Chapter Fourteen

 

 

DALTON STOOD outside on the patio, sneaking a cigarette and trying not to feel like he was being haunted.

Rocket was here.

What the fuck?

They’d had a thing—hot and heavy, but it had gone icy cold and fucking brutal so quick, leaving him feeling like he had emotional road rash. Cold panic had washed over him this afternoon when he’d seen the man. He didn’t need this shit.

Not at all.

He grabbed his phone when it buzzed. Bubba.

What’s wrong?

Nothing. God, he hated that Dustin always knew. Hated and loved it all at once.

Liar.

Rocket showed up.

WTF????

His phone rang.

Dalton sighed, but there was no sense in putting Dustin off. “Hey, Bubba.”

“What do you mean? How did he know?”

“I don’t know!” Dalton shook his head. “It can’t be coincidence. This is not his kind of place.”

“I sure as shit didn’t tell him.”

No. No, neither Bubba nor Sister would do that. Hell, Deb had threatened to castrate him with a pair of hoof nips.

“Who else did you tell?” Dustin asked.

“Not even Deb or Pops.” He chewed his bottom lip. He wasn’t scared. He wasn’t.

“Shit. You need me to come?”

“No. No, it’s probably a stupid coincidence, right? He didn’t even see me.”

“Okay, well, you keep me posted.” Dustin knew all of it. All of the crazy shit.

“Fair enough. I will. Miss you, man.”

“Ditto. See you in two days, Dee.” Dustin hung up, but the I love you was definitely implied.

Always. Eternally.

He finished his smoke, popped a mint, and lifted his face to the sky.

“Hey.” Tank slipped out the patio door. “You okay?”

“I am. I was enjoying the sun.” And worried that someone was hunting him, which was just about stupid.

“It’s pretty out here.” Tank smiled for him, dark eyes lighting up.

“It is. A man could make a life up here.”

“Yeah. I’ve actually thought about investing some and getting a little place in the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s expensive, but I could rent it out when I’m not using it.”

“I bet the hot springs are neat in the winter.” He’d love to have a little place in Glenwood Canyon.

“You haven’t lived until you’ve sat in the pool in the snow.”

“I’m available January and February….” Was that too much?

“Maybe we can rent a place, see what it’s like to be up here for more than a few days. Go snowmobiling.”

“I’d be willing, yessir.” Oh, hell yes. “I love to ski too.”

“I’m better with a snowboard, but I’m all over it. Sunlight Mountain is great.”

Were they actually making plans? Or was it just talk? He sure hoped it was the former.

“You want to go for a walk before steak?”

“I do. We’ll mosey on down on foot, yeah?”

Juicy Lucy’s was right across the pedestrian bridge from the hotel, but they could do the main drag and come back.

“Totally. Work up an appetite.”

“Sounds good.” Tank started whistling, leading the way back into the room. He pulled out Wranglers and a button-down. Fancy.

“Mmm.” He loved Tank in dark red. He grabbed a light blue shirt that had just been pressed and his good boots.

Tank gave him an approving once-over when he was dressed. “Don’t forget, dessert is back here tonight.”

His whole body tightened, and he forced himself not to step closer. “I won’t forget.” He’d been dreaming about riding Tank Martin for a long damn time.

“Good deal.” Tank reached out, and Dalton let himself be reeled in for a gentle kiss.

“Oh.” Now that fixed a lot of things that he hadn’t even thought were cracked.

“Mm-hmm. You okay?” Tank held on, letting him lean.

“More than.” Those kisses were everything he’d dreamed of.

Tank beamed, that face wreathed in smiles, those eye lines fascinating.

“Let’s go play, man.”

They headed out toward the lobby, turned the corner, and ran right into Rocket, who was standing near the rack of brochures for everything from river rafting to wine tastings in Palisade.

Rocket didn’t even have the grace to try to look surprised. “Dalton! Hey.”

“Hey. How goes?” Go away.

“Good.” Rocket gave him a long look, an examination that made his skin crawl.

Tank stepped in front of him. “Tank Martin.”

“Jim Laughlin. My buddies call me Rocket.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jim.” The emphasis on the name made it clear they weren’t gonna be friends. “We’re on our way out, so sorry if we’re being rude. You have a good one.”

Dalton just nodded once and headed toward the door, knowing Tank had his back covered. He half expected to hear a scuffle, but Tank must have really gotten under Rocket’s skin, because there was nothing.

The sun felt good on his face, better than that, though, was Tank, right there.

Tank let him get his head back on, didn’t push him to talk.

