A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH - PART 341 By Rob Williams

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Grady and Mario celebrate their restored love, ranging from a priest's benediction in a Tuscan church to acting out a pornographic fantasy in a train station. There, the local stud, a sexy, dark-haired Italian peasant, butt-fucks the young American muscle-jock in the public toilet. Back home, the bosses, Randy and Bob, give Tarzan and his mate punishment and forgiveness. Randy grins, "Great fuck, jungle man."

CHAPTER 341 – "TARZAN & HIS MATE"

************ In the previous chapter ***********

It had been a roller coaster ride for the two men – Grady, the heart-throb new movie Tarzan, and his Italian lover Mario. After a bitter falling out, where both of them had repeated sex with other men, Mario decided to break completely and go home to Italy.

But on the flight to Rome he was shocked to find Grady sitting in first class and, despite Mario's strong resistance, he had been persuaded to act as Grady's personal assistant in his crowded schedule of public appearances in Rome to promote the movie. Trying to dampen down any remains of emotional feelings, and certainly avoiding any sexual contact, they worked closely and professionally, with Mario helping Grady get through his exhausting schedule.

When the events were over their parting seemed imminent as Mario planned to take a train home to his family's Tuscan farm. But Grady arranged for a limo to take him and, on a whim, Mario suggested Grady come too and meet his family. He ended up staying to dinner, the raucous family gathering that went on all evening, until Grady realized Mario had disappeared.

Mario's youngest sister, sitting beside Grady, said, "Mario always had a favorite place here – out in the meadow under a tree facing out over the valley. I am sure he is there. He always went there when he wanted ... how you say? ... solitudine per pensare ... to think."

Grady hurried along the path she indicated and all he could see at first was the grass waving in the warm evening breeze. But then, in the light of the full moon, there was Mario sitting in the grass, his knees drawn up close, arms wrapped round them. As he came close Grady saw that Mario's shoulders were shaking and, closer still, heard his sobs. "No," Grady said softly and ran toward him. He came up behind him and sat down next to him.

Startled and embarrassed, Mario wiped his eyes with his shirtsleeve and sniffed like a little boy hiding his tears. Grady put his arm gently round Mario's neck. "Don't cry, amico. I'm here." Mario turned his tear-stained eyes on him, eyes that a short time ago had sparkled with laughter. "Are you, Grady? Are you here? Are we?"

Grady kissed his eyes, licked his tears and gazed at him, their faces shining in the soft silver light of the full moon. It was as if the world were holding its breath as Grady said simply, "Mario, please come home with me."

Mario stared at him. "You mean ...?"

"I mean home to California when I go back. Oh, buddy, I know I have no right to ask you that after ... after ... everything. I know you love your family but you've got a family in L.A. too – me, Danny, Brian, all the guys. And we can always come back here and visit whenever you want." He grinned, gaining confidence. "Long flight, but it wasn't so bad in first class was it? And maybe we can even hitch a ride on one of the studio's corporate jets. And there'll be limos both ends and I'll make sure ..."

Mario cut him off by pressing his finger against Grady's lips ... and began to laugh. "Grady, Grady, you always say too much. I don't need the first class, the private jets, the limos at both ends. All I need is you, amico. I always have, always will. So I ask you again. Are we here, you and I ... together?"

"For ever and ever, Mario. If that's what you want."

And suddenly they were in each other's arms. The floodgates of their love, suppressed for so long, now burst open and it was like the first time they had made love. Feverishly they pulled off each other's clothes – shirts over their heads, shorts down their legs and they rolled over and over naked in the long grass, clawing at each other, kissing, licking, biting in a frenzy of lust that they had tried, and failed, to deny.

Losing all sense of time they made love for what seemed an eternity, until at long last they poured out the juices of their passion, now rekindled after being extinguished by a rupture that would never, ever be repeated.

They lay in each other's arms, licking each other's tears from their faces, coming to terms with what had just happened, hoping it was real and not just a trick of the moonlight. "Grady," Mario asked eagerly, "can we stay here tomorrow and I'll show you all the places I loved as a boy?"

"Amico, we can do whatever you want ... and I would love that. I'll call the driver and tell him we don't need the car until the day after tomorrow."

"No, Grady, let him go back to Rome when he wants, and we'll take the bus and train like ordinary folks do. Would you like that?" He grinned slyly. "Can you do without a limo?"

Grady's eyes sparkled. "Idiota! To quote someone I just heard, `I don't need first-class, I don't need a limo ... I just need you'. Taking the bus and train with you would be fun. Listen, before we sleep can I call Danny and give him the news? Those kids are feeling real unhappy."

"Of course you must." Grady fished his phone out of his shorts and put it on speaker. It was lunchtime in Los Angeles and Danny and Brian were having a melancholy meal in the kitchen when the phone rang. "Danny, it's Grady. I'll be back on Saturday afternoon ... and I'll have someone with me ... someone you know ... someone you love."

"Sir ... do you mean ... Mario, sir?" They too had the phone on speaker and the men could hear their cheers ringing round the kitchen.

"Buongiorno, ragazzo," Mario said. "Yes we are coming home together, forever."

"Sir," came Brian's excited voice, "can we tell the other guys? And can we have a party?"

"Of course we can," Mario laughed. "Can you handle a big party for all the guys?"

"Sure we can," Danny said, and Brian added, "We'll ask Tommy to come and help us. We think he's having problems with Lloyd and Steve ... he's having a lot of sex with Lloyd, and Steve's real upset. You'd think that him being a shrink and all he'd be able to ..." Danny dug him in the ribs and Brian said, "Oops, sorry, sir. Talking too much. It's just that I'm so excited."

