Buck's story
It had been the longest three weeks of Buck Wilmington's life.And the worst.
And now, to top it all off, he had the worst hangover he'd ever had, worse even than he ever thought a hangover could be.
And to top THAT off, not only were the women of Four Corners pissed off and ignoring him, now his oldest friend refused to even speak to him and he couldn't for the life of him figure out why.
Well, he could remember why the women were pissed off and to the point of complete and utter refusal to even speak to him. What he couldn't remember was what he'd done to thoroughly piss off Chris.
It had all started when Inez's two cousins had arrived for a month long visit...
Inez's two young, beautiful and available cousins. And Buck, being Buck just couldn't decide which one he liked better...so he set about charming them both.
Unfortunately, these two young women had both taken it to heart when he had claimed to love them, and only them.
Then he had made a crucial mistake....
He'd invited each of them to meet him out at a particularly beautiful, secluded spot...on consecutive nights. Which would have been fine, except that in his excitement about the upcoming trysts, he'd gotten the dates confused and invited them both out on the same night.
That had been that. Both young women had run crying back to town...where Inez had stepped in and, in full mother hen mode, took matters into her own very capable hands.
She immediately spoke with all the women in town, and organized a boycott...of Buck.
And now, three weeks later, it was still in effect.
Buck had finally learned an important lesson...never piss off Inez.
What he couldn't figure out was why, suddenly, Chris refused to speak to him as well.
Yesterday everything had been fine. Oh they had been enjoying watching him squirm...and squirming he had been, especially after three weeks with only his own right hand for company - his nights suddenly becoming very long and lonely.
Now, despite his aching head, Buck was desperately trying to remember what happened last night...why today his friend was treating him the same way the town's female population had been, why he refused to even acknowledge his presence.
He remembered getting dressed in his finest courtin' clothes, figuring that it was Friday night and hoping that maybe, finally, some - or at least one of the town's female population would relent.
And he remembered that they hadn't.
And he remembered sitting there, drowning his miseries as the evening progressed, and that's when things became hazy. He strained his mind trying to remember.
Then an image emerged.
The lovely vision that had walked in to the saloon.
Soft brown curls, long legs, smelling fresh and sweet and wearing a beautiful blue shirt....shirt?
Oh, God!
He'd made a pass at Vin Tanner.
PART 2
Vin and Chris
Vin Tanner had been living in Four Corners for nearly a full year, something that was fairly new to the young man. After being on the run for a while, he had resigned himself to a lonely existance...needing to move on before the bounty hunters caught up with him for good.Never putting down roots.
Never having the time to make friends.
Never having a chance at love.
It just wasn't to be...not for a young man with a price on his head. He'd had friends in the past, mostly among the people when he'd lived with them as he grew up, so he knew, all too well, what he was missing.
And then he'd stopped in the small, rough town of Four Corners. He'd taken a job, needing to restock his supplies, only intending to stay a week or two....
Then his world had turned upside down.
A rowdy group of drovers bent on revenge, an innocent man about to die at their hands...and a pair of green eyes meeting his from across the street.
And now nearly a year later, here he was, still in the small, not so rough anymore town, working as a "lawman" and desperately in love with another of the town's protectors.
In love with the man behind those sultry green eyes.
And, so far, unable and unwilling to risk the friendship that had joined them almost instantly to make those other desires, those dreams, come true.
He'd settled for friendship, but wanted so much more.
And now, having lived so close and so far away from what he wanted, he'd decided to take a chance.
He was unsure about what would happen - actually, if he was honest with himself, he was terrified. But lately he'd sensed something in his friend, something that ran through their special link.
Something that was whispering to him, telling him that his wildest dreams were possible, that his best friend might actually return his feelings.
And he prayed that he wasn't imagining it.
So tonight he walked to the bathhouse carrying his best pants, freshly washed, and a brand new shirt he'd saved for and finally purchased that morning.
His doubts continued as he scrubbed the dirt and sweat from his lean body, doubts that buzzed in his brain as he washed his long, curling hair - doubts that he ignored as he dried and combed his shiny, clean hair, donned his new shirt and freshly washed, form fitting pants and stood to leave the bathhouse.
