A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 586 by Rob Williams

CHAPTER 586 – "THE GYM COACH & THE ROOKIE"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Young Felipe, new to the tribe, must still undergo an initiation by the powerful, seductive gypsy boss Randy. He reports nervously to the tribe's gym where coach Randy gives the rookie a pep talk and guides him through his first workout. The boy's reward is what he once feared, now craves. The muscled coach towers naked over the rookie and growls, "You know what comes next, kid."

<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>

The new boy Felipe had at last made love to his friend, the blond surfer Jamie, in the way he had wanted all along. He had offered his ass to Jamie, who came inside him for the first time ... and Felipe had fallen helplessly in love.

After arriving alone and undocumented in the U.S., 18-year-old Felipe had fitted in quickly with the tribe. With his experience as a cook he had become assistant chef to the tribe's three other young chefs. And when he befriended the feisty young gardener Finn, they had come up with a plan to expand the small vegetable garden and grow their own to supply the kitchen.

There were other major plans afoot too, in the construction company that supported the tribe. At a dinner for the whole tribe, big boss Randy described the expansive growth of the company and the reassigned roles for the bosses – Zack, Seth, and the senior boys Darius and Pablo.

When he got near the end of his long speech Randy started to get bogged down in convoluted logic – one minute saying that all disputes should be settled by "making love, not war" but then adding, "Well, almost all. There are times when a fist to the face or a knee to the groin are the only way to make a guy see sense."

From then on the speech deteriorated into good-natured to-and-fro banter between Randy and the young redheaded chef Will.

Randy looked down at the upturned freckled face with its impish grin, and a smile spread over his stubbled gypsy face. "Dammit, Red, we sound like a double act – Randy and Red. We should take it on the road." He looked up at the amused crowd. "Fuck, this speech is getting all screwed up and going downhill fast." He appealed to his lover next to him. "Bob you should write my material in future."

"Are you kidding?" Bob laughed, "Randy, when did you ever stick to a script? Or obey any rules, for that matter?"

Amid renewed cheers Zack stood up and put his arm over Randy's shoulder. "Guys, I wanna personally thank my old buddy Randy here for guiding us through this new phase in our company. He and Bob are a great team, the rock our company and tribe are built on. But as that marathon speech of his appears to be circling the drain at last, guys, let's hear it for the big sexy bossman.

Randy received a standing ovation with thunderous cheers and stomping feet. But he broke through the din and roared, "OK, men, let's cut the crap and eat. I'm fucking starved."

Randy sat down and kissed Bob on the cheek. "Buddy, I know I should have thanked you personally. Everyone knows that none of this – work, home, tribe – would be possible without you. Hell, I wouldn't be possible without you. They all know that, and love and admire you. But instead of thanking you publicly I'd rather save it for later when we're alone upstairs together."

"Much better idea. Randy. That way you can think of new ways to thank me and take a long, long time doing it. Dammit, now I've got such a boner my pants it looks like a circus tent.

When the whole table was served, the chefs took their seats, with Felipe next to Jamie, across from Randy. "Sir," he said, "I want to thank you for the kind things you said about me just now."

"Ah, you deserved it, kid. But I ain't finished with you yet. That's a nice tight body you got there, you just need to build a bit more muscle. So gym tomorrow? I'll get home a bit after five, so can you get time off from the kitchen?"

"I'm working breakfast and lunches tomorrow sir, but not dinners. So I'll be ready."

Randy grinned his dark seductive grin. "Are you sure you'll be ready, kiddo?"

"Oh he'll be ready," Jamie smiled. "I can personally vouch for that, after what we did, eh bro?"

"What Jamie means, sir," Felipe smiled, "is that I'm broken in."

"Dude, no boy is broken in until he's had a gym workout with me. See you at five, kid."

========= CHAPTER 586 =========

<><> UNWRAPPING GIFTS <><>

The big dinner had been given for the whole tribe so they could hear direct from Boss Randy about the major expansion of the construction company. And there was still an air of celebration when at last the party broke up and men and boys paired off to go to their beds.

Young Felipe was living in the apartment of his friend Jamie and the macho blond cop Mark. The previous night, his first in the apartment, he had felt a need to express his newfound independence by sleeping alone in his own room. But earlier today he and Jamie had made love and, when Jamie at last butt-fucked him, Felipe had fallen totally in love.

So Felipe eagerly agreed when Mark said, "Felipe, how about you share our bed with Jamie and me tonight, now that you really are one of the family?

"No fooling around, though, guys," the motorcycle cop added. "We've all gotta get up at crack of dawn tomorrow – me for an early shift, Jamie to take off for another day filming at the beach, and you Felipe to report to the kitchen for breakfast duty."

That suited the boys fine. After the excitement of a crowded day, all they really wanted was to sleep close together, and the presence in the bed of a handsome, naked cop was a bonus.

Meanwhile, across the compound in their own house, the tribe's leaders Randy and Bob were also still in a celebratory mood. Over a brandy nightcap Bob said, "So, that all seemed to go off well, don't ya think?"

"You don't think my speech went on too long?" Randy asked. "Jeez that's a boisterous crowd ... as they say in showbiz, tough room."

"They got the message though, and liked it," Bob said. "That was some standing ovation you got. Maybe that double-act back and forth with young Will was a bit off topic, but it was entertaining. You really love that freckled young redhead, don't you?"

Randy grinned. "I know we're not supposed to have favorites, but young Red is one of mine. He's respectful and cheeky at the same time – and he sure takes care of me, with the special sirloin steak he cooks for me, and that old Scotch he stashes away just for me. Yeah, him and me got a thing going alright."

