Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns Page 5

  After he managed to get some perk in his dick, he slid underwater and rinsed his hair. No soap required—just enough to get the dust out. He sat up, wrapped his mane in a towel, and stepped out. Bending forward, he dried his hair carefully—didn’t want to damage it with terrycloth—and went on to his body. The air from the open window smelled sweet with some kind of grasses and an edge of woodsmoke. Dropping the towel, he dragged a wide-toothed wooden comb through his hair, then turned on the dryer and polished it to a high sheen.

  He glanced in the mirror. Okay, good. After a quick toothbrushing, he cleansed his face thoroughly, rinsed, and applied night cream. Then he dabbed on some blush and tinted his lips. Turning sideways, he admired the thrust of his barely erect cock from his slim torso. What to wear?

  The bathroom had a chest of drawers, and he’d put all his negligees and such in it. He pulled out his tight red corset onesie and hooked himself into it. Perfect. It was cut up high, framing the bulge of his cock and emphasizing the length of his legs. The plunging neckline showed off his slim, hairless chest, while the corset sucked in his narrow waist even farther. He pulled a white, transparent silk nightgown from the drawer and dropped it over the corset. Yeah, baby.

  Rustling sounds through the door meant Grove was getting ready for bed. Laurie glanced at himself again. Not the night to bring up topping. Hell, I need some black leather for that.

  Come on, kid, smile. With a deep breath, he put his hand on the door handle. He wanted to be excited, honest. Grove was a good guy who did a lot for him and promised to do even more for his dad. If nothing else, he should feel gratitude.

  He opened the door and stood in its opening, one hand on the doorframe and the other on his hip. Grove lay on the bed, covers to his chest.

  “Holy shit!” He sat up. The look of sheer lust on Grove’s face gave Laurie’s cock a wiggle. Nothing like being desired to get a guy’s libido to rise.

  “You like?”

  Grove reached toward him. “You kidding? Let me take that white thing off.”

  “Uh-uh. You’re too rough, and I love this peignoir.” He reached down and pulled it over his head, revealing the full impact of the corset—and nothing else. He tossed the filmy peignoir on the chair, then walked toward the bed.

  A breeze tingled his mostly bare skin. Laurie glanced at the window. “You want to close that? Or the curtains?”

  “I will if you want, but I think it’s kind of nice.”

  Laurie sat on the edge of the bed, then stretched out so his half-hard penis made a lovely mound below his concave stomach.

  “Oh man.” Grove pulled the covers off his nudity, revealing a far more than half-hard dick—and a bit more hair than Laurie loved. Oh well, it was a sign of virility, wasn’t it? “Let me at him.”

  Grove’s mouth pressed against Laurie’s erection, and Laurie giggled.

  DANNY PRESSED his back against the tree. Don’t listen. Don’t watch. Walk away, damn it!

  Another groan and a soft laugh sounded through the open window.

  Didn’t mean to look. Honest.

  Just like Rand had walked outside the bunkhouse, Danny had skirted the guest cottages to get back to the stables from the pasture where he’d been cleaning up from the campfire. He’d glanced toward the windows and there stood Laurie, dressed in something that should be and probably was illegal in most states. Dear God, his whole body turned to flame, staring at that red scrap of cloth sucking in and poking out all of Laurie’s best assets—and he had so fucking many.

  He’d tried to move. Turned to stone. When all else failed, he’d tried to close his eyes. No chance. He stared at Laurie until he walked into the bedroom and then—God help him—Danny sneaked around and planted himself near the tree.

  Not much view. Even though the bedside light stayed on, he couldn’t see through the window at this angle. For a clear shot, he’d have to get so close they might see him. But sound effects? Plenty.

  He closed his eyes as the moans and giggles turned to grunts—deep, guttural, and rhythmic. Oh shit. Oh shit. Grove must be fucking Laurie.

  A few higher-pitched gasps blended with the moans, but not many. Wouldn’t you love to believe that Laurie’s not into it, that he’d rather be with somebody else?

  The bed thumped against the wall as the grunting escalated.

