A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH - PART 399 By Rob Williams

CHAPTER 399 – "RANDY & ZACK – BROTHERLY LUST"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

The rivalry between the two construction bosses – the rugged gypsy Randy and the black musclehunk Zack – comes to a head as they face off in the office of Doctor Steve. "Asshole," Randy growls. "Fuck you, man," Zack snarls. But the doc knows their anger is a way to mask the buried lust they feel for each other and "the kind of love – fraternal and sexual – that only men as alike as these could share." _____________________________________________________________________

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

As Uncle Mike said to Randy, "I gotta tell you, boy, this time you got yourself in some deep shit."

In deep mud too, actually, as Randy had had a knock-down drag-out fight with Zack that had left Randy beaten in the mud.

The problem stemmed from Zack's need to be the boss of his own company. Currently he and Randy were something like co-bosses on the construction site, such close friends that they regarded each other as brothers. But they were both dominant alpha males with all the inherent rivalries that implied. As their old friend Mike put it, they were like dominant stags clashing horns in a battle for leadership in a herd that could support only one.

The problem had reached a fever pitch when Zack declared that he wanted to form his own construction company, which would inevitably compete with Randy's. Randy regarded this as a betrayal by Zack and it roused all his old fears of abandonment, so his reaction was scathing.

The final eruption had come in the big fist-fight which Zack had won and then stormed away with his boy Darius, vowing to "get the hell out of here."

The feud had thrown the tribe into confusion, especially Randy's lover Bob and their friend Mark, the cop who was in love with both of them. Bob and Mark met in the office with Mark's boy Jamie and young Brandon. "That does it," Bob said. "Randy is never gonna give Zack more autonomy at the construction site and Zack wouldn't want it. He's hell bent on having his own company so I'm afraid he'll just shove off. I've racked my brain but I just can't see a solution."

"I think I can, sir."

That small voice came from the junior boy Brandon, the office assistant who had been quietly working at his computer in the background while Jamie listened to the men's conversation.

"You can?" Bob asked in disbelief ... "What do you mean, Brandon?"

Brandon turned his wheelchair round to face them. He took a deep breath, blinking behind his black-framed glasses, and explained his solution to the `two bosses' problem. He ended by saying, "That's just the outline, sir. I'm not clever enough to know all the stuff about forming or splitting a corporation. But isn't that what you do, sir – I mean all the legal mumbo jumbo shit?"

Bob chuckled. "I sure do, Brandon. Legal mumbo jumbo shit is exactly what I do." He paused. "You know, guys, I think we have a boy genius among us."

They all embraced the plan enthusiastically and Bob added that they should expand the board of directors from just the five senior men to include Mark's boy Jamie and Zack's boy Darius. "And," Bob smiled, "now this is all speculation for now, but if it came to it, how would you like to be a member of the board of directors, Brandon?"

"A member of ...?" Brandon's eyes blinked fast behind his glasses. "You mean it, sir? Of the corporation? Of course, I would, sir. Who wouldn't? Wow, just wait till I tell Pete."

Things seemed to be moving in the right direction but Mark pointed out that there was still one big hurdle. What would Randy say?

And that's where Uncle Mike came in. The older, middle-aged Mike was the owner of a leather bar in Palm Springs and had come to be a great friend of the tribe, with a special relationship with Randy. Mike had come to be a father figure for him – the only man ever to call him boy.

When Mike came to the house from Palm Springs next morning to rejoin his lover Larry he listened with mounting anger to the headstrong way Randy had behaved. He went upstairs and gave him a furious tongue-lashing – "You are such an asshole, Randy. You know, boy, for a big beautiful man, you are fucking pathetic." Randy was reduced to a humiliated wreck on his knees sobbing, "What do you want from me, Mike? What can I do?"

Mike said he needed to be totally degraded, to hit rock bottom before he could claw his way back to manhood. He grabbed the gypsy's long black hair and face-fucked him savagely, making him swallow the stream of jizz he pumped into him. Then Randy fell on his stomach and licked Mike's boots, slurping up the cum he had splashed over them.

Mike stared down at the rugged gypsy face, tears and cum streaming down it, and said, "Man, I have never seen anything so pornographically sexy in my life." Randy's degradation was complete. His body heaved with wrenching sobs as he clung to Mike's leg and groaned, "Don't give up on me, Mike. Please, I need your help, man."

"Ah, get over it, son. I'm not gonna give up on you – not after that fucking orgasm you just gave me. I'll jerk off thinking about that forever. But you don't need me cos your buddies downstairs have a solution to the problem. Young Brandon of all people came up with the idea of creating two companies under the same corporate banner – commercial for you and residential for Zack. But they are fucking scared to tell you cos you'll go apeshit again.

"So you still got a lotta work to do, fences to mend, but don't worry, boy. If you survived the mean streets of West Texas you'll get through this too. You're one a hell of a man, Randy.

"Now get your ass in the damn shower while I go down and talk to your buddies."

********************** CHAPTER 399 *********************

Mike left Randy alone to get on with his shower – to soothe his battered body and bruised ego after his physical fight with Zack and his even more brutal tongue lashing and face-fuck from Mike that had left him sobbing on his knees with Mike's jizz running down his face.

Down in Mark's ground-floor apartment where Mike had left Mark, Bob, Jamie and Larry, the four of them had waited anxiously for his return from confronting Randy. They feared that Uncle Mike had taken a big risk – putting his head in the lion's mouth – especially when they had heard Randy's familiar loud roar.

The tension built and finally, when howls echoed from upstairs, Mark had been on the point of rushing up to Mike's rescue, but Bob restrained him. "Let's give it another few minutes, buddy. I have a feeling that Mike can take care of himself. He's had years of experience bouncing rowdy drunks out of his bar."

