Chapter Twenty-Four

 

 

THE PARTY was rocking—good food, good beer, good folks. He was throwing horseshoes with Tony and Ben, the three of them laughing their happy asses off. Tank was sitting with Pops and, believe it or not, Darius, who’d been crazy tickled to see Tank.

Dalton got a ringer, winning the round, and he hooted as the guys fussed.

“You’re too damn lucky, man.” Ben moaned.

“He always has been.”

The voice raised Dalton’s hackles right away. Rocket. What the actual fuck? Everything in him tightened, his belly sick and his cheeks hot. “Hey, man. What brings you out?”

Why the fuck aren’t you in Oklahoma where you belong?

“Roy told me there was a shindig, so I came down with him.”

“Cool. You know where the food and beer is.” Go away. Go the fuck away.

“I do. I was hoping to join the game.” There was something lizardy in the gaze Rocket turned on him.

“Have at it. I’m going to hit the head. See ya.”

No way. No, he wasn’t going to play dick with Mr. You’re a Nasty Slut.

“Sure.” Rocket said it easily, but Dalton knew that tone. That “I’ll get you later” tone.

He headed toward the house, not the least surprised when Deb and Dustin flanked him. They were a unit, the three of them, and they had one another’s backs.

His muscles were still tight, his shoulders up around his ears.

“Easy. Easy, Dee. Come on to the back.”

“Why is he here?” He knew it was a stupid question, but it popped out.

“Who the fuck knows? Y’all are well and truly broken up, right?” Deb’s eyes were flashing.

“Sister, we’re so broke up no one could put it back together. Like Humpty-Dumpty.”

“I’m going to just go kick his ass,” Dustin growled. “Drive him off like a rabid coyote.”

“Uh-huh. Then what are you gonna tell Pops?”

“The truth?”

Dalton’s lips parted, and he snarled. “Don’t, Bubba.”

“Why not? Pops needs to take him off the roster.”

“What reason are we going to give?” he asked.

“How about the truth?” Deb insisted again.

“I can’t.” No way. There was no fucking way.

“Why not? He knows you and Rocket were together. If you tell him the truth, you never have to see that fucker again!” Dustin was getting mad.

“Just drop it! I ain’t gonna—”

Deb stepped on his foot. Hard.

He looked up, and there was Tank, face like a thundercloud.

Shit.

“Clear out, y’all.”

Deb and Bubba left without another word.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Tank asked.

“He came with somebody.” Dalton didn’t even remember who right now.

“Who?” Man, Tank could snarl.

“Back off.” He could snarl too. “I don’t fucking remember!”

“Damn it, Dalton. Why does he keep showing up?” Tank marched over to stand right in front of him. “What do Deb and Dustin know that I don’t?”

“I don’t know! Something’s up with him. He’s a nutcase. He’s an asshole. He’s a prick.” Dalton didn’t know, not really. They had broke up bad. It had gotten embarrassing, maybe a little scary, if he was honest, if only to himself.

“Baby, I need you to talk to me.” Those dark eyes saw everything, Tank seeming to look right into him.

“We’re broke up, Tank, I swear to God. I got nothing to do with the man.”

“I know that, but there’s something you ain’t telling me.” Tank got all up in his business, damn near bumping chests with him.

“Back off!” He held his hands up but didn’t shove, mindful of that leg. “It was a shit breakup. I did the calling it off.”

“Good. Because he did something awful to you. What? I need to know before I go rip his head off and shit down his neck.”

“Because….” He opened his mouth, then closed it and shook his head. “Look. I broke it off because he was an asshole. He made me feel like shit. I had had enough.”

“Did he hurt you?” Red flags of color rose in Tank’s cheeks. “I’m gonna kill him.”

“For what? Being a dick? Just…. Just…. This is a party, Tank. Drop it.” His head was going to explode.

“I can’t. This isn’t just popping up at a hotel or an event. This is your mom and dad’s house.”

“I know. They don’t know anything about this.” He didn’t want them to believe anything bad about him.

“Is that why you’re not telling your daddy to take him off the roster?” Tank put both hands on Dalton’s shoulders.