"We are too," Mario said. "I've missed your voice so much and when we get home you can talk for as long as you want." Grady interjected, "But we have to sleep now – it's late here."

"Ciao bambini," Mario laughed. Grady shut off the phone and grinned at Mario. "Hey, it's warm tonight. Do you want to sleep out here? We don't have a blanket, but ..."

"But we have each other, amore."

"Oh yeah, I forgot that," Grady teased. "Yeah, we do have each other ... we sure do."

And so they slept in the long grass all night, wrapped in each other's arms.

********************* Chapter 341 *********************

They were woken by the first rays of the sun warming their faces. Grady was startled at first, lying naked in the grass, confused by these strange surroundings. His first sensation was a stab of despair, as it had been every morning since their separation when he woke alone and the realization crashed in on him that Mario had left him.

But then he felt strong arms around him, he opened his eyes and saw Mario's beautiful face, kissed by the sun, stirring to wakefulness. This time he was not alone! They were together, it had not been a dream. They were lying together in the long grass of a meadow far from the clamor of cities, celebrity, and roiling relationships. Grady's face lit up and he squeezed Mario tight in his arms, stifling him.

"Ow ... dio mio," came the muffled voice. "I am being crushed by a man-eating monster."

"Monster no ... man-eater yes, when the man is you." To prove it he nibbled at Mario's ear, kissed his eyes, his cheeks, and forced his tongue into his mouth. Their mouths opened and clamped together, sharing their first waking breaths of the day, as they would share everything from that moment on.

"Make love to me, amico," Grady said. "Make love to me here, in the grass, forever and ever."

Mario giggled, "And what if a farmer with a scythe comes to cut the grass and sees two naked men fucking."

"Like the Grim Reaper, you mean. Hmm, not a pretty sight."

"Orribile! Stop fooling around, amico. We must go back to the farm ... my family will think I have been kidnapped."

"You have been," Grady smiled. "Kidnapped, taken prisoner, and carried off to the jungle as Tarzan's love-slave.

"Mmm, sounds appetizing, amore. But after breakfast maybe."

They pulled apart reluctantly and put on their shorts and T-shirts. Kissing ravenously they staggered to their feet and made their way up the path to the farmyard. "Won't your family think it strange, us coming back from the fields like this?" Grady asked.

Mario laughed, "Not at all. As a boy I spent many warm nights sleeping in that very spot. The only difference last night is that I was not alone."

"And never will be again, buddy," Grady said, throwing his arm over his shoulder.

When they reached the farm's courtyard the long table was still there, now spread with an assortment of breakfast foods. The meal was far more casual than dinner the night before, with people coming and going, the early-rising farms workers having already eaten and left for the fields. There were still family and friends left and when the two men appeared an enthusiastic shout went up. "Eccoli, finalmente!"

Mario had been correct. There was no hint of surprise that the men had stayed out all night, only the effusive welcome and the shuffling to make room at the table for them. These country folk had their priorities right – love, hospitality and food, in that order.

However, they could not possibly have missed the glow surrounding the two young men, in contrast to the tension that had hung over them the evening before. Mario's mother especially beamed at Grady and engaged him in conversation, translated by Mario's youngest sister. Grady answered her eager questions, those of a protective mother seeking details on this new friend of her son's – where was he born, who were his parents, and what kind of work did he do.

When Grady said simply that he was an actor she just nodded, assuming that this was quite natural, a handsome young man living in this place called Hollywood, more a distant, hazy concept for her than an actual town. Grady braced for the usual L.A. question, "Have you been in anything I would know?" But it didn't come. Instead she smiled warmly and said, "Tu sei un bravo ragazzo ... prende cura di mio figlio."

Grady looked at the sister who blushed slightly as she translated. "You are a good boy ... take good care of my son." Grady flashed the old lady a dazzling smile and said in halting Italian. "Certamente, signora ... è mio amico."

The old lady smiled, then turned back to Mario who was huddled with other family members in earnest conversation, evidently explaining to them that he would be going back to America with Grady. The sister translated snippets of the conversation, and the group did not seem surprised by the news. She told Grady, "When Mario told us he was coming to see us he didn't say whether it would be a long or a short visit."

Grady wondered why Mario, in his despair, had not alerted them on the phone, as he had told Jamie, that he was coming back to live there for good. Why had he held back? He looked up, caught Mario's smile, and understood. Even Mario had not been sure of that.

"Tell them we will be coming back to visit often ... every month if they can put up with us."

Mario translated and Grady once again felt the warmth of the family's smiles directed at him.

After breakfast Mario and Grady set out to explore. They were in a world of enchantment as they wandered dreamlike through the lavender-fragrant hillsides of the sunlit Tuscan countryside, with hilltop villages perched precariously above them, olive groves and vineyards sprawled in the valleys below – and everywhere the dry monotone buzz of the cicadas.

Mario eagerly took Grady to all his childhood haunts, the path where he learned to ride a bike, the hollow oak tree where he used to hide, and where he built a tree house in its wide branches. Grady was entranced by them all, but even more by Mario's luminous face as he went back in time and revisited the places that had delighted him so much as a boy.

They wandered up the steep streets of several sleepy hill towns and stopped for lunch at a small trattoria, seated on a terrace overlooking the wide sweep of the valley. Then Mario led Grady to one of his most revered places, the old 16th Century church where his family had worshipped through generations of baptisms, marriages and funerals.

They were alone in the church, except for a priest tidying hymnals in a side chapel. In the cool, hushed confines of the thick walls they stood hand in hand admiring the ageless frescoes, then sat in a front pew, shoulder to shoulder, silently absorbing the serenity and magic of the ancient church. They heard footsteps and the priest, in a black cassock, walked down the nave and stopped when he saw them.

