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Don't Look Back Ch. 02

By: ShelleyRunyon



Discipline and the feel of a leather belt were bound up in some of Marshall's earliest memories. His father hadn't spared the use of the belt with his son, and Marshall could not argue there were times when he flat out deserved it. He was mouthy and bold, and often spoke first, without thinking through what the consequences of his words might be.

He quickly learned that wasn't necessarily the way to go.

First his dad would warn. But only once. If Marshall didn't heed that initial warning, he wouldn't receive any other. The next response would be the summons. That could be verbal, as in his dad calling his name. Or a simple physical touch. Being picked up by the scruff of the neck and laid into position, his pants pulled down and justice meted out.

Sometimes it was the hand alone, stinging Marshall's flesh, inducing a sweet, hot burn that seared inside and out. A flame he quickly learned to relish as proof of his father's love. Other times it was his leather belt. He'd never cried over his spankings, always took them like a man. And his father had treated him like a man. The lesson Marshall came away with was if he broke the rules, he paid the price, and he accepted it.

He always knew his father loved him, even after he spanked him. Afterward, as the flames licked through his flesh—whether administered by hand or by belt—his father would soothe the burning with sweet balm and sweeter words. He never doubted his dad loved him, and he certainly loved his dad. His dad was always there for him, something that couldn't be said for Marshall's mother.

Lee flexed his belt and snapped it taut, the sound ringing out as sharply as the crack of a whip. Marshall's cock was weeping copious amounts of pre-come. He'd have to run a load of laundry before bed, no doubt about it. It was worth it.

"You will use that mouth, boy, never doubt that. You don't doubt that, do you?"

"No, Sir. I don't doubt that at all." He was counting on it, actually. He loved the taste of Lee's meaty cock, loved the texture of it. Lee seldom came in Marshall's mouth, but on those rare occasions he did, Marshall was in heaven.

When he was little, his mother made a habit of running off and leaving Marshall and his father for extended periods of time. Even when she was there, she wasn't there. Marshall didn't miss her, didn't need her. He had his father, and he was loved. She was a virtual stranger on the periphery of his existence. He barely knew who she was—the concept of mother was an alien one to him. Father he understood very well.

His father quit his job and started his own business instead, out of his home, so he could be with Marshall. He took care of the house as well as his son, saw to his every need, cooked and cleaned and made sure he got to school on time. When Marshall didn't thrive in the public school system, his father removed him and homeschooled him instead. And Marshall felt very loved.

Every night they had a ritual. After dinner, once the dishes were done and put away, and the kitchen was clean, they would read together. His dad had taught Marshall to read by the time he was three. He loved those times, sitting on his dad's lap, either listening to his deep, rich voice read his favorite stories, or reading the words aloud to his father himself.

After the story, they took their shower together in his father's own bathroom, dried off, and then they went to bed. But not before giving thanks for what they had. The blessings in their lives. Marshall always considered his biggest blessing to be his dad. And then they'd stretch out in his dad's big bed, both of them warm and bare from the shower, and his dad would lie behind him and put his arm around him, holding him against him.

Marshall felt security, he felt love, and the strength of his father's body so close to his was ingrained into his love for him. There would never be anyone like his father in Marshall's life.

"I'll show you how these knees can take it, boy," Lee drawled, "and then you can just work the grass stains out of my pants. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir." Wouldn't be the first time. Or the last.

Marshall knew Lee had no trouble with kneeling on the rough ground. Lee was in prime condition, and there were times when he could put Marshall to shame. Marshall just liked giving him a hard time. Yeah, he was still that mouthy little kid at heart.

Grass stains were a small price to pay for what he was about to receive. Thank God for the wide open spaces of Texas, and their private playground, far away from their nearest neighbor.

Lee dropped to the ground, onto his knees, the belt gripped in one strong hand. "Strip," he commanded tersely. "All the way."

Just what Marshall wanted to hear. The spanking he was about to receive would definitely be followed by a fucking. Thank you God, yes, yes, yes...

He wasted no time in divesting himself of his boots, followed by his jeans. He wore nothing beneath. Going commando was his religion. It gave easier and quicker access for Lee, who did not like to be kept waiting. Neither did Marshall.

"Assume the position."

"Yes, Sir."

Marshall laid himself across Lee's legs, the denim rough against his bare skin. He turned his head to avoid getting another mouthful of flowers. 

"Spread 'em."

Marshall obliged, widening the space between his legs, feeling the warm breeze caress his pucker. Lee's hand stroked gently across one cheek, but Marshall knew better.

This was just the tip of the iceberg.

Don't Look Back Ch. 03



"First off, you ran..."

Lee's leather belt whickered crisply. Marshall felt a familiar tightening that began in his stomach and radiated outward before finding a home in his balls and leaking cock. He had a heightened sense of awareness of every move Lee made, despite not being able to see him. He tracked the arc of the belt by sound alone just before it made glorious contact with his bare flesh.

Whap!

Marshall never flinched. The first stroke was never the hardest or the best.

"Second off, you made me chase you..."

Second stroke. Harder this time. It caressed his other ass cheek like a lover's kiss. A stern, demanding lover.

"Remember your third offense, boy?"

Marshall knew. Of course he did. But he maintained a stoic silence. Lee's question was actually a ploy, meant to draw him out. See if he was paying attention. Marshall was not about to fall into that trap. If he was going to fall, he was going to do it eyes wide open, knowing the consequences.

Not like this. And not for something as stupid as speaking without permission.

"Good boy." Lee's voice a silken purr that sent sparks flying through Marshall's nervous system, lighting a fire in his soul. One good deed deserved another. Lee was not afraid of giving rewards when they were merited.

Marshall felt Lee nudge his legs open just a little more, felt Lee's cool breath whistle across his hole, followed by a long, languid swipe of his tongue. Jesus that was good. An involuntary groan lodged in Marshall's throat. He clamped down on it, as well as the urge to come.

