of his prick, painting the front of the desk with streaks of cum. Ben rose behind him, fumbling in his jeans pocket. He leaned across Jack’s back, the soft material of his shirt clinging to Jack’s sweat soaked skin. “Hold on, baby. The ride ain’t over yet.” The rasp of a zipper filtered into Jack’s mind just before the crinkle of paper made sense, giving him two seconds’ notice before he felt the head of Ben’s cock pressing at his entrance. “Damn, Jack.” A click of a bottle lid. “Your hole is begging for me to ream you hard and fast.” Cool liquid dribbling onto the heated skin of his ass robbed Jack of any reply he might have made. He moaned when Ben pushed two fingers, then three, past the slight resistance. “Fuck, you’re so God damn hot for me.” Ben rubbed semi-naked hips against Jack’s backside, the rough denim spurring Jack on like one of his breeding studs. Jack pushed back onto the slow-moving fingers, ready to take matters into his own hands. Ben seemed to come to his senses and pulled away. Jack didn’t have to wait long though before Ben was sliding inch by delicious inch to fill Jack’s ass. “Tell…tell me when you’re good.” “Good.” Jack didn’t have to think about it. As much as he loved Ben’s tongue, nothing compared to being fucked by him. Ben slid out slow, pushed back hard and fast. He straightened, braced his hands on Jack’s hips and set a hard pace. Jack met him with each stroke, revelling in the mixture of pain and pleasure as Ben’s dick brushed over his gland, sending sparklers dancing over his nerves, threatening to bring his cock back to life. “You’re so fucking tight.” Ben panted, slamming home again, seating his prick deep in Jack’s ass. “So fucking perfect.” They fell into a natural give and take, the only sound the slap of skin and the heavy, rasping breathing of hard sex as they both took what they wanted, what they needed, from the other.

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Ben slid his hands along Jack’s back, gripped his shoulders and pulled him hard onto his dick. A low keening moan rolled from Ben and Jack bit his lip as the warmth of Ben’s cum filled his ass. Ben fell forwards, resting his head on Jack’s back. Sliding them to the floor, Jack rested his head on the leather chair cushion. “Jesus, Ben.” “No shit.” Ben pulled away, trashed the condom, and pushed to his feet with a grunt. He held out a hand and helped Jack up. “Let’s take a shower and hit the sack.” Jack watched Ben disappear into his bathroom. He wasn’t sure what he expected but this grating feeling of being nothing but a quick fuck didn’t sit well. Jack rubbed his hands over his face and debated sending Ben to his own room. Ben poked his head around the corner and winked, a huge grin on his handsome face. “C’mon, I wanna get some sleep.” Jack nodded, numbness sweeping the hurt away as he walked on auto-pilot into the bathroom. Just take what you can get, Jack, ‘cause he won’t stick around. They never do.

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Chapter Four

The sun peeked over the mountaintops, turning white clouds to gold and crimson, shifting blacks to deep blues and purples. Ben sat on the back porch, staring out at the sunrise, a small laugh escaping him. Who’d have thought he’d be up at dawn and enjoying it? Resting his head on the back of the porch swing, he thought over what he’d called important back in New Hampshire, and what had become important during his stay in Colorado. The last few days were heaven, working in the barn and around the yard side by side with Jack, learning how to use his hands in a completely new way. He’d changed in so many ways but the biggest difference was the rugged cowboy he had come to think of as his. His brows knit together. Not completely his though. Ever since that night in Denver, Jack had seemed…different. “Is this a private think session or can anyone join in?” Jack leaned in the doorframe, only a pair of jeans on, one bare foot kicked in front of the other. His hair was still tousled and the sleepy smile he wore made Ben’s heart ache. Ben held out his hand, twining his fingers with Jack’s as he sat down next to him. Jack squeezed his hand. “Everything okay?” “Just admiring your view.” Ben urged him closer. “Is this the original house to the land?” Jack shifted, let go of Ben’s hand to snuggle up to his side. “No. That burned down a long time ago. This is something the former owners threw up to live in until they got around to building their dream home.” “Where’d they build it?” “They never got to it.” Jack shrugged. “Now it’s mine.” Ben turned his head to look at Jack’s face. “You’re planning a new house?” He held his breath. All week he had felt like he was slowing Jack down, even though the man never said so. He wanted some way to repay Jack for letting him stay, letting him just be himself, no questions asked.

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“Yeah. Something small.” Jack rested his head on Ben’s shoulder, tilting to see his face. “I’m never having kids so just something for me.” Ben slid his palm up and down Jack’s arm, thinking. “Two bedrooms. Office. Kitchen. Living room.” He was talking more to himself than Jack as he drew the print in his head. His fingers itched for the familiar grip of his tools to get it started on paper. “Yeah. I want a dining room too, and a wraparound porch.” Jack’s voice drifted, lost in his new house. “It’s going to face the mountains, the front door I mean, not away like this one.” Ben needed to find out where the best place was to get drafting supplies. The electric tingle in his fingertips spread to his heart, reminding him why he loved architecture, why he loved to draw and create something worthwhile. “What are we doing today?” “It’s Sunday. Today we feed the animals and stay lazy all day.” “You are the farthest thing from lazy.” Finding the nearness of Jack’s mouth too tempting to resist, Ben pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I need to borrow the truck for a bit.” Jack tensed under Ben’s touch. “Sure.” Ben pulled back, staring at the side of Jack’s head. He turned Jack’s face until he could look into his eyes. “I’d ask you to come along but you don’t seem thrilled with Matt and that’s who I want to go see.” Jack twisted his fingers in Ben’s shirt and tugged him forwards for a kiss filled with something left unspoken, driving his tongue into Ben’s mouth. “You better go if you want to be back before dinner.” Ben smiled. “I won’t be gone but a couple hours. Anything you need while I’m in town?” “Just you back before dark. Tell Doc I said hello.”

