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Endings |
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Disclaimers: no infringement intended – no profit being made anyway
Feedback: yes, please, and thank you
Special thanks to my fine beta Katherine
Motes: This is the last in a series. It follows Beginnings and Middles
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“Ezra! Ez! EZ!”The gambler pulled Chaucer to a stop, turning the horse so he could see what the yelling was about. He and Vin were taking a morning ride, getting away from town so they could have time together without need to censure their behavior towards one another. Though there were plenty of places in their small community they could steal away to, nothing compared to the freedom allowed by the solitary, silent witness that was the desert landscape. He walked the animal a few more paces then came to a halt, leaning forward in the saddle to wait. The tracker had dismounted from Peso to investigate signs of a cougar being in the area, and Ezra had ridden a little ways ahead, thinking to make comfortable the place he knew to rest at then they could see about some lunch.
He smiled a little, imagining the reaction most people who believed they knew him would have had to his eager acceptance of the Texan´s invitation – and that all of his willingness wasn´t because the Texan would be going along. Most believed he knew nothing and wanted nothing from the great outdoors, his fancy clothes and profession leading them easily to this conclusion. In truth the southerner had always made sure that part of his day included time devoted to being in the wild. But his jaunts usually came at an hour where no one would be aware, as his schedule meant his habit was to take Chaucer for long, moonlit rides so they could visit one of his favorite vistas or secluded hideaways. It was a habit that had been duly noted by at least one other inhabitant of Four Corners, however, and Ezra wasn´t surprised that Vin had known almost from the start of their time in the town together that the southerner indulged himself with the solo treks. After dinner had concluded last night, the sharpshooter had leaned close and asked if he´d be interested in sharing a simple breakfast on horseback while they rode about the countryside the next day, the sole purpose of the expedition to share one another´s company. The question had been asked with careful timing – early enough for Ezra to plan the rest of his evening, allow time for a few games and still leave plenty more to get adequate rest. His response had been a bare smile, the slightest inclination of his head. It was more than enough for Vin to understand.
The green-eyed man watched in appreciation as his lover rode towards him, long coat flapping behind him like leathery wings. He didn´t bother to try and conceal the smile that warmed his face at his thoughts. Not just my lover, but my love as well. It was decidedly the single most satisfying claim he´d ever been able to make. The distance between them was soon only a few paces but the Texan barely slowed Peso, guiding them until they rode right up alongside the waiting southerner then came to an abrupt stop. Ezra gasped as he was grabbed firmly about the waist, then lifted completely from his own saddle and set down again so he was straddling the lean man smiling at him. Strong hands cupped his cheeks, then the whole world was blotted out when the handsome face descended for a kiss.
Ezra groaned and opened his mouth, reaching with his tongue to tempt his mate´s out to join it. Vin surged forward, grunting in his throat as his hands maneuvered the southerner´s head, creating a better angle to deepen the kiss. The cardsharp shifted, rocking forward with his hips, seeking further evidence of his spirit´s ardor. He smiled into the mouth covering his own at the answering hardness he encountered, the harsh gasp that escaped Vin from between their sealed lips. The hands in his hair traveled down, massaging as they went, teasing over his chest then moved to wrap firmly around him. He rocked a little more, grinding in a small circle, and the hands at his back jerked then clutched at the red wool of his coat. On they kissed until finally the need for air had him pulling away a little, their deep breaths the only sound besides the gentle wind that was teasing the desert. Ezra trailed his fingers along the buttoned shirt in front of him, stopping them to rest hooked into Vin´s waistband. He smiled and looked up, thinking to push up for another kiss, but stopped when he remembered something. Green eyes turned quizzical.
“Vin – did you require something?” The tracker smiled, the crooked little grin that made Ezra´s heart flip- flop every time he saw it. The blue-eyed man nodded.
