Cowboy's Christmas Read online

  "Ride me hard. Yeah," Riley said as he, too, met his climax. "...ahhh." His cum shot into Blake's hand and up his belly. He cried out in the throes of heated passion. "Yesssss, oh, God, yes."

  Seconds yielded to minutes, and the aftereffects subsided. Riley turned in his arms and pecked a kiss on his forehead. "I love you."

  "And I do you."

  Riley ran a hand through Blake’s hair, treating him as though he were the most precious commodity in the world. The hands left Blake's head and cupped his face in his hands.

  Blake whispered, "I'm so glad we're back together. I never quite looked forward to Christmas until we began meeting. Now, it can't come around fast enough."

  "Want to join me at my sister's house this year?" Riley asked.

  "Marla's your sister, right?" Blake asked and reached for a pack of Benson & Hedges. Outside people getting in on our relationship makes me nervous as a whore in church.

  "Yeah."

  He got up, pulled the condom off his relaxing cock and tossed it into a waste can near the bed. Tensed up, he padded to the sink and washed his hands and cock before returning to the bed. He grasped and patted the gold pack, drew a cigarette out and lit it, then coughed while exhaling.

  After a nervous pause, Riley said, "I've told her."

  Blake's tone changed to one of surprise. "Crap. And she's not mad?"

  "Hell, no. Riley sat up and began to search for a cigarette pack in his jeans. "She practically dragged it out of me, and then went and accepted it. I can't say that for the friggin' circuit though. They'd have a cow."

  "I wish I could tell my sister" Blake looked away. He took a few puffs and stubbed the butt out in an ashtray. He turned and lay down facing Riley, wondering what his sister Katy would say and how she would handle it.

  "You may be surprised." Riley sniffed. "Let me use your lighter."

  He handed over his Bic, fluffed his pillow and yawned. Blake contemplated the gentle rain falling outside. "I just don't know about telling Katy."

  "Go with your heart on it, Blake."

  Chapter Six

  Riley savored the lazy afternoons they whiled away. The days that followed held hikes through the forest. During the evenings, they drove to the Lone Pine Cafe for supper where they ate and discussed politics, religion, growing up and a myriad of other subjects. On occasion, they watched movies and later stopped at quiet bars for cocktails. They topped their evenings off by watching late night talk shows on satellite television. Steamy nights of passion ended their perfect days. In the wee hours of the morning, they dozed in each other’s arms. It seemed to Riley they lost two days somewhere along the line. Somewhere along the line, they lost those days to sex.

  They switched beds, sleeping first in Blake's trailer and the next night in Riley's. They had the campsite to themselves. The owner left town for the holidays, closing the business. His absence gave them solitude and privacy for come what may. For Riley, attraction yielded to a degree of adoration and caring that he'd never felt for another person.

  A week and a half after they'd reunited, Riley, naked and blurry-eyed, climbed from under the covers and brewed coffee, filling Blake's small one-room space with its rich aroma. Sun lightened the dark green landscape outside and filtered inside, lightening the room's warm shades of beige, green and brown. Simple, tie back curtains adorned the windows. A deep cabinet, white refrigerator and wooden table with two chairs comprised a kitchenette. A wooden dresser occupied a wall space opposite the bed. In the corner, a mirror occupied a space between two big windows.

  Blake covered his mid-section with a sheet and sat with his back to the wall in the middle of the bed. He began reading the Oregonian they'd picked up the previous evening.

  While sipping coffee, Riley affixed a towel to his lower torso and read the sports section while sitting on a dark, tangerine chair.

  Blake stopped reading and glanced his way.

  "What do you want to do later?" Riley asked, folding the paper. His gaze left the print and met Blake's dark eyes after he looked up from the basketball scores.

  Blake shrugged. "Let's see...we can take a short drive?"

  "Okay, sure. Where to?" He turned the page and crossed his legs.

  "Someplace nice. How about to Astoria?" asked Blake.

  "Christmas is coming in a couple of weeks. We can shop. I can buy a couple of presents."

  "I want to buy you a present. What do you want?" Blake asked, his eyes flitting back to his reading material.