Bob proved to be right. After the howls died down into a long silence the door to Mark's apartment opened and in walked Mike. To their relief he was not only unscathed but had a self-satisfied smile on his face. "You OK, Mike?" Bob asked. "What happened?"

"Well," Mike grinned, "we, er, had a little chat and ... let's just say the boy probably won't be giving you any more trouble."

"That's it?" Mark asked, surprised and faintly amused to hear Mike call Randy `boy', the only man who could get away with that. "But what about those yells we heard?"

"Ah that. Well, there was a little action at the end, but he's in the shower now washing it off."

Mark grinned but Bob said, "I should go up to him."

"No Bob, wait," Mike cautioned. "You're always too quick to run to him, which reflects well on you, but sometimes you should wait for him to come to you. He's got some thinking to do and he'll come here soon enough. Except I have a hunch that there might be someone else he'll visit first, judging by his reaction when I mentioned the name.

When Randy had dried off after the shower he pulled on a clean pair of jeans and one of Bob's clean white V-neck T-shirts. He actually checked himself in the mirror before leaving, something he almost never did. But he was not dressing up for the men waiting downstairs – he couldn't face them just yet.

No, he needed someone more objective, less judgmental. The word purer came to mind – and he knew just where to find it. So he walked right past Mark's apartment and across the garden.

In the small office building Brandon was alone working at his computer. It was still early and he had been the first to arrive for work, as he usually was. Jamie hadn't come in yet and Brandon knew he was in a huddle with Bob, Mark, Mike and Larry.

Through the window he had seen the comings and goings – Mike's arrival, going into Mark's apartment with Larry, then emerging a short time later and going up to see Randy. He had even heard the shouts coming from upstairs and sensed that something major was happening. But he closed his ears to it and kept working.

He was following the advice his master Pete had always given him – `when the shit starts flying, kiddo, stay clear of the action, keep your head down and work hard'. After all, Brandon thought, someone has to keep the company running.

He was concentrating hard on a difficult file so he was startled when the door opened – and Randy came in. He looked up from the computer and pushed his wheelchair back a foot or two. Randy was always a bit intimidating and now, after all the anger and fighting, Brandon expected the worst. He blushed, blinked hard behind his black-rimmed glasses and spoke nervously.

"Oh, hello, sir. I didn't except you to ... I mean, after all that ... If it's about that plan for the company I told Bob about, I'm sorry, sir – I spoke out of turn and it wasn't really my place to ... I mean, as a junior boy, sir ..."

"Hey, hey, calm down kiddo," Randy smiled. "If even you are scared of me I don't stand a chance. We've always been good buddies, haven't we?" He held his arms out to the sides. "And look, I even dressed up for you so you wouldn't be put off by my stinky work clothes. Make the most of it, kid ... not every day you see old Randy looking this clean."

That made Brandon smile and he relaxed. "Er, how are you feeling, sir?" He reached up and gently stroked the bruises on Randy's face."

"Ah, nothing that a night's sleep and a hot shower wouldn't cure. Guess you heard about the fight. Your pal Eddie has probably broadcast it all over town by now."

"Well yes, and I was sorry to hear about it, sir. I mean, guys often have disagreements – even me and Eddie do sometimes – but it don't have to end in a fight. 'Course," he grinned, "I couldn't fight anyway, being in a wheelchair and all. But all you have to do is talk it out. Works for me."

"And it should have worked for me, kiddo. Tell you what, next time I'm about to swing my fist at someone I'll stop and call you first, OK?"

"Sorry, sir," Brandon blushed, "it's not my place to tell the boss how to ... you know ..." He winced, then dug himself out of the hole by adding, "But you didn't come here just to tease me, did you, sir? I think Bob and the guys are waiting for you."

"I'm sure they are, kid, but it's you I wanted to speak to first. See, they're just waiting to tell me the plan they've come up with and tell me what to do next. But I wanna hear about the plan straight from the guy who came up with it ... and rumor has it that was you, kiddo."

"Well, sure, in a way, but ..."

"Listen, Brandon, I may not be the first person you'd come to for advice, given my recent history, but I will give you a little suggestion now, and that is – modesty will get you nowhere. Oh sure, you look kinda cute blushing and blinking behind those cool glasses, but you're a bright kid and when you come up with a great idea, let the world know about it – starting with me OK? I hear you've solved the whole damn thing, so spill, kiddo."

Randy pulled over the chair from Jamie's desk and sat facing Brandon, knee to knee. As the pale blue eyes smiled at him encouragingly Brandon relaxed even more. "Well, sir, it's basically real simple. See, the problem started with Zack wanting to be his own boss ... something I personally think he deserves after all this time, though it's not my place to say.

"Anyway, I know the firm's gonna start a new project, an apartment building, and Bob says the company will be doing a lot more residential stuff as there's a ton of money to be made in it right now. So I put 2-and-2 together, then a second 2-and-2 too."

Brandon winced. "Ooh, that a lot of 2's ain't it, sir. But what I mean is, instead of starting a new residential division, start a new company. So there will be two companies and two bosses – commercial under you, sir, and residential under Zack, with profits from both channeled into the corporate entity. That way you and Zack won't be working together so you won't ..." He winced again, treading close to thin ice.

"... we won't act like prize idiots and beat each other up, you mean," Randy grinned.

"Well, I guess ... yes, sir, if you put it like that. Anyway, when I gave my idea to Bob and Mark they seemed to like it. Bob even said the board of directors should be enlarged to include Jamie and Darius."

"And ...?"