He nodded before he could stop himself. “It ain’t professional.”

“Jesus, Dalton. He needs to get kicked out.” Tank was riled, but now he thought it wasn’t at him.

He knew, but he had no idea how to do that. It was bad enough that Deb and Dustin knew….

“I can run him off.” The offer was gentle.

“I’m so embarrassed. I just want to go home.”

“Okay. You want me to tell your folks?” Tank slid one hand down his arm to take his hand.

“Nope. Bubba will. He knows how I feel.”

“I’ll text him, though.” Tank tugged him out the front side of his parents’ house so they didn’t have to see anyone. “He can blame my leg if he needs to.”

“He’ll do whatever.” Bubba had his back.

“Okay.” They walked to the truck hand in hand, Tank falling quiet.

“I’m sorry.” God, he was going home and drinking himself under the table.

“About what?” Tank opened the door for him, brushing against him.

“That he’s a fuck.”

“I am too, baby.” Tank climbed up in the driver’s side but didn’t start the truck right off. “I’m gonna say something, and I don’t want you to get mad at me.”

“I’ll do my dead-level best.”

A grin curled the corner of Tank’s lips. “We got to learn to tell each other the hard stuff if we’re gonna do this.”

“I know.” He knew, but…. He wasn’t even sure how to explain.

“I mean me too. I should have told you how bad I was hurting. You don’t need my ex texting you.”

“Why… why did y’all break up?”

Tank headed down the driveway, toward home, and every yard they moved away from Rocket made Dalton feel better.

“Me and Buick? Because we were friends with benefits. We weren’t serious.”

“You sure he knows y’all weren’t serious?” Dalton teased.

“I think so. We used to travel together. Before we slept together, I mean. I think he misses me.” Tank chuckled. “He’s a good guy.”

Dalton nodded. He got that. Tank was the most interesting son of a bitch he knew.

“Anyway, I want us to be able to tell each other anything.” Tank finally looked over at him, face serious. “I know we got a ways to go, though, and I’m sorry I snapped.”

“I just… I’m…. God, I’m so embarrassed.”

Tank got them moving at a faster clip, as if he knew it would be easier to talk while Tank had to look at the road. “I can imagine way worse than reality, I bet.”

“He never harmed me. Not, like, physically.”

“Well, I reckon I would have to beat him down if he did.” Tank reached over to touch his leg.

“He says….” Dalton sighed and shook his head. “He just made me feel… I don’t know.”

“What did he bitch about the most?”

His cheeks set on fire. “How I like sex.”

Tank glanced over, frowning. “As in you like it too much?”

He shrugged. “I guess that I like taking it.” God, he was fixin’ to die.

“You mean he gave you hell for how you like to have sex?” Now Tank’s eyebrows were climbing. “Christ. If he was having it with you, he’s a fucking hypocrite.”

He couldn’t even look at Tank. Thank God they were in the dark.

“Baby, there’s nothing wrong with liking what you like.”

“I know. It’s just hard to have what you like aired in public.”

“Motherfucker.” Tank slapped the steering wheel. “That’s snake mean.”

“Yes. I caught him making me the butt of his jokes. Pun intended.”

“Fuck, baby. And he bitched at you in bed?”

“No. Always after. He would call me dirty. A whore.”

“I’m gonna call Buick and have him kill that man.” Tank was white-knuckled where he squeezed the steering wheel.

“Dustin is tempted. Deb may actually do it.” Rocket had gotten them confused and had given Dustin shit. Dustin had wiped the dirt with the son of a bitch.

“I bet he is. No one deserves that, but I got to tell you, you deserve it least.” Tank lowered his voice, the gravel factor going up. “One of the best things about you is how damn uninhibited you are.”

He was burning, was on fire. “I just… I need.”

“You need so damn pretty. Don’t you ever let anyone make you feel bad for that.” Tank pulled up in his drive, parked by the kitchen door. He reached over and took Dalton by the jaw. “You rock my world, babe. You make me burn.”

Tank leaned across the console to kiss him, and he knew what Tank said was true. There would never be a problem there as there had been with Rocket. He groaned, his shame turning into desire in a rush.