He smiled down at them and said, "Voi due guarda bene insieme. Vi do la mia benedizione, miei figli. He made the sign of the cross over them, then walked away.

As his footsteps grew fainter on the stone floor, Grady whispered, "What did he say?"

"He said, `You two look good together. I give you my blessing, my sons'."

Instinctively they kissed, then rose and walked hand in hand out into the dazzling sunshine. They went out of the churchyard and down a slope to a remote, grassy spot hidden under a tree, just like the place they had spent the night. Their thoughts were in tune as Grady grinned, "I believe it's customary to consummate the marriage, isn't it?"

Staring into each other's eyes they took off their clothes and Mario lay on his back on the grass. Before he dropped his shorts Grady took a tube of lubricant from his pocket and grinned, "I always come prepared, amico." He lubed his cock, dropped to his knees, pushed Mario's legs back and said earnestly, "I love you, Mario. I always will, and I promise never to hurt you again." He eased his cock into his lover's ass and both men sighed deeply with overflowing emotions and the exquisite pleasure of making love.

"Quite a change, me fucking you," Grady grinned. "But what's good for the goose ..."

Mario laughed, "Or as Eddie would say, `What's good for the fuck-er is great for the fuck-ee.' And I second that. Make love to me, amore. Let's consummate!"

And so they did – in the shade of a tree on this sun-splashed hillside they gazed into each other's eyes and consecrated themselves to each other as they poured out the juice of their passion, their bodies shuddering with ecstasy, their shouts of joy carried away on the lavender scented breeze.

Their hearts were pounding, their breath heaving as Grady's face broke into his roguish smile. "Wow, that was some consummation, buddy. You wanna do it again?"

And so the day passed in perfect bliss – more dreamlike walks in the hills, another big, boisterous family dinner, and then bed – indoors this time. Mario's mother had assigned them a room over the stables, an ancient bedroom built of ancient wood beams with vaulted ceilings and dormer windows overlooking the farmyard.

There was only one large bed, and Grady guessed that the old lady had chosen this room for them instinctively without much premeditation, unperturbed by the fact that her son would be sharing a bed with his friend. The ingrained peasant culture of familial love and natural hospitality overcame any qualms or prejudices that might have troubled lesser families.

Grady and Mario spent their last night here making love in the soft bed with its sachets of lavender discreetly placed under the pillows, and they promised each other that they would return to this enchanted world as soon and as often as possible.

The fact of their soon-to-be-repeated visit softened the blow of parting the next morning after their last, leisurely breakfast. Mario's mother hugged Grady and again whispered in his ear, "Prende cura di mio figlio, Grady, in her instinctive assumption that they would be spending their lives together. "Lo prometto, signora. I love him," Grady said and kissed her cheek.

It seemed entirely fitting that Mario and Grady were taken to the bus-stop by one of the farm hands in a horse-drawn hay cart, amid effusive waving and noisy farewells. As they bumped along the road to the bus stop Grady said, "I'm amazed how accepting your family was of me."

Mario smiled, "They are paisanos, country people who have instinctive insights that city dwellers do not. They live close to the land, in harmony with nature and the rhythm of the seasons. They nurture the soil and the soils feeds them. They have not the time nor patience for the analytical heart-searching that so-called sophisticated people indulge in. They liked you, Grady. My mother loved you ... simple as that."

Grady gazed at Mario and realized again why he was so in love with him. Mario had the same bedrock peasant values as his family, even though life in the city had given him a sheen of elegance. He embodied the very best of both worlds and Grady made a silent vow to bring him back to this magical place as soon as he could.

In the meantime Mario explained their journey. "We take the bus to Viterbo, then the train to Roma. We'll have an hour's wait in Viterbo. Not much to do there, but we'll find a way to pass the time. Did they ever!

On the bus they sat halfway back, Grady in the window seat staring like an enchanted boy at the passing countryside. But there was nothing childlike about the pressure of Mario's knee he felt against his, getting harder as the journey progressed. Mario was staring at him, and at his profile reflected in the window. He murmured happily, "Two for the price of one," and when Grady asked, "Uh?' Mario grinned, "Never mind."

Never mind ... easier said than done. As the bus bumped along their legs squeezed harder together their hands gripped tightly on the seat between them, and their cocks strained against their jeans, begging for release. Grady started to rub the bulge in his pants but Mario warned, "Careful, someone will see. Pazienza, amico."

After an hour of painfully stifling their lust they finally pulled into the courtyard of the Viterbo train station. They climbed down from the bus and walked through to the deserted platform ... with a single thought in their mind.

They were alone on the platform as the next train was not due for an hour, and Mario said, "Over there." He dragged Grady toward a sign indicating "Toilette" and opened the door of the small men's room. He looked round him quickly to make sure they were unobserved, shoved Grady in, followed him and locked the door firmly behind them. Instantly they were in each other's arms, kissing, licking, biting in a frenzy of mounting lust they had suppressed on the bus.

Mario pushed Grady back toward the sink, turned him round to face the mirror above it and pressed him forward over the sink. Grady braced his hands against the mirror, staring at his own frenzied face and the reflection of Mario's equally excited face over his shoulder. From behind him Mario ripped open Grady's jeans and pulled them down below his ass."

"Oh yeah," Grady moaned ... "oh yeah, fuck me, man. Fuck me hard." While Mario spread spit over his raging cock Grady arched his back over the sink and raised his ass, begging for it. Mario grabbed Grady's hips, held him steady ... and plunged his dick deep in his ass. Instinctively they muffled their screams as Mario began a savage fuck, driven by the pent-up sexual desire on the bus that had made them ache for this moment.