Too soon. Far too soon. More importantly, Lee hadn't said he could.

Sometimes long afternoons were spent in their bedroom, with Lee tonguing Marshall's ass, fucking him with it like a damned mini-cock. Lee could even hit his prostate with his tongue, and send Marshall spiraling into ecstasy.

Lee's lips skimmed the curve of Marshall's ass before he straightened once again.

"Tell me, boy. What was your third offense?"

Head down, his hair flowing over his face, Marshall dared to grin at the memory.

"I called you old man, Sir."

"So you think I'm an old man, do you?"

"No, Sir. I don't think that, Sir."

The belt came down again, without warning. Heat spread through Marshall's ass. A delicious burn. Damn, that hurt so good. And damned if he didn't want more.

"Thank you, Sir," Marshall fairly moaned. He dared to turn his head slightly to one side, blowing strands of red hair from his mouth. 

"Just you remember that." 

"Yes, Sir."

Thwack!

Marshall could just imagine how red his ass was now. He felt the sting of his hyper-sensitive flesh as Lee layered stroke upon stroke. Marshall knew this too would pass; the pain would dull as the nerve endings grew enured to the sensuous ache that suffused him, crowded out by other, more pleasurable sensations. The pain was only the beginning, the means to an end. But it wasn't everything. And there were limits.

Marshall had his safeword. All he had to do was use it and the spanking would cease, right then and there. Or whatever it might be they were engaged in at the time. Whatever Marshall didn't feel comfortable with.

He'd never had to use his word. Not even once.

Marshall felt Lee release the belt, dropping it onto the grass beside them with a gentle thud. Marshall knew what that meant and he tensed slightly in anticipation.

Lee referred to this part as "doing it manually'. His hand descended on Marshall's ass with a sharp smack, a resurgence of delicious pain flowing through Marshall. He squirmed slightly in Lee's lap, knowing his weeping cock was saturating Lee's jeans with pre-come. He wished Lee would lose them. He wanted to feel Lee's bare flesh, rub his cheek against Lee's skin, inhale Lee's musky, natural scent.

Lee reached beneath him and grasped Marshall's aching cock. "Goddamn, you're wet, boy. Don't come yet. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Sir," Marshall dutifully responded. Too bad he hadn't thought to bring a cock ring. Or even a rope. Something to prevent illicit ejaculation.

Marshall felt Lee's fingers caress his wetness, coating them with nature's lube. He had to mask his impatience, or risk losing it all at Lee's whim.

"One or two?"

"Two, please, Sir." Marshall swallowed in glorious anticipation as Lee eased two fingers inside of him. Yesssssss....

Marshall felt the familiar burn as Lee's fingers breached his tightness, pushing inside of him until they were completely encased. Those fingers felt like heaven, stretching Marshall's channel, preparing it for bigger and better things. One step at a time. Anticipation was the best foreplay.

"Want more, boy?"

"Want you, Sir." Marshall wriggled his ass, as if seeking to impale himself even more upon Lee's fingers. 

"How do you want me, boy?"

"Inside of me. Your cock. Fuck me hard. Please, Sir."

Marshall held tight to his obedience. He needed this as much as Lee did, maybe even more. This was the essence of their relationship, the hallmark of their love. Had been for many years.

The fingers disappeared. Marshall tried not to moan his disappointment. The loss would be more than adequately replaced by something better. Patience.

"On your hands and knees," Lee directed him and Marshall scrambled to obey, dropping onto the harsh grass of the field. He didn't care if he scraped his palms or his knees. For what he was about to receive, he was truly grateful.

He dared a glance up at Lee. He was removing his jeans, a small tube in one hand. Marshall couldn't help but admire the view as Lee's thick cock appeared. Angry and swollen, it was a veritable god. One that Marshall loved to worship every chance he got.

Lee liberally slathered lube onto one palm, coating his cock, his gaze fixed upon Marshall. 

"Ready for me, boy?"

"God, yes." Marshall fairly moaned in anticipation.



Don't Look Back Ch. 04



Marshall's entire body was tense, not with apprehension, but anticipation. He was hard put not to shake his ass, the urge to do so strong inside of him. At times like this, when he and Lee came together out in the open, in the freedom that only the great outdoors can provide, Marshall thought of himself as a wild animal. Untamed and untamable, except by Lee. He was the cub to Lee's bear. A walking, talking piece of Lee's heart, a part that could never be torn asunder.

Even if some had tried.

Slap!

The hand came down again, only half expected. Lee wasn't predictable, and Marshall loved that about him. His cheek stung, the burn stealing through him like wildfire. A throaty moan issued from deep inside of him. One that could easily be released in a howl.

Marshall fairly vibrated now. He dared to shift his position, move his knees apart just a little more, knowing how enticing his bud would be to Lee. Like honey to a bear...

Much as Marshall loved Lee's tongue delving inside of him, he loved Lee's cock that much more. And he hungered for it on a constant basis. There was never such a thing as enough, much less too much, of Lee.

He watched Lee drop to his knees behind him, felt Lee's hands upon Marshall's hips. He pressed up against him, and Marshall felt Lee's cock slide between his cheeks. 

Goddamn, he's a fucking tease.

Lee was seriously winding him up now, driving Marshall to the brink of endurance, testing his obedience and submission. No matter what he did, Marshall was for goddamn sure going to hold himself in check, until he received permission to do otherwise.

Lee's cock was slick with lube and pre-cum. He watched Lee stroke himself, his gaze never leaving Marshall's face. "Tell me how bad you want this, boy."

"I want it bad, Sir. I want it very bad."

A smile curled the corner of Lee's lips. Marshall thought Lee had the best smile in the world. 