It was late. He'd waited until he knew that there would only be a few people left at the saloon...Ezra, no doubt playing poker with anyone who still had funds left to lose, Buck, unless the women had finally forgiven him for his recent blunder. And as much as the ladies' man's prediciment had amused him and the rest of the seven, he sincerely hoped that the women had relented.
If Buck was with a woman, it would be one less witness.
One less person to testify against Larabee if he was misreading the blond.
And of course Chris, who would be at their regular table, drinking, but not to the excesses that he used to, not anymore.
Not so drunk that he wouldn't understand what Vin was about to to propose.
And not so drunk that if he was indeed wrong, the deadly Larabee aim would be impeded.
He straightened his shoulders and stepped out of the bathhouse and headed across the street.
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Chris was enjoying the show. Even after three weeks watching Buck strike out with woman after woman was enough to bring a grin to his face.
And tonight he needed a diversion, something to smile about. He was sitting there, alone. Where Vin would normally be sitting...was an empty chair.
His best friend had mysteriously disappeared earlier and he was regretting his own lack of guts when it came to taking chances.
He envied Buck - envied his willingness, even after three weeks of refusals, to keep trying. To put his feelings on the line. To reach out to another person and ask for love...even if it was only for a night.
Maybe that was why it was easier for Buck, because what Chris wanted was not one night.
What Chris wanted was more. Infinitely more.
And what he wanted wasn't something most men would want. In fact, most men would shoot him before they'd give him what he wanted, but then what he wanted wasn't something he wanted from most men.
What he wanted was from one man, and one man only. One man who had come to mean more to him than he could have conceived a year ago.
One man he was ready to risk everything for.
One man who was not here.
Not here on the one night when he had finally decided to step up and take a chance.
He sighed, shook his head and watched as Buck polished off a second bottle of rotgut. Having been spurned by every woman he had approached earlier this evening, the big man had finally given up and had spent the last hour trying to forget.
Chris sighed, then looked up as the batwing doors swung open revealing Vin Tanner.
He smiled as the man walked in, but noticed the slight hesitation in his stride at the same time that he noticed his friend's appearance.
Chris sat straighter as his body came to attention.
This was a vision he'd waited to see for a long time. Vin, but not in his usual attire...he had changed his clothes...what he was wearing was vastly different than usual. The pants fitted to his lean, long legged frame, the shirt one he'd never seem, a beautiful blue that was nearly the same shade as his intense blue eyes, his curly hair shining in the dim light without the hat to hide it.
Vin looked up and their eyes met, then before he could even smile at the sight, it was obscured.
Someone had moved between the two men.
Buck.
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Buck had been sitting alone for a while, having been snubbed yet again by every woman he'd approached. And while he'd been sitting, he'd been drinking.
Three long weeks and he was nearly out of his mind. He hadn't been without female company for this long since he'd been wearing long pants.
He'd finished one bottle and nearly finished a second when a vision walked in the door.
Curly brown hair and a lovely blue outfit...wide blue eyes. He was up and moving even before he realized it. He sidled up to the enchanting creature, one he was sure he'd never seen before.
He reached out in an attempt to seduce her before she heard about the "sentence" that had been imposed by the local women, and was astonished when his advance was met by a growl and a hard shove that left him on his rear end under a nearby table.
Well, damn, maybe he had had a bit too much to drink, but that was no reason for such rudeness. He shook his head and promptly passed out.
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Chris watched in shock as Buck reached out and grabbed Vin in a crude embrace, leaning down to whisper something in the tracker's ear and nearly toppling them both as his equilibrium reacted to the massive amount of alcohol he'd consumed.
Vin's eyes widened in shock and anger as Buck pawed at him, a flush of embarassment coloring his cheeks as the remaining men in the room whistled and called out rudely. He shoved the drunken man away, looked up to see Chris's expression of disgust, turned and ran out of the building.
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He knew his face was red, he could feel the heat as he hurried down the street. Chris's face had clearly shown his disgust. He was a fool to think that Chris might want him... that his love might be returned.
