Chris Larabee glanced over at the two new stores on the Commons. He strolled lazily past the plate glass windows in the shopping center. His hands were crammed in the pockets of his black slacks, his collar open, necktie stuffed in his breast pocket, dangling defiantly against his dark sports jacket as if it was trying to escape. It flapped in the same sharp summer breeze that caught at his blond hair and whipped it across his forehead. As he walked, he allowed himself the luxury of blending into the rest of the passers-by on the Commons, almost as if he was just another attorney or mid-level administrative government employee. Okay, he was a mid-level government employee, but the pistol weighing down the belt on his right hip separated him from most of the civil servants hurrying back from lunch around him. That and his ATF badge.After the lunch meeting with Orrin Travis and Dan Breen, Leader of Team Six, Chris opted to walk back to the ATF offices. He just needed the down time, he realized that he was fighting a headache as well as having almost fallen asleep in the meeting. After wolfing down his pasta, Dan caught himself with drooping eyes, saving Chris from being the one to show Travis that they were all weary and burnt out. Chris made a mental note to thank Nathan for warning him about eating a heavy lunch, considering how worn down he was. Instead, he'd eaten broiled trout and a salad, and was able to keep up with AD Travis. Dan hadn't fared so well, though it only amused Orrin, since the results of their latest endeavor had bought them a lot of slack from the tough old man.
Teams Six and Seven had spent the last weeks working on a joint case. Everyone had been working twelve to eighteen hour days. The actual take down went perfectly, all the bad guys were dead, wounded or captured. None of the good guys were hurt. It was originally Team Six’s case, but when the number of players involved grew, Dan had asked specifically for Team Seven as back up. Needing to review the final details, Travis suggested they meet over lunch since he was due to leave for San Francisco later that afternoon. Dan offered to drive him to the airport but Chris declined to join them on the ride in favor of a short walk.
Chris would have preferred going with his team to the Saloon for a fat juicy burger for lunch, but they deserved a little unsupervised time.
And, for that matter, so did he. Chris figured the walk would give his team time to beat him back to the office. It was something they all needed, and for the first time in weeks he felt himself relaxing and enjoying the warm sunlight and fresh air even though he was still in downtown Denver.
He hadn’t walked through the Commons in months and he was surprised to see two new stores, one a jewelry store. In the window was a garish sign, “Gold by the Inch - Sale”. The ornate gold colored letters caught his eye. A wicked image of Vin, naked except for the anklet he used to wear popped into his head. Chris would never forget the first time he saw the silver chain on Vin's ankle. Even the knowledge it was a gift from an ex-lover didn't diminish the lusty notions attached to the anklet. Chris was relieved when Vin had thrown it away, that gesture assured him more than words ever could, that Vin was truly his. However, Chris missed the glint of silver against Vin's tanned leg. And the pleasurable sensation when the chain rubbed against his own body when they were making love.
Chris was drawn into the store as if by some unseen force. He walked in and gave it a quick once over. The store was fairly crowded, so he wandered around for a few moments looking into the cases. Several attractive sales women moved among the other customers and tended the cases. He made a mental note to tell Buck about this place. Just as he found the “Gold by the Inch” display, a hot, leggy brunette walked over to him.
“Good afternoon, I’m Alissa. Can I help you with something?”
“No thanks, Alissa. Just looking. The 'Gold by the Inch' sign in the window caught my eye."
“Well, sir,” Alissa said, taking Chris by the arm, “Allow me to show you our gold.”
Chris let her lead him to the counter. He tuned out her voice as she described the different styles of links. The more Chris looked at the gold chains, the more he realized gold just wasn’t Vin's style. Alissa was chattering on about the type of clasps available when he decided to interrupt her.
“Actually, Alissa, I’m thinking that gold isn’t quite right. Not for the person I’m shopping for.”
Alissa slid around the counter and positioned herself next to him, “Well, if I may ask, is this for a lady friend or maybe your wife or mother?” Her eyes were intent for a moment, predatory.
Chris stepped back. “Actually it’s for a friend. He used to wear a chain. Think it was silver.”
“Oh,” Alissa purred, “we have an assortment of silver bracelets and necklaces. Let me show you.” Once again she slipped her arm around his and steered him to a counter across the shop. “Here we go. We carry all the newest styles as well as the classics.” She purposely brushed against him as she pointed out the selection.