"You want me to fuck you stupid?"

"I want you to fuck me dumb and dumber, Sir," Marshall replied in lust-laden tones. "Fuck me into next week, next month, next year..." 

"Why don't we start with right now?" 

Marshall felt Lee's cock poised at his opening, and he dropped his head, his hair falling across his face, as Lee breached him. In one swift move, he was inside. Marshall caught his breath in appreciation. 

Goddamn that's good.

It didn't matter how often they fucked. Where, or in what position. This never changed—the first moment just after Lee entered him. When they truly became one. Two parts of a whole, joined once more, for this moment in time.

Their union might not be recognized by the government, or by the state in which they lived, or even by society as a whole. And maybe there were ramifications to their relationship that an outsider would never understand or condone. It didn't matter. They understood, and that was good enough for Marshall. 

Marshall felt Lee pull back, his channel emptying of Lee's familiar warmth. He knew it would only be for a moment, and sure enough, Lee slammed inside of him again. He liked to give it rough, sometimes, and Marshall was just as eager to take it that way. Hot and hard. Fast and furious. Like wild animals.

As Lee thrust inside of him, Marshall pushed back. Their skin slapped together wetly, and the vibrations radiated outward, consuming Marshall in their intensity, wave after wave of pleasure that threatened to break, like waves upon a shore. He dug his hands into the grass, determined not to come. Not yet.

"Fuck, your ass is hot," Lee moaned. "Sweet and tight. So tight."

Marshall clenched his muscles about Lee's cock, knowing damn good and well that would drive Lee crazy. And it did.

"Holy Jesus fuck," Lee swore. "Goddamn, boy, you tryin' to kill me?"

"No, Sir. I'm not trying to fuck you to death, Sir." Well, not literally.

Lee shifted his own position, leaning over Marshall's back, changing the angle of his attack. And now he was able to peg a certain bundle of nerves, and Marshall yelped in sheer ecstasy. Again, and again, in dizzying succession—Marshall lost count. His own dick was puddling the ground beneath him into a wet mess. 

Marshall felt Lee's lips trailing along his spine. He felt Lee's hand as it snaked beneath him, taking hold of Marshall's wet cock.

Oh yeah, fist me. Hard.

Without warning, Lee jerked into an upright position, pulling Marshall with him, their torsos aligned as Lee continued to thrust inside of him, in shorter strokes now, even as he pumped Marshall's cock. 

Marshall turned his head toward Lee, their lips meeting in a pulse-pounding heart-stopping kiss that threatened to incinerate them both. Marshall's cock ached with the need to come, but he held on to it tightly.

And then Lee pronounced the magic words.

"Come for me, boy."

And Marshall did, releasing hard into Lee's familiar touch even as he wordlessly screamed and his body pulsed. 

Harder, harder...

One hand gripping Marshall's shoulder tightly, Lee began to shudder and moan, then came hard inside of him, filling Marshall as he released.

Lee leaned against Marshall, spent. Their sweaty, cum-soaked skin glued their bodies together in a sticky bond. Marshall knew they couldn't maintain this position forever. But while it lasted, it was pure nirvana.

They finally collapsed together onto the flower-drenched grass, Lee on top of Marshall. He loved how they smelled together, right after sex. Loved how they felt, inside and out. Their kisses were more languid now, less rushed. More content.

But all good things come to an end.

"You know we have work to do." Lee made no move to rise.

"Mmmhmmm. We do."

Hold me just a little longer, Lee. Like when I was a kid.

And Lee did.



Don't Look Back Ch. 05



Burnham, Texas wasn't much to look at, at least not from an outsider's perspective. It wasn't exactly located on the road to anywhere, and it held no locations of cultural or other kind of interest that might draw a tourist's attention. No gourmet restaurants, no museums. Not even a single famous grave.

The entire population of the community hovered somewhere right around the hundred person mark, living in convenient proximity to one another. There was a small business district, if you wanted to call it that, consisting of a diner, a gas station that also rented videos, a small grocery store, and a hair salon that cared for the tonsorial needs of all—men and women alike.

Most of the residents worked outside of Burnham in nearby Tucker Falls, which boasted a population of almost ten thousand people, and offered way more than Burnham ever could in the way of nightlife. Whatever your pleasure might be, you could find it there somewhere. Some of it less out in the open than others.

Burnham also had a resident sheriff but not a jail. The budget only stretched so far, and everyone figured having a sheriff was a good thing, no need to house the criminal element too. Besides, the office was a fairly recent development. Prior to the arrival of Roy Landry some seven years before, they'd done without, and suffered at the hands of unruly teens and thrill-seeking miscreants who got lost heading down to Mexico and ended up in Burnham instead. 

Roy Landry put an end to all that nonsense. Before he'd even taken office, he put his foot down, all over the lawbreakers that dared to trespass on his territory. Word quickly spread that this guy was no one to mess with, and life in Burnham turned right peaceable, and the people were quick to show their appreciation with an offer of employment and a house to call his own. Roy accepted both.

Marshall and Lee lived on the outskirts of Burnham, in what was once a working farmhouse. Originally white, the exterior had weathered down to bare wood, and the barn had fallen down long ago, the unused fields filled with wildflowers and snakes instead of crops. But it was home, their home. It also housed their business—LMC Industries. The name was an amalgamation of their first names, Lee and Marshall, along with their surname of Clinton. 

Lee had early on discovered an affinity for computer repair. He could fix any system that was ever made. No matter what condition he got it in, he could put it together as good as new. And he could assemble brand new components to any specification that was called for. Marshall took after him, except his specialty was software and programming. Together, they were an unbeatable combination. Lee did the warranty repair for several large computer companies. They sent him their more hopeless cases and he made them right. Marshall created games that were the delight of hard-core gamers across the country, as well as less fun applications in various fields. He loved the freedom it gave them to be able to work at home, together.