Yeah. Okay. Tank made him feel both wanted and free.

“Take me inside, Dalton. Now.”

Dalton hummed, pulling free so he could hop out of the truck. He grabbed Tank’s hand once they were both around the bed, towing him along.

The dogs were still out wandering, so he didn’t even have to worry. All he had to think on was Tank.

That was such a pleasure, especially with Rocket showing up.

Fucker. Lousy bastard. He started to tense again.

Tank squeezed his hand. “Right here. You and me.”

“Right here. I’m sorry.” He hated this.

“Nope. None of that.” Tank was the one who pulled him inside, now. They stopped to kiss in the kitchen, the connection solid as a rock, just about the finest thing he’d ever felt.

Tank was nothing like Rocket.

Not even one bit.

 

 

TANK PRESSED Dalton back against the kitchen table, channeling all of his emotions into loving on Dalton instead of worrying on anything else.

That motherfucker would get his own. It sucked, riding the rodeo when the safety men and cowboy protectors didn’t feel like doing their jobs.

He shook off those dark thoughts because Dalton didn’t deserve them.

Dalton deserved to fucking be rejoiced over, to let that need be adored. No one had ever wanted him like Dalton, had ever burned so hot.

And some asshole pushed it away? Lord.

Not him. No, he was a smarter man than that. Not to mention he loved a little slap and tickle. He loved to hear Dalton beg, loved the way Dalton took him.

He nipped at Dalton’s lower lip, letting it sting, letting Dalton know they were right there together. His lover jerked, hips bucking right into him.

“That feels so good, huh?” Tank smiled down, licking his own lips.

“Uh-huh. Need you like breathing.”

“You got me.” He worked at the buttons on Dalton’s shirt, hungry for skin, wanting access to those tiny nips.

Dalton rolled up to give him more access, and he stripped off the shirt so he could nuzzle at Dalton’s neck, collarbone, the hollow of his throat. Salty and just the barest bit smoky, Dalton was enough to make his eyes cross.

He needed more. Tank licked his way down, because those tight little brown nipples made him nuts.

Better than that, they made Dalton a little wild, primed the pump, so to speak. Twisting one between his fingers, he bent to kiss the other.

“Damn it. Tank. Please.”

Oh, and he hadn’t even bitten yet. Wait until he decided to really let Dalton have it.

“Patience, baby. I got you.”

“Never done this on the table.”

“No? Is that bad?” He didn’t want to make Dalton say ew.

“Hot. Naughty.”

Tank liked the way naughty sounded in Dalton’s voice. There was a dark thrill there, which he wanted to explore. Real bad.

Dalton reached up, stroked Tank’s lips.

“You want my mouth, huh, baby? Want me to bite?”

Dalton’s cheeks went bright, deep red. He nodded slowly, those blue eyes burning, even in the gloom since they hadn’t turned on the lights. They never left him, and he didn’t want to let Dalton down.

He dragged his tongue around the taut little bud, teasing them both.

Arching right up, Dalton moaned, hands on Tank’s hips. Dalton kept trying to pull them closer, but Tank was still teasing. Just a little.

“Mmm….” Damn, so fine. “You want better than anyone.”

“You make it so easy, Tank. I swear.”

“Good.” He leaned and bit down, tugging hard.

“Uhn!” Dalton panted, hips rocking.

Sweet man. God, Dalton creamed his butter. He nibbled and licked, knowing he was driving Dalton crazy. His lover was bucking and rocking, sliding on the table. He wanted Dalton shouting for him too. No hotel or trailer now. They could make all the noise they wanted.

He pinched and kissed, sucked and tugged and bit.

“Damn. Damn!” Dalton smacked his hip. “Damn it, Tank.”

He swatted back, letting it sting. “Be nice, now.”

Dalton groaned, nails dragging on his jeans.

“I don’t want to be nice.” Dalton started working at his waistband.

He bit at Dalton’s earlobe, just a little too hard. “Do you want me to be nice, baby?”

“Fuck no.”

“Good.” He pinched just where Dalton’s hip met his waist.

Dalton cried out, bucked into his touch. “Fuck!”