As Mario pounded Grady's ass he looked at him in the mirror, looking more beautiful than ever. Grady was wearing an old, thin, sleeveless muscle T-shirt and, as he leaned forward over the sink, his hands gripping the sides of the mirror, his muscles flexed under the thin shirt, his shoulder and biceps bulging as he braced himself for the onslaught on his ass.

His tousled hair flew over his face, his handsome features twisted in the ecstatic pain of his lover's shaft ramrodding his ass, and Mario thrilled to the homoerotic fantasy of the rugged, macho movie star, pinned against the wall, his jeans round his feet, getting his bare ass savagely butt-fucked in a public toilet.

"That looks so beautiful," Mario gasped. "You are so gorgeous ... I love fucking your ass."

"So do it, man. Fuck me ... that all you got? Fuck me with that big Italian dick. Punish that ass ... hurt me, man ... pound that fucking ass. Yeah, the macho jock's getting his ass ploughed by the hot-stud Italian. Make it hurt, man. Yeah ..."

It was the opposite of their tender lovemaking in the long grass of the meadow as Mario now jackhammered his lover's ass savagely, an animalistic display of raw lust. Having already healed their wounds through continuous acts of love they were now free to indulge their wildest fantasies, venting their carnal cravings in the most primitive form of man-on-man sex.

Grady thrust his hips back onto the pounding shaft, urging it in deeper and deeper, staring into the mirror at the dark, handsome face behind him, with its chiseled features, blazing eyes and shock of black curly hair. In a delirium of lust Grady became lost in a pornographic fantasy of a handsome young jock in a public toilet getting manhandled by the local Italian stud, a swarthy muscular peasant with a massive dick.

"Fuck me, man ... I need it so bad ... you own my ass ... I'll be your fucking sex slave, man ... take me away, chain me up, fuck my ass all day until I beg for mercy and shoot my load. Make me bust my load, man ... Let me feel your hot jizz in my ass ..."

Sharing the fantasy Mario wrapped his arms round him and clawed at his chest, twisting his tits, ripping his shirt and digging his fingers into the naked flesh of his hard pecs. In a rough, accented peasant voice, he growled in his ear, "Tu sei mio, ragazzo ... you are mine, boy. I will own you by filling your ass with my juice. I will take you to my home and you will be my fuck slave. But you must beg for it. I want to hear the beautiful young Americano beg."

As the relentless shaft pistoned in his ass, tears of pain, lust and utter rapture were running down Grady's face. Bracing himself against the mirror with one hand he pounded his cock with the other and moaned, "Please, sir, cum in my ass. I'll obey you, do anything you say, be your slave. Only please let me feel your jizz in my ass. I'm begging you ... aaah ... I can't take anymore ... your cock feels so good ... it's making me cum ... oh fuck ... fuck ... yeaahh!

A long stream of semen blasted from his cock onto the mirror before him and, as Mario felt Grady's ass spasm and clench round his cock, he pulled back, paused and slammed his rod deep inside him, flooding his ass with the hot pent-up juices of his passion.

There was sudden silence in the small, shabby room, broken only by their heavy breathing and the ticking of an ancient clock on the wall. Suddenly Mario pushed Grady's face against the mirror and said, "Clean it up, boy." Eagerly Grady licked his own cum from the mirror, sucking it up until semen covered his cheeks and ran down his chin.

Mario pulled his cock out fast, making Grady gasp again, then turned him around and they were in each other's arms, kissing voraciously, Mario licking cum from his lover's cheeks, lips, eyes and chin. They stared spellbound into each other's eyes, having shared a wild sexual fantasy, the ultimate expression of their renewed and indestructible love.

Then they abruptly realized where they were ... in a public restroom in a station, waiting for a train. They snapped back from sexual fantasy to stark reality and Mario resumed his role of taking care of Grady. He looked at him in his ripped muscle T-shirt stretched over his muscular torso and sighed, "Magnifico, amore, but for me alone. You cannot meet your public like that."

He pulled the ripped shirt off him and wiped Grady's face with it, then used it to wipe the mirror. He shoved the torn, cum-stained shirt in his backpack and grinned, "Un memento." Then he pulled out another T-shirt, this one a black V-neck, and pulled it on over Grady's head.

He stood back and admired. "Hm, perfetto. It's mine so a little snug on you but it will drive the fans wild. Talking of which, we are about to board a train for Rome so you better wear these. He gave him dark glasses from his backpack then pulled out a baseball cap and jammed it on Grady's head, yanking the long peak low over his eyes.

"Unrecognizable," Mario smiled with satisfaction. "Now let me leave first." He unlocked the door, peered outside to make sure no one was watching and left the room. Outside he hissed, "Va bene, amico. You can come out."

Casually they strolled down the platform and sat together on a bench trying to look like two bored commuters as passengers began straggling into the station. But both of them were still riveted by images of the restroom ... they grinned at each other and sputtered with laughter.

Some of the other passengers glanced at them wondering what was making these two young men laugh so hard. But they could never have guessed in a million years.

The 2-hour train ride to Rome was uneventful and the two men could relax and enjoy the scenery now that their lust was satisfied ... at least for a while. Grady kept his cap and glasses on and was not recognized – or so they thought.

When they approached Rome Mario said, "Grady, instead of taking a cab, let's walk to the hotel. It's a nice walk and it will give me a chance to show you a little of Rome."

Grady smiled. "Walking through the Eternal City with my eternal lover? Sounds perfect."

Unfortunately it was not to be. When they got off the train and walked onto the station concourse they saw a small crowd of people and a few photographers looking in their direction.

"Uh-uh," Grady said. "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Tuscany anymore."

"I've a feeling you're right," Mario grinned. "How did they know?"