  Oh no. I can’t. Hell! Danny opened his belt and shoved his hand into his jeans and briefs, grasping a cock so close to explosion it would only take a couple of seconds. He let the sounds in, his mind flying to that tight ass. His hips started to thrust as he fucked Laurie—no, wait. As Laurie fucked him. Harder and harder. Coming so damned close. His hand squeezed and pumped like a piston.

  From inside he heard “Holy shit! Oooooh!”

  Danny gritted his teeth to keep from screaming as cum squirted into his hand and his brain conjured a perfect image—him on his knees with his ass getting reamed by Laurie Belmont. He leaned against the tree so his knees didn’t collapse.

  DANNY LAY on his back in bed and stared at the ceiling in the darkness. Nothing to see—if you didn’t count the perfect recreation of the image of Laurie fucking his ass. All night that image seared his brain, awake and asleep, except for the few times when the picture of Laurie in that tight red thing took its place. What in hell do you call a thing like that? A bustier? A corset? Try devastating. Who knew I’d even go for that look? Clearly there was a boatload he’d been missing. He might like femme guys, but he didn’t get a lot of practice. Not that many people even knew he was gay, and cowboys definitely did not show up with guys who looked like girls. Just that damned simple.

  Did it make sense to get turned on by girly guys when you wanted your ass fucked? No. Hell, no. But no matter how he tried to talk himself out of it, no go. He wanted what he wanted. I didn’t get a look, but it sure sounded like Laurie was on the bottom last night. Shit. Makes sense. What the hell am I dreaming about anyway? I don’t need anyone to tell me he’s got a boyfriend. Wonder if they live together?

  He needed to get a grip. He needed sleep. Flipping on his side, he closed his eyes. There it was again—his own personal porno. If Laurie knew how good he looked as a top, he’d be pulling on those sexy riding boots and saddling up.

  Not happening.

  Danny glanced at the clock. Almost time to get up anyway. He dropped his feet to the wood floor and stood naked, his cock at half-staff just like it had been practically every hour since he’d first seen Laurie Belmont. Jesus, one more day and he’d have to call a doctor for erections lasting more than thirty-six hours.

  He pulled on some pajama bottoms and walked down the hall to the bathroom, took a cold shower, which was neither therapeutic nor fun, then went back to his room and dragged on his clothes, carefully leaving his shirttail out as a disguise. He walked out of the bunkhouse quietly in case any of the other guys were sleeping there and breathed the super-fresh air of early morning with the tang of the smells he loved best—horses and coffee. Guess I’ll have to add cinnamon and orange to that list.

  He followed his nose toward the kitchen at the ranch house. As he came closer, he glanced toward a gleam near the fence on his left. Was that—? “Laurie?”

  Laurie turned, the porch lights shining off his hair, holding a cup of coffee in both hands. “Morning.”

  Danny’s face heated—totally stupid since Laurie had no idea he’d been spied on the previous night. “Mornin’. You’re up early.”

  “You too.”

  “I got work.”

  Laurie grinned. “Since I am that work, I felt duty bound to be here for you.”

  Danny snorted. “Okay, let me get coffee and we’ll”—he returned Laurie’s grin—“work it out.” He hurried into the ranch house.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ONLY FELICIA appeared to be up when Danny walked in, and she held out a mug to him as he came through the kitchen door. “I heard you coming.”

  “Thanks. I need this bad.” He sipped the almost-black brew. She knew he liked a
light splash of heavy cream. “Saved.”

  She laughed. “You want to wait for breakfast ’til the guests eat, or you want something now, chico?”

  He opened his mouth, then stopped. “Do you have a snack I could take on the trail?”

  “Sure. How much you want?”

  “Just some fruit and cheese. Maybe a roll. And a thermos of coffee. One of the guests is up already, so I think maybe I’ll take him on a quick ride. He’s better in the saddle than the rest, and they hold him back.”

  “The pretty one?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “Never saw a man that pretty.”

  “Yeah, he’s something.” He swallowed. “We’ll come back and eat with everyone else, but that will still give us an hour or so to ride.”

  “Go saddle up, and I’ll have the snack waiting.” She flashed him a grin that could mean a lot of things.

  He hurried out the door and gave a little sigh when he spied Laurie still there. “Hey.”