"And ... and what, sir?" Despite Randy's advice about modesty, Brandon was far too modest to mention Bob's earlier suggestion that he too join the board. But Randy had no such reticence.

"And you too, kiddo," Randy roared. "Kid like you who comes up with an idea like that definitely belongs on the board and I'll insist on it. I still have some influence around here."

Brandon blushed, wondering if he should mention that Bob had already made that offer, but he was saved by the sudden entrance into the office of his master Pete. The rugged uniformed Ranger was alarmed by the unexpected presence of Randy with his boy and said gruffly. "I just dropped by to make sure you were OK, Brandon." He glanced at Randy, "Are you OK, boy?"

"I'm fine, sir, just fine. I was just explaining my idea for the company to Randy."

"And I think it's a stroke of genius," Randy said. "Pete, old buddy, come here." He threw his arms round the Ranger and his eyes were moist as he said, "Pete, this boy of yours is pure gold. I mean pure gold. You're a lucky man." Then pulling away, "And I want you to be the first to know that I am gonna insist that Brandon here gets a seat on the company's board."

Actually Brandon had already phoned Pete to tell him that's what Bob had offered, but Pete played along, figuring that Randy needed a way to display his authority right now. "That's great news, kiddo," Pete said to Brandon. "I better smarten up myself now that my boy is a company director. Listen kiddo, I gotta go `cos I was on my way to a meeting. But tonight I'm gonna take you out to dinner to celebrate and when we get home ... you are really gonna get it."

Brandon giggled and Randy said, "Brandon, if this man of yours don't treat you right you know where to come."

"Thank you, sir, I appreciate the offer but I think I'll stick with the Ranger."

Pete hugged and kissed Brandon and hurried out. Randy said, "Brandon, I want you to come with me over to the guys who are waiting for me. I need some moral support."

"Okey, dokey, sir. Let me just save my work in the computer." And in a few minutes they were going across the garden together to "face the music" as Randy put it.

Bob, Mark, Mike and his boy Larry all swung round when the door opened, and their first feeling was one of relief as they saw Randy dressed (unusually) in a clean white T-shirt and jeans, smiling, with his hand resting on Brandon's shoulder.

"OK, guys," Randy said, "before you start throwing things at me let me save you the trouble. This young genius here has filled me in on his `two-separate-companies' plan and I think it's a brilliant idea. Kills lots of angry birds with one stone. And before anyone accuses Brandon of speaking out of turn, it was me who went to see him and asked him about the plan.

"And I was so impressed that I want Brandon to have a seat on the company board. Oh I know it has to be proposed to the current board and get unanimous approval, but it's what I want."

He stressed the last words, knowing that usually what Randy wants Randy gets. Despite all the emotion and anger that had been spent over the last few days everyone knew that Randy was indispensable to the construction company. He had founded it and built it from the ground up and still put his muscle and sweat into it every day, alongside a crew that respected and looked up to him as the indisputable boss.

Bob glanced at Mark and Jamie and there was an unspoken agreement to play along. Let Randy think it was his idea.

"Well," Bob said, "I think that's a terrific idea. As you know we have planned to offer board seats to Jamie and Darius, and I think representation by one of the junior boys would be a great move, especially a boy like Brandon who knows the company so well he seems to have come up with a plan that has saved the day. Plus it advances our constant effort to train our boys and help them advance in life as they develop into mature and productive men."

"Of course," Mark added, "this would all have to be agreed by Zack too and we haven't heard from him since the, er, fight yesterday. He and Darius are probably getting ready to leave town. I suggest that we ask him to join us for a special board meeting right now. If someone ..."

All eyes turned to Mike. He laughed, "Hell, I came here for a weekend rest but you boys seem determined to make me work. Oh, what the hell, I was the go-between for Randy so I guess I can give a repeat performance with Zack. No guarantees, though, guys. Larry, I want you to come too. You're already good at the art of persuasion, cutting off a bar customer when he's drunk too much, so you could help me out here too."

Jamie looked at Brandon. "And we should get back to the office, dude. Got a lot of work to do and the phones are probably ringing off the hook."

As they went back across the garden to the office Brandon said, "Jamie, I just wanna make sure that you're OK with all this. I mean, I haven't stepped over the line, have I, and pushed myself forward with my plan and now this board member stuff? You are my boss after all."

Jamie laughed. "Brandon how many times have I told you not to sell yourself short? Hell, next thing you'll tell me is that this is all too much for a kid in a wheelchair."

Brandon smiled at the teasing joke. "You know me better than that, dude. How many times have I told you that I can do everything the other guys can?"

"Even serve as a member of the board?"

Brandon's eyes sparkled. "Even that, Jamie."

Mike and Larry realized they had come across the street to Zack's house just in time. When they walked in Zack and Darius were packing their bags and were obviously in the middle of a heated discussion about leaving. They had already heard snatches of conversation as they walked up the steps.

"Sir, you know I'll do anything you say, but don't you think it's over-reacting a bit, leaving our home, the tribe and all our friends?"

"Friends? Huh, you know what kind of man I am, boy, and I couldn't look myself in the mirror if I stayed one more fucking day working under that arrogant prick, throwing his orders around. He's no damn friend to either one of us, Darius."

Mike cleared his voice loudly and banged the gate as they came close. Zack looked up when they walked in and he tensed. "Oh, hello Mike, Larry. What, did they send you across here to humor me, talk some sense into me and persuade me to stay? Too chicken to do their own dirty work. Well thanks for making the effort, buddy, but you can save your breath. We're off."

"Zack wait. The last thing I want is to get in the middle of all this. When the shit's flying it always sticks to the guy in the middle. I'm not taking sides here, but I just wanted you to know that they've come up with a plan that seems pretty good to me. It was Brandon who thought of it."

