OK. It's been a while since the previous chapter. Life intervenes. More accurately, work intervenes. Go back to previous chapters if you need. And please let me know if you're enjoying these stories.
From chapter seven...
"`OK, none of them is like what I was talking about. The older guy might become a partner but you're not used to being the bottom. Still there are real feelings there. The two Mexican and half-Mexican guys are partners and want you to join them when you can and already have feelings for you. The young Texan guy might actually want you as a partner if he grows up. I'm guessing he sensed a lot about you that you've not even realized until yesterday...
I know you said you have to go back there for library work. You should. But maybe you should come back here after that and give local guys a chance with you, too, now that we know you've come back to life. Don't buy a house anywhere until you figure yourself out.'
With that he gave a full kiss on the mouth and left.
Oh fuck."
All right. Guess I've been given my "marching orders". And how was I to figure myself out when I didn't know what there was to "figure". I had never had to figure myself out before and I didn't know how to start now! I mean, I'd been a loner and never knew much of anything about love and sex until I met Marc. So, I never even knew enough to even think about that or worry about either one then. And, of course, when I was with Marc, I never had to worry about either one since I had everything I wanted with him!
So, now I was supposed to "live" and I was supposed to "date" and go out with multiple guys to find a new "Mr. Right"? I've never "dated" in my life either. And why am I talking in quotation marks? I think I might need to do some therapy of some kind.
When I had the time, maybe I would... But for now, time to go back to Texas and get everything taken care of for the library.
I finally opened the email attachments from Chaz and Chuck (and Jorge, I guess). While I'm not a businessman, (I mean for God's sake my Master's is in Library Science! Grin), I had invested my money well over the years. Of course a lot of that was thanks to Jon Perelman, whom I had hired as my investment counselor years ago. I thought the proposal they had sent to develop the ranch made sense and would probably work. But I decided I should take it to Jon for his advice. While I could afford to lose the $500K they were asking for as "seed" money to develop the ranch, I would really rather not. I don't care how hot the guys there were. Money is money. Grin.
I got an appt. for late morning of the next day. Cool.
I slept a bit better, but the cheap motel was already getting to me. I wouldn't mind leaving it!
Jon stood up to greet me when I went into his office. He was about my age, but darker, Cuban? I had really never thought about it I guess. To my surprise he took me into his arms and gave me a big hug! And big hug is no exaggeration! I'm 6'2 and not a small guy, but Jon is probably 6'6 and built! I was swallowed up in his massive arms and chest.
To my intense embarrassment my cock went hard immediately! I had never thought of Jon as hot, at least consciously, but my cock sure did now!
I could tell Jon felt my erection against him as he released me. He looked at me intensely and saw my blush.
"I'm sorry", I said. "I don't know what came over me."
"I wouldn't mind if that did cum over me!" he quipped in reply.
If I could have turned redder, I would have. Was Jon gay and coming onto me? I have never even considered he might be gay? WTF? Jon saw my confusion and took pity on me.
"Ok, Mark, let's see the proposal from Texas." I looked at him in shock. "Mark, gay guys in this town love to talk. I probably know more about you and what's going on with you than you do."
Still embarrassed I had to nod, yes. At this point probably everybody in town did know more about me than I did about me. And that explained how he knew I'd welcome a sexual hug.
"And since you're now unattached and finally starting to get over Marc, you're a major topic of conversation among all of the gay guys in this small University town... And, by the way, running shirtless in the rain with your shorts plastered around your crotch certainly added to the interest."
If I could have died and been swallowed up by the ground I would have then. I could tell he had been trying to tease me and relax me, but that did not! He relented again. "Talk to Unca' Jon. What's goin' down?"
The thought of this huge guy who looked nothing like my real uncle calling himself my "Unca" did make me suddenly snort in laughter.
"That's better", he said. I handed him the proposal. He put on reading glasses to look at it in detail. And damn that made him look even hotter, even though I'm not sure I could have told you why.
"Hmm... OK. Creating a gay dude ranch... They're asking for the investment for creating some luxury suites on the ranch, a big swimming pool, buying a shuttle bus to bring in guys from the airport and those who will be staying in town and not on the ranch...They've got the horses, they've got the land, they've got the basics for what they want to do. However, what about meals? Can they do upscale cuisine that gay guys who are paying real money want? What about staff to wait on the guests? And actually, what is the market there like? Are there other gay dude ranches in the area? Is there competition or do they have a unique niche? Have they thought about advertising and how to get the word out? What about ads in gay magazines and websites? What about inviting (and paying for) gay writers/bloggers to visit and then, hopefully, send back/write glowing descriptions of their visit? And have they even planned out a whole week of activities, since they'll probably need to have the gay guys stay for an entire week to make sure the guys feel the plane fare to Nowhereville, West Texas was worth it? And are they planning for guys to be on staff to be sure the visitors have "a good time" even if some of the visitors aren't particularly good-looking and arrive `stag'?"
