A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 540 by Rob Williams
Chapter 540 – "THE MEN FACE OFF – THEIR BOYS MEND FENCES"
IN THIS CHAPTER
Miguel and Pete, and their boys Finn and Brandon, heal the rift created by bad-boy Finn. The virile Ranger Pete confronts the musclehunk Hispanic Miguel in a hidden cave on the beach, and they take revenge, make love, and a whole lot in between. Pete's gentle boy Brandon makes his peace with Finn by showing the experienced ex-hustler some new moves in bed that surprise even Finn. ___________________________________________________________________
<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>
When Miguel and Pete took their boys to the luxury Ritz-Carlton Hotel down the coast in Laguna, it was anyone's guess what would happen. But that didn't stop a group of other guys in the tribe from speculating.
The tribe's co-leader Bob set the scene. "Miguel is not only the executive chef of the Ritz Carlton in L.A. He's a management consultant at the other hotels' kitchens, so he's gonna spend a weekend at the Ritz down the coast in Laguna, sorting out the kitchen's problems.
"As they include accounting issues, Miguel wants to take our young office manager Brandon with him to give an impartial non-employee assessment. As Brandon is Ranger Pete's boy Miguel has offered them both a weekend down there, living it up, all expenses paid. Miguel plans to take his boy Finn with them too."
"Wow, quite a foursome," Chad chuckled. "You couldn't find two couples more different – on one side the dominant Hispanic lover of boss Zack, and his tough ex-hustler boy Finn. And on the other, the handsome Forest Ranger and his sweet-tempered kid Brandon."
Hassan said, "But I don't think those guys will have any problem with a few days luxury. After all, Miguel is a big noise in that hotel. His party will get the VIP treatment. But I've heard that Miguel's boy Finn can be a real handful, very unpredictable."
"He sure is," Eddie said. "Miguel had been looking for a challenge when he chose Finn as his boy, but Finn resented being anyone's boy and acted real mean. Miguel tamed him, though Finn still kicks up rough sometimes – I think he wants to be tamed by Miguel over and over, though he'd never admit it. Wonder how a rebellious, rough-and-ready punk like Finn deals with a luxury hotel.
When someone said there were a lot of rich guys staying there so maybe Finn would revert to type and try to turn a few tricks, Eddie huffed, "Huh, I'd like to see that. Be like peeing on Miguel's own turf – but the stud would sure come up with a way of dealing with that kinda stuff."
All that was gossipy speculation, but a lot of it came true. Their first day in the hotel Miguel had to leave them alone as he had to supervise the kitchen staff all day. Pete, Brandon and Finn were shown into their luxury suite, which excited Pete and Brandon but intimidated Finn. The staff's attention was mostly directed at the tall, handsome Pete, and the boy in the wheelchair, Brandon, which made the insecure Finn feel second class. He reacted by reverting to the only behavior that made him feel superior – seducing other men.
He never followed through, but it was obvious he was asserting himself by flaunting his old skills of seduction and cock-teasing older men he saw on the lunch terrace and by the pool. Later, at dinner in the formal dining room Pete and Brandon feared Finn was becoming so blatant that others would notice and Miguel's reputation would be damaged.
So Pete cut the meal short and they went up to the suite. Pete decided to go down to the kitchen and share his concerns with Miguel, and while he was gone Brandon gently and casually brought up the subject with Finn. His reaction was explosive and brutal.
"How the fuck do you know how it feels to be treated like a hanger-on while you and your precious Pete get all the attention. Yeah, I was turning guys on – and you know why? Because I can, I still can. That's something you can't do, mister look-at-how-independent-I-am."
He laughed cruelly. "Yeah sure, I can see guys paying for sex with a cripple. God knows what Pete does with you, but I'm damn sure he longs for some real sex like he'd get from me. You know what it is with the guy? He feels sorry for you, that's all.
"And while we're on the subject, here's a news flash, kid. You know why Miguel invited you here in the first place? `Cos he feels sorry for you, not because you're this overrated big-shot office manager. He could have got any top accountant to look at the books here. But he asked you out of pity – he just wanted to make you feel good."
Brandon fled into his bedroom and sobbed. When Pete and Miguel came up they quickly ascertained what had happened. Miguel apologized profusely for Finn's outrageous behavior and reassured Brandon that he genuinely needed his help and no pity was involved. "That is the truth, Brandon. Anyone who told you any different is lying."
Pete took Brandon in his arms and said, "Now let's go to bed and work out all this nonsense about sex. Only one way to do that, eh?" Brandon managed a watery smile.
Finn was scared by the look of cold, steely anger in Miguel's eyes "You do not ... you do not take out your fucking phobias and paranoia on a boy like Brandon, that sweet kid who everyone loves and admires for his pluck and determination. You do not call him or anyone else a fucking cripple. You do not tell him lies that Pete and I pity him."
Finn expected harsh physical punishment but Miguel growled, "Yeah, you'd like that – you always do. Well not this time, asshole. This time something far less elaborate. Strip naked and get on the bed on your back." Miguel slowly undressed and as Finn watched him he was seized with lust. But Miguel said, "Do not touch yourself, don't even move. If you touch me or yourself, any time during the night, I'll throw you out."
So that was the plan, the punishment, the demonstration of how Finn would feel living without him. Miguel got into bed and ignored him. He even took from his bag a men's health magazine and jerked off over a picture of one of the hunky young sports models working out. With a satisfied sigh – and cum on his chest and abs, he turned out the light and went to sleep.
Helpless beside him Finn had never felt anything as suffocatingly frustrating as he did now. He looked over at the beautiful face and body and realized he didn't just want to touch Miguel. He loved him ... he loved the man ... he couldn't imagine life without him. When emotional exhaustion overcame him Finn slept fitfully beside the man he worshipped – the man he was forbidden to touch.