**** Matt hadn’t come around since he’d stepped out of the closet so Jack was surprised to see the doc’s old pickup come to a stop in front of the house. Jack stepped onto the porch but didn’t say a word.

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Hell. Even if he’d been inclined to talk to the man who held Ben’s heart, he had no clue where to start. “Got something for Ben,” Matt said as he pulled a long box from the bed of his truck. Ben hurried out of the house, brushed his hand across Jack’s ass as he passed, and whooped when he checked the label. That got Jack’s curiosity. “What is it?” Clapping his hand over Matt’s mouth, Ben shushed him. He glanced at Jack, his face ten shades of red. “Something I left behind.” Ben looked like a kid in a candy store, or maybe it was like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, over whatever was in the box, Jack thought. He shifted on the porch step, distinctly aware that it wasn’t his business what was in the box. “You’ll see soon enough.” Ben answered the unspoken question then picked the package up and carried it into the house, leaving Jack and Matt staring at each other across the dusty driveway. “You know there’s nothing between us, right?” Jack blinked, but kept his peace. He kept his hands in his pockets too. It wouldn’t do to strangle the shit out of the only veterinarian in the county. Matt slammed the tailgate shut, leaned on it with both forearms. “I mean, it was fun to tease you when Ben first got here, because I knew you guys were hot after each other, but now…” Matt shook his head. “Now, Ben seriously likes you so I can’t be a stumbling block for you guys. He’s too good a friend to me.” Jack eyed Doc, not entirely sure if he believed the little friends speech. “Is it going to rain?” Ben asked as he pushed through the screen door, looking up at the sky. “Thunderstorms are forecasted.” Matt focused on Jack again. “If you need something, let me know.” Jack shook his head. “We’ll be fine.” Matt ignored him but Jack saw the flash of irritation in his eyes. “I gotta get out of here. I wanted to drop that off before I headed over to the Allie to look at one of their horses.” Jack hooked his arm around Ben’s waist, keeping on the porch. “Everything okay over there?”

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“Things are fine.” Matt waved as he pulled out of the yard. “At least you two are talking again.” Ben smoothed his hand down Jack’s cheek. Jack offered a dry smile. “Have to. He’s my vet.” Ben fidgeted next to him, picking at Jack’s shirt. “I’m going to spend some time with my new package. Can you grab me for dinner?” “Sure thing.” Ben smacked a kiss on Jack’s lips and sprinted inside, hands over his head to fend off the fat raindrops of the storm rolling in. The screen door slammed in his wake, leaving Jack standing alone. Jack closed his eyes, tilted his face up and let the cool rain soothe him.

**** The rain pattered on the roof, cocooning Ben in his own world. Fiddling with drafting supplies had always caused him to lose track of time, but he had to admit today was worse than usual. For the first time since his arrival, he pulled his gear from the hidden box in the closet. He couldn’t help the warring emotions, the anger and the excitement, when he touched his templates and his pencils again. A few weeks ago, he was the most sought-after architect in New Hampshire. The museum project he had spearheaded had turned him into an overnight success with more potential clients than he could possibly fit in his schedule. Ben stretched his back as he looked over the light pencil markings in the centre of the page. He smoothed his hand over the crisp paper now spread across the top of the scarred, wooden desk wedged in the corner, then tapped his finger on a small area next to the stencilled kitchen. “Missing a pantry.” He picked up his pencil and leaned over the sheet, concentrating on the lines and spacing as he adjusted the blueprint. “Ben?” Jack knocked on the door. Ben flinched, then quickly checked the paper for any stray pencil marks. “Jesus, Jack. You scared the hell out of me.” He stuck his pencil behind his ear before opening the door a crack. “What’s up?”

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“Dinner.” Damn. That’s a lot of punch in one tiny word. “What time is it?” “Five.” Ben opened the door a bit more. “—p.m.?” Jack rolled his eyes, propping one hand on the doorframe. “Well, we were fucking in the barn at five a.m. so, yeah, p.m.” An image of what exactly he’d been doing to Jack that morning filled Ben’s mind, stiffening his cock. “I’m coming. Give me two minutes.” “Mm.” Jack turned and left him standing in the door. “Two minutes.” Ben slammed the door and rushed to roll the print and store it in the tiny closet behind his clothes. He stuffed his tools back into their slots in his pouch and shoved that in the top drawer of the desk. Two minutes flat and he skidded into the dining room. “See? I told—” Ben stopped cold as he stared at a man who looked a lot like an older version of Jack and a stunning woman with a huge grin on her face. He glanced down at his unbuttoned flannel and jeans, his bare feet, and back up at Jack, leaning against the fireplace in the corner. Ben seriously hoped they took the flush of his face for embarrassment and not the anger flaming in the pit of his stomach. “You didn’t tell me there would be company for dinner, Jack.” Ben worked to keep his words measured as he did the buttons up on his clothes, focusing an undue amount of attention on the task. “It didn’t come up.” Jack’s tone was flat. Ben raised his gaze to meet Jack’s. “You’re right. It didn’t.” He turned to the two other people in the room who looked amused as hell at the conversation between the two men. “I’m Ben Morillo.” The older man stepped forwards, his hand out. “I’m Jack’s father. Russell Marr.” There was recognition in the dark brown gaze assessing Ben’s face. A sharp niggle at the back of his mind burst into memory. Russell Marr. The man he’d designed the gazebo for just a few months ago. Ben shook his hand. “Nice to finally meet you.” Russell said nothing. Just continued to watch him like a curious cat.