“Listen to you.”

“I can’t help it.” Dalton stared up at him, cheeks hot and red.

“I don’t want you to, baby. I want it all, honestly. Everything.” He took a hard, needy kiss, stealing Dalton’s breath.

Dalton clung to him, legs coming up to wrap around him. They really did have too many clothes on. “Baby, bed. Naked. Orgasms.”

Uncoiling, Dalton pushed him up before springing to his feet. “I’m right behind you.”

“You know it.” He took off as fast as his hard-on would let him go. They made it to the bed before flinging off clothes like they were getting paid for each piece as it came off.

He turned the lights on so he could see everything, so he could watch Dalton’s expression.

He kicked out of his jeans and boots, sucking in his belly to get out of his shorts. The way Dalton stared made Tank hotter than the Fourth of July.

“Damn, you’re fine. Make my mouth dry,” Dalton said.

“I love how bad you want.” Tank nodded at the bed. “Lay down and spread out, baby.”

“You want me on my back or front?”

Oh hell yes. This was the best kind of game. “On your belly.”

Tank considered just dying of pure joy when Dalton stretched out on the bed for him, that teeny tiny cowboy ass ready for him. Drawing in a deep breath, Tank sent up a little prayer that he could prove he deserved this.

He wrapped his fingers around Dalton’s ankles, holding on, then slid his hands up the muscled legs. He spread Dalton a little wider, using a strong grip, one that would leave impressions but not bruises. Dalton arched up, that sweet backside making all sorts of promises.

“You’re so hot, open like this, waiting for me.”

He loved the way the blush clawed up Dalton’s thighs and lower back. Dalton panted, just so ready, quivering for his touch.

Tank pinched one hip lightly before smacking one asscheek. “Want you.”

“I’m right here.”

Fucking A. He hoped so. He rubbed his fingers along Dalton’s crack, probing between those tight cheeks. “So tight. Going to open you, baby.”

Dalton moaned, arching up and grunting. “More.”

“Everything. Anything you can take.”

“I’m pretty fucking strong. I can take a lot.”

“I know.” Tank pressed a finger behind Dalton’s balls, pushed hard enough to make that skin sing.

Dalton grunted and drew one leg up beneath him, spreading himself wider.

The way that tilted everything made Dalton’s muscles stand out, and Tank traced the line of Dalton’s spine with his free hand. He leaned down, scraping his teeth along the small of Dalton’s back.

“Oh.”

That breathy sound made him smile against Dalton’s skin.

“Sweet baby. I fucking love how you need.” He bit again, refusing to let Dalton think.

“Tank.” Dalton tried to crawl away, so Tank held him down with one hand on the small of his back.

“Let me. Please. I fucking need to make you scream.”

“Anything. Just… I need it.” Dalton went spread-eagle, his legs sliding on the sheets.

He spread Dalton wide, testing the tiny ring of muscles with his thumbs. He needed to get the lube, but he knew Dalton loved the threat of the scratchiness. He licked, easing the way the slightest bit, then pushed a little deeper.

Those strong hands dug into the bedcovers. “Yeah. Like that,” Dalton murmured.

Tank hummed and repeated himself—lick and push, lick and push, Dalton’s flavor and scent like a drug inside him. His own cock throbbed, his balls aching.

Dalton was trying to pull him deeper, those tight muscles working his fingers. Tank could hardly wait to get in there. Still, he would make Dalton wait, make him shake and shiver and beg.

The lube rested on the side table along with a pack of condoms. Someone wanted to be ready.

That suited Tank all the way to the ground.

He finally rose up on his knees to grab that lube, needing to get Dalton really ready. Oh, hey, condom first so he didn’t have to fumble with wet hands.

He grinned, stupidly pleased with himself. Condom achieved in no time, and lube opened. Woo.

He slicked his fingers and pressed his thumbs in, spreading Dalton’s hole. His own hips jerked, telling him how little time he had. “Not going to be able to wait too long. You’re too fine.”

“I’m going crazy.” Dalton began humping the bed, his ass rising and falling.

“Don’t you come without me, now.”