"And he worships you, Randy ... ever since that first time when he was the new boy here and you worked him out in the gym and then fucked his ass. And talking of fucking new boys, you'll go easy on Felipe in the gym tomorrow, won't you? He's brand new to the feel of a dick up his ass – only Mark and Jamie so far."

"Dude, you know I hate it when you tell me how to treat the boys. You know damn well I protect them all and I would never hurt any of them." He winced, "Well, except those few times I got angry and lost it."

"Few times?" Bob laughed. "You're like dynamite with the fuse lit, could blow at any time."

"Yeah," Randy grinned, "So don't push your luck, dude, or you'll be next."

"I thought I was gonna be next anyway, big guy, after what you said at dinner – about not thanking me publicly `cos you were saving it up for when we were alone up here. Well, here we are ... up here ... and alone. So...?"

Randy took a last shot of brandy, wiped the back of his big hand across his mouth and a seductive blue-eyed smile lit his dark, chiseled features. "I suppose you hope I'm gonna ream your gorgeous ass, eh? But we been there, done that, buddy – many, many times. No I got another thank-you gift in mind. Let me unwrap it for you."

Randy stood up and pulled Bob up to face him. And, staring into each other's eyes, they went through the ritual foreplay that always turned them both on so much. Randy pulled his T-shirt off over his head while Bob slowly unbuttoned his smart dress shirt, exposing his muscled chest, and shrugged it off.

They reached forward and ran their hands over each other's ripped torso, then Randy pulled Bob against him in a churning kiss, their chests grinding together. "Mmm ..." Bob sighed, "that's all the thanks I need, dude, just being here with you like this."

"I know what you mean, dude, but I've got another gift in mind." Randy eased off his boots and dropped his jeans while Bob kicked off his loafers and dropped his slacks. They held each other at arm's length with admiring gazes. "Dude," Randy said, "all that company stuff at dinner, I'd give it all up in a heartbeat if you asked me to. All I need in life is this ... what we got right here."

Randy grabbed Bob's forearm and led him to the bed – a prelude, Bob thought, to being thrown on his back on the bed as a sacrifice to the powerful, shaggy gypsy. But he was wrong.

Randy yanked back the covers of the bed ... then threw himself on it buck naked. He lay on his back smiling up at Bob and slid his heels back to offer his ass. "Not the first time I've said thanks this way, dude..."

"But it always feels like the first time, Randy. Best thank-you gift I could have. You are the best gift a guy could have, buddy." He knelt on the bed and slid his rigid cock inside his gypsy lover.

<><> THE GUYS GET TO WORK <><>

Next morning everyone made an early start, eager to put yesterday's big news into action. Reluctantly, Jamie, Mark and Felipe got out of bed and got dressed – Mark in his police uniform, Felipe in T-shirt and shorts under his kitchen apron, while Jamie pulled on just his red lifeguard shorts and flipflops, his `uniform' for his day at the beach.

They trooped across to the kitchen where Will was already packing up the box lunches for Jamie's crack-of-dawn departure with Nate and Eddie for another day's filming in Malibu. Mark and Jamie sat at the kitchen table and Felipe poured coffee for them and gave them oatmeal, yogurt and berries, then whipped up omelets.

Nate and Eddie came in, Eddie rubbing bleary eyes and complaining, "That's the trouble with movies in Hollywood, everything starts so early."

"Yeah," Jamie said, "but spare a thought for poor Grady. He has to report to hair and makeup and hour before we get there, with touch-ups throughout the day. Must be exhausting, being at the center of things, all that attention. I know Mario worries about his workload."

They all quickly polished off their eggs and toast and Mark said, "OK, I gotta hit the road." He kissed Jamie and Felipe and left the room. The handsome blond cop strode across the garden followed by five pairs of hungry eyes – not to mention five bulging boners.

"We gotta go too, guys," Jamie said. He got up and kissed Felipe. "You have a great day, bro."

"Thanks, Jamie. Finn told me that his landscaper guy, Mario, will probably come down from that, er, Grady House, to help us with our garden plans."

"Prob'ly to check you out too, kiddo," Eddie quipped. Felipe looked puzzled and Nate frowned and kicked Eddie under the table. "Oops," Eddie grinned. "That mouth's gonna get me in real trouble one day."

"One day?" Jamie grinned. "Too late, dude, it already did. Come on, before you dig a hole you can't get out of."

After they left, Felipe asked. "What did Eddie mean, Will?"

"Ah, nothing, you know Eddie. Just that Mario likes to get to know all the new guys who join the tribe, like he did with all of us. You'll like him. He's the sweetest guy – great looking too, Italian, with that classy Mediterranean look and sexy accent."

Now left alone, Will and Felipe worked hard, as usual, to set up the buffet breakfast. There was a sense of eager expectation in the air as guys like the office staff ate quickly, wanting to get into the office and start building the computer programs needed to support the new construction project. Ryan loved work like this, creating something brand new, to the exacting specifications of the City. The manager Brandon got busy assigning the many new tasks to Vic and Noah.

When breakfast was over, Will and Felipe tidied the kitchen in readiness for the lunch effort that would begin in a few hours. Then they were free for a couple of hours, and Felipe used his time to look for Finn, whom he found weeding the vegetable garden with his pal Tyler.

"Hey dude," Finn said. "Just tidying up a bit here with Tyler, `cos Mario is on his way to give us his suggestions. He was a landscape architect when he lived in Italy, but now he's ..."

Finn trailed off, not wanting to get into the subject of Mario's lover Grady – he'd leave that to Mario himself. He was saved by the sound of a car pulling up outside.

<><> THE TRUTH ABOUT GRADY <><>

Felipe was kneeling down pulling up weeds. When he straightened up he inhaled sharply at the sight of a handsome, virile man walking toward them. Will had described Mario well, with his classic Italian looks, tousled black hair, dark chiseled features and naturally muscular physique. He wore stylish blue shorts, a white linen shirt open halfway down his chest, and slider sandals.

