074a50a5-6717-4074-afd7-3ef0b380f481 out (7 page)

"Jamie, I'm so sorry this happened."

Jamie tried to open his eyes but he couldn’t keep them open.
He looked so pathetic that Kip's heart went out to him. Kip wanted to pull
Jamie into a hug but didn't want to hurt him. The curtain rings scraped over
the bar behind him and Kip turned to see Sheriff Boyd enter the space. Kip
swallowed. Boyd hadn't liked that Jamie was gay, but he and Kip had come to a
truce.

"I don't blame you," were the first words out of
Boyd's mouth.

"I only stepped outside for a short while. It's not like
we were kissing or anything. We were in a back booth, hidden from view."

"He spilled. Said he'd seen you two getting close at the
grocery store. Followed you to the diner and listened to you talk. He wanted to
kill you both."

"Fuck," Kip said.

"Yeah," Boyd drew his lip up, chewing a bit on his
jaw, "makes it easy to prosecute as a hate crime."

"You do know I would protect your brother from
anything."

"Yeah, the thing is he seems to keep getting hurt when
he's around you."

Kip hung his head. It was true. Jamie had been abducted
because of him. Now this. Hell, he'd fucked up so much he didn't even know
which way to turn.

"I feel like crap. When I heard the ruckus in the
bathroom I was so ticked. I knew something bad was happening and all I could
think was not again. I'm not good for him."

Jamie's hand clamped down on his arm, his fingers digging
into Kip's flesh. Kip looked down, glad to see Jamie was awake. "Your
brother is here."

Jamie tugged on Kip's arm and he lowered. "You are good
for me. I love you," Jamie struggled to whisper.

Kip swallowed and smiled, tears burning his eyes. "I
love you."

The doctor came in and Kip stepped back. "He can go as
soon as he feels like it. I do need to see him in a few days."

"Thanks." Kip shook the doctor's hand before the
man left the little room.

Kip was thankful Brody had come by. He didn't want bad
feelings developing between any of them. He stroked Jamie's arm. "When
you're ready to go, we can head out."

Brody leaned low and kissed his brother on the forehead
before leaving. Kip watched Jamie struggling to sit up. He reached out to steady
him and was rewarded with a slight smile. As long as Jamie stayed with him he
could get through anything. The trick was getting Jamie to stay with him. He
worried that the man would wake up one morning and realize he really wanted a
girl and not Kip.

*~*~*

Gresh and Lane waited up for Kip and Jamie to return from the
hospital. They'd offered to come down but Kip said he was too stressed and
blamed himself for the incident. Gresh understood. If anyone ever beat Lane
again, he would freak out. Kip seemed to be handing it well, but there wasn't
anything easy about what had happened.

Kip's truck pulled into the yard and Lane headed out the
door. Gresh stopped him. "Give him a minute. His pride is probably hurt
along with his body."

"Fuck, I know mine would be. It's not his fault
though."

"Still, he was beaten kind of bad and Connor said he
looks like shit. Tomorrow, after he's slept, maybe you could talk to him."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the nicest guy I've ever met. You know
how to say things. I'm a bit too blunt."

"I love you," Lane stepped into Gresh's arms and
held on tightly.

When Jamie came through the door, Lane turned from Gresh and
went to Kip and Jamie, hugging both of them before stepping back. "You two
need anything?"

"No thanks, we're good." Kip smacked his hand to
his forehead. "Shit, the food. I forgot about the damn food."

"No worries," Lane said. "I had Michael drive
into town and get the chests from the back of your truck."

"Thank God. I'd hate for all of that food to be
ruined."

Gresh stepped close and hugged Kip. "We're a family
here. We take care of each other. I want you both to get some rest tomorrow.
Don't worry about a thing."

"But the dude ranch guests," Jamie mumbled.

Gresh laughed and shook his head. "They'd be scared to
death if you showed up, Jamie. You look like hell. We've got it handled."

"Thanks," Jamie and Kip both said.

Jamie and Kip made their way to their room and Gresh pulled
Lane close. "I'm afraid." He hated admitting how much fear he felt
when he'd heard that Jamie had been beaten up. He didn't want to think about
bigotry or fighting. Gresh pushed Lane up against the wall, tugging at his
shirt. He stripped off the material and ran his fingers over his husband's warm
flesh. The scars added texture to Lane's otherwise smooth skin. Gresh's
emotions were high, leaving him feeling protective and desperate at the same
time.