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Not willing to show his discomfort at the first intense stare from Jack’s dad, Ben turned to the woman, lifting her hand to his lips. “You must be Amanda. Jack’s step-mother.” Genuine warmth spread across her face as the grin turned to an embarrassed smile. “It’s lovely to meet you. And I would love to say that I’ve heard about you,” she cast a glance at Jack that clearly said more on that conversation would come later, “but I’ve been kept in the dark, it seems.” Jack cleared his throat. “Dinner’s on the table.” Amanda slid her arm through Ben’s. “Sit next to me, won’t you?” “Of course.” Better than next to Jack. Jesus, the guy looked charged for a fight and Ben was in the mood to give it to him. Jack held the door open to the dining room—letting Ben, Amanda and Russell seat themselves as he rearranged drinks on the table. Amanda lifted an eyebrow when he switched the coffee in front of her with the coffee in front of Ben. “That cup not good enough for me, darling?” “No. Ben takes his coffee with more cream and sugar than you.” Jack froze on his way back to his seat, his head hanging. Ben couldn’t decide who he wanted to look at. Is he in the closet? Damn, it hadn’t looked that way in Denver, but that was an hour drive from here. Amanda smiled and winked at Ben. “Does he? What a wonderful host you are.” Jack sighed, then sat down at the head of the table. “Go ahead. I know you want to.” Amanda’s gaze left her son and went to Ben. So did Russell’s. And Jack’s. “What exactly am I missing here?” Ben wasn’t sure he liked this. Jack’s mother turned back to her food. “Well, Ben, our son hasn’t let a man spend the night here, let alone stay for any length of time.” Ben glanced at Jack for confirmation and, if he’d thought she was poking fun, the hot blush in Jack’s cheeks said it was the truth. Jack’s mother took a sip of her coffee. “He’s taken great pains to hide his sexuality from others in the community. And it’s worked so far with the narrow-minded bastards in town. But we knew eventually he’d meet someone worth that last step out of the closet.” “Mom.” Jack whispered the words like she’d stepped too far.

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Russell reached for his tea, adding cream and sugar. “Don’t get all freaked out, son. We think it’s high time you found a lover that you were proud of. All those playboys in town thinking they’re hot shit ‘cause they got a pretty girl on their arm.” Jack’s dad pointed his spoon between the two younger men. “Y’all need to show ‘em what real passion looks like.” Jack’s face grew redder. Ben wasn’t sure if Russell was trying to embarrass Jack or if he was just choosing his words poorly, but either way, this conversation was over. “So that’s out. Can we eat?” Amanda clapped her hands together. “Brilliant idea.” Russell snorted but picked up his napkin and Jack found his plate suddenly interesting, pushing his food around with his fork but not taking a bite. The pout on Jack’s face worried Ben. He pushed back from the table, tossing his napkin on the seat of his chair. “Will the two of you excuse us for a just a couple minutes?” Amanda shushed her husband when he began to object and shooed the two of them away. “We’ll be fine. Go.” Ben linked his fingers with Jack’s and led him to the kitchen. As soon as the door swung shut, he rounded on Jack. “What the matter?” Jesus, I’m forever asking that damn question, like a fucking teenage girl. Jack’s mouth open and closed, then he settled on pressing his lips into a tight white line, saying nothing. Smoothing his hands over the front of his jeans, Ben let the irritation leave his muscles. “Okay, they’re just teasing you. I hope you realise that at least.” “Yeah. But it’s what’s behind the teasing, Ben.” Jack paced to the sink, turning the water on and off, watching it swirl down the drain. “What do you mean? They seem perfectly wonderful. You’ve done nothing but rave about them since I met you and now you want to act like they’re the enemy?” Jack’s gaze ran over Ben’s face, his brows knit together as he studied. “Not the enemy. Just no filters on their mouths.” “You mean I might get to learn a little about you?” Ben laughed and tugged at his arm. Shit, Ben thought, this is just what I need—parents willing to spill the goods on my lover. Jack didn’t budge. “When do I get to learn about you?” He pointed towards the spare room then tapped the side of Ben’s head. “In there and up here.”

