Kyle blushed as Duncan sat next to him and started to clean him off with a smile.

  “Why are you blushing?”

  “Just not used to having a guy take care of me like this.” Kyle stared at Duncan’s hands as he wiped off Kyle’s cock.

  “You better get used to it. I’ll take care of you every time we fuck. It’s right to treat a lover special after he blows your mind like that.” Duncan leaned over and flicked Kyle’s nipple with his tongue.

  “Shit.” Kyle shivered and his cock stiffened a little.

  “Ah, the recovery time of youth,” he teased, rubbing his thumb over the spongy head of Kyle’s dick. “Unfortunately, I need a little more time.”

  “No problem.” Kyle scooted over and patted the mattress next to him. “We can rest. I don’t have to be anywhere until eight tomorrow morning.”

  “Neither do I.”

  They snuggled together under the blankets, arms and legs entwined. Kyle rested his head on Duncan’s chest, while Duncan ran his hand up and down Kyle’s back. Slowly, their breathing synced and they drifted into sleep, secure for the moment in the knowledge of each other’s caring.

  Chapter Six

  Another rough go-around and Duncan doubled over, holding his stomach and trying not to puke all over the arena floor.

  “Hey, old man, you okay?” One of the bullfighters rushed up to him, Duncan’s rope in hand.

  “I’m fine. Just trying to catch my breath,” he wheezed out.

  “Gotcha. Wave to the crowd, so they know you’re okay. I’ll help you outta the ring.” The bullfighter slapped his back and grinned at the fans, signaling that Duncan was fine.

  Duncan shuffled toward the gate, lifting his hand enough to acknowledge the cheers of the fans. At times, being a bull rider sucked royally and this was one of them. All he really wanted to do was find a quiet corner, curl up in a ball, and whimper until his stomach settled down. Fuck. Getting a horn in the chest hurt almost as bad as getting his balls kicked by a bull.

  “Let me take that.”

  He glanced up to see Kyle reaching for his rope.

  “What about MacDonald?” He found he couldn’t bring himself to call MacDonald Kyle’s dad. He knew it was stupid, but it was almost like the kid didn’t belong to MacDonald and now that Duncan had fucked him, he didn’t want to think about Kyle having any connection to the bastard.

  “He’s getting ready to ride.” Kyle nodded toward one of the chutes. “Rusty pulls for him. He considers me bad luck.”

  Duncan handed over his rope and stood as straight as possible as he made his way through the other riders back to the rooms where they got dressed. He wasn’t going to the medical room. Nothing wrong with him that a little air couldn’t fix. Popping open his vest, he took a deeper breath, still not able to fill his lungs completely, but getting enough to clear his vision.

  “You should sit down.” Kyle pushed him onto a bench.

  The other riders trickled by, checking on him. Duncan remembered one thing he liked about riding the circuit. There were rivalries and competitions, but in the end, most of the guys were good, God-fearing men who would help another cowboy. Not that he was going to come out of the closet anytime soon, but still he didn’t think all of them would turn their backs on him.

  Kyle sat next to him, close enough for him to feel the man’s warmth, but not close enough to raise any eyebrows as his fellow riders walked by. Mason and Abe wandered in.

  “How are you doing?” Mason asked, resting a hand on Duncan’s shoulder for a second.

  “Better every minute. Don’t feel like someone has my chest in a vise anymore.”

  “That’s always a good sign.” Abe chuckled. “Has to be bad when your own bull takes you out.”

  “Prick,” he mumbled, bumping Abe’s foot with his boot.

  “Want to grab something to eat after the go-around?” Abe glanced over at Kyle. “You’re welcome to come with us, Kyle.”

  Kyle ducked his head and shrugged. “I’ll have to see.”

  They all understood what that meant. Kyle would have to wait and see if his father and Rusty went out or hooked up for the night.

  “Cool. If we don’t see you, we’ll be going to the steakhouse down the street from the arena. You can join us if your night opens up.” Mason nudged Abe. “We need to get back and check on the bulls.”

