Trial Of Strength (Book 13)

"RANGER PETE & HIS BOY BRANDON MAKE LOVE"

Uncle Mike, frustrated by his post-surgery idleness, gets work from Brandon, Ranger Pete’s boy. Invited to their home, Mike and his boy Larry are awed by the deep affection that shines between Pete and Brandon. There is a natural tenderness and joy to their lovemaking, and Mike realizes he is witnessing the pure essence of love between the strong, silent Ranger and his adoring boy.

In the previous chapter

Much-loved Uncle Mike was starting the steep climb back from serious injury to recovery.

His leg injury from a car crash had required a long, complex surgery, skillfully performed by Doctor Chad. Against all odds, the doc had saved the leg, but it was temporarily in a cast, restricting his mobility to a wheelchair.  He was to spend his rehabilitation weeks at the tribe’s compound, cared for by his boy Larry and other men and boys of the tribe.

When Mike came home from the hospital he received a warm, boisterous welcome, with many offers of help.   But there was one area where only his boy Larry could help.  Mike was concerned that his accident may have damaged his “plumbing”, as he euphemistically called his sexual abilities, and Larry rose to the occasion – and helped Mike’s cock do the same.

Lying flat on his back his leg in a cast, Mike could hardly jump on Larry as he usually did.  But Larry smiled, “Lie still and leave everything to me.”  He ended up kneeling astride Mike and riding his erect cock to an explosive conclusion.  Problem solved.

When Doc Chad appeared, he received a standing ovation from the gathered crowd.  They all looked for ways to thank him for his skillful treatment of Mike, but in the end it fell to the tribe’s leader, boss Randy, to do the honors on behalf of the whole tribe, in the way he knew best.

The swarthy, macho gypsy took Chad to bed and, despite the doc’s initial reluctance, made love to him and fucked him to a noisy, hands-free climax.

Randy lay down beside Chad, who smiled, “Best thank-you gift a man ever had, buddy.”

“I told you doc,” Randy said, with a touch of arrogance.

While they regained their breath they talked for a while before sleep overcame them.  “Still thinking about Mike,” Chad said.  “The recuperation period can be tough, especially for a man like Mike.  Like you, Randy, he’s used to being the master of his own world and won’t take kindly to being dependent on others.  He’ll feel frustrated and helpless with nothing to do.”

“Yeah, he’s already said he needs something useful to do.  But don’t worry, doc, Bob’s already on it.  The office is always super busy and Bob’s gonna tell Mike they really need his help.”

“That’ll be great.  ‘Course that’ll make Brandon his boss.  Nothing the boy can’t handle, I’m sure, he’s a great manager, but will Mike take direction from him?”

“He already has,” Randy grinned.  “Our boys in wheelchairs, Brandon and Brian gave him lessons on maneuvering his wheelchair.  He followed their orders and he’s an expert already.  And Brandon wants to invite Mike and Larry for dinner with him and his man Pete, in their house across the street.  See, now it’s the tribe’s turn to take care of Uncle Mike.”

“Like you just took care of me, stud,” Chad laughed.

“Yeah, and after we’ve slept a bit, I might just have more thank-you gifts for you to unwrap.”

=========    Book 13: Chapter 9   =========

<><>    Anything Short Of A Trampoline    <><>

After all the turmoil of Mike’s accident it was time for the tribe to resume their normal work routine – which would now include Uncle Mike and Larry.

The two lovers, and tribe’s leaders, Bob and Randy had not spent the previous night with each other.  Bob had slept with his boys, the twins Kyle and Kevin, which was something of a weekly event.  Meanwhile Randy had slept with Doc Chad, to thank him for his skillful surgery that had saved Mike’s injured leg.

When Bob came into the master bedroom, Randy and Chad were still there, getting dressed.  “Hi, guys,” Bob grinned. “So, Randy, did you say a big thank you to Chad on the tribe’s behalf?”

Randy’s dark stubbled face lit up with a gleaming smile.  “Oh, yeah.  Everything about it was big, eh doc?  Especially those jizz jets you spouted at the end.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Bob said.  “But Chad, are you sure Adam wouldn’t mind?”

“Oh no,” Chad laughed.  “We’ve come a long way since those early monogamous days.  When Adam has a three-day layover in Sydney he usually stays with an old boyfriend there and I guarantee that they did last night just what Randy and I did.  When he gets home we’ll compare notes and laugh about it, just as you two will.”

 “I’m just glad it worked out, Chad, because when Randy talks about size, the biggest thing of all is the obligation we owe to you.”

“Oh,” Chad shrugged, “I was just ...”

Randy growled, “Hey, don’t give any more of that just-doing-my-job bullshit, doc.  You know you were fucking brilliant, dude.”

“Well Mike is a very strong, resilient man, but as I keep saying, we’re not out of the woods yet.  We have to monitor his rehabilitation closely, as there’s many a slip ...” 

He was interrupted by a tap at the door and the redheaded assistant chef Will came in, wearing his dark green kitchen apron and chef’s hat and bearing a large tray.  “Coffee for three, sirs?  The buffet breakfast is almost ready in the garden, but I thought coffee would help until then.”

Randy grinned and, in his usual affectionate gesture, pulled off Will’s hat, ruffled his hair, and jammed the hat back crookedly on his head.  “Thanks, Red, your timing is perfect.  You always know just what a man needs and when he needs it.”

“Just doing my ...”

“Stop right there, kiddo.  The doc here keeps giving me that just-doing-my-job crap, and I fucked him for it.  You say it one more time and you’ll get the same treatment.”

“Mmm, tempting, sir, except I don’t have time.  Gotta get back to the kitchen.” With an impish smile on his freckled face, Will left.