He stopped at his wagon, ripped the new shirt up over his head and tossed it into the box of clothes. He pulled on a warm flannel one, his hide coat, and strapped on his mare's leg. He needed to get out of town, needed to think about what to do now that his hopes had been thoroughly crushed underfoot. It might be better to move on...but he knew from past experience that any decisions should wait until he had taken some time to ponder. He grabbed his always packed saddlebags and headed for the livery.
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For a moment, when Buck had first grabbed Vin, Chris had been amused... but only for a moment. Then he realized that Vin had been looking at him, that the extra grooming and new outfit were for him...
And when he had looked right into those blue eyes he had seen a fire that matched his own.
Now he was gone, out the doors and into the night, and despite his desire, his need to follow, Chris knew that he had to stay where he was.
At least for a while.
There were still too many witnesses for him to go running out after Vin. And he was pretty sure that now would not be the best time to approach the skittish man, he was shyer than most virgins. No, he would have to wait.
And that was one very good reason to kick Buck Wilmington's drunken, oversexed ass.
Well, as soon as the idiot woke up.
He knew that Buck would not knowingly have interrupted his plans for the evening. Hell, he would probably be rooting for him if he knew...not that he would ever find out. His feelings for Vin were not something he was ready to share with anyone...except maybe Vin.
Why the hell did this have to be so hard?
The next afternoon, Four Corners
Buck was still sick, his head aching and his stomach trying to disown him as he sat on a chair outside the saloon with his head in his handsHe knew Chris wanted to punch him and a part of him wished he would, maybe he'd knock him out long enough for this headache to go away. No, Larabee would wait until he was feeling better...then he would stomp him back into misery. Damn, why did he have to be so stupid.
He looked up at the sound of someone approaching to find JD staring at him like he'd grown an extra ear or something. He groaned, no doubt his stupid stunt was common gossip by now.
"Did you really make a pass at Vin?" JD blurted out, unable to believe the rumor but suddenly not so sure when his mentor wouldn't meet his eyes.
Buck nodded, regretting it instantly as his stomach twitched. "Yes...and no." He paused. "I did, but not on purpose...exactly, JD, I was really drunk and when he first came in I thought he was... someone else..."
"You thought Vin was a girl?" JD nearly shouted, causing Buck to flinch from more than the loudness.
Buck moaned again, "I told you...I was really drunk."
JD shook his head and whistled. "Boy, I hope I never get THAT drunk!"
Then he wandered off, grinning. There was hope for him after all if the great ladies' man, Buck Wilmington, could mistake Vin Tanner for a girl.
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Chris thought about heading out to his cabin but didn't want to leave town until Vin came back and they had a chance to talk. He was more sure than ever that his feelings for Vin were returned, but was also pretty sure that after last night, any first move would have to come from himself...and that was intimidating, even for Chris Larabee.
What if he was wrong?
He would just have to wait and see how things were when Vin got back.
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Vin spent the next four days camped outside of town. He knew that he was being overly sensetive, but he just wasn't ready to face Chris or anyone else yet. He felt at ease in the open, not having to worry about what anyone else might think about what he said or did. He knew that he would have to go back soon, he was paid to be there and to help protect the town and he felt good doing that. He made the most of his time alone, connecting with the natural world, watching the wildlife and thinking about his future.
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On Tuesday morning, Chris got a telegram from the Judge. He needed someone to ride up to Creely's Junction to pick up some papers and deliver them to Red Rock City. The stage ran the wrong way for the papers to arrive in time, and there was no one in Creely's Junction he trusted with the job.
Josiah and Nathan were out at the reservation, and he wasn't ready to spend four days alone with Buck right now. Ezra was never a good traveling companion when he would have to "rough it in the wilderness", and JD would drive him crazy by the middle of the first day with a non-stop supply of questions.
The person he would prefer to ride with, as always, was Vin...but he was still away. He sighed and decided to have his breakfast, and then decide who would ride with him. He glared at Buck while he ate, more annoyed now than ever that he had managed to chase Vin away at the very time that he most wanted the tracker near. By the time he finished eating, he had decided to head out alone. He stopped in his room to pack some clothes and supplies and was heading for the livery when Vin rode in.