Chris tried to maneuver away from her. “Does it make a difference that he used to wear it around his ankle?”
Alissa stepped back, and looked at Chris curiously. “An anklet, on a man." She seemed to be digesting this, but the instincts of the saleswoman prevailed. "Well....the standard one is nine inches. For a man, it’d have to be ten.” She stepped away to open a case further down. “Now, this friend, is he as fit as you are?” She asked with a smile.
“Yeah,” Chris replied, keeping back his smile. “Is there someway you can make a ten inch?”
Smiling like the proverbial cat who in this case ate 'two' canaries, Alissa smiled, “For you, I think we can manage that.” She placed a black velvet board on top of the counter. “Do you like any of these styles? If you do, for a small fee, we can remove a few links from one and add to the other.”
Immediately Chris’s attention was caught by one anklet. It was a mix of small and medium sized tight loops. “That one,” Chris pointed.
“Oh, very nice, that’s a new style. It’s a 'mixed cable',” Alissa said as she picked it up to hand to Chris.
Chris noticed that her hand lingered, touching his. He pulled back a little, laying the chain over his wrist. It was perfect. “This is it. Can I wait --?" then he paused stopping himself from saying "Can I wait while you make it bigger.” Since it was obvious she would be encouraged by the innuendo.
“But of course, step right over here while I give these to Yossi to work on.” She led him to another counter then walked into the back of the shop. She returned a few minutes later and spent the next -- very long -- fifteen minutes dropping hints for Chris to ask her out. Chris diverted her by looking at silver hip flasks for a while, he was about to lose his patience with Alissa when a tall dark man appeared from the back room. He handed her a box and left. Chris reached into his pocket to get his wallet.
“Not so fast. Let’s make sure this works,” Alissa said as she dropped to her knees next to Chris. Before he could stop her, she had his pants leg up and was making sure the anklet would fit him. Smiling as she touched his leg through the black sock he wore, she declared it “perfect”.
Chris couldn’t help but notice the view she was exposing as she knelt on the floor, and how when she looked up, her face was uncomfortably close to his groin, her smile too much like a barracuda he'd encountered once diving off the Keys. He had to remember to tell Buck about this place, Hell, JD and Ezra too. Maybe he would post it in the locker room for the whole ATF along with Alissa's name. Chris quickly handed her his Visa Platinum and politely declined her offer of more assistance. Alissa asked if he wanted it gift wrapped, Chris nodded and she disappeared again.
Returning, she wrapped the long slim box in shiny black paper and added a small loop of glossy silver ribbon. “Here you go, Christopher. Hope to see you in here again soon.”
Thanking her, Chris left the store, relieved to be headed back to the office. Walking out of the elevator a few minutes later, it was just as he had expected both good and bad. The others had beaten him back.
As he walked in, uncharacteristic silence greeted him. His first instinct was roll call, but only Buck, JD, and Nathan were at their desks, almost comatose. As he moved slowly through the room, he could see that Ezra's cubicle was empty. Vin's leather jacket was draped over the back of his chair, so he was back. Chris contained the smile at the thought of the box in his pocket.
From Josiah's cubicle came the unmistakable rumble of an ill-contained belch, followed by the sound of a snicker from JD's desk where he lay with his head down, that goofy newsboy hat of his still perched precariously.
"Howdy, Boss," Buck managed, rotating his chair slowly around to greet Chris. His belt was open and his pants unsnapped.
Chris surveyed the room as Ezra came strolling back in from the break room, carrying a fresh cup of cappuccino on a saucer with some biscotti.
Chris sighed. "Who won?"
"I did," Ezra said.
Chris eyed him skeptically.
Ezra winked. "The wagers, anyway. It was Josiah who put away the 48-ounce Porterhouse within the allotted forty-five minutes."
Chris winced. It was "Rustler Lunch" Thursday. Inez's Saloon offered a contest on Thursdays from high noon until one p.m. Anyone able to finish the 48 ounce Porterhouse steak along with side trimmings of ranch fries and salad won their next lunch for free. Side bets were always laid on who could manage to finish it all. "You're pretty lively, considering." Chris eyed the rest of his team.
"Inez makes an excellent Caesar salad," Ezra said with a wink. "I prefer a clear head to collect on my bets."