He took his glasses off and looked at me in all seriousness. "I think it'll take more than $500K to make this a profitable concern. And I know you can afford that. However, all of these questions and many others need to be answered before I can advise you to invest your money in this."
He looked at his desk and his computer screen. I sat silent. After a few minutes of reflection he suddenly snapped his fingers. I jumped in my seat. He grinned.
"OK, I'm interested. My staff will make the flight arrangements for us."
"What...?" I stammered.
"I'm thinking I might invest in this myself. Done right, this could make real money. I'm going with you to look into this first hand." And he looked at me seriously again, "And you are so vulnerable still that I think I need to be there as a representative of your donors'. Besides, I won't mind meeting the guys who cured' you of your funk over Marc." And he did laugh out loud. He reached over, pulled me up from my chair and gave me another big hug. And damned if I didn't go totally hard again!
He laughed out loud again. "Is that a weapon in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?" he quipped again. I knew the altered Mae West quotation but sort of trembled again.
"What?", he asked.
"I'm sorry Jon, I'm still overwhelmed. I've quit my job. I've sold `my' house. I had sex with four guys in Texas when I was there. Before that I had only had sex with one guy in my entire life. And now my cock is getting hard for you and I'm having thoughts of us naked! I never realized how incredibly hot you are and that is overwhelming me, too. Oh my God. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just blurt that out!"
He shut me up immediately by thrusting his tongue into my mouth and kissing me passionately! I melted in his arms. We were both in suits and ties and I was just totally melting into this very big guy's grasp. I wanted to fuckin' grab his tie and yank him into my arms.
"Hush, little man", he said. That did make me grin. "You're in a funny place that no man should be. It all makes sense to me now. I had no idea that you are almost a virgin still. But. However, I think you're in very good hands. And I guess you can't imagine how lucky you are."
I nodded my head.
I left then soon after.
I got a call from Jon's office later that day giving me the details of the trip to Texas.
I was at the airport early, why not? I had had dreams of Jon naked and couldn't remember who was on top and who was on bottom! I had gone through security and was waiting at the gate when Jon came up to me. Why had I never noticed how hot he was? I saw men and women both drop their jaws when this darkly handsome and mature giant strode down the corridor. And the fact that he was wearing tight jeans, cowboy dress boots, and a Western shirt and tie did nothing to lower their interest!
I had actually dressed in a similar fashion, with what I had. So when he came up to me and I stood up to shake his hand I'm sure most people thought we were colleagues working at the same company. Um, metaphorically yes?
He gave me the full look over. "We'll buy the hats at DFW."
And we did.
When we landed at Midland, we both looked so in fashion and so rich and powerful that we got all kinds of looks and appraisals. No one knew who we were but we looked like we belonged. That disturbed the heck out of everyone. They all knew we were there for a purpose but no one knew what that purpose was. In a place this insular I knew the word would be out immediately. I started to wonder if this wasn't Jon's reason for the dress and hats? Damn, I was starting to wonder if I had underestimated him.
And when Jorge and Chuck met us at the airport, I thought their eyes were going to goggle back into their heads. "ÁQuŽ guapos que sean ellos!...Mark es guap'simo pero este otro hombre es un gigante musculoso y masculino y guap'simo tambiŽn..." I didn't understand what they were saying but figured they were "very happy" to greet us!
Jon seemed to get more out of what they were saying but said nothing. And the two of them were certainly everything I remembered, too. If they met gay guys at the airport and shuttled them to the ranch, I'm sure they'd get plenty of propositions! Both were so cute in different ways, although you could still see they were cousins, despite the fact that one was clearly Mexican and one was Texan. I introduced them to Jon and explained that he was the senior financial counselor for "the group of donors" interested in investing in the new ranch project. I could tell that people in the airport were trying to eavesdrop on what I was saying. I quickly said, "Let's go ahead and go. We can discuss more details in a more private setting." They looked around and saw what I saw and nodded.
Soon we were in SUV driving to the ranch. I refused to talk business yet and insisted on hearing about details of their daily life, the weather and continuing drought, and giving as few details of my daily life as possible. Despite my restriction of topics, we had a nice time talking during the hour it took to get to the ranch. I could tell that the "boys" were impressed with Jon. Well, who wouldn't be?
After we got out of the SUV, we met Chaz in the entryway to main part of the ranch house. I introduced Jon to Chaz and explained why he was here and what his role was. Chaz and Jon locked eyes immediately. They gave each other a very firm handshake that lasted a long time. I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on then and started to say something. They both jumped back then but gave each other an expression like, "this isn't over yet". And Chaz was looking fucking handsome, I have to admit. My cock and my ass both twitched remembering his hard, muscular, naked body in bed and his passionate love making. I flushed then and I think Jon frowned at me. But he quickly smoothed his expression.