Life was good.

Marshall's computer had been built by Lee, and had everything he could possibly want—fastest co-processors, largest RAM, and most incredible graphics, which was essential for the games he created, which tended to be graphic intense. Two 30" flat screen monitors sat side by side on his desk. Lee had a long state of the art work bench, with a multitude of drawers, that sat in the same room. They spent hours together, working in companionable silence, content not to speak.

They never actually saw any of the customers they serviced. Drop-offs and pick-ups were handled through delivery services, and it wasn't unusual for them to receive multiple deliveries in a single day. They only had a couple of "immediate" neighbors—immediate being a relative term—Joe Garcia, the retired postman, a widower whose land abutted theirs to the east, and the Fergusons, Craig and Sarah, the childless married couple who owned the house across the road. Lee and Marshall were on good terms with both neighbors. On occasions when they weren't home, their neighbors would sign for any packages and hold them for the pair.

Night life in Burnham was pretty well non-existent. There was no central gathering area, unless you counted the diner—Milly's Place—and people did meet there, but that was mostly for eating purposes. Folks met socially in one another's homes to watch football, in season, arguing the merits of their favorite teams. There were a fair number of Cowboy fans in Burnham, but there were a few who rooted for the Broncos. Led to rather lively discussions at times, and an occasional fistfight. Card games were not uncommon—mostly poker, but some folks were into bridge or canasta.

For anything more than that, the residents drove the distance to Tucker Falls. Marshall and Lee were among that number. There was a certain club where they would go to unwind, called Partners, and it catered to a particular sort of clientele—mostly men. The music was largely County-Western, but not exclusively so. There were over fifty types of cold beer to choose from, a decent-sized dance floor, plenty of tables of varying sizes to fit every social need, and assorted games from darts to table bowling to fussball.

At Partners, Marshall and Lee could relax together and cut loose—dance, drink, hang out with other men. No one to censure or pass judgment. They were accepted at face value for who they were.

On those rare occasions when even Tucker Falls couldn't satisfy a particular itch, they'd close the shop for a couple of days and head up to San Antonio. That served a double purpose—besides being able to unwind, they could search some of the electronics wholesalers for spare parts. You never knew what you might find at a good price.



Don't Look Back Ch. 06



"Feeling restless?"

Marshall never turned as Lee came up behind him. He gazed through the screen door, his focus on nothing in particular. A recent rain had dropped the temperature to more bearable levels, and the cooling breeze that blowing into the house was a welcome visitor. Thirsty birds dipped their beaks in the water-filled bowl of the concrete bird bath; turtles rimmed the edge with stony gaze and dragonflies circled the pedestal. A rabbit shot across the grass, his companion haring after him; both were quickly lost to view.

"Mmm, what makes you think so?"

Marshall felt Lee press against him, his hands flat against Marshall's hips, his head resting on Marshall's shoulder familiarly.

"Maybe 'cause I know you? And maybe 'cause I been watching you prowl around the house for onto a half hour now. You sit at your desk, then you get up. You go into the kitchen, then you come back. If I didn't know better, I'd say you've got a case of cabin fever going on."

"Cabin fever?" Marshall turned his head slightly to meet Lee's deep blue gaze. "Isn't that what people get when they're shut up for long periods of time with nothing to do? I'm not exactly a shut-in here, you know."

"I know that." Lee's voice was low and well-modulated, and Marshall loved its every cadence. When Lee pitched it just right, shivers slid through Marshall's body in rapid succession. Just listening to Lee often turned Marshall on.

Today was no exception.

"And I have plenty to do. We have plenty to do."

"That we do," Lee agreed. His palms rubbed lightly over Marshall's hips. "But sometimes it's nice to get out and about."

"We just went to Milly's for dinner last night," Marshall pointed out. "Doesn't that count?"

"There's getting out and there's getting out."

Marshall couldn't argue with that. And just maybe he had been pacing a bit, whether he meant to or not. Sitting still seemed to be getting on his nerves. But then so was moving sometimes.

"What'd you have in mind?" Marshall knew Lee well enough to know he wasn't prone to making idle conversation. Not that they didn't talk, mind you, they did. But Marshall could tell the difference between chitchat and communication, and Lee didn't do chitchat.

"I dunno, what sounds good to you?" Lee countered, and something in the timber of his voice reached inside of Marshall and arrowed straight to his cock. Decision made.

He pushed back against Lee, grinding his ass against Lee's crotch, a soft moan welling in his throat. "You do," he murmured in heartfelt tones. "I'm hungry for you. I want to taste you. I want to lick and suck you until you come. And then I want to swallow every last bit of you."

"And do you think you've earned that?"

"I do," Marshall maintained. "I finished that program you asked me about, for that company out in California." Marshall continued to gyrate his backside against Lee like a needy cat. He closed his eyes and inhaled Lee's scent—masculine and earthy, familiar and sensual. Lee didn't need cologne to make him smell good. Mother Nature had done that for him all by herself.

"And I'm ahead on everything else," Marshall finished. Although Lee generally initiated their lovemaking, he didn't discourage Marshall from making the first move himself when he was inclined to do so. Lee might keep Marshall on a leash, so to speak, but it was definitely a consensual arrangement, with a certain latitude on both their parts.

"Sounds like you've done well, boy."

Marshall could read between the lines. Lee had neither blown him off nor said no. Lee's next words only confirmed that.

"No time like the present."

Lee moved his hips against Marshall, their movements meshing in exquisite synchronicity. Marshall could feel Lee's steely hardness, and he licked his lips in anticipation.

"Right here?" Marshall asked. It didn't matter to him that they were standing before an open screen door, in full view of any passerby. This was their little kingdom. None of their neighbors would think of trespassing, and they knew it. The chance of outsiders was slim to none. This wouldn't be the first time they'd dared to exhibit their voyeuristic side.