Another belch followed by a moan echoed through the office and brought even more snickers from Nathan, JD, and Buck. "Nathan --, " Chris said with a sharp nod toward Josiah's cubicle. Nathan reached into his desk and produced Alka-Seltzer, antacids, and several arcane-looking vials of herbal tablets, then heaved himself out of his chair with a grunt. His walk was dangerously close to a waddle.
"Nathan finished an admirable second," Ezra said and Chris rolled his eyes.
Vin appeared, leaning in the doorway wearing a lop-sided grin that went straight to Chris's groin. He blinked sleepily. "Hey, Chris," he said. "You missed a great lunch." He rubbed his stomach contentedly, and covered a burp with his hand though the look in his eye was unrepentant. "Brung you some of them breadsticks you like. They're in the fridge with the rest of the herd we didn't finish."
Chris nodded and surveyed the room. "Looks to me like it's time for a little PT qualification." Chris muttered and turned to walk into his office. The groans of response were gratifying.
"Long as it has to do with de-vourin' whole cows, we'll be fine," Vin said after him.
A moment later, Vin appeared in his doorway.
"So much for getting anything out of any of you this afternoon," Chris said as he dropped into his chair and propped his feet up on his desk.
Vin grinned and winked. "Well, maybe not this afternoon ..."
Again the vision of Vin naked except for the anklet flashed through Chris's mind. He looked up at Vin and licked his lips. "I'll hold you to that..."
+ + + + + + +
The remainder of the afternoon dragged on. Legal returned some of the caseload's paperwork demanding revisions immediately if not sooner. Buck's side order of onion rings practically evacuated the office more than once, and Vin's hard drive crashed, which took JD away from his own work. The clock was running at half-speed, and the length of the day was as wearing as anything they had to face under fire. Finally, five o'clock rolled around. No one even suggested another trip to Inez's to unwind.
The ride to Chris’s was a quiet one, both Chris and Vin were still exhausted from the long hours they logged in during last two weeks as well as the sheer unrelenting boredom of the afternoon's work. Vin stared out the window enjoying the tunes on the radio. About five miles from the ranch, Vin broke the silence, “Getting late, you hungry?” Vin asked turning toward him.
“Jeezus, Vin. How can you even think of food?” Chris groaned, taking the exit ramp. He glanced over to see a sheepish grin on Vin's face. The sharpshooter was a bottomless pit, second only to JD in his ability to consume food.
“Want to just order a pizza?” Vin asked. “Don’t much feel like taking on the grill. I can call for it now --” He picked up the cell phone.
Nodding, Chris answered, “Sounds good, not in the mood to fuss either. My salad didn't stay with me at lunch.”
Vin snickered. "Salad. No wonder you're scrawny." He took out his cell phone and dialed the only place that delivered to Chris’s ranch. After ordering the usual, he settled back for the last few minutes of the ride.
In his pocket, the box from the jewelry store rested against his side. He wondered if he should save it for when they both had a little more energy. A slight twinge of disappointment ran through him as across from him Vin yawned widely.
As soon as they entered the house, Chris started to strip out of his suit. Vin followed to the bedroom, peeling off his jeans in favor of sweats. “Devils and the Avalanche tonight. I’ll get some beers and plates and meet you in the den,” Vin said on his way out.
“Thanks Vin,” Chris said to Vin’s retreating back as he finished changing. Pausing to hide the box in the kitchen, he made his way to the den.
Vin grabbed paper plates, napkins, the hot peppers, garlic powder and two beers on his way to the den. Setting up for dinner, he plopped down on the sofa to check out what was on TV while he waited for the deliveryman.
Chris walked in and headed to his chair. He sat back, taking a long swallow of the beer Vin left for him. He had another moment of doubt about giving Vin the anklet. Chris had enjoyed not only the sight, but the feel of the metal on Vin’s leg. Rubbing against it with his hand or foot always turned Chris on. It had been the only jewelry Vin had ever worn and Chris wasn’t sure how he’d react to the gift.
Vin was engrossed in the "TV Guide" and missed Chris' scrutiny. “Devils and Avalanche skate at seven.” He flipped to the pre-game. “Might as well watch the pre-game hoop-la, nothing else on.”
When the doorbell rang, Vin got up to get the pizza. He brought it into the den and the two men ate in silence. Vin got them two more beers and they settled in to watch the game. Late in the third period, the Devils were up by two and it didn’t look like Colorado was going to come back.