“Yup – Got it.” The arms about the southerner tightened a fraction, and the gambler nodded back, mouth in a small ‘o.´ One blue eye winked at him and Ezra smiled in return. He reached up and lifted his hat off his head, leaning to the side so he could hang it on his saddle horn, Chaucer still waiting patiently next to them. Then he slid his arms inside Vin´s long coat and rested his cheek against the sturdy chest, closing his eyes to let the strong heartbeat soothe him. His hands moved idly up and down in a slow rhythm over the muscled plane that was kept from his touch by his lover´s soft red shirt. He felt a light pressure on his head as Vin nuzzled into his hair with his chin, then the chin stilled as the other man let his head rest on top of the gambler´s. Neither man could contain the sighs of contentment that issued forth from their bodies, nor did they want to. After a long time Ezra shifted enough so he could look up into beloved blue eyes, his own greens warm with love. His hands gripped lightly at Vin´s flanks as he leaned back, and he said teasingly,
“Have you now acquired all that you needed then?” The blue eyes flared to life, and the tracker licked his lips.
“Can think of a lot more ta want right now.” To emphasize his point the lean man let his hands trail down until they were cupping Ezra´s ass, fingers kneading into the round globes he was holding. He grinned, the cocky assuredness making the gambler grin in return, and they shared a brief but satisfying kiss. After he´d pulled away again, the tracker´s brows furrowed a little, and he stilled his fingers. A slow smile quirked his lips. “Three months day after tomorrow, Ez.” The southerner nodded.
“Indeed.” The time had been glorious, the two of them at last living without confusion or misunderstandings, the long talks and sensual kisses mixed with some very satisfying petting bringing them closer then they´d ever been. It seemed like every day lasted forever, though he could hardly believe it had already been so long. The time Vin had lamented when he´d agreed not to move too fast the night they finally reconciled had passed by effortlessly, neither man left anxious or wanting of anything but more of the same. He smiled to himself thinking of the gift he´d gotten the tracker to mark the occasion, and his decision that they had achieved more than enough balance as a couple to finally take their lovemaking to its ultimate end. It was something he was anticipating as a child would the impending magic of Christmas morning, certain in the knowledge that what awaited would be a grand treat, but belly fluttering with an expectant rhythm each time he thought about their imminent joining. He winked at Vin. “Three months after nearly a year, which came after nearly two years.” Vin´s head fell back a little as the Texan laughed softly.
“Can´t see it being any other way with the two a us involved.” Ezra nodded slowly, smile fading a little as he spoke.
“I easily concede that you are correct – though I cannot prevent my sometimes wondering how it could have been if we´d managed to reunite as I had originally hoped.” Vin leaned back in for a short kiss, and after he´d pulled away he left his forehead resting against the southerner´s. He said quietly,
“Jus´ like this, Ez; ‘bout as perfect as anything I can imagine. Wouldn´t a made it better. Never know, the time apart coulda helped us both change ta be better men, better fer each other.” He paused, and Ezra let himself be pulled even closer into his embrace. He listened as Vin took in a breath, then the soft drawl continued. “Don´t matter it came now, don´t matter we missed that time – couple a years is short. Jus´ like ya said when we agreed ta take it slow – what´s a few months when we get ta have forever? And that´s jus´ what I plan on having with ya, in case ya might have been wondering.” The gambler chuckled happily, squirming some when fingers played against him in a light tickle. His answer was slightly breathless.
“Regardless of other plans you may have had Love, you would have been stuck with me. Even before we finally achieved understanding I knew I could not leave Four Corners, knew that if I could only be close to you because of geographical proximity then I would grasp at whatever possibility was offered, however insubstantial it may have seemed.” He looked up to smile at Vin. “Have I mentioned how very glad I am events unfolded so that we would end up here, like this – together, and confident it will stay this way?” The tracker smiled back.
“Um…yeah, think ya might have mentioned it a couple a times Ez.” It was something the southerner made certain to assure his lover of every day. The gambler´s grin grew and Vin laughed softly, the sound tripping along Ezra´s senses, causing his body to shudder a little. Blue eyes changed from softly contented to sharp with desire, and the longhaired man swooped in for another kiss, pressing his lips in a demanding assault against Ezra´s. The conman closed his eyes and gripped his lover´s flanks tighter, easily acquiescing to let himself be led as the tracker controlled the union. His hands itched to feel, and he lowered them so he could pull Vin´s shirt from the buckskins. His mate aided him by moving his torso back slightly, twisting enough so the shirt could be freed. As soon as it was the gambler dove under with his hands, reveling in the silky smooth skin, heated and rippling under his touch.