  "Nothin.'"

  "You sure?"

  "Yep."

  "I'd like to take some pictures and give one of you to my sister," said Riley.

  Blake said a ruffled, "I dunno."

  "Would you be interested in goin' to her house with me for Christmas? To Marla and Jeff's?"

  Blake's attention lifted. He squinted into the sun during the pause that followed. "I don't know. My sister invited us, too. The only problem is she doesn't know about us. I don't think I'm ready..." he sighed and shook his head before finishing, "...for the outside world's opinions regarding us." His voice trailed away as he picked up another part of the newspaper.

  "Oh, I see." Riley nodded, hiding his disdain. "Hm. Well..."

  "Hey. Listen. Forget that. It's, uh, whatever you want to do."

  "Well, as I told you before, Marla knows. We can go there. And we won't have to worry about how we act."

  "Let's think it over today and then decide."

  "Good."

  A few minutes later Riley quietly asked, "So, Blake, do you want your sister to know? Don't answer if you don't want."

  "About...what?"

  "Us...you and me?"

  He blinked and didn't reply. His line of vision dove to the newspaper. "Actually, no. I just—" His voice trailed away.

  Feeling a bit uncomfortable with carrying on with the topic, and knowing the discussion bothered Blake, Riley didn't bring the subject up again. "Don't say anymore. Consider the subject dropped."

  "Okay."

  "Sorry, babe."

  "It's all right."

  "You're an incredible man. I feel lucky to ride out Decembers with you." Riley put down his newspaper, padded to the bed and put his face close to Blake's frowning features. "Kiss?"

  * * * *

  The following Sunday they awoke in Blake's travel trailer. They'd been discussing the latest political news when Riley felt a rush of love and lust for Blake. He considered the man’s onyx gaze, wide set eyes and taut lips that could deliver much pleasure. A pause lingered between them. Blake smiled his come hither smile Riley missed on long, lonely nights on the road with the circuit. He leaned until his mouth met Blake's gentle lips. Their tongues touched and began mingling as Riley guided Blake back among the pillows, making sure they both were comfortable. The sheet slipped down Blake's body.

  "Let me show you how I feel," said Riley, his words breathy. Spoken sentiments are so inadequate. Deep down, I feel this ravenous hunger that's so fuckin' raw and explosive. It's all for this man. His hard dick pressed against the side of Blake's hip; the towel hiding his own erection fell to the floor. "I swear, you're goin' to be the death of me. I'll die happy, though."

  Riley ran the rough pads of his hand and fingers down his lover's manly torso, his spread fingers furrowed through the fine hairs below his navel in a deliberate attempt to warm him up to the possibility of a new round of sex. He massaged the front side, and at all costs avoiding the awakening cock. He pressed and plied as desire grew. Riley closed his eyes and lost himself in the sensation.

  When Riley's fingers smoothed over an erogenous zone, Blake uttered a moan. Sliding his hands down his arms, Riley slipped them around his lover’s awesome slim waist and pulled him closer until their cocks met and mingled. Blake moaned and rotated his lower body ever so lightly.

  Blake's thumb and forefinger ringed Riley's swollen shaft. His other hand glided over his scrotum. The familiar, furious craving built.

  Riley returned the favor and slid his fi
ngers over Blake's balls, down and back over the mystical area behind his scrotum. He brought his hands back, let them slide to Blake's lower back and moved down where they dipped between the globes of his ass. He sank a digit into his cleft and kept it there.

  "Mm, what you do to me feels so good," Blake whispered.

  Riley pulled his fingers from his ass, guided him to turn over on his stomach and positioned himself between Blake's upper thighs. Riley shifted and leaned. He grasped an ass cheek in each hand and parted him. He rimmed Blake, preparing him for entry, his own cock pulsing, awaiting the squeezing fit with his member dripping like a broken faucet.

  Just as he was about to lube up and start the slow task of readying him, Riley heard a sound outside and froze.

  In an intense, breathless voice, Blake asked, “Wha--why the fuck did you stop?"

  "A car. I swear I heard a car.”

  “Where?”

  “Outside."

  “Crap.”