"The paparazzi know everything. Always happens. Someone must have recognized me on the train and called to tip them off."

"Well, nothing for it ... once more into the breach, amico."

Soon Grady was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of fans and photographers. The crowd was its own magnet, attracting the attention of others passing through the station, so it rapidly grew bigger. Grady was his usual affable self, signing autographs, posing for pictures with fans, but shot a quick glance at Mario. Mario nodded, pulled out his cell phone and punched the number for the Warners publicity manager that she had given him."

"Ciao, Lucia, it's Mario. We just arrived at Ostiense Station and there's a crowd round Grady. We need a limo as soon as possible. The driver can't miss us. Look for the crowd.

She chuckled. "Capisco, Mario. Si, subito. Cinque minute."

While he waited Mario stood close to Grady and whispered, "Limo, five minutes." The focus of the crowd was on Grady, of course, but a few of the waiting fans glanced enquiringly at Mario and asked, "Who are you, his bodyguard?" "Who are you, his valet?" And the best – "Who are you? Are you anybody?" To which Mario smiled graciously and said, "No, not really." Hearing the comments Grady glanced up at Mario with a big grin.

Lucia was as good as her word and in under ten minutes Mario spotted the uniformed driver striding across the concourse toward them. He shouted, "Signore!" which was Mario's cue. He grabbed Grady and said, "Signore, I'm afraid we have to leave ... your TV interview."

Grady smiled, signed a few more autographs, then said, "Sorry, folks, they say I gotta go. Thanks for coming to see me." He allowed himself to be dragged away by Mario, assisted by the driver, and they hurried out of the station to the waiting stretch limo.

Grady dived in. Mario had a few words in Italian with the driver, then got in too. Grady looked up and frowned, "Who are you, are you anybody?"

"Not really," Mario sighed. "Only your valet."

"Oh yeah? They should have seen us at the Viterbo station. They wouldn't have to ask."

They broke into laughter and the driver looked in the rearview mirror and smiled. Limo drivers know many secrets though he couldn't have guessed theirs. In any case, like all good drivers, his lips were sealed.

A short while later they were closing their hotel room door behind them with a sigh of relief. Grady said, "Welcome back to my world from yours, amico. I'm sorry to say we have to trade in the hay cart and horse of your world for the limo and driver of mine. Though I much prefer the hay cart to the limo. And instead of this big soft bed, I would give anything to be back in the long grass under a tree. "

Mario smiled, "Well yes, but I suppose a big soft bed does have its uses. May I show you?"

And so they spent the rest of the day in the room, ordering room service, eating on the private terrace watching the setting sun turn Rome's ancient buildings to gold. And of course, there was always that big soft bed. Unlike their first night in the hotel, the other room of the suite went unused, of course, as did the second shower. A whole lot can change in a couple of days.

The next day was spent at the huge Cinecittà Studios outside Rome, which was paparazzi central, but by now Mario and Grady had the routine down to a fine art. Whatever anyone else chose to call Mario – personal assistant, personal manager, bodyguard or valet – it didn't matter a jot. They knew the truth. They were lovers, pure and simple, now and forever.

The day was tiring, the dinner with Cinecittà studio heads even more so, but they coped in public, made love in private, and the next morning at 10am they were finally sinking into their first-class seats on Alitalia's non-stop flight to Los Angeles.

Grady looked at Mario and said, "Amico, I'm so glad you've been here with me. You're a perfect personal manager ... and a perfect lover. A lot more trips like this are scheduled and, I know it can be exhausting, but please, can you always be with me? And Mario, I promise you, just as soon as I have a week off we will go back to your magical world, back to your family, the farm, the hay cart and the long grass under the tree. Deal?"

"It's a deal, Grady, but you knew that when we woke up that morning with me in your arms and grass in our hair. I'll always be with you – in love, laughter and limos, the whole damn thing. Oh and one other thing. When we go back to Tuscany, I want us to stop off at the train station in Viterbo and use the restroom. Rumor has it there's a local peasant stud hangs out there and he's partial to handsome young Americano jocks."

"Shit, buddy, you've got me hard already and the plane hasn't even taken off yet."

At the Grady House Danny and Brian woke early, too excited to sleep knowing that today was the return of the men they loved, newly reunited after the anguish of the last few weeks.

Ever since Grady had called them to give them the good news (right after making love in the long grass at Mario's family farm) they had excitedly set about making the house ready for their return. Mario had called yesterday to tell them they would be landing at 2pm and a limo would bring them to the house.

Intuitive to the moods and needs of their bosses they assumed that, after their long flight, they would want to spend the rest of the day relaxing together alone. A big party was planned for the whole tribe the following day, with the help of the twins and all the other boys. But, seeking to safeguard their privacy today Danny called Bob, the man he always turned to for advice.

"Sir, I hope this is the right thing to do, but we want to make sure that Grady and Mario are left in peace when they come home – you know, not a lot of people."

"Quite right," Bob said. "Leave it to me – I'll put the word out that the welcome party is tomorrow but today they need rest." He chuckled, "I'll tell Darius and Eddie and it'll be on the grapevine in minutes."

"And sir, how much do you think we should stay clear of Grady and Mario for the rest of the day ... I mean, meals and things?"

"Oh Danny, I think you're worrying too much. Just take your cue from them, but from what I know of those guys they'll want you around as much as possible. They really love you boys, you know that."

And, as usual, Bob was right. The boys worked feverishly all morning making the house immaculate, then prepared a variety of foods in the kitchen so they could offer the men a choice depending on how they felt. Their excitement reached a fever pitch in mid-afternoon, waiting for the sounds of the limo pulling up at the gate.

