Chapter 12: Calls at Midnight

by Jo Ann

Series: Lessons in Love

Altnernate Universe Into The Fold

Other than a small sliver of moonlight that bathed the mound of covers in its soft glow the room was completely dark. The only sound heard was the faint humming of the air conditioner. That was until the muffled ringing of a phone broke the tranquility.

One half of the mound moved while the other continued to sleep. "Ezra," a raspy voice said.

The only response was the straightening of one leg.

"Ezra," the voice persisted then nudged the body.

"Hmm?" a voice grunted.

"Answer the phone."

"Hmm?"

"Answer the phone."

"Phone?"

"Yeah, it might be important."

"You answer it."

"Ezra, it's right there next to you."

"So? Your arms are longer than mine."

Vin couldn't help, but smile at that. Reaching down he pinched the sexiest ass he'd ever seen.

"Ouch!"

"Answer the phone."

"Fine!" he grumbled and flung an arm toward the stand and fumbled around for a couple of seconds. "Where is the phone?" he finally asked.

"On the stand."

"Well I can't find it."

"Dammit Ezra, you drive me insane," Vin fussed and reached over and snapped on the light.

Ezra screamed and covered his eyes. "You might warn a man, before you attempt to blind him."

Vin laughed then frowned because the phone wasn't on the stand. "What did you do with the phone? Did you hide it again?"

"What?"

"The phone. Now where is it?"

"I don't know . . ."

Vin crawled over him and sat beside him. "Come on," he said then nudged Ezra with his elbow.

"Where?"

"Help me find the phone."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you blinded me."

Vin grinned then found himself grabbed by the waist and flipped over backwards. He smiled up into Ezra's green eyes and said, "I thought you were blind."

"I am. Everything's kinda blurry. I think I may have to feel my way around," Ezra told him with a sexy grin and started touching him everywhere. "Besides, even a blind man could see your charms, my sweet."

Vin laughed at that and then moaned as Ezra took him in his hand. "That's . . . not the phone," he said in a breathless voice.

"Oh, I don't know . . . it calls to me much more effectively than anything Alexander Gram Bell could have ever invented," he countered. "Besides, it's stopped."

"What stopped?"

"The phone."

Wrapping his arms around his lover Vin flipped them over and whispered, "You're crazy. You know that don't you?"

"Only about you."

Just then the phone began again. They looked at each other and Ezra said, "Don't answer it. Calls at midnight bring nothing but trouble. Trust me on this Vin. I was a Federal agent ... I know these things."

"That's all the more reason to answer it isn't it? I mean, what if Buck or JD are in trouble?" Vin asked. Then cocked an eyebrow at him when he made no comment, something he wasn't able to do before meeting Ezra.

"I'm thinking," Ezra replied with an arched eyebrow and a twinkle in his eyes. "I'm just kidding. I would never leave your family stranded. For long."

Vin shook his head and suddenly found himself shoved back on the bed. "Hey!"

"Get up and help me find the phone," he fussed. "I cannot believe you want to leave your family stranded somewhere," he said with a sad shake of his head.

"Ezra . . ." Vin laughed as Ezra got to his feet only to slip on something and fall to the floor.

"I found the phone," he told the still laughing Vin.

"Here let me help you up."

"Thank you kind sir."

They hurried to their cell phones only to discover that they weren't ringing. Looking at each other, they frowned. "I think it's coming from over here," Vin said and headed for their dresser. Opening a drawer he felt around until he found it. "What's this phone doing in here?" he asked.

Vin clicked it on and then froze as Ezra suddenly hollered, "Nooooo!" He gave his lover a questioning look then frowned as he clearly heard a woman's voice just before it clicked off. Looking up at Ezra, Vin said, "That was woman's voice."

"Yes, I know."

"What's a woman doing calling you?"

"Would you rather it was a man?"

"Ezra . . ."

"Well . . ."

"Why the hell would a woman be calling you this late at night?"

"Well . . ."

"Is that why you had the phone hidden in the drawer?"

"Well . . ."

"If a man answers hang up the phone? Is that the signal?"

~/~/~

Ezra started laughing. He couldn't help it. Of course, Vin didn't see it that way and gave his shoulder a little shove.

"Dammit Ezra, this ani't funny!"

Ezra stopped laughing as the phone started ringing again.

"I'm answering it and I'm gonna find out just what the hell this woman wants with my lover," he growled. Then clicked on the phone. "Hello?"

The Southerner walked over and sat on the bed. He knew who was on the phone and looked forward to seeing how Vin handled his dear Mother.

"Who wants to know?" Vin asked. "Standish?" His lover turned to look at him with a frown. "You Ezra's ma? . . . Mother or ma, what's it matter? It's the same thing, ani't it? . . . Well, you're still his ma. . . . Me? My name's Vin Tanner."