“Love that kid,” Randy grinned.  They sat down, Bob poured coffee and Randy said, “OK, doc, so you were saying about Mike’s rehab ...?

“Yeah, well, as I mentioned to you before, Randy, after the drama of the surgery, the long rehab period can be especially tough for an independent man like Mike who’s used to ruling his own world.  He’ll feel frustrated and helpless with nothing to do.”

Bob said, “Yeah, Mike himself said much the same thing – that he didn’t want to be useless, just sitting around like a lump.  He wants to pull his weight if there are any jobs he can do ‘that don’t involve jumping up and down on a trampoline’.”

“And you think he could be useful to Brandon in the office?” Chad asked.  “At least the job is sedentary and no threat to his leg.”

“And it would not be a mercy hire, Chad.  Brandon’s assistant Ryan is spending much time at the construction site working with Tyler on the computer systems for managing the new mechanics parts warehouse, leaving Brandon with just Vic and Noah to shoulder the office load. 

“The boys have really come on strong in the last few months and work really hard, but I’m afraid that the workload might be too much, especially for Brandon.  It’s happened in the past and some temporary help to get over the next few weeks would be a godsend.”

Chad said, “If I could suggest, Bob, that you present it that way to Mike, it would avoid any demeaning impression that you’re just finding work for Mike to keep him occupied.  Right now he’s feeling useless, not good for an active man, and this way you’re stressing that his help is not only useful but essential.”

“Er, I’ve been having the same thoughts about Larry,” Randy said.  “See, Pablo is feeling the strain too with his assistant Ben away taking care of Larry’s repair shop in the Springs.”

“Ah, Bob smiled, “so you suggest they just switch jobs for a while, Larry taking Ben’s job here so he can be close to Mike?  Larry’s a skilled mechanic, so it sounds like a win-win all around.  First I’ll sound Brandon out about the office, ‘cos it’s my policy to leave all the decisions to him.  And maybe you could talk to Larry, Randy.  I have a feeling he’ll jump at the chance.”

Chad chuckled, “My what a tangled web you guys weave.”

“Yeah,” Bob ginned, “but don’t forget the rest of that line by Sir Walter Scott – ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.  The beauty of our scheme is that we’re not deceiving anyone.  The web we’re weaving is absolutely on the level.  The help of Mike and Larry is essential.”

<><>    Weaving The Web    <><>

When they went outside, the buffet breakfast spread was complete and Mike and Larry were already eating.  Chad and Randy served themselves, then sat with them, while Bob went to chat with Brandon, who was eating at another table with his man Pete, and office assistants, Vic and Noah.  Bob quickly outlined to Brandon the conversation he had just had upstairs, and Brandon’s face lit up. 

“Sir, that would be perfect, and not a moment too soon.  I was going to have a word with you about our office overload and this would be a great solution.  I have a ton of jobs I could give Uncle Mike.  And he’s no rookie, of course.  He runs his own successful business, his bar, so he’s been doing the books for years – payroll, payroll taxes, income and expense, receivables, payables, the works.  I’m sure he could teach me a thing or two.”

“Good, so maybe you guys would come and join us and you could make the offer to Mike yourself.”

They all took their plates to the other table, forming quite a large group, and Mike grinned.  “Hi, guys, so what have you four been plotting over there?”

Bob laughed, “No deceiving you is there, you canny old devil.  Actually, though, we were not plotting but strategizing, and Brandon has a proposition to put to you.

Brandon suddenly became quite formal as he swung into Office Manager mode.  “Sir, while you are here with us recuperating you have said you would like some gainful employment.  As it happens, I am short of staff, as Ryan spends much of his time with Tyler on the new warehouse project.  So I would like to offer you a temporary position as office assistant.

“I realize the work would be way below your experience level and your status as a business owner, but it would be a great favor to us if you would consider the offer, sir.”

Mike smiled.  He knew exactly what Brandon had been discussing with Bob and Chad, in response to his stated need to “make myself useful”.   And he loved them for it.  Bob had no doubt deliberately left it to Brandon to approach him on the subject of “gainful employment”, and Mike was especially moved by Brandon’s formal speech as office manager, making the offer of “a temporary position as office assistant”.

Mike also admired Brandon’s skill at not making the offer sound like a mercy job.  He framed it as the office’s need of help, rather than Mike’s need to “keep busy”.  What Mike really wanted to do now was reach over and hug Brandon, but he knew that might be seen as demeaning to his new boss, so he played along.

“That’s a generous offer Brandon and I’m happy to accept ... on one condition.”

“Yes, sir?”

“That you stop calling me ‘sir’.  As office manager you’ll be my boss, me a mere assistant.”

“Oh, my calling you ‘sir’ has nothing to do with the job, sir.  You are one of the most senior men of the tribe, most people call you ‘sir’, and that won’t change.  If Pete ever helped me in the office I would certainly keep calling him ‘sir’. What we have here is a distinct separation of roles.  Try thinking of it this way, sir.  In the office you are my assistant, out of the office you’re my Uncle Mike.

“Actually, I discourage the use of the word ‘sir’ in the office, as we all work together as friends and colleagues.  Which brings me to another word you used.  You said you would be a ‘mere assistant’.  I think ‘mere’ is a disparaging term, implying the position to be inferior, which is certainly not the case.  As I said, we are colleagues and friends, sir.”

“I get it, Brandon and you’re right.  There’s one other good thing – you won’t have to pay me.”