On Jon's insistence we did a full tour of the ranch. I saw him taking notes on his PDA. Remembering his questions, I looked at the ranch with new eyes. I tried to imagine being a gay guy from a city on the East Coast who was looking for adventure, a "cowboy" experience and the change to fuck with a real cowboy. Yeah, this was a lot more complicated a venture than I had thought at first. I began to understand Jon's reservations better and the need for more money. I could also tell that Chuck, Chaz, and Jorge started to understand the same thing as Jon started to ask tough questions. Their cheerful (the boys) or combatative expressions (Chaz) eased into much more neutral expressions.
When we finally returned to the living room of the ranch house, the atmosphere had turned to somber even.
Jon stood and addressed us. "Ok, here's what I see. You've got a great facility. You have enough land for what you need to do. This house is almost ready as the center of your proposed gay dude ranch. The stables are good and the horses are fine. You even have horses for the guys who have never ridden. I agree that you need some detached luxury "bunkhouses" for the guys staying here. You need a shuttle bus of some kind. Pool makes sense. So, the basics of the plan are ok. However, what the fuck are these guys going to do besides ride horses and swim? What are they going to eat? What kind of entertainment will they have? And who are the cowboys who will fuck them and get fucked by them? You're going to have to provide a fantasy experience for wealthy guys from the coasts who will want to spend an entire week here.
These are guys who will gladly spend a couple of thousand bucks to fulfill a cowboy fantasy and who will return for second or thirds if they get what they are looking for. They'll be looking for the cowboy fantasy they've always had to be fulfilled. They want to ride horses. They want to lasso cows. They want to hear cowboy music in the evenings and learn how to do the Texas two step. They're looking for tough masculine and pretty studs who'll make them feel masculine, too. And yes, they'll pay extra for escort service if it is offered.
To provide the quality experience needed, you're going to need a lot more money than you have indicated in your proposal. A lot."
If the mood had been somber, it now became funeral. Everyone, me included, looked ashen. I mean I still had to get the "Dad's" collection for the library after all. If there were no deal to save the ranch, I'd be back at square one, trying to get the collection the Dad had deeded the library over the objections of his dad and son, Chaz and Chuck.
After a pregnant pause, Jon continued, "However, I have met with the donors and they are considering funding this initiative at a much higher level if these concerns can be met. And it turns out that a couple of them have some cowboy fantasies themselves and would be among your first guests if this initiative is realized." With that he smiled. I took me a couple of seconds to realize he meant him and me as "those donors". That bastard! It was all I could do not to laugh out loud.
The relief in the room was physical. Everyone started babbling. There was an assistant chef in the Hilton who was doing exciting things with updating Tex/Mex food. He could instruct a cooking crew here and be executive chef. There was a guy who could sing and teach cowboy music. He taught at the community college. Another guy there taught Texas two step. The shuttle bus could be used to see local attractions. It could be used for a weekend trip to Big Bend National Park and the funky art community at Alpine. And there were plenty of local gay guys who wouldn't mind meeting some potential sugar daddies. They could be invited to stuff we'd be doing, especially the dances. It turned out that Chuck and Jorge were really good at cowboy dancing and that Chaz could sing and play guitar, too. Jon then talked about publicity and how that should work. Everyone was now super excited.
Jon cut through the talk, "Good. I think I can persuade the donors to fund this project. I've also taken the liberty of contacting one of the best cruise directors in the business to come out here and to see if he'll coordinate the project. He'll be arriving at the airport in an hour. If Jorge would go pick him up? His name is Claudio Aressia. Here's his cell number. Thanks, Jorge."
How had he planned this? How had he known this would be the logical next step? I had already admired Jon but my admiration went up a step. I could see the other men also were surprised but pleased.
We took a late lunch on the patio that Jorge and Chuck had prepared earlier. Gazpacho, a very fresh salad with avocado, wonderful bread... Um, talent here, too, that could be useful. We continued to talk and plan and iron out problems during the two hours Jorge was away. Amazing progress was made. I was starting to fantasize about coming here, myself, as a guest. The typical week was sounding like so much fun. It would be a learning experience. They were talking about having some of the local history faculty come out and talk about the real cowboy, who often did have gay experiences due to isolation and loneliness. There would be visits to local art and crafts places who did Western-style art. The entertainment would be great as well. There was talk of bands coming once there was money to pay them. The food sounded amazing. And it seems that the young guy who seduced me in the Hilton when I was here last was not the only guy like him. There was an underground gay network that was ready to be part of this project.
And then Jorge brought Claudio into the room. It was hard not to stare. Claudio was like a miniature version of Michaelangelo's "David" statue. He was maybe 5'9 and 30 something but his very expensive white tee shirt and tight dark pants showed off every inch of his sculpted (pun intended) body.