He hugged Finn and Tyler and smiled, "Ciao, amici, so nice to see you both again. And rumor has it you have a new friend. Felipe stood up, Mario stepped back to admire him and said, "Si, perfetto ... ciao bambino, vieni qui. He stretched out his arms, with a dazzling smile, and embraced him. "We have been hearing so much about you, Felipe, and now I look at you it's obvious you and Jamie go well together. You will be lovers, I can tell."

"Hello, sir," Felipe said with a shy blush.

"You see, amico, we live a very sheltered life in the Grady House but the grapevine keeps us well informed. Our boy Brian calls his lover Brandon down here all the time and passes the gossip onto us. My friend Grady lives for gossip – and a few other things," he smiled playfully. "How are you settling in here with all these handsome men and boys?"

"Very well, thank you, sir. I already have a job as assistant junior chef and ... and I have Jamie, of course." His blush got deeper.

"And a charming British accent too ... impeccabile ... so elegant. Where does that come from?"

"In my country I worked for a British family who spoke with an accent they called `up-market'. That's where I learned most of my English."

"It suits you very well," Mario smiled. "Bene, signori, shall we get to work? So, this is the vegetable garden you want to expand. Excellent idea. Was it yours?"

"Sir," Felipe said, "I want to introduce the guys here to my favorite ethnic Hispanic dishes but they call for vegetables that are hard to find in stores here."

"I know just what you mean, Felipe. I have given our chef Danny recipes from my native Tuscany, but he too has found it difficult to find some of the indigenous vegetables. Maybe once your project is going I could give you a list, if you have space here to grow them."

"Of course we can, sir," Finn said eagerly. "It'll be our way of thanking you."

"Eccelente. So let's make a start. Finn, do you still have the plan of the garden we mapped out last time?"

"I brought it down here with me, sir – on the table there." They all sat at the garden table and Mario spread out the plans. "Right, so the existing vegetable garden is well placed with a mix of sun and shade, shielded from the wind, and the soil is good. I suggest you extend it along the wall here, over what is more or less wasted land right now. Let me sketch it out for you."

The boys fell silent as they watched Mario draw the outline of how he envisaged the garden. And while he sketched Mario chatted casually to Felipe. "So, amico, you come from Honduras, is that right?"

"Yes, sir. I was born and raised there and graduated from the Honduran Culinary Academy in Tegucigalpa. But there were no jobs available so I went to work for the English family until they got tired of the crime and left."

"Are you still in contact with the family? Or friends in Honduras."

"Oh no, sir. After the family went back to England I didn't try to stay in touch. As for friends, I turned my back on all that when I ran away. The friends I had put me in danger, so there's no way I would ever speak to them again."

"Ah" Mario nodded with a satisfied look. Finn and Tyler both knew exactly what Mario was doing, the same as he had done with both of them and all the other boys when they were new. At the time they were not aware of his motive, and Felipe wasn't now. Mario was ultra-cautious about Grady's privacy and in his quiet, subtle way always made sure that when new boys found out who Grady really was, they would not excitedly blab and boast to all their friends.

"And when you came here, you knew no one? No friends or distant relatives?"

"Not a soul, sir. That's why meeting Jamie on the beach was my salvation. Now I live in this kind of wonderful bubble. Until Bob's lawyer friend has started to process my work-permit application I can't go out, but I don't mind at all. I love living and working here and ... and I could never leave Jamie, no matter what."

"Yes, I once met Bob's friend Alistair – a very nice man and skilled immigration attorney. You're in safe hands with him."

As Mario continued his sketching, Felipe looked at him and cleared his throat. "Er, sir ... can I ask you something?"

"Of course, amico."

"Well, sir ... all these questions. Were you kind of checking me out? Does it have to do with my immigration, sir?"

"Immigration? No, oh no bambino I am not an immigration spy, not at all." He smiled and kissed Felipe on the cheek. "But I am, as the boys say here, `busted'. You have found me out, that was very smart of you. I was checking you out, but for an entirely different reason. As Finn and all the other boys can tell you."

"And did I pass the test, sir?"

"With flying colors, Felipe, and I apologize for my subterfuge. By way of explanation let me ask you a rather strange question. Did you ever see either of those big Tarzan movies that showed all over the world fairly recently?"

Surprised, Felipe stammered, "Er, yes sir. Of course I did, both of them, like everyone else. With that Grady guy who's so ..." He stopped, and Mario could almost see the light bulb go on.

"You mean, sir, your friend Grady ... the Grady House ... that Grady? Is he that Grady, sir?"

"The very same, Felipe, and I apologize again for playing these silly games and going such a long way round to tell you. But picture this. You are an average teenager and you find out that the macho movie heartthrob has an Italian male lover and is friends with a tribe of men who all have sex with each other. What would the average teenager do?"

Felipe smiled at last. "Get on the phone and tell all his friends, and they would tell all their friends ..."

"And the press would get a hold of it and it would be in all the tabloids," Mario smiled. "And what would happen to the current movie Grady's shooting where he plays Hunter, a handsome stud lifeguard captain who makes out with all the girls?"

"I get it, sir, of course. And that's why all the guys here went quiet when I asked what the Grady House was and who lived there. Sworn to secrecy, of course. But sir, if I ever met him I would be totally intimidated. I mean, he's this great big, gorgeous movie star, and I'm just this ..."

"No, no, amico, don't give me `just this' anything. You are a wonderful boy who would make a good friend for anyone, even a hotshot movie star. Wait until you meet him, Felipe, you'll see what a wonderful easy-going man he is, who loves to be treated as just one of the guys.