Brandon looked shocked.  “Not pay you, sir?  Why ever not?  I hired you to do a job, and of course it’s a paying job.  I pay all my office assistants and I wouldn’t treat you differently just because, in normal times, you are a successful business owner.  You’ll get the going rate, sir, no more, no less.”  He glanced quickly at Bob who nodded in agreement.

Mike smiled at Pete who had been listening to his boy’s performance with pride and affection.

Another man had been listening to all this with great amusement.  Boss Randy loved to watch one of the boys asserting himself, the way Pete had trained Brandon.  It reflected well on the tribe he and Bob had built. Now Randy himself interjected.

“While we’re on the subject of temporary help, I have another idea.    My boy Pablo has lost his assistant mechanic Ben, who’s managing your bike repair workshop, Larry, while having a great time out there with his man Jason.  But I’ve watched Pablo struggle with a couple of guys I’ve loaned him from the regular crew.  They’re not really mechanics like Pablo, Ben and you, Larry.”

Larry replied, “I’ve been worrying about that too, sir, and I’d be more than happy to work with Pablo.  We get along well and I know he appreciates my skills.  With Mike working at his new office job he won’t need me so much, so I’ll have time to kill.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Randy said. “I gotta run it by Pablo first, ‘cos the final decision will be his.  I’ll give him a call, and you go over to the worksite and settle it between the two of you.”

“Sounds great,” Mike beamed.  “It’ll be our way of thanking you guys all for your support since my accident.  Larry and I owe you a whole lot.”

Pete spoke up.  “And Brandon and I would love to ask you both to dinner at our place across the street this evening.”

Mike exchanged looks with Larry and they accepted right away.  “It would give us a chance to get to know you better, Pete.  You always seem to glide under the radar, unlike all the flashy types here – no disrespect, Randy.  OK, that’s all settled.”  He smiled at Brandon.  “So when do you want me to report to work, boss?” he smiled at Brandon.

“No time like the present, sir.  We start work right after breakfast.”

“Er, not quite yet,” Chad said.  “Mike, I don’t have to be at the hospital for a while so I think we could fit in a physical therapy session now.  Larry, you and Felipe should be there too as his caregivers.”

Soon after that, with breakfast over, they all went their several ways.  Randy grinned at Bob.  “Love the way things work out, dude, thanks mostly to you.”

“Not me, Randy.  They all offered suggestions and talked them through.”

“Yeah, but you were the puppeteer pulling the strings, buddy, you always are.  You’re the real boss, though I would deny I ever said that.  Someone’s gotta keep you in line.”

“And that someone is you, I suppose,” Bob laughed

“Damn straight, it’s me.  You want a demonstration?  Come to think of it, we didn’t sleep together last night, so you probably need a reminder.  Like young Brandon said, no time like the present.”

“Well ......   everything does seem to be settled out here, the guys all know what to do.  So maybe we do have time for a short break”

Will was in earshot as he cleaned away the breakfast things.  As he passed by Randy and Bob he gave a freckle-faced smile.  “Coffee for two upstairs in your room, sirs?”

“Don’t get smart with us, Red, or you’ll end up in a spit-roast.”

“Tempting, sir, but I gotta clear away all this breakfast stuff.  Another time, maybe.”

As he sashayed away Randy grinned, “Always an excuse, but I’ll nail him one of these days.”

<><>    Under The Bleachers    <><>

They made their way across the garden and up to their bedroom with almost boyish glee.  There was something about sneaking in a daytime quickie that excited them – something rebellious, like kids playing truant.

Bob looked at the rumpled sheets on the bed from last night, where Randy had fucked Chad as a way of thanking him ... plus as a way of getting his own rocks off.  Randy was never one to turn his back on a naked blond muscle-doc waiting for a horny gypsy.

They knew time was short, which added to their lust.  They pulled off their shirts and pressed against each other in a tight man-hug and steamy kiss.  In his usual opening move Randy turned Bob round, his back to the bed, and pressed his hand on his bare chest to push him down on the bed – a shirtless sacrificial offering to the blue-eyed gypsy.

But, in a stunning reversal, Bob grabbed Randy’s arm, spun him round and shoved him.  So Randy was the one to fall on his back, his muscular body bouncing on the mattress.  “What the fuck ...?” he growled.

“You were right, Randy, I am the one pulling the strings, and I’m still in boss mode, even in the bedroom ... especially in the bedroom.  So brace yourself, big guy ... your turn to take orders.”

It was one of Randy’s biggest turn-ons, watching his handsome superman lover take charge and dominate him.  Physically he could have fought back, of course, but emotionally he wanted to submit to the alpha male he idolized.  Bob leaned down, yanked open Randy’s scruffy workpants and pulled them down to his boots. 

Randy’s heart beat louder as he stared up at his stunning, muscular lover.  “Damn, you look so fucking hot, dude.”

Bob unbuttoned his own blue jeans, pulled out his long, hard cock and stroked it.  “I know you’re not big on foreplay, dude, so we’ll cut right to the chase.”  He knelt on the bed, pushed Randy’s legs back and drove his rod hard in the gypsy’s ass.”

“Aaaghh .... shit damn, you don’t mess around, do you?” Randy winced, his muscles flexing to withstand the sudden attack on his ass.

“Ah, you’re a big boy, you can take a dry fuck any day.”

Randy grinned.  “Especially if you’re on the end of it, dude.  OK, give it to me.  That all you got?”

“Fuck you, man.  No, I got a lot more where that came from.”

The fuck was straight out of Randy’s playbook – increasing in ferocity, building to even Randy’s pain threshold before slowing down to a steady massage of the plundered ass.  Randy was mesmerized by the sight of the muscled torso rising and falling over him, and he reached up to touch Bob’s square-cut features, framed by thick dark hair, a triumphant smile in his deep brown eyes.