Ezra grinned at the one-sided conversation he was listening to.

"Yes, ma'am, he's here," Vin said and came to sit next to him.

The grin fell from Ezra's face as shook his head no, indicating that he didn't want to talk with her.

"Well, . . . ma'am Ez . . . Yes, ma'am I know his name. Ez, is a nickname. No, he don't mind," Vin looked at Ezra with a frown. "No, ma'am he don't want ta talk with ya. Yes, ma'am I'll be glad to give him a message for ya . . . You're gonna be in Denver. Well, you know Ez, don't live in there no more. No, he don't . . . No he don't . . . Ez lives in Four Corners . . . No, ma'am, Four Corners . . . No offense taken . . . Ok, you want me to tell Ezra that you'll be here within the week. Ok. Bye," he hung up the phone and shuddered.

Ezra shook his head and fell backwards on the bed, covered his face with his hands, and beat his feet on the floor in frustration. He groaned and peered at Vin through his fingers.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You gonna explain why ya didn't want to talk with your mother?"

"You want me to explain my mother?"

"Yeah," Vin said with an exasperated sigh.

Ezra got to his feet and paced around the room. "Believe me when I say, that not even I know enough words to explain her!" he told him. "If we start packing now, we could be gone by noon tomorrow . . ."

"What about my brothers?"

"We'll bring 'em with us!" Ezra was starting to warm to the idea. "We'll pack up everything!"

"You want ta run?!"

"Damn straight! We run as far and as fast as we can. We run until we can't run anymore. Then we'll veer to the left," he told him. "Maybe we can go to . . . go to . . . go to Canada. Or Alaska."

Vin laughed. "I can't believe you want to leave . . ."

"Maude Standish is a jackal . . ."

"Don't they eat their young?"

"Yes! I barely escaped with my life!"

"Ezra!" he cried and clutched his side as tears of laughter rolled down his cheeks.

"I am so glad you think this is funny!"

Vin shook his head and tried to catch his breath. Then held a hand out to him.

Ezra took the offered hand and sat in his lap.

"Don't worry I'll protect you."

"This isn't funny," he said and pulled away from him and crawled over to his side of the bed. "You don't know her like I do, Vin. You have no idea the hell she can unleash." Ezra knew he was overreacting, but couldn't help it. He hadn't seen his mother in almost three years and didn't relish their reunion.

"I'm sorry Ezra," Vin said as he lay down beside him. "It's just that I've never seen you act this way before."

Ezra wrapped his arms around his lover and closed his eyes.

"Don't you even want to know why she's coming?"

"Oh, I know why," he replied. "She's coming to see what I've been spending my money on."

"The money you invested in the ranch?"

Ezra nodded his yes and rubbed Vin's back.

"But why?"

"She wanted me to invest in some scheme she was running and I flat out refused," he explained. "Needlessly to say Maude got mad and . . . I haven't heard from her since."

"How long ago was that?"

There was a long pause before Ezra said, "Almost three years."

~/~/~

A couple of days later Vin, Chris, and Buck were out checking on the stock when Vin's cell phone rang. Pulling his horse to a stop, he said, "Hello." Then smiled as he heard Ezra's honeyed southerner draw on the other end. Vin burst out laughing as Ezra asked him what he was wearing, in a sexy voice. He felt his face heat up as Chris and Buck looked at him in wonder. They talked for a couple of minutes then Vin said, "Look Ez, I gotta go . . . Chris is glaring at me . . . Yeah, I love you too."

Chris shook his head and Buck grinned.

"What?"

"Nothing. Nothing, what so ever," Chris mumbled under his breath. "Let's just get this over with. Okay?"

When they returned Vin quickly took care of his horse then headed out of the barn. Hearing Ezra laughing he walked around the side of the house to investigate and was greeted with a sight that Vin knew he would dream about for years to come. Ezra and JD were washing Ezra's car and the new truck. Vin stopped in his tracks and let his eyes drink in the vision before him. Starting with the legs and working his way up. Vin lazily ran his gaze up Ezra's lightly tanned calves, caressed his strong thighs, and grinned at the cut-offs his lover was wearing, not only because they were his, but because they hugged his hips and ass like a second skin. Vin knew he would have fun peeling those off him later.

Ezra turned and Vin felt his mouth go dry at the sight of Ezra's glistening chest. He felt himself harden and begin to throb. His breath caught as Ezra shook the water out of his hair then laughed at something JD said sending water cascading around him. Vin swallowed hard as he saw his lover casually swiped his hand across his chest. He clinched his jaw as some of the excess water pooled at Ezra's navel and Vin fought the urge to grab Ezra and throw him to the ground so that he could lap at that pool.