When it came Danny and Brian had an attack of nerves waiting for their first glimpse of the men they loved so much, together again. But all tension was dispelled when the ebullient Grady bounced through the gate yelling, "Hey, dudes, how about a hug for a weary traveler?"

The next few minutes were a chaotic mix of laughter, tears and tight hugs. Danny pulled himself away to give a generous tip to the driver and brought the luggage inside the gate, which swung closed with a satisfying thud.

Kneeling on the ground beside Brian's wheelchair Grady laughed, "Well here we all are again, just as it should be, just like the old days."

Mario wrapped his arm round Danny's neck and said tearfully, "I can't tell you how good it feels to be home. Spettacolare! But I want to say this just once before we resume our old lives together ... I need to ... come se dice? ... get it off my chest. Grady and I are so very sorry for the sadness and anxiety we both put you through because of our foolishness. We never stopped loving you and I'm happy it all worked out like this. I hope you can forgive us."

Danny and Brian brushed away tears and Danny took refuge in house chores to put it all behind them. "Sir, we have tons of food in the kitchen if you're hungry but you probably want to relax on your own."

"Hey," Grady said, his eyes dancing, "how about a picnic in our favorite spot in the shade of the trees? Serve whatever you want ... surprise us. We'll go upstairs and shower now and, er, freshen up." He glanced at Mario and blushed slightly. "And then we'll have our feast and catch up on all the gossip. How's that grab you, kids?"

And so Grady and Mario went to the master bedroom to `freshen up' while Danny piled the luggage on the tray table of Brian's wheelchair and guided him to the elevator. Upstairs they unpacked the bags in the men's dressing room, throwing most of the clothes in the laundry basket, and carefully hanging up Grady's Tarzan outfit (as Viscount John) he had worn on the trip, ready to go back to the studio's wardrobe department.

Then they sped off to the kitchen and, half an hour later, all the food they had already prepared was spread out on a blanket on the grass under the trees. When the men finally appeared the sparkle in their eyes, so familiar to the boys, left no doubt as to their version of `freshening up'.

"Wow," Grady said, "this looks great, guys ... better than anything we got at all those fancy dinners in Rome. You're a master chef, Danny. OK, dudes, let's eat."

Brian eased himself out of his wheelchair and they all sprawled on the ground round the blanket. While they ate and drank the boys listened wide-eyed to the men's stories of the trip to Rome – the flight, the flash-bulb reception at the airport, the crowds of fans at the autograph signing and Mario's brilliant work protecting Grady as his personal manager.

It was when they came to the trip to Tuscany that the boys' imaginations went into overdrive, trying to picture their erotic reconciliation in the long grass under a tree. Mario laughed, "When we phoned you to tell you we were back together we were actually naked in the grass with cum all over us."

"No way," Brian said. "Pity it wasn't Skype, we could have watched."

Mario's recitation took them through the dream landscape of Tuscany, the olive groves, the hilltop villages, and the church where the priest had given them his blessing.

An awestruck Danny asked, "Does that mean ... like ... you're married, sirs?"

"Well not officially, but it sure felt like it," Mario said, and Grady grinned, "And of course we consummated it right away, in the grass under a tree. Come to think of it, we spent a hell of a lot of time in the grass on that trip."

"And other places too," Mario smiled roguishly.

"Oh, that!" Grady said. "OK, stand by for the big finish, kids. So we took the bus and the train back to Rome and let me tell you, that bumpy bus ride, holding hands, our legs pressed together ... we were hot to trot I can tell you when we reached the train station at a place called Viterbo. Hell, we'll never forget Viterbo ... we're gonna go back there."

The boys listened spellbound to the riveting story, straight out of a porn fantasy, about the local stud, a sexy, dark-haired Italian peasant, meeting a handsome American muscle-jock at the station, pushing him into the public toilet, bending him forward over the sink and pounding his ass in a long, savage butt fuck.

"There was cum all over the place," Grady laughed, "and you should have seen us afterwards sitting on a bench on the platform trying to look like bored commuters. But when the train got to Rome we were shocked back to reality by the crowd of fans and paparazzi waiting for us."

Danny grinned, "You weren't in Kansas anymore, Toto."

"Hey that's exactly what I said, didn't I Mario?" When their laughter died down Grady said, "But hey, kids, enough about us. I'm dying to hear what's been going on while we were away. I want all the gossip. Brian, when we phoned here you started to mention some kind of storm brewing about Tommy and Lloyd. We couldn't hear it all at the time `cos we were tired ..."

"Not to mention naked in the grass," Mario grinned.

"Yeah, that too. But we're all ears now. So spill, kiddo, and make it good."

Brian paused for dramatic effect (a trick he had learned from Eddie), put on his new wire-frame owl glasses, and his big round eyes widened behind them. "Well, sir, us boys were talking ..." Grady flashed a grin at Mario – they always loved that intro. "Us boys were talking and we reckon there's a big storm brewing. `Course, you know how Lloyd and Tommy are always fucking ... they have that master/servant-boy thing going, ya know.

"Well we thought the novelty would wear off after a while and Lloyd would just be happy fucking with his lover Doctor Steve ... and occasionally guys from his gym ... you know how Lloyd's hooked on good-looking gym jocks. Well, seems they haven't cooled off. We got this from Eddie `cos you know he lives with Hassan up in Steve's guest house so he knows everything that goes on there ... well, he knows everything that goes on in the tribe, cos him and Darius ..."

At a nudge from Danny Brian said, "Oh sorry, sirs, talking too much. Cut to the chase, eh? Well seems like Steve is getting real pissed at the whole scene. But you know, sir, all shrinks think too much and Eddie says Doctor Steve is trying to work stuff out by talking their way through the whole thing, like some kinda shrink session, but that don't cut the mustard ... not this time."