  Laurie turned, still nursing his coffee.

  “Do you have time for a ride? We could saddle up Star Sight, and you’d have a chance to spread your wings a little. Uh, if your boyfriend wouldn’t mind.”

  A smile spread across Laurie’s face like butter on a warm french roll. “I’d love that. Grove’s still sleeping. He doesn’t love morning, so he tends to try to miss as much of it as possible.”

  “Let’s go, then.” Danny took off trotting toward the barn, and Laurie fell in beside him. He was already in his jeans and boots, so like Danny, he kind of clomped in the dust, but otherwise his middle name ought to be Grace.

  Laurie proved he knew his way around a horse as they saddled Star Sight and Star Gazer and led them from the stable.

  Danny swung into the saddle. “Wait here. I’m gonna get a snack for us.”

  Laurie nodded.

  Danny trotted off to the ranch house, and Felicia stepped onto the porch outside the kitchen. “Here you go, chico. Have a good ride.”

  He leaned down and snagged the cloth bag she’d packed with goodies. “Thanks, Felicia. If Rand’s looking for me, tell him I’ll be back soon to help with chores.”

  “He might be a little slow rising.” She smiled quietly. “Kai got home late last night.”

  “That’s great.” The boss would be a happy man. “Pass that same message on to Manolo.” He trotted back toward Laurie and the slow promise of sunrise.

  LAURIE PATTED the big palomino, stared across the fence and sighed. I shouldn’t go on this ride. Grove won’t like this. Do I care? Yeah, or I should, at least. Hate shoulds. Fuck it. All I’m doing is going for a ride with the cowboy who’s in charge of our dude ranch program that Grove was just dying to bring me to. Of course, Grove had brought Laurie to show off his manliness, and that hadn’t worked out so damned well thus far. Am I going to spend my life letting him win so he doesn’t lose his erection? Crap, there have to be some benefits to being gay.

  The sound of hooves on the dirt turned him in the saddle. He smiled as he stared at the tall, lean figure riding like he’d been born on top of a horse. Doesn’t much matter who likes it or not. I’m going.

  Danny stopped next to him and touched the brim of his hat in that adorable way. “I want you to follow me. I’ll set the pace. If you don’t feel comfortable at a full gallop, say so. Otherwise, if I slow down, I want you to do the same. It’ll mean we’re coming up on rough terrain or unreliable ground. Okay?”

  “Got it, boss.”

  “Don’t you forget it.” He flashed those pearly teeth and took off at a trot, breaking into a canter.

  Oh man, what a horse. Star Sight made Tramp feel like a merry-go-round. The big Arabian showed off her smooth gait and seemed to wait for permission to run. When Danny sped up, Laurie gave Star Sight her head and dropped into the low-slung seat required by Western saddle. More of his riding experience was on English or Italian flat equipment, so it took a couple of minutes to get comfortable without posting, but he settled in and enjoyed the ride. Star Sight and Star Gazer seemed to have a little rivalry going, and she kept trying to inch up on her competitor, but a deal was a deal. He held her back just enough.

  Danny fell back to a smooth canter, then a fast trot. Laurie came up next to him. “Is the terrain changing?”

  “Nope. Just don’t want to tire the mounts too much. Arabians will run longer than is good for them.”

  “Could Star Sight take Star Gazer in a race?”

  Danny grinned. “Well, now, that just might depend on who’s riding her.”

  “Cool your jets, cowboy. I just mean, is she inherently faster?”

  “Yep.”

  “She kept wanting to run past Star Gazer. I got the idea she wasn’t used to eating his dust.”

  Danny nodded and patted Star Gazer’s neck. As they rounded a bend, he glanced at Laurie. “Want a prebreakfast snack?”

  “First breakfasts?”

  Danny cocked his head.

  “Sorry. It’s a reference to the Lord of the Rings books. The hobbits ate first and second and sometimes third breakfasts.”

  “Oh, right. I saw some of those movies. So yeah, this is first breakfast. We’ll have second breakfast with everyone else.” He slowed Star Gazer and walked off the path to an area of pasture under a tree. He dismounted and pulled off the bag he’d draped over his saddle horn and dropped it to the ground, then walked over as if he planned to help Laurie dismount.