========= CHAPTER 540 =========
<><> THE SHOWER <><>
In the morning when Finn woke after a restless night plagued by demons, he felt Miguel stir, saw him yawn, stretch and, with no touch, no morning kiss, he sprang out of bed. "We're having breakfast in the suite, the four of us," Miguel said bluntly. "I'm gonna shower."
Finn was in a turmoil of fear and confusion. What was he supposed to do now? What was Miguel thinking? In an agony of anticipation he was startled by the deep voice. "Hey, boy ..."
What now? Did he want him in the shower? Or was he about to end it all and lower the axe forever? Finn jumped out of bed, went trembling to the bathroom and said weakly, "Yes, sir?"
"As long as you're here you might as well come in, soap me up, and massage some of the tension out of my neck and shoulders."
What did that mean – `as long as you're here'? Did it mean he wouldn't be here much longer? Finn got into the large shower and cursed his own cock for getting rigid as soon as he saw the muscular Hispanic, body streaming with water and surrounded with steam. Miguel didn't notice Finn's boner – didn't notice much of anything, seemed barely aware of the boy's presence.
The one consolation for Finn was that he was at last permitted to touch that magnificent body. As he did most mornings, he lathered up, stood behind Miguel and ran his hands over his neck, shoulders and back, feeling the muscles ripple under the smooth, wet flesh. His trapezius muscles were especially tight this morning from his neck to his shoulders, and Finn dug his fingers in to massage them.
Miguel groaned deeply, feeling relief flow through him. Finn glanced down to see if he had an erection, but unlike most mornings, Miguel's long, thick cock was swinging down from his mass of black pubic hair. Maybe he had already jerked off, Finn thought, like he did last night looking at the magazine picture of the sports-model at the gym.
By contrast, Finn's own cock was throbbing as he felt Miguel's flexed muscles and heard his euphoric moans, just like he was having sex. He thought of all the other mornings when he would soap down his whole body, then drop to his knees and work the cock with his mouth. Strong hands would pick him up on his feet, push him face first against the shower wall and Miguel would slide his cock deep inside him until Finn splashed his load down the wall.
Right now his balls were bursting with the pent-up jizz that had built up during the tormented night when he had been denied any sexual contact – any contact at all. His cock was throbbing as he felt the man's rock-hard muscles under his touch and looked at the thick wet mass of black hair clinging to the square nape of his neck.
Desperately Finn longed to kiss it, to kiss his full, sexy lips, then his cock, then be flattened against the tiled wall while his master drove his cock inside him. That image made him dizzy with lust – he pictured it, needed it so bad that he almost felt it and ... aaagh!"
To his horror he felt sperm spurting spontaneously from his cock, splashing on Miguel's ass and running down his leg. As his cock drained he expected a reprimand and punishment but all he got was, "Clean up that mess, boy." At last Finn dropped to his knees and frantically licked the mounds of Miguel's ass then his thighs, sucking up every trace of his forbidden juice.
He expected Miguel to turn, slap him, maybe cum in his face. But nothing. Miguel simply walked out of the shower, leaving Finn on his knees, alone, bereft and sobbing as water poured down on him.
This was torture – the coldness, the disdain of the man he loved. He couldn't take any more, maybe he should leave now and go back to L.A. But he couldn't leave Miguel, couldn't leave the man he idolized, the man he had rebelled against so badly. He wanted to make amends, show him it was a mistake, prove that he loved him ... he loved him. Tears ran down his face, and then he heard, "Get your ass in gear, boy. Don't wanna insult our guests again."
Our guests!' Clutching at straws he saw a glimmer of hope in the simple our'. He turned off the shower, wrapped a towel round him and watched from the bathroom as Miguel pulled on board shorts and a T-shirt and walked barefoot out to the living room.
Finn quickly put on his shorts and shirt and braced himself. Breakfast. He would have to face Miguel, who was ignoring him; Pete the angry Ranger; and Brandon, the boy in the wheelchair he had insulted so cruelly. He took a deep breath and walked out nervously to join them.
<><> BRANDON BREAKS THE ICE <><>
A big table was set up on the long private terrace that ran the length of their top-floor suite. It was laden with their favorite breakfast foods that room service had just delivered. Pete, Brandon and Miguel were already seated when Finn joined them. Miguel ignored him, but Pete said, "Hey, Finn. What a great place to have breakfast. Look at that view over the ocean – you can see almost to Hawaii."
Brandon smiled with a simple, "Hello Finn," and moved his wheelchair to make room for him.
Last night Pete and Brandon had made love which, as it always did, blew away the troubles of the day. Lying in bed, they had talked calmly of Finn's insults, and Brandon reassured Pete that he was fine. "See, sir, I understand Finn. Living and working on the streets, as he used to, takes its toll on a guy and his self-esteem. The world treats boys like him as inferior, and he gets to believe that his only talent is to turn tricks, to seduce men for money.
"A street hustler gets treated bad a whole lot. Even if someone took him into their home for a few days or weeks he could be kicked out as quickly as he was picked up. It's no wonder Finn's afraid Miguel will do the same thing.
"Oh, he's crazy in love with Miguel – what's not to love eh? But he's so insecure he doesn't think he's worthy of a muscle-god like him and keeps testing Miguel's love for him. He was totally intimidated by the luxury of this place so he freaked out – I was just collateral damage."
Pate grinned. "Quite the philosopher ain't you, kiddo? Well, if you can be charitable I guess I can be too. I'm prepared to leave Finn's punishment to Miguel – I'm sure he has his methods." And with that, they made love and Brandon fell asleep in Pete's arms.
