A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 578 by Rob Williams
Chapter 578 – "TOP MEN TAMED BY LOVE & LUST"
IN THIS CHAPTER:
Eddie lands a thrilling job – a photo-shoot for Charlie's Cowboy Calendar. Bob helps negotiate his fee, but neglects his man boss Randy in the process. The two macho lovers make up in a steamy alpha-male love scene. Cowboy Charlie and his boys visit Uncle Mike in the desert where the rival jocks Pablo and Darius are feuding. But Iron Mike soon tames the pair into making love, not war. ______________________________________________________________________
<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>
The subject of the Cowboy Calendar came up casually, out of the blue, at dinner. Charlie, the sexy rodeo cowboy was there with his new boys Noah and Vic. Charlie's kid brother Ben was there too, with his man, the hot and handsome fireman Jason.
Charlie, on a week's visit to the tribe, was the center of attention, but Ben didn't want his man Jason to be overshadowed by Charlie, so he proudly brought up the subject of the famous Fireman's Calendar.
Every boy in the tribe had a copy, dog-eared, well-used and often with sticky pages, especially the August page that featured Jason. When the boys showed Charlie a copy he smiled down at the picture of Jason in all his glory – muscular, shirtless, in heavy fireman's pants and boots.
"Damn," Charlie said in his Texas drawl, "so I guess ya'll jerk off over this whenever you're horny and their ain't no men around. Actually, our publicity guys for the rodeo circuit were talking about doin' the same kinda calendar – you know, shirtless cowboys on horseback, spinning lariats and stuff. Problem is, finding enough hot cowboys who would strip down and have their picture taken. They approached me, but I dunno."
"But, sir," Vic said, "you know how many times all the boys have watched that video of you at the rodeo whipping your shirt off and whirling it in the air as you ride round the arena?"
Jason agreed. "Yeah, that right there would make the cover. Hm, you know what you should do, Charlie? You've got a talented cameraman right here – young Eddie. He'd love to take your picture and send it to your publicity office. It might start the ball rolling."
From there the notion took on a life of its own and the boys talked excitedly about locations for the shoot, outfits to be worn ... until Charlie laughed, "Take it easy kids, don't jump the gun. The project ain't even sure yet, and even if it is, I might not be their type. But OK, I'll talk to Eddie in the morning. He may not even be free to waste his time on me."
But that's where he was wrong. When he saw Eddie at breakfast he told him of last night's discussion. "I mentioned casually that our rodeo publicity guys had raised the idea of a cowboy calendar, and Jason said I should get some shots of me. But don't get too excited Eddie ..."
"Don't get excited?! Don't get excited, he says! Dude, that is a fabulous idea, and if you want a cameraman who's expert in that stuff, you're looking at him, sir. Hot men are my specialty, so don't you dare give the commission to anyone else."
After that things moved fast. Charlie had a buddy with a horse ranch not far away who was keen on the idea, so Charlie and Eddie, with Noah and Vic as his assistants, went out there and Eddie got to work – for over two hours.
Later they watched the slideshow with Bob the tribe's leader – and the photos were a huge hit. Charlie's enthusiasm peaked and he had Eddie transmit the pictures to the rodeo publicity chief.
Over dinner later the PR guy called back with the verdict. "They are exceptional, Charlie – just the kind of thing we want. If we do a calendar we don't want the usual kinda stuff – you know, muscle-hunks standing around and posing. We want real working cowboys, tough enough for the ranch and the rodeo.
"Your photographer has captured that perfectly – dirt, sweat and all. These pictures have really got us stoked on the calendar idea. We wanna get right on it and take pictures of some of the other guys out here in Arizona.
"And, er, that brings me to another thing. That camera guy of yours is obviously talented and has just the touch we're looking for. He gets it, Charlie, thinks the way we think. So we're wondering if he'd be free to come out here for a day or two and do shoots with the other guys. I'm sure a photographer that good don't come cheap, but if we can agree on a fee we'll cover his and his crew's expenses – flight, hotel, per-diem ... Can you find out if he'll be free, Charlie?"
"Well," Charlie said, "he's currently working on a big-budget Warner Studios movie, but ..."
"Jeez, you go right for the big-time, don't you, dude?"
After the call ended, Eddie was ecstatic and flung his arms round his man, the Marine Hassan. "You hear that, sir? I'm the big time ... he said I'm the big-time."
"I always knew you were, kiddo. And now it's official. As for the fee, you should get advice from Bob. He's a money guy, after all, he'll have some ideas."
Bob was happy to help. "Matter of fact, one of the companies I give financial advice to is an advertising agency in New York. They negotiate rates like this all the time, so I'll check with them. We don't want to be pushy, but we don't want to undersell Eddie either.
"The, er, usual thing is for the photographer's manager to do the negotiating on behalf of the talent, and if you like I'd be happy to assume that role, `cos my life is all about drawing up contracts. I'm a contract attorney. Just to get it straight, we're talking about a two-day shoot with Eddie and a crew, right? I think a two-man crew is usual, presumably Noah and Vic.
"I'll call you're guy early in the morning, Charlie, and we'll hammer out an agreement. We have to be professional about this as I have a feeling this will be the first of many such deals we'll be putting together for our boy. Eddie, congratulations, kiddo. You deserve it, your work is dazzling. You're on your way to the big time, dude."
========= CHAPTER 578 =========
<><> BOB MAKES A DEAL <><>
Young Eddie had a restless night, despite being safely wrapped in the muscular arms of his Arab Marine Hassan.
He was so excited about this great opportunity that could launch his career as a sought-after photographer, and his creative mind was racing with ideas and techniques he would use in the upcoming cowboy photo-shoot in Phoenix. That is, provided that Bob, the tribe's boss and financial expert, could strike a deal with the rodeo guys.
Eddie woke early and had the coffee on when Hassan's phone rang, and the Marine answered the call from Bob. "Sure, Bob ... of course ... that's great ... sorry you had to get up so early."