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Ben sobered, glanced at the floor then back up. “Soon enough.” Jack sighed. “Let the humiliation begin.” “After you.” Ben quirked a smile for Jack even though his heart was jack-hammering in his chest. Shit. Shit. Shit. Ben let out a long breath. Well, turn about was fair play. Maybe it was time for him to share some too. Russell stood when Jack entered the room. He came around the table and hugged his son. “I love you. You know that, right?” Jack hugged him back, smiling. “Just as much as you like to embarrass me.” Amanda cleared her throat and Jack moved over to kiss her on the cheek. “Love you.” She smiled, crooked a finger to Ben, patted the seat next to her. “Sit, Ben. I want to hear all about you.” Jack groaned. “He’s on vacation, Mom.” Amanda’s gaze, sharp and astute, returned to Ben after flicking over to Jack for a moment. “So, what do you do?” “I’m an architect.” Ben said as he slid into the chair. “That’s lovely. Did I hear you’re from New Hampshire?” And the small town rumour mills were alive and well, it seemed. “Yes. But I’m at loose ends for the moment. That’s why I’m here, working for your son for a bit.” Russell broke in, “Morillo, you say?” Ben met his gaze. “Yes.” “Dad.” Jack shifted in his seat when both men looked at him. “You can investigate him later.” It seemed to Ben that all the wind left Russell’s sails. “Okay.” Amanda laughed. “It’s always Jack’s way.” “No kidding,” Ben muttered. He already knew from just the last couple of days with Jack that he’d do anything for the cowboy.

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Chapter Five

Ben moaned, coming awake to the feel of a soft, hot mouth sucking on his cock. He shifted his hips, restless, aching. “Jack.” His voice was rusted and hoarse from sleep. His lover hummed, cupped his balls, slid seeking fingers to tease Ben’s hole. Jack pressed against the tight ring of muscle, pushed until he could curl his finger to brush Ben’s gland. Ben bucked at the intense shards of pleasure streaking along his nerves. Fuck. He grabbed handfuls of Jack’s hair and forced him off his dick. “No.” “Let me suck you off.” Jack lifted pleading, golden-brown eyes to meet his gaze and Ben barely bit back the okay to continue. “No.” He used his grip on Jack’s hair to bring him up for a kiss, flipping him over to his back. Ben snagged a condom from the bedside table, ripped it open and rolled it down his hard shaft. He wedged his legs between Jack’s, sliding his aching cock along the silky length of steel. Jack pressed his head back into the pillow. “Please. Make me—” Ben sucked two of his own fingers into his mouth, slicking them with his spit before pressing one into Jack’s hole. Ben stroked, in…out, his knuckle glancing over Jack’s gland with each pass. Jack rocked his hips and Ben obliged with a second finger, then soon a third. Fuck, he’s pretty. Ben couldn’t tear his eyes away from Jack’s parted lips, flushed cheeks, and heavy-lidded gaze. When Jack easily accepted three fingers, Ben pulled his hand away, smiling when Jack protested. He rubbed the head of his cock along Jack’s crack, reaching for the slick under the pillow. It felt like it took years to lube his dick and push into Jack’s clutching heat. Spreading his legs wide, Jack shifted under Ben, begging without saying a word. Crushing his lips to Jack’s, driving his tongue into the other man’s mouth, Ben took everything Jack offered. Hooking his arms under Jack’s knees, Ben pumped with quick, fast

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strokes—claiming him in this private way, here in Jack’s bedroom, when he desperately wanted to claim him for the world to see. Jack braced his hands against the pine headboard, arching his back, a long moan ripping from his throat. Ben thoughts scattered like leaves on the breeze as Jack came, shooting cum onto his chest, his cheek. He lost his rhythm as grasping muscles milked his cock and he came with a shout of Jack’s name. He slumped to the side, dragging in big gulps of air. A slow caress of Jack’s fingers over his back brought Ben back to the present. Jack lay on his side, his head propped on his hand as he smirked at Ben. “Gonna ditch that condom?” Ben grunted, hoping that would suffice for an answer. Apparently not. Jack sat up, nudging Ben’s shoulder. “Ben.” With a put-upon sigh, Ben rolled out of bed, testing his legs before actually trusting them to hold his weight. “Back in a sec.” By the time he’d returned, Jack was curled on his side, fast asleep. Ben sank onto the bed next to him, tracing the smooth planes and muscles of Jack’s body with light touches. He brushed a kiss on Jack’s forehead and gave into the inevitable. No matter what he did, how much he tried to deny it, Ben knew without a doubt that this cowboy was his everything.

**** Jack felt Ben slip his arms around his waist as he poured them coffee at the kitchen counter. “Morning.” Ben’s deep rumbling laugh vibrated through Jack. “Good morning.” He kissed the back of Jack’s neck. “What’s on the list today?” “After we take care of the horses, we’re going to ride out on the ridge.” Tension tightened his gut. He had woken up thinking about his feelings for Ben and how much he wanted Ben to stay. To be his. “There’s something I want to show you.” Ben smoothed his hands along Jack’s stomach, around his sides, and rubbed his back with firm strokes. “Okay. Do we need to pack a lunch? Or will we be back in time to eat here?”

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“Pack one, just in case.” Jack slid away from Ben, his back rigid. “I’ll be in the barn.” He grabbed his hat and pushed out the back door, heard the phone ring as he left. Ben could get it. He shoved the heavy barn door open, leaving it standing wide so the sun could warm the inside as he checked each of the nine stalls for grain and water. The last one held Mandy and her new colt. His girl had a sleek, black coat—every muscle defined, work-honed. Jack leaned on the gate, waited for her to notice him. She perked her ears, one cocked in his direction. Her tail twitched, practically snapping his face with each pass behind her. Jack reached to run an admiring hand down her hide but she shied away, keeping her back to him. “Aw, c’mon, Mandy-girl. Don’t be mad at me.” He unlatched the gate, let it swing wide. “Wanna go in the yard?” The mare turned her head, peering at him with black-as-night eyes before snorting and turning away. Keeping to the side, he approached her head, one hand out, running gentle fingers over her flank, her barrel, her shoulder, up the side of her neck to tangle in her mane. He pulled her to face him. “Get over this. I want him to stay.” Sometimes, he swore she understood. She nickered, rubbed her nose along his cheek and nudged him back. Jack let her walk out to the corral, her baby close behind, like a mirror image. Jack latched the gate to the yard and looked up in time to see Ben come from the house with a bag loaded with food in one hand and his cell phone pressed against his ear with the other. “I understand.” He pressed a finger to his lips, asking for quiet. When Jack nodded, some of the tension eased from Ben’s face. “Mr Benson—” The tension radiating from Ben made Jack sick to his stomach. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath. Jesus, get yourself together. It could be nothing. “They fired me.” Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I’m not going back. I’m sorry you have a new designer, but Alex is more than capable of handling the rest of the interior.”