That was last night, and now at breakfast it didn't take them long to see what Miguel's method was – the cold-shoulder treatment. They were pretty sure that involved no sex too. To cover up any tension on such a beautiful day Miguel turned to the safe topic of his work in the hotel.
"Sorry to talk shop, guys, on your weekend off, but, like I told you yesterday, Brandon, I've got a handle on what the kitchen's problems are, I just don't know how to fix it. It's their inventory control and purchasing that's fucked up. They have two guys checking supplies of food and kitchen equipment and they pass requests to purchasing. But there's a lot of room for error and far too often they run out of things, so they have to take items off the menu at the last minute."
Pete chuckled. "Huh I can imagine how a waiter feels in a classy joint like this going up to a table, presenting the menu and saying, `I'll show you the items that are off the menu right now'."
"That's exactly it, Pete. There have been complaints and that's why management brought me in." He gave Brandon a few examples of what went wrong and Finn was starting to feel left out once again – no one cared if he was there or not. He felt the old resentment rising up ... but salvation came from an unexpected quarter – from Brandon.
"Sir," Brandon said to Miguel, "on a smaller scale we had the same problems with the tribe's compound and our kitchens. It's a big job keeping tabs on the compound's needs, with so many guys living and eating there. In the office we work very close with Finn and Tyler, the house managers. It's a tough job – they do the house inventory, get the kitchen requirements from the twins and pass everything to us for purchasing. With Ryan's computer expertise we put together a great system – almost foolproof.
"So, er, I have a suggestion, sir. As Finn is so key to that process, and if he doesn't mind, I think he should attend our meeting after breakfast. His input would be crucial as he's the one who knows everything there is about inventory control."
He looked expectantly at Miguel who glanced at Pete with a knowing smile. Both men realized what Brandon was doing it and saw it as a stroke of genius – it was a kindness to Finn but also absolutely logical. Plus it would break the ice by forcing Miguel to interact with Finn.
Brandon looked at Finn. "How about it, Finn. Would you help us?"
Finn was surprised at this suggestion coming from a boy who, barely twelve hours ago, he had savagely insulted and demeaned. Brandon was being so kind to him, making him feel needed and important – but what he was saying also made absolute sense.
"Er, sure," Finn said meekly. "If you think I can help."
"Good, that's settled then," Pete smiled. "And as I seem to be the odd man out on this one I'm gonna stay over here on a chaise, getting some sun and communing with nature – my favorite thing. Your meeting will be like background music ... maybe you could throw in a tune or two."
"Except I'm pretty much tone deaf, sir," said Finn, already feeling brighter after so much anxiety.
Chuckling, Pete got up, winked furtively at Miguel, and went to a chaise near the end of the terrace. He pulled off his shirt, stretched his rangy body, then sank onto the chaise with a deep sigh. Seeing Brandon staring at Pete Miguel grinned, "OK, Brandon, down, boy. Forget your boner for a while – we got work to do."
<><> BLINDED BY TECHNOLOGY <><>
They moved the breakfast things aside and Miguel began the meeting by opening his folder and going over the notes he had made in the kitchen. Brandon asked a lot of clarifying questions and Finn stayed silent at first until Miguel looked at him and asked, "Your thoughts, Finn?"
Thrilled to be addressed by Miguel, even if it was just about business, Finn sensed a small crack in the ice.
"Well, sir, me and Tyler always categorize our needs before we give the list to the office. Some things are what we call just-in-time items – stuff that you don't wanna order too soon in advance `cos they would just clutter the storage sheds. Then you got things that can easily be stored, and then food items that should be fresh. The chefs, Will and the twins, like to go shopping for them themselves, but we coordinate the billing with the office.
"Thanks, Finn, sounds like a great system, but I'm not sure how we'd adapt it to our big outfit."
"You use barcodes, don't you, sir?" Brandon asked.
Miguel frowned. "Er, not much. Some of the younger chefs have suggested that but the older chefs, the ones in charge, tend to resist innovations like that. Technology kinda scares them."
"Then right there's your basic problem, sir," Brandon grinned. "I know how they feel – I was scared about being a computer klutz, which is why we hired Ryan. He's brilliant. He creates computer programs that are totally user friendly – idiot-proof. Your older managing chefs would understand it and in no time they'll be wondering how they ever managed with the `old way'.
Finn cleared his throat. "Er, I don't know if this is possible, but d'you think we could call Bob and Ryan and get their input? We're getting into stuff that needs technical know-how."
"Great idea," Miguel smiled (he actually smiled at Finn who felt a weight lift off him.) Brandon made a facetime call to Ryan and by a lucky chance Bob was with him in the office. The phones were on speaker and Bob grinned, "Hey, you guys, shouldn't you be in the hotel pool or on the beach there? You're not in the office now, Brandon, you're on vacation."
"My fault, buddy," Miguel laughed. I'm stuck with an antiquated purchasing system down here and I roped in Brandon and Finn to help me." (`Brandon and Finn,' – it was music to Finn's ears.) "We were wading into computer stuff and we need Ryan and you to help us unravel it."
"You've come to the right guy, Miguel – our resident genius Ryan. And if he blinds you with science I'll try to translate. OK, guys, shoot."
The meeting between the two men and three boys went swimmingly, with Ryan outlining how he could custom-build a computer program. Brandon and Finn fired questions at him and Finn became quite animated, asking how his own daily interface with the office could be adapted to a larger barcode-based system run by older, computer-shy chefs.
On his chaise, with his eyes closed and a smile on his face, Pete listened to the general tone of the meeting, especially Finn's lively contributions, a far cry from his sullen resentment all day yesterday. Pete became even more aware of Brandon's kindness, cleverness, and his ability to bring peace to an ugly, festering conflict, while all the time doing the job of helping Miguel, the original purpose of their visit here.