"Nothing unusual for me, soldier. We're three hours behind New York, so in financial matters we have to start early. OK, ten minutes then?"
Eddie was hopping from one foot to the other, anxious to hear the verdict. "OK, kiddo, cool it. Bob's asked us to go across to the compound and meet him, Charlie and his boys over coffee and he'll tell us the state of play so far."
Eddie fumbled nervously, pulling on T-shirt and shorts, while Hassan got dressed in his old fatigues and khaki tank. They crossed the street and found Will setting up coffee on the lawn for the early risers like Randy who was already sitting there in his work clothes.
He looked up and grinned at Hassan and Eddie. "Big day, eh guys? Bob told me all about it. When I woke up I reached over for him in bed as I always do, but he shot out of bed like a bat out of hell and hit the phone. So watch out guys, `cos I still have a morning hard-on."
Hassan laughed as Charlie, Vic and Noah came down from the boys' apartment over the office. Bob appeared around the same time, wearing just a white V-neck T-shirt and boxers that he had slept in. He had got out of bed and hit the phone, not stopping to dress."
"See what I mean, guys?" Randy said. "That's why I've still got a boner – and it just got worse. Buddy, you can't show up looking sexy as hell like that. Either put some clothes on or I'll fuck you right here."
"Down, boy," Bob smiled. "I've got stuff to do here that's much more important than sex."
"Dude, there is nothing more important than satisfying your man, am I right kids?" He looked at Vic and Noah who blushed and giggled. "See, the boys agree with me."
Bob ignored him and turned to Eddie. "OK, Eddie, I called the advertising agency in New York and got the scoop. They gave me a range of normal fees for a photographer on a shoot and when I explained the circumstances here they suggested we shoot for something just above the middle. They said Eddie's work on a big Warners movie could push his price up."
"Yeah," Charlie said. "When I told my guy Paul that he was way impressed. I said I might persuade Eddie to take time off the movie – not telling him he was already doing that. Thought you could use it as a bargaining chip."
"Good idea, Charlie. Stuff like that gives me an edge."
"Sir," Eddie said eagerly. "If you want more bargaining chips you could tell them I'll throw in blowjobs for the guys after the shoot. No one can ever resist that."
Bob smiled patiently. "Eddie, in all my years of making deals and negotiating contracts, I cannot recall ever using blowjobs as a bargaining ploy. I may be wrong, but I, er, don't think so."
Eddie shrugged. "Just a suggestion, sir. Just trying to work with you, here."
"I appreciate that Eddie, but I think it best if you concentrate on your photography and leave the deal-making to me.
"And, er, while we're at it, if Hassan doesn't mind, I'll give you a piece of advice. When you're in Phoenix, leave blowjobs and any other references to sex behind you. You're a professional, and your talent as a photographer is to make your pictures sexy, which you do brilliantly. But that does not include offering blowjobs or anything else to the models, no matter how much they turn you on."
Hassan smiled. "Thank you, Bob. Couldn't have said it better myself."
"Hey," Randy cut in, "I hope that theory don't apply to me."
Bob said, "Randy, nothing applies to you. In sex as in everything, you're in a class of your own. And maybe I'll get around to you after I've finished my business with these guys. OK, Charlie, you gave me Paul's number so I'm going into the office and call him from there. Keep your fingers crossed that we can close a deal." He gathered up his papers and went into the office.
"Hey," Randy said, "did that guy just diss me here? Did y'all hear that put-down? `Maybe he'll get around to me later'."
"Brother dear," Charlie grinned, "Bob was simply putting business before pleasure. Don't fret – you'll get the pleasure later ... and then you can show him who's boss."
"Damn straight," Randy growled, somewhere between joking and serious.
Now came the wait. Young chef Will, aware of everything that was going on and reporting back to the twins in the kitchen, came out pushing a cart loaded with food that he set out on the buffet table. The men and boys dug in, both to satisfy their hunger and calm their nerves. As they ate, time went on, and at one point they heard Bob's hearty laugh in the office.
"A good sign," Hassan said. "Charming the birds out of the trees as always."
"I don't know why you guys are so nervous," Randy said, with his mouth full. "Bob will bring it on home, he always closes a deal, he's fucking brilliant. You should see some of the impossible deals he's done for us – especially in the early days when we had no track record and no money. It's thanks to him we have a company."
Charlie smiled, "I, er, think you also had something to do with that, Randy. When I first came here guys always told me, `Oh, no one ever says no to Randy'. So I guess no one ever says no to Bob either. And not because he shouts guys down like you do, bro, but because he works with them and charms them to death. That difference is why you two work so well together." "Maybe so, but he as good as said no to me just then."
"Ah, chill, man. He wants sex as much as you. Another reason you work so well together."
Randy calmed down, grinned, and grabbed Will's wrist as he passed by. "Hey, Red, as I recall you said no to me when you were still new here – and in front of the whole tribe."
"Only because you were wrong, sir. I had my orders from the twins, which superseded yours. But you know I always give you what you want. I keep secret stashes of things just for you."
Randy ruffled the boy's hair. "I know, Red, I'm just busting your chops. You're a good kid. Hey, maybe I'll fuck you instead of Bob. That'll show him."
"Getting fucked by you, sir, is always a pleasure, but you'll have to ask the twins about that one. Now if you'll excuse me, sir, I'm still setting up breakfast."
The badinage stopped abruptly as Bob came out of the office and sat with them. They stared at him expectantly and he smiled, "OK, guys, we have a deal. Paul's a nice guy, we chatted for some time about this and that ..."
"And then you went for the jugular, sir," Eddie said."
"Hardly the jugular Eddie, but I did soften him up before we talked turkey. My usual technique."
"Otherwise known as charming the birds from the trees," Hassan laughed.