He gasped as he suddenly found himself on the business end of the water hose. Vin sputtered and hollered, "Ezra!"

"Nah uh! It was JD!"

"He's got the hose!" JD said in his defense.

Vin shook the water out of hair and took a step forward only to come to a stop as a southern voice warned.

"I have a hose and I'm not afraid to use it."

With a slight title of his head Vin grabbed the bucket of soapy water and threw the contents at him. It would have worked except that Ezra dropped to the ground and rolled out of the way. But what had everyone holding their breath was the fact that the bucket also flew out of Vin's hand and landed on the hood of the Jag.

"Ohhhhh!" JD suddenly said, breaking the silence. "You're in trouble now!"

Vin could understand how Ezra was so successful as a Federal Agent he had him pinned to the spot with just a look and was holding the nozzle of the hose like a gun. Vin decided that his only chance for survival was to use the one weapon he had. "Ezra . . . I love you," he said with heart felt sincerity.

Ezra blinked his eyes and relaxed his stance just a little.

Seeing that Vin pounced. Grabbing the hose he tried to wrestle it away from his lover, but Ezra wouldn't go down easily and squeezed the trigger dousing them both. Vin sucked in a breath as the cold water soaked through the front of his jeans and caressed his overheated skin.

"Hey!" a voice suddenly shouted out. "Quit wasting all that damned water!"

Ezra and Vin both stopped and turned as one and aimed the hose at Chris. Vin was grinning at Chris and never noticed that Ezra had taken control of the hose until he was under the spray. "Ezra!" he cried and grabbed him just was he turned away. Vin wrapped one arm around Ezra's waist and grabbed the hose with the other. Then together they backed away from the threat that was Chris Larabee.

"Ezra!" a shrill voice rang out causing them both to spin around.

Ezra reacted on instinct and fired.

"EZRA PATRICK STANDISH!" the lady sputtered and glared at them all.

Vin felt his lover tense for a moment then relax.

"Hello, Mother," Ezra said. Then with a cocky smirk on his face added, "My aren't you looking lovely today."

"One of these days I'm gonna slap that cocky shit eating smirk right off your face," she warned.

Vin released Ezra and watched as he stepped closer to his mother and hold his arms wide open and asked, "Don't I get a hug?"

"Not like you are presently attired . . . or should I say unattired," she replied with a look of disgust on her face.

"You always have an excuse."

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your . . . friends?"

"I'd really rather not," Ezra told her, "but I suppose I shall just the same." He quickly introduced everyone then took Vin's hand and said, "And this is Vin Tanner my . . . the love of my life."

Vin watched Ezra's mother to how she would react, but other than a raised eyebrow she did nothing. "Ma'am," he said.

"Mr. Tanner," Maude replied in a cool voice. Then looked at Ezra and said, "For heaven's sake Ezra put a shirt on. No one wants to look at all those imperfections marring your body."

Vin bristled at that and commented, "Oh, I don't know ma'am his body looks pretty damned good to me."

"Yes, well, to each their own," she said.

~/~/~

Ezra quickly stepped between his mother and Vin. "So Mother, how long are you in town for?"

"Just over night," Maude told him. "I'm on my way to Spain and . . ."

With a shake of his head he said, "Don't."

"But Ezra . . ."

Ezra leaned over and gave Vin a kiss then stepped forward and despite her grimace, took her hand. "Come for a walk with me," he said not really giving her a choice in the matter as he pulled her behind him. Once Ezra was sure they were out of hearing range he stopped and turned to face her. "Okay, Mother let's get one thing straight right here and right now. Whatever it is you want. You are not going to get."

"Ezra . . ."

"I mean it. I have a life here. A life that I love. Vin . . ."

"Ezra you're so much better than . . . this," Maude said with a sweep of her hand. "You deserve better. I raised you for better . . ."

"You raised?"

"Let's not start that again!" she snapped. "I had such plans for you!"

"It's always about you!" Ezra cried. "Why isn't it ever about me? About what I want? What I need?"

"This is what happens when I let you choose for yourself!" Maude with another sweep her hand. "If it's a man you want then why can't it be a prince! Or someone with a future! You don't have to settle for . . . for that!"

"HIS name is Vin Tanner and I haven't settled for anything!" Ezra intoned. "And as for Vin's future . . . that would be me."

"I swear Ezra . . ."

"I'm happy here, Mother," he told her in a quiet tone. "And I will not allow you to mess that up." Taking a step closer to her Ezra warned her, "In fact, if you cause any trouble I'll boot you out on your ass. Do you understand?"

"Ezra . . ."

"Do you understand?"

"Ezra . . ."

