ATF Universe
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Chris woke to the darkness of pre-dawn. It was a work day, but he hadn´t heard the alarm and his sleep-clouded mind tried to discern exactly what it was that had awakened him. He was on his side, Vin snuggled close to his back, his warm length pressed along Chris´, his arm laying across the blonde´s waist.And then he realized that those long, slender fingers were moving, lightly drawing circles around his navel and slowly making their way lower.
With a happy smile, he turned languidly to face his lover. “Don´t you ever get enough?” he asked in a sleep-roughened voice as he planted soft kisses along the other man´s jaw.
He´d kept his promise the night before and then some. After their initial reunion, they´d made slow sweet love under the tree and then again quickly in the shower before they´d both tumbled into bed exhausted and satisfied, mind, body and soul.
“Ain´t never gonna get enough of you,” Tanner replied on a sigh.
“Glad to hear it,” Chris murmured as he nuzzled the Texan´s warm neck. “´Cause I´m not going anywhere, ever.”
Vin gently pushed him back and rolled on top of him, his blue eyes sparkling. “Well, then,” he drawled. “In that case, I reckon I got me lotsa time ta do this.” He began slowly making love to the other man with his mouth, trailing sweet kisses and gentle nibbles in an invisible path down the blonde´s chest and stomach.
Chris twined his fingers through the tangled curls and silently urged his lover onward.
And Vin, being one who took direction well, at least in the bedroom, never hesitated to comply. As he reached the apex of the other man´s thighs, he kissed the tip of the already hard member before engulfing it with his mouth to the base.
“Vin,” Chris sighed.
Tanner only chuckled around the mouthful of flesh as his head bobbed up and down in a slow, sensual rhythm. He heard his lover´s breathing quicken and felt the urgent but gentle tugs in his hair, but he would not be swayed from his task. He continued to suck the twitching cock, opening his throat to take it even deeper as his lips brushed the wiry curls nestled there.
“God, Vin, I´m gonna…” Chris was panting.
Vin only intensified his efforts, snaking one hand lower to gently squeeze the taut balls before moving on to the puckered entrance beyond. He traced the opening with one finger and then pressed gently inward. At the same time, he used his thumb to apply just the right amount of pressure to the spot just behind the twitching ballsac and took his lover´s cock as deep into his throat as physically possible.
And the combination had Chris screaming his name as thick streams of cum began to shoot deep into the willing throat.
Vin swallowed every drop, milking the pulsing shaft for all it was worth. Only when he felt the flesh softening in his mouth did he let it slip free, moving slowly up to take the blonde´s lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
Chris moaned as he tasted himself on the other man´s tongue and returned the kiss with everything he had.
Vin was reaching for the nightstand and as soon as he had the tube he sought in his hand, he pulled back to sit straddling the lean blonde.
“Wanna be inside ya, Chris,” he murmured as he squeezed a good portion of the clear gel into the palm of his hand. He tossed the tube aside, his eyes still locked on those of his lover, and began to warm the slick substance in his hands.
“Yes,” Chris managed, still feeling the effects of such a strong orgasm, but already anticipating the feel of the man he loved buried deep inside him. “Hurry, Vin.”
“Shhhhh,” Vin soothed, while he used one hand to coat his hard, weeping cock. He closed his eyes only briefly as he made contact, then opened them again to lock on the green ones he loved so much. “Gonna love ya, now, Cowboy,” he said softly.
Chris felt as though he was drowning in those deep pools of blue but couldn´t look away if he tried. “Love me, Vin,” he whispered hoarsely.
Vin smiled and leaned down for a sweet kiss before moving back to position himself between the blonde´s long legs.
“That´s it,” he murmured gently as he stroked the soft skin of his lover´s inner thighs and they opened wider for him. He guided Chris legs with gentle hands, open and back until the coveted entrance lay before him like a desert oasis.
He licked his lips absently before lifting his eyes to meet Chris´ once more. He always loved looking into those green orbs, but never as much as when they were filled with love and longing like they were at the moment. No words were needed between them as every feeling flowed freely between green and blue.
Vin circled the tiny, puckered hole with one slick finger, watching the emotions playing out on the blonde´s face. As he pushed it carefully inside, he noted the brief flicker of surprise and then total rapture as he began stroking it slowly in and out.
“More,” Chris gasped. “Please, Vin.”
Vin obliged, introducing a second finger and scissoring them gently to prepare the way. By the time he added a third, the lean body beneath him was writhing with need.
Satisfied that the opening was as relaxed as it was going to be, Vin withdrew his fingers and positioned the head of his cock at the pulsing hole. As he began to slowly push in, he ran his hands down his lover´s arms until he found the long, strong fingers he sought. Entwining them with his own, he stretched the strong arms outward, leaning in as he slowly filled the body of the man he loved.
Chris groaned and pressed his head into the pillow at the sweet sensations. When he felt Vin´s lips brush gently against his own, he offered his mouth wholly to the other, reveling in the deep, passionate kiss that awaited him there.