"Right here."

Lee spun Marshall about in one quick movement, his hands cupping Marshall's ass, kneading it through the stiff denim even as he pulled him closer. His mouth crashed down on Marshall's, and for a long moment nothing more was said.

Lee pulled away first, his breathing more shallow and rapid than when they'd first begun. "Show me what you can do, boy," he commanded in a lust-laden voice with all the smokiness of fine Kentucky bourbon.

Marshall tossed his head back as he slid to his knees. His long auburn hair cascaded down his back, away from his face and out of harm's way. He raised his face to Lee's once more, memorizing every facet, every plane, every nuance of Lee's features, before turning his attention to the matters at hand.

He reverently undid Lee's large silver buckle, bound up with so many memories, from his youth and up. He loosened it enough to access the button beneath, and slipped it through its opening. Then he carefully pulled down the zipper, not rushing, in joyful anticipation of what he was about to receive.

Lee was hard already, and getting harder. Marshall gently eased Lee's cock into his waiting hands, closing them about it as if in prayer. He placed a reverent kiss on the tip, and then another.

So very good.

"Did you want to sit for this?" He directed the question up at Lee.

"Do you think I'm too old to stand, boy?"

Marshall smothered a smile as he sucked Lee's dick in his mouth, making a reply impossible. Of course he didn't think that, he just wanted to get the old man's blood flowing real good. 



Don't Look Back Ch. 07



Marshall and Lee's sexual relationship didn't begin until Marshall turned eighteen. Lee's choice, not Marshall's. He wanted to be with Lee sooner, but Lee refused. 

"Gotta crawl before you can walk," he'd said in his laconic way. Marshall didn't even understand what that meant, but his objections got him nowhere. He considered himself lucky Lee didn't punish him for his smart mouth, not to mention some of the comments he'd let loose with. But he'd been allowed some leeway. At least on this one point. Marshall still had to toe the line in all other ways.

So Marshall had to content himself with studying the subject of male love on the Internet, while he waited—although somewhat impatiently—to come of age.

Lee kept telling him two years wasn't forever, and he was right. As usual.

The night Marshall turned eighteen was the night his true education began—a night he'd never forget. Marshall's sexual voyage was an ongoing project, one they both reveled in. Marshall prayed it would never end.

Marshall was much more adept at dealing with Lee's girth than he had been before. He'd also learned what Lee liked, and how to please him, things the Internet couldn't begin to teach. He still enjoyed watching other men fuck, too. Viewing porn with Lee sometimes gave them both interesting ideas, and often led to other things. Although Lee often had quite a few ideas of his own, having more experience with other men than Marshall did. At least, before Marshall came back into his life. Then that all changed.

Marshall loved the way Lee tasted; that was something he never grew tired of. He could spend all day sucking on Lee's cock and be content to do so. Lee once told him no one did it better than Marshall, and the words of praise were very pleasing indeed.

Marshall had worked at developing his ability to hold his breath—whether while sucking Lee's cock, or being kissed senseless by him. Even so, he found breathing to still be a necessity. He pulled back, taking advantage of the pause to take a breath as he licked a trail along the underside of Lee's erection, beginning at the root and traversing his pulsing vein. When he reached the head, Marshall swirled his tongue about the helmet and explored the slit, tasting the pre-cum that already oozed in a thin salty stream. 

Goddamn, Lee tasted good.

When Lee shifted his weight from one leg to the other, Marshall looked up, meeting Lee's dark blue eyes. He could see Lee's love for him shining there, and he knew his own eyes reciprocated the same passion. 

"Mind if we take this to the couch?" Marshall gave Lee a questioning look even as he made the request.

"Don't tell me your knees can't take it?" Lee teased, eliciting a grin from Marshall.

"Nope, that's not it. There's just something I can't do very well from this angle."

"And what might that be?" Lee reached toward him, softly caressing Marshall's jaw line with his fingertips. Marshall arched into his touch with a small moan.

"I want to tongue your hole," Marshall said simply. He didn't need to ask if Lee liked the idea—the shiver that coursed through Lee's body was answer enough.

"Boy, I like the way you think. Best shed these clothes now, then."

Marshall wholeheartedly agreed, but he wasn't about to make a move without permission. He waited until Lee gave the word and then he proceeded to remove everything Lee wore, beginning with his shoes, not stopping until Lee was revealed in all his naked splendor.

And wasn't that a sight calculated to make Marshall's mouth water even more? Oh my...

"Your turn." Lee's voice melted Marshall's insides. If he didn't quickly clamp down on his libido, he was about to have an accident.

He kissed his way into a standing position, using lips and tongue to mark his territory. Lee was his as much as he was Lee's—of that there was no question. Marshall gave himself freely and willingly, and in return he received everything from Lee—his love, his protection, his loyalty. Their relationship was complicated to the outside world, but to them it was simple—they loved one another.

Lee didn't rush Marshall as he worked his way up Lee's body. He twined his fingers inside Marshall's hair, and once Marshall had risen to his feet, Lee pressed their mouths together, never releasing his hold. By the time he did let go, Marshall was dizzy with lust.

He took a moment for his head to clear and his balance to be restored before he began to strip. Not hastily, but slowly, sensually. He knew Lee enjoyed watching him reveal his flesh, bit by bit, savoring every moment of the process. Lee didn't have to say a word—his eyes spoke volumes.

Once Marshall was as naked as Lee, Lee turned and sauntered toward the family room. Marshall followed close behind, his eyes focused on Lee's sexy ass in anticipation.

The plush red sofa was fairly new, only a couple of years old. They'd driven up to San Antonio to shop the bigger furniture stores. Prior to this sofa, Lee'd had a leather couch for a few years. They'd found out the hard way that leather was not conducive to lovemaking, being both slick and uncomfortably sticky when body fluids were involved. Once was more than enough. The sofa became a gift to Sheriff Landry, once the new one was delivered.