He moved his hands down to Bob’s chest and dug his fingers into the solid slabs of his pecs.  “You are one gorgeous fucking specimen, dude.  Your cock feels incredible in my ass.  Keep fucking me, man.  I could take this all day.”

“But we ain’t got all day,” Bob grinned.  “This is a quickie, we should be at work.  We’re like kids playing hooky from class getting in a quick fuck under the bleachers.”

Randy grabbed his cock that was already oozing pre-cum.  “I can bust a load whenever you’re ready.”

Bob swiped his hand off his cock and grinned.  “We’re not in that much hurry.  Like I told you, I’m the boss here, and I’m gonna make you cum the way you always make me.”

He leaned forward between Randy’s raised legs and pinned his hands to the bed.  “Now, you know the drill, Randy – you put me through it often enough.  What are the words I always hear from you?  ‘Look into my eyes ...”

He did, and it worked, as it always did.  Their eyes met in that intensely private space reserved only for them.  Usually it was Bob who succumbed to the gypsy’s hypnotic blue eyes, but now their roles were reversed ... with the same effect.  Randy saw deep into the dark brown eyes of the man he idolized, the man whose cock was even now penetrating his ass.  And he heard his soft, rich voice.

“I love you, Randy, and I’m going to fill your ass with my juice.  You know what to do.”

Actually it was beyond Randy’s control, his hands pinned helplessly to the bed.  As he saw Bob’s body tense and felt his cock erupt inside him, his own cock reared up and sprayed thick white jizz over Bob’s chest that heaved above him. 

“Aaahh,” they sighed together, smiling at each other through moist eyes.

Bob leaned down, and as they kissed, he pulled gently out of him.  He lay beside him and Randy said, “I could stay like this all day, make love to you over and over again.  Then, abruptly he sat up, looked at the clock and his mood changed.  He was back in charge, all business.

“I gotta get the hell out of here.”  He got off the bed, yanked up his pants and pulled on his shirt.

Bob stood up and said, “So how did it feel, submitting to the boss?  Maybe that’s the new us.”

“Fuck you, asshole.  That was a one-time-only deal.  You be here when I get home, ‘cos it’ll be payback time ... big-time payback.”   He grabbed Bob’s head and pulled him into a grinding kiss.  When he pulled away his blue eyes sparkled.  “It was fun under the bleachers, though, wasn’t it?”  He kissed Bob’s cheek and strode out of the room.

<><>    Randy Barks    <><>

As he was going downstairs, Will was coming up.  “No coffee then, sir?  I guess that was a quickie, eh?”

Randy stifled a grin and grabbed Will’s arm.  He spun him round and slapped his ass a couple of times.  “Red, if anyone asks why you got your ass spanked, tell them it was because you were a smartass.  You gotta watch that lip.”

“Will do, sir.” Randy grabbed his tousled red hair and pulled him into a loving kiss.  “OK, now go ask Bob if he needs coffee or anything.”

Bob looked up as Will came in, and noticed the flush on his freckled face.  “What happened to you, William?”

“I just got my ass spanked, sir.”

“And why was that?”

“Well, sir, the person who spanked me said if anyone asks why, I was to say it’s because I was a smartass.”

Bob grinned.  “And how did it feel, kiddo”

“Wasn’t bad at all, sir.  You should try it some time.  I believe you know the person, sir.”

“I believe I do, William – only too well.”

“Sir, this room’s a mess.  I’ll tidy it up while you’ go to the office to check on how Brandon and Uncle Mike are doing.”

“I won’t be doing that, Will, and for a good reason.”  He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Will down beside him.  “See, when you trust a boy to train someone else it’s a mistake to hover over them.  I made sure it was Brandon who offered the job to Uncle Mike, and I trust him to manage the whole thing.  If I supervised him all the time it would make my trust seem hollow.”

“I know what you mean, sir.  When Felipe first came here and the twins entrusted his training to me, I told Felipe what to do and he ran with it.  I didn’t hover over him and the twins didn’t hover over me.”

“Good boy, Will.  All this is useful for you to know, because I have a feeling that one day you’ll be a manager like Brandon, as the boss of your own kitchen.  Anyway, I’ll work at my desk here this morning, but I would be grateful if you could tidy up a bit here – all those used glasses, cups and plates.”

“Leave it to me, sir.”  He set to work with a look of concentration and Bob smiled.  He knew exactly why Randy was so fond of the earnest young redhead and teased him all the time.  Bob loved watching them together, and seeing Randy’s tender side – quite the opposite of the strict, tough construction boss.  He was probably barking out orders at the site already. Bob smiled to himself.  Boy, he really loved that man.

Actually, what Randy was doing was keeping his distance, exactly as Bob had been saying to Will.  When he arrived at work he looked over to the mechanics area and saw Pablo and Larry already working together, so he didn’t intervene. 

Earlier, Pablo had greeted Larry with his trademark crooked smile.  “Hey, Larry, you’re a sight for overworked eyes.  Randy phoned me and told me of the plan and I jumped at it like a shot.”

“The least I could do, buddy, as your assistant Ben is out in the Springs running my workshop brilliantly.  ‘Course, my mechanics expertise is motorcycles ...”

“Ah, makes no difference, dude – once a mechanic always a mechanic, whether it’s motorbikes, trucks or heavy equipment.  Like this backhoe that Randy wanted back in service, like yesterday, but I got backed up with work, being single handed.  I took a quick look and it’s been spraying diesel oil all over the place.”

“Sound like a busted hose, maybe?”