"Mother," Ezra said in a cold tone he only ever used while working undercover.

"I understand."

"Good. Now come along and we'll get you settled in," he told her and started walking away. Leaving her in the middle of a mud puddle.

~/~/~

Maude showed no outward expression, but inside she was singing. Finally. Finally, she thought to herself, her darlin' boy has found someone he trusted enough to give his heart to. As soon as the first dime left Ezra's accounts Maude had these men checked out. Thoroughly checked out. No one was going to take advantage of her son; except her, Maude mused to herself.

When the reports didn't turn up anything out of the way. Maude decided to check them out first hand and find out if this Vincent James Tanner was worthy of her son.

Maude frowned as she took a step and heard the ground squish around her hand made Italian shoes. "Ezra!" she called out.

Two hours later Maude sat at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee. "You know Ezra was born in a house like this," she told them for some reason. "Ezra's father and I were being forced to evaluate when my water broke. There wasn't time to get to the hospital and just as the eye of the hurricane pasted over us Ezra was born. Seven pounds, seven ounces. Didn't have a strand of hair on his head," Maude said with a laugh making the others laugh as well.

Just then Ezra and Vin walked in. "What's she telling you?" Ezra asked.

"Nothing," Buck told him, "except that you didn't have any hair as a baby."

Ezra hung his head and sighed.

Maude inwardly smiled as she watched these unusual men tease her son. She especially kept an eye on Vin. Maude could read the love in his eyes and had to admit that they seemed well suited to each other. Vin Tanner certainly was an attractive man. His ginger colored hair and striking blue eyes could turn anyone's head. And just like his mother, Ezra had excellent taste.

She almost sighed as she looked at the big handsome man sitting to her left. Oh, Josiah, if only you were a little older, Maude thought to herself. And of course, a little richer. Actually they were all attractive men.

Clearing her throat Maude excused herself and headed for the little girl's room. When she returned a couple of minutes, later she found only Vin in the kitchen. "Where has everyone gone?"

"Livingroom," Vin replied.

Stepping closer to him Maude looked him directly in the eye and said, "I've never been one to beat around the bush. So I'm going to come straight to the point." She paused and took another step closer. "I'll give you ten thousand dollars to leave my son alone." Maude watched as those striking blue eyes widened in shock then saw his whole body tense.

"Forget it!" Vin told her. "I wouldn't give up Ezra for all the money in the world!"

"All right I'll double whatever he's invested in this . . . place."

"Are you serious?"

"Very well, Mr. Tanner, I'll triple it . . ."

"NO!" Vin cried.

"I believe you actually mean that . . ."

"Of course I mean it!"

"Ezra has been all over the world, he has seen and does things that you've only dreamed about," Maude told him. "How long do you think, he'll be happy in a place like this?"

"Ezra will be happy wherever I am."

"So you won't take the money."

"Ma'am there isn't much I wouldn't do for Ezra, but the one thing I know I could never do is leave him. Ezra is my life," Vin told her. "So no, I won't take the money."

That was just what she wanted to hear. Reaching out Maude patted him on the face and said, "I had to be sure. He's all I have in this world and I had to know that he found someone who was worthy of him." Stretching up she kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you."

Never comfortable with tender emotions Maude stepped back before he could say anything and with small smile she pushed everything back behind her mask. Then walked out.

~/~/~

Ezra stepped into the livingroom and when he didn't see his lover he asked, "Where's Vin?"

"Kitchen."

"Alone?"

"No, I think your mother's in there . . ."

Ezra felt his heart stop and he snapped, "You left Vin alone with my mother!"

"Ezra you sound as if you don't trust me?" a feminine voice said from behind him.

Twirling around Ezra gave his mother a hard look and replied, "I don't. Where's Vin?"

"Still in the kitchen . . ."

"If you've hurt him . . ."

"You'll what?" Maude taunted. "Never speak to me again?" she asked. "You really shouldn't tempt me."

"You are impossible! Do you know that?! You drive me completely insane!"

"Just doing my job, dear."

Ezra snorted and pushed past her. Stepping into the kitchen he walked up behind Vin and wrapped his arms around him. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Really? 'Cause if she didn't something to upset you I'll throw her out right now . . ."

"Ezra you cannot throw your mother out!" Vin told him with a smile. "Maude didn't do anything."

"Then why are you still in here? She did or said something. I know it."

"She did only what any parent would."

When Vin didn't say anything else, Ezra threw his hands in the air and snapped, "Well! What is that?!"

"She wanted to know my intentions . . ."

"Your intentions?" Ezra snorted and shook his head. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes, I do."

"My mother?" he continued to question him.

"Yes."

"That's it? That's all she wanted?"

"Yes."