In the end Ryan, Brandon and Finn were in a spirited conversation tying up the details of a possible custom-built plan Miguel could present to the managers. Miguel said, "Bob, it feels like the boys have taken over and you and I are kind of out of the loop. I think I'll withdraw and join Pete lazing in the sun on the terrace.
"But one last thing before I do that. I could never explain the technical details of this system to the hotel staff so I'm wondering if you could spare Ryan to come down here and help me do that sometime. I understand he ran rings round the City of L.A. `experts' when he clinched the construction company's contract with the City. I could arrange for him and his man Darius to spend a few days here, best room, free of charge of course."
Bob replied, "I don't know if you can see the glow on Ryan's face, Miguel, but your suggestion is an obvious hit." He chuckled, "And don't worry – I'll explain to Darius that he would have to wear a shirt."
<><> BRANDON TALKS TURKEY WITH FINN <><>
The men left the boys to it and Miguel pulled a chaise next to Pete. He pulled off his shirt and lay down beside him and spoke quietly. "Pete, that kid of yours is amazing. He has, I dunno, a special kind of intuition. Frankly I wasn't sure how to go on punishing Finn for the appalling way he behaved to Brandon. I'm sure you saw I was giving him the deep freeze and that scared him to death. The mental agony he went through was ten times worse than a whipping.
"But I kinda painted myself in a corner. I wasn't sure how to melt the deep freeze – and then Brandon stepped in. It's almost as if he knew."
Pete said, "I've seen him do stuff like that before. It's not quite intuition, though. It's that Brandon has a naturally kind heart. He senses when someone's hurting, feels their pain, and acts naturally to help them. He was hurt by Finn, but knew that Finn was hurting more. He looked for a way to help him, and when the meeting came up, he brought Finn in, knowing instinctively how that would solve a whole lot of stuff.
"Incredible," Miguel said. "He was hurt by Finn so bad he was in tears, but he got over it by easing the pain of the very guy who had insulted him. Face it, Ranger, you're a lucky man."
Just then the room-service waiter came in to wheel away the breakfast table. The meeting had just finished and Brandon asked the waiter to leave the coffee on a small table inside the door to the terrace. He wheeled himself inside and Finn sat at the table facing him, leaving the men out of sight on the terrace.
Brandon poured the coffee and said, "Good meeting, don't ya think, Finn? Our Ryan is a boy genius and Darius is crazy about him. That gentle Thai look really turns him on – and Ryan worships the young black construction guy – not to mention his ten-inch schlong."
Finn looked wistful. "Yeah, they're lovers alright, just like you and Pete. I envy you guys. I wish my relationship with Miguel was like yours."
"But it is, Finn, if only you could see it." Finn winced doubtfully. "I mean it," Brandon said, "except you keep trying to fuck it up. OK, one question ... do you love Miguel?"
Finn looked into Brandon's earnest wide eyes blinking under his glasses. "Dude, I'm crazy about the guy. It's not only his incredible looks – that face and that body – but his, I dunno, his strength, the way he puts up with my nonsense and stupid behavior. Yeah, I love him Brandon – and it scares me to death."
The boys didn't realize that even though the men were out of sight they were not out of earshot and Pete said, "Hey, buddy, this sounds like it's getting deep. Maybe we shouldn't eavesdrop."
"No, it's OK, Pete. I never have a chance like this to find out what Finn really feels. Let's listen."
Brandon asked Finn, "Do you tell Miguel you love him?"
Finn shrugged. "Not often, no. No, I don't, and I don't know why."
"OK, Finn, let me have a crack at that one. All this shit comes from your past. I bet that when one of your johns asked you to live with him, love was not part of the deal. Sex yeah, but if you ever told one of those guys you loved him he'd run for the hills."
Finn sighed. "Yeah, you're right. There was one guy, a kind, good-looking older guy. There was something special about him, like the father I never had. I thought it was love and I told him so. Everything suddenly changed and he told me to leave. I was just a hustler to him after all, a short-term toy-boy."
"And do you think the same's gonna happen with Miguel?"
"It almost did last night, dude. He turned his back on me and I had the most miserable night of my life. I still don't know if he's gonna throw me out."
"But dude, that wasn't cos you told him you loved him. It was the opposite – you lost your cool and showed him your worst side by being mean to me. To Miguel that was the worst thing you could do, though god knows I've been insulted worse in my time. Trouble with you, Finn, is you don't believe anything can be permanent in your life, cos it never has been up to now. You can't see the difference between Miguel and the guys in your past who kept throwing you out with the trash after a couple of weeks."
Finn frowned, "But be realistic, kid. Look at the man, he's a fucking god. He could have any boy he wanted with just a flick of his fingers. Why in god's name would he settle for a cheap hustler like me? It can't last. I keep waiting for the axe to fall. I was sure it was gonna fall last night – it still might."
Outside Miguel winced. "Dammit Pete, he's never told me any of this. Poor kid."
Brandon persisted. "Let me tell you something, Finn. For the longest time Miguel was the only man in the tribe who didn't have a boy. Like you said, he could have had his pick – guys were almost throwing themselves at his feet. But we all realized he didn't want it to be that easy. He wanted a boy who was tough, who would be a challenge.
And that day at the leathermen's slave auction he saw you tied to the fence with a `For Sale' sign round your neck and that resentful scowl on your face, and he knew he'd found his boy. Finn, you're a hot-looking guy, and my guess is when he saw you tied up, with a torn shirt hanging over your hot body, he got a hard-on right there.
"Anyway, the rest you know. Under all the rebellions and fights, you've grown to love each other a whole lot – if only you weren't too insecure and pig-headed to accept it."