It was a low-key night, what with being exhausted from work combined with Vin's heavy lunch. Neither of them came close to finishing the pizza, and Chris was about to give up on the idea of his gift. Then Vin stretched out, putting his bare feet up on the coffee table. The legs of his sweats hiked up a little, exposing the strong, lean ankle that seemed naked without a chain around it.
Chris got up and headed down the hall to hit the bathroom. Stopping in the kitchen, he grabbed two more beers and the box and headed back to the den. Sitting down next to Vin on the couch, he handed the long-haired man a beer.
“Thanks, Cowboy,” Vin said taking the beer.
“Got something else for you, Vin,” Chris said, offering the box.
“For me...why?” Vin asked, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Saw it, wanted you to have it, that’s all.” Chris sat back so he could watch Vin open the box.
Vin took the box, glancing at Chris in puzzlement, he slowly opened it. When he pulled out the anklet, he snapped his head up to Chris, a wicked smile on his face. “An anklet?” Vin asked as he measured it against his wrist.
“Yeah...sort of liked how you looked with the other,” Chris said, relived to see Vin was excited.
“Do the honors,” Vin said, and handed Chris the chain.
“In a minute,” Chris said moving closer. “I like it best when it’s all your wearing.” He grabbed the back of Vin’s head and pulled him in for a tender kiss. Breaking away, he cupped Vin’s face and ran a finger over Vin’s lips. “Want my help -- you're gonna have to shuck them clothes.” He stroked Vin’s lip, “We got a deal?”
Vin opened his mouth, trapping Chris’s finger. He sucked it gently then released it. “Think I can manage that.” Leaning in, Vin nuzzled into Chris’s body.
“Mmmmm,” Chris replied as he wrapped his arms around Vin’s body, “Now, right now.”
Vin lightly nibbled on the flesh of Chris’s neck, “Hmmm.... here?” Vin was always amazed at how hot and bothered he could make Chris. Standing up, he pulled off the t-shirt he was wearing and slid the sweats down his hips, pausing before the waistband dropped below his bulging crotch. “Gonna answer me Cowboy?”
“Bedroom," Chris said, standing up. He ran his fingers through Vin’s hair. “Now.”
“Sounds good to me, Cowboy.” Vin said stepping out of the sweats. He headed down the hall stark naked, not having to look back to know that Chris was following.
As soon as Chris walked into the bedroom, Vin approached his lover and pulled Chris’s t-shirt out of his jeans. Dropping his hands, he began to undo the button fly. Chris had his hands in Vin's hair and the sensations it caused made the buttons impossible to do. “Damn it Larabee, can’t you ever buy a pairs of jeans with a zipper?”
Chuckling at his lover’s discomfort, Chris finished the job himself. Sitting down on the bed to pull off his socks, he noticed Vin bringing a towel from the bathroom. Before settling into the bed, he grabbed the tube of lubricant from the bedside table. Before he could get situated, Vin was on him--kissing and nibbling on his throat, then working lower to ravish a nipple.
Vin paused, and contentedly lay on top of Chris’s body.
Chris held up one hand, the chain dangling and catching the light.
“Thanks, Chris.” Vin said, his voice slightly husky. “This is special to me.” He slipped off Chris. Sitting back on the bed he extended a leg out towards Chris.
Taking the chain, Chris ran his hand up and down the length of Vin’s leg. He leaned over and nibbled at the muscular thigh. Slowly working his way down, Chris finally placed it on Vin’s ankle. With an evil grin, Chris grabbed Vin’s leg and pulled Vin toward him.
Not be outdone, Vin grabbed the mattress for leverage and rolled back on top off Chris. “Let me thank you proper, Cowboy,” Vin returned to working his nipples with his hands and mouth. When Vin felt Chris relax under his touch, he began to make his way down Chris’s body.
Chris couldn’t stop himself from burrowing his hands into Vin’s hair. He let the strands run between his fingers as Vin probed his navel with his tongue. Using his left leg, he sought the chain on Vin’s ankle. Running his foot over the chain, he felt Vin growl as he rubbed the anklet. When Vin worked his way a little lower and bit into the soft flesh just above his groin, Chris arched on the bed.
Vin felt Chris buck beneath him and slid his body lower. When his mouth was within easy reach of Chris’s erection, he tentatively licked the head. The shudder and soft moan that escaped Chris was all the fuel Vin needed. He captured the head with his lips, teasing it, swirling his tongue over the top. Reaching the firm sacs, he fondled them as his mouth continued its sweet torture.