Ezra snorted again then said, "Fine. Don't tell me the truth then." He took a deep breath and was about to say something else when he found himself pushed up against the kitchen counter.

"Shut up Ezra," Vin told him.

Before he could say anything, Vin was kissing him. Ezra pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. The Southerner groaned as his lover pulled back.

"It doesn't matter what she said, Ezra," Vin said. "The only thing that does matter is that we love each other. Right?"

Ezra felt all his anxieties leave him. Pulling Vin's head down he gave him a quick hard kiss and said, "You're right. I'm sorry. She makes me crazy." Ezra pushed Vin away as he moved closer to him. "Sorry, lover, but if we keep this up sleeping will be very difficult tonight."

"Why?"

"Hello! My mother is going to be sleeping in our bed. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah," he said with a big sigh.

"Guess where we'll be sleeping tonight?"

"The couch," Vin replied with a smile.

Ezra returned his smiled. "What is it with you and this couch?"

"I told you it's real cozy. We can sleep pressed up against each other . . ."

"We do that in our bed."

"Yeah, but on the couch we'll be pressed even tighter together."

Ezra shivered as Vin nuzzled his neck.

"We can still make love on the couch . . ."

"What?! Oh, no, we can't!"

"Why not? We've done it before . . ."

"Hello! My mother will be in the next room."

Vin laughed. "Ezra our room is at the back of the house. You'll just have to be quiet."

"Me? What about you?"

"Just don't touch my belly button and we'll be fine . . ."

"No. No. No," Ezra interrupted shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but we cannot have sex with my mother in the next room."

"You didn't have a problem with us making love in the office . . ."

"Someone forgot to lock the door and your brothers walked in on us," Ezra reminded him. "I'd die if my mother were to do the same," he groaned.

"But Ezra," Vin whined. "I need you."

"Vin, please don't look at me like that," he pleaded and stepped away from him. He swallowed hard at the achy look in Vin's blue eyes which were dark with passion and his lips were slightly swollen from their kisses. Ezra sighed and moved back against his lover only to freeze as Josiah walked in.

"Sorry, to interrupt . . ."

"Don't worry about it," Vin muttered under his breath.

"Ezra if I were you I'd hurry up and get back in there . . ."

"Why? What's she doing?"

"Telling tales."

"Oh, God," Ezra groaned and raced from the room.

~/~/~

Vin grinned as Maude finished up telling them about how a seven-year old Ezra had conned his teacher into ordering pizza for his entire second grade class. Darting a glance at his lover he smiled then got to his feet and excused himself. After flushing the toilet Vin washed his hands and splashed some cold water on his face. Then dried his hands, face, opened the door, and found himself face to face with his lover.

Ezra pushed him back then closed and locked the door. And reached for his jeans and had them down to his knees before Vin knew it. "Ezra . . ." the rest of what Vin was going to say was forgotten as his lover captured his lips in a mind blowing kiss.

"We don't have much time," Ezra whispered against his lips then nipped his nipple through his shirt causing Vin to groan in pleasure.

Vin gasped as Ezra grabbed him by the waist, lifted him up and sat him beside the sink. He nearly fell off as his shaft was suddenly engulfed. Ezra gripped him by the hips and held him still as he was quickly brought to the edge. Vin just was able to stifle his scream as he erupted into Ezra's eager mouth. With trembling hands he grabbed Ezra by the head and brought him up then took his lover's mouth in a savage kiss. The need for air had them soon separating.

He leaned heavily against Ezra as he was set back on his feet and Ezra pulled his jeans back up. "Ezra," Vin whispered then took his ear lobe in his mouth. "Your turn."

"I wish, but there isn't time," Ezra whispered in return. Then with one final kiss he pulled away and pressed his ear to the door. "Do you hear anything?"

Vin pressed up behind him and rested his chin on Ezra's shoulder. "No." He reluctantly released Ezra and watched as he left the bathroom. After a couple of minutes Vin joined the others and sat on the arm of Ezra's chair. His body and mind were still reeling from earlier and was making it hard for Vin to concentrate on the conversation going on around him.

A little later that night Vin spread a sheet on the couch and set a blanket on the end. He snatched the pillow away from Ezra as he walked into the room then tossed on the end of the couch. "Where's your mother?" Vin asked him. When Ezra didn't answer him he turned and saw Ezra looking at him with a knowing look on his face. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"What are you wearing?"

"Pajamas . . ." Vin's trailed off. He knew what Ezra was thinking. Knew that Ezra was remembering him saying that he'd never wear them. "You know since I cut the legs off they aren't so bad. Aren't you gonna tell me ya told me so?"

Ezra grinned and gloated, "I love being right."

Vin grabbed the pillow to hit him, but missed.