"But I don't belong in a place like this, Brandon, all this luxury, the staff `sir'-ing us all the time. I don't deserve this. I belong ..."
"... back on the streets? Don't be such a fucking dickhead, Finn. Look, one of the highest ranked and most admired men in this hotel is the executive chef Miguel. The staff love him and a lot of them want to get in his pants. But they can't because the big handsome chef already has a boy. And that would be you, Finn – you're the boss's boy. Funny, Randy's boy Pablo throws that title around and it makes him feel ten feet tall. But you get all scared and insecure, and whimper that you don't deserve it."
Finn smiled at last. "Brandon, what makes you so damn bright? You fucking nailed it, kiddo, you're right about everything. How come you know so much?"
Brandon chuckled. "Just by listening to guys, Finn. I'll tell you, being in a wheelchair, when I'm in a room with lots of guys standing around, it's like they don't notice me – they literally talk over my head. So I just sit there looking at their knees (or their crotches) and I listen – and learn. It's amazing what you can learn by listening to other guys, some of whom even make sense."
Finn laughed, then turned serious. "But dude, yesterday I said some real vicious things to you, things no guy should ever hear. Of course it wasn't true about Miguel inviting you here out of pity. That was pure bullshit and I can't even believe I said it. But instead of becoming my sworn enemy, here you are being kind and ... and loving. You broke the ice between me and Miguel by saying I should join your meeting."
"Yeah, because you belonged at the meeting and gave valuable input. Dude, apart from being such a hot number, you do a great job running the compound as house manager with Tyler.
Brandon grinned ruefully. "You know, of all the stuff you said to me yesterday, the thing that hurt most was when you said that, with my handicap and all, I couldn't possible satisfy Pete in bed. Well Pete, god love him, shot that one down by taking me to bed and we had terrific sex.
"Oh I know what guys say behind our backs – `yeah, but what do they do in bed?' And I wanna tell them, folks, it's only the legs don't work. Everything else, all the plumbing, works just fine. Sometimes I'd like to show them."
Finn smiled. "Show me, you mean? Dude, I'd go for that. But what about Pete and Miguel? Pete hasn't had revenge yet for what I did to his boy."
"Oh, you know how the men of the tribe are, they'll do their usual thing, they always get involved when one boy attacks another. It's kind of a ritual, that the victim's man punishes the aggressor's man. So I'm sure Pete will follow the rules and square off with Miguel.
"But don't worry, Finn. What I love about Pete is he's a gentle soul, working all day in nature as a Forest Ranger. The only thing that makes him real mad is when he sees campers lighting a campfire in the forest, so damn stupid, or doing stuff like cutting down a tree at Christmas. So he'll go easy on Miguel – probably just fuck him or something."
Outside on the terrace Miguel smiled at Pete. "That don't sound like such a bad idea, Ranger. Not that I've lit a campfire or anything, but my kid did insult yours. Come on, let's go for a run and let the boys do their thing."
They got up from the chaises, came into the room and feigned surprise that the boys were still there. "Er, kids," Pete said, "Miguel and I were thinking of going for a run on the beach."
"That's just fine, sir," Brandon grinned mischievously. "Finn and me have stuff to do anyway."
Pete ruffled Brandon's hair – "see you later kiddo" – and gave him one of his special smiles that always made Brandon melt. Miguel bent down, kissed Finn and said softly, "I love you, boy."
They left, and Brandon grinned at Finn. "See, told you so. OK, now for that corny old question, dude. Your place or mine?"
"Mine, I think," Finn said, and they made their way to Finn and Miguel's bedroom.
<><> BRANDON CALLS THE SHOTS <><>
Finn threw the sheets back on the bed and said, "So how do we do this?"
"Same as you would with any guy, Finn." Brandon grinned mischievously "Damn, to think I have to give sex lessons to a guy like you. OK, here goes. First I get on the bed like so..." He wheeled up beside the bed and nimbly pulled himself from his chair to the bed.
"Then I take my glasses off and get naked – though this might not be the most elegant striptease you've ever seen." He folded his glasses on the bedside table, pulled off his shirt, then shuffled his shorts and undershorts down over his legs and off. "Ta-da! Your turn now. Think you can manage?"
"Asshole," Finn chuckled. With exaggerated gestures he pulled his T-shirt off slowly, undid his shorts slowly, one button at a time, then let them drop, and stepped elegantly out of them. He smiled. "I, er, have a lot of experience as a stripper, turning guys on."
"Works for me," Brandon grinned. "See?" He wrapped his hand round his stiff boner. "OK, stud, come and get me."
Finn hesitated, then climbed on the bed and knelt carefully between Brandon's legs. Brandon giggled, "Hey, I won't break, dude. You make me feel I'm stamped `Fragile – This Side Up'. I'm a regular red-blooded guy ... except my legs don't work."
Finn smiled down at him. "I think I know which end is up, kiddo, I don't need a sign. You've got a great upper body, dude – real muscular."
"Comes from years of wheeling that chair. They really should make it standard equipment in a gym – have guys wheel up and down an inclined board. Their muscles would pop real fast."
All this light banter made Finn's nervousness disappear and he didn't hesitate to raise Brandon's legs in the air. "You are so sexy Brandon ... see what you've done?" He looked down at his own cock that was rigid and pointing directly at Brandon's ass. "Spit OK?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Brandon grinned.
"Man that is a cute ass," Finn said. He bent his face low and pressed his tongue into the downy black fuzz around the hole. Brandon moaned as he felt Finn's tongue lubing his ass, preparing it for the cock, which came suddenly without warning. In one quick move Finn pulled his face back and eased the head of his cock over the sphincter and slowly into the warm tender ass.