Lee took a seat in the middle of the couch, his hands laced behind his head, his weeping cock tall and proud. Slowly, he spread his legs, making room for Marshall between them. 

"Like what you see?" He gave Marshall a slow, seductive smile that took his breath away every time he flashed it.

"You know I do," Marshall breathily replied. 

"Then come and get it," Lee invited, and Marshall dropped to his knees, prepared to dine.



Don't Look Back Ch. 08



Marshall found himself transfixed by the sight before him—Lee's perfect pucker. Generally it was Lee who feasted on Marshall's hole, but when Lee was in the mood, he allowed Marshall the privilege of tasting him there. 

"Come on, buttercup, I don't have all night." 

Marshall knew Lee was only teasing. He glanced up to see that slow, lazy smile that went straight to his heart, and he had to grin himself. "Don't think you can last that long, old-timer?" he taunted him.

Lee snorted. "I'm no punk kid, like certain people I could name. I last as long as I choose to last, and not a moment longer. You'd do well to remember that."

"Yes, Sir," Marshall murmured softly. He dipped his head and buried his nose in Lee's dark pubic hair for just a moment, inhaling his familiar scent. He could get off on that enticing smell alone. They'd made a bet once having to do with push-ups. Seeing who could do the most. The loser had to shave off all his pubic hair.

Marshall never realized how much his crotch could itch until his hair began to grow back. Damn, that man had stamina for days.

He dragged his tongue softly across Lee's taint until he reached his goal. Then he circled the hole lightly, teasingly. He felt Lee's body relax into his touch, knew he enjoyed Marshall's ministrations.

"Fingers too?" Marshall questioned.

"Mmmhmmm," Lee murmured his assent.

Marshall was free to use tongue and fingers, with Lee's permission, but he dreamed of more. One day he hoped to slide between Lee's thighs, bury himself to the hilt inside of Lee, and pleasure him in the same way Lee pleasured him. Completely, thoroughly, without reservation. So far, that had never come to pass. But whenever he asked Lee about it, Lee never said no, either. So Marshall held out hope he'd be able to fuck him some day.

Marshall took advantage of nature's lube, wetting his fingers in Lee's pre-cum. He slid two slicked digits inside Lee's tight channel, twisting them slightly, the way he knew Lee liked. Lee's answering moan was confirmation he'd made the right move.

"Oh yeah, just like that." 

Marshall twisted his fingers again. He reached for Lee's prostate and pegged it with practiced ease. Lee's answering moan was confirmation he'd hit the nail square on the head.

Lee's muscles gripped Marshall's fingers tightly. They had an assortment of toys they liked to play with, but most of the toys were used on Marshall, although Lee was known to indulge at times. While ordering online was both easy and discreet, there was something to be said for seeing what you were buying up close and personal. In a city the size of San Antonio, they could do just that, while retaining their anonymity. Added an element of fun into going to the big city.

Marshall kept stroking that small bundle of nerves, rewarded for his efforts by the increasing seepage of Lee's cock. He ran his tongue over the head, lapping up the salty fluid, drawing it into his mouth and swallowing it. There'd be more of that later; he had a different goal for now.

He eased his fingers from Lee's warmth and replaced them with his tongue, flicking it in and out of Lee's hole rapidly. Now Lee fairly vibrated with pleasure. He wound his fingers in Marshall's hair, secure but not too tight, allowing him the freedom of his head.

When Marshall figured Lee'd had about all of that he could take, he pulled his tongue out from Lee and blew a teasing breath across his opening, eliciting a shudder. He raised his eyes to meet Lee's, an unspoken question hanging between them. Marshall knew how to play the game, and he relished the rules they lived by, part of the tight bond that bound them to one another.

"Suck me, boy," Lee commanded, and Marshall happily obeyed.

Marshall wrapped one hand around Lee's balls, while the other drew Lee's cock into his waiting mouth. He took it all in one fell swoop, savoring the familiar taste. He didn't suck immediately, but simply held it there. Then he pulled back, as his tongue danced about the thick shaft, exploring the slit, while he continued to roll Lee's balls. 

Lee arched his hips, thrusting his cock farther into Marshall's mouth. Marshall felt the head touch the back of his throat, a move that would have gagged him at one time. But he was no longer the novice he'd once been, and he'd been working hard on honing his deep-throating skills.

Lee seemed pleased with the results. Of course, Lee was pretty damn impressive, himself, and he was a wonderful teacher. Of many things.

Marshall pulled off Lee's cock with a wet pop and took a deep breath. 

"Bet I can make you come in less than five minutes," Marshall challenged.

"Boy, you're on. Loser does dishes for a week. Without using the dishwasher."

"I'll buy you some nice gloves," Marshall taunted gleefully.

He ringed his fingers about the base of Lee's shaft and began to pump it in short hard strokes before taking the end back into his mouth, grazing his teeth across the sensitive head. He was familiar with most of Lee's triggers, but he also knew the old man could be stubborn when he chose to be. A trait they both shared.

He took Lee's cock a little farther, continuing to vigorously pump the base. As added incentive to orgasm, he began to hum, knowing the vibrations would only add to the need to release. 

Lee tightened his grip in Marshall's hair, but he never complained. All's fair in love and war... particularly love.

Marshall felt victory coming his way—he knew the signs all too well to mistake them for anything else. Lee's body tightened, his breathing raspier, his pre-cum flowing freely...

When suddenly Marshall heard, "Wanna fuck you, boy..."

Damn, Lee didn't play fair.



Don't Look Back Ch. 09



Lee's simple statement of intent derailed Marshall's entire thought process. In the back of his mind, he remembered the bet. But the prospect of being fucked was a temptation calculated to distract. 