"Hey, Cowboy," the dusty Texan drawled as he rode up, relaxed and ready to face Chris and anyone else after four days of pondering.
"Hey, yourself...you ready to ride?"
"Now?"
"Yeah."
"Need to pack a couple things."
Chris nodded. "Meet you by the livery in a bit?"
"Sure, where we going?"
"Errand for the Judge...be gone four or five days."
Vin nodded and headed towards his wagon to repack his bags. He patted Peso, glad that he'd let the horse take it easy the last few days.
He packed, grabbed a bite to eat, and was waiting when Chris mounted up.
He turned to meet Chris's eyes as they rode out of town.
Both men smiled, glad to be riding together.
It would take them almost two days to get to Creely's Junction, and another to get the papers into the hands of the lawyer in Red Rock, so they would have plenty of time to talk...more than either of them really needed, both made do with few words. For now they were content to ride in silence.
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It was late afternoon when they rode into Creely's Junction, and by the time they tracked down the man with the papers, it was too late to head out again.
Vin suggested that they ride out and camp, but Chris was ready for a night up off the hard ground and a decent meal. The town was pretty crowded, so they had to settle for one room. After they ate, Vin wanted to ride out and camp, meeting up with Chris in the morning, but Chris decided that he wanted to keep Vin close, for more than one reason. He'd heard talk at the saloon...there were a couple bounty hunters in town.
Not looking forward to a night in the same room with Chris, Vin offered to stay with the horses, but Chris insisted.
Vin looked into the green eyes and knew that Chris would have his way regardless of his unease, so he agreed, rolling his blankets out on the floor of the small, one bed room.
Chris watched, wanting to invite Vin to join him but found himself unwilling to risk chasing Vin out into the hands of the bounty hunters. He'd barely gotten the Texan to agree to stay in the room and so he decided to settle for that...at least tonight. But one day soon he would have to lay his cards on the table.
They hadn't stayed out too late, needing to get an early start the next morning. Vin stretched out on his bedroll and Chris climbed into the lumpy bed. The room was only semi-quiet, being above a local saloon, but the sounds were muted enough that a man could sleep.
Unfortunately, as tired as Vin was, he was unable to fall asleep. The room was small and he was overly aware of the man lying a few feet away. He could smell the combination of tobacco, musk and leather that was Chris, and could just hear the soft sounds of breathing. He tried to shut down his senses and sleep, but the more he tried, the more aware he became of every small rustle in the bed above. And on top of everything else, he was getting hard just from being so near to the man.
He rolled over and tried to relax, but he was aching to be touched.
He slid a hand down and stopped.
He couldn't do this...not here with Chris three feet away. One groan and it would be all over.
He was eternally grateful for his ability to move with Indianlike stealth as he slid out of his blankets, grabbed his pants and gun, and slid out the door. He leaned against the wall, pulled his pants up over his longjohns, and headed down the back stairs toward the privys.
Once there, he eyed the row of smelly buildings and decided to head around behind. There were no buildings there, just a small copse of trees and bushes. He headed around, moving gently...he was still hard and extremely sensitive, it wouldn't take much to finish it tonight and he didn't want to have to walk back with a damp spot on his pants.
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Chris was lying in the lumpy bed...wide awake...trying to keep still since any movement caused creaking noises that sounded unnaturally loud in the room. He wasn't sure, but he thought that Vin was also awake. He listened, but couldn't hear enough to know for sure...the noises from downstairs were just loud enough to mask the sounds of a person breathing.
Damn. He could picture the slim Texan stretched out on the floor, long legs and tight...dammit! He was getting harder by the minute and didn't dare touch himself. Tanner had ears like a fox...HE could probably hear every breath Chris was taking...and any other noises he might make.
He lay there for what seemed like forever, then finally gave up. He sat up, pulled on his pants and slung his gunbelt over his shoulder...if Vin was awake and said anything he would simply say he needed the outhouse. After all he'd had several drinks earlier.