Vin´s hands were busy as well, opening the southerner´s shirt a button at a time then stopping at the waistline, pushing the material aside enough for his hands to disappear under the layers of clothing. Ezra bucked forward a little, moaning when sure fingers grazed over his hardened nipples, delighting in the answering push as his lover met his hips with a rolling thrust. He let his head fall back as the mouth left his own to nibble at the thin flesh over his collar bone, groaning when a trail of wet heat was laved up his neck until it teased endlessly at the hot spot behind his ear. The southerner pushed his hands down the back of Vin´s pants, working them steadily under so he could stroke the firm buttocks, skin against skin. A familiar sound entered the gambler´s fevered brain, something that warned him of impending danger, and he fought to surface so he could focus on the reverberation, listening for it with half an ear. Both men pulled apart abruptly when the gunfire sounded again.
It was distant, the report echoing off the rocky plateau they had been heading towards. Ezra looked up at Vin, the tracker´s blue eyes still a deep indigo, heavy with passion and need, lips swollen from their kisses. Their breathing was harsh, bodies shaking in reaction to suddenly being denied, frustration and want growing steadily as they hovered, waiting to see if more would follow. The gambler sighed, looking again to the north when more shots could be heard, this time several of them in rapid succession. He licked his lips.
“Though I am loathe to have any reason to stop what we are doing, I feel we should investigate. We are close enough to home that this could likely involve the others.” He watched as the Texan gathered himself, the blue eyes subsiding but not dimming, the man´s love still shining strongly for the southerner to see. The sharpshooter grunted and nodded.
“Yer right, Ez. And it ain´t jus´ likely – I´d bet good money at least one a ‘em is out there. I´d say it´s near impossible fer trouble ta happen out here and not have some of a us right in the thick of it.” The gambler smiled a little, reaching down to button his shirt with slightly trembling hands, watching as the tracker worked his own back into his pants. They moved quickly, thinking about the possibility of their friends being in danger, the amorous pursuits of before pushed to the back so they could act with the precision and necessary haste that such a situation required. Ezra clicked his tongue and Chaucer whinnied, sidestepping closer so the southerner could change horses. Steady hands stayed about his hips as he transferred his weight from one saddle to the other, and he was held a minute longer as Vin leaned close for a last, quick kiss. The Texan pulled back away, blue eyes intense, holding his gaze. “Be careful now, hear me?” Green eyes mirrored his spoken promise.
“Always, Vin.” Ezra quirked a brow, and the tracker bobbed his head once. The cardsharp nodded then gathered the reins, wheeling Chaucer around, both men riding low and hard toward the disturbance.
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Chris returned fire and cursed. It would figure the one day both Vin and Ezra were out of town in the early goings of a morning that the quiet group from last night would have turned into a mean gang after too much drink. He hadn´t thought much about the five men who´d come into the saloon and played a few hands with the gambler. They´d bought a bottle and split it between them after the southerner had won a few hands then retired for the evening, and Chris had figured it would be left at that. Just past sunrise he´d been ripped from his sleep at the sound of hooting, gunfire and breaking glass. All five of them had been standing in the street, teetering on unsteady legs, firing at empty bottles that they threw into the air. He´d stormed out into the street to find JD already doing his best to talk the drunken men down, easing slowly towards them, hands spread in front of him. It had nearly stopped Chris´ heart when one of the men spun in place, aiming for the younger man instead of the brown glass still up in the air.
JD hadn´t even flinched, just drew one of his colts quick as you please and knocked the man to the ground, the force of his bullet wheeling the now deceased drunkard flat on his face. Of course a gunfight ensued, the sheriff making short work of the distance between himself and a horse trough while Chris ducked behind some shelter as well. They´d watched, held in place by the randomly fired bullets as the four mounted up on their wandering horses and beat out of town. Buck had arrived just in time to see them go, one hand holding his gun, the other holding up his pants thrown on over red long johns. JD had gone for their horses and Buck ran to wake up and retrieve Josiah, and soon the four were tearing off after the fleeing criminals. Just before they´d left Inez had popped out of the saloon, cursing in spanish and looking ready to spit nails. The drunken men had not only stolen the several bottles of liquor that now littered the street, they´d also broken into the back room and made off with the lockbox containing the saloon´s daily running moneys as well.