He pulled out of the kiss and growled. "Bed, now."
He slung Lane over his shoulder, his step only faltering a little. He felt like
a fool having to use his cane as he carried Lane, but he was thrilled to be
able to pick Lane up. His husband would probably get on him eventually, but
right now the man was softly beating his back and yelling to be put down. Gresh
smiled and didn't pay attention to Jump or Bruce standing in their doorway as
he passed. With almost too much force he pushed open their bedroom door, strode
in and kicked the door closed, pausing long enough to lock it. He was tired,
but being the brute was worth it.

Gresh tossed Lane onto the center of the bed and began
ripping at his own clothes, trying to cover his exhaustion. He was naked before
Lane could kick off his boots and unbutton his fly. Gresh growled again and
tugged at Lane's pants. Clad only in his black boxer briefs, Lane was a beautiful
sight. Lane tugged at his underwear and Gresh shook his head.

"Don't touch those, I've got plans."

Lane smiled seductively up at him and crossed his arms behind
his head, spreading his legs just a little and lifting up. "Who am I to
interrupt your plans?"

"I should have brought in some reigns."

Lane moaned and wiggled his hips. "It's been a while
since we've done that."

"Yeah, all our toys died in the fire." Gresh wanted
to play with Lane but exhaustion was eating at him.

"We'll need to get some new things to play with."

"Right now, all I want is to play with you."

Gresh sank down on the bed with Lane, his lips grazing one
nipple then the other. His lover tasted so good he never wanted to stop. He
kissed down Lane's body then back up, running his tongue around Lane's
bellybutton, dipping in then circling the spot again. He pulled off Lane's
underwear, exposing the man's beautiful cock. Lane was moaning and writhing
below him, his dick leaking precome and pulsing when Gresh stared at it.

He lowered his lips to the tip and blew lightly on the heated
skin. Lane sucked in a breath of air and gulped, his body arching up, trying to
push his dick to Gresh's mouth. Gresh laughed and licked up the length.

"Fuck," Lane yelled.

Gresh lifted up and smiled. "If you wish. That is what
you want me to do, right?"

"Yes, please. Fill me, make me feel it."

Gresh didn't hesitate. He grabbed the lube and slicked up,
positioned himself between Lane's legs. Their sex life had been slower, calmer
since his accident, but he wanted the animalistic passion back.

"You want it fast and hard?" Gresh asked, hoping
that Lane's tastes hadn't changed too much in the last six months.

Lane's gaze connected with his and he smiled lasciviously,
"Yeah babe. Hard and fast."

Gresh gripped Lane's hip with one hand and used the other to
guide his dick. He pushed in, loving the way Lane gulped for air. He paused for
a short while, allowing Lane to adjust then he started pumping, his body
straining as he rode his man. His orgasm wasn't going to wait. Gresh tried to
make it last, but he was too excited. One last push and he fell over the edge,
his body convulsing with each shot of his come deep inside Lane.

Exhaustion hit, taking hold of him before he had time to pull
out. He didn't think he had the strength to roll over but Lane helped him. He
felt a warm cloth on his body then the cover being pulled over him just before
he passed out.

Lane smiled down at his man. Come ran down his leg and he
swiped at it with the cloth, deciding to go take a quick shower. He wrapped a
robe around his body and strode over to the shower room. He heard Kip talking
and a few sobs, he guessed they were having an emotion filled discussion. He
paused for a moment, not wanting to eavesdrop, but he wanted to make sure they
weren't arguing. From the sounds of their voices, they were just talking.

He shook his head and walked into the bathroom, discarding
his robe as he turned on the water. Lane washed quickly, loving the soreness
form Gresh pounding into him. It probably wasn't fair for him to expect so much
from the man, but he loved that their sex was getting hotter again. He hurried
back to Gresh, glad to see that his lover was still asleep.