"So here's the figure we settled on," Bob said, pushing his notes toward them.
Eddie's eyes opened wide. "Wow, I've never seen so much money. All that for a two-day shoot?"
"No, that's per day for two days, Eddie, so double that figure. In addition they'll pay your expenses – airfare for three (I insisted on business class), hotel, per-diem, the works. But out of your fee you have to pay your assistants. You can decide that, or I'll suggest a figure if you like, probably a modest percentage of your fee."
Hassan reached across and squeezed Bob's hand. "Dude, I can't thank you enough for this. In Randy's words, you're `fucking brilliant'."
"I do have another suggestion, Hassan. Of course the money is Eddie's to do what he likes with, but I would recommend opening a low-risk savings account and depositing all of this in it. I did this for Will, with the payments he gets from his catering gigs. See, our boys get love and protection from their men, of course, but we like them to work toward financial independence. Gives them a sense of responsibility.
"The money you get from Warner's is enough to live on, Eddie, but I do recommend saving the extra cash you get from gigs like this. It'll mount up quickly."
"Can I give some of it away to the other boys, sir?"
"Of course you can Eddie, and I applaud you for that. But giving money away can be more complicated than it sounds, so if Hassan agrees, I can be your financial advisor and help you with all that stuff."
"Yes please, sir. Right, sir?" turning to Hassan.
"Sounds like a plan, kiddo. Thanks a million, Bob. And now that we've settled the money issues, time for you to do what you do best, Eddie, and concentrate on the work, like training your assistants. You've got a shit-load of work to do."
"I know, right?" Eddie beamed.
Randy stood up. "And now that's all finished, maybe, at last, it's my turn. I've been sitting here nursing a huge fucking boner while you've been strutting your stuff, Bob. What is it you said back there? Maybe you'll get around to me later'?" Dude, nobody gets around to me later'. I want it, I take it. And I want it bad."
Randy reached down. grabbed Bob's T-shirt and yanked him to his feet. Tugging him by the shirt he pulled him away from the table across the lawn. Bob looked back and grinned at the others. "He always wins. And Charlie, you were right. I want it as much as he does."
To cheers and applause, Bob allowed himself to be dragged off to the Boss House.
<><> A QUICKIE BEFORE WORK <><>
When they went into their bedroom Bob pulled free and smoothed down his T-shirt. "So, I gather from that caveman act, dragging me off to your lair, that I'm gonna get the savage treatment for daring to be so assertive out there."
"Dude, you don't get it, do you? If you came on my construction site and started throwing your weight around, I'd grab you, bend you over the nearest sawhorse and fuck the shit out of you. `Cos that's my territory. But yours is finance, and there you impress the hell out of me, always have. Like I told those guys, if it wasn't for you and your talent for making deals, there would be no company."
They sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the edge of the bed. "And dude, what you did for young Eddie out there, he'll never forget it ... you're his fucking hero ... mine too, buddy. What you said about our boys ..." Randy rubbed his forearm across his eyes that brimmed with tears ... "about wanting our boys to be financially independent, a sense of responsibility and all ... Dammit, man, you've worked wonders with those kids."
"No, Randy – we have. Talk about hero worship. I see the looks in their eyes when you come home from work and stride in through the gate. You're a giant in their eyes, Randy, they're crazy about you."
"Only one guy's opinion really matters to me, buddy, you know that." His laser blue eyes met Bob's. "How come one guy can be that smart and so fucking gorgeous?" Randy leaned forward and kissed him. "No, I ain't gonna punish you kid, I'm gonna reward you. I gotta be at work in half an hour but right now my cock's so fucking hard my nuts are fit to burst."
Bob started to pull off his T-shirt but Randy said, "No, leave that to me. Just get on your back and leave the rest to me."
Bob obeyed. He was used to the whole range of Randy's moods, but this one turned him on most – the powerful, rugged construction boss, capable of fierce rage and physical domination, but also of tender love-making. It was the contrast between the swarthy stubbled gypsy features and the tender pale blue eyes. He was irresistible – Bob would have given him anything he demanded – or begged for. Randy was capable of both.
Randy reached down and pulled Bob's boxers off. He towered over him, staring down at him. "Damn, you are one hot fucking son of a bitch. I like you like that, naked except for that V-neck T-shirt that turns me on like crazy. Especially with that boner rearing up like a flagpole."
Bob smiled. "That's `cos I'm looking at what always excites me – the muscular, long-haired gypsy in sweaty tank, greasy work-pants and muddy boots. Don't take them off."
"No time," Randy grinned. "I gotta get to work – after I've got to work on your hot ass, buddy."
Randy had no time for foreplay – he got right down to business. He spat on his cock, knelt on the bed and pushed Bob's legs back. Staring into the deep brown eyes he drove his cock deep inside his lover's ass and watched the handsome face wince, then relax in an ecstatic smile.
"Fuck. That feels so good, Randy – surrendering my ass to the boss. It's yours, sir ... take it, fuck it ... let me feel it."
Randy leaned forward and pinned Bob's wrists to the bed above his head. "Yeah, that's right, stud. You're mine, my prisoner. I should chain you to the bed, and leave you there, waiting for me to come back and fuck your ass again and again, as often as I want. I could have you begging for mercy. But not this time, stud. Now I want you begging for more."
"More, please, sir," Bob grinned. And that's what he got as Randy pulled back, paused, and drove in again. It was not a savage caveman fuck, but not what could be called vanilla either. Randy didn't do vanilla, even in this loving mood. He knew just how to please his man, taking him to the brink of ecstasy again and again. As in everything else, Randy was the master.
As he fucked deeper and deeper he released Bob's wrists, pressed his palms on his chest and scraped the T-shirt over the flexed muscles of his torso. There was something erotic about not quite touching bare flesh, like forbidden fruit. But his restraint had its limits.