“Hurry, then!” Dalton stopped, his muscles shuddering under his skin.

He popped Dalton firmly on the butt. “Bossy!”

“I totally was.” Dalton laughed, but the sound was one of raw need. “I can do it again, if you want.”

“Are you wanting to get your butt beat, baby?” Listen to all those Bs in a row.

“I—no. No.” Dalton bucked up toward his touch, though, taking his thumbs in.

“Uh-huh. You want it all. Anything that makes you feel.” Later. He would try a little bit at a time. He spread Dalton wider, knowing it would strain.

“Uhn….” Dalton rocked back, fucking himself on Tank’s thumbs, the sight enough to make Tank’s mouth dry.

“That’s it, baby. Get good and wet.”

Dalton’s cry was pure need, and Tank damn near shot at the sound. He had to grit his teeth to hold on, his belly pulling in tight.

“Fuck me. Tank. Please. Fuck me hard.”

“Yeah. Now.” He slicked himself up and hoped he’d prepped Dalton enough. He couldn’t wait. From the way Dalton arched and took him in, he must have done a good job.

They stopped when he was seated deep inside Dalton’s body, hips against that perfect ass. Dalton’s muscles rippled around him, jerking and milking his cock. His brain went all caveman, and all Tank could do was begin to move, slow at first, then faster. Dalton met every thrust, a deep cry sounding with every breath.

Joined. They were joined, and it gave Tank a fierce joy.

He grabbed Dalton’s hips and let himself go, let him sink in and take his cues from his lover. They were rough and ready, both of them grabbing what they needed. Praise God, it was time to ride.

Jerking, he panted, hips really moving. There was no teasing left. They slapped together, grinding like desperate men.

“Dalton!” He leaned down, biting at one muscular shoulder. His teeth dug in, and Dalton cried out.

God, yeah. He felt that all the way to his toes. More than that, he felt it all the way around his prick. Those muscles clamped down on him until his balls pulled up tight.

“Fixin’ to make me crazy.” He was this close to losing his mind.

“Fixin’ to? I’m already there.” Dalton slammed back against him.

Oh, thank God. He pinched one nipple, then bit Dalton again.

“Fuck!” He felt it the moment Dalton went over the edge. Tight, hot as hellfire, that ass squeezed him, Dalton shouting his name like it was a friggin’ prayer. He groaned and let himself go, emptying his balls.

Tank tried to breathe, his chest heaving. Dalton was just the best thing ever, making him downright nuts.

“Damn, baby.”

A flash sparked at the window, and Dalton’s head flew up. “What the hell?”

Tank craned his neck. “Lightning?” Doubtful, but any other explanation required peeling Dalton off the bed.

“Maybe.” Dalton frowned, but he didn’t move.

“Maybe it was just someone’s headlights. I bet folks get lost out here all the time.” He really didn’t want to lose the afterglow yet.

“Yeah. Could’ve been Bubba coming home.”

Oh, now that made sense. Tank slid to one side, gathering Dalton into his arms after he disposed of the condom. “Hey, baby. That was… fucking awesome.”

“Better than. Thank you.”

He kissed that slightly bruised mouth. “Mm-hmm.” He didn’t want to bring up Rocket, but he figured the night was going better now. “You do it for me, cowboy.”

“Well, you know how I feel. I told you a long damn time ago.”

“I know.” He stroked Dalton’s hair off his face. “You know why I couldn’t even think it then, right?”

“I do now, yeah. Then? No. No, I just knew I wanted you more than my next breath. You know how it is when all you are is hormones and wanting.”

“I do.” It seemed that way now, damn it. He liked Dalton, though. All the way through.

“I’d apologize, except I’d do it again, so that’s hypocrisy.”

“No need to. I’m just glad you didn’t hold a grudge. Much,” Tank teased. Dalton had made him work for it a little.

More than a little.

It had totally been worth it.

He grinned, nuzzling in at Dalton’s temple.

“I could get used to you being home.”

“To us being home.” Oh, that sounded good. They’d turned the night around.

He felt pretty damned good about that. Oh, who was he kidding? He felt like a million bucks. He grinned wide. Yeah.

Life was good.