Vin established an easy rhythm, rocking deeply into the taller frame before withdrawing with excruciating slowness only to start all over again. It was slow and incredibly erotic and Chris thought he might just lose his mind.
“God, Vin,” he gasped.
Vin smiled as he rocked forward, closing his eyes briefly at the incredible feelings coursing through him. “Nothing like… a good… slow… fuck… in the … morning… huh, Cowboy?” he rasped, each word punctuated by an even deeper thrust than the last.
The words, combined with the indescribable sensations his lover was creating, combined to carry him past the point of coherent reply. His cock was now rock hard, bobbing against his flat stomach with each movement of the man above him. His fingers twitched with the need to reach for it, but Vin´s held them trapped, denying him the opportunity for self-gratification.
Instead, the Texan shifted his weight slightly, crushing the throbbing shaft between the hard planes of their stomachs and ensuring constant stimulation while they moved together.
And that was Chris´ undoing. He clutched desperately at the other man´s hands, his head thrown back, teeth clenched. As his seed began to shoot forth, a low, guttural moan escaped him. “Viiiiiiinnn!” he cried out.
Vin closed his eyes and thrust deep, his pelvis grinding against the back of the other man´s thighs as the sound of his name riding the currents of passion washed over him. “Oh God, Chris,” he moaned as he found his own release. He continued to pump into the body beneath him until he was completely spent, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he collapsed onto the other man.
Chris disentangled their fingers and embraced his lover with trembling arms. “Vin,” he panted with a tone of awe in his voice. “I never….”
“Me either,” Vin gasped, struggling to get his breathing under control. “Damn.”
Chris nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he finally managed through a dry throat. “Damn.”
+ + + + + + +
When they reached the office Buck and JD were already there. It wasn´t usual for the ladies´ man to be early and Chris suspected he´d been anxious to check on the well-being of the two lovers. Chris´ smile and cheery greeting seemed to put the scoundrel´s mind at ease and he grinned back.
“Morning, Chris, Junior,” he called from his desk.
“Hey, Vin, hey, Chris,” JD added his own greeting. “Didn´t think you guys would be in this morning.” As soon as he heard his own words, he became flustered. “I mean, with you being out of town, Chris, and Vin having finished up the surveillance tapes ahead of schedule, I just thought… I mean, I …”
Chris chuckled. “Don´t sweat it, kid. I´ve got some paperwork I want to get out of the way before the holidays.”
Buck was grinning in amusement at his flustered roommate. “Nice cover, JD,” he teased.
“Shut up, Buck,” Dunne retorted, the colour rising in his face.
Buck swiveled in his chair to face Vin who sat at his desk looking momentarily puzzled. As he watched, the lean sharpshooter reached over and plucked the calendar from his wastebasket, replacing it on his desk with a smile.
“How you feeling this morning, Junior?” Buck asked casually.
Vin met his gaze and smiled again. “´m good, Bucklin,” he replied, ducking his head slightly. After a brief hesitation, he added, “Thanks.”
It might have sounded like the customary ‘thanks for asking´, but Buck knew the gratitude was for more than his casual inquiry. “Anytime, my friend,” he replied quietly.
Vin nodded uncomfortably and reached for his phone to check messages. His hand lingered on the handset for a moment and his expression clouded slightly as though remembering something. Getting to his feet, he walked over to Buck´s desk and stood looking down at the other agent.
“´M sorry, Buck,” he said, taking note of the bruise on his friend´s jaw. “Had no right ta hit ya. You were only tryin´ ta help.”
“Water under the bridge, Junior,” Buck assured him, his eyes revealing nothing but understanding and acceptance before beginning to crinkle in amusement. “Already decided next time I wanna help, I´ll send JD in first.”
“Like Hell you will,” JD interjected from his desk. “I know better.”
The bantering was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the team. Even Ezra was on time for a change and each of them took a moment to acknowledge how good it felt having them all together.
Vin´s good mood faltered only slightly as he caught Josiah looking at him. He knew he owed the older man an explanation and knew just as well that it wasn´t going to be put off any longer. When Sanchez´s eyes flitted to the large glass doors leading to the corridor, Vin nodded almost imperceptibly. “Forgot somethin´ up in the surveillance room yesterday,” he announced quietly. “Be right back.”
No one thought anything of it, nor did Josiah´s weak excuse for departure a few minutes later raise any enquiring brows.
Except with Chris.
He glanced over at Buck with a questioning look, only to have his friend offer a small shake of his wavy dark head in response.
Wilmington realized the talk between the two men was necessary and only hoped that the profiler would be more convincing than he, himself, had been. Either way, it was best Chris not know anything about it. “Ain´t nothing to worry about, Chris,” he assured his old friend.
Chris glanced uncertainly at the doors where the two agents had disappeared, but nodded in acceptance of Buck´s words. Their discussion the night before was proof enough that Buck would tell him if he thought it was important and he trusted his friend´s instincts. “I´ll be in my office.”