He got rougher, dug his fingers into the thin fabric, then grabbed the shirt's neck and pulled Bob's shoulders up off the bed. He raised his other arm in the air as he fucked, just like his cowboy brother riding a stallion, gripping the reins with one hand. Inevitably the shirt started to rip as Randy jerked it harder with each thrust of his cock. It finally tore free and Randy waved the fragments high in the air, like Charlie whirling his shirt in the rodeo arena.
Bob stared up at the stunning sight and fantasized about the construction boss striding round the site, barking orders, a dominant force – the same force now dominating his ass. He pictured the image Randy had described before – throwing him over a sawhorse at the construction site, ploughing his ass as punishment.
"Nah," Randy grinned, reading his thoughts and throwing the ripped shirt aside. "Not this time, buddy. This time it's for love – I just wanna show you how much I love you. You're my man, my buddy." He leaned forward and kissed Bob gently, lovingly, with growing passion, all the time massaging his ass with his cock.
When at last he pulled back Bob reached up and stroked his chest through the old tank. He held onto it and it ripped slightly as Randy moved up and down over him. Randy grinned, "You do get turned on by ripped clothes, don't you?"
"I get turned on by you in ripped shirts, Randy."
"Ah, we don't need props, dude. All you and I ever need is this." Randy pinned Bob's wrists to the bed again and stared down at him with his hypnotic pale blue eyes. Bob knew he was lost – lost in their own private world, a world apart ... just the two of them making love."
Randy smiled. "You know all the rest is bullshit, don't you, kid? What it all comes down to – always comes down to – is this." They saw themselves reflected deep in the other's eyes, a union so complete it was like each man making love to himself and his lover at the same time. Randy said, "You're making me cum, you know that don't you?"
"Good," Bob smiled. "Make me cum with you – you know you can."
And so they did, with almost no sound as Randy poured juice deep inside Bob, and watched Bob spontaneously spurt jets of semen on his own bare chest.
They continued to smile at each other as their cocks drained, then Randy pulled out slowly and lowered himself on Bob's cum-slicked chest. They lay breathing in unison, until Bob opened his eyes and looked over Randy's shoulder at the clock on the wall. "Getting late Randy."
"Jeez, I gotta go. Darius will be coping on his own. Love you, man." After one last kiss Randy reluctantly got off the bed and shoved his cock back in his pants. One side of his partly-torn tank fell from his shoulder and hung round his waist, but Randy was oblivious of how he looked as he ran downstairs.
Hassan, Charlie and their boys were still lingering over coffee as Randy crossed the lawn, his torn tank hanging down from one shoulder over his chest, complete with cum-stains. He was talking on his phone. "Yeah, sorry Darius I got held up ..." He grinned. "Yeah, OK smartass, holed up would be more like it. Hang in there kid, I'm on my way."
"Hey, bro," Charlie shouted. "Better check the mirror before you walk on that construction site."
Without looking back Randy grinned and raised his middle finger. He didn't give a shit how he looked. All that mattered was he had made love to Bob ... and as he had told Bob, all the rest was bullshit. Plus, his boner had at last gone down – at least for now.
<><> BOB REASSURES CHARLIE <><>
The next couple of days were a whirl of activity for Eddie who huddled with Vic and Noah, giving them a crash course in camera lenses, light meters and filters, focus adjustments, the whole range of equipment he would be using. Charlie spent his remaining time with the tribe dropping in on guys he hadn't got to know yet, like Zack and Miguel and the second-floor guys.
He was intrigued by their enthusiasm for the leather scene, which in his mind overlapped with the leather trappings of his cowboy world. "Hey," Zack grinned, "if you're stopping over at Mike's place on your way out to Arizona with the boys, you'll get plenty of that, `cos Mike owns the most popular leather bar in the desert."
One afternoon when he was chatting to Bob, Charlie said, "You know, Eddie, Jamie and Nate are always talking about the Grady movie they're working on. What, or who, is Grady?
"Ah," Bob hesitated. "Well that's kinda something we're usually tight-lipped about."
"I don't wanna poke my nose into private stuff, dude."
"Oh, it's OK to tell you Charlie as you're one of us now. Did you ever see any of those recent Tarzan movies?"
"No, but I sure saw all the publicity – hard to miss it with that gorgeous hunk o' man staring down from those billboards. And now they're promoting an upcoming ... what ... a movie about lifeguards?"
"Right. Well that gorgeous hunk of man is Grady, and he's a close friend of ours. That's how the boys got those jobs on his lifeguard movie. He lives not far from here in a big hilltop estate with his, er, lover, a beautiful Italian name Mario. They have massive security up there, which is one reason the guys here are sworn to secrecy."
"Well I'll be damned," Charlie grinned, "who'd a' thought it? You guys really have connections, don't you? And I can see the need for all the privacy. If that cat got out the bag it would kinda spoil the image."
"It could be a career buster, Charlie. It's why I hesitated to ..."
"Hey, lips are sealed, buddy. Or as Eddie would say ..." he drew his fingertips across his lips and twisted the key at the corner. They laughed and Charlie said, "Any chance I could get a look at this Grady House when I'm here next? I mean, I got my own share of celebrity in the rodeo world but I'd like a glimpse of the real Hollywood glamor."
"Of course you will, Charlie. Like I said, you're one of us. They give big parties for the tribe so I'll make sure they do on your next visit. Grady would drool over you, and be real disappointed that you won't fuck him. Still, a handsome cowboy is a great masturbatory image.
"By the way, the tribe's giving you a farewell dinner party tomorrow, so I'll invite Mario and Grady to that. Grady leads such a sheltered life, and loves to socialize with the tribe. It's the only place he can be really himself, and he loves to blend in as just one of the guys. Seeing you will give him fodder for his fantasies – and he's got a whole store of those.
"Bob, I hope I too can be regarded as just one of the tribe, instead of this cowboy stranger who suddenly dropped in from nowhere."