Brian paused for effect. Mario himself had been turning the scenario over in his mind and frowned as he asked, "Er, do you know if Randy's had anything to say about all this?"

"Ah, excellent point, sir. Us boys all wonder what he's gonna do cos Steve's his brother and Randy is crazy protective of his brothers. He'll beat up any guy who messes with them. But right now, Eddie says, Randy's keeping his powder dry, so we'll just have to wait and see."

"Well," Mario said, "everyone will be up here tomorrow for the party so maybe we'll get a better handle on it. Talking of which, I would like to get a handle on the preparations for the big shindig, see if there's anything I can do to help. Danny, can we go to the kitchen and you bring me up to speed on that?"

"Hey," Grady protested, "I need Brian here to pick his brains. There's a whole lot of gossip I haven't heard yet and Brian's my go-to guy for that, right dude? You ready to spill the beans?"

Mario laughed and followed Danny to the kitchen. He glanced back over his shoulder and his heart melted. Grady, the glamorous movie star who had been wined and dined in Rome, and surrounded by adoring fans, was now sitting with his arm round Brian's shoulder as the boy sat snuggled against him `spilling the beans'.

As he listened entranced, Grady gently removed Brian's glasses and gazed into his big round eyes, giving him the feeling he was the only person in Grady's world right then, the same feeling he gave all his starry-eyed fans when he asked their name and signed a picture for them.

It was a lazy afternoon and evening and an early night, as the men needed to recover from jet-lag and the boys had to get up early next day to prepare for the party.

The next morning all the junior boys of the tribe arrived early, Eddie, Ben, and Brandon in his wheelchair. Tommy came straight from Steve's where, the boys guessed, exchanging knowing glances, he had already been fucked by Lloyd ... as usual.

They were all there ostensibly to help with the preparations but, more important, to get the full Grady/Mario story from Brian, who was only too happy to be the star of the show and repeat the saga of the star's travels, saving the best `til last. As he recounted the scene in the station toilet between the Italian peasant and the American jock there were gasps of, "No way ... holy fuck ... damn that's hot ... and even, "hell dude, I think I'm gonna cream my shorts."

The twins, Kyle and Kevin, had also arrived to assist Danny with the food preparation, and the boys were all crowded in the kitchen so the twins could hear the story too. When it finally ended Danny grinned at the twins and announced to the boys, "Guys, Kyle and Kevin and me need some space in here. And there's a ton of work to do outside setting everything up."

They snapped to attention and Tommy, who had professional experience as a party planner, took charge, piling plates and linens on the tray tables of the Brian's and Brandon's wheelchairs, and the whole procession filed out of the kitchen. Kyle said, "What about breakfast for Mario and Grady, Danny?"

"Oh no, they'll sleep in late, work off the jet-lag. They'll probably stay in bed until just before the party starts, but they did mention they'd like a light lunch in their room ... for four."

"Yeah," said Kevin, "Bob told us they have invited him and Randy to lunch before the party but he didn't know why. Do you know?"

"Haven't a clue," said Danny. "Maybe they wanna clear the air after all the trouble there's been."

When Bob and Randy arrived shortly after noon Danny ran to the gate to meet them. "They're still in their room, sir. Probably staying in bed late shaking off the jet-lag."

"Probably fucking you mean, kid," Randy grinned. "Don't worry, we know the way."

Bob reassured Danny. "It's OK, Danny. I'm sure you have a ton of work in the kitchen, so we'll wander upstairs on our own." Gratefully Danny ran back to his kitchen chores. Just then Brian wheeled himself back toward the kitchen and Randy said, "Hey, kiddo, no hug for the boss?"

Brian stopped and flashed a big freckle-faced smile as Randy knelt beside him and hugged him tight. "How you doing, boy? Happy to have them back, eh? Everything OK with you?"

"Yes thank you, sir. Danny and me are real happy. I'll be bringing your lunch up when Mario calls down for it."

"Look forward to it. Hey, they'll all be drinking wine but I'm a beer man so don't forget."

"It's already on the list, sir. Gotta get back ... Danny needs me."

Randy grinned watching him go, then they wandered into the house and up the wide staircase. "Wonder what they want to see us about?"

"It better be to apologize," Randy growled, "after all the bullshit they put those boys through."

"Ah, don't rain on their parade, buddy."

"Nah, I'll behave. But you know me – always have to have the last word."

Bob knocked on the door to the master bedroom. No reply. He knocked again and there was a muffled "Come in." They walked in to see the two men lying naked in bed together."

They looked up and Grady said, "Oh shit ... is it that time already? Sorry, guys ... jet lag and all." He and Mario jumped up off the bed and stood with their backs to it, butt-naked. The men walked forward and stood before them, Randy facing Grady and Bob facing Mario.

"Scusi, gentlemen," Mario said. "How impolite of us. I'll call down for lunch right away and ..."

"Hey," Randy said, "never mind the food. Just cut to the chase and tell us why we're here."

"Er, well," Mario stammered, taken aback by Randy's bluntness, "we wanted to offer you lunch ... and to say how sorry we are for everything that happened. It was all our fault and we felt we owed you an apology as the senior men of the tribe for all the trouble we caused."

Grady jumped in, "We kinda lost our way there, Randy. Didn't stop to think of anyone else."

"You mean you fucked up," Randy growled.

Grady flinched, "Well yeah, I guess ..."

"Look," Randy cut him off, "I don't give a shit who the fuck you sleep with, none of my business. So you two had a fight. Big fucking deal, happens to everyone. But what I do not like is when the boys are hurt, and you put your two through hell for a couple of weeks. Any other man did that I'd beat the fucking shit out of him."