"Felipe, you said just now you live in a wonderful bubble. Well Grady and I do too, with our boy Brian and our chef/house manager Danny. Grady can't go out and socialize much `cos he gets mobbed, and the paparazzi are always around. Our large house has very tight security, Randy and Mark see to that. So there, bambino, you see, why I had to check you out?"

"Of course, sir, and thank you for trusting me with this information. And I swear to you I would never breathe word to anyone outside the tribe." He laughed, "I have no one to breathe a word to, as you found out, sir." He suddenly frowned in thought. "But, er, Jamie works with Grady on the movie, so he's a special friend of a movie star."

"Jamie doesn't see it like that, Felipe. He's a good buddy of a man he likes, and helps, a lot. But Jamie's special friend is Mark, of course, and now you, amico." Mario smiled warmly. "Come here and give me a hug, Felipe, to show me we're friends."

They hugged and Mario kissed Felipe on the lips. "Hey, you two," came Bob's playful voice. "If you're gonna get into stuff like that, get a room."

<><> BOB & MARIO TAKE A COFFEE BREAK <><>

Mario stood up. "Bob, how nice to see you again. And don't worry, I was not trying to seduce your new chef away from you, although he would be a great help for our chef Danny."

The two men hugged and Bob turned to the three boys. "Wow, you guys sure got down to work fast on the new plan. How's it going?"

"Here, come and take a look, Bob," Mario said, pointing to the map on the table. "See, it'll be quite a large expansion and Felipe has even promised to plant some vegetables our Danny can't find in stores, for my Tuscan recipes."

Bob studied the map, asked a few questions and smiled. "We should have done this a long time ago, but of course we didn't have Felipe then."

"And now your do, amico, and a welcome addition he is – especially for Jamie, I'm sure."

"Look," Bob said, "I have to go to my office upstairs and go over the figures for the new construction project – very tedious – but don't leave, Mario, without coming up to chat over coffee and a morning snack."

"Sir," Felipe said, "I could make you coffee and sandwiches if you like."

"That would be nice, Felipe, but you're off-duty right now."

"Oh I don't care about that, sir, I prefer to be working."

So it was settled. Bob went back to his office, leaving Mario and the boys to finalize their plan. A short while later Mario went up to Bob, while Felipe got to work in Bob's private kitchen.

Seeing Bob poring over his laptop, Mario smiled. "Such a lot of work this expansion is giving you, I'm sure. Your man Randy certainly knows how to bring in the contracts."

Bob chuckled, "You know Randy, Mario – no one can say no to him, not even the bureaucrats at City Hall. Thing is he always brings in a project on time and under budget and they've learned to like and trust him. And Randy believes in limitless growth for our company. Ah, coffee."

Felipe came in with a tray of coffee, juice, and a plate piled with sandwiches, and set them on a table. Bob thanked him, he left, and Mario smiled, "He is such a sweet boy, and I love that he even took the time to put on his apron before serving us."

"He's so proud of being our assistant chef, Mario. You're right, he's a sweetheart, and Jamie's crazy about him. About time Jamie had a boy. Well, not a boy in Jamie's case, more like a younger brother for him to protect and nurture." Bob grinned. "I suppose you checked him out in your usual subtle interrogation, Mario?"

"I did, amico, and you know he's the first boy ever to guess what I was doing, except he thought it had to do with his immigration status. He's a very bright boy."

They sat at the table and Bob poured the coffee. "But enough about us, Mario, you've heard all about us on the grapevine, I'm sure. How's it going up at the Grady House?"

Mario's brow clouded over and he looked down at the table. "Oh, just fine ... you know."

Bob reached forward, lifted Mario's chin and smiled. "But not really eh? Come on buddy, this is Bob, you can talk to me. So spill."

<><> Solving The Grady Problem <><>

Mario sighed deeply. "Oh Bob, I've needed to talk to someone for so long, and there's no one I trust more than you."

"It's about Grady, I suppose."

"Of course ... and the same subject as usual, his workload. Bob, he's working so hard on this movie. When he comes home he smiles and puts on a brave face, but I can tell he's all wound up inside. Nobody knows what it's like for him, being the center of attention all the time, carrying a big expensive movie on his shoulders, broad as they are.

"The beach scenes are especially hard, a long difficult shoot with two dozen surfing extras. If a few of them mess up nobody notices, but if Grady screws up the director yells cut' and the take is ruined. He told me he dreads the words, Let's go again, guys', with take after take.

"Thank heaven he has Jamie, Eddie and Nate with him, really close friends, different from the rest of the crew who all love him but are in awe of him. He says Jamie is a lifesaver – he doesn't take any nonsense from Grady, tells him when he's wrong, one friend to another, and explains his mistakes. Grady says he wouldn't make it without those three guys. In his darkest moods Eddie always makes him laugh.

"But Grady's not allowed dark moods, Bob. He has to be the one who's always cheerful, encouraging the rest of the crew when the going gets rough. Do you know how hard it is to keep smiling all through the day? When he comes home I can tells he's totally exhausted.

"And it doesn't stop with the beach. When he's not filming there he still has the studio scenes to shoot, and he doesn't have Jamie and the guys there to buoy him up. Frankly, Bob, I'm worried about him. He really needs a break, somewhere he can really relax and be himself."

Bob said, "OK, Mario, I hear you. So what can we do? There has to be something we can do. He obviously can't take a vacation as the movie schedule is so tight. But does he have any time off coming up?

"Actually, Monday and Tuesday of next week, so he'll have a four-day weekend. But we can't possibly go away. That's never restful with all the attention he gets. He wants to act normally, like any other guy."

Bob grinned. "Just be one of the guys, eh? Sounds like a party. So how about one of those big bashes you give at the Grady House?"

Mario sighed. "I thought of that, Bob and I wish we could. But all of your guys are super busy with this new expansion and I couldn't possibly impose on you to ..."