Washing dishes wasn't so bad, was it? Surely worth the price of paradise.

Damn, Lee knew him only too well.

Marshall felt his resolve crumbling. "After I suck you off?" he suggested, although he damn well knew the answer to that particular brand of idiocy.

Lee snorted. "I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday, boy. You do that and we're done, and you know it. I was just thinking. Why don't we take this outside? To the shower?"

And that was the final nail in Marshall's coffin. 

It wasn't like they didn't have indoor plumbing. Of course they did. They might live in the boonies, but there was still a certain level of civilization to be found there, even in Burnham. The outdoor shower was a feature Lee had added himself, for days when they came back from hunting or camping or other outdoor activities, too filthy to even think about stepping foot inside. It was handy, it was damn practical... and it was a good way to fuck in the outdoors to their hearts' content, while also coming clean.

While he was debating, Lee reached down and pulled Marshall into his lap. Their cocks rubbed together slickly, Lee's wet with Marshall's saliva and pre-cum. Lee snaked his hand beneath Marshall, thumbing across his quivering hole.

"Now, which would you rather do? Stay here and suck me off... or go out there and get your ass pounded?"

Was that even a question? Lee obviously realized that as well as Marshall did.

"Take out the towels and I'll meet you there." Before releasing Marshall, Lee slid the tip of his thumb inside him, and Marshall whimpered needily.

Lee smiled. "You'll get a whole lot more than that," he promised, withdrawing the digit, to Marshall's dismay. Lee swatted his ass; Marshall savored the burn. 

"Now git."

Marshall scrambled up off Lee's lap, loping all the way to the linen closet. He grabbed two fluffy towels. Everything else they'd need was already there. Lee was gone by the time he raced back through the family room, headed toward the kitchen and the back door.

Marshall's bare feet slapped against the wood of the back stairs as he took them two at a time. Lee had already started the water and was standing inside the wooden enclosure. The shower wasn't totally enclosed, the walls only reaching to about shoulder height, affording them a view of their land. Marshall also had a great view of Lee.

Water cascaded down Lee's fit body, flattening his dark hair against his skull. Marshall set the towels on the outside rack, where they wouldn't get wet, and let himself inside the shower. There he got the complete picture, which never failed to turn him on. 

Lee's head was thrown back, his eyes closed, one hand on his chest, tweaking a nipple, the other stroking his hard cock.

What a total turn-on.

"Come on in, the water's fine." Lee beckoned, crooking a finger at Marshall. Marshall didn't hesitate. He moved into the warm spray, stepping close to Lee. Lee opened his eyes, and pulled Marshall closer, so close their cocks attempted to engage, even as he claimed Marshall's mouth. Their teeth clicked together, before lips parted and tongues collided. 

Lee's hand slid between them. He palmed Marshall's cock and tugged at it hard. "Turn around and spread your legs," he commanded, and Marshall complied.

Lee slid his fingers between Marshall's cheeks, lightly teasing his hole. Marshall knew exactly what he was doing—gauging how much lube, if any, was needed before he entered Marshall. 

"I'm ready now," Marshall insisted, but Lee kept probing anyway. 

"I'll be the judge of that." He slid one whole finger inside of Marshall, setting off pleasurable sensations in his nerve endings. When Lee seemed satisfied, he pulled the finger out. "Assume the position."

Marshall was more than happy to comply. He placed his hands on top of the wall, leaning toward it, presenting his ass to Lee. He had a wonderful view of their backyard and the land beyond, including the birds that came to bathe in the bird bath or peck at one of several feeders.

"Guess you're ready, aren't you?" Lee's lust-laden voice reverberated against Marshall's ear as he stepped up behind him, pressed against him tightly, his erection digging into his ass. Marshall knew that wouldn't last long; he savored it while he could.

"Yes, Sir," Marshall throatily replied. "Ready for you, Sir." He felt Lee widen his stance just a little bit more, and he relaxed into his touch, his body fairly thrumming with anticipation.

Lee entered him in one swift thrust. 

Marshall tightened his grip on the wall, catching his breath at the sudden intrusion. He loved it rough, but it took a little adjustment when his body considered Lee's entrance an invasion. Marshall adjusted to the fullness that Lee's length brought as his breathing evened out.

He leaned back into Lee as a sign that he was good with it and ready to go on. Lee pulled almost completely out and slammed inside again.

Goddamn, goddamn... so fucking good.

When Lee said pound, he wasn't kidding. Swift and hard. Gloriously hard. This was lovemaking at its most primitive, elemental level. This was lust mixed with want mixed with need. Marshall needed Lee as he needed the air he breathed, the food he ate. He knew Lee felt the same way. Other people might not understand, but they did.

Again and again. Harder, stronger. Lee reached around and grasped Marshall's cock, pumping it. Marshall felt his explosion was imminent. He pushed back against Lee's thrusts, his insides coiling like writhing snakes. He turned his head to meet Lee's, their lips crashing together as he let go, feeling Lee release inside him.



Don't Look Back Ch. 10



Dinner was done. Evening's shadows crept along the backyard, prefacing the darkness of night. Nothing stirred in the grass, and the birdbath was vacant, its former occupants gone to roost. 

Marshall had decided to grill—thick pork chops he'd seasoned with a little salt and pepper. And a touch of cayenne, for a little extra kick. He'd learned everything he knew about cooking either from Lee or the Food Network.

Clad only in a pair of jeans that barely kissed his hips, Marshall finished drying the last of the dishes and put them away. He'd be glad when this week was up, and he could go back to using the dishwasher. It was his own fault, couldn't blame anybody else. He'd wanted to be fucked so badly he'd lost by default. 

But it was worth every minute of it.