  Duncan watched his friends walk off. He turned slightly to look at Kyle. The younger man stared down at his hands and didn’t meet Duncan’s gaze.

  “What’s wrong?” He leaned back against the wall, rubbing his chest and knowing that, even with the flak jacket he wore, he was going to have a huge bruise there.

  “I’m twenty. Almost twenty-one. I shouldn’t have to ask my father for permission to go out with my friends. Or wait until he disappears with one of those women to sneak out like I’m ashamed.”

  “Shit, you’re only twenty?” Duncan scrubbed his other hand over his chin. “I’m seriously robbing the cradle here.”

  His whispered words caused Kyle to blush.

  “My birthday’s next week,” Kyle mumbled.

  “And that makes me feel so much better.” He winked when Kyle shot him a glance. “I’m kidding, though I have to admit, seeing a younger man is great. Your recovery time is amazing.”

  Biting his lip seemed the best way to keep from groaning as the memory of how much he enjoyed sleeping with a younger man surged through his mind. It had been four days since Kyle had left his bed to travel to the next event with his family, but Duncan hadn’t forgotten a single moment they’d spent together.

  “So the only reason you approached me is because I don’t need a lot of downtime between coming?”

  Loud voices echoed in from the corridor, and one of the loudest was MacDonald’s. Kyle shot to his feet. Duncan grabbed his hand, stopping him from leaving.

  “That’s one thing I like about you, Kyle. There are a fuck-load more things higher up on my list of things I like about you.”

  He let go of Kyle’s hand, allowing his lover to scoot across the room to where Rusty and Clayton had left their bags. Duncan dropped his head back and acted like he was ignoring the crowd of riders bursting into the room. He peered through half-closed eyes, spotting MacDonald in the middle of the group, grinning like a fool and accepting the congratulations from the other men.

  “Great ride, MacDonald. Second highest score for the night.” There was rather a snide tone to the speaker’s voice.

  “Yeah. Well, maybe Hornsby got the sympathy vote after his rookie get-off.”

  “Do you think they gave me style points? I was pretty impressed that I landed on my feet, considering I couldn’t even breathe.” Duncan couldn’t help speaking up.

  “Hornsby, you were impressive. You got the high score for the go-around. Leading the overall event after two rough rides.”

  He winced as one of his fellow riders punched his arm. Searching the crowd, he noticed Kyle standing in the corner, trying to stay out of his father’s sight. Shit. It wasn’t right, but Duncan didn’t know how to change it. He caught Kyle’s eyes and nodded slightly, letting Kyle know he was thinking about him. Pushing to his feet, Duncan grabbed his bull rope and stuffed it in his equipment bag, along with his glove and chaps.

  “Anything can happen between now and tomorrow. I’m still close enough to take the whole thing if you don’t cowboy up,” MacDonald muttered under his breath as he shoved past Duncan.

  Duncan rolled his eyes, but chose to be the bigger man and keep his mouth shut. He’d never been fond of Clayton MacDonald, finding the man too arrogant and crude for his taste. Yet it seemed like ever since the man had suffered that back injury last year, he’d gotten worse, and Duncan was sure MacDonald was drinking during the events as well.

  There wasn’t any way he could condone how MacDonald treated Kyle, like his youngest son was his own personal slave. Why didn’t Kyle’s mother step in to protect her sons from the bastard? He’d have to ask the woman if he ever met her.

  Pain shot through his chest as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Again, his attention went to Kyle standing there, arms folded and eyes narrowed, while his father yelled at him. Every urge in Duncan wanted him to go over there and plant his fist in MacDonald’s face. Shaking his head slightly, he turned and started to leave.

  He whirled around when a thud and raised voices caught his attention. The other riders had drawn back, creating a clear circle around Kyle and MacDonald. Surprise rocketed through him when he saw MacDonald on the floor, hand cupped over his nose, and Kyle standing over him, hands clenched and anger evident in every muscle of his body.

  After dropping his bag, Duncan pushed through to the edge of the crowd, unsure of what to do.

  “I’m through with this shit,” Kyle spat out, lips drawn tight in rage. “You and Rusty take care of yourselves. I’m heading back home. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and cowering because you’re an asshole is one thing I can change.”