"Hold it right there, buddy. When I went down to the garden just now to see Finn, Tyler and Felipe, I said `Wow, you guys sure got to work fast'. See, everyone's instinct when there's a new project is to leap right in and start work. But my training always told me that a pause for rest and reflection makes the team much more productive when they finally roll up their sleeves. It's a bit like that old saying, when you have a problem, sleep on it and you'll find a solution.

"The construction sites are usually closed for the weekend, except for emergencies, and the plan details still have to be finalized before work begins in earnest. So I would like the whole tribe to take a weekend to relax and breathe. And what better place to do that than a Grady House party? Some of our guys would even be able to stretch it to four days.

"Oh, I know it means a shitload of work for the boys, but with nobody left here I could loan you our four chefs – the twins, Will and now Felipe too. Danny would have his lover Tommy to help. Mario, I really think it could work."

Mario had tears in his eyes as he reached forward and squeezed Bob's hand. "Bob, I love you so much, amico."

"Ah, I'm being selfish too, `cos I also worry about Randy overworking. He's pretty much a workaholic, and when he gets the bit between his teeth, as he has now over this new project, he drives himself pretty hard. A weekend up there with you guys before the hard work starts is just what he needs."

Mario gave a shy smile. "Er, talking of Randy, Bob, there's something else I wanted to mention, though it's hard to know how to put it, it sounds so weird. Let me try to explain. The director and whole crew think the world of Grady and they treat him very well – hell, they've got so much riding on him. So for example, when he asks for coffee, there's a cup in his hand in seconds.

"But so much attention can have the reverse effect. So many of them are in awe of him, catering to his every whim. Some of the younger ones would grovel before him. But that's the point, Bob, he gets tired of being up there on a pedestal. He sometimes wants to reverse roles. He wants to be the one groveling. Does that sound as weird to you as it does to me?"

"No, Mario, I understand, and I think I know where you're going with this. You started by saying, `And talking of Randy ...' So we are talking of Randy, right? You said you can't put it into words, but I can. Instead of being built up onto a pedestal, he needs to be torn down. Instead of worship he needs domination, someone to make him grovel and to pound his ass. In short, he needs a dose of gypsy savagery. And I know only one guy who fits that description."

Mario smiled. "You put it so well, Bob."

"Ah it's not so unusual. We've all heard of the powerful business executive, throwing out orders to subordinates, who later seeks release by kneeling to a dominatrix talking dirty to him. I'm sure our resident shrink Doc Steve could explain that phenomenon. Another guy who understands it is Randy himself. If I mention Grady's problem to him I can hear his deep growl now – `Ah, I know what that dude needs. He needs a big fat dick up his ass'."

Mario laughed. "You're absolutely right, Bob. Oh I love you two guys, such a perfect team."

"Actually, what concerns me right now is young Felipe and the gypsy construction boss. See, when Randy gets home from work today he's gonna meet Felipe in the gym downstairs for his first workout."

"Uh-oh. We all know what that means," Mario smiled.

"Of course Randy would never hurt a boy, especially a boy like Felipe whose courage he admires. And I'm equally sure that by the end of the workout Felipe will be craving sex with Randy, like all the other boys before him – the men too. It's just that Felipe is so new to us."

"Bob," Mario smiled, "I wouldn't worry about that young man. My impression of him was a boy who knows his own mind and can take care of himself. Heavens, he made that harrowing three-thousand-mile trek to L.A. all alone, didn't he? I can see why Randy admires him so much."

"Yes, you're right, of course. I should stop worrying. OK, so do we have a deal? Party this weekend at your place? I'll alert our chefs that they'll be getting a call from Danny. They'll be thrilled, and with Tommy that makes six, and they can work in shifts so they can enjoy the party too." Bob laughed, "Any other problems I can help you with Mario?"

"Well, I could ask you to do something about the erection I have in my shorts just sitting here with you. But as we're both busy we'd better leave that for another day."

"Any day you say, you sexy Italian. I'll be ready."

<><> A PEP TALK FROM THE COACH <><>

Word of the party idea spread quickly and Will explained it to Felipe as they worked on lunch prep in the kitchen. "Parties at the Grady House are a lot of fun, a gathering of the whole tribe. It's a lot of work for the chefs but with five of us we'll all have time off to join the party. Danny's lover Tommy used to be a party planner so he's in charge of setting it up and tending bar."

Felipe frowned. "I'm a bit nervous of meeting Grady though, Will. Almost as nervous as meeting Randy in the gym this afternoon."

"Well don't be, dude, on either count. Grady's a really nice guy and loves being just one of the guys. He'll probably pump you for gossip, he loves that. As for Randy, you'll have a good time with him in the gym. He'll work you hard, push you to your limit and a tad more.

"But one thing I've told you before, Felipe, is that Randy loves all the boys and is a fierce protector of all of us. He would never hurt a boy, and never force himself on anyone sexually. Only guys he does that to is any thug he beats up. Then watch out – he's like the Terminator."

That reassured Felipe somewhat, but as the afternoon wore he became more tense, until at last he heard Randy's big truck pull up at the gate. He went nervously down to the large, well-equipped gym in the basement that he found intimidating. He sat on a bench, shoulders hunched and tensed when he heard the sound of heavy boots coming down the stairs.

As always Randy burst in like a tornado, coming straight from the construction site in work-boots, dirt-streaked cargo pants and a sweaty, frayed tank top hanging over his muscled chest.

Felipe stood up and Randy grinned, "Good, you're on time kiddo. That's the first lesson about working out. You've gotta have a schedule, stick to it and be on time. Too many distractions in life that make guys skip the gym." He frowned as he saw Felipe trembling a little.