"Ha, ha you missed."

He swung again.

"Ha, you missed again!"

Vin tossed the pillow aside then lunged for him and caught him around the waist. "Now I got you," he said with a laugh.

"Are you sure it isn't me who has you?"

"We can have each other."

"If only, that were true."

Vin smiled against his lips before slipping his tongue into Ezra's mouth. He answered Ezra's shiver with one of his own. Then gasped into his lover's mouth as he felt Ezra rub against him.

"Vin," Ezra moaned and pulled a little away from him.

"Do you boys need anything from the bathroom?" Maude asked as she stepped into the room.

Vin felt a flush of red spread up from his chest to his face and removed his hand from the inside of Ezra's pajamas. Then buried his face in Ezra's neck.

"Oh, don't mind me Mr. Tanner."

"We don't require anything," Ezra told her.

"After I take a shower I'm going straight to bed, so I'll tell you both goodnight now," she said with a wave of her hand.

"Goodnight, Mother."

"Night, ma'am," Vin mumbled from where his hiding place. "Is she gone?" he whispered in Ezra's ear.

"Yes . . ."

"Good," he said then bent down, scooped Ezra up in his arms, and carried him over to the couch. Setting him on his feet Vin gave him a quick hard kiss then jerked his pajama bottoms down and off. Then pushed Ezra down on the couch before removing his own pajamas.

"Vin . . ."

"She's about to take a shower," Vin told him. Then with a grin Vin knelt between Ezra's legs and said, "If we time this right then we can be done before she is." He shivered as Ezra wrapped a hand around him and started to pump. Vin fought back the urge to let him continued. "We don't have time for that," he complained and removed his hand. He then stretched out on top of Ezra and captured his lips then began slowly grinding himself against Ezra. Vin grunted into his lover's mouth as his ass was grabbed and his opening was teased by a finger. "Ezzzzrrrra," he moaned and buried his face in his neck hoping to stifle his cries of pleasure.

"V .. i .. n," Ezra moaned in reply.

Vin shuddered as both him and Ezra climaxed at the same time coating their chests and stomachs. He nibbled his way up Ezra's neck until he reached his lips and whispered, "I love you." Then before his lover could respond Vin was taking his lips in a deep sour searing kiss.

Pulling back he grinned and said, "See I told you she wouldn't catch us." Vin got to his feet and walked into the kitchen to get a dish towel clean them both up. Returning he quickly wiped them both off and had just stepped back into the kitchen to get them something to drink when Maude stepped into room. Thankfully Vin was standing in the shadows behind the counter so Ezra's mother couldn't see him or his full body blush.

He watched as Ezra quickly covered himself with the sheet.

"Mr. Tanner would you be so kind as to hand me a bottle of water?"

Vin felt himself pale and wondered how he was going to get from where he was to the refrigerator without being seen.

"Mother, have you lost weight?" Ezra suddenly asked and giving Vin the break he needed.

"I have been working out. Phillip Ackerman, my latest . . . friend is quite the health enthusiast," she told him. "If he wasn't so wealthy I'd have gotten rid of him the first time he had me on a stair master," she shuddered.

"Here ya go ma'am," Vin said handing her the bottle of water.

"Thank you," Maude said. "Goodnight."

As soon as she walked out of the room Vin sprinted back to the couch and grabbed his pajamas. "Damn that was close," he told a grinning Ezra, who had already pulled his back on.

"You know I almost let her go in there . . ."

"So what stopped you?" he asked as they fixed the sheet. Vin snapped off the lamp, laid down then held the sheet open for Ezra.

"Because I don't want anyone seeing your sexy body except me. Especially my mother."

"Thank you." Vin smiled against his shoulder. "Now see isn't this nice," he sighed at the feel of their bodies were pressed together from head to toe.

"Extremely, but I still say we can do this on our bed," Ezra pointed out.

"You just have to argue don't you," he said with smile.

"No," Ezra said with snort then snuggled closer to him.

"And why is it you always have to have the last word?"

"I don't always have to have the last word . . ."

"I know you don't have to, but you like to . . ."

"I sure I don't know what you're talking about . . ."

"Yes, you do . . ."

"And why wouldn't you tell me what you were wearing earlier?"

This time Vin snorted and said, "For one thing both Chris and Buck were right beside me. And I shouldn't have had to since you helped dressed me this mornin' . . ."

Ezra shook his head and turn over so that he was now facing him. "That's not how the game is played . . ."

"What game?" he asked then shivered as Ezra pushed his leg between both of his.

"You've clearly never had phone sex have you?"

Vin looked at him and replied with a laugh, "No! Have you?"

"Well, no . . ."

"Then how do you know?"

"I've seen movies . . ."