They headed around the miniature golf course, then up to the walkway. He loved how the river burbled and splashed and laughed under them. They stopped to watch, because the sun was going down a little, and wow. So pretty.

“Damn Sam. That’s something else.” He was falling in love.

“It is. I swear, it makes me happy. When rafters come through, there’s always hooting and hollering. It makes me smile.”

“Yeah? I’ll have to come watch.”

“Yep. Best time is around noon.” They clomped down the weird metal ramp that went into town from the bridge.

There were restaurants and bars, coffee shops and weird bookstores—what a fascinating little town. A lot of stuff was still open. Tank bought a T-shirt that said “If you can read this, turn my Jeep back over.”

He got shot glasses, T-shirts, and a book about the area for his momma.

“How is your momma?” Tank asked, peering at the book.

“Wanting Pops home to kill the babies. Those two are making her nuts.” They were both wild as hell.

“Yeah? I guess someone had to be nuts, since the rest of y’all are so responsible.”

“Shit.” That was Deb, pure and simple. She’d ruled him and Dustin with an iron fist. Meanest big sister in history. Dalton couldn’t love her more.

Tank chuckled. “What? You telling me you and Dustin are getting drunk every night and whoopin’ it up?”

“That’s us. Deb too. Because she can.” He couldn’t say the last time he’d seen Bubba drunk.

“I bet she’s a party animal.”

They both burst into laughter, that big old sound of Tank’s drawing stares.

“She does the hootchie coo with the best of them.” He almost managed a straight face.

Tank howled, slapping him on the arm. Ow. The man had a hand like a ham.

They were still chuckling when they walked into Juicy Lucy’s, which was busy, but not impossible. Lord, it smelled good in here—beefy goodness.

“Two?”

Tank nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Just two.”

Wasn’t that weird? The word just? Because it was two, but it didn’t feel like just anything.

Tank smiled at him once they were settled, and he had to smile back. Lord.

“I want the artichoke,” Tank said. “Wanna share?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I’ll sure try, but I ain’t never before.” He wasn’t picky on his food, though.

“I’ll walk you through it. Hell, if you hate it, I’ll get you something else.”

“You know me. I can eat rocks.” Hell, he’d been thrown enough over the years that he had, more than once.

Tank snorted. “And I can eat bull testicles, but this is so much better.”

“Hi there! What can I get you guys to drink?” The waitress was blonde, pretty, and very young.

“Iced tea please, ma’am,” Tank said.

“Same for me, and we want one of them artichoke deals, please.” In the back of his head, he could hear Miss Bell in Sunday school singing, “Might’ve choked Artie, but he didn’t choke me.”

Tank nodded, that approving look almost more than he could take.

“You got it. The specials tonight are seared, panko-crusted scallops, or a thirty-two-ounce rib eye. I’ll be right back with those drinks.”

“Jesus,” Tank whispered. “That’s two pounds of steak.”

“I bet you Dustin could eat that. He can pack the food away.” Twelve was more than enough for him. More than enough.

“He must have a hollow leg. That’s a lot of meat. Like John Wayne. They say he had all this stuff in his colon.”

“Really?” Ew. “He’s always running like a chicken.”

In that they were different. He was always riding.

“Like a chicken. I love it. Bawk.” Tank chuckled, shaking his head.

The drinks came, and they ordered, him a sirloin, Tank the sirloin kebabs.

“No giant steak of doom for you?” he teased.

“Heck no. I got plans tonight. No weighing me down.” Those eyes found his, dark and hot suddenly.

“Oh good. I thought you’d forgot.” Damn, that look made things tingle all over.

“Nope. Not gonna do that. I can’t wait to see you ride.”

They stared at each other, suddenly panting hard. The arrival of the artichoke snapped the tension, though, and Dalton could breathe again.

“So, this looks complicated.” It looked like an armadillo’s butt.

“It’s not, though.” Tank reached over and yanked a leaf off the steamed artichoke. “Grab a leaf. Dip it in the butter or the mayo stuff.” Tank suited words to action. “Then stick it in your mouth and scrape all the good stuff off with your teeth. The opposite of a blow job.”

He blinked, then started laughing hard. Lord, this was fun. So he tore off a piece and did what Tank told him, pulling off the tender inside of the artichoke with his teeth.

Oh, now. That was nice. Green and rich and different. He’d never done that before. He’d had a few artichoke hearts from the salad bar. Not at all the same. He’d expected vinegar and sharp. This was earthy and mild, and the dip was something special.

“You like it?”

“I do. It’s totally different. Who looked at this and thought it was edible?”