"Brandon did?" Darius grinned. "Way to go, kid."

"They'll explain it to you but I'll just tell you that the idea is to create two separate companies within the corporation – the current commercial unit under Randy and a new residential outfit with you as boss, Zack, not reporting to Randy but directly to the board.

"Hey, that sounds like it might work, sir," Darius said eagerly.

"There's one other proposal too," Mike added. "They feel that the board should be expanded to include Darius, Jamie ... and Brandon."

"Brandon too?" Darius grinned. "That is way cool ... I bet the kid is real stoked. Sir, won't you at least consider it? Please, sir."

Zack dropped the bag his was carrying back on the bed. "Who's over there, Mike?"

"Bob, Randy and Mark, just the three other directors – and they're waiting for you. Maybe have a special board meeting right now – if you agree."

There was a tense moment, then, "OK, I'll go and see them. But no guarantees, right? Er, sorry if I bitched at you Mike. You know we both love and respect you, man."

"Hey, no sweat, big guy. You should hear how some of those bar customers talk to me when I throw them out drunk. Would make a sailor blush. Now get your ass over there, stud. Larry and me will take care of your boy here.

Zack looked at Darius who held up two pairs of crossed fingers. "Good luck, sir. Fingers crossed."

"You really want this to work, don't you boy?"

"Yes please sir."

"OK, kid. Good enough."

As Zack left the house Darius heaved a huge sigh of relief, then gave Mike a hesitant smile. "You think it's gonna work, Mike?"

"I'd bet the farm on it, kid," Mike said. "Don't worry. You know how persuasive Bob can be. I was worried when Bob said he had no idea what to do next, but then Brandon chimed in with the `Brandon Solution' as everyone's calling it. Hell, they're all so pleased with him it's a wonder they don't call the company Brandon Construction."

"I'm real excited for the boy," Darius grinned. "He's a real charmer, everyone loves him and now he turns out to be a boy genius too."

Darius paused and his face clouded over. "Guys, I don't mind telling you, it's been a real tough couple of days, and up to ten minutes ago it looked like Zack and me were gonna turn our back on the tribe and strike out on our own. That would have meant leaving all our buddies – Pablo, Jamie, Eddie the whole gang.

He choked up. "I don't think I could've made it without all the guys – we've been good buddies for so long I ... Mike, it seems we owe you a huge debt of thanks for ..." Tears began to flow down his cheeks as he gave way to the fears he had bottled up over the last few days.

"Hey, hey," Mike said, wrapping his arms round Darius. "It's nearly over, kid, and everything'll come right. You've been going through a lot of shit lately and toughing it out like the young stud you are, but it's OK now to let it all out."

Darius sobbed on Mike's shoulder, then pulled back and smiled through his tears. "Shit, long time since I did that. You know what they say, real men don't cry."

"And I say real men don't give a shit what `real' men do. You, my boy, are what I call a real man ... it's why you're the lover of the hottest, toughest son-of-a-bitch master ever to put on leather."

"I second that," Larry said. "Hey, Darius, do you remember when I first came back to the tribe and you and Pablo had me work on that that big Harley. I was on my knees switching out a cable and you said that, as senior boys, you and Pablo had an initiation test for me. You made me suck Pablo's dick and then your monster ten inches."

"Yeah, I remember," Darius smiled, "and you did great as I recall. I always felt a bit guilty though that I never gave you the chance to get your own back. And Pablo tells me that when him and the guys were out in the desert at your place he fucked you good. And now we've subjected you two to all this family feud bullshit. Man, I owe you big time."

"Darius?" Mike said. "Sounds to me like you're working up to something here. And to tell you the truth, hugging a shirtless black muscle-jock just now gave me a monster boner."

"Same here," Larry said. "Just thinking back to the time I got face-fucked by a couple of hot, greasy mechanics turned me on too."

"OK, that does it," Darius laughed. "You were right, Mike, I've been real tense and worried for the last few days but now that there's light at the end of the tunnel it's time for me to let it all out, as you said. That board meeting will be going on for a while before they call for me, so in the meantime I need to loosen up. And there's one surefire way to do that."

The irrepressible, fun-loving Darius was back, and now he kicked off his boots, dropped his jeans and faced them bareassed naked. He held his arms out wide and flashed his dazzling smile. "Ta-da. Here I am, guys – a black buck, buck naked, offering himself to two men I owe a debt of thanks to. I'm all yours, men."

Always eager to add spice to the proceedings Darius rummaged in one of the half-packed bags, pulled out a black leather collar and buckled it round his own neck. He stood before them, clasped his hands behind his back and hung his head in submission. He was playing the familiar role of a naked black slave for rent, something that always turned Zack on a lot.

It sure turned Mike on and he eagerly joined in the fun, knowing that this kind of play was exactly what Darius needed to put the troubled past behind him. And Mike was also thinking of his boy Larry who needed to push the boundaries of his sexual exploration. "So what do you think, kiddo ... you or me?"

"Or both together," Larry grinned. "Seems to me that was one reason we came here – for both of us to get a nice juicy taste of the tribe."

"And they don't come any juicer than this. Which end do you want?"

"Well, as I recall, this guy face-fucked me with that ten-inch club swinging between his legs there, almost choked me to death. So I figure it's payback time."

"Gotcha, kiddo. OK, stud, on your hands and knees." Darius obeyed, positioning himself on all fours on the bed facing one of the floor-length mirrors. He looked at his reflection and grinned as he saw Mike kneel behind him on the bed, shrug off his plaid shirt and unzip his pants.