  No way, cowboy. Laurie swung his leg over the horse’s back, kicked to the side, and slid off the big palomino. “So what have we got?”

  Danny looked a little disappointed. Shoot, maybe I should have let him help me. All kinds of groping possibilities. But Danny smiled and dropped onto the rough ground beside the bag. Laurie plopped next to him.

  Danny pulled out a thermos, and when he opened it, the ineffable smell of coffee filled the air.

  “Yes! Just what I wanted.”

  Danny poured the hot liquid into two metal mugs like the wineglasses of the previous day and handed one to Laurie; then he opened another package.

  “Are you serious?” Laurie licked his lips. “Is that a homemade cinnamon roll?”

  “Yep.”

  “Holy crap. Gimme, gimme.”

  Danny laughed and handed one over. “We’ve got some fruit and cheese. Want real food first?”

  “Life’s short.”

  Together they said, “Eat dessert first.” They both laughed, and it felt damned good. Laurie bit into the cinnamon bun.

  “Oh. My. God.” Laurie closed his eyes and curated the tastes of cinnamon, sugar, fresh dough, and something—oh man, lemon. “I’m becoming a ranch hand and living next door to Felicia for the rest of my life.”

  For a second Danny just stared at him. Then he snorted. “I thought you didn’t like to toil in obscurity.”

  “You heard that, did you?”

  “Sorry. I was right there.”

  “I hadn’t taken Felicia’s cinnamon rolls into consideration.” He grinned.

  “Nope. She’s our national treasure, and we’re keeping her.”

  “Caring is sharing.”

  Danny chuckled, and they both grabbed for a piece of cheese at the same time. Hands touched and snapped back. Electricity zinged up Laurie’s arm. He swallowed. “What kind of cheese is it?”

  “Uh, cheese cheese?”

  Laurie took a piece and bit. “Oh yeah. She’s spoiling us. Gouda. It’s kind of like butter disguised as cheese.”

  Danny took a hunk and shoved it in his mouth. “Gouda is gooda.”

  Cute. “You’re not the first to say it.”

  After a sneaky interlude of growing light, they watched the sun come roaring up over the horizon.

  Danny sipped coffee. Suddenly he looked toward Laurie. “Tell me about Little Women.”

  “What?” Laurie laughed.

  “You said that’s where you got your name.”

  “You remember that?” Damn, amazing when someone really pays atte
ntion. “Actually I was just drawing a parallel. I was named Lawrence after my adoptive father, and they called me Laurie because my mama hated the name Larry. The only other example I have of that is in Louisa May Alcott’s book, Little Women, where the family’s friend who’s named Lawrence is called Laurie.”

  “Is it a good book?” He downed the last of his coffee.

  “Yes. A bit melodramatic and generally considered women’s or girl’s fiction, but it’s a classic. I can never read it without crying.”

  “You don’t mind being girly, do you?”

  Laurie giggled. “Thank you. No one ever admits to a queen’s face that she’s a queen.” He laughed. “And no, I love it most of the time.”

  “But you’re kind of, I don’t know—”

  “A contradiction?”

  “Yeah. Exactly. You’re really athletic and seem strong, and yet you deck yourself out like a—well, queen.”

  Laurie ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I hate being pigeonholed.”

  “I like that.” Danny just stared at the horizon, where the sun blazed into a giant ball.

  Seconds passed. The words fell out before Laurie could grab them back. “I’m glad.”

  Danny turned slowly toward Laurie. Their eyes almost met, but at the last second, Danny dropped his head and his hat hid his eyes. Moment—missed.

  Quietly, they gathered up their trash and stuffed it in the bag, remounted, and started trotting back to the ranch, side by side.

  Danny cleared his throat. “So you’re adopted?”

  “Yes. I was very little. That’s how my family was able to change my name.”

  “What was it originally?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Danny looked at him. “Really?”

  “Nope. They never wanted to tell me. I go with that.”

  “Where do they live? Your family? Do you see them a lot?”

  “Yes. They live in San Francisco, not too far from where I live.”

  “Do you live with Grove?”