"What kind of movies?"

"Not that 'kind' of movie," Ezra said with a grin.

Vin laughed and opened his mouth to tease him when Maude suddenly said, "You boys hush now and go to sleep."

"Mother!"

"Really, Ezra, I don't wish to hear any more about you boys having phone sex . . ."

"Then get up and close the door!" Ezra sat up and hollered. Then gave Vin a sheepish look. "Mother has always had exceptional hearing . . ."

"I swear you are the rudest child I have ever had . . ."

"I'm the only child you ever had . . ."

"Exactly!"

"I take after my dear sweet Mother."

"Oh!" Maude muttered and slammed the bedroom door shut.

As soon as Ezra lay back down Vin buried his face in his neck. He took a deep breath and nearly groaned as his head was filled with his lover's enticing smell. Vin lifted his head and gave it a good shake and asked, "Do you think she heard what you said about my body?"

"Oh, yeah . . ."

"Aww man!" he whined.

"Don't be embarrassed," he told him in a sexy voice that send a shiver down Vin's spine. "You do have a deliciously sexy body . . ."

Vin clamped a hand over Ezra mouth. "Please don't," he said with moan, "or I'm gonna make love to you the way I wanted to earlier. Now turn around." Vin placed a hand on Ezra's hip once he had. Then whispered, "Scoot back. A little more. There! That's perfect. No! . . . Don't wiggle like that . . ." He bit his lip as Ezra wickedly rubbed against him.

"I'm only trying to get comfortable," Ezra said in a breathless tone.

"E z r a," he growled and tightened his hold on that hip preventing any further movement. "Hold still and go to sleep."

"Go very well," Ezra grumbled and linked their fingers together then drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Vin tensed as Maude walked into the kitchen. "Would you like some coffee ma'am?"

"Thank you," she said. "Where's Ezra?"

"In the shower," he replied. Without me, he silently added.

Maude took a sip of her coffee and began to sputter. "Oh, my . . ." she hissed and wiped her chin. "Does Ezra drink this?"

"Yes, ma'am, on occasion."

"Well, no wonder his color has improved since the last time I saw him," Maude said, "he's tanning from the inside out."

Vin couldn't help, but laugh at that. Then tense as she leaned closer to him.

"Mr. Tanner . . . Vin, I haven't much time . . ."

"This isn't about that money again is it?"

"Why have you changed your mind?"

"NO!"

"Good," Maude said with a smile. "This isn't easy for me to say, but I watched you with my son last night and . . . and I saw how happy you make him and . . . for that I thank you."

Vin couldn't believe it. Ezra's mother was nervous. Or at least, seemed nervous. She kept fiddling with her cup.

"Here," she finally said and handed him a card. "This is my personal number. No one except Ezra and my attorney have it," she explained. "If there is ever anything you or Ezra needs . . . call me. And I'll make sure you get it," Maude told him. "I know I grumble and bitch a lot, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my son. Or you and your family."

"Thank you, ma'am." Vin watched as Maude got to her feet.

"My driver will be here shortly . . ." she trailed off as Ezra walked in the room wearing only his jeans. "Do you always go around half dressed?" she asked him.

"There are you happy now," Ezra quipped as he pulled on his shirt, which he held in his hand.

"And don't you own something besides . . . jeans?"

"Dress pants aren't very practical around here . . ."

"Practical?" she muttered. "Good heavens! What are these people doing to you?"

"All sorts of things!" he teased her. "Just last week I rode on the tractor with Vin!"

"A tractor?" Maude repeated with a look of disgust on her face. "I don't care to hear anymore," she told him.

At the sound of a vehicle approaching they all looked at the door. "Well, boys it's been . . . nice, but I really must be going," she said and picked up her purse.

After all her luggage was loaded Maude turned to them and said, "Gentlemen, I thank you for your hospitality."

"Your welcome ma'am," Josiah told her. "Have a safe trip."

"Thank you, Mr. Sanchez," she said then looked at Vin. "Mr. Tanner do try and keep Ezra out of trouble . . ."

"Mother."

"Ezra, dear, this is for you," Maude told him and handed him an envelope. "Open it later, when you're alone," she whispered to him as she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"What is it?"

"You'll find out when you open it. Later."

"But what is it?"

"Ezra . . ."

"Why can't I open it now?"

"Because I don't want you to!"

"Fine."

Vin couldn't help but laugh for as soon as Maude turned away Ezra opened it.

"I just told you not to open that now. Didn't I? You never did listen . . ."

"Mother there's nothing in here, except a blank piece of paper."

"I know that. I knew you wouldn't listen so I put the real envelope in your room."

"What's in it?"

Maude merely rolled her eyes and got in her car.

Ezra grinned as he watched his mother drive away.