Unlike many of the tribe's men, Mike never liked fucking with just spit, so when he saw a jar of lube on the bedside table he dipped his fingers in and lubed up Darius's ass. "Hmm, feels like this ass has been plugged a whole lot by that leatherman's huge dick, boy. Sure makes my job easier."

Mike greased up his stiff cock and pressed it between Darius's ass cheeks. "Here it comes, muscle-boy. Get ready." He grabbed the boy's hips, pulled them back and drove his cock in hard and deep.

Darius looked up at the mirror and grinned at Mike's reflection. "Hey, feels great, man. Never guessed a man your age could fuck so good," he teased.

"Watch your mouth stud. Hey Larry you hear what he said? We don't have to take that kinda trash talk from anyone." Mike grabbed the collar round Darius's neck and pulled back on it, forcing his face up. "Think you can shut him up – gag him or something?"

"Nothing easier," Larry grinned. Standing in front of Darius's raised face Larry said, "That time you and your pal Pablo fucked my face when I was working on the Harley. That hurt, man, and I never had the chance to hit back – until now. It may not be your ten inches, but it's big enough ... so open up big boy."

Darius's mouth sagged open and was instantly filled by Larry's shaft. Larry smiled at Mike across Darius's body. "Hey, man, we're a team at last. Feels good, eh?"

"Damn good, kid. OK, let's give it to him." They fell into an easy routine, going stroke for stroke, one dick in the muscle-jock's ass the other in his mouth.

This is better, Darius thought – back to basics. He had never admitted to himself the dread he felt at the prospect of walking out on the tribe with Zack. He would follow Zack anywhere, of course – he would never leave the man he idolized. But he loved all the other guys too – they were his family.

He had been the first one to join Randy and Bob when they were just starting out, and now he was the most senior boy, loved and respected. The thought of living without the tribe was terrifying. It was only when he was faced with the awful possibility that he realized just how much he was part of that fabric.

But now it looked like it wouldn't happen. He was safe ... and he was having fun again. And boy, was Mike a great fuck, which surprised him. He had never had sex with a man of his age, late fifties. He was used to Zack, at the peak of his manhood, in his sexual prime, and Darius had vaguely assumed that older men had less drive, less potency. What he had overlooked was that men like Mike had a whole history of experience, emotional and sexual – and Mike was using that on him now.

He felt his thick cock pounding his ass but somehow not so deep as to hurt him, just enough to leave him wanting more. He pushed his ass back to try and increase the thrust but Mike reacted by insisting on his own rhythm. The fact was, Mike was in control – the older, more experienced man giving the sexy young buck sensations he had never felt before. Mike was generous, indulging the younger man's sexual pleasures rather than imposing his own.

On the front end Larry had all the raw enthusiasm of youth, and here Darius was in charge. Larry's technique, such as it was, was simply to thrust hard and deep, but Darius alternately clenched his throat muscles round Larry's cock, then released it, in effect massaging the cock as it slid in and out of his mouth.

The whole sensation – simultaneously controlling one man and being controlled by the other – was new and exciting for Darius as he heard Mike yell, "Damn it looks hot, watching this muscular black stud get spit roasted at the mercy of a man and his boy. Let's give it to him, Larry. Show the tough young jock how it feels to get spiked at both ends."

For Mike and Larry it was a new experience too. In their Palm Springs home they fucked each other a lot but never had three-ways, except when the men of the tribe visited. This was an opportunity to push their sexual boundaries and come closer together than ever before.

And that meant cumming together in the cock-gushing sense too. They gazed at each other over Darius's arched back with a new level of sexual intimacy. As they fucked in unison, stroke for stroke, feeling the same sensations in their cocks, it was as if they were fucking each other. Mike smiled, "Damn I'm in love with you boy. You wanna fill this guy up with our jizz?"

"Right there with you, sir," Larry laughed. "This feels so good ... pumping together like this."

Feeling used but ignored Darius suddenly pulled off Larry's dick and said, "Hey, guys, enough with the love-fest. What am I here, chopped liver?"

"Pretty much," Mike laughed. "You're the roast on the spit, so chow down on that meat, big guy." He pulled back on the collar again and Larry shoved his cock back in his mouth. "Hell, you really suck, dude," Larry said, "and I mean that in a good way. You're gonna make me and my man spill our loads in you, so grab that big club of yours and join us, buddy."

Despite his predicament Darius glanced sideways in a mirror at the muscular black hunk on hands and knees with a slave collar round his neck, getting fucked in the ass and face. It was a pornographic fantasy and he closed his fist round his own rock-hard cock.

"OK, guys, take your cue from me," Mike shouted. He drove his cock in faster, pulled hard on Darius's collar with one hand and slapped his ass cheeks with the other.

"Yeah," Larry yelled, "ride `em cowboy. Jeez I'm close. His mouth is so hot. Can I sir?"

"Sure, buddy, let's do it ... let's all do it. Fuck this is great. Cum with me, guys ... yeaaah!"

In a mass of heaving bodies three orgasms happened simultaneously amid raucous shouts and laughter from Mike and Larry, and Darius too after Larry pulled the gag out of his mouth.

Mike too pulled out carefully and helped Darius to his feet. "You OK, kiddo?" he asked solicitously.

"Never better Mike. Damn, you guys are terrific together – you should be a double act."

"We are," Larry grinned. "Especially now. I'm glad you're back to your old self, dude."

"Yeah, kind of ... except I think everything's fucked between me and Pablo. Last time we spoke he was bending over Randy who'd been thrashed by Zack and he snarled at me, `Back off, man don't you dare touch him. We're done, dude. My place is with my dad. After this, we're done."