Vin was waiting for Josiah down the hall in front of the empty interrogation room. He´d chosen it as the least likely spot for them to be overheard but couldn´t help a wry smile at the irony. No doubt Josiah wanted some answers, deserved them even. What better place for him to get them?
“You all right, brother?” Josiah asked as they entered the room and Vin closed the door.
Vin knew the question was based on the previous night´s events and nodded with a small smile. “Yeah,” he answered. Taking a deep breath, he delved into the real reason for their clandestine meeting. “´M sorry, Josiah. I know ya went ta a lot of trouble for me and it weren´t right for me ta bail on ya at the last minute. I´ll make it up to ya, I swear.”
Josiah considered the words for a moment. “Why did you bail, Vin?”
Tanner sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He knew the question had been coming, but he still hadn´t come up with an answer that would explain it all. “Just realized how stupid it was, s´all. A poor imitation.”
“Think Chris would feel that way?” Josiah pressed.
Jesus, the room certainly was living up to its name.
He forced himself to think about the night before and knew that Chris wouldn´t have felt that way at all.
“No,” he replied with a smile. “No, he wouldn´t.” He noticed the profiler looking at him expectantly and decided to try to explain as best he could. “I was scared, Josiah,” he admitted in a quiet voice. “I kept thinkin´ how much things were the same as they were with Sarah, and how they´s different. I ain´t never had anything like this before, but Chris did have it once. I was scared of how he would react and I just didn´t want him ta think I was tryin´ ta replace somethin´ so special ta him.”
“And now?” Josiah prodded gently.
“Now I reckon I know I was lookin´ at it all wrong,” he admitted thoughtfully. “Everything I have with Chris, it just wouldn´t be the same with anybody else. Even if I had good Christmas mem´ries, none of ‘em would compare ta what I got right now, ‘cuz now I ain´t just r´memberin´ ‘em, I´m livin´ ‘em.”
Josiah smiled at that. “And now you know just how Chris feels.”
Vin blushed slightly as a small smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, reckon I do.”
“So,” the profiler ventured after a brief pause. “Does this mean the original gift is back on?”
Vin´s eyes widened slightly. “You mean you didn´t…?”
Josiah leaned forward. “Vin, we both know that the part of the gift that I was helping with is only a symbol,” he pointed out. “The real gift is what´s in your heart that made you want to do it.” He paused to study the expressive blue eyes and smiled. “Besides, you really didn´t think I´d just cancel everything without talking to you first, did you? It´s still ready to go, just the way you planned it, but only if that´s what you want.”
Vin´s mind flitted to the most important moments of his young life, the vulnerable look in Chris´ eyes as he admitted his feelings, the hope shining there when the blonde had first issued the invitation to join him at the ranch permanently, the soft light that radiated from the shimmering pools of green whenever they sat on the deck together, silently looking out over the world they shared.
And the feeling of being truly loved and wanted that had filled Vin on every one of those occasions.
And now Josiah was asking him if he still wanted to give Chris that same gift.
“Hell, yeah,” he grinned warmly.
Josiah beamed at the joyful expression on his friend´s face. “That´s just what I wanted to hear, brother.”
“Thanks, J‘siah,” Vin said, sincerely, holding out his hand to the other agent.
Josiah looked at the hand and grinned. “Just won´t cut it, brother,” he said, sweeping him into a huge bear hug. “And you´re welcome.”
+ + + + + + +
Chris witnessed the return of his two missing agents and couldn´t help smiling at the happy looks on both faces. Whatever they´d needed to work out between them, they´d obviously managed it in fine form.
“Now that we´re all here,” he said, trying to maintain a business-like tone, “Might I suggest we try to get some work done?”
“In just a minute,” Vin interjected, holding up one hand. “First, I was wonderin´ if y´all wanna come out to help me´n Chris decorate the tree tonight.”
“Wild horses couldn´t keep me away,” Buck beamed at the invitation.
“I´m in,” JD exclaimed excitedly. “Still got that surprise I wanted to give you.”
“Raine´s working tonight so she can get tomorrow off,” Nathan smiled. “Count me in, too.”
“I´ll bring the chili,” Josiah grinned.
Standish looked around at the other men. “Seems I´m not the only one willing to admit that I had been hoping for just such an invitation,” he grinned, his gold tooth flashing. “I would be most pleased to attend, Mr. Tanner.”
Vin happily acknowledged the acceptances with a quick nod.
“Now, can we get some work done?” Chris prodded, one eyebrow raised in a stern expression, though he couldn´t keep the sparkle out of his eyes at his lover´s obvious excitement.
“Aye aye, capt´n,” Vin grinned with a wink.
Chris watched them busy themselves at their desks, knowing the moment his back was turned, they´d be discussing plans for the impromptu party. With a smile and a slow shake of his head, he went into his office to allow them to do just that.
+ + + + + + +
Vin stood in front of the decorated tree, lightly touching the new ornaments that hung there, the surprise that JD had been so anxious to bestow upon them. He smiled warmly as he thought back to the previous day´s decorating party.
As usual, Buck and JD were the first to arrive. The taller agent carried two pizza boxes and JD had the same small box he´d had with him the other day.
