Yaotl rode behind with two of Xipil’s personal Jaguar guards, and they had Cinnamon with them. At his direction, the coach went via Buzzard Hill, at which point Yaotl rode off to alert their friends of his imminent arrival.
The coach was quickly surrounded by a small crowd of curious onlookers. Adam ignored them as he strode into the bar. Sam, the bar tender, looked over with a genuine smile of pleasure.
“Well look who’s here! What’s the story, young feller?” He leaned on the bar, his face eager for news.
“Let’s just say that I happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Adam said.
Sam laughed. “And what can I do you for?”
“I’d like a couple of bottles of your best whiskey,” Adam said. “The best mind you.”
Sam put two bottles on the bar and then added a third. He waved his hands as Adam went to pay for all three. “The third one’s on me. There are a whole pile of stories about you and your cousin running around. If only half of them are true, it’s been a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Adam gathered the bottles and nodded. “Likewise,” he said with a laugh. “But don’t believe everything you hear.”
He climbed into the coach and set the bottles on the seat opposite him. He looked out the window as they continued on and saw Yaotl riding back. The warrior indicated they should head in the direction of the Lazy E. Adam settled back. He didn’t care which ranch. There was just one man on his mind.
The coachman slowed the horses to a gentle walk as it headed along the driveway to the house. Adam noticed that the Aztec guards at the gate were missing. Before he could wonder about them, he saw the welcoming committee standing outside the house: Madison, Ellen and Mecatl, Abe and Mitch, as well as all the Aztec warriors, including the gate keepers.
The most welcome face of all was that of Elijah.
As the coach came to a stop, the Aztec riders joined the other warriors, and they formed a guard of honor for Adam as he clambered out of the carriage. He ignored the heat in his cheeks as they burned with embarrassment. Instead, he focused ahead on the beautiful man who stood waiting for him.
“Welcome back,” Elijah whispered, his voice trembling.
Adam didn’t trust his own at all. He opened his arms wide, and Elijah stepped into his embrace. He held the younger man tight against his chest. Elijah wrapped his arms around Adam. Adam buried his face in the crook of Elijah’s neck and inhaled deeply.
For a few moments, nothing existed for Adam beyond his beloved Elijah. He immersed his senses in his lover. Sight, sound, touch, and scent, he filled them all. Taste followed last as he possessed Elijah’s lips.
Elijah’s familiar flavor, a taste that Adam would always associate with home and happiness, filled the last hole in Adam’s heart. He broke the kiss and released Elijah. They both panted as they stepped apart, and Elijah stood aside for Adam’s other friends to greet him.
Mecatl came forward and clasped Adam’s hand in a firm grip. “Thank you, my friend,” he said, “for what you have done for me and my people.”
Adam nodded. “You’re welcome. I’m mighty glad to see you looking so much better.”
Mecatl held out his arm, and Ellen came to stand at his side. She smiled at Adam, her cheeks tinged with pink. “Welcome back, Adam,” she said.
“As you can see,” Mecatl said, “I was cared for by a wonderful woman.”
Madison sauntered forward, pulling Adam into a tight hug. “Glad to see you managed to stay awake, old man.” Then he dropped his voice to a whisper. “The kid’s been worried sick. Me? I knew you were too damn ornery to die.”
“You got that damn right,” Adam said and slapped his friend’s back heartily. “There are a couple of bottles of whiskey in the coach. I thought we could have a drink or two to celebrate my return and raise a toast to King Xipil to congratulate him on becoming the ruler of what used to be Numa’s province.”
“Wonderful news, my friend,” Mecatl said enthusiastically.
“Come inside, Adam. You can freshen up and tell us about it all,” Elijah said.
Adam grasped Elijah’s hand. “That sounds mighty fine to me.”
Chapter Thirty-One
It was late before everyone had heard the story, several times, and the many questions answered. Finally, Adam was alone with Elijah. He pulled Elijah into a tight embrace and kissed him tenderly.
“Come to bed with me.” Elijah spoke when the kiss ended, his lips brushing Adam’s cheek. “I want you so much.”
“Yes.” Adam almost groaned the word. His dick was hard and aching, but that wasn’t all. His heart yearned for the intimacy and craved making love one last time, before he returned to his life as a marshal and left Elijah in his world as a wealthy rancher.