“No idea. Did you know they’re thistles? I looked it up once.” Ah, Tank had the Google fu.

“Huh. Like the purple flowers?” Weren’t those thistles?

“Yeah, only these are from Italy instead of Scotland, I think.” Tank ate another couple of leaves. “We get to the middle, we get the heart.”

“Cool.” He had no idea what that meant either, but he’d figure it. This was easy enough, at least. Tasty too. They got all the leaves stacked in another bowl, and darned if Tank didn’t grab the knife and cut this fuzzy stuff out of the middle. Then he handed Dalton a delicate piece of light yellow plant meat, and Dalton did know this. This was what he got on salads, except when he popped it in his mouth, it was buttery soft and mild, so amazing he blinked.

“That was… wow.” Totally not what he’d expected. Not.

“Right?” Tank ate his piece off the knife, humming. “Good shit.”

“Yeah. That was cool. Thanks.” He couldn’t wait to show Dustin.

“It was. Thanks for sharing.” The toe of Tank’s boot touched his ankle, and he heated, balls up.

“You looking forward to Durango?”

Tank nodded. “I am. I always like it there. They’ve got a nice little arena.”

“They do. It’s a great town. I love the train.”

“Me too! You ever taken it in the winter? It’s like Christmas town.” Tank was so enthusiastic.

“I haven’t. I need to start traveling in the winter instead of sleeping the whole time.”

“Are you like an old bear?” Tank teased.

“I am! I get home and no one needs me, and I just hide for two months.”

“I get bored.” Tank looked a little sheepish. “So I wander. And at the big show, we got maybe a month, so I didn’t go home-home.”

“Well, maybe you’d like someone to wander with some.”

Tank nodded, slow and serious. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

“Me either.” Okay, this was weird and wonderful.

“Good.”

The steaks came, and oh yeah. That was way more his speed, way more familiar. It was mouthwatering. They set to the food, not even making conversation until half was gone. By the time they were done, he figured they needed another walk. Maybe a long one.

“We should take the long way around, do a little exploring, huh?”

“We should. We can climb up the hill in the residential and see all the stuff from up there.”

“Works for me. I’m full to bursting, and I could use a wander.”

Tank paid for supper, waving him off when he would have protested. “I got this. No worries.”

“Well, thank you, sir. I owe you one.” Dalton felt a little like he was being wooed. He sorta liked it.

“Yep.” Tank seemed pretty cheerful about that, so he let it go. They headed out, the cool evening air almost chilly, and the night quiet compared to inside the restaurant.

The sun sank down behind the mountains, the sky going orange and pink. God, that was lovely. They climbed the steep hill on one side of town, trekking up to the very top so they could look down on the lights.

“Damn, that’s pretty. Look at all that.” He dared to lean against Tank a little.

Tank took his hand. They were out of sight of anyone who wasn’t in one of the houses around, so they walked like that, just wandering.

It felt so decadent, like this odd fantasy come to life. The lights down there twinkled, and Tank’s fingers were warm around his, and everything seemed amazing.

He gave a little prayer, just a hint of thanks. Life was good.

Tank pulled him closer, wrapping an arm around him. “It’s nice up here, huh?”

“Yessir. This is…. Thank you.”

“Oh hell, honey. Thank you for coming up with me.”

He squeezed Tank’s fingers. It had been a damn good last-minute decision.

“Think we walked off enough supper?” Tank asked.

“I do. Want to go do things that would frighten fish?”

“Fuck yeah.” Tank steered him back down the hill. “You go up another block, there’s a trail where you can hike to Doc Holliday’s grave.”

“Yeah? We can go up tomorrow.” Tonight he had plans.

“It closes at dusk, but it’ll be a nice little hike to work out the sore.” Tank chuckled low. “Then we go soak.”

“Sounds good.” He loved the idea that tonight would give them soreness to work on.

They made it back down to the walking bridge, the scene totally different now that it was dark. It wasn’t frightening, but the buskers were out, and couples holding hands. The lights from the pool cast a glow on everything, and they ran back from the mini golf course to the hotel, laughing like kids.

“Y’all have a good night?” Rocket was sitting out in front of the Hotel Colorado, right there on a bench.

They stopped as if someone had hit them. “Yessir. We did.” Tank was starting to sound annoyed.

“Good deal. You want to go have a beer?”

“Nope. We got plans. Sorry.” He wasn’t interested. Not at all.

“Night.” Tank tugged him past, heading for their room. They were inside before Tank shook his head. “What the hell is with that guy?”

“He’s just an ex. Really. It’s a little weird that he’s here.”