Buck feigned a look of horror when Chris and Vin had entered the room. “Uh, oh, JD,” he´d gasped. “They both got dry hair. Something´s wrong.”
“Funny, Bucklin,” Vin smirked, though he couldn´t help the sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
“Forget him,” JD advised, grabbing Vin´s arm and leading him toward the den. “When are the others getting here?”
The ringing of the doorbell was their answer. “Guess that would be now,” Vin grinned, going to welcome the new arrivals.
They shared a meal of chili, pizza, beer and various other munchies, each delighting in the jovial company. Once their hunger had been satisfied, they moved into the den where the mammoth tree awaited them.
“Wait ‘til you see what I found,” JD exclaimed, hurrying to grab the box he´d left by the tree.
The younger man´s enthusiasm was contagious and Vin took a seat on the sofa to watch as JD unpacked the small box.
“God, just look at these, Chris,” Vin breathed, holding up two of the ornaments JD had found. “They´re just so …” His voice trailed off as he searched for the right word.
Chris looked over the assortment of decorations JD had spread on the coffee table. There were twelve in all, each a flat oval of mother-of-pearl inlaid with diamond-cut copper. And each depicted some facet of the old west, cowboy boots, western hats, horses, eagles, wolves. He picked one up and watched the light reflecting from the intricate patterns. “Perfect,” he supplied, finishing Vin´s thought.
“Yeah,” Vin concurred with one nod of his head. “Perfect.” He turned to JD with a wide smile. “Thanks, kid. They´ll hang on our tree every year, I can promise ya that.”
JD blushed slightly at the words. “Not like I could see them and not think of you two,” he replied with a shrug. With a mischievous twinkle, he added, “especially this one.” He pulled out yet another, this one a round ball instead of a flat oval, the design depicting two cowboys standing shoulder to shoulder at a corral fence. Two horses grazed beyond the fence while majestic mountains provided an appropriate backdrop.
Vin had no words as he took it almost tentatively from his young friend´s hand, turning it slowly to take in every detail. When he finally found his voice, it was rough with a mixture of emotions. “Don´t know what ta say, JD,” he admitted, the hint of tears in his eyes.
“Don´t have to say anything,” JD replied with a proud smile. “Just have to hang it on the tree.” He rushed to add, “If you like it, I mean.”
“I love it,” Vin assured him in a quiet voice.
“We both do, JD,” Chris added with a hand to the younger man´s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Strong arms circled him from behind and brought him back to the present. He covered Chris´ hands with his own and smiled.. “Jesus, Cowboy,” he complained good naturedly. “Your hands are like ice.”
“It´s cold out,” Chris murmured, nuzzling Vin´s warm neck with his mouth. “But the chores are done and now it´s just you and me for the rest of the night.”
Vin leaned back in the embrace and drew the blonde´s arms more tightly around him. “It´s a perfect tree, Chris,” he said softly.
Chris lifted his eyes to look at the tree, pulling Vin more tightly to him. “A perfect tree for the perfect Christmas,” he agreed.
Vin turned his head to catch the other man´s lips in a sweet kiss before turning to once again gaze at the twinkling lights and sparkling decorations.
“Least it would be except for one thing,” Chris murmured.
“What´s that?” Vin asked with a smile, recognizing the teasing lilt in his lover´s voice.
“I´m still cold,” Chris replied, slipping his hands beneath Vin´s shirt.
Vin turned with a gasp. Seeing the amused twinkle in the other man´s eyes, he generated one of his own. “Well, then,” he drawled. “Reckon we´ll just have to do something about that.” He reached up to lightly brush the tempting lips and winked. “Be right back.”
Without further explanation, he disappeared down the hall toward the bedroom. A moment later, he was back, his arms laden with pillows and blankets.
Chris watched as he spread them in front of the fire. Once the task was completed, he caught his young lover in a close embrace. “Looks real cozy,” he murmured, leaning in for a gentle kiss.
“Can´t have ya catchin´ a chill on Christmas Eve, now, can we?” Vin returned, slipping his arms around the other man´s trim waist.
Chris´ lips were already tracking a path along his lover´s jaw. “Think maybe we can head it off at the pass?”
Vin chuckled. “I reckon we could sure give it a try, Cowboy.” He cupped the other man´s face in his hands, stilling the wandering lips before claiming them in a long, breathtaking kiss.
“Feeling warmer already,” Chris breathed once they´d parted for air.
“Ya ain´t felt nothin´ yet,” the Texan drawled, lowering himself to his knees on the makeshift bed and drawing his lover with him.
Chests pressed close together, hands and lips paying homage to each other´s bodies, they reveled in their own little piece of paradise, a place that consisted only of the two of them and the love that had made them whole.
Taking their time, they removed each other´s shirts, caressing newly exposed skin with trembling fingers and warm mouths. As they reached to undo belts and jeans, their gazes locked. Feelings were exchanged without words, the depth of their emotion far greater than anything mere language could describe.