"Ah, you two will find a way back. Too much love there, too much history."

Mike was interrupted by the ring of Darius's cell phone. It was Bob. "Darius, the board is meeting in Mark's apartment and we would very much like you to join us. Would you also bring Jamie and Brandon as you pass the office?"

Darius shut off the phone and said nervously, "They want me. They want me over there."

"You better get cleaned up fast," Larry said. "Let me help. He got a wet towel and sponged off his face and chest. "No time to shower," Mike said, "but you better wear a clean shirt.

In a few minutes, wearing jeans and a brown denim shirt, Darius grinned, "Will I do?"

"Perfect – except for one thing. Mike unbuckled the collar from Darius's neck. "Looks hot, kid, but not exactly the right look for a new company director. Go get `em tiger."

When Darius, Jamie and Brandon went into Mark's apartment they found five men sitting in a row at one side of the dining-room table. In the middle Bob was flanked by Mark on one side and Pablo on the other. (Randy's boy Pablo, who had joined the board recently, had come from the work site for this meeting.) Randy sat at one end of the row and Zack at the opposite end.

It crossed Jamie's mind that this was rather odd as Randy and Zack would normally have been in the middle with Bob. They seemed to be staying as far from each other as possible – not a good sign. Jamie and Darius sat on the two chairs facing the table and Brandon wheeled his chair beside Jamie.

Darius glanced hopefully across the table at Pablo but he glared back, tossed his head and looked away. Obviously he mirrored Randy's wounded feelings as he mirrored him in all things. Darius sighed, but was saved further reflection by Bob's cheerful voice.

"Thanks for coming in, guys," Bob said. "I'll keep this brief because we all have to get back to work." He smiled, "No work, no company, no board meeting, so what the fuck are we doing here, eh? Sorry, guys, there's an old tradition that speeches of this kind should begin with a joke, and that was my lame attempt. I promise I won't inflict any more on you.

"OK, down to business. You all know the difficulty we've been having lately and the solution our assistant office manager came up with – the Brandon Solution. It calls for two companies under one corporate umbrella – commercial under Randy and residential under Zack. This setup has been unanimously agreed to in principle and I will write a detailed proposal for the next meeting.

"In the meantime there is another related piece of business. We all agree that the five-member board should be expanded to eight. And we would like to offer the three new seats to you guys.

"Jamie, you have done sterling work as office manager. Darius, as a foreman you know the working of the construction sites better than almost anyone. And Brandon, you have worked so hard in the office and become so knowledgeable that you were able to come up with a solution that has saved the company from severe disruption. So, welcome aboard guys."

There was a momentary silence, then Darius said, "On behalf the three of us, sir, thank you for your confidence in us and ... and ... well, I have a joke handy too but maybe it's too dirty for a board meeting. But catch me later, guys, `cos it's a doozy."

The burst of laughter brought the meeting to a close and after hugs all round the boys filed out leaving Bob and Mark, with Randy and Zack still at opposite ends of the table.

As he put his papers together Bob said, "I have one more thing to say to you Randy and Zack. I know how things stand with you two and realize there's still bad blood between you after what went down, the fight and all. The deep freeze between you at this table confirms that. But the rift has to be healed as soon as possible or this whole deal will fall apart."

He leveled a stern gaze at them. "There is one man who I think could help to accomplish that, as he has so often in the past – our in-house therapist Doctor Steve."

"No fucking way man," Randy blurted out. "I ain't seeing no damn shrink."

"Me neither," Zack retorted, "especially not him. Steve's your brother so he'd be biased and rule in your favor."

Randy stood up and snarled, "Are you saying my brother's crooked? Let me tell you this, asshole ..."

"Stop it!" Bob leapt to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. "Stop it. See, that's exactly what I mean. Now if you guys can't work things out between you and bury the hatchet – and I don't mean in each other's back – then let's call the whole damn thing quits right now, `cos I've had it up to here.

"Those young guys just left here full of excitement and a determination to work hard for the company and the whole tribe. But you and your damned egos are gonna ruin the whole thing for them and everyone else. OK, Randy, so why don't you be the one to go tell that kid Brandon you're so fond of that the deal he crafted fell through? And Zack, you go tell Darius that you two are leaving the company and the tribe after all. Because I've had it, guys. I'm quitting too."

There was a shocked silence during which Bob finished putting put his papers in his briefcase. He was about to leave when Zach muttered, "When would this meeting be, and where?"

Bob said, "A little earlier I spoke to Steve on the phone and explained the situation. He has cleared his schedule and agreed to meet with you both together, provided you both come willingly. He never forces patients into therapy."

Another silence, then Zack shrugged and said quietly, "OK".

"Randy?" Bob asked.

Hunched over the table Randy grunted, "Huh."

"I'll take that as a yes, Randy. Right, so I'll call Steve and alert him that you're on your way up there. I suggest you take separate trucks."

Zack left without another word and as Randy went out he looked straight at Bob and growled, "I'm doing this for you, man."

Bob smiled. "No Randy, you're doing it for the tribe – `cos you're its leader." A flicker of a smile crossed Randy's pale blue eyes and he left.

Mark grinned at Bob who rolled his eyes and sighed, "Jesus – like pulling teeth."

The handsome doctor Steve was standing at his front door when Zack jumped down from his truck. Steve greeted him with a warm smile and a hug. "Good to see you, Zack. While I wait for Randy Tommy will show you through to the den. I thought we'd be more comfortable there."

The house manager, the tall blond gymnast Tommy, appeared with a sexy smile and said, "Hello, sir, and welcome. Please walk this way."