"Dude," Finn sighed, "that is one sweet ass – soft as butter. Like it's pulling me in. Damn, Pete's a lucky guy. He must do this, what, every day?"
"Usually twice," Brandon smiled. "I can't get enough of the Ranger's big dick. I can tell you're an expert, Finn – feels so good. Make love to my ass, dude."
In the past butt-fucking was Finn's way of asserting his manhood, pounding a john's ass hard to show he wasn't a tame hustler who could be pushed around. But this was totally different. This time he was making love to a sweet, gentle kid it was easy to love. This was his way of making amends for his former gross behavior – the opposite of the raving savage who had hurt the kid so badly.
He smiled down at the big eyes gazing up at him, such gentle eyes that Brandon's generous nature washed over Finn and transformed him from a brittle bully into a loving friend. It wasn't just the exquisite feeling of his cock massaging the soft membrane of the boy's ass. It was the unaccustomed tenderness he felt for this loving kid who had shown him such kindness and forgiveness.
"I love you, dude," Finn said, sounding surprised by his own emotion. "It feels so good, kinda different, you know what I mean?"
"There are all kinds of love, Finn, and the love between real close buddies is one of the best – relaxed, easy-going, and deep. You are such a hot guy, with that sexy/savage look that could go either way. Kind of exciting. I'm sure that's what excites Miguel."
Brandon was stroking his own cock slowly as he felt Finn's shaft pushing deeper and deeper inside him. "Only trouble is," Brandon grinned, "it's gonna make me cum real soon."
Finn slowed down. "Wait, dude, there's something else I wanna know. Like, er ... I mean, Pete fucks you all the time, I can see that. But er ..."
"Do I ever fuck him?" Brandon chuckled. "And if so, how? Well, there are not many things I can't do, but one of them is kneel, like you are. So you're gonna have to stay on your knees, buddy – just move a bit further forward. Give it a try."
Finn smiled. He had rarely felt this close to a buddy, a bit like conspirators sharing secrets. Carefully he pulled out of Brandon's butt, lowered his legs flat on the bed, and shuffled forward until he was kneeling astride his waist.
"That's far enough, dude," Brandon said, "that should do it." He reached down, touched his own cock and stroked it across Finn's ass-cheeks. "You get the picture? I'm sure you've ridden the cock of your Hispanic hunk often enough. Spit OK?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Finn grinned. Brandon spat on the palm of his own hand, reached under Finn's ass and spread spit on his cock. "OK, cowboy, your move. What Pete does is sits down on it hard and sudden. I love that."
"Your wish is my command, sir," Finn smiled. He paused, took a deep breath ... and sat down hard and heavy on Brandon's cock, till his ass was sitting on his wiry mass of pubic hair."
"Aaagh!" Brandon gasped. "God I love that – almost made me shoot."
"Oh no," Finn smiled, "this is where experience comes in – I used to drive men insane with frustration as I brought them right to the edge and backed off again and again."
He proceeded to give Brandon the same edging treatment, riding his cock faster and faster before slowing down when he thought Brandon was about to climax. Brandon reached up and touched Finn's rippling abs and pecs. "You look so fucking gorgeous riding my dick, Finn. I can see why you turn Miguel on so much – another way you drive him crazy, eh?"
"Yeah. I love it when the alpha stud begs me to let him cum. Damn that's hot, and I'll make you do the same thing. Never fails."
"Never, Finn?"
"Never. I'll show you. I wanna hear you beg me to make you cum. Here we go." Finn went to town, teasing, taunting, alternately riding hard then slowing down, using every trick to drive Brandon crazy with frustration and beg for release.
But that didn't happen – and it was Finn who frowned in frustration.
Brandon laughed. "Buddy, it's me fucking you, remember. You may be on top physically, but it's me calling the shots. I've spent my life finding ways round my physical limitations, and this is one of them that I learned with Pete. I can hold back my orgasm until I'm good and ready – I'm edging-proof. When you asked if I fucked him, yeah, I fucked him until he begged me to cum inside him. I was the top man, just like I am now. Try me, dude."
Finn took it as a challenge. He resumed his tactic as before, but it didn't work any better this time. Riding Brandon's cock and staring down at his loving face with big shining eyes, Finn was consumed by affection for his friend. He stroked his own cock as he rose up and down and said, "Dude I wanna feel you cum in my ass. Please man, I'm real close. Dammit I can always make guys shoot. Please, buddy. You wanna hear me beg, is that it? OK, I'm begging you. You're driving me nuts. Please ..."
"You only had to ask, Finn," Brandon smiled impishly. "You look so damn hot, of course I'll bust a load in your ass. Ride it, cowboy ... here it comes. I love you, Finn ... aaagh!"
They both howled together as Finn felt Brandon's cock erupt inside him and his own cock spurted jets of semen that splashed down on Brandon's chest and laughing face. With the sudden release of sexual tension Finn too broke into lusty laughter. He eased off Brandon's cock, fell forward on top of him and hugged him tight.
"Dammit, kid, you sure know how to treat a guy," Finn said.
"I should," Brandon laughed. "I get lots of practice."
<><> MIGUEL & PETE FIND A CAVE <><>
After they lay together for a while recovering – from their sexual activity and from their laughter – Finn watched in admiration as Brandon wheeled himself to the shower, pulled himself onto the seat inside and turned the shower on. "Come on in, dude, the water's fine."
Finn was starting to realize that life for Brandon was not the obstacle course he had assumed it to be. After they got dressed Finn said, "Hey, you wanna go out and take that zig-zag cliff path down to the beach and meet the guys coming back from their run?"
"Love to. Only I think they'll be gone quite a long while. I had the impression they were gonna do that crime-and-punishment' thing that we talked about. You know how men are. But there's a bike path along the beach we could take."