"Charlie, don't you know? You already are one of us. You're the brother of boss Randy and of young Ben, and honorary brother of all the other guys."
Thanks for saying that Bob. It means more to me than you know."
"Any idea when we'll have the pleasure of your company again?"
"Sure, these rodeos are planned a year in advance and I've given the schedule to my boys Vic and Noah. After Arizona it's a big one in Vegas, then a week off before we hit San Diego."
"By way of Los Angeles and the tribe, I hope."
"Of course, dude. We rarely hit more than two cities back to back. Riders and horses need a break, not to mention the support staff and advance guys. So y'all will be seeing a lot of me. See, Bob, you don't know how much it means to me to have a home to come to between gigs, instead of kicking my heels and hanging around in strange bars in strange towns."
"Glad to hear it, Charlie, `cos this is your home. And I can think of two kids who'll be counting the days till you get back."
Charlie turned serious. "Bob, I still worry about them. I mean, y'all will take good care of them while I'm gone, won't you?. I'll Face-Time them every day, but it's not like being with them."
"Don't have any worries on that score, Charlie. First off, Randy is the best protector they could have. You know how he is. Once he takes a boy under his wing he'd fight off an army to defend them. And these kids are his brother's. Don't get any safer than that. Plus there's Nate, who's like an older brother to them, and Brandon, the best boss a boy could have.
"Also, Charlie, you have my word that only good things will happen to those sweet kids while they're waiting for you. That's a promise, dude."
Charlie's eyes teared up and he touched Bob's hand. "God, you're a beautiful man, Bob. If ever I decide to jump that sexual fence, you'll be the first to know."
Bob chuckled. "I think your brother Randy might have something to say about that, Charlie."
"Yeah, there is that I suppose," Charlie grinned ruefully.
<><> "TO CHARLIE" <><>
The big tribe dinner the next evening was bittersweet – sweet because it was a celebration of their new friend, but tinged with bitterness because he was leaving them for a while. But even that was brightened by the excitement of Eddie, and Noah and Vic, on the verge of their big rodeo adventure in Phoenix – after a much-anticipated stop in Palm Springs.
The whole tribe had turned out, which kept the twins and Will happily busy in the kitchen. They loved the challenge of cooking for a crowd. Charlie had met all of the tribe before, some only briefly – except for Mario and Grady who made a starry entrance with their boys Brian and Danny, to shouts of welcome.
Like most men before him, Charlie did a doubletake seeing Grady, whose picture he had seen endlessly in promos for his movies. "Jeez," he said to Bob, "he looks even hotter in person. And the guy with him – he looks like a movie star too."
"That would be Mario, sexiest thing to come out of Italy in years. Good, they're coming over."
Mario greeted him with his usual old-world charm. "Ciao, amico. We have been hearing so much about you, you are a star of the grapevine, but even more handsome than your description. Allow me to introduce my friend Grady."
Charlie grinned, "Also more handsome than your pictures, Grady."
Grady shook his hand vigorously. "Be still my heart ... what a cowboy! And hung like a horse, I bet, pardon the pun. But rumor has it you don't fuck guys, Charlie. Can that be true?"
"Sad but true," Charlie laughed, as Mario apologized. "You must excuse my friend, amico, he has what the boys here call a dirt-track mind."
"Nothing wrong with that," Charlie laughed. "I can get down in the dirt with the best of them – just not up their butts, I'm afraid, Grady."
"Never mind," Grady said, "a guy can dream, can't he? And when you come back you gotta come up to the Grady House. We've never had a rodeo star there before."
And so the dinner started on a high note and went up from there. Charlie looked at the guys around the table and thought back on his exploits with so many of them.
He was pleased to see Chad and Adam talking so happily to each after, after their fierce argument a few days ago. The day before Chad had checked out Charlie's sprained wrist and cleared him to ride. Chad had heard mentioned that he and Adam had made good on their promise to consult Doc Steve regularly, and the good doctor had worked his magic.
When the first course was on the table Randy got to his feet and yelled, "Listen up guys!"
Bob whispered to Charlie, "A few taps on a glass is the more elegant way of calling attention ..."
"But Randy don't do elegant," Charlie laughed. "But that voice sure does the trick."
In the ensuing silence Randy gave his usual vote of thanks to the three chefs who stood in a row, raised their chef's hats and swooped them down in a low, florid bow to loud applause.
"But that ain't all I got to say, guys. Tonight's dinner is to welcome my brother and your new buddy Charlie to our family. Charlie and me have had our differences – hell, I've had my differences with all you guys ..." a comment greeted with rousing agreement ... "but when Charlie showed up I realized I'd been wrong all those years.
"He's a terrific guy, and he's now got two terrific boys, who we will all take care of while he's doing his rodeo thing. Yeah, sadly he's leaving us for a while, but bro, I know I speak for us all when I say we're all looking forward to the day you come back. So guys, please raise your glasses and give a big tribe shout out ... To Charlie!
"To Charlie!" The tumultuous toast shook the ground, and brought tears to the cowboy's eyes.
<><> UNCLE MIKE – "WELCOME TO THE DESERT"
Next morning there was quite a gathering of men, and especially boys, round Charlie's truck, ostensibly to help him and the boys load their gear, but actually just getting in the way. Eddie took charge, showing Vic and Noah how to load his precious camera gear behind the back seat.
When they were set, Charlie turned to Bob and Randy and pushed back his cowboy hat that he wore everywhere. Guys, I can't thank you enough for welcoming me into the clan, and especially for introducing me to Noah and Vic here. You're doing great work here, guys, and I can't wait to get back." He hugged Bob, and then Randy wrapped his big arms round him. "Take care of yourself, Charlie, and knock `em dead in that arena. And say hi to Mike in the desert for me. I love you bro."
Hassan was there too, and hugged Eddie. "I am so proud of you, kiddo. You've worked hard to get to this point. Take care of those boys too. It'll be a new world for them, so don't let them feel lost in it. You'll have a hot and horny Marine waiting for you when you get back."