“My thoughts exactly. The engine’s a big cumbersome mother fucker so let’s take a closer look.   Together they bent over the large, complex engine, testing all the hose couplings.  Larry got on his back under it and said, “Oops, I found it.”  He emerged with oil streaked on his grinning face.  “Right at the bottom.  It’s a bugger to get to, though.”

Pablo got down to look closer at the broken hose.  “Yeah that’s it.  Same thing happened on another backhoe some time ago.  Trouble is we have to disassemble some parts to fix it.  But with two of us on the job we should do it fast enough to keep Randy at bay.”  He looked up.  “Oh-oh, I spoke too fast.”

Randy was bearing down on them with a thunderous look.  “Hey, guys, where the fuck’s my backhoe?  The crew has been using the small one, but that’s like shoveling shit with a trowel.  It’s slowing us down.  So what gives?”

“A busted hose, sir, Larry located it.  We have to strip down other parts, but we should have it finished in, say, an hour and a half.”

“Damn.  OK, make that an hour, or I’ll whip your asses, both of you.”

“We’ll do our best, sir.  Good job there are two of us.  If I’d been on my own I’d have just given up and presented my bare ass to you for punishment.”

“Yeah,” Randy said, stifling a grin, “well that might happen anyway.  An hour, right?”

He strode away and Larry grinned at Palo.  “Wow, you always under this pressure?”

“Pretty much, dude, but his bark’s worse than his bite.  That bare-ass thing has nothing to do with punishment.  He sometimes drags me in his trailer office, pulls my pants down and uses my bare bubble-butt to relieve his tension.”

“And you love every minute,” Larry chuckled.

Pablo laughed.  “You catch on fast, bro.  OK, lets get to work.”

“I sure hope Mike’s having an easier time of it with his new boss Brandon.”

<><>    The Boys Train Uncle Mike    <><>

At least Brandon wasn’t hurling threats at him – far from it.  When Mike had finished his physical therapy with Doc Chad he wheeled himself up the ramp to the office that Randy had built long ago for Brandon.  Brandon looked up from his computer.  “Hello, sir.  How did the therapy go?”

“Tougher than I thought.  It’s gonna be a long haul.  I’m real glad I have this job to take my mind off it.”

“That’s what I always do, sir, to get my mind off problems.  Drown myself in work.  OK, I wanted to ask you what experience you have, ‘cos I don’t want to waste time teaching an expert.”

“Well, of course I’ve been doing the books for my business for years, but therein lies the problem.  I stick to the old ways ... it’s only recently that Larry computerized some of the files for me, and even then they’re just rudimentary.  It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, Brandon.”

“Oh you’ll soon get the hang of it, sir.  Since Ryan joined us he’s written computer programs for most of our work, he’s a computer genius.  So I’ll start you off on the simplest data entry.  It’s what takes up a lot of our time, and having you here is a godsend. 

“Once you get used to it I guarantee you’ll want the same kind of programs for your business, it makes inventory control and ordering so much simpler when it’s all automated.  Maybe one day Darius will bring Ryan out to your place and build programs for you.”

“I would like that, Brandon.  I always love visits from Darius, and those two are a great couple.”

Brandon said, “Right now, as you know, Ryan spends much of his time out at the worksite helping Tyler stock the warehouse, so I’m gonna hand you over to Noah and Vic.  They’ll show you the basic systems and delegate some of their work to you.  I’ll keep my distance, you don’t want all three of us breathing down your neck, but if you need anything from me, just holler.””

Mike was beginning to realize why Bob considered Brandon so valuable.  By saying what he had just said he had not only made him, Mike, feel at ease.  At the same time he had delineated clear lines of responsibility, made the young boys feel important, and freed himself up for more managerial tasks.

From his own desk Brandon kept a discreet eye on them and loved to hear the boys laugh and joke with the man many years their senior.  It was like boys teaching their dad.

The work progressed smoothly and around noon Felipe came in, in his capacity as Mike’s caregiver.  He made sure Mike’s leg was feeling OK, stretched out under the table on the wheelchair rest, and then, observing protocol, he addressed Brandon.   Would you guys like me to bring your lunches in here or do you want to eat outside?’

Brandon asked Mike, who said, “Us guys are getting on so well here I’d rather not move outside too much, if that’s OK.”  Vic and Noah nodded eagerly and it was agreed.  But Mike added, “Er, Felipe, I would like help using the bathroom.  Damn this is all so embarrassing.”

Felipe laughed.  “Don’t be embarrassed, sir.  You should see the things I did for that family in Honduras.  Or rather, you wouldn’t want to see, and I certainly won’t describe it.”

So, after a bathroom break they took time away from their desks to eat the lunch Felipe brought from the kitchen.  Later, when he returned to clear it away he made an offer to Brandon.  “Hey, dude, I know you and Pete have invited Mike and Larry to dinner at your place, so would you like me to come and help in your kitchen before I go join Jamie and Mark?  I know the twins would give me the time off.”

Brandon accepted gratefully as he was a bit nervous about cooking dinner on his own.  Mike said, “I’m sure Larry will help too.  He does most of the cooking at our place and he’s got pretty good at it.  That’ll give me time to chat with Pete and get to know him better.  We’ve never really spent any time together.”

After that, the afternoon progressed productively and Bob later asked Mike how it went.  He smiled, “Bob, you have trained Brandon well.  He manages that office with the same finesse as you would.  Obviously your skills have rubbed off on him. 

“And those two kids, Noah and Vic are adorable.  They loved it when Brandon delegated my training to them.  Made them feel important, which I can see they already are to you. I even saw your influence in them too.  See, buddy, you’re a role model for all of them.”

“Thanks for saying that, Mike.  You should tell Randy.”