When the last barrier of clothing had been removed, Chris gently lowered his lover to the soft bedding, blanketing the strong body with his own. Two pairs of lips sought and found their mates in a long, slow kiss that left them breathless.
“God,” Chris breathed, staring down into the handsome face. Vin´s features were illuminated softly by the light of the fire, the twinkling bulbs from the tree reflected in the deep, blue eyes. “I don´t think I´ve ever seen a more beautiful sight.”
Vin smiled sweetly. “Just have ta look in the mirror, Chris.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Chris said, returning the smile. “That way I could watch as I make love to you all night long.”
Vin cupped his face with gentle hands, silently commanding his gaze. Once green eyes locked on blue, he smiled again. “It´s all right here, Cowboy,” he said on a whisper. “All ya gotta do is see it.”
And suddenly, he did see it in a way he never had before. Not only was everything Vin felt shining in those clear, blue pools, but everything Chris felt for him as well. He briefly wondered if his own eyes reflected the same things, but the knowing smile that crinkled the corners of the Texan´s eyes was his answer.
“God, I love you,” he gasped softly as the enormity of their shared feelings washed over him.
Vin´s smile softened at the words and he brushed a thumb over the other man´s lips. “Love you too, Chris. More than I can say.”
Still gazing into the liquid blue eyes, Chris knew that he didn´t have to say a word. Their souls had always spoke a language all their own and the moment found them both willing to let the necessity for speech fall by the wayside.
But their hearts spoke volumes as they leisurely began to express themselves with hands and mouths, each unwilling to rush the precious moments stretching before them.
Vin´s body writhed with cat-like grace as Chris encircled one nipple with his lips, alternately suckling and nibbling the sensitive bud until it reached peak hardness before moving on to lave the same attention on its twin. Vin´s long fingers carded through his hair, encouraging but without the urgency that was so often the case.
Chris smiled at that.
On the job, as well as in other aspects of his life, Vin was the most patient man he´d ever known, but when it came to making love, that particular virtue seemed to fly right out the window. The fact that the man writhing beneath him seemed to want it to last as much as he did was just one more indication of how in sync their souls actually were and Chris was determined to make sure his lover enjoyed every sensual moment.
He began to trail soft kisses down the hard body, pausing to pay particular attention to the inviting navel before continuing his downward journey. He kissed the flat stomach, then blew across the moist skin lightly, smiling as the muscles fluttered beneath his ministrations. From there, he made his way to the thatch of wiry curls, nuzzling his face in the warmth radiating from his lover before moving to place a gentle kiss on the inside of each thigh.
Long legs parted slightly to allow him better access and he kissed the tip of the hard cock almost reverently. Not one to be swayed easily from his planned course of action, he then continued on, his lips moving slowly down one leg until they reached the slender foot. He paid loving attention to each toe, gently drawing it into his mouth and swirling his tongue around the tip before moving on to the next. He could hear his partner´s breathing quicken and couldn´t help another small smile. To the casual observer, Vin Tanner seemed to shy away from bodily contact with anyone, often casually sidestepping to avoid even a mere brushing of shoulders with a stranger.
Only Chris knew how sensitive to touch his lover truly was. It still surprised him in some ways, but he never missed an opportunity to afford the other man the physical contact he longed for. From a casual hand on his shoulder at the office or the forearm grasp that was a greeting all their own, to the mind-blowing sex they so frequently engaged in, Chris did his best to meet the other man´s tactile needs.
And, in doing so, found his own need for contact being fulfilled beyond his wildest dreams.
By the time he started on the other foot, paying the same attention to each toe and along the sensitive arch, Vin was visibly trembling. The blue eyes were closed, the lips slightly parted as soft pants escaped into the otherwise quiet room. He continued to take his time, slowly moving up the lightly furred skin of his lover´s leg until he again reached the proud shaft rising out of its nest of curls. This time, after placing another soft kiss on the head, he proceeded to slowly engulf the throbbing member in his mouth, his tongue stroking leisurely patterns on the hardened flesh.
“Chris,” Vin whispered, his desire mounting with every stroke of that velvet tongue.
The blonde allowed the weeping organ to slip from his mouth as he raised his head to look into his lover´s flushed face. Seeing the plea shining from the eyes fixed on him, he reached for the tube Vin had strategically tucked under the edge of the blankets. He opened the cap, his gazed still fixed on that of his lover as pleas and promises were silently exchanged. They´d both wanted to stretch out this one perfect moment in time and, in that instant of clarity as green and blue merged, they realized that they already had. It was one moment that would outlast all others – a lifetime of love and happiness, theirs for the taking.
Chris had to stifle a shudder of awe as the realization flowed through him. The matching tremor that ran through the body beneath him further confirmed the bond that had just been strengthened with nothing more than a look. Not wanting words to demean the significance of the feelings coursing between them, they each reached silently for the other, their lips meeting in a kiss as deep and as full of emotion as any they´d shared, raising the level of arousal to new heights.