"Aye-aye, Captain," Eddie saluted, with that cheeky smile that that would stay fixed in Hassan's mind till the boy returned.
They got in the truck – Eddie up front next to Charlie, the boys in the seat behind them, and to a burst of cheers they were off. Soon Charlie hit the 10-Freeway heading east, and Eddie used some of the almost two-hour drive to again go over the equipment and it's uses with the boys, who by now pretty much knew their role as assistants in the face-paced energy of a photo-shoot. After that Charlie pumped Eddie for information about Mike.
"We call him `Uncle Mike', sir, partly because he's like an uncle to us boys, and to the men too. He's much older than any of them, late fifties, I'd say. He's also the real uncle to young Brian – he's the kid in the wheelchair who's Grady's boy. And Mike's got this young tough-guy Larry as his boy. Even though they're miles apart in age, they're crazy in love.
"Mike's a terrific guy, sir, so smart, and his common sense has solved plenty of fights by knocking hot heads together. Your brother, for example. Everyone knows that only two guys in the world can tame Randy – Bob and Uncle Mike. Randy looks up to him as the father he never had. You're gonna love him, sir."
Eddie was right. When they finally pulled up to Mike's big ranch-style house Mike was outside to greet them. Charlie got out of the truck, they shook hands, their eyes met and there was an instant connection. "Damn, I'd have known you anywhere boy, the image of your brother – same dark gypsy looks, sexy as hell, built like a brick shithouse just like him. Not quite the same savage look in the eye, though."
"And two years younger," Charlie smiled. "First Randy, then Steve, then me. Our mom got around and seemed to push out one kid a year."
Mike laughed, then greeted Eddie. "Hey Eddie. We're hearing a ton of good news about you. Seems like you're gonna be this big action photographer – special commission for a Cowboy Calendar. Well done, kiddo, that musclehunk Marine of yours must be pumped with pride.
"And Vic and Noah – the expert assistants. Welcome to the desert, boys. When I'm in town I don't really get to visit with you, I'm too busy keeping the big guys in check. Well, there'll be plenty of time for us to get to know each other here. Er, Charlie, drive your truck into the garage. Don't wanna leave it out here with all that expensive equipment in it."
After that they all trooped into the garden, to be met by a good-looking young jock, shirtless in jeans. Mike grinned, "And talking of pride and joy, here's mine. Larry, you know the boys, of course, but let me introduce you to a real-life cowboy and our new buddy Charlie."
"Good to meet you, Charlie," Larry smiled, with a bone-crushing handshake. "Every call I get from the guys in LA is about you. Damn, they didn't exaggerate, you're fucking gorgeous. Except we hear you don't fuck with guys. Good thing too, or I'd be in trouble." He grinned, "Sorry, Mike."
"Don't apologize, boy," Mike laughed. "You want it ... go for it. If you can go where no man has been before with Charlie, more power to you."
"Thank you, sir," Larry grinned, "but as the saying goes, `I'll stay at the party with the guy what brung me'." Mike sat down at the table on the lawn and Larry stood behind him lovingly massaging his shoulders. "OK, guys," Larry said, "what'll it be? Beers all round?"
He went into the house, came back with a six-pack and handed out bottles. Charlie turned everyone on simply by sprawling back in his chair, legs stretched out, one boot crossed over the other. He touched the brim of his hat with the neck of his bottle and tilted it back on his head.
"So fucking sexy," Larry grinned. "Anyone else round this table got a hard-on?"
The boys all raised their hands amid bawdy laughter. Charlie said in his Texas drawl, "You ain't doing so bad yourself Larry in the sex icon department. You're a mechanic, right? I picture you, bare-chested like you are now, in your workshop, face and body streaked with grease. Now that, Eddie, would be a great subject for your camera."
"Been there done that, sir. I know a hot sexy fantasy when I see one and I got shots last time I was here. You're right, sir, a hot jock motorcycle mechanic is an iconic look."
Larry said, "Actually, Eddie, you can get more pictures if you like `cos I got two clients on their way here. Pablo and Darius are bringing their bikes for a tune up (or so they say) with their boys Tyler and Ryan riding pillion behind them."
"Long way to some for a tune-up, ain't it?" Charlie said. "And I thought Pablo himself was a mechanic." "Ah," Mike said, "there's more to it than meets the eye. Pablo and Darius are fighting again – some dispute at work.
"See, they both have senior positions on the construction site – Pablo as chief mechanic and Darius as Randy's foreman – so they're always competitive. Pablo prides himself on being Randy's adopted son, `the Boss's Boy', and he gets jealous if Randy gives Darius too much attention ... blah, blah blah, something like that. It ain't the first time.
"Randy gets real mad every time it happens and when I last spoke to him I offered to talk to them. I told them they need a break from work, and invited them out here, and bring their boys with them, cos those young kids get real upset when their men are fighting. `Course It's all bullshit. They're both dominant guys, flexing their muscles to impress their boys, or Randy, or who knows what, and who really cares.
"But they agreed to come, using the excuse that Larry could tune up their bikes. Though, as you said, it's crazy `cos they could easily do tune-ups themselves. What pisses me off is that those two guys are lovers from way, back, when they both joined Randy and Bob before the tribe was a tribe. And they still have hot and heavy sexy – what with Darius's massive ten-inch cock and Pablo's flawless bubble-butt."
Mike sighed and took a hit of beer. "So, I guess I'll have to knock some sense into them, same as I've done for their guys, Randy and Zack, in the past."
Charlie grinned. "An uncle's work is never done, eh Mike?"
"You can say that again, cowboy."
<><> MIKE & THE GYPSY BROTHERS <><>
Larry guessed that Mike wanted a few words alone with Charlie, so he said to the boys, "Hey guys, how about a dip in the pool, wash off the dust of the freeway?" They were all for that and followed Larry to the pool, shedding clothes as they went.