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Deciding eavesdropping probably wasn’t a good way to learn what Ben was hiding, Jack went back into the barn to grab their horses for today’s ride. Ben hovered at the door, watching him, but focused on the conversation. “You can’t pull your account from them. They have a penalty clause if you breach, Mr Benson.” Ben stayed quiet a moment. “No. I wasn’t insinuating that you couldn’t afford a couple thousand dollars.” He leaned his head against the doorframe, closed his eyes, took a deep breath. “If you terminate your contract with Jim, I’ll finish it.” Jack’s heart dropped in his chest. Bad, bad news. “Oh.” Ben opened his eyes, looked at Jack as he spoke, held his gaze. “You’ve already done that.” Jack turned away. Fucking bad news. “You’ll have your plane here tomorrow morning? But—” Jack tossed a saddle on Sady, the mare Ben had been using during his stay, buckled her tight after putting her bridle on. He dropped her reins at Ben’s feet, knowing the horse would stay ground-tethered until Ben led her out. Jack did the same with his horse, Sammy, a soft-spirited bay he’d got for his last birthday from his folks. Ben sighed. “I’ll be ready.” And he hung up. “Guess this is it?” Jack hated the crack in his voice, couldn’t bear to look at Ben. “Gone in the morning?” “There’s probably two weeks of work to be done on the project, then the rest can be done from wherever I want.” Jack nodded. “Let’s go.” He leapt up into the saddle, pulled on the reins and left Ben in the barn. He was grateful Ben was slower to mount. It gave him a few seconds to recoup. He wiped his face, pulled his hat low over his eyes. He knew that after today, he’d probably make Mandy’s behaviour look saintly. Ben caught up with him, rode quiet half a length behind. Jack couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. Would it be easy for him to drive away? Would he come back? No. Jack knew the answer to that. His birth mother was from back east. She’d hated it here. So much that not even Jack had been enough to keep her. He pinched his lips together. Today

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isn’t about the past. He glanced at Ben, who was watching him like Jack was a rattler coiled to strike. Or the future. Pointing towards the west to a trail leading up in the mountains, Jack said, “We’re going there. It’s about a two-hour ride to the ridge where we’ll stop.” He spurred his horse on after Ben gave a nod, kept far enough ahead that there was no chance of conversation. Ben didn’t try to bridge the gap, didn’t try to slow the pace. And he sure as hell didn’t concentrate on where he was going. Jack shook his head. He’s already back home. By the time they made it to the clearing, Jack had made up his mind this would be their last time together—whether they just ate lunch or more. Ben had to stay at Matt’s tonight. Because tomorrow I won’t be able to say goodbye.

**** The wooded trail opened to a flat of land, cleared of all but two large rocks, one more squat than the other, sitting in the middle. The view was more than Ben could have hoped to see in his lifetime—lush green trees laid like carpet down the mountainside, hawks flying high above them, searching, waiting for their chance. The powder blue sky as clear as heavenly possible without a cloud in sight. The ride up was long and hard but he’d spent the time working out how to convince Jack to let him come back. To let him stay. And two hours later, he still had nothing. Two weeks. He’d have to be gone two fucking weeks. He had to finish that print tonight. Jack had to know beyond a doubt he was coming back and that was the only thing Ben could give him to prove it. They dismounted to the rear of the plateau and, by mutual consent, kept the conversation to nil. Working in tandem, they spread the food for lunch, each helping to make the other’s plate. They’d moved on to dessert, apple pie made by Amanda. “Jack.” The other man flinched. “We need to talk.”