  Duncan shifted, and Kyle’s gaze zeroed in on him.

  “Can I catch a ride to the hotel with you?”

  Nodding, he gestured for Kyle to follow him. MacDonald sat up and reached for Kyle, but instead he encountered Duncan’s leg. Duncan knocked the man’s hand off his calf and crouched, putting his face right in MacDonald’s.

  “I suggest you leave your son alone, MacDonald. He’s not afraid of you anymore and he seems to know what he wants.” Straightening, he stepped lightly on MacDonald’s hand, just to emphasis his point.

  “I should’ve known you’d be all over his ass, Hornsby. A fag like you just can’t resist the young ones.”

  Silence filled the room, and Duncan knew every man watched him to see what he would do. He snatched up his bag and joined Kyle at the door.

  Before they left, he turned and said, “I’m just helping out a friend. But I have to ask, did you card any of the women you’ve screwed since we got into town last night? I’m thinking not all of them were legal. You might want to be careful that some angry daddy doesn’t come looking for your ass.”

  They walked out of the arena in silence. Kyle didn’t say a word until they were in the truck and on their way to the hotel.

  “Thanks.”

  Duncan looked at him for a second before facing the road again. “For what?”

  “For giving me a ride back to the hotel. For having my back.” Kyle rubbed his palms over his thighs. “I’ve never had anyone talk back to my father like that, and on my behalf as well.”

  “It’s what friends do for each other, Kyle.” He reached out and patted Kyle’s shoulder.

  Kyle gave him a small smile. “Is that what we are? Friends?”

  He parked the truck and turned to face Kyle. Covering Kyle’s hand with his, he nodded. “Listen. We might’ve moved onto the intimate part of the relationship faster than we should have, and I accept responsibility for that. I just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”

  Pink painted Kyle’s cheeks and he tried to look away, but Duncan cradled his face with his free hand.

  “I hope we can be friends as well as lovers, and friends help each other out when need be.” He took a deep breath, not sure if it was the right time to confess, but knowing he might not get another chance. “I like you, Kyle. I could easily fall in love with you.”

  “Really?” Kyle sounded shocked to hear that.

  He chuckled. “Yes, really. I’m not trying to pressure you into feeling something you don’t for me. I just wanted to let you know that this is more than just sex for me. God knows the sex is unbelievable, but I think we can be best friends with a little time to get to know each other.”

  Kyle nuzzled into Duncan’s hand. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

  “Of course. You don’t even have to ask. Are you serious about heading home?”

  They climbed out of the truck. Kyle grabbed Duncan’s bag before he could reach it. “I’ll get this for you. You took quite a hit tonight. It can’t be comfortable carting this around.”

  “Thanks.” He followed Kyle into the hotel, trying to pay attention to where he was walking instead of staring at Kyle’s butt.

  The elevator ride didn’t take long and soon they were at Kyle’s room.

  “It’ll only take a second for me to grab my bag.”

  Kyle slipped into the room while Duncan leaned against the wall in the corridor, arms folded and staring down at the carpet. Was Kyle avoiding his question? Or did he not know what he was doing except getting away from his father? What was Duncan supposed to do if Kyle did go home? How could their relationship grow if Kyle was in Texas and Duncan was on the road competing or in Idaho?

  God, his chest hurt and he couldn’t be sure it was all because of the bruise. The door opened and Kyle came out, carrying his duffle bag. The smile the younger man gave Duncan warmed him. No matter what, he was going to try to keep Kyle in his life, even if it meant a long distance relationship.

  Kyle dropped to the bed when they got to Duncan’s room. Flopping back, he stared up at the ceiling. Duncan didn’t say anything. He just dug through his traveling bag and pulled out clean clothes.

  “I’m going to take a shower.”

  A grunt was the only answer Duncan got from Kyle. No offers to join him and he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

  Chapter Seven

  The click of the bathroom door pulled Kyle from his thoughts. Glancing around, he realized Duncan had gone to take a shower. His phone rang before he could make a decision to join his lover or not.