"Second lesson is to like and trust your coach. Come here, kiddo." He pulled the boy toward him and wrapped his burly arms round him. Felipe's face was pressed against the construction boss's chest and he inhaled the smell of grease and sweat. But oddly, feeling the power in Randy's body reassured him a little, gave him a sense of safety.

Randy pulled back at last, his swarthy gypsy features lit with a gleaming smile, pale blue eyes sparkling. "So, kid, how d'ya like our gym?"

A bit intimidating, sir. I've never really been in a gym before. Too many gang members in my neighborhood gym in Honduras, so I steered clear of it and went for long walks on my own for exercise."

Once again Randy's heart went out to this gutsy kid, going for walks all alone, nervously steering clear of trouble. "Well the only gang member here, kiddo, is me, and you're not scared of me, are you?"

Felipe blushed. "A bit, sir. You always scare me a bit."

"Dammit, what is it about me that scares so many boys at first? I hate that. I love all you kids. OK, so that's another aim of this workout – train you to like the trainer. And another thing. I'm not good at foreign names like Felipe. I got my own names for lots of the boys – like calling Will Red. So how about I call you Phil? How's that sound?"

Felipe managed a smile. "Sounds good, sir, makes me sound like an American."

"Well, you are American, dude – good as, anyway, once Bob does his immigration thing – and in spite of that posh English accent you picked up along the way. Bob has a classy accent like yours, always makes my dick hard – well, that and his drop-dead gorgeous face and body and the fact that I'm insanely in love with him.

"But here I go disobeying my own third rule of the gym – cut the chat and get on with the weights. So many of those gym jocks stand around gabbing all the time. Right, so let's get dressed for action, Phil. You bring gym shorts?"

"Er, no sir, I don't have any."

"Well you do now. We got a whole pile over here. He walked over to a pile of discarded clothes and gear by the wall, rummaged through it and pulled out a pair of shorts. "Here, these were my kid brother Ben's, I think. He's about your size, they should fit. And here are mine, stink a bit but that kinda goes with the territory."

Randy tossed the smaller shorts to Felipe. "Shorts and sneakers, that's all you need. No bare feet – you drop a dumbbell on a bare foot and you'll have Doc Chad clamping it in a cast. Good luck with that in the kitchen – your boss, young Red, wouldn't approve. OK, let's strip for action."

Randy pulled his tank off over his head, bent down and unlaced his boots. Then he unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants and shorts. Felipe stared mesmerized at the naked gypsy with his ripped physique, the slabs of his pecs, eight-pack abs, muscled thighs, and his rugged, stubbled face and long shaggy black hair.

"What are you waiting for, kiddo?"

Randy smiled, moved by the shy way the boy modestly turned his back to him, clumsily shed his clothes and pulled on the shorts. Hesitantly, he turned around to face Randy, his shoulders slumped, face hanging down.

"Nah, that won't do, Phil. Next rule of the gym is attitude ... you gotta have attitude. Lift that head ..." Randy pushed the boy's chin up and made him look into his eyes. "Better. Now shoulders back, chest out. Good, now turn and face the mirror. That young man there is you, kid, get used to it. Like it, love it, 'cos he's a great guy – I know that and you should too."

Randy stood beside him. "Right, let's take a look at that body. It's what we call compact, slim but good proportion and definition. That's a perfect frame to build on. Much harder to take weight off a fat boy than put weight on a slim frame like yours. We'll have those muscles popping in no time. OK, copy me." Randy raised both arms, elbows bent and flexed his biceps in a classic bodybuilder pose.

Hesitantly Felipe did the same and blushed at the huge difference between the two mirror images. "Hold that pose, kid, and don't compare yourself with me. I'm a naturally big guy and I've been working in construction for years. You gotta be yourself. Randy dropped the pose and walked behind Felipe, who felt the gypsy's chest and bulge in his shorts pressing against him.

Randy wrapped his hands round Felipe's biceps and said, "See, you got the muscles, kid, just a matter of making them a bit bigger." Still pressing against him Randy reached round and ran his hands down over his chest, brushing his nipples then pressing against his abs. "It's all there, kiddo. Good definition. A few sessions here and it's all gonna pop.

"OK, before we get going, come here." Randy threw his leg over a bench and sat straddling it. He patted the bench for Felipe to sit, and he straddled it facing him, a rookie getting a pep talk from the coach..

Randy reached forward and held the boy's hands. "OK, you've probably gathered by now from stuff I've said that a lot of working out is in the mind. A positive attitude, strong self-esteem, setting goals for yourself, knowing what you want to achieve. What do you want out of this, Phil ... how do you want your body to look?"

Felipe blushed. "Well, sir ... to tell the truth, I, er, would like to end up looking like Jamie so he'll like me more."

"Aha. OK, the one thing wrong with that is the last bit – so he'll like me more'. Dude, Jamie loves you, and he's not gonna love you more just cos you've got bigger muscles. He loves you for what you are right now. Also, you shouldn't want to look like him `cos that ain't gonna happen. Jamie's an athlete, been a surfer for years, spending hours on the water working his body. That makes a certain kind of physique – the classic California surfer.

"You will end up, like I said, with a nicely proportioned, buff young body, but you shouldn't get too big, a mistake lots of guys make. A naturally buff body always looks sexier, and when it comes to sexy, kid, you're already halfway there.

"Right, so here endeth the pep talk. Ready to get started?"

"Er, one other thing, sir." The blush was back. "What if ... like right now ... I have an erection?"

"Only natural, kid and so much the better. Means the testosterone's running, gives you more energy." Randy laughed. "So join the club. When I get home after a day's hard physical labor, my dick's always rock hard. So I use that excess energy in a bone-crunching workout. Sometimes at the end I jerk off. Lot of guys do that after working out. Some guys, like our hot fireman Jason, beat off looking in the mirror, flexing, posing and getting off on himself.