When the need to breathe forced them apart, their eyes met again, communicating all that needed to be said between them. Slowly, Chris sat back on his heels, the tube still in his hand, his eyes still locked with those he loved. The silent answer was revealed as Vin raised his knees, parting strong thighs to allow his lover access to his most intimate regions.
Squeezing out a generous amount of the clear gel, Chris warmed it in his hands before reaching for the entrance to the other man´s body. Slowly, gently, he inserted one finger, pausing only briefly as his partner´s eyes closed at the sweet invasion. After allowing a moment for adjustment, he began to work the long digit in and out, tenderly preparing the tight opening for the joining to come. Adding a second finger, soon followed by a third, he kept his gaze rooted to Vin´s as though to break the connection would mean letting go of life itself.
Once satisfied that his lover was ready for him, he removing his fingers, shifting his body slightly to position his hard, weeping cock at its desired destination. He clasped the other man´s hands in his, entwining their fingers as he began to push slowly into the welcoming channel.
Vin let out a long breath as he felt himself being filled, his emotive blue eyes holding their green counterparts captive. He tightened his grip on the blonde´s hands as he raised his hips to further accommodate the hard length pressing into him. A tremor coursed through him, accompanied by a small gasp as Chris unerringly stroked the sensitive gland within him.
Chris was completely mesmerized by the sight of the man beneath him. Firelight and twinkling Christmas bulbs were reflected in the blue eyes and glinted off the blonde streaks in the long, wavy hair. Lips slightly swollen from deep kisses moved soundlessly in conjunction with the soft panting that had become his only source of breath.
He´d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life and it filled him with a warmth he´d never thought possible.
Keeping his movements slow and steady, he pushed in as far as he could, depositing a soft kiss on the moist lips that beckoned to him before pulling out at the same tortuously sweet pace. Vin´s back arched as he strove to meet each long, deep thrust, his body on fire from the sheer pleasure being wrung from every nerve. When Chris pulled out, he lowered his hips, only to raise them again to meet the next downward stroke.
The slow dance of passion continued in silence until neither could deny the urgency of their need any longer.
“Chris!” Vin gasped in a whisper.
“Oh, God,” Chris ground out in response. He released the other man´s hands and gripped the slender hips tightly as he plunged even deeper into the warm depths with increasing speed. Vin´s hands clutched at the blankets, his lower lip caught between his teeth as he matched his lover´s rhythm.
When he reached for his own twitching shaft, bent on finding the release he so craved, a hand stopped him. Looking into the moss green eyes, he saw the blonde shake his head only slightly. The next instant, his lover´s body went rigid as he thrust deep and held for a moment before slipping his arms around his lover and holding him tight as he pumped out the remainder of his release in slow, steady strokes.
Vin´s nerves were on fire, his cock straining for the same release, but Chris was well aware of that and had plans of his own. Without taking time to allow his trembling body to recover, he rolled them gently, smiling up into the surprised blue eyes of the man now straddling him.
With a nod of encouragement, he raised his knees in silent invitation.
Vin swallowed hard, then grabbed the lube, quickly coating his length before quickly preparing his lover and raising question-filled eyes to the blonde´s face.
Chris only nodded again, assuring him that he was ready.
Vin swallowed once again and positioned his cock at the tight entrance. Gently, he worked his way inside, inch by precious inch until he was buried to the hilt. Seeing nothing but pure pleasure in his lover´s face, he began slowly thrusting in and out, seeking much-needed relief.
“Yes,” Chris hissed, raising his body to meet Vin´s.
That one word and the look of intense rapture on the other man´s face was all it took to send Vin over the edge. “God, Chris,” he hissed as he let himself go. He ground his hips into the other man, straining to release his seed as deep as humanly possible. Three more long deep thrusts of his hips and he was spent, all but collapsing on the body beneath him.
Chris raised trembling arms and pulled the other man closer, kissing the sweaty, tousled hair as they both tried to regain some semblance of normal breathing.
“I love you, Chris,” Vin breathed, his cheek resting against the blonde´s hard chest, listening as the pounding heart began to slow to a calmer rate.
“I love you too,” Chris replied, gently stroking the silky skin of the other man´s back. “That was something else.”
Raising his head to look into the eyes of his lover, Vin smiled. “So, I guess you warmed up some, huh?”
“Can´t imagine ever feeling warmer than I do right now,” Chris murmured, brushing the pad of his thumb lovingly over the firm lips of the other man. “Inside and out.”
Vin kissed him gently, then snuggled back into the strong arms that held him. He was silent for a moment. “Don´t get any better than this, does it?”
“Yeah, it does,” Chris breathed, stroking the silky head resting on his chest. “Every day I´m with you, it gets better.”
He felt a tremor run through the lithe body in his arms and knew it wasn´t just the words. “Of course,” he smiled, “Our days will be numbered if you freeze to death on me.” He nudged the other man gently. “Come on; let´s get cleaned up and get you dressed. We´ve still got the whole night ahead of us.”
Vin raised his head to regard the blonde lovingly. “Our first Christmas Eve,” he said with a smile.