“Yeah? Well, if it’s gonna bug you, we can head off to Telluride or something.” Tank rubbed his arms, looking into his eyes.

“No. No, I’m happy with you here. We have plans for tomorrow.” He was going to text Dustin and tell him that if he ended up dead, Rocket was to blame.

“Okay. I just think he’s stalkery. If you need me to beat him down, I got this.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather forget he exists altogether.”

“Done.” Tank pulled him in to kiss him, which was way better than worrying about Rocket.

Oh. Oh, hell yes. He moaned, hand flat on Tank’s belly. He opened up so Tank could taste him.

His eyes rolled back in his head as Tank devoured him, just kissing him so hard he forgot to breathe. Everything else flew right out the window, because Tank was so hot, so needy.

He’d never once felt so wanted, and he was all over that. He’d been craving Tank’s touch for so long. Dalton didn’t want to think too hard on why Tank was reciprocating now. He was just thankful.

He could worry on a day where he wasn’t fixin’ to ride Tank into the ground.

Tank plucked at his shirt, trying to work the buttons. He helped, dragging his shirt from his jeans. He wanted Tank to see him, and touch him.

“Love how you need,” Tank muttered. “So eager.”

“Always wanted you.”

Tank stroked his cheek. “I’m glad I came back.”

“Me too.” God, he felt so… vulnerable.

“Come on, honey. Bed?”

“Hell yeah.” He didn’t even hesitate.

They tumbled into Tank’s part of the suite. The bed was all made up, so they had to rip the covers off, which was like a movie or something.

They took their boots off before tackling each other. Dalton landed under Tank on the bed, his breath whooshing out.

His shirt went flying, and he grabbed the back of Tank’s button-down in response. When he yanked, he heard buttons pop off and land God knew where.

Oops.

He’d buy Tank another shirt. No problem.

He grinned, because he had skin to touch now, and he rubbed his way down Tank’s back as far as he could reach. He moaned softly, letting his fingertips dig in.

“Mmm. That feels real good, honey.”

“Good. You make me ache.”

“Do I?” Tank burrowed into his jeans, popping the button and working the zipper.

“Yes.” To everything. Just yes.

“Uh-huh.” Tank got his jeans pulled down some, got his cock out.

Dalton ached, spread, hips pumping up so Tank could touch.

“So hot, your skin.” Tank’s fingers had the best calluses.

He leaned up, lips on Tank’s ear, feeling just about daring. “I’m going to ride you into the ground.”

“Promise?” Tank jerked against him, those hard muscles quivering.

“Yessir. You got my word.”

“I know you don’t give that lightly.” Tank shrugged out of the remnants of his shirt, looking so fine.

Oh hell, that felt like heaven. He reached up, let his hands wander. He loved Tank’s skin, nut brown from the sun and rough with hair on the chest and belly. He pinched one little nipple, tugging good and hard.

Arching up, Tank grimaced, but in the best sexual way.

“I want to ride you. Come on.” He eased Tank down and started opening Tank’s jeans.

“Soon,” Tank agreed, rolling to his back and helping, lifting his ass off the bed. Dalton stripped the jeans down, admiring all those hard, fine muscles.

“You too.” Tank plucked at the clothes Dalton still wore.

“Uh-huh.” He worked his jeans off, shucked his briefs.

“Oh, honey.” Tank stared, licking his lips.

He flushed, his cock arched up toward his belly. Tank made him feel wanted, and incredibly strong. Dalton reached down to stroke his cock, just kinda idly, wanting more of that attention.

Tank’s gaze went white-hot, staring him down and making him want to twist. His breath caught in his chest, his dick going even harder.

“Come here, honey. You’re too damn far away.”

Dalton crawled up along Tank’s body, one cheek rubbing along Tank’s delicious fat cock.

“Jesus.” Tank’s whole body tensed. “I want your ass, honey. I want you on me, around me.”

“Fuck yes.” He grabbed the lube and the condoms, handed them over.

Tank opened the lube right up, got his fingers good and wet. “Bend and spread them, honey.”

He had a second of indecision—where to go, how to settle—but Tank’s hard hands moved him over those muscled thighs, and he spread like butter for a hot knife.

Then Tank was pushing between his cheeks with two wet fingers, sliding them against his hole. He breathed deep, trying to relax instead of tensing.

Tank rubbed his lower back, keeping him in place, keeping his ass right where Tank wanted it.

All he could do was breathe, in and out, letting Tank get him ready to ride. Getting him open and wet.

“Jesus, baby, you make my mouth dry.” Tank sounded a little dazed.