When they entered the room, Elijah moved ahead to light the lamps. Adam looked around as the light revealed the few pieces of furniture Elijah had. The bed itself had been built into an alcove which meant it was bigger than just the single bed, which Adam had feared it would be. A small chest of drawers stood beside it.
There was a large, well-stocked bookcase next to a window seat, a small table with a plain wooden chair, and a tall chest of drawers. The room was simple and plain. Adam frowned. In truth, he’d expected Elijah’s room to be more lavish. Not that it mattered to him in the slightest.
A touch on his shoulder made him turn to face Elijah, who framed Adam’s face in his hands and pulled him down for a kiss. Adam opened his mouth as Elijah’s tongue slid across his lips. He wrapped his arms around Elijah’s waist and pulled him close as the kiss continued.
“Make love with me.” Elijah took a step away from Adam as the kiss ended, and he began to strip.
For a moment, Adam didn’t move. His gaze remained riveted on Elijah as he shrugged off his shirt revealing his lightly muscled torso and pale skin. As he unbuckled his belt, Elijah looked over at Adam, who smiled at his quizzical look.
“I want to always remember how goddamn gorgeous you are,” he whispered.
Elijah ducked his head briefly and then met Adam’s gaze levelly. “I want to see you, too, and feel you on me, in me. I was so scared, so worried. I need to know you’re here and safe. I want to be able to still feel you tomorrow.”
The words made Adam’s heart race, and exhilaration flowed through his veins. He unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it aside. “I’ll show you we’re both fine, beautiful,” he whispered. He attacked his belt and pants as Elijah sat on the bed to pull off his boots. Both of them shoved their pants down at the same time. Adam yanked off his boots and stepped free of the pants as Elijah rose to his feet and stood naked before him.
Adam closed the distance between them in three strides, taking Elijah in his arms and kissing him. He urged Elijah back and on to the bed and covered his body with his own. Adam kissed down Elijah’s jaw to his chest and took one peaked nipple into his mouth.
Elijah moaned softly and threaded his hands through Adam’s hair, his fingers tightening and releasing their hold rhythmically. Adam licked his way across Elijah’s chest to suckle on the other perfect nub, and as his did, he slid a hand down to fondle Elijah’s sac.
Elijah groaned and pushed his hips into the touch. Not willing to abandon the treat he nibbled, Adam stroked Elijah with a loose grip. Finally, he dropped kisses down Elijah’s torso until he reached the hard flesh in his right hand.
Adam tightened his grip a little and ran his thumb over the slit, encouraging Elijah’s pre-ejaculate to flow before lapping the glistening shaft.
Elijah gasped Adam’s name and jerked his hips upward. Held down by Adam’s left arm, he could only writhe and whisper Adam’s name repeatedly.
The needy, breathy sound from Elijah’s lips inflamed Adam more. Ignoring his own aching dick, he focused on Elijah. Adam held the base of Elijah’s shaft and ran his tongue up and down the prominent vein, around the head, and over the slit.
He took the head between his lips and sucked as he slowly descended the hot, hard flesh. He moved up and down Elijah’s cock, hollowing his cheeks as he increased suction, pressing his tongue against the sensitive underside.
“Adam. Stop or I’ll spill, and I want you inside me when I do.”
At Elijah’s plea, Adam let his lover’s cock slide from his mouth. “Oil,” he whispered, his voice low and husky.
“Top drawer,” Elijah murmured.
Adam reached for the oil. He adjusted the pillows so that he could recline on them, his rock-hard cock lying against his stomach. He looked at Elijah and patted his thighs. “Straddle me.” Adam ran a hand down Elijah’s back and brought his oiled fingers against his lover’s entrance.
With slow, deliberate movements, Adam prepared Elijah. His own arousal burned in his veins as Elijah unraveled under his ministrations. Elijah’s back arched, and he moaned continually as Adam moved three fingers inside of him. He writhed, thrusting forward to grind his cock against Adam’s and then back to impale himself further on Adam’s slick, probing digits.
As he moved his fingers, Adam’s gaze never left Elijah’s face as he watched pleasure and enjoyment dance across the beloved visage. His lover’s eyes were closed, his head thrown back, and his mouth open in an
O
, as he rode Adam’s fingers. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
Adam brushed sweat-soaked curls from Elijah’s forehead as his lover’s eyes opened, and Elijah smiled at him.
“I love you, Adam. I need you. Please?”