  Checking the number, he sighed and answered. “Hello, Momma.”

  “How are you?” Blunt as ever, his mother got right to the heart of the matter.

  “How did you know?” He rolled over, burying his head in the pillow. Duncan must have used it because it smelled like him.

  “Your father called to accuse me of turning you against him. Like I needed to do anything.” She snorted. “You’re a smart boy. It was only a matter of time before you figured out you weren’t tied to him.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?” He winced at the slight whine in his voice.

  “Honey, there are things you need to know. Come on home and I’ll tell you.”

  “I plan on grabbing a bus home tomorrow.”

  “I’m hearing a hint of hesitation in your voice. What aren’t you telling me?”

  Turning on his side, he looked at the closed door of the bath. How much could he tell his mother? He’d never once mentioned being gay or seeing anyone.

  “I’ve met someone, and it’s so new I’m afraid if I leave it won’t work out.”

  How was that for being mysterious and vague?

  “Don’t worry. If it’s love, it’ll last a little distance.” Someone spoke in the background behind his mother’s voice. “I have to go. Call me and let me know when you’ll be arriving in town. I’ll send Jose to pick you up.”

  “I love you, Momma.”

  “I love you, too, Kyle.” She hung up.

  Kyle pushed the end button and dropped the phone on the bed next to him. As unsure as he was about a lot of things in his life at the moment, Kyle wasn’t in doubt that hitting his father and leaving was the best thing he could have done for himself. Okay, so maybe the hitting part wasn’t the wisest decision, but he couldn’t take the yelling and bullying anymore. And to have Duncan witness it made it a hundred times worse.

  The shower turned off, and Kyle let his thoughts drift while he waited for Duncan to finish up. Duncan said he wanted to be friends as well as lovers. Would that statement hold up when Kyle left the tour to return home? Or would Duncan find another lover the minute Kyle got on the bus? He shook his head. Duncan didn’t strike him as being a dick like that. There was a foundation of integrity obvious in Duncan’s actions telling Kyle that the man would be true to him. If he told Duncan he wanted a commitment.

  Closing his eyes, he relaxed and breathed, allowing Duncan’s scent to surround him. For the first time in a long while, he was safe. He didn’t have to worry about his father getting angry at him. The mattress dipped and he rolled up against Duncan’s hip.

  “You okay?”

  He nodded, rubbing his cheek against Duncan’s thigh, and rested his hand on his lover’s stomach. “Yeah. Just talked to my mom. She’s waiting for me to come home.”

  “You want to grab a bus tomorrow? I’ll have time to drop you at the station before I have to be at the arena.” Duncan carded his fingers through Kyle’s hair, soothing him.

  “If you don’t mind. I need to go home and ask my mom some questions. There’s something else going on here that I need to know.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” Duncan slapped his ass. “Come on, get up, and let’s go meet Mason and Abe at the steakhouse.”

  Standing up, Kyle tucked in his shirt and ran a hand through his hair to calm down his curls. Duncan grabbed his hat and they headed out. He smiled slightly as Duncan rested his hand at the small of his back while they made their way to the elevator. As they waited, he turned to look at Duncan.

  “Does it bother you that the guys on the tour know you’re gay?” He kept his voice low, not wanting to give people a chance to overhear their conversation if they walked down the hall.

  “A few of the guys know, along with Mason and Abe, but they don’t really count.” Duncan grinned. “The guys who do know don’t care. I don’t hit on the riders and usually I can keep my hands to myself with any hot guy I see. You’ve proven I can’t fight temptation if I know my advances will be welcomed.”

  He checked the hallway again, making sure they were alone before he pushed up against Duncan and kissed him, licking and nibbling until the man moaned and rested his clenched hands on Kyle’s hips. The sound of the elevator arriving broke them apart and they looked calm as two couples stepped out. Kyle slipped in, and Duncan nodded to them before joining Kyle in the car.

  After the doors slid close, Duncan pinned Kyle to one of the walls with his body and ran a thumb over Kyle’s bottom lip. “You keep tempting me and we’ll be going back to our room to mess up the sheets.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10