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Jack took a deep breath, pulled himself from whatever thoughts he was having. “You’re leaving. We haven’t made any commitments. What’s to talk about?” He gave a harsh laugh, stood and walked to the edge, looked out over his land, back towards his home. Ben rose from the rock where they’d been sitting. “It’s that simple?” He moved behind Jack, didn’t touch him, stayed a breath away. “No strings for us, then?” He slid one hand around Jack’s waist, not stopping until he palmed Jack’s cock through his faded Levi’s. His voice hardened as his heart broke. “Just a few good fucks, and then see you later?” Jack reply was soft, almost lost on the wind. “Yes.” “Really?” Ben hardly spoke. His throat was raw with too many emotions that he no longer wanted. “Then why not one for the road?” He couldn’t keep the sneer from his tone. Jack turned to face him, sank to his knees in front of him, his face a blank mask. “Why not?” Ben knocked Jack’s hat to the ground, grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged his face back to see his eyes. To see the truth of it. And in the hazel mix, Ben found his answer. Jack was done with him. All of the breath left Ben’s body. He stumbled back, not willing to take what Jack no longer wanted to give. He shook his head, putting his hands up between them. “I’ve overstayed my welcome, I see.” Jack’s brow creased as he rose to his feet, a high blush creeping over his cheeks. He said nothing, but skirted around Ben to toss everything back in the bag it came from and mount his horse. One eyebrow raised when he realised Ben still stood in the same place, staring. Slowly, one foot in front of the other, Ben pulled himself up into Sady’s saddle. The more he thought of how their conversation turned out, the more pissed he got. Again. He’d let himself get fucked over again. Except this one hurt ten times worse. This time wasn’t about a job or being embarrassed. No, this was much worse. This time he was in love. And Jack acted like he couldn’t give two shits. He glanced at Jack again, wanting one more image of the proud cowboy to hold tight. But Jack wasn’t sitting tall this time. His shoulders slumped, his hat sat down low, and those full lips that Ben loved to see stretched around his cock were pressed into a thin white line.

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Like a lightning bolt from the sky, Ben saw what Jack was so desperately trying to hide. And Ben’s temper got the best of him because of it. Jack loved him. It was written in every sad line on his face. But instead of fighting to keep him, Jack was letting him go. He manoeuvred Sady next to Jack and Sammy, pausing long enough to be sure he had Jack’s attention. Then Jack opened his mouth to say something and Ben took advantage. He gripped the back of Jack’s neck and forced him forwards, smashed their lips together, drove his tongue into Jack’s mouth. He continued the assault until Jack relented on a soft moan. Ben pulled away, tightening his fingers in the softness of Jack’s hair. “Don’t fucking lie to me again.” Ben shook him. Jack’s eyes widened but he didn’t speak. Ben let him go. “I’m leaving.” He heard Jack’s sharp inhale. “But I’ll be back.” Ben turned Sady back down the trail towards what he now thought of as home. “We’ll deal with this little problem then.”

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Chapter Six

Ben looked up at the knock on the door. Who could that be? The only person who should be here was Joan. He’d called her as soon as he’d stepped off the plane. She’d called him all kinds of fool for coming back. Then she had turned in her notice to Jim and set up her desk at Ben’s kitchen table. That was twelve days ago. He could hardly believe it had only been a few days since he’d flown out of Colorado with a kiss and a promise to Jack to return in two weeks. It felt like an eternity that he’d been gone. He missed Jack fiercely. His light snores, his crack-of-dawn wake-up calls, his soft skin, his muscles. His voice. Jack hadn’t once picked up the phone since Ben had left. Another knock and Ben realised Joan must have gone to lunch. His eyes narrowed as he pushed off his stool. It had better not be Christian again. The asshole had shown up on his doorstep at two in the morning last night. Ben had thrown him physically from the building, telling him in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t welcome there anymore. He peeked through the peephole and blinked to be sure he saw correctly. Jack’s parents. What the—? He yanked the door open. “What’s wrong with Jack?” Russell’s eyebrows rose while Amanda grinned like a loon. She patted her husband’s arm. “See, honey, I told you he was in love with Jack.” “Of course I am. What’s wrong with him?” Russell cocked his head to look Jack up and down. “If you love him, why are you here while he works himself to death on the ranch?” “I have to finish Benson’s renovation.” He looked down the hallway behind them, noticing that the neighbours were starting to peek out their doors. He stepped back. “Please, come in.” Amanda patted his cheek on the way by. “How civilised of you.”

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Ben laughed. “Thanks. I think.” “He’s my only boy.” Russell grunted when Amanda caught him in the ribs with a wellaimed elbow. “Our only boy. We just want what’s best for him.” “And that’s me.” Ben ushered them into the living room. “Pardon the mess. We’re working from here until we can move my office out west.” Russell sat next to his wife on the sofa. “So you’re moving? Are you sure that’s what you want?” Ben stared at Russell. The older man’s face so much like Jack’s that Ben’s heart hurt with longing. “I’m sure.” Amanda let out a long breath. “You should tell him, dear.” “That’s for Jack to do.” “It’s your story. Not Jack’s.” Ben’s blood pounded in his ears. He couldn’t shake the feeling that things were taking a turn for the worse. That what he was about to find out, might change things between him and Jack. For the next twenty minutes, Russell filled Ben in on Jack’s birth mother. He took a deep breath, finishing a difficult story of a woman who refused to adjust. “Allie hated the country. Everything about it. When I wouldn’t move away for her, she stopped getting out of bed.” Russell stared at his feet as if answers would spring up from the leather boots. Amanda wove her fingers with his, squeezed them. He looked up, tears in his eyes. “She told me once, at the very end, that dying was the only way she’d get out of that godforsaken country. And that’s what she did.” He wiped his palm across his cheeks. “I should have moved her back east. But I wanted Jack raised like I was. I wanted him brought up to know work, and to know himself before he found out how harsh this world can be.” The older man’s face hardened. “Jack watched her die a little every day. And she told him every chance she could why she hated him so.” Amanda wrapped her arm around Russell, rested her chin on his shoulder as she looked at Ben. “Jack won’t ask you to come back. He’s already preparing himself for the reality of life without you. He’s not answering your calls, is he?”