The two men flinched and Mario stammered, "Randy, if you want to punish us we understand. We deserve it."

"Mario, Grady," Bob said in a more conciliatory tone, "I'm sure you've punished yourselves in your minds over and over. It was a difficult time and I think we should close the chapter. Randy talks of punishment, I'm thinking forgiveness. Maybe we could combine the two."

There was a long, uncertain pause then Bob turned his head to look at Randy. "What do you think, big guy?"

Randy frowned, but he could never refuse Bob. A hint of a smile glinted in his blue eyes and he shrugged, "Ah what the hell." Acting in unison Randy put his hand on Grady's chest, Bob did the same to Mario ... and they shoved hard. The two lovers fell backwards on the bed together, bouncing on their backs.

Startled they stared up at Bob and Randy as they pulled their T-shirts off over their heads, kicked off their shoes, ripped open their jeans, let them drop and stepped out of them. Grady and Mario gasped at the sight of the two naked muscle-gods both stroking their cocks.

"Fortunately," Randy said, "you are two of the most gorgeous men to walk the planet so our rods are already good and hard." Bob reached for a jar of lube by the bed and greased up his cock. "Only difference is," Randy grinned, "my buddy uses lube but I know from experience in the gym every morning that honest-to-god spit is good enough for Tarzan here. OK, buddy, let's fuck."

Working in tandem Randy and Bob knelt on the bed, pushed the lovers' legs back and pressed their cocks against their holes. They fell forward together and pinned their victims' arms to the bed. Grady gazed up in awe at the ruggedly chiseled features of the gypsy face, his square, stubbled jaw, long black hair and piercing blue eyes

Randy growled, "OK, you're used to me fucking you after our morning gym workouts, but this ain't no `Good-work-buddy!' fuck. I'm mad at you for hurting that young kid Brian and his pal Danny. And I gotta get it out of my system ... like this ...!"

"Aaagh!" Grady's handsome face contorted in pain and his head flew back on the bed as Randy's thick shaft ramrodded his ass. "No, I ..." he started to protest, but gazing up into the wild blue eyes he surrendered, like so many men before him, to the dark gypsy's sexual magnetism, and gave himself up to his carnal savagery.

Next to them Bob smiled down at Mario. "And that, amico, is the punishment part. This is the forgiveness. Don't worry, your buddy is enjoying every minute ... as I hope you will." Gently but firmly he pushed his long rod inside the young Italian, coming to rest in the warm inner depths of his ass. Bob smiled, "How does that feel?"

"Aaaah," Mario sighed deeply, gazing up at the exquisite face and smiling brown eyes. "Oh Bob, it feels ... oh man ..." Tears came to his eyes as he said, "I never meant to hurt anyone, Bob. I hate that I disappointed you of all people. Please forgive me, amico. Please." In reply Bob pulled back and began a slow, rhythmic fuck of the naked Italian steeped in remorse.

Next to them the rhythm was more ferocious, a fierce jackhammering where Randy vented all his anger in the hot jock's ass. "I don't care who you are – Tarzan, whatever – but you gotta learn. You may be the King of the Jungle, but I'm the King of the fucking Gypsies, the boss of this tribe and I make the rules. Feel this?"

Grady howled as Randy's cock pistoned in his ass, but it was a howl of ecstasy rather than pain and he yelled, "Yeah, punish my ass, man. I deserve all of it. Fuck me, sir."

But Bob, seeking to dispel the tension, spoke soothingly. "So you two have made up, uh? OK, so let us see ... show us."

Grady and Mario reached over and grabbed each other's cocks, then turned their heads toward each other and kissed. It was a graphic display of their renewed passion and their restored place in the tribe, two beautiful men kissing, jacking each other off as they got ploughed by the masters of the tribe.

Bob could see that the climax was near and said, "Mario, look at me. Mario pulled his mouth from Grady's, looked at Bob and again pleaded, "Show me you forgive me, Bob. Please ..."

"This is how I forgive, Mario." Bob's muscles tensed, his eyes sparkled, he buried his cock deep and filled Mario's ass with cum, the balm of absolution that Mario craved.

Randy grinned at Grady, "How about you, stud? You gonna behave now? No more bullshit? You gonna do what I tell you? Stay faithful to this gorgeous boyfriend of yours? Be good to the boys?"

"Yes, sir, definitely."

"OK you two, jerk each other off ... here comes my jizz " Randy lunged deep one last time and blasted his juice in the macho jock's ass while the two lovers locked eyes, stroked each other and, with Randy's permission, sprayed juice all over their naked bodies.

"Welcome home, guys," Bob smiled as he eased out his cock. Randy yanked his cock out of Grady and, as always, had the last word. "Great fuck, jungle man. OK, that's the end of it. That chapter's closed. Now let's get on with our lives." He and Bob got off the bed, pulled on their jeans, strolled to the window and looked down at the garden.

A few early guests had arrived, including Steve and Lloyd who were sitting at a table with wine and snacks served by Tommy. As Tommy turned away Lloyd reached out and grabbed the hard globes of his ice-skater ass, and Tommy looked back over his shoulder with a sexy grin. None of this was lost on Steve who scowled, tensed, and took a long slug of wine.

"Shit damn," Randy growled, "we've just closed the book on Tarzan and his mate here, and now it looks like I've gotta sort out that mess down there." He turned to Bob. "The things I do for this tribe, buddy."

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 342

Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.

ALSO, I invite you to visit my Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You can read the whole story, all the many chapters, with extras, including pictures and biographies of all the characters. Click on the `Our Story' tab to read the current chapter, or click on the green button to browse all the chapter synopses. Enjoy