He padded to the door as quietly as possible, and was glad that Vin was either asleep or just figured that he needed to use the outhouse since he didn't say anything. He almost ran out the door and down the stairs to the row of privys. He started towards one but caught a whiff of the stench and decided to head around the back. It was dark and deserted and would definitely smell better.
He was getting really desperate as he reached the small copse of trees and bushes, reaching in to pull himself out before he even stopped. He saw a tree trunk ahead to lean on and hurried over, stepping on a large twig as he arrived.
SNAP !
Vin had just started to pump his hard shaft when the sound of a twig breaking directly behind him caused him to jump. He turned around and found himself face to face with Chris...each man standing with pants askew, one hand on their now slightly wilting cocks, the other clutching their respective guns.
They stood there a moment in shocked slience, each staring at the other.
Then as they stared, both unruly organs began to harden again.
"Shit, Larabee...you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Chris grinned."No...but I can think of something I'd like to give ya..."
Both stopped and stared at the other, eyes dark in the dim moonlight.
Now Vin grinned. "So, Cowboy...ya gonna put that weapon away?"
Chris smiled back...putting his colt in the holster draped over his shoulder as he replied. "I can put my gun back...but..." he looked down at his huge erection, "I don't think this one will fit."
Vin followed the blond's eyes, impressed with the size of the man and aware that his own cock was swelling even more as he watched Chris gently stroke himself. "Sure you don't need some help with that?" he was finally able to rasp out, barely able to contain his need to reach out and touch the enticing vision before him.
"Yeah...guess I could... but before you do, I just want you to know that I was hoping you would show up last Friday..." Chris paused, meeting the blue gaze, "and then you did and you looked so good that I was afraid to stand up...you know, with these tight jeans and all."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!...and then Buck ..." Chris shook his head, "I was about as close to shooting the man as I ever was when you left...been waiting to talk to you ever since."
"Me too... we need to talk...uh, but can the talking wait just a bit?" Vin looked down at himself and then at Chris. "Seems like we both have some business to take care of first."
Chris grinned again, a sly, sexy grin that few people ever saw on the gunfighter's face. "Yeah...talkin' can wait, you want to do this here or go back to the room?"
"Don't think I'd make it back to the room."
"Yeah...can see that."
"Like you could?"
Chris reached over, caressing Vin's cheek as he drew the man closer. Soon they were together, arms wrapped around each other, mouths and groins plastered together as they thrust against each other, groans and moans contained in their throats. They didn't last long, both having been on edge for too long already. Both men stiffened and cried out softly as a warm wetness spread between them. Knees threatened to give way, but two pair of strong arms locked around each other and kept them upright as they regained their equilibrium.
They stayed there for a few minutes longer, letting their breathing even out, then moved back a bit and used their longjohns to clean themselves up.
They returned to the room, both men smiling as they realized that their fears were unfounded, that they might just get a chance for more...for love.
When Vin stood inside the room looking uncertainly at the bedroll on the floor, Chris took his hand and pulled him over to the bed.
"It's kinda small."
"It's big enough."
"I don't know...you sure we'll fit?"
Chris looked at the small bed and then back at Vin. "Yeah, we'll fit," he stated confidently. He slid out of his pants and longjohns and into the bed, moving all the way over to the far side. He looked up at Vin and indicated the empty space beside him. "Come on...plenty of room."
Vin smiled shyly, the heat of passion in the woods was one thing, this was a clear choice to go on...something he wanted more than anything but now he was worried that what Chris wanted was not the same. Did he want love...or just relief for an itch.
Chris could see Vin's hesitation and knew that the younger man was unsure of where they were heading. Hell, he was unsure of it too...but what he did know was that he wanted to go there...wherever "there" ended up being, as long as it was with Vin.
"Please, Vin..." he whispered, "I need to hold you...want to tell you so many things."
Vin could hear the sincerity in Chris's voice, and noted that he wasn't demanding that Vin join him but asking. He realized that this was all new to Chris too, and made his decision.