The ladies man was up and on his horse, giving chase before the others even had a chance to grab their reins from JD, blue eyes ready for murder. Chris had tipped his hat at the fiery lady, promising to return with the funds. Inez had nodded, even allowed a bare smile, stating she knew they would. The three had kicked their mounts to a fast trot, following Buck´s lead. It hadn´t taken long for the peacekeepers to catch up with the remaining four, but they´d been forced to try to gain ground on foot, as the now sobering ruffians had holed themselves against a small rock face, firing down at Larabee and the others as they rode through a narrowing in the landscape. Chris had dismounted with a small leap, ducking under a large boulder as cover, part of him paying enough attention to his men to assure himself they had done the same. They´d been here exchanging gunfire for near about fifteen minutes, which was well past what he had patience for. The problem now was getting close enough to their hide without having his head shot off for the effort. A bullet kicked up bits of rock to his left, the small projectiles making him clamp an eye shut as they bombarded him. He cursed and fired again.
It hadn´t seemed any big deal to give the Texan permission to ride out, maybe for the whole day. He smirked at the thought. Tanner wasn´t asking me for permission – more like being considerate enough to let me know he was planning on taking Ez away with no hurry to get back. The gunslinger didn´t mind letting them go in the least. Things were obviously repaired – and improving between them, but he understood the difference that complete solitude offered compared with being in town. But his frustrations had always been about Sarah, making it a ‘normal´ relationship where he could steal a kiss in front of others if he felt so inclined. Ezra and Vin had no such option. He wondered how the two managed to hold themselves with such unerring control. If he hadn´t been able to piece it together and finally confronted the tracker about it during the wagon train, he´d have never guessed that the two of them were now committed lovers. He´d been relieved they´d found their way, knowing they were good for one another, glad to see them finally mending each other in ways that would be impossible for anyone else to achieve. And he certainly didn´t regret allowing them to have a day to themselves – what he did mind was they hadn´t been around this morning. He knew the two would figure out a way to make short work of the situation and the small gang currently keeping him pinned behind a rock. Chris gritted his teeth and stood a little, firing at the tallest of the group, his aim being pulled when he had to duck back down. He cursed and peered around the boulder, hoping to get a shot in from the side.
As he narrowed his eyes on his intended target, a large red circle burst into the forehead of the man the gunslinger had been aiming for, and the criminal stiffened then toppled forward, body bouncing strangely down the small rise he´d been standing on. Chris smiled. Vin. Only one man had a rifle that would make that distinct noise, and certainly only one of them had that kind of marksmanship. He wondered where the sharpshooter was. A loud rebel yell broke the silence following the fatal hit, and suddenly Ezra was descending in a flying leap from the lip of the cliff just above the remaining three´s position. He had a rope tied low about his hips, nimble hands feeding the length as he rappelled down in a single bound. The southerner landed gracefully, popping up immediately to stand, back facing the peacekeepers´ position. Both of the conman´s hands flew up before the surprised trio had even shifted, in each one the glinting metal of his drawn weapons catching the morning sunlight. The smile on Chris´ face grew. He could just imagine the polite way the gambler was now ordering the survivors around. He stood slowly, holstering his gun, looking up and turning in a slow circle. He spotted Vin, the tracker lying on the opposite side of the small canyon from Ezra, rifle still raised and ready to fire, covering the green-eyed man as the gambler led the three down the narrow trail to the gorge´s floor. The blond shook his head. Yup, short work was right. The man in black stalked around the boulder and strode towards the end of the path the cardsharp was following the now quite sober felons along. He looked away to hide a quick smile when he heard drawled,
“Now then, if you gentleman would just be so kind as to line up here. I do suggest you remain such, and see that you comport yourselves in an orderly manner. Thank you.” Chris shook his head and continued forward. He looked up at Ezra, nodding back when the southerner bobbed his head.
“Ez. Good timing, as usual.” One green eye winked at him.
“Indeed, Mr Larabee. It seems most fortuitous we were able to arrive when we did.” The gambler had holstered his weapons and was straightening his clothing, then he gathered the rope in a neat coil from where he´d cut himself loose from above after he´d secured the three men. When that was completed he looked back at the blond. “Whatever did they manage achieving to cause the four of you to give chase?” Chris opened his mouth to answer, but JD cut off his response.