Left alone with Charlie at the table, Mike pulled out another couple of beers. "Charlie, what you're doing for those two kids is terrific, exactly the kind of thing that gives the tribe it's strength. Whenever I've visited in LA they've always looked a bit shy and overwhelmed, but looking at their smiling faces now, there's a big change. You've given them confidence, stature as the cowboy's boys."
"Good to hear you say that, Mike. It troubles me that I have to leave them for a few weeks but Randy has promised to take care of them. Him and me had a big fight when he got riled up over some financial stuff, totally lost his cool and yelled at the kids and threatened them. But he realized what he had done and apologized profusely, swore he would always protect them."
"And you know what, Charlie? You can trust him on that. For him it's all about the boys of the tribe, loving and nurturing them. He did the same for his brothers growing up in Texas and he's transferred that protective instinct to the boys of the tribe. It brings tears to my eyes when I see him with them. But he can make me so damn mad when he goes on one of his rants.
"Even that gorgeous man of his ... he's treated Bob so savagely in the past I'm surprised they're still together. He's a passionate man, of course, and his passion for Bob threw him for a loop. He was terrified of losing him, so he treated him like a caveman treats his prey.
"But God, he's a magnificent man ... never met such a masculine specimen as him. Oh, we've had our run-ins, believe me, but he does listen to me. I think of him like a son, and I believe he treats me like the dad he never had."
Charlie chuckled. "There's a saying in the tribe that there's only two guys can tame Randy – Bob and Mike. And he loves you both to death. He specially asked me to say hi to you for him."
"Yeah, I love the big lug, even if I have to give him a tongue-lashing now and again. But enough about him, Charlie, I wanna hear about you and the rodeo business."
They chatted for quite a while, long enough for them to form a really tight bond. Mike saw the macho cowboy as Randy without the smoldering anger – probably because Charlie worked in the entertaining world of the rodeo, while Randy was a tough construction boss.
The boys were coming out of the pool when they all heard the unmistakable roar of powerful bikes outside the gate. "Uh-oh, here we go," Mike grinned. "Let's see if those two hotheads have cooled down on the ride here. Gunning a powerful bike can sometimes be a safety valve for a guy's aggressions. But I ain't holding my breath."
And it's a good thing he wasn't.
<><> UNCLE MIKE RULES <><>
The gate opened and Pablo strode in looking sexy as ever, with his Mestizo features, high cheeks bones, and slightly slanted deep brown eyes. He was shirtless, displaying a ripped muscular torso with solid pecs, washboard abs and a long slim waist. Completing the macho look, he was wearing black leather chaps over tight jeans, showing off the bulge in front, and the perfect round globes of his stunning butt behind, straining at the tight denim.
He was followed by Darius, a tall black stud in black leather pants and a leather vest hanging loosely over his muscled chest. With not an ounce of body fat, his veins stood out on his impressive arms, shoulders and pecs and his abs were six-pack solid. His coffee-colored skin accentuated his handsome, rugged features, buzz-cut hair and striking green eyes.
But his most impressive feature was his huge ten-inch cock, whose shape was clearly outlined under the tight black leather, stretching halfway down his pants.
Following behind them, were their boys Tyler and Ryan, looking somewhat shell-shocked as they removed their biker helmets. Charlie and Mike both thought it strange that the men were not walking with their boys, leaving them to follow at some distance behind. But they brightened when they saw Vic and Noah and ran over to sit next to them.
Hey, guys," Mike grinned, "welcome to the desert. You have a good ride out here?"
Pablo and Darius shrugged sullenly and Darius murmured, "Not bad."
Mike looked at Charlie and raised his eyebrows in a `here-we-go' gesture. "You made real good time since your phone call. I thought there'd be heavy traffic."
"There was," Pablo said flashing a hostile glance at Darius, "but I won the race to the turn off from the freeway."
Darius sneered, "Only `cos you weaved in and out of traffic like a maniac. But I caught up with you and won in the end."
Mike stiffened, "You mean you raced each other on the freeway in heavy traffic? Are you fucking insane? With your boys sitting behind you? No wonder they looked scared when they walked in here. You could have fucking killed yourselves and them. Was this race part of your feud to see who's the toughest and the fastest?"
Darius said, "It's a work thing, Mike. Pablo sucking up to Randy."
"Sucking up?! I don't need to suck up. Let me remind you, asshole, Randy is my dad and your boss."
"Hey, hey, hold it right there, guys," Mike said. "Randy told me all about you two having one of your grudge matches."
Pablo clenched his fists. "He had no right to talk to you about ..."
Mike eyes flashed. "Boy, are you telling me what Randy and I should be talking about? How fucking dare you? Maybe I should be telling him how you neglected your boy and put him in danger. Don't think he'd be thrilled to hear that ... you'd have to suck up real good after that.
"OK, listen up, you two, let's get a few things straight while you're here. My house is a refuge for the guys of the tribe, a place to chill and mellow out. I will not allow you to carry on your bullshit lovers' tiff here, rocking the damn boat as soon as you fucking come in. If you're gonna behave like warring gang boys you can get the hell out.
"So here's what's gonna happen. You ever hear the old phrase `out with anger in with love'? I know, it sounds new-agey and old-fashioned, but I'm an old-fashioned kinda guy, I believe in good manners, making love not war. So that's what you're gonna do. I know how much you love each other and always have. So you're gonna end this bullshit rivalry, this cockamamie popularity contest for Randy's favor ... and you're gonna make love."
"This is bullshit," Pablo sneered. "Come on, boy, were outa here." Mike shot to his feet. "Dude, if you think for one goddam minute that I would let you take young Tyler out of here and risk his life on the back of a bike driven by a raging lunatic, you really are crazy. He's under my protection `cos he sure ain't getting any from you.