He slipped his pants off, then pulled the still damp longjohns off his shoulders and down his long legs until he stood naked in the moonlight that spilled in through the open window.
He looked up as he heard the sharp intake of breath from the bed, and could see the desire in Chris's eyes.
He knew he was blushing and didn't care.
He climbed into the bed.
For a few moments both men just looked at each other, then Chris reached out to run a hand gently down Vin's nearly hairless chest.
"Beautiful..." he breathed.
Just the feel of Chris's hand on his chest sent a shiver of desire through Vin's body to settle in his groin. His cock twitched and started to harden.
"You wake it up," Vin breathed, "yer gonna have to put it ta bed."
"Oh, I think I can handle that, " Chris grinned, running his hand lower but skirting the growing erection. He caressed the creamy thighs and ran his fingers into the curly hair at the base of the proud shaft. He could feel a shudder run through the body beneath his hands.
"That feel good?"
"Mmmm, yeah."
Chris continued his assault, exploring Vin's body, and was rewarded with a tenative touch on his own chest. He smiled again as Vin's fingers found his nipples.
It was his turn to shudder as the nimble fingers combed gently through his chest hair, moving gradually down towards his own hardening flesh.
He leaned over to take Vin's lips with his own, tasting his lover as he thrust his tongue into the willing mouth. He threaded his fingers into the soft hair, rubbing and caressing as he moved his mouth down so he could taste Vin's neck and chest. The younger man was writhing in pleasure, his hands grasping Chris's back and moving down to caress the rounded cheeks below.
"I need more, Chris..." Vin gasped out, "take me...please."
"You sure?"
"God...yes...I need you in me."
"Okay, but I've never done this..."
At Vin's snort Chris amended his statement.
"Not with a man."
"Ain't that much different, jist gotta go slow at first."
"Okay."
Chris let Vin's hand guide him down as he spread his legs, gathering some precum to ease the way, he rimmed his hole and pushed Chris's finger inside.
"Just rub it and loosen it...then add another finger...aaahh, yes."
Chris began to explore, moving his finger in and out and sliding it around before adding a second. He could feel the muscle relax and Vin was pushing up against his fingers, his cock was getting harder and harder, he felt like he would explode, then Vin groaned again.
"Now...Chris, do it now."
He slid his fingers out and lined himself up, surprised when he felt Vin push up against him, taking him deeply inside. Now he groaned, Vin was so tight and hot, he started to thrust, trying to go slow but Vin was pushing up against him urging him to move faster.
"You sure?" he gasped, still trying to take it slow.
"Go!" Vin whispered urgently.
Chris went...hard and fast, too close to the edge to hold back, too close to make it last. He felt better than he could remember feeling...ever...and then he was coming, seed pumping into the willing body beneath him, the warm wetness of Vin's orgasm spreading between their bodies.
The collapsed into a boneless heap, gasping for air, hearts beating frantically.
Then they slept.
Meanwhile, back in Four Corners...
Buck walked down the street, more frustrated than ever. Now, on top of having the women shunning him, men - salesmen passing through town - were making passes at him. Apparently the rumors of his incident with Vin had begun to attract the kind of men who wanted that kind of attention, and now he'd had to fend off three sepaerate attempts by two different men in the past day. That little soap salesman was certainly persistent...making a second try even after Buck had thumped him soundly the first time...his excuse being that he thought that Buck was just playing hard to get.Damn...if this went on much longer some of these guys might start looking pretty good.
He was so busy thinking, he never even noticed someone approaching until the strong fingers grabbed his left butt cheek.
Buck squeeked and jumped. Figuring it was a local man rubbing his predicament in, he glanced down and to the left...surprised to see not the legs in boots that he expected, but skirts.
There was a woman behind him...a woman who had just goosed him. Buck was estatic, he plastered his best, Hello..I'm Buck...let's go somewhere private, smile on his face and turned around.
Turned around to see the widow Benchly.
The 60 something year old, insatiable, over sexed widow Benchly.
If the rumors were to be believed, she had buried 4 husbands. But, if the rumors were true...they 'd all died with smiles on their faces.