  A knock sounded on the door.

  "I'll get it. Maybe Marty's not left yet for Christmas."

  "You mean the owner of the trailer spaces?"

  "Yeah."

  "Impossible. He told me he'll be gone...unless he came back, or didn't go."

  Riley grabbed a pillow to cover himself and headed to the door muttering, "Whoever it is, their excuse better be good."

  Chapter Seven

  Shocked they had a visitor, Blake gripped the sheet and covered his chest. Someone out here? Crap! A forest ranger maybe?

  Riley, who lay in bed beside Blake, grabbed a pillow. Using one hand, he yanked it off the bedspread, covered himself and went to the door. With his other hand, he turned the knob and peered outdoors. "May I help you?"

  "Riley?"

  Who in the world? Blake wanted to see the woman's face.

  "Uh, yes?"

  The familiar voice said, "I'm here to see my brother, Blake. I had an awful time finding him. He told me he was going to stay at Kalama. When I got here, I discovered this was a public campsite. Then I knew he'd be here. May I talk to him, please?"

  Blake covered his head with the remaining pillow. Fuck my luck! No!

  "Uh...well, sure," Riley stammered, turned and peered over his shoulder at him.

  When Blake moved the pillow, he noticed an unsure, fearful look of horror in Riley's expression.

  "I drove to Portland to do some Christmas shopping. I thought maybe Blake would like to go." She motioned for Riley to step aside. "Blake? He’s here, isn't he? This is his trailer, isn't it?"

  Riley stepped behind the door. "Oh, yes. And you must be—"

  "Katy," she said in a matter of fact tone in a way that unnerved him

  "That's right, Katy."

  Blake rolled his eyes displaying his gush of helplessness; he needed to stop the tidal wave of unwanted events. Katy leaned and peered in long enough to get a gander at her brother. When she lifted her sunglasses, he saw her freckled face displaying her realization of what she'd interrupted.

  Blake's gaze locked and held hers for a few, painful seconds. "Oh my, God," she said and gasped. "I don't believe this, Blake. You're...gay?" She spun and was gone.

  Blake groaned. "Wait a sec—"

  He climbed out of bed, pulled the sheet up, wound it around himself and headed toward the door. Stepping on the corner of the sheet, he tripped. "Jezus!" With a hand to the top of the dresser, he broke his fall. Peering out, he saw her stomping toward her car.

  With her fierce Kingsley attitude in place, she looked back and frowned. The expression distorted her usually gentle features. Auburn, curly hair bounced on her shoulders as she back to her car. Her motions erratic, she climbed in and put the vehicle into reverse.

  Blake leaned out the door and yelled, "Shit! Katy, get back here!"

  For a couple of seconds, her fiery gaze locked with Blake's one more time. She gasped and said through clenched teeth, "No way." She haphazardly backed down the lane. Her poor driving habits entered his mind. She'd already had two wrecks. In one accident, she'd totaled the car she drove.

  "For god sakes, Katy! Drive carefully! "This is a friggin' nightmare, Blake lamented. Stinging tears formed in his eyes and a large lump blocked his throat. He ran a spread hand through his hair. "I guess she's not as open-minded as Marla, Riley. I-I apologize for this."

  "Don't think a thing of it." With understanding as large as Texas, Riley slipped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. "Everything'll be okay. You've got me, and I'm not going anywhere. I know. It's difficult."

  He fought more tears and shrugged. His shoulders drooped forward in his sudden depression. Smiling was out of the question. "I guess Christmas with Katy is out."

  "We'll go see my family, then."

  "They, uh, just learned about us?"

  "Yep. I think they'll adjust."

  "Good. God, this is difficult."

  "I know. Just remember, I'm here for you."

  "I'm sorry about Katy and all, but I just want you to know, I am so glad you’re here."

  * * * *

  Riley frowned in disbelief after experiencing Blake’s sister’s furious response. To his amazement, it didn’t end at the door. In fact, she drove down the lane toward the exit like a jet screeching through hell. Without crashing into the white speed limit sign a hundred feet down the road, she careened onto the road back to town, leaving Marty’s Trailer Spaces and a maimed brother in her wake.