"Now you two, turn and look at each other ... I mean now!" The commanding voice of this older, tougher man was all the more threatening because it was not loud, only ice-cold. And it forced them to obey. They faced each other and their eyes met. "Right ... now kiss. Pablo moved to object but Mike growled dangerously, "Do it, boy ... now!"
Hesitantly the men came together and their lips touched for a few seconds before pulling away. But their eyes held steady, eyes they had gazed into lovingly for years, and they kissed again. Still tentative at first, it grew steadily stronger and became a grinding passionate embrace.
Maybe if it wasn't love conquering all, it certainly was lust conquering hostility. When at last they pulled apart Mike said, "I've always heard that Darius's cock and Pablo's ass are a match made in heaven. Well, we ain't made it to heaven yet, but you are gonna fuck – in front of all these guys, and especially your boys."
When they hesitated, Mike said. "OK, if you can say to me and each other that you don't wanna fuck you can leave. What's it to be?"
By now they were both sporting massive boners. They kissed again and sank slowly to their knees. Pablo's hand slid down to Darius's pants and he traced the long thick bulge running down his leg. Suddenly Pablo turned round and knelt on all fours, his perfect ass on full display in his tight jeans, framed by the round opening in his leather chaps.
Darius's gleaming green eyes zeroed in on the ass he had fucked so many times. He bent forward over Pablo, reached round to the front, pulled open the studs of his chaps and ripped open his jeans. He eased back, pulled the chaps and jeans down over Pablo's ass and stared at the perfect white globes. "Fuck," he moaned, leaned down and buried his face between the warm cheeks, licking the ass he was about to fuck.
When at last he pulled back he unzipped his pants and pulled out his massive ten-inch black hunk of beef that was hard as steel and always brought gasps from anyone present – as it did now. The onlookers heard a quiet moan ... "Fuck me, dude. Please ..."
They watched in awe as the head of the cock pressed against the spit-slick hole and began to slide in – inch after inch after inch – until, unbelievably, Darius's wiry black pubes were pressing against the white flesh of Pablo's ass. Darius shrugged off his leather vest and the muscles of his bare torso flexed as he grabbed Pablo's hips from behind and held the ass steady for the long slow fuck that followed.
The spectators were riveted by the sight of the macho Mestizo mechanic, braced on hands and knees, being butt-fucked by the thick shaft of the black, muscular leather boy. The only one whose eyes were not fixed on the pair was Charlie. Unlike the others, he was not sexually aroused watching two guys fuck, even guys as stunningly beautiful as these two.
But since he came to the tribe Charlie had developed a talent for guy-watching, which he did now. He watched a confident Mike, sprawled in his chair, take a casual drink of beer, a satisfied, mission-accomplished look on his face. His boy Larry was gazing at Mike with shining eyes, in rapt admiration for his man, the wisest, most authoritative member of the tribe who could bend even the most obstinate of men to his will, as he had just proved.
And of course Charlie paid close attention to his own boys, Vic and Noah, and he was impressed to see them comforting the shaken Tyler and Ryan. Noah and Vic were technically junior to the other two boys, and Ryan, as assistant office manager, was their supervisor. But since meeting Charlie the boys were transformed from shy rookies into confident young men, with the maturity to show kindness and compassion for their nervous buddies.
And, highly alert to the whole scene was, the ever watchful Eddie, taking it all in with the detailed eyes of an accomplished photographer. He looked over at Charlie, smiled his crooked smile and said quietly, "Beautiful, ain't it dude?"
<><> ALL IN A DAY'S WORK <><>
By now Pablo was lying on the ground on his back, legs hooked over Darius's shoulders who knelt behind him, still fucking. Now at last they were gazing into each other's eyes, their anger vanquished by lust, now tempered with love. The action of the reconciled jocks grew hotter and heavier, with the long black rod pistoning in and out of the world-class butt.
Some of the boys were stroking their own cocks, staring in awe at the muscular mechanic being ploughed by the black leatherman, the most senior boys of the tribe now reunited as lovers. Their half-naked bodies gleamed, they panted harder and their shouts echoed round the garden as Darius poured hot semen into Pablo, who jerked off all over his heaving chest.
The spectators cheered and Mike got to his feet. "Well done, guys. It's always good to see love triumph. Now I think you both have something to say to your boys, so I suggest the four of you get your asses in the pool.
Tyler and Ryan stood up and said to Mike in unison, "Thank you sir." They ran over to their men and helped them pull off the leather pants and chaps. The men put their arms over the boys' shoulders as they sauntered naked to the pool.
Charlie grinned and raised his beer. "Mike, old buddy, that was a masterclass in control and discipline."
"Ah, all in a day's work for a bar owner. When those bikers in the bar get drunk they often pick a fight. I've had to throw a lot of them out bodily, but I never let them drive away mad and drunk. I'd rather impound their bikes. Usually I plie them with coffee and talk them down with tough love, like I just did with those two young studs – and like I've had to do with your brother Randy.
"Like I said, this house is a refuge where guys can relax and make love. So now the bullshit is out of the way we can have fun. You know, Charlie, Eddie here used to be the barback at my bar, but you've obviously come a long way since then eh, you young rascal?. I'm proud of you.
"So kiddo, how about we take Charlie and his boys to the bar later for the beer bust? That'll get the customers' dicks hard – a hot hunky real-life cowboy. Just one thing, Eddie. I don't want you kneeling on the floor of the back room selling blowjobs for tips, boy."
"No need, sir. The rodeo guys are paying me big bucks for this photo-shoot, with my faithful assistants here."
Mike smiled. "Two more boys who've come a long way, thanks to Charlie. And there's plenty more action to come.
"You know what they say, `It ain't over till the fat lady sings. And we ain't even got a fat lady." Mike roared with laughter at his own joke.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
TO BE CONTINUED IN "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 579
Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter turned you on, 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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