"I understand that and, fuck, that guy's gorgeous enough to turn anyone on, especially himself. His boy is my brother Ben who loves watching Jason do that. But that's not for me. I'd rather go upstairs, walk in on Bob, throw him on the bed and ream his ass. I tell ya, looking at that stud is a real turn-on, works every time.

"But hey, what did I say about talking too much in the gym? Still, I had to give you this pep talk to prime you mentally. But now, you ready to rock `n' roll, kiddo?"

No more blushing, Felipe held his head high, shoulders back, chest out, and his eyes sparkled. "Yes please, sir."

<><> THE ROOKIE SUBMITS TO HIS COACH <><>

"Right, as this is all new to you we'll start with ultra-light weights. You won't feel anything at first but by the twelfth rep you'll be aching. Not that I believe in that tired old saying no pain no gain'. I prefer, feel the burn'. We'll start with an easy set of bench presses – no weight at first, just the bar itself until you feel the burn."

And so, the rookie workout got under way. Though Randy stood behind Felipe's head ready to spot him, he needed no assistance at first. So Randy added ten-pound weights to the bar, then more as he progressed. Now he did need a spot with the last few lifts, and Randy leaned forward and gently took the strain of the bar.

As Felipe strained and looked upward at Randy leaning forward over him, he saw the huge cock under his shorts pointing straight down at him. His focused wavered and he almost dropped the bar. Randy knew exactly the effect he was having on the boy, but said, "Concentrate on the bar and nothing else, kid."

And so it went throughout the session, with frequent physical contact. When Felipe stood between the cables, facing the mirror he stretched his arms up in a V to grab the handles, Randy pressed behind him and reached his arms up over Felipe's to help him adjust the forward lean and the grip on the handles. Again Felipe faltered as he felt Randy's sweaty pecs pressing against him and the huge bulge in his shorts pushing against his ass.

At one point Felipe lay on a mat on his back, hands clasped behind his head and raising his torso in ab crunches. But he kept raising his butt, so Randy knelt between his legs, leaned forward to grab his hips and press his butt on the ground. Felipe looked up at Randy who was in just the right position to fuck him. He gazed up into the seductive blue eyes set in the swarthy gypsy features, saw his shoulders bulge and his chest flex hard.

"Aaah," he gasped and felt his own rigid cock jerk and almost erupt. He fell back flat on his back and murmured, "Sorry, sir."

He worked hard, wanting to please Randy and earn his praise. He knew what reward boys got when they tried hard, and he knew now, beyond any doubt, that he wanted that same reward.

The hour was up at last and he lay flat on a bench, aching and energized. Randy stood over him, astride the bench, and grinned. Good job, kid, you worked really hard, I'm proud of you. How d'you feel?"

"Kind of ... really alive sir. I see what you mean by the testosterone flowing."

"Good, that's the general idea." Randy grabbed a towel, leaned down and wiped the sweat from Felipe's chest. The gypsy's long black hair flopped forward, framing his craggy face with it's square, stubbled jaw, and Felipe was mesmerized by the piercing blue eyes.

"Er, sir ... are we, er, done sir?"

"You want more kid?"

"It's just that, well, the other boys said that if they work hard and you praise them, they ... like ... get a reward."

Randy grinned, "Are you saying you want me to fuck your ass, boy? I thought you were scared of that so I promised not to do it."

"I was scared then sir, but ... but now, it's like you said. My dick is real hard sir, and ..."

"What would your pal Jamie say about that?"

"Oh, he said if I wanted it to go for it. I didn't think I would, but now ... please, sir."

"You dumb shit, of course I'm gonna fuck your ass, kid. I knew all along you'd want it. I just needed to hear you say please. OK, couple a' things ... I got a huge dick but don't let that scare you 'cos I won't hurt you. And any time you wanna stop, just say the word and I'll stop."

"Yes, sir."

"OK, shorts off. Let's see that cute ass. Show me what Jamie does when Mark comes home?"

Felipe was on familiar ground here. He pushed his shorts off, lay on his back on the floor mat, hooked his hands behind his knees and pulled his legs back.

"Perfect." Randy dropped his shorts and walked naked around the room as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as it was for him. Felipe gulped, his eyes focused on the huge schlong swinging between his thighs. He had second thoughts, that vanished in an instant, replaced by a craving to be overpowered by his macho gym coach.

Randy picked up from the pile of clothes and gear, a tube of lube that he squeezed on his cock. "Normally I don't use this ... spit's enough, or a dry fuck ... but for a rookie like you I do, just in case. I know you've already been ploughed by Mark and Jamie, but this is different. You ain't had cock `till you've take my cock. Watch while I lube it."

Felipe watched in awe as the coach's cock grew harder and swelled larger into an iron-hard shaft. He gulped again as Randy dropped to his knees behind his raised legs. "OK, I'll take it slow, and I'll know when it's getting too much for you." He leaned forward and braced his hands on the mat beside the boy's head.

Felipe felt the head press against his hole, which reflexively closed tight. "Nah, see that's what I mean by relax, kid. Take a deep breath, push down a bit on your ass and keep looking at my eyes. 'Cos they'll be fucking you too."

He was right. Felipe felt he was swimming in those limpid blue eyes and when the head of the cock pushed in over his sphincter he sighed, "Oh yes, sir. Fuck me, sir."

Randy was surprised how easily his massive cock slid into him. Only once was there a moment of panic that made him wince and Randy paused. Felipe took deep breaths and said. "I'm OK now, sir." After that it was plain sailing as the thick rod pushed all the way into the rookie's ass ... and paused before a final push over the inner sphincter into the hot inner depths."