“First of many,” Chris promised, the sincerity in his eyes matching that in his voice.
Vin leaned in to kiss him again but when Chris felt the body begin to tremble from the cool air, he regretfully pulled away. “Let´s continue this in a hot shower, shall we?”
And continue it they did, even though they were both too physically and emotionally sated for anything more than long, lingering kisses under the hot spray. Once they were cleaned up and dressed, they returned to the sofa, content to hold one another in silence as they watched the flames dancing in the fireplace.
After several long moments spent enjoying being in one another´s arms, Chris placed a gentle kiss on the top of his lover´s head.
“I want to give you one of your gifts tonight, Vin,” he said softly.
Vin turned fully to face him, a cocky grin on his face. “Coulda said somethin´ ‘fore I went and got all dressed,” he teased.
“Not the gift I was talking about,” he snickered. His tone more serious, he added, “Something I want you to have before tomorrow.”
Vin licked his lips nervously at the blonde´s intense gaze and pulled himself to a sitting position. “Ok,” he said, trying to keep the wariness from his voice. “What is it?”
Chris leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “Wait here,” he said, then he was gone, hurrying toward the bedroom.
When he returned, he had a sheet of paper in his hand. Taking a seat next to Vin, he looked at the paper and then into the curious blue eyes before he slowly handed it over.
Vin took it and unfolded it, the confusion on his face growing as he realized what it was. He looked up at Chris with a tremulous smile. “For Christmas, yer givin´ me the chance ta pay the feed bill?” he asked, unsure what it was supposed to mean.
“Smartass,” Chris chuckled. “Up at the top, under ‘sold to´.”
Vin returned his eyes to the bill, expecting to see Chris´ name where he usually did. “L & T…” he began to read. His voice trailed off as the rest became clear. Swallowing hard and blinking back sudden tears, he continued in a hushed voice. “L & T Ranch,” he finally managed.
“Had all the papers drawn up,” Chris said softly. “Just waiting on your signature and it´s official.”
“Chris, I …” Vin struggled to find the words to express what he was feeling.
Chris took his hands and looked deep into the tear-filled blue eyes. “I want you to wake up our first Christmas morning in our home. Not just because you live here, but legally, officially… Hell, every damned way there is. I want you to know that everything here, the house, the land, the horses. It´s ours, forever.”
Vin ran the words over and over in his head. Never had anything sounded so sweet to him and he wanted to savour the moment. He knew he should say something, but the lump in his throat prohibited speech for several minutes.
“Reckon I don´t know what ta say,” he finally whispered hoarsely, reveling in the love shining in those green eyes.
“Say you´ll sign the papers,” Chris teased mildly. “I´m already the happiest man on earth, remember? Your name on the deed will just make it official.”
In response, Vin leaned toward him, pushing the taller man back against the cushions and draping himself over his upper body. After taking a moment to gaze silently into the eyes he loved, he bent to capture the blonde´s mouth in a long, thorough kiss.
When he pulled back, his eyes were shining. “Can I use the pen ya stole from the hotel?” he rasped in a voice thick with emotion.
Chris´ eyes widened in surprise for a brief instant and then he laughed, hugging the lithe body close to him. “Anything you want, Cowboy,” he agreed happily.
“Thanks, Chris,” he said softly. “Ya don´t know how much this means ta me.”
“Yeah, I do,” Chris replied, running a finger gently down the Texan´s cheek. “Because I know how much you mean to me.”
Vin smiled and lowered his head to the blonde´s. Their kisses were slow and deep, expressing all the love and devotion that words were inadequate to describe.
When at last they gave their swollen lips a rest, Vin laid his head on Chris´ chest, content to lie in the circle of the strong arms that held him. One hand drifted up and down his back while the other cradled his head, the fingers sifting through his hair.
He´d never felt so loved in all his life.
After a while, he sat up, looking down at the other half of his soul with a faintly hopeful expression. As Chris watched, the blue eyes briefly filled with uncertainty before finally dwelling on satisfied determination. “Wanna give you a gift tonight, too, Chris,” he said softly, his mind made up.
“You don´t have to,” Chris assured him, slightly concerned by the unsettled flickers in the deep, blue pools.
“I know,” Vin nodded with a small smile. “But I want to.”
Chris sat up, brushing his lips lightly over those of his mate. “Whatever you want, Cowboy,” he said, repeating the words he´d used earlier.
Vin left the sofa and disappeared down the hall, returning in a moment with an envelope.
When he first sat down, he was swept with a sudden case of mild panic, but looking into the love that flowed from his partner´s face, he swallowed his fear and began.
“This ain´t ‘xactly the way I had it planned,” he admitted. “But after what you gave me, Chris, I just couldn´t wait ‘til tomorrow.” He paused for a moment, then handed the large manilla envelope to his lover.
Chris took it, looked at it for a moment, then opened it and extracted the contents. On top of a small sheaf of papers was an 8 x 10 photo of the most beautiful filly he´d ever seen.
“She´s beautiful,” Chris breathed.
“Glad you think so,” Vin said softly. “She´s yours.”