"Are wheelchairs allowed on the bike path?"
"This one is," Brandon grinned. "If anyone gives us grief I'll just say I'm allowed `cos I'm the friend of a friend of the hotel's executive chef. And you'll have to back me up."
"Huh, I'd prob'ly slug `em."
Brandon laughed. "I'm gonna put Bob onto you. He cured Randy of that `slug-first, talk-later' thing. Well, almost cured him – kind of – some of the time."
They were still laughing as they went down in the elevator, past the pool and out to the top of the long path down the cliff-side.
They took their time, which was just as well as Pete and Miguel were somewhat distracted on their run. It had started out routine enough. They had come down the beach barefoot in board shorts and T-shirts. When they got out to the water's edge they took off their shirts, tucked them in the back of their shorts and began their run, their eyes focused on the distant point where the beach became lost in a haze of mist.
They chatted a bit as they ran. "So, Miguel, you think you've got a handle on how you're gonna treat Finn when we get back?"
Miguel laughed. "I kind of have a feeling that your Brandon is taking care of that as we speak."
"What do you think their doing?"
"You heard what they said, buddy. Brandon was gonna show Finn he can be as good in the sack as any boy."
"Lucky Finn," Pete said. "He's in for a treat."
They lapsed into a silence for a while until Pete asked, "Are we headed anywhere in particular?"
"Yeah, I wanted to show you something that young Danny discovered when he worked here as a waiter, same time as I worked in the kitchen. It became kind of our secret. We're almost there actually."
All Pete could see was the endless expanse of beach before them, far from anywhere and completely deserted. But soon Miguel veered off toward the cliffs that towered over the back of the beach. They looked solid until they got closer and Miguel pointed to a big boulder, hiding a crack in the cliff base, the opening to a hidden cave.
"Jeez, I can see how it stayed your secret, dude. You'd never know it was here. Still panting they walked behind the rock and eased through the crack that opened up into a largish cave, big enough to stand up in. It was surprisingly light, with beams of sunlight shining through the crack from above.
Even so there was a strange feeling about the place and Pete said. "Kind of eerie, in a good way. I don't think the cave resents us being here. There's almost a feeling of anticipation, like anything could happen."
"Yeah. Maybe the cave is expecting this to happen ..." Miguel suddenly wrapped his hand round the back of Pete's head and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Taken by surprise, Pete's momentary instinct was to resist, but then responded with a churning tongue-probing embrace.
When at last they separated Pete uttered a stunned "Wow", and Miguel's dark Hispanic features broke into a glittering smile. "Been wanting to do that ever since we got here. You're a sexy man, Ranger, with that quiet inner-strength you have, much more erotic than the flamboyant physical strength other men flaunt."
"Er, thanks – I think – dude," Pete said still recovering from this sudden turn of events. "Quite a compliment coming from a major stud like you – a hunk straight out of a fitness magazine. But, er, where do we go from here?"
Miguel grinned. "You heard what your own boy said to Finn. You punish me, that's what."
"Ah, Miguel, I don't pay much attention to some of the tribe's rules. I know you leather guys – you, Zack and Darius – like to play rough, but I live a quiet life with my boy Brandon and we like it like that."
"I know, Pete, but my boy was so fucking vicious to yours I really need to make amends somehow. Sure, you're a man of nature, but come on, dude – I know that under that strong silent Forest Ranger calm there's a tiger waiting to spring out."
"Oh you think so, do you? Be careful what you wish for, man. Pete suddenly grabbed Miguel by the shoulder, turned him around and shoved him face-first against the wall of the cave. He yanked down Miguel's board shorts, then pushed down his own and grabbed his cock that sprang out – still rock hard from the kiss. "You want punishment, stud? How about a dry fuck?"
Pete grabbed Miguel's wrists and forced his arms up behind his back in a painful double hammerlock, a move he used when subduing combative lawbreakers in the forest. Miguel gasped as Pete pushed his arms higher up his back, then howled as he felt Pete's long dry shaft drive into his ass. "Fuck that hurts, man."
"Punishment is supposed, man. It's what you asked for."
"Aaagh!" Miguel's shout of pain echoed round the cave as Pete held him captive and pounded his ass. Stunned by the sudden ferocity of Pete's attack on his ass Miguel saw the tough Ranger in a whole new light. Ignoring his screams Pete increased the intensity of his attack and his long pole became a piston driving ever deeper into the leatherman's ass.
Instinctively Miguel struggled to get free but he was trapped in the hammerlock at the mercy of the Ranger who forced his arms painfully higher up his back. Miguel was tough and had won many a contest with his muscular black lover Zack. But now, as the fuck went on and on and the pain in his ass and arms intensified, he knew that the suddenly-savage Ranger had beaten him.
Pressed hard against the wall of the cave Miguel looked back over his shoulder, tears running down his face, and pleaded, "I can't take any more, man. Please, finish me off, cum in my ass. I'm sorry for the way my boy hurt yours. "You win, dude. I give up, I submit ... aaagh!"
His scream bounced off the walls as Pete's pile-driving shaft slammed in hard one last time and blasted semen deep in the tortured leatherman's shattered ass. Pete fell against the heaving back of the sobbing man, and said quietly in Miguel's ear, "There, that should take care of that, buddy. Punishment over, honor satisfied."
Slowly he released Miguel who groaned as feeling flowed back in his tortured arms. He moaned louder as the long rod pulled out slowly, then heaved a sigh of relief. Pete turned him round against the wall to face him and gently licked the tears from Miguel's face. He kissed the dark eyes, then the lips – kissing the pain away as a parent does to a child.
"Fuck, man," Miguel panted as they separated, "You are one hot son-of-a-bitch. Anytime you wanna join us leathermen, you'd fit right in."