As Zack followed him, his eyes riveted on Tommy's stunning gymnast ass, he thought there was no way he could walk that way, with the boy's model's strut, but he sure would like to fuck that gorgeous butt. "Damn," he said silently under his breath. Zack hated all this conflict and therapy shit. He wanted to get back to working and fucking the way he always did. But this was all Randy's fault and he wasn't gonna yield another inch to him and his damn ego.

The den was a casual, comfortable room with overstuffed chairs and a long couch and Zack chose to sit at one end of the couch. He watched Tommy walk around fluffing cushions, giving him a perfect view of that perfect ass flexing under his tight pants. Tommy turned to him and smiled. "Water is on the table, sir, but would you care for something else to drink – coffee, tea?"

He was such a sexy cock-teaser, Zack thought, it's a wonder he didn't say `coffee, tea or me', but Zack said simply, "No thanks, kid."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir, before I leave?"

Yeah, Zack thought, you can pull those pants down and let me bury my face in your ass. His lust for the boy was so strong that for a moment he thought he had spoken out loud. But Tommy's placid smile didn't flinch so Zack just said, "No, Tommy, I'm good thanks."

Tommy turned and Zack stared at the ass sashaying out of the room. "Fuck," he said out loud, his cock rock hard in his pants. This is not the way he wanted this meeting to go.

He poured himself a glass of water, then heard voices out in the hall and Tommy led Randy into the room. In the split second before he averted his eyes Zack saw Randy staring at Tommy's buns as he had done. In former times they would have laughed about it and probably tossed a coin or arm-wrestled to see which of them got to fuck Tommy first.

But the frost settled again and Randy sat at the other end of the couch, as far away as possible. Tommy went through the same offers as he had to Zack but a surly Randy grunted a terse refusal. Steve breezed in. "Thanks very much Tommy. If we need anything else I'll yell."

All three men watched Tommy leave, focused on the same body part and Steve grinned, "Incredible, isn't it. Always gives me a hard-on and drives Lloyd wild. And the kid loves to get fucked, the rougher the better. Still, that's not why we're here so let's get down to business."

Steve's words had served only to stiffen the boners in the pants of both men, something they resisted, given the reluctance and animosity they felt at being here. What they couldn't know was that the whole thing had been deliberately stage-managed by Steve's devious mind.

He knew that these angry alpha males would be tough nuts to crack so he aimed straight at their Achilles heel – their libidos. Their masculinity was the source not only of their macho rivalry but also of their powerful sex drives – two sides of the same coin – and Steve intended to use the latter to combat the former. But his first task, as in any therapy session, was to put them at their ease. Breaking the ice between these two titans would require a pickaxe.

Steve sat in an armchair facing them, his ever-present clipboard on his lap. He noted with some amusement that both men had dressed to impress. Zack wore a black ribbed tank top over his muscular black torso, along with his customary black jeans and boots. Randy was in blue jeans with a pale gray tank that showed off his rugged construction-worker physique to perfection. They were still competing, Steve thought, even if it was only dueling tank-tops.

"OK, guys, let's get started. And I want to acknowledge right up front that you would probably rather be anywhere but here. I am aware of all the recent problems between you and I assure you that I do not take sides. I am strictly impartial, my only job to try and steer you into a non-confrontational frame of mind."

They both stirred impatiently and Randy growled, "Can you cut all the long-word bullshit, bro, cut to the chase and let us get the hell out of here."

"For god's sake" Zack said, "let the man speak, and put a lid on your fucking arrogance for once. The doc's just opened his mouth for Chrissake."

"There you go again, asshole, contradicting me again the way you do at work. Like that fucking wall you knocked down, showing me up in front of the whole crew."

"Yeah, and your fucking ego was so bruised you took a swing at me. I had to defend myself so I beat you up, then fucked you face down in the mud."

"Ah, you got lucky, and you know it. Any time you want a re-match, stud, just say the word."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," Steve interceded, could we maybe get back to the root of the whole problem – Zack's desire to be his own boss and not report to you, Randy. As I understand it from Bob, young Brandon came up with a solution of splitting the company into two, a clever concept that the board has accepted, including the two of you. That would seem to put the matter to rest so ... what is the problem now? What are we all doing here?"

The two warring men lapsed into a sullen silence and Steve saw clearly that all this was just residual anger from their physical confrontation where Randy was beaten and humiliated by Zack. He also saw something else. The fire between them was ignited not only by anger ... but by love, the deep brotherly love between two alpha males who had worked side by side for years, who had a deep respect for each other's strength, dominance ... and masculine beauty.

Which brought Steve back to their intense libidos. These men not only loved each other, they lusted for each other. And that was the chink in their armor he would use now.

He took a deep breath and said, "No answer to my last question, I see – because there isn't one. Guys, this is – to use a non-clinical term – all bullshit. So words don't help, but maybe this will. I want you to do what I'm going to ask you. It may sound strange, but please indulge me, guys, because I really want us to get out from under the bullshit."

They looked at him, then at each other, and back to him. Their silence encouraged him. At least they had not objected. Steve felt a crack in the ice. "Please stand up." Slowly they obeyed. "Walk toward each other." They walked close and looked into each other's eyes. Steve gulped. "Now ... kiss each other."

Randy recoiled, "Fuck that, bro, this is crazy."

"Fucking right," Zack agreed. "This is way the hell out there, doc."

"Well at least you two agree on one thing," Steve smiled. "But please, guys, indulge me. At least give it a try."

They looked at each other again, blue eyes meeting pale gray eyes. There was a long pause ... Steve held his breath, and then their lips met. They pulled quickly away, but their gaze remained fixed on each other, intensely. "Fuck you, man," Randy said softly. "Fuck you." Their mouths came together again, tentatively at first, but building quickly into a voracious kiss.