“Ah, the big lug don’t appreciate you enough.  Wait till I’m back on my feet and I’m able to kick ass.  I’ll set him straight.”

<><>    Ranger Pete Opens Up To Mike    <><>

Later that evening Mike wheeled himself across the street to Pete and Brandon’s house, and up the ramp to the front door.  Ranger Pete opened the door with a welcoming smile on his handsome face.  “Glad you’re here Mike, I was starting to feel lonely all on my own.”

A gust of laughter came from the kitchen.  “Sounds like the three boys are having a blast working together.  Felipe’s still here lending his culinary skills to dinner prep before he goes back across the street and spends the evening with Jamie and Mark.  Would you like a cocktail, Mike?  Or has Doc Chad forbidden alcohol?”

Mike grinned, “If he had I would have disobeyed doctor’s orders.  But he said it’s OK in moderation, just as long as I don’t get drunk and try to walk.  Seems everything is OK as long as I keep my leg out straight like this for the next few days.  Just as well, ‘cos I can do a lot in this position, you’d be surprised.  Last night I even fucked my boy.  Well, actually he fucked my cock by riding it.  Very inventive that kid.”

Pete laughed.  “So everything’s going well, eh, Mike?”

“I wouldn’t go quite that far, Pete.  I just came from a therapy session with Chad, second one today.  He deliberately pushes me a tad farther than I want to go.  He says he sees an improvement but I’m damned if I can.”

“One small step at a time, eh?”

“Bad choice of words, Pete,” Mike chuckled.  “One mini-movement is more like it.  This thing’s gonna be slow progress, I can tell.  Thank god I have Larry with me.  The boy has been true-blue right from the start.”  Pete stood poised over the drinks table.  “Scotch and water please, Pete.  I usually take it neat, but the water is my one concession to Chad’s ‘in moderation’.”

Pete laughed, poured the drinks, sat facing Mike and raised his glass.  “Bottoms up, dude.  Here’s to a smooth recovery ... and a pleasant stay here until you’re healthy.”

“Thanks, Pete.”  They clinked glasses.  “A pleasant stay is more or less guaranteed, all the men and boys have been so supportive.”

“And how’s Boss Brandon treating you in the office?”

“Pete, you have one helluva kid there, mature beyond his years.  He runs that office like a seasoned pro – firm, knows exactly what he wants from his staff and how to get it, but always kind and considerate.  You’ve brought him up well.  When I watched him in the office I saw a lot of Bob in him, but now I’m here I can tell it’s mostly you he takes after.”

“Probably some of each of us, buddy, but I’m glad to hear you say that.  You and I have never really spent much time together, have we?  Come to think of it, this is the first time I ever recall sitting and chatting like this.”

“You’re right, Pete.  Like I said before, you and Brandon seem to float under the radar.  When the tribe’s all together, laughing and carrying on, you two sit close to each other like an island of quiet serenity.  What’s your secret?”

“Simple, Mike, it’s called love. I am totally in love with Brandon, as much as any two people have ever been.  When I first met him I thought it might be sympathy I was feeling, and maybe it partly was at first, but it soon became love, pure and simple.  When I’m at work walking through the forest I think of Brandon working away in the office, with that determined look on his face, and my eyes tear up.  I believe there’s a very fine line between love and compassion, they both come right from the heart.”

“As I’ve watched you in the past, Pete, I often wonder where that ‘strong silent’ thing comes from.   Maybe it’s working in nature all day.”

“That’s what Brandon always says, Mike.  After all, Forest Rangers are an arm of law enforcement and have the power to arrest people, which I have done quite often.  That’s the ‘strong’ half of ‘strong silent type’.  But on the other hand, we spend a lot of our time alone in nature, and that must have a mellowing effect – the silent half.”

Pete refilled their glasses and after a long silence Mike said, “There’s something I’ve often wondered about various men of the tribe, you especially.  And you don’t have to answer if it’s too personal.

“See, I’ve been living this lifestyle for as long as I can remember, and now, god knows, I’m a fixture on the scene, a long-time owner of the most popular leather bar in Palm Springs.”

“You can use the word icon, Mike,” Pete grinned.

“But your path through life has been completely different, Pete.  I mean, the tribe can be overwhelming at times, and hard to take for a guy not used to it.”

“Tell me about it, Mike.  I was living what’s called a normal life, a series of girlfriends, nothing serious.  Then one day, patrolling the forest I came across these four guys in a clearing by the lake – two men and two boys.  I was appalled that the boys were having sex, and I threatened to arrest them. [Book 5: Chapter 220 & 221]

The guys were Randy and Zack and their boys Pablo and Darius, so you can imagine how well my arrest threat went down.  I must have seemed like a pompous prude to them and I don’t blame them for teasing me and treating me the way they did, especially Randy.  He tied me up and made me perform certain sex acts.  I was disgusted, and relieved when they let me go.

“But then came the moment that changed my life. As I was driving out of the forest I stopped, and thought about the scene in the clearing.  I couldn’t get the image of Randy from my mind, especially those piercing blue eyes ... and I felt my dick get hard.  It was as if he had this magnetic pull on me.  I didn’t know what I was doing or why, but I turned the truck around and drove back there.

“Randy didn’t look surprised at all and you know what he said?  ‘I knew you would come back, Ranger.  Come and join us.  You’re a hot-looking guy, you should be one of us.”

“Well, you know the story from there, Mike.  I did become one of them, one of the tribe.  It took a lot of adjustment at first, and I felt there was something missing, especially when I watched the men with their boys.  And then I met Brandon.