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Ben shook his head, Russell’s words chasing circles in his mind. He’d been planning Jack’s punishment for lying ever since the plane ride back to New Hampshire. But this changed everything. There could be no punishment for Jack protecting his heart. He stood, started to pace the room. He stopped in front of Jack’s parents, nodding more to himself than them. He met Amanda’s gaze. “All right, we’ll do this Jack’s way.”

**** It had taken everything in him not to call Jack again. Ben stepped off the plane at the now familiar airport, barely getting his feet on solid ground before Amanda rushed forwards and wrapped him in a bear hug. Russell grinned from behind her. “Glad you made it, son.” Ben’s eyes misted over but he blinked it away. Now was not the time for sentiment. “I need you to loan me your car.” He’d finished up what he needed to on Benson’s house in the time he’d allotted. Exactly fourteen days after he’d flown to the East Coast, he was now back on home soil. He’d originally thought to finish the blueprint for Jack’s house after he arrived here, but he’d ended up not sleeping last night just so he could finalise them before he got on the plane today. “For?” Amanda tugged at Ben’s arm, pulling him in her wake towards the parking lot. Ben followed, having only the bag on his shoulder and the long cardboard tube containing the print of Jack’s new house. The rest of Ben’s belongings would follow in a moving truck, due to arrive in three days along with his car. “He’s going to take it hard when I don’t show up today.” Amanda nodded. “He’s already got it in his head that you’ve given up because you haven’t called.” Ben froze in his tracks. “What?” “Mm-hmm.” She nodded again. Russell jingled the keys between them. “We figured you wouldn’t want to wait. So we drove two cars.”

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Ben grinned, snatching the keys from Russell’s fingers. “Thanks.” He paused long enough to buss Amanda’s cheek with a kiss then he sprinted across the blacktop. “You’ve got the Chevy keys,” she shouted behind him.

**** Ben pulled into the dirt yard, instantly aware that Jack’s truck was missing. Somewhat relieved, he parked directly in front of the house. Climbing from the low-riding car, Ben paused when a high-pitched nicker caught his attention. He detoured to the barn. Pushing the door wide to let the natural light in, Ben let his eyes focus to the shadows. He walked slowly towards the last stall, keeping an eye on the mare watching his every move. She snorted, tossing her head, glaring at him, if that was possible. Ben froze. This was the first time he’d been in the barn without Jack there to mediate. Now or never. He took a deep breath, held out his hand and stepped in front of Mandy. She snorted again, nipped at his hand. He flinched but immediately put his hand back. “Better get used to me, girl. I’m here to stay.” Mandy turned her head to stare at him. Ben could see the wheels turning. One smart horse. She whinnied and rubbed her nose in his palm. He gave her a quick rub on her muzzle. “Gotta go, Mandy. I still have to convince your owner.” She gave his hand a little shove, as if to rush him along. He stopped at the car on his way to the house, digging out Matt’s trinket from the bottom of his bag. He took only the tiny box and the drawing inside with him. He pulled the long scroll out and unrolled it on the kitchen table, placed the box at the corner of the precious paper to hold it in place, with the lid canted to one side so that the message scrawled inside was visible. The roar of Jack’s truck coming down the drive kicked Ben’s heart into high gear. He waited for the truck to stop. It seemed like forever that Jack sat with the motor idling. Probably trying to figure out why his parents are here.

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The second the motor shut off, Ben’s breathing stuttered. “Mom?” Jack banged through the front door. “Dad?” Ben stayed quiet. Waited. He could hear Jack moving through the house, checking each room on his way past. Finally, his footsteps brought him to the kitchen. And Ben. The door swung open and the shock on Jack’s face spoke absolute volumes. He’d quit. Given up. Counted their relationship over. And that pissed Ben off all over again. He leaned against the counter, one foot crossed over the other, much as he had on another morning that had changed his life. This time I’m ready. Ben crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not your mother.” “I… I see that.” “Either one of them.” Ben waited for that to sink in. Jack’s eyes narrowed. Ben continued. “I said I was coming back so here I am.” “I see that, too.” Ben pushed away from the counter, motioned Jack forwards. He waved a hand at the drawing spread on the table. “I’m not good at emotional crap. But I can draw. I can design.” Jack inched forwards to look over the print. Ben heard his breath hiss. “It’s beautiful.” He stretched a hand forwards to stroke the eastern corner of the lower level. “There’s a drafting room.” “I need my own space. Trust me, you don’t want to trip over tubes and tubes of blueprints. You’d get tired of that pretty damn quick.” Ben tapped his finger on the room just opposite his. “That’s your office. For ranch business.” Jack smoothed his hand across the sheet, snagging Ben’s fingers in his. “There’s only one bedroom.” Ben pulled free, slid the paper a little. “That’s the second floor here. The master bedroom takes most of the level, sharing only with the master bath.” “Oh.” Ben smiled at the disappointment colouring Jack’s response. “I figured we’d want the guest room on the lower level, at the farthest point from where our bed is going to be.”