  The two men went back into the trailer, showered, dressed and spent the rest of the day driving the highways and back roads of southern Washington. In Astoria, Riley stopped the truck outside a souvenir shop, “Want to go inside and look around?”

  Still clearly shaken, Blake gazed toward the rustic shop, which had the appearance of a modern log home. Acute pain displayed in his eyes. After shaking his head, he said, “I don’t want to ruin your vacation, Ril’.” Blake re-directed his line of vision through the rain-dotted window.

  At a stop sign, he reached over and enveloped Blake’s hand in his own. “You’re not. I guess I’m just lucky that I have family who is accepting. You come with me to my sister’s house.”

  “I will. I just hope...well, never mind.”

  “Say it.”

  “I am what I am.”

  Riley asked in a cheerful voice, “Are you Popeye the Sailor now?”

  Finally, Blake laughed. “That’s right. He said that too.”

  “I’m glad to see you smile.” Riley looked out over the vast expanse of Columbia passing by outside and added, “It’s okay to feel hurt. I guess I would’ve felt that way, if it happened to me.”

  Shrugging, he turned his eyes Blake’s way and nodded once. “I’ll be okay. Thanks for caring.”

  He gripped and loosened his hold on the steering wheel. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. But it can wait.”

  Blake sat a little straighter, lit a cigarette and inhaled a deep breath of smoke. On the exhale he said, “Can't we talk about it now?”

  Admiring his friend’s strength of character in the face of a heartbreaking rejection, he asked, “Want to stop at this Denny’s up here and talk over coffee?”

  “Sounds good."

  Once they were seated at a booth next to a window that had a breathtaking view of the river, the waitress filled their mugs with coffee. Riley picked up a creamer and peeled back the paper top. Considering his words carefully, he stirred cream into the dark brew. "I was thinkin' of somethin' you may be interested in." He brought the spoon out and set it beside the mug. "...bein's we're thirty and all now." He shrugged and stopped talking, knowing he should continue. The words were hard to find, though. He supposed he'd plant a seed for the future.

  Blake's eyes searched his face. "What, Ril'?"

  "Well, it's just an idea and all. Feel free to say "no" if it doesn't suit you."

  "I will. I'm not afraid to say "no." What is it you're tryin' to say?"

  "Over the past five years, you and me have got to know
in' each other pretty damned well. And we get along just fine, right?"

  "We get along great."

  "I was thinkin' that we're nearly over the hill as far as bronc ridin' goes. The circuit likes the younger dudes out there. Both o' us has got sore backs now all the friggin' time." He reached for a pack of cigarettes in the pocket of his blue western shirt and pulled the cellophane top off it. "Neither one of us it seems is lookin' to get married the traditional way..." He crumpled the paper and put it on the white tabletop.

  Blake raised a cigarette to his lips. "So, what are you wantin' to say, Riley?"

  He studied Blake's brows that drew together, rumpling his brow and took a swallow of coffee then lit his cigarette. "I thought it might be good if we were to settle down together. Maybe find a ranch around here. Maybe have a few horses." He gazed across the tabletop at Blake, hoping for his positive answer.

  "Retire? You and me? Together?" Blake’s voice grew high and dramatic.

  "Yeah. As a couple. Of course, if you're not ready to tell no one that we're lovers, we don't have to do that yet. Or ever really, 'cause it's no one's biz 'cept our own. Right?"

  "I s'pose." Blake's shaky laugh followed. "You're serious?"

  "Yep," he shot back without giving it a second thought.

  Blake opened his mouth, but the only words that came out were, “I’m baffled.”

  "Nah, you're not."

  "I truly am."

  "If you're all freaked out, then we can just drop it."

  Blake exhaled smoke and added, "You're out of your ever lovin'

  mind."

  "Am I?"

  "After we’re shacked, I'd probably have trouble getting my dick hard," Blake said with a smile. "I just wish my sister accepted..." He quieted and frowned. "...crap."

  "I'm sorry."

  "Never mind."

  Riley dropped the subject for the time being. Yeah. He likes the idea of "us" real well. I just wish his sister were more accepting.