“These boys got awful drunk over the night, then woke us up shooting at empty bottles. Right in the middle of the street.” The sheriff shook his head, rolling his eyes at the southerner. “Robbed the saloon too, took the lockbox with them.” The man in black watched as green eyes hardened, the shorter man looking every bit as lethal and merciless as Larabee knew he could at his worst. The gambler turned slowly on his heel, leveling that dangerous gaze at the three men, who had by now been disarmed and secured by Buck and Josiah. All three of them pulled back a little as the conman questioned in a low voice,
“I will assume that you left the woman who runs the saloon unharmed?” When there was no answer the shorter man took another step forward, and he continued, accent clipped. “I would hope for your sake that you did.” Buck moved away from the trio, patting Ezra on the shoulder and led the smaller man a step back, Josiah remaining behind the captives just to be certain they didn´t get any ideas.
“Not ta worry, Ez. Inez kept herself scarce while they were doin´ their hell raising. We left her in fine condition – slinging that rifle around and ready ta gut and spit these boys soon as we drag ‘em back in.” Chris watched as the gambler´s whole frame relaxed, and a gold tooth glinted in the midmorning sun when the man smiled.
“Very good, Mr Wilmington.” He looked over his shoulder, brow lifted when he turned back to the ladies man. “I do not envy what their future holds.” The rogue grinned back, the two of them walking over to stand with Chris and JD. Ezra didn´t move when the other three jumped slightly, turning to watch as Vin approached. The blond was certain the tracker had finally made a purposeful sound to announce his presence. He smirked. Ez probably knew exactly where he was this whole time…ain´t surprised that sly gambler´s still so cool when the rest of us are twitching. And damn Tanner…ain´t natural how quiet that man is. Chris smiled and nodded his head. Vin nodded back. He watched as green eyes met blue, the two men answering with a single glance all the questions the gunslinger was ready to ask. The tracker sidled up alongside the group, one bob of his head to acknowledge the rest of the men in the circle. JD furrowed his brows.
“Where´d you guys come from?” Vin´s mouth quirked in a bare smile.
“Out tracking a cougar. Jus´ making sure he´s headed in the right direction. Heard the shots and rode on over, found you boys, then saved yer asses.” The Texan winked when Buck groaned, Chris watching as he turned and answered Ezra´s bare smile with his eyes. The sharpshooter leaned his head towards Ezra, looking back at the sheriff. “Asked Ez iffen he´d come along in case we had ta do any climbing, so ya´ll were lucky that both of us were available ta get ya outta this little jam ya had yourselves inta.” The younger man rolled his eyes again but smiled all the same, nodding. Brown eyes twinkled as the sheriff answered,
“Well, however you want to call it, I´m just glad you were around. They had us pinned pretty good, and though we´d have figured a way around eventually, sure is nice when this kinda stuff can just be quick and neat.” Chris watched as his men all nodded in agreement, and he decided to go with it, thinking it a fine rationale. Leave it to them to even have a story for being out here just in case someone showed up askin´ questions. The blond turned towards Ezra.
“Find anything we should worry about?” The gambler shook his head.
“No. By all appearances the cat is headed back out into the country, skirting quite clear of town. Mr Tanner and I deduced he would offer no threat to the community, and likely not even the neighboring ranches.” Chris nodded. Buck turned to Vin, blue eyes questioning, and he pointed towards Ezra then the tracker as he spoke.
“Ya both keep callin´ it a he. How do ya know it ain´t a lovely she-line that´s running around out here?” The sharpshooter smiled, the gesture being one only those who knew him well could discern. The Texan held up his hand, pulling his thumb and index finger several inches apart.
“Main pad of the paws were this big, and the steps were coupla feet apart. Awful big fer a female, and the impression made in the dirt was real deep, meaning this one was heavy too. Hafta figure it fer a male.” The rogue grunted and nodded. After a slight pause the lanky man spun back around on a heel, calling over his shoulder,
“Let´s get these fools trussed up and back ta town. I´m ready fer some lunch.” Chris nodded absently, watching as JD set off to retrieve the horses. The little group broke up, the blond rousing himself to chase after Vin before the man disappeared.