Felipe's body jolted with a sensation he had never felt before. "Aaah ... aaah ... sir, I ..."

"Don't cum yet, boy. Whatever happens, hold back until I give you permission to shoot. That's your gym coach's cock inside your rookie ass, boy. He's the one gives the orders, right?"

"Yes, sir, I'll do what you say, sir. I love the feel of ... fuck me, sir. I can take it. I love it."

Randy was impressed by the new boy's ability to take his huge shaft without even flinching, and he made the most of it. He pulled all the way out and plunged in again, and again there was no fear or pain, only ecstasy in the boy's eyes. "You really want it, don't you kiddo?" he smiled.

"Yes please, sir. My ass is yours, sir. Fuck me hard."

Randy took him at his word and pumped harder until his rod was a piston driving in and out of his ass. Watching the boy carefully he saw exhilaration in his eyes. He was in a whole new world where he submitted totally to the authority of another man, the fierce gypsy pounding ass.

The jackhammering continued relentlessly, on and on, until Felipe lost all control and pounded his fists against the solid pecs that rose and fell over him. He was in Randy's power, impaled on this piledriving shaft, hypnotized by the deep voice and laser-blue eyes that drew him into a gypsy world of passion and raw lust. He would have done anything, given the master anything he demanded.

Randy could see all of this in the boy and knew he would soon not be able to fight off his craving to shoot his load. Randy gripped the boy's wrists and pinned them to the mat above his head. "Now you're helpless, boy, my prisoner, my rod in your ass, and you're gonna obey me."

"Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir ... anything."

"Right, your dick is straining to spill it's load but you need my permission. I'll give you an order instead. You're pinned down, can't touch your cock. But when I say the word, you're gonna shoot a bigger fucking load than you've ever shot in your life. Here we go, kid."

For the few final seconds Randy subjected the boy to his infamous savage fuck, his merciless cock ramrodding his ass. Felipe's eyes opened wide, his body on fire, not with pain but adoration – he worshipped the man. At last the deep voice growled, "I'm gonna fill your rookie ass with my hot jizz, kid. Do it now, boy. That's an order ... now!"

"Aaagh!" Felipe's scream filled the room as his body spasmed and a stream of semen shot up from his cock and splashed on Randy's heaving chest, followed by another as he felt the gypsy's cock swell inside him and flood his ass with hot, thick semen.

Felipe was panting, sobbing, "I love you, sir. I love you ... I ..." His eyes closed and his body slumped in exhaustion.

<><> RANDY EXPLAINS LOVE TO FELIPE <><>

Moments later Felipe became aware of a tongue licking the tears from his cheeks. When he opened his eyes he was gazing at Randy's smiling blue eyes, wrapped in his muscular arms. He stammered, "Thank you, sir. Was, er ... was I OK, sir?"

"Phil, my boy, you were a sensational fuck. I was surprised, you took my cock like a pro. Damn, you went ape-shit, you loved it ... I loved it. How do you feel now?"

"I feel ... wonderful, sir. Safer than I've ever felt in my life. I know you'll never let anyone take me away."

"Damn straight, kiddo. You're here to stay."

Lying comfortably in Randy's arms, Felipe frowned, "Sir, can I ask you a question? Can a man be in love with two people at once."

"Wow, that's a big one, kid. In a way, I guess. Take Bob, Mark and me. In a way we're all in love with each other, we've said so. But it's always a bit different. I mean, Bob and me are soulmates. I'd die without him, literally. But my love for Mark has a lot to do with masculine respect and admiration as well as love.

"Kiddo, love's a strange thing. I mean, take this tribe. In a way everyone here loves everyone else, but each couple is different. You got Pete and Brandon whose love is the quiet kind. When Ranger Pete comes home there's Brandon waiting for him. They kiss, make love, and spend a quiet evening together watching TV and stuff.

"Then you've Ben and Jason and that whole visual thing, and Zack and Darius and that butch leather stuff. But you know, no matter what the circumstances, the love they feel for each other, at its core, is the same thing. Love is love ... it just dresses up differently.

"You say you love me `cos of what we just did and I like that. But you're really in love with Jamie and that's how it should be. In a way, you two are both Mark's boys – and he's a lucky man.

And soon you're gonna see another example of passionate love at the Grady House party. Grady and Mario are soulmates too. You already saw how protective Mario is when he grilled you to make sure you wouldn't blab about him.

"Poor guy, Grady's going through a rough time with all that work and attention. It's tough to be up there on a pedestal all the time. But I know just what he needs. He needs someone to pull him off it, onto the ground, make his crawl."

"Like being dominated, sir, like you did me?"

"Yeah, only much rougher. I'll probably tie him down, humiliate him, and fuck the shit out of him. Make him beg. In his life, the movie crew, the public and the press, praise him all the time, even worship him. He needs to be forced to submit to a man and beg for mercy."

"And you're just the guy to do it, sir," Felipe smiled.

"Now how would you know a thing like that, kid? Oh yeah right, you just got a small taste of it. But enough about that, dude. Jamie and the guys will be back from the beach soon and Jamie will be looking for you. You've got a whole new story to tell him.

"As for me, I gotta go see Bob." Randy gave a conspiratorial smile. "And I'll tell you a little secret about that, kid. I'm not the master there. I may be the rough, tough one, but when I say to Bob `fuck you, asshole' it's a sign I've given in and he knows it. One word from Bob and I'm groveling at his feet. But don't tell anyone. Wouldn't like that to get around."

Felipe smiled, "Too late, sir, I think it already has. Everyone knows it. And when you say you're in love with Bob, you've got company, `cos I think everyone in the tribe is in love with Bob."

"Damn, you're a smart kid. And a great fuck too. Next time we work out in the gym, if you work hard you now know the reward you'll get."

"Yes please, sir."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 587

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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