"Looks like you enjoyed your Mother's visit," Josiah said.

"I must admit that this was one of the more enjoyable visits that I've had, but that not why I'm grinning," he told them.

"Then why?"

"Because as nice as it was to see my mother, it's even better to see her go."

"You love her and you know it," Vin teased him.

Ezra snorted and said, "You'll never get be to admit it."

"Come on, everyone let's go fix some breakfast," Josiah said.

"Not me I gotta go find that envelope," the Southerner told them with a grin and turned away.

Vin looked from Ezra's enticing backside as he walked away to his brothers and with a shrug said, "Ezra might need my help."

The others just laughed.

~/~/~

Ezra walked into their bedroom and immediately spotted an envelope lying on top of his dresser. After tearing it open he burst out laughing.

"What is it?"

He shook his head. "It's a bill for the shoes she ruined in the mud yesterday."

"$150! For a pair of shoes!"

"My dear sweet man, custom made shoes are very expensive," Ezra told him then pulled Vin's t-shirt off. Then began removing his own clothes and asked, "Did you lock the door?" Ezra grinned Vin darted from the room and returned a couple seconds later.

"Locked," Vin told him with a smile. "Have you ever paid that much for shoes?" he asked picking up their earlier conversation.

Ezra ducked his head and tried to change the subject. "You know, I was forced to shower alone this morning . . ."

"You've paid more haven't you," Vin stated rather than asked.

"Once upon a time, yes I did," Ezra finally admitted as he stood before his lover completely naked. Kneeling in front of Vin he made quick work of removing his lover's shoes, jeans, and underwear. Ezra barely heard what his lover was saying. Right now his attention was being held by the small indentation just below Vin's waist. To anyone else it would appear to be just a belly button, but to Ezra to was like an aphrodisiac. Unable to resist it's lure any longer he leaned closer and nudged it with his nose before tracing the outside with his tongue.

"Well, hell, Green Eyes, after everything you've been through you deserve to treat yourself the f..finer t..things in l..life," Vin told him then sucked in a breath and visibly shuddered.

"I'm treating myself to the finest thing in my life. You," Ezra breathed against him. Then teased the back of Vin's thighs with the tips of his fingers. Cupping one of his ass cheeks in each hand Ezra held him still as he kissed and nipped Vin's navel. It was only as he felt Vin's knees buckle that Ezra relented. Pulling back he allowed Vin to help him to his feet. Then found himself being throughly kissed. Once they were forced to come up for air Ezra gasped, "Make love to me Vin."

Vin didn't say a word but merely bent and scooped him up in his arms. Walking over to their bed he gently lowered him and then stretched out on top of him.

Ezra moaned as Vin traced the scar above his heart with tongue before working his way lower. With the bed spread clinched tightly in his hands Ezra gave himself over to the sensations Vin was invoking within his body. "V i n," he panted as he felt his lover's hot breath on his shaft. "Please, Vin," he begged. Ezra could feel Vin's hot member quivering against his leg and knew that they were both close to the edge. He shuddered as he was quickly prepared and as usual didn't allow any of Vin's left over fears of hurting him again get in way as he locked his legs around Vin's waist and pulled him in, in one thrust.

"Ezra," Vin groaned.

With their fingers twined tightly together the two lovers began moving as one. Each thrust was met, matched, and then repeated. Over and over again. Skin glistened with sweat. Hearts thundered as pulses raced. Bodies trembled in need as they fought to find the pleasurable release they both so desperately needed.

Fingers clinched as thrusts turned into a driving force. Sweat dripped, merged, and soaked into the bed beneath them. Hearts skipped a beat as bodies shuddered as waves of pleasure rippled through them.

"Oh, God, Ezra," Vin moaned.

"Vin," Ezra gasped as Vin collapsed back on him after having failed in his attempt to turn over.

"I can't move."

"Then don't."

After a few minutes blue eyes met green and the words, I love you were whispered simultaneously by kiss swollen lips.

Ezra sighed as strong arms wrapped around him as Vin finally managed to roll over. With his head tucked firmly under Vin's chin Ezra gave up a silent prayer of thanks for this man and his new family. And because he was feeling so relaxed and well loved Ezra included a prayer for his mother as well.

The Southerner lazily blinked his eyes as he listened to Vin's heartbeat under his ear. Raising up Ezra pressed a kiss into the side of his lover's neck, then to his cheek, and finally to his lips. "Vin?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's spend the day in bed," he suggested.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Vin replied with a grin. "But what would we do in bed all day?"

"Oh, I don't know . . . sleep."

"I think we can find something more interesting to do than sleep . . ."

"Ya think?"

"Oh, yeah."

Continues in 'Tis the Season