“At first I couldn’t get beyond the wheelchair – that was the sympathy part.  But I watched the gallant, determined way he moved around, like he was no different from his buddies, as if he forgot all about the wheelchair. And my heart went out to him – you could say I lost my heart to him.  And I forgot about the wheelchair too.  All I saw was this adorable, boy, determined to make his way in the world, and I wanted to share the journey with him.”

“And you never looked back, eh?  You never took a step back and wondered if you’d made the right choice, living your life with this noisy crowd of horny opinionated men?”

“The question does sometimes cross my mind of how my life would have turned out if I’d never met the guys by the lake.  I wonder if I would have been happier the old way.  Then I watch Brandon working, his lips pursed in concentration, and know for sure I made the right choice.  I have never been happier in my life. 

“Not that I felt I had to become exactly like the other guys – noisy, horny opinionated, as you called them.  I knew instinctively Brandon didn’t want that from me, and that is why you see us both just a little apart from the others.  As you put it, Mike, on our own little island of serenity.”

When Pete ended his story and took a sip of his drink, it was Mike’s turn to have tears in his eyes.

<><>    Shining Eyes    <><>

The door was pushed open and Brandon wheeled himself in, his face beaming.  “Good, you’re here, Uncle Mike.  Has Pete been taking care of you?”

“He sure has, kiddo – cocktails and conversation, a perfect mix.”

“Good, ‘cos dinner is almost ready.  Felipe’s about to go back to Jamie and Mark and I’m here to set the table.”  His wheelchair tray table was loaded with dishes and cutlery and a white tablecloth was folded on his lap.  “So if you’ll excuse me, sirs.”

“You need any help kiddo?” Pete asked.

Brandon looked surprised and laughed.  “Of course, not, sir, you know me better than that.”  He trundled off to the table at the side of the room overlooking the garden.  Pete raised his eyebrows and grinned at Mike who said quietly, “I see what you mean, buddy.”

They watched as Brandon picked up the tablecloth, shook it out and threw it expertly over the table, then moved round the table and efficiently set out the place settings. Mike glanced at Pete and smiled to himself.  He had heard the familiar phrase ‘his eyes shone’ but had never seen eyes shine as brightly as Pete as he watched his boy work.

Mike had a sense that Brandon was aware of Pete watching him, and that the two were communicating in some way – Brandon showing off his efficiency to make Pete proud of him.  Mike tried to identify the feelings flowing between man and boy, and he settled on Pete’s earlier words ... “It’s love, Mike, pure and simple”.

Larry came in with a tray of hors d’oeuvres, and the dinner was on.  Felipe looked in to say goodbye.  “I’m off, sirs.  Jamie and Mark are waiting for me.”

Mike and Pete thanked him profusely for his help, and after Felipe left Larry said. “He talks all the time about Jamie and Mark, he’s obviously crazy in love with Jamie.  So great to see love that strong don’t you think so, Mike?”

“You’re absolutely right, Larry,” Mike grinned, glancing knowingly at Pete, with his boy Brandon sitting happily next to him, filling Pete’s wineglass.

Dinner was lively and lighthearted, as Mike regaled them with colorful stories of his bar, of which he had an unlimited supply.  Brandon wondered how Jason and Ben were getting along there and Larry said, “Last time I spoke to Ben they were having a blast.  I don’t think those back-room shenanigans have been repeated.  But after the first time, the customers sure know that Jason is definitely Ben’s man, and the groping has stopped.”

“I was concerned about how long they’d be able to stay out there,” Mike said, “but Jason has a whole lot of comp-time off work that he earned working endless days fighting the forest fires up north at the height of fire season.”

Reassured by the knowledge that everything was taken care of back home, Mike and Larry settled down to enjoy the company of Pete and his loving boy.  They all ate heartily, drank copious amounts of wine and by the time Brandon brought in dessert (rhubarb pie donated by Will) they were all pleasantly uninhibited. 

Wanting to make some practical contribution to the evening Mike volunteered to help Larry clear the table and load the dishwasher.  He sensed that Pete and Brandon needed some time alone together, judging by the cow eyes they were making at each other.  Brandon had taught Mike how to load his wheelchair tray table efficiently and, thus laden, he followed Larry to the kitchen.

For some time Pete had been wanting to kiss Brandon and his moment had come.  He leaned over, curled his hand behind Brandon’s head and pulled him into a long lingering kiss.  It was still going strong as Mike and Larry returned.

“Oops,” Mike grinned, “time for us to be making tracks, Larry.  These guys obviously need their space.”

“No, no, wait guys, don’t go,” Pete said.  “We’ve had a ball sharing stories of our lives, loves and labors.  Why stop there?  You guys didn’t come here to do housekeeping, so why don’t we leave all the mess in here and retire to the bedroom with brandy and coffee.”  Pete blushed and grinned sheepishly.  “Sorry guys, that must be the wine talking.”

Mike laughed.  “Wine or not, buddy, I think it’s a great idea, what d’ya say, Larry?”

“I say the night is young.  Let’s do it.”

<><>    From Social To Sexual    <><>

In the bedroom the mood became even more mellow.  Brandon brought in coffee and Pete got brandy and glasses from the drinks cabinet.  He poured the drinks and they kicked back, Pete sitting next to Brandon, Mike close to Larry. 

Conversation resumed, but this time there was a different tone to it ... something else was in the air.  Mike, astute as ever, sensed that the mood had shifted from social to sexual, and it soon became apparent he was right.

Pete again leaned over and kissed Brandon and they had a whispered conversation, with Brandon nodding enthusiastically.  But they realized they were being impolite to their guests, and Pete blushed again.  “I’m sorry, guys, but I’m botching this big time.  As you know, Brandon and I are home bodies, not very good at the socializing stuff.”