“Vin – wait just a minute.” The tracker pulled up, turning back slightly. The gunslinger trotted the remaining paces over to him. “You and Ez can stay out here if ya like – nothing about getting them back to town takes six of us.” The Texan bobbed his head, bare smile teasing his face.
“Right nice of ya, Cowboy. We were trying ta decide if we should come back fer lunch anyway, might as well now – but probably won´t follow ya´ll back ta town.” Chris winked, mouth twitching as he tried to suppress his own smile.
“Hmmm – yup. Gotta go get your horses. No telling how far those two ornery mules you both own wandered off to while you boys played hero.” Tanner´s smile broke to full force.
“My thoughts exactly, Pard.” The younger man stuck out his hand, and Chris took it instantly in a firm warrior´s grip. They stood for another moment, then Vin nodded again and stepped away. The gunslinger watched as the lean man took a few easy steps, Ezra coming to his side, the two falling in with each other in an effortless rhythm. They walked so close their shoulders touched, heads turning to each other for a smile before they both looked ahead again, striding away in companionable silence. Chris shook his head a little and smiled softly. Take yer time, boys… He turned, moving quickly back up the slight incline to help with whatever was left that needed doing, ready to supply the lovers´ excuse for not joining them on the ride back to Four Corners.
+ + + + + + +
Vin reached out and took Ezra´s hand as soon as they were out of sight of the others, the rising canyon wall providing good cover as they followed its curve. He squeezed the hand and started them walking faster, the gambler keeping pace easily as they strode along. When they passed by a shadowed alcove in the rock the Texan reached over and grabbed his lover, pressing the southerner into the cool stone, leaning close for a kiss, body aligning itself against his mate´s. It didn´t matter how confident he was in the gambler´s ability to handle himself in any situation – his heart still refused to beat normally until he was assured his spirit was unscathed. Watching him leap over the lip of the canyon had been more than enough to have him scaling down the rock wall as fast as he could once he knew the danger was past, needing to examine up close that his soul was unharmed. He was still strung tighter than a bow from the interruption of before, body responding instantly to the stimuli of Ezra´s nearness when he´d strolled up to join the small circle of his friends. If nothing else he needed this to ease the gnawing hunger before he was able to ride back into town and was required to act normally.
He forgot the gentleness they´d shared earlier, hands working with trembling haste to unbutton Ezra´s shirt, pulling at it so it snapped from the finely pinstriped trousers. A low growl rumbled from his chest when nimble hands pushed his own shirt open, and he paused long enough to knock his and the gambler´s hats from their heads, then pushed close for a hard kiss. The smaller man shifted under him, raising a leg so it nestled into the tracker´s groin, and Vin couldn´t prevent his hips from jerking back and forth at the sensation. Hands roamed up his chest to play with the hardened nubs and he growled again, reaching up to clasp Ezra´s head, holding it still so he could deepen the kiss even further. After thoroughly mapping the warm grotto with his tongue the tracker moved away, kissing and nipping a line across a cheekbone until he could nuzzle under an ear, licking the pulse point that always sent shivers of arousal through his lover. He grinned when his repeated lavings had the intended effect, the southerner now moaning softly without end, adding in endearments and a few instructions that just made Vin´s blood boil hotter.
The hands working over his chest and torso plunged lower, and he bucked his pelvis again when they closed over his trapped cock, the buckskins now uncomfortably tight against him. Fingers kneaded against his arousal, and Vin tore himself away, moving so he stood an inch from the gambler. He shook his head when hands reached out for him, speaking through his heaving breaths.
“Gonna come right now iffen ya don´t stop that, Ez – and that ain´t how I plan ta have it.” He reached down and fumbled with the fastenings of his pants, getting them open enough to push his underwear down and out of the way, his erection now freed. With a lusty grin he repeated the process with the gambler´s, licking his lips at the sight of Ezra: rumpled, half- dressed and aroused, cock at attention and just waiting for him. He kicked out with a foot against the southerner´s instep, widening his lover´s stance. The conman´s eyes closed so they were mere slits, green eyes watching him sensually as the compact form leaned back into the rock, shoulders firm against the stone, hips arching out and away, feet planted against the dusty earth. Vin took a single step forward, grabbing Ezra´s firm ass with his hands and pulled them together, pressing in close with his own hips. He closed his eyes and hissed, head falling forward at the sensations flying through him.