Chris almost lost control as Vin worked his magic. He reached down to grab Vin’s arms, pausing to run his hands up and down the strong limbs, he gently pulled Vin upward. In a few seconds, he knew Vin had taken the hint.
Snaking his way up Chris’s body, Vin covered the places he past with wet kisses and bites that were hard enough to mark, but the kind that made Chris wild. He figured no one would see the trail of little bruises, but didn't care anyway. When he reached Chris’s chest, he laved at a nipple with his tongue, biting it as he felt Chris’s hands back in his hair. Sliding his own erection against Chris’s, he made his way up to where their mouths could meet. Knowing the effect the anklet had on Chris, he purposefully rubbed his right ankle against Chris’s leg.
Chris claimed Vin’s lips, forcing his tongue in. He could taste himself mixed in with the unique flavor of Vin. He worked his way across the strong jaw, down to the sensitive neck, and sunk his teeth into the soft flesh at the base of Vin’s throat. When Vin rubbed the silver chain against his skin, he bit into Vin’s collarbone as his hands cupped the firm ass. Laying back against the pillows, he looked into the passion glazed blue eyes, “Take me, Vin.”
Vin returned the gaze, his mind debating the how. He had wanted Chris to take him, use his body, which he loved, but this sent a shiver of desire through him. “Switch places,” Vin said as he reached for the lube. Laying on his back he handed Chris the tube.
Chris smiled, his eyes shining with desire. He quickly greased his hands and began to coat Vin’s stiff erection. Dipping his hands lower, he caressed Vin’s balls and that sweet spot just behind. Vin arched beneath him and offered up a hand. Chris took it and smeared some lube onto Vin’s fingers caressing and sensually working the long digits until Vin pulled his hand away with a hungry smile.
Then he felt Vin’s hands on his cheeks and he felt him breach his opening gently with a fingertip. He moved his body, signaling Vin he wanted more. Once he felt the second finger, Chris rocked back, making sure Vin knew he was ready.
Vin firmly grasped Chris’s hips, his fingers digging into the flesh. Slowly he helped raise Chris up, then he helped control the decent as Chris impaled himself on Vin’s hard shaft. Vin used his body to raise up as much as he could to meet Chris as they found a rhythm. Up and down, slow at first, then more quickly. The only noise was the slapping sound of flesh meeting flesh and an occasion moan. As Chris increased the force on his decent, Vin could feel his release building. He grabbed Chris’s erection and began to stroke it in time with Chris’s thrusts.
Chris felt himself exploding suddenly and tossed his head back, his body clamping down onto Vin with all he had. Riding out the sensation as Vin hit the sweet spot with each thrust, Chris cried out Vin’s name.
Vin opened his eyes and watched transfixed at his lover in full throes of his orgasm. When he heard Chris’s moaning out his name, it triggered him and he fired his own release. His body shuddered as Chris’s muscles milked him for every drop and his blood pounded in his ears, his senses spinning with the force of it. He kept his eyes closed for a moment while he caught his breath and came back down to earth.
Suddenly he was aware of a slight pressure on his chest. Chris had placed both hands there as if feeling for his heartbeat, and was watching him with a wolfish, satiated grin on his face.
After lying locked together for several minutes in exhausted silence, they parted, neither man enjoying the loss of contact, but needing relief for their tangled limbs. Vin tossed Chris the hand towel and Chris wiped the sticky residue from Vin’s body then his own. They each took turn in the bathroom and slid back into bed. Snuggling under the covers, Vin felt the familiar warmth of Chris’s hips pressing up against him.
Settling back, Vin placed a hand on the strong arm encircling him and ran the anklet up and down Chris’s leg. “Thanks for the present, Cowboy." Then he added, "Both of 'em."
Chris chuckled into Vin’s hair. "My pleasure." He pulled the strands covering Vin’s neck back and nibbled the flesh gently. “Gold by the inch.” He murmured, then kissed the red mark left behind from his bite.
"Gold by the inch?" Vin asked.
"It was a sign in the jewelry store. Made me think of you." He nuzzled Vin's neck.
"That why you bought the silver anklet?" Vin grinned over his shoulder at Chris, sliding the anklet up and down Chris's calf again.
"Yeah. I got you the silver but I'm the one who gets the gold by the inch," Chris whispered, before he claimed Vin once again.
The end
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