Mike smiled.  “Pete, even if you are botching it, you’re doing it charmingly.  I find the best thing is not to tiptoe around a topic.  If you have something to say, just come out with it.  So let me help you.  Larry and I have been having a wonderful time.  We’ve got to know you two very well, intimately you might say, and we’ve watched with admiration how loving you two are.”  He grinned.  “So why stop at the rhubarb pie?  Why not let us admire everything you do together?”

Brandon spoke out boldly.  “You’re right, sir, so here’s the deal.  Pete and I were just saying to each other that after such a fun meal with you, not to mention all the wine, it’s obvious that Pete and I want to make love.  But that doesn’t mean you have to run off.  Think of it this way.  For the last couple of days I’ve been teaching you how life in a wheelchair doesn’t have to cramp your style.  So think of this as what ‘s called ‘continuing education’.”

“We’re all for that,” Mike smiled.  “So go right ahead.  We’re real happy to sit here, sipping brandy, and chill out watching the masters at work, eh Larry?”

“Damn straight,” Larry grinned.  “Less talk, more action, I say.”

“Well that seems to settle it,” Pete said, and from then on his entire focus was on Brandon.  There was no embarrassment or inhibitions as the Ranger and his boy had eyes only for each other, and everything else faded into the background.

Alone in their romantic world, the lovers adopted their familiar routine, where Brandon took the lead.  He had done this since the earliest days when Pete had been nervous about making love to the boy, treating him like delicate, breakable fine china.

Brandon pulled off his shirt, then leaned forward in his chair and pushed his shorts and underwear down and off over his feet.  Naked now, he confidently wheeled himself to the edge of the bed and expertly pulled himself out of the chair and onto the bed – a demonstration of his upper-body strength developed over the years.

“He lay on his back, linked his hands behind his head on the pillow, and gave Pete his urchin grin.  “At your service, sir.”

Pete stood at the foot of the bed and Brandon stroked his cock, watching the tall Ranger undress.  “Man,” Mike breathed to Larry, “the man is gorgeous.  Don’t think we’ve ever seen him naked.”

Ignoring the awed whispers from across the room, Pete knelt on the bed and fell forward on his stomach on top of his boy.  He kissed Brandon and they lay like that for long minutes, their mouths locked together.  When at last Pate pulled back Brandon licked his face, his forehead, cheeks, eyes and neck, like an eager puppy licking his master, Mike thought.

Mike and Larry had seen many men make love before, but never anything quite like this.  There was a natural gentleness and joy – nothing you could call lust, or even sex in the usual sense of the word.  Again, Mike thought of Pete’s phrase – ‘just pure love’.

What he and Larry found most sexy was the contrast between the muscular Forest Ranger, a man tough enough to lay down the law and arrest wrongdoers, and the man they now watched treating his boy with infinite tenderness – the strong, silent man admired by everyone.

Pete started to squirm gently on top of his boy, causing a glow on Brandon’s face ... and no doubt two stiff cocks between them, rubbing against each other.  Pete raised his chest off Brandon and braced his hands on the bed beside his head.  He gazed down at the wide-eyed boy so intensely that their smiles seemed to melt into each other. 

“Tell me what you want, boy,” the deep voice asked.

“I ... I want to feel you inside me, please sir.”

Their eyes never left each other’s as Pete pulled back on his knees, reached over to the nightstand and dipped his fingers in an open jar of lube.  He stroked his long hard cock, then massaged his boy’s ass with two greasy fingers.  Brandon sighed in total ecstasy, staring up at the muscular Ranger, biceps flexing as he worked his ass.

When Pete eventually pulled back, Brandon was ready.  He reached down, hooked his hands behind his knees, and pulled his legs back, offering his ass to his man. Pete leaned forward and again braced his hands on the bed as he slid his cock gently inside his boy.

Brandon sighed deeply and his smiled broadened.  “I love you so much, sir.  I love being your boy.”

Again Mike and Larry felt they had never seen anything quite like this.  It was two men fucking, for sure, but those words hardly seemed fitting.  It was simply two men making love – not even making love, simply loving each other, whatever the physical act – kissing, hugging or penetrating.  It was a spiritual more than a sexual experience as the warm glow of their love permeated everything, even the ultimate act of orgasm. 

It was like a constant fluid act of love as they smiled at each other, and nothing changed except for Brandon’s deep sigh as he sprayed semen all over his body and Pete pushed in a little deeper and filled his boy’s ass with the juice of his passion.

Mike and Larry were sexually aroused watching them, but it seemed almost sacrilegious to simply jerk each other off.  They smiled at each other and Larry breathed “Wow ...”  But they weren’t sure what to do next.  Their first instinct was to tiptoe out of the room, but Pete’s voice forestalled them. 

“Guys, Brandon and I would love it if you would stay the night here.  As you see, there are two king-size beds in the room, and the spare one has your name written on it.”

Mike looked at Larry and they both knew they didn’t want to leave the room’s peaceful aura created by their friends.  And so they stayed.  Mike took off his clothes as he had seen Brandon undress, except that Larry had to help pull his shorts down over his cast.  Larry pulled back the bedsheets and carefully helped Mike onto the bed, making sure to support his leg all the way. 

Then Larry stripped naked and eased himself up against the man he loved.  As sleep overcame them Larry whispered, “That was amazing, sir.”

“Yeah, kiddo.  A lesson we could all learn.”

“What Brandon calls ‘continuing education’, sir.  It never stops, does it?”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 

 TO BE CONTINUED in “A Trial Of Strength – Book 13: Chapter 10