"No I wouldn't, buddy," Pete smiled. "I've worn leather in sex-games with my kid cos he loved that, but what we just did here was a one-off – because you wanted it and I got off pushing a macho muscle-god to his limit and hearing him beg for mercy. But you know there's another phrase the guys of the tribe throw around – payback time'." He reached down and felt Miguel's still rock-hard dick. "Good. So let me show you what I really wanted when you kissed me.'"
Pete picked up the T-shirts and shorts from the ground, shook them and spread them out on the soft sand like a blanket. Then he dropped to his knees, lay down on his back and gazed up at the naked Hispanic towering over him.
Miguel smiled down at the handsome face and flawless physique, striped by the rays of the sun streaming in from above. "So fucking beautiful. But dude, if you think I'm gonna give as hard as I got and pound the crap out of you, you got it wrong."
"Good, `cos I told you, I'm more into love than revenge. You think you can handle that – shed the leather image and be a lover?"
"No problem at all," Miguel grinned, "especially when I'm looking at the most gorgeous Forest Ranger to ever roam the woods. So let's make love, dude." He spat on his cock, knelt down between Pete's legs, then leaned forward and kissed him while he eased his cock slowly into his ass. He pulled his face back and smiled, "That feel OK, man?"
"You know it does, buddy. A perfect fit."
And so Miguel made gentle love to the Ranger's ass. An incandescent smile spread over the Hispanic's chiseled features, in sharp contrast to the wincing pain that had distorted his face only moments before. "Damn this feels good, Pete. You're an incredible man – you and your beautiful boy. The perfect couple."
As the gentle caress of his ass continued Pete reached up and brushed the dark hair from Miguel's forehead. He stroked the high cheekbones and square, stubbled jaw, then ran his fingers down the cleft at his throat and between his pecs. "Beautiful ... fucking beautiful, man."
They made love in this way for what seemed like an eternity, until at last Pete smiled, "Dude, I wanna feel your juice in my ass – remember payback time?"
"Glad you mentioned it, Pete, `cos I'm right on the edge. Fuck, your ass is so damn hot – and that face, that body, so damn sexy. OK, here it comes, Ranger..."
The only sound was their heavy breathing and the faint hiss of the distant surf. At this moment the magical cave was their only world, a small private world for two strong, virile men to discover each other and make love. Lost in each other's eyes they smiled as Miguel quietly poured his juice inside Pete, who rewarded him with a deep, satisfied sight.
<><> TWO NEWCOMERS <><>
As they lay together in the soothing coolness of the cave, Miguel said, "Now I gotta face Finn, buddy. I gotta somehow help him banish his demons and feel secure."
Pete chuckled. "Miguel, if I know my boy Brandon, I would guess that he has already taken care of that. He loves Finn. His heart goes out to a lost soul who's trying to shake off his past and feel secure at last."
"What do you think they've been doing while we've been gone, Pete?"
"Duh! Pretty much the same as we've been doing."
"Really? You think so? Only one way to find out. It's time we got back to them." They pulled on their shorts, grabbed their T-shirts and reluctantly left the cave, with an unspoken promise to return. They jogged back along the beach until they came to the bike path where they saw in the distance the unmistakable shape of a boy in a wheelchair and another striding beside him.
When they came close they saw that the smiling Finn was resting his hand on Brandon's shoulder. "Hello, sir," Finn said, with a clarity and assurance Miguel had rarely heard before. Brandon and me have been having a great time. We've got so much to tell you."
Pete grinned at Miguel. "Told you so."
Miguel said, "Yeah, we've been having a pretty neat time too. Let's get back to the hotel and then I am gonna take you all out to a great little cantina I know on the beach a few miles away."
Pete leaned down and kissed Brandon. "Well done kiddo." He rested his hand on the back of the boy's neck and they started back. To Finn's immense joy and relief, Miguel smiled at him and threw his arm over his shoulder as they walked back side by side.
Back in the hotel they got cleaned up and were about to leave the suite when Miguel's phone rang. "It's Darius," he said and put the call on speaker. "Hey, Darius, what's up?"
"Sir, I'm glad I caught you – it's about the conversation you had with Bob. Bob spoke to Randy and – well, you know how that goes, Randy never says no to Bob. The upshot is that Randy's given me three days off work. Seems Bob thought it would be good for my boy Ryan to come down there and join you right away before you leave to come home, so he could help you explain all that computer stuff down there."
"Darius that's terrific. I would love to have Ryan here before I leave, he could be such a help. I'll get you a real nice room right next to ours and it'll be like a mini vacation for you two. How soon can you leave?"
"We can be out the door in five minutes, sir. We don't need to pack much ... except that we don't have too much in the way of fancy clothes."
"No sweat, buddy, we've got a ton of stuff we can lend you when necessary. When you get here just check with reception and I'll have everything set up for you. Er, but ... there is just one thing, Darius. When you get here, you should probably be wearing a shirt."
Darius roared with laughter. "Bob already told me that, sir. Don't worry, I won't let the side down. I know the rules ... I'll try my best not to break any. OK, guys, see you all in a couple of hours."
Miguel shut off the phone with a satisfied smile. "Gentlemen, it seems that our little group is gonna grow by two – Darius and Ryan. Think we can cope?"
"Just adds to the fun, sir," Brandon smiled. "I don't think Darius and Ryan have ever been here, but you know Darius, nothing intimidates that gorgeous young black stud. He's confident wherever he goes. There'll be a few beating hearts, and stiff dicks, when he strides through the lobby, with a good-looking Thai boy at his side."
Miguel laughed. "As you say, kiddo, it adds to the fun. OK, guys, you hungry? Time for lunch."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 541
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.
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