When at last they paused for breath they pulled away and Zack curled his hands lightly round the back of Randy's neck. He stared into the blue eyes with a trace of a smile. "And fuck you too, asshole." They pressed together again, this time wildly, passionately, their open mouths churning against each other as they wrapped their arms round each other and their bodies ground together.

The ice had shattered and the men had fallen through together. Steve leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile, discarded his clipboard, and let nature take its course.

The men were transformed from surly bears into rampant stallions, clashing not in anger but in heat. They feverishly pulled off each other's shirts and ripped open each other's jeans. They fumbled and groped, then pulled back panting hard. "Asshole," Randy growled. "Motherfucker," Zack snarled. And they were on each other again, kissing, licking, biting in a welter of lust.

They slammed together so hard that they lost their balance and hurtled backwards. They crashed onto the couch with such force that it fell over backward and spilled them on the floor, still clinging to each other in a tangle of flailing limbs and flexed muscles. It was a replay of their fight in the mud except this one was driven not by fury but carnal desire. And this time it was Randy who ended up kneeling astride Zack pinned on his back on the floor.

They stared at each other with wild eyes, fighting to regain their breath, and Zack panted, "I shouldn't have fucked you yesterday, man. That was wrong."

"Damn straight," Randy agreed, then grinned, "but then I wouldn't have an excuse for reaming your ass. It's payback time, buddy. But no mud this time, just spit." He spat in his palm, rubbed it over his stiff rod sticking out of his jeans, and pulled Zack's jeans down to his ankles. He pushed his legs back, aimed his dick at his hole ... and drove in hard.

Zack yelled, his head flew back and Randy said, "Time for your black ass to feel some pain, big guy ..." He leaned forward, pinned Zack's arms to the floor and smiled, "... Or maybe not. Maybe it's time the pain stopped, buddy, and we ended this bullshit feud. What d'ya say, truce?"

"Truce," Zack grinned. "But that's no reason to pull your dick out, man. By my count you still owe me a fuck."

"Shit, your ass feels hot, dude. This boss-on-boss fuck thing is great. We should do it more often. OK, payback."

But it wasn't the savage punishment Randy was famous for. These were two strong, macho men, usually quick to anger, now making amends. They preferred actions over words, fists over diplomacy, and a good fuck over verbal apology. Randy didn't so much bury the hatchet as bury the cock ... in Zack's ass. Which is what he was doing now, gazing down at his buddy's sculpted black features with his square jaw, high cheekbones and shaved head. "You are so fucking beautiful, man. I love you buddy."

Steve watched and wondered. These two glorious men were so alike – they thought alike, fought alike, loved alike and fucked alike. It was inevitable that they would challenge each other – that's what alpha males do, like dominant stags in a herd. But unlike rival stags it was inevitable that they would reconcile, come together and make love.

Steve stared in awe as the big gypsy gently fucked his black brother – not blood brothers but bothers in every other sense. It was the kind of love – fraternal and sexual – that only men as close and alike as these two could feel, almost like Bob's identical twins who made love smiling into each other's eyes, as Randy and Zack did now."

"I wanna cum inside you, buddy," Randy said simply. "Can you cum without touching your dick?"

"With you inside me, you sexy mother fucker, I can do whatever you say. So let's go."

They stared at each other with moist eyes. "I'm sorry, Zack."

"Me too, Randy ... water under the bridge?"

"Under the bridge and swept out on the tide, buddy. Fuck, I love you, man. I'm gonna cum in your ass. Let me see you shoot your load over that beautiful fucking body."

"You got it, man. Here it comes ... fuck ... it feels so ... aaah!" His cock spurted cum over his abs and chest as Randy poured his juice into his buddy's ass, two alpha males reconciled, once more brothers under the skin.

Steve called Tommy on the phone and he came in and inhaled sharply at the sight of the two construction bosses buckling their pants and pulling tank tops over their muscular torsos. To hide his excitement he righted the couch, replaced the cushions and straightened the carpet.

Steve saw the two men once more eyeing the gymnast's spectacular ass, on full display as he bent over the couch. The doc said, "You know, guys, I think you could do with a few more hours of rest and relaxation – a little more male bonding. Can you join us for lunch ...?" He glanced at Tommy. "... and desert too?"

Randy and Zack exchanged grins and Zack said, "Thanks doc – sounds like just what we need."

"Great. Tommy, I know its short notice but do you think we could handle two more for lunch?"

"Of course, sir," Tommy said, with a seductive smile at Randy and Zack."

"And, er, what are you plans for this afternoon, Tommy?"

"Well, as usual, sir, I planned to go to the gym downstairs and go through my gymnastic routine as I always do. Would you like me to cancel that, sir?"

"No, no, not at all. I was just wondering if you would mind Randy and Zack coming down to watch. It's such a stunning routine."

Tommy blushed and smiled. "Not at all, sir, I would be honored. I just hope they won't be bored."

"Oh, I don't think there's any fear of that Tommy," Randy said. "Thanks, kid."

With one last smile Tommy went back to the kitchen and Zack said, "I gotta hand it to you doc. You do have a knack of giving your patients exactly what they want."

"I aim to please, Zack. And I do think you'll be pleased – and not bored at all."

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 400

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 own Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You can read the whole story, with extras including pictures and biographies of all the characters.

AND DON'T FORGET – IF YOU ENJOY THESE STORIES, PLEASE DONATE to the Nifty site. Nifty needs your donations to provide these thousands of wonderful stories. So please, back-arrow to the NIFTY home page and click on "DONATE" at the top. Please give what you can - the other authors and I thank you. ... Rob