“Yes.” Adam eased his fingers from Elijah’s body and positioned his cock at his entrance. He gazed into Elijah’s eyes as he sank down onto his flesh. “I love you,” he whispered as he pushed inside. “I love you.”
By the time Adam’s hard shaft filled his lover, Elijah was panting and soft mewls of pleasure fell from his lips. He sat astride Adam, his head thrown back, not moving for a moment as his let his body adjust to Adam’s thick flesh inside him.
Adam stared at him, overwhelmed by love, desire, and the feeling of completion that encompassed him. Elijah really was the most beautiful creature that he had ever laid eyes on, and the only one who’d ever made his heart come alive. A part of him could simply have watched Elijah like this forever, but a more demanding part was desperate for Elijah to move. The tight heat that surrounded his cock felt unbearably delicious, and he needed more.
He tilted his hips up slightly, and Elijah braced his hands on Adam’s shoulders as he leaned forward and kissed him. Then he rocked gently, and Adam moaned at the erotic, sliding friction the action caused. He pulled Elijah down into a more passionate kiss. He pushed his tongue into Elijah’s mouth, and his lover’s movements built up into a steady rhythm to the ebb and flow of their kiss.
Elijah shifted as the kiss ended, tilting his hips a little more. His breath hitched, and Adam guessed his cock now brushed over his lover’s pleasure point. Adam wished they could keep this slow, steady pace forever, but his body headed toward his release. He jabbed his hips upward increasing the tempo, and Elijah matched his movements.
Adam took Elijah’s neglected cock in hand and stroked firmly. Elijah gasped and bucked into the touch. Adam groaned Elijah’s name as his lover’s inner muscles contracted and relaxed around his dick. He stroked harder, trying to ensure Elijah spilled first. He was rewarded by a choked gasp of his name as Elijah’s seed splashed against his belly. He couldn’t hold back any longer and his release flowed deep inside Elijah’s body.
Coming down from his high, Adam pulled Elijah into another kiss and ran his hands up and down his lover’s sweat-dampened back. Elijah laid his head against his shoulder, and Adam nuzzled his hair and temple. They lay unmoving, Adam bearing Elijah’s weight happily. Elijah moved a little, and Adam stroked the smooth skin of his shoulders. “Just rest here awhile, beautiful. I just want to hold you in my arms.”
Elijah’s reply was whispered so softly, Adam strained to hear the words of love and held him closer. He wanted to remember this moment, the feeling of love. Memories were all he would have once he left the Lazy E.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Adam sat in the Chief’s office as William paced back and forth, waving his hands expressively as he spoke.
“You don’t have a choice in the matter, Adam,” William said, his voice sharp. “King Xipil has asked for you and Madison to be at his banquet. He can’t thank us openly, but he can thank you personally.”
William stopped, leaned forward, and looked at Adam closely. His voice became softer, and he smiled. “Take a couple of weeks off. You deserve it, and looking at you, it’s needed.”
“Yes, sir.” Adam was not going to tell William that his haggard appearance owed less to the strains of his mission and more to the hole in his heart where Elijah should be. The more he thought about what he had to offer the young man, the less he came up with.
Elijah didn’t officially take over the Lazy E for another couple of months, but he effectively ran the ranch. With the imposter Mortimer dead, Mitch acted as a stop gap guardian. From the discussions Adam had heard before leaving, Mitch had the notion that Abe and Elijah should buy the Big A. Carter had left no heirs to inherit it upon his death. If he did that, Elijah wouldn’t just be the biggest ranch owner in the area but one of the biggest in Texas.
How could he possibly fit into that kind of world? Adam had even managed to avoid Madison so far, knowing his friend would try to talk him into going back. A deep sigh escaped him. Adam decided he would travel alone. Then all he had to worry about was dodging Madison as much as possible during the banquet. Madison wouldn’t let him escape entirely, and he’d deal with his partner when the time came.
Add another couple of weeks and a mission that would surely be waiting at the end of the break, and things would be back to normal. He buried his face in his hands.
Who am I trying to fool? Things will never be as they were before Elijah. I’ll never forget him. Ever.
Elijah wasn’t just beautiful on the outside. He was intelligent, compassionate, and brave. They even shared the same love of horses. Memories of their ride to catch the wild mustangs flitted through Adam’s mind. They were followed by the moment his heart had almost stopped when Elijah had dashed from the house carrying the statue, willing to sacrifice himself for Adam.