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The breath rushed from Jack’s lips. “So, you’re planning on being around a while, huh?” Ben slid his hand around Jack’s neck, pulled him close. “Well, there’s this cowboy, you see. He needs someone to love him so badly, someone to need him. I figured I’d try for the job, see if he’d take me.” Jack pressed his trembling lips together, nodded. “But I need to be certain.” Ben tilted Jack’s head back so he could look him in the eyes. “I need to know that you believe me when I say I’m not leaving, when I say that I love it here. I need to know that your mother’s ghost isn’t going to sabotage what we have.” “How did you… Dad.” Jack shook his head. Ben leaned his forehead on Jack’s. “I love you so much. I don’t want you to worry if I have to go to a job site for a couple weeks. I know it’ll take some time for you to really feel it, to really know I’ll be home as quick as American Airlines will get me here. Just promise you’ll tell me if you’re worrying.” Jack whimpered. “Did you… fuck.” He closed the distance between them, shifting to press against Ben’s thigh. “Did I what?”Ben nuzzled Jack’s neck, nipping at his ear. “Say you love me?” There was enough doubt to pull Ben up short. He framed Jack’s face between his palms. “Listen to me. Get used to hearing it. I love you.” Jack chewed at the inside of his lip, stared at Ben for what felt like eternity. “I love you too. And I want you to stay.” Every muscle in Ben’s body felt like jelly as the tension fled. “Thank God. You scared the hell out of me.” “Only fair. I’ve been out of my mind the last couple days when you didn’t call.” Ben kissed Jack, slow and easy, pressing him against the table. The distinctive crinkle of paper had Ben jerking Jack away from the drawing. With shaking hands, Ben smoothed the offended paper. “Let’s take this to the bedroom before we wreck all my hard work.” Jack grinned, flicked the top button on Ben’s jeans. “Are you sure?” Catching Jack’s wandering hand, Ben pulled him in for another long kiss. “Oh yeah. I need a bed for what I’m gonna do to you, cowboy.”

JACK’S WAY

Em Woods

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“Promise?” Ben loved the breathless reply. It meant Jack wasn’t thinking so much. But he was still thinking. He dropped to his knees on the tile floor, unzipped Jack’s jeans, pulled his pulsing cock from the restraining material. “But I think I need to take your edge off.” He rocked forwards and sucked Jack’s cock deep into his throat. Jack jerked against him, pushing his dick deeper before remembering to pull out. Ben protested, drew him in again, fisting the base of Jack’s cock to keep him where he wanted him. “Fuck, Ben.” Jack groaned. “Are you…kidding…me? I’m gonna—damn.” Ben closed his eyes as the first burst of cum hit the back of his throat, savouring the taste of his cowboy. He licked his way off the softening prick, chuckling when Jack flinched as cool air brushed his sensitive cockhead. Rising to his feet, Ben trapped Jack’s loose prick between them. “I want my cock buried in your ass.” He pulled away, pointed towards Jack’s room. “Go.” Jack blinked away the haze shrouding his mind, and led the way to their bedroom. “Yes, sir.” “Now you’ve got the idea.”

JACK’S WAY

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Epilogue

Ben stared out at the sunrise, admiring the brilliant hues of pinks and blues, a warm sense of déjà vu washing over him. The last six months had been one big blur of building and loving and learning. He glanced at the gift propped against the post opposite him. It had taken months for him and Amanda to agree on what to put on it, then he’d had to hide the thing at Matt’s place to keep Jack from seeing it while he worked on it. Jack cursed at the coffee pot from inside the house. “Ben?” “Out here, sweetheart.” Jack pushed the screen door open with his back, trying not to spill the coffee in either hand. “Take one.” Ben took his mug, kept the swing steady as Jack sat next to him. “Morning.” “You had a late night,” Jack said. “Yeah. Your mom wants to expand her craft room.” “Not to mention the other hundred clients begging for Ben Morillo, Architect of the Year.” Jack laughed, curling under the arm Ben wrapped around him. Ben actually blushed. “I hate that crap,” he mumbled. “I love it. I love our new house.” Jack petted the side of his face, drew his gaze.”I love you.” Ben tore his gaze away from Jack to look out over the mountains one more time before returning to Jack. “You know, my mom wasn’t stellar by any means either. But she said once, that you know you’re where you’re meant to be when you look out at the world, and you see forever.” Jack snuggled closer, curled his hand under Ben’s leg on the swing. Ben fell quiet until Jack looked up at him. “I see forever when I look at you.” Jack bit the corner of his quivering lip. No doubt from some cowboy sense of machismo. Smoothing his thumb over the offended area of Jack’s mouth, Ben kissed him. “I’ve made something for you.” “Oh yeah?”

JACK’S WAY

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“Yeah.”Ben nodded his head in the direction of the canvas-covered object to the side. “Go ahead. Take a look.” Jack set his cup on the floor, rising slowly enough Ben thought he might go backwards. He crouched down, running his hand over the rough fabric. “What is it?” “You’d know already if you moved faster.” Jack reached trembling fingers forwards, pulled the cover loose and dropped to his knees. In Ben’s own handwriting, a carved sign read: Jack’s Way. Ben knelt beside him, ran his hand over the two simple words. “I love you enough that I want the world to know—this is the only way home for me.” When Jack pulled him in for a salty kiss, Ben felt the truth, solid and real. Jack’s way would always be his way.

About the Author Hi all! Let’s see, a little about me. I am an Army brat, which lends to my imagination, and I am a wife & mother of two energetic little boys, which gives me my sense of humour. I started writing in high school for the newspaper and have written steadily since then for my own enjoyment. I have lived a little of everywhere thanks to the travel bug I inherited from my dad, but currently am push-pinned in southeast Michigan. A typical day is a little crazy but I always work in writing time and I love chatting with friends. Email: [email protected] Em Woods loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

Also by Em Woods Not Anymore Yule Be Mine: Chasing Alex

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