“I need you. Tank. More.” He wasn’t able to push words out.

“I can do more.” Tank slipped another finger in, spreading him a little wider, then a little wider. Dalton gritted his teeth and pushed back, showing Tank he was ready.

“I want you to ride me, Dalton. I need it.” Tank’s fingers slipped free, and Dalton was suddenly empty and aching, his head spinning as Tank sat him up.

He pretty much missed Tank slipping on a condom, but it was there, and he was wet and open and all he had to do was climb aboard. He groaned as he slipped down, his lips parted as the tip popped in, burning him deep.

Tank stared at him, eyes wide and dark, cheeks a rosy pink. They stayed like that for long seconds before Tank’s hands landed on his hips. Then he sank down, his lips parted on a moan.

“There. Oh, Jesus, Dalton.” Tank sounded almost like he was praying.

“Uh-huh.” He groaned, squeezing hard, taking a second to make room inside him.

Tank’s eyes rolled right back in his head. Dalton had done that. Him.

He began to move, using the steady motion that was almost more natural than walking. Lord knew he’d been riding longer. He rolled his hips, and Tank gave him a rhythm to go with, moving with him, arching up.

They found their pace, rocking nice and steady, both of them moaning as they came together.

Tank’s grip tightened, holding him close, making it like a horse with a smooth gait. He braced on Tank’s chest, driving himself down, harder and harder.

“Dalton.” His name on those lips made his cock jump, made him so happy.

“Yeah. Fuck, you feel good. Thick.”

“Tight. Look at us, making words.”

“Uh-huh.” He bore down again, gritting his teeth.

Tank helped him ride up, then fall back, and he swore he could feel Tank swell up even bigger inside him.

“Touch me. Fuck. Touch me, please.”

Tank nodded, teeth gritted, then reached down to grab his cock, rubbing it up and down.

“Yeah. Fuck yes. Need you.”

“Got me right here, honey. Never been this hot. God, you’re gonna be the death of me.” Tank did kinda look like he might explode.

“Love how you fill me up.” He bit the words out, his world spinning.

“You—” Tank grunted, eyes wide, jerking madly underneath him when Dalton squeezed his muscles tight. Hell yeah. He’d done that. Him. Tank was his dream come true, damn it.

He sat up tall and started bouncing, his cock slapping against Tank’s belly as he slammed down.

Tank rolled up closer to him, offering a kiss he couldn’t resist, and that trapped his dick between them, giving him some friction and a little pressure to his balls. Woo-hoo.

Tank spread his cheeks, fingertips at his hole, dragging where they were joined.

His eyes flew open wide, his body on fire. “Tank!”

“What, honey? Want to give you more.”

“Please. Fuck. Yes, please.” He was burning alive. This was real. This was fucking real.

Tank slid a finger inside him alongside that thick cock, and Dalton wanted to scream, but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out.

Then the second finger slipped in, and he was coming, shooting in heavy ropes over Tank’s belly.

“Uhn!” Tank watched him until he stilled, panting hard. Then Tank grabbed his hips again and drove up into him, thrusting just a few times before grunting, shuddering with his orgasm.

He slumped forward, his heart pounding furiously, his world spinning.

“Got you.” Tank sounded as blown out and breathless as he felt.

“Uh-huh. Broke me.”

“Did I? You were riding. I figure I’m the broke one.” Tank just chuckled, and he had to laugh along.

“Uhn.” That was a good answer, right? It had to work.

Tank snorted, which set them to laughing again, just clinging to each other and whooping with what air they had left. “Lord have mercy, honey. You’re the hottest son of a bitch on earth.”

His best answer was a kiss, sloppy and slow.

Tank hugged him close until they had to pull apart before things got too messy to bear. Tank disposed of the condom, then tugged him right back in.

“Mmm. Hey.” Lord, he was going to feel this tomorrow.

“Hey. That’ll leave us worse than the hike, huh?” Tank patted his ass gently.

“It’ll be a reminder.”

“That’s good, right?” Tank yawned, the sound jaw-cracking in its intensity.

“Yessir.” He didn’t mind a little throb.

“Mmm. I do like a man who knows what he enjoys.”

Dalton liked a man who knew how to turn him inside out. He kissed the bottom of Tank’s jaw.

Tank just smiled, eyes closed, his breathing evening out.

He settled down, eyelids heavy.

For a second, just a second, he thought he saw someone at the window, but when he focused, he knew he’d just imagined it. So Dalton closed his eyes and let it go, the feel of Tank beneath him lulling him right to sleep.