Immediately both men started thrusting, erections grinding into each other as they moved. Flesh slid sinuously over flesh, and Vin tightened his hold on the gambler´s fabric-covered buttocks, urging the man to push harder. His want was answered, and he felt his lover´s muscled thighs straining against his own, then fingers were tangling in his hair, massaging wildly as they bucked into each other. Already the tracker was feeling the warning tingle at the base of his spine, and he surged forward, wanting to kiss his love as he climaxed, snapping his arms and pelvis in time to move them at a furious pace. The southerner hummed into his mouth, their lips parting enough so they could suck in oxygen and still maintain some semblance of a kiss. Vin shuddered from head to toe, and he growled, dots of color and light appearing under his clamped eyelids. Ezra came at the same time he did, the Texan feeling their wet releases mingling between them as they continued to grind into on another, the movements slowing, urgency fading as they´d finally met completion. Vin pulled away from the loose kiss and let his head fall onto a strong shoulder, turning his head out so he could gasp in the cool air surrounding them. He held onto Ezra tightly, the other man clinging to him around his back as they both floated back to reality together.
Several minutes later Vin pulled away, smiling at his lover, his expression sated and full of affection. The gambler looked the same way. He closed his eyes when Ezra reached up and gently smoothed his hair, not able to stop the light purring noise that always came when the southerner played with his long locks. He leaned close for a kiss, hardly able to stop smiling enough to make satisfying contact. The kiss was brief but sweet, then the Texan was pulling away again. He looked down at himself then Ezra, teeth coming out to nibble at his lower lip. The southerner chuckled softly and spoke, the drawl thickened with his contentment.
“Not to worry, lover – just a moment.” Vin grinned when Ezra winked, watching as the conman lifted to fingers to his mouth. The gambler produced a sharp, long whistle, and in seconds the tracker could hear hoof beats. It wasn´t long before Chaucer was riding up close to them. Ezra sauntered off, teasing the sharpshooter´s already ragged emotions with his flaunting of his nakedness, seemingly uncaring about being so exposed and taking the few steps to his horse´s side. Vin closed his eyes and turned away. At this rate I´ll be nailing Ez right inta the ground – and it´d be damned hard ta figure out a reason ta explain him having ruined pants. He opened them again when he felt cold wetness against his belly. The tracker looked down, watching as his mate cleaned him, noting the southerner´s clothes were in their place, straightened and not much worse for the wear. He stood, allowing Ezra to finish the task, always pleased to indulge himself in a little pampering when the source was his lover. The green-eyed man stepped back and nodded before heading back to his horse. Vin finished tucking in his shirt and fastened his pants, the two things Ezra had left for him to do. When the gambler returned the longhaired man pulled him close for a kiss, then rested his head on top of the chestnut curls. After a few moments he said quietly,
“Gotta find our hats. Then I suppose we gotta get going.” The head tucked under his nodded, and he squeezed his lover once a little harder then stepped away, doing his best to ignore the urgings his body was sending to his brain, and not doing a very good job. He shook his head when Ezra´s tongue stuck out to slowly lick the corner of the southerner´s lips, eyes burning a blatant message. Damn if he don´t know it too. He laughed when his mate´s brows rose over suddenly innocent green eyes, the gambler lifting his canteen.
“I was merely working to ascertain if you were thirsty after your physical exertion.” Vin shook his head again and took the water, tilting his head back for a long draught. When he righted himself again Ezra was a few paces away, black hat on his head, the tracker´s in a hand. The cardsharp approached and popped it onto Vin´s head, and the Texan moved it a little to get it settled. He nodded.
“Ready ta go if you are.” A gold tooth flashed, and the gambler drawled,
“For me it seems you are always ready to go, Vin.” The sharpshooter felt a spike of heat in his groin and he narrowed his eyes, trying to intimidate his lover and his own traitorous body from doing anything further. One last wink and the smaller man was off, mounting up on Chaucer with a laugh before the tracker had been able to grab him and tickle him as punishment. Vin strode quickly for Peso, glad his horse at least listened to Ez´s animal, the two coming together when his mate had whistled. He mounted up and gave chase, happy smile curling his lips. You´ll pay fer that little stunt, Ez. Jus´ you wait. As he gave chase he licked his own lips in anticipation.
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