He stood, smile still plastered on his face, staring as she winked at him before opening her toothless mouth in a huge grin.
"Oh Lord..." Buck thought as he pictured himself in bed with the woman. "I am getting desperate...where the heck did that soap salesman go..."
The next two days weren't any better.
Oh, he was getting female attention...from the half dozen females that he had never...EVER considered spending time with.
There was old Sally, the retired saloon girl...only retired because no one would go near her even for free, and the spinster daughter from the sheep ranch just outside of town...the one that JD swore was a man in a dress. And others that made these look like good bets.
Good God...maybe he should move to another town. Four Corners just wasn't fun anymore.
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Vin and Chris woke the next morning wrapped tightly together. Both a bit shy about waking in such close proximity but, once they realized that the other was feeling the same way, things were easier. They dressed, ate a hearty breakfast that was punctuated by some shy looks, and headed off to deliver the papers.
The trip to Red Rock took all day, arriving there at nearly nine in the evening. They found the lawyer, handed over the papers, and went down to the hotel looking for dinner.
This time Chris had no problem convincing Vin to stay in town for the night, and the room they rented had a large bed with a very comfortable mattress...not that they would have noticed if it wasn't. Despite the large bed and soft mattress they got very little sleep.
Morning came and the somewhat sleepy, but very sated, men arose, drank coffee, stopped in the mercantile to pick up some supplies for the ride back, and by 9, they were riding out of town.
The trip back to Four Corners could be made in just over one day if a person was willing to ride long hours and take very short breaks.
Chris and Vin took nearly three days.
They were keeping a leisurely pace, stopping often to rest, hunt, slip into a wooded area for an afternoon of sweet sex in the soft grasses or just stop to watch a sunset. Peso and Pony were content to take their time, filling up on the sweet grasses along the streams and in the small valleys.
Four Corners Monday afternoon
Chris and Vin rode into town late in the day. They left the horses in the livery, groomed and well fed, before heading to the saloon. There they found out that Buck's punishment was in yet another phase...much to the amusement of most of the town. Ezra was making a fortune taking bets as to which of the "suitors" who were wooing him would succeed first..so far the widow Benchly was the favorite with the short, balding soap salesman a close second.Chris chuckled when he realized that Inez was playing her hand all the way to the end...it would be a long time before Buck tried to romance two women secretly again. More than one saloon girl out in the open was one thing, they knew and expected his behavior, but innocent young women were another matter.
They were on their second drinks when the big man arrived to the cheers and jeers of the various men hanging around. He spotted them and approached their table hesitantly, not sure if Chris was still mad at him. Chris smiled as he rose and Buck offered his hand.
Chris was reaching out to shake with his old friend when Vin stood and stage whispered into his ear..."Don't know iffin' I'd want ta touch that..." he paused and grinned..."you KNOW where it's been these last couple a weeks without no women in his bed."
Chris laughed, shook Buck's hand, and gave him a bearhug. "He's got a point there, Buck. " He was in too good a mood to hold a grudge.
Vin reached over to clasp hands with the mustached man, meeting his eyes as he did to let him know he was, after all, forgiven.
They both burst out laughing when the short balding salesman entered the saloon and made a beeline for Buck.
They spent the evening catching up with the rest of the seven as they wandered in, Nathan and Josiah back from the reservation and JD proud to have been in charge in their absence.
They sat at their usual table, quietly drinking and keeping an eye on the rest of the room.
A short visit with Inez confirmed Chris's suspicion that Buck's penance was nearly done, but only after he swore not to tell Buck...she wanted to enjoy the last couple of days of suffering before she let him off the hook.
Vin finished his beer and stood.
"Think I'm gonna head out fer the night."
Chris nodded, knowing that they would have to be careful, especially around town where people would notice a change of routine.
"See ya tomorrow, he added as Vin headed for the door. After all, it was past eleven, tomorrow was less than an hour away.
He took a sip of whisky and smiled as he felt the slow burn in his throat...it nearly matched the slow burn he was feeling a bit lower.
He made a silent salute as he took another sip. Here's to tomorrow!
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