The blonde gasped in surprise, his eyes flying up to meet the other man´s.
The reaction rekindled his uncertainty and he floundered for words. “I just meant ta… I mean, I know you were…” Running a hand through his hair, he briskly got to his feet. “Aw, Hell,” he muttered. “´M makin´ a mess´a this.”
Chris finally found his voice. “Vin?”
Tanner took a deep breath, then turned and regarded the man on the sofa for a moment before moving slowly to reclaim his place at his side. He looked into the deep, green eyes and saw a small measure of concern at his silence. “It ain´t just a horse, Chris,” he finally began. “When I first fell in love with you,” he continued with a small smile, “I didn´t think ya could ever feel the same way, and didn´t know how I´s gonna stand by your side every day as your friend knowin´ that I´d never have ya. I only knew there wasn´t any place else I ever wanted ta be.” He swallowed, still gazing into the soft eyes of his lover. “The day ya said ya loved me, well, I just ain´t got the words ta tell ya how that felt. It was the first time anybody´d ever said that ta me and meant it the way you do.”
“And I do love you,” Chris whispered, taking one shaky hand in his. “Even more now than I did then, if that´s possible.”
Vin smiled, the words giving him the courage to continue. “When ya asked me ta move in here, ta share your home, it was like you were telling me it´s forever. I never felt so loved or wanted in my life.” He paused briefly. “I wanted ta give that back to ya, Chris. I wanted you ta know that it´s forever for me too.” He took the picture off Chris´ lap and studied it for a moment. “She ain´t just a horse, Chris,” he repeated. He raised his eyes to meet his partner´s once again. “She´s my promise that I´m gonna be here ta help ya raise her and all the others that come after her. She´s …” He swallowed again. “She´s my commitment ta you, an investment in our future together.”
Chris had been trying to ward off the tears he could feel welling in his eyes, but he lost the battle with those last words. “God, I love you,” he rasped, shaking his head slowly in wonder.
The breath Vin hadn´t realized he´d been holding escaped him in a rush of relief. “Yeah?” he grinned, cocking his head to one side.
“Yeah,” Chris breathed, cupping one hand around his lover´s neck and pulling him forward for a deep, breathtaking kiss. When their lips parted, he held the face close to his for a moment, staring deeply into the blue eyes that held his soul. “Thank you.”
Vin straightened, blushing slightly at the sincerity of those words. “Just glad ya liked it.”
“Like it?” Chris repeated, still struggling for the composure he so prided himself on. “I love it, Vin. With everything it represents, how could I not?”
“Almost didn´t give it to ya,” Vin admitted quietly. “I´d already called Josiah and asked ‘im ta call it off.”
“Josiah?” Chris asked for clarification.
“A guy he knows breeds horses up north a piece,” Vin explained. “Offered ta take me up there, see if I saw anythin´ I liked.”
Chris smiled, knowing that there were few, if any, horses Vin didn´t like. He suspected, however, that when it came to actually purchasing an animal, Tanner could be stubbornly particular.
“Had ta go back twice ‘fore I found the perfect one,” Vin admitted, confirming Chris´ suspicions. “Josiah arranged ta have her boarded here in Denver until Christmas. He´s bringing her out with him tomorrow.”
Chris looked at him for a moment. “So why did you want to cancel?” he asked gently.
“I know you and Sarah talked about expandin´,” Vin pointed out reluctantly. “Didn´t want ya ta think I´s tryin´ ta replace the dreams ya had.”
Chris shook his head slightly. “Vin, I wanted to expand the ranch, but Sarah never did. It was one of the few things we argued about on a regular basis. She wanted to travel and thought the ranch would tie us down too much.” He squeezed the hand he still held and looked deep into the hopeful blue eyes before adding softly, “You aren´t replacing my dreams, you´re making them come true, just like you do every morning when you wake up beside me and every night when you fall asleep in my arms.” He let go of the smiling Texan´s hand and slipped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close. He kissed the top of the tousled head and smiled. “And that´s gotta be the best damned gift anybody could ever get.”
Vin snuggled contently against his lover´s body, one arm snaking around the trim waist. “I reckon ya didn´t expect the L & T Ranch ta be growing quite so soon,” he smiled, loving the warmth those words filled him with.
“Can´t say as I did,” Chris responded with a warm smile of his own as he gazed at the picture. “She sure is a beauty.”
“And she comes from good stock,” Vin added.
“So I see,” Chris murmured with a tone of appreciation. He´d finally managed to tear his eyes from the photo and was looking over the horse´s papers. Once he´d finished, he put them aside and wrapped both arms around the body snuggled against him. “But the best part is, we´re going to raise her together.”
Vin looked up into the smiling face. “You ‘bout ready for bed?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“Little early isn´t it?” Chris teased. “Thought you wanted to curl up in front of the fire and watch old Christmas movies.”
Vin got to his feet and pulled his partner up by one arm. “I do,” he grinned, “After I get done thankin´ ya proper for makin´ all my Christmas wishes come true.”
The End