He looked at all of us and quipped, in a slight Italian accent, "Well, I see where all the beef is!" We all laughed out loud. However, I couldn't help but notice that his attention was fixed on Chaz and that Chaz returned his stare. Lust at first sight, no question... I guess I was forgotten and replaced! I looked over at Jon then and he had a slight smile of satisfaction. Had he planned this, too? Did it mean that...?
I shook my head.
We spent the rest of the afternoon working out details. I could tell that Claudio and Chaz were dying to get naked and go at it. Jorge and Chuck were amused. They were eying Jon and me, too. Grin. At one point Jon took out his cell and said he had to call the donors to let them know a full report on this project would be coming next week. He left the room for a while. I think a pin could have been dropped and heard while he was gone.
Even though I knew the call was a fake, I whooped with everyone else when he "hung up" and let us know that the donors were very glad to hear his assessment that this would be a very fundable project.
The afternoon had devolved into evening. We all went to the kitchen where we managed to work together to create a wonderful meal. There was so much love and lust in the air as to make the atmosphere heady and electric. The guys who lived on the ranch insisted that the three visitors should spend the night there to get the full experience of what being at the ranch was like. Well, I knew there was no way in hell that Claudio was leaving that night. As soon as they could he and Chaz left the rest of us for what I knew would be a night of intense passion. Was I jealous? A tiny bit... But only a tiny bit... Chaz had taught me things about myself I hadn't known. I was very grateful for that.
The four of us who were left then looked at each other. I could tell the boys wanted us both in their beds and were aching for us.
Jon smiled at them. "Jorge and Chuck, Mark and I have never been together before. I want this night to be for us to see what happens." He smiled at their crestfallen looks. "However, there will be room in our bed, I hope, for you both soon."
You could sense their lust and relief, both. They came over to us and gave us extremely long hugs and ground their hot young bodies against ours before leaving, holding hands, kissing, and showing that their night of lust wouldn't be any less intense than Chaz's and Claudio's.
It was finally Jon and me alone. "Shall we?" he asked. I nodded.
We went into the lovely guest room. We stripped slowly. We admired each other's body as we stripped. I know what I look like, but Jon was a revelation. He was a massive bear. He was very hairy. His black hair was turning into white hair. His shoulders and chest were massive. So masculine... So super hot... I started to sweat thinking about his cock size. It was a huge relief when we finally were naked and saw each other's erection. We had very similar cocks! He laughed out loud at my relief. "Yeah, I have a tiny cock for my size, although I can guarantee it'll do you for." I laughed out loud at this expression from our hometown. Um, we're still both above average after all. I began to see how I could give as well as take. He seemed to read my facial expressions. He smiled again, and damn didn't he have a great smile!
"Mark", he said. "I know everything about you, but you know nothing about me. I owe you that before we make love. And yes we'll be making love.
I sincerely hope you can imagine my life. I've been a very big guy for a long time. People tend to see my size and get intimidated. It doesn't make it easier that God gave me intelligence and strong empathy, too. I've always been able to find sexual partners. I've enjoyed women as well as men. Hope that doesn't surprise you. And yes, I did do Claudio on the cruise I went on. He's a terrific bottom. And I figured he would tempt Chaz incredibly."
"But", I said. "How did you figure this whole situation out so clearly in advance? How could you have known how this visit would resolve?"
He kissed me gently then. "I'm in the business and finance world. I've been forced to accept myself as a big guy. I've learned a lot of things about other people. It was actually easy to predict how this visit would go. I had your very full account of what happened when you were here. And I used my connections to figure out what was needed here. And I figured out that my only real rival was Chaz. So, I decided to make him happy, make a person I liked happy, and leave the field open for you and me."
"Look, Jon", I said. "You could have any man or woman you wanted. And, damn, you're so fucking smart and clever. Why me?" I was amused to see our cocks were still super hard during this discussion.
"I've never been in love in my entire life. Don't look so shocked. I didn't believe in love. I've had plenty of sex and fun. Duh. But when you and Marc came into my office for financial planning and wills I was instantly jealous of how much you loved each other. I think I was jealous of both of you. When Marc died and you were free, I couldn't help but think maybe you might be interested in me some day. I know that sounds awful, but it is the truth.
And while you're incredibly attractive as a body, what I really want is your soul. I want you to love me as much as you loved Marc. I will never replace him. However, I want you to be able to give me the same love you had for him. I promise to give you the love I've never given anyone else.
And I hate to admit my vulnerability, but I've already given you all my love and I can't help it."
And this big dude started to cry.
I was so stunned. Here was this huge dude who was so smart and hot crying over me?
"Jon, my man", I said. "I think I'm falling in love with you, too. Can we go to bed and love?"
He smiled and we did.
[Continuation?]