Lane pulled out his laptop and connected to the Internet.
Gresh wanted to spend some time in the Bahamas and they hadn't looked for a
hotel yet. He'd find something, maybe even book it too. He typed in a search
and the first place that came up was Kamaley Cay. Lane clicked the link and
gasped when the picture came up. Gresh snorted and rolled over. Lane bit his
lip to keep from saying anything in excitement and waking Gresh.

This was the place. Blue waters, private cottages. Lane
didn't hesitate. He booked the only available room. They would leave next
Saturday and spend two weeks on the beach playing and making love. Lane thought
about booking a private jet but decided on flying commercial first class to
Lauderdale then they would take a small plane to the Cay.

After an hour of planning, Lane turned off the computer and
snuggled down with Gresh, sniffing deeply, taking in the scent of his man. He
loved everything about Gresh and this trip would be exactly what they needed.
Gresh could sleep the days away, recovering and getting better. Lane closed his
eyes, allowing sleep to claim him as he imagined how wonderful the trip would
be.

Chapter Seven

Jamie shivered and Kip tightened his hold then loosened it.
"Babe, I don't want to hurt you."

"I like you holding me. I feel safe in your arms."

Kip bit his tongue to calm his emotions. He didn't want to
cry. Jamie could have died today. They needed to be more careful. Jamie
struggled to sit up, pulling out of Kip's arms. "Hey, you aren't still
upset?"

"Babe, I'm going to be upset about this for a long time.
I love you and—fuck, he was hitting you so hard."

"Yeah, but nothing is broken."

"That we know of. You heard the doctor."

Jamie shrugged, "I'm sore and my eyes are swollen. The
pain meds they gave me are great, but yeah, I'm hurting."

Kip brushed his fingers over Jamie's swollen and bruised
face. "I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do this. You have nothing to be sorry
about."

"I know you're not a baby and I can't watch you all the
time—I get that, but I feel responsible for not seeing it. It's crazy and I
know you're going to tell me not to feel guilty, but I do."

Jamie sank down on the bed and played with Kip's chest,
running his fingers over Kip's nipples and down to his bellybutton, driving Kip
insane with desire. He wouldn’t have sex with Jamie tonight though his body was
being played expertly by the one man who always mastered him.

"I get where you are coming from. Had I been the one who
was outside and you were in the bathroom—I don't know what I would do."

"I love you so much. I can't even think what would have
happened if I hadn't gone back into the diner to look for you." Kip
shivered and Jamie turned his head and kissed Kip's arm.

Jamie's hand dipped lower and under the band of his
underwear, running over Kip's hard-on. Kip groaned and pulled his hips away.

"Hey, why are you pulling away?"

"You're hurt. I can't make you do this."

"You're not making me."

Kip sat up and adjusted his dick in his underwear. "I
know you would do anything to please me and I don't doubt that. Buy your body
needs to heal and you're going to be very sore in the morning. If you insist
here's what I'm willing to do." It looked as if Jamie was trying to lift
his eyebrow but he failed miserably, his face too swollen to make any
expressions.

"Just tell me—I can't even roll my eyes at you."

"I'll give you head and jerk off."

"But I—"

"No, you're going to lie still while I bring you
pleasure and then I'll get myself off or I'm walking out that door and sleeping
in the hall."

Jamie groaned, his eyes closing as he threw back the covers.
He winced and Kip thought about calling off their sex play when he saw Jamie
trying to stroke his own cock. The man was in too much pain to even beat
himself off. Kip would do all the work, making sure Jamie was satisfied or at
least asleep.

Kip pulled Jamie's underwear down and bent over him, licking
his lips before kissing the tip of Jamie's dick. "You are so
beautiful."

Jamie laughed. "I look like hell."

"Nope, you're beautiful and I love you." Kip
wrapped his lips around Jamie's dick, sliding down then back up. Jamie moaned
and clutched Kip's hair. He used all of his tricks to get Jamie off quickly.
His lover came and before he'd even sat up to stroke himself off Jamie was
asleep, snoring softly. Kip smiled and grabbed a washrag, stroking his own cock
as he fantasized about Jamie and all the stuff they had done and would do. He'd
protect Jamie from here on out, making sure nothing like this ever happened to
his man again. Kip came hard and fast while he watched Jamie sleep. His heart
was full of love and hope that they'd be together forever.