He dried his hands on a kitchen towel, turned out the light, and joined Lee in the family room. Lee was kicked back in his recliner. The television was on, but Lee's attention was focused on a book in his lap. He turned a page and looked up as Marshall entered. 

"That didn't kill you, now did it?"

"Guess not." Marshall laughed. "Doesn't mean I have to like it." He started to stretch out on the couch, just as a knock sounded on the screen door, and a familiar voice called out, "Anybody home?" 

"Come on in, Roy, door's open," Lee yelled in reply.

Marshall rose as the sheriff entered the room. Roy Landry was a grizzly bear of a man. But anyone who made the mistake of thinking of him as soft learned the hard way that his gentle appearance belied his strength. Roy was like a second father to Marshall, and had been instrumental in reuniting him with Lee. He'd been a part of their lives ever since.

"Evenin', Roy," Marshall greeted him. "Can I get you a beer?"

"That sounds real good." Roy dropped onto the end of the couch, his accustomed place whenever he visited. Removing his comfortable white wool cowboy hat, he dusted off the brim and set it beside him.

"Want one too?" Marshall asked Lee, who nodded. Marshall retrieved three longnecks from the refrigerator. He took the other end of the couch, curling his bare feet on the cushion beside him. 

"How's business?" Roy asked. He took a long appreciative drink of the brew.

"Pretty good," Lee replied. He'd closed his book and set it on the table next to him. "No matter how bad the economy gets, people still want their computers running like clockwork."

"It's this generation," Roy commented. He winked at Lee, but his words were obviously aimed at Marshall. "They've been spoiled so much they think they can't live without their pcs and laptops and tablets, all those gadgets we grew up without. Never hurt us, did it?"

"Not a bit," Lee agreed. "But I guess these are different times. You adapt, or you get weeded out."

"Now just hold on there a second," Marshall protested. "We're not spoiled. Who gave this generation the computers they grew up with? They didn't grow on trees." Not that he'd had one. That was something his mother hadn't provided—among other things. She was a subject never touched on among them, one Marshall had left in his past. In the dark time when he thought he'd lost Lee forever.

"I dunno," Lee drawled. "Who was whining about missing his dishwasher, just because he has to wash dishes by hand for a week? When I was a kid, we didn't ever have anything like that. The only dishwasher was me, and it didn't kill me."

"What's wrong with the dishwasher?" Roy looked at Marshall, who pretended to scowl at Lee.

"Nothing. I just lost a bet, and now I have to do dishes by hand for a week."

Roy laughed. "Don't you know better than to bet against Lee, boy? Do you ever win?"

"I don't remember. I'm sure I have. Not that it's important."

Both men laughed at that. Marshall's cheeks flamed slightly, but he was grinning nonetheless.

"Anything going on at the sheriff's office?" Lee asked. He'd switched the TV off so they could hear better.

"Not much. Couple of speeding tickets. Had to bust up a fight at Milly's. Some out-of-towners with nothing better to do and no place to do it in. They hit the road again quick enough when I let 'em know we don't tolerate that sort of thing here."

"In other words, a fairly typical day."

"Pretty much, Lee. Can't complain. It's a living, and I like it here. Glad I came."

The reason for his coming lay unspoken between them, but it was one they were all aware of.

"You still seeing that widow in Little Bend?"

Roy shrugged. "Off and on. Mostly off. I think she's looking for someone with better prospects. When I told her I liked being the sheriff here, and wasn't thinking of doing something else, she kinda cooled off."

"Her loss. Plenty more where she came from."

"Amen to that," Marshall agreed. 

"You doing anything tomorrow night?" Lee asked.

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"Why don't the three of us make a night of it and head up to Partners? Haven't been for a while. Whaddya think?" His glance encompassed both Roy and Marshall.

Marshall was grinning from ear to ear. "Hot damn, sounds good to me. I wanted to show off those new boots I got. That would be the perfect chance to do it."

"Did you break them in yet?" Lee arched an eyebrow at Marshall. "Otherwise, all you'll end up with is blisters and sore feet. Then you won't be able to dance, like I'm guessing you want to."

"Hell yeah, I want to. And I will. Just you see," Marshall replied, a little defensively.

"Want to place a bet on that?" 

Marshall pushed out his lower lip in a pout as Roy began to laugh.



Don't Look Back Ch. 11



Despite Lee's warnings—or perhaps because of them—Marshall spent the entire day breaking in his new boots in preparation for the trip to Partners. As added protection, he placed a band-aid on each heel. Better safe than sorry. They surely were beautiful boots. He admired them in his and Lee's full-length bedroom mirror, twisting and turning to catch the whole effect. Hand-tooled black leather, they fit perfectly and looked great. So did the black cords he wore, the ones that molded themselves to his ass. In one ear, a silver hoop glittered.

Roy had met them at the house. They were all going in Lee's sedan, as having the most comfortable ride. Roy had teased Marshall about his new black Western-style shirt. "Aren't you fancy?" He ran his fingers along the silver piping that contrasted with the darkness of the shirt. "Are those real pearl?" He indicated the snaps.

"Yep. Got this last time we were in San Antone. Like it?"

"Sure do. You're lookin' real fine." Roy flashed him a grin. "Betcha the guys line up to be your dance partner."

"Betcha you're right," Marshall agreed.

Lee rolled his eyes. "Don't encourage the boy, you'll give him a swell head." Lee swatted Marshall's ass when he bent to climb in the car, and Marshall warmed to his touch. After Roy hopped in the back and Lee slid behind the wheel, Marshall added, "You don't look half bad yourself." But the open admiration in his eyes was a closer indicator of just how hot he thought Lee really looked.

Partners was pretty well hopping, but then again it was Western night. Wall-to-wall men of all sizes, shapes, and colors made for an interesting landscape. A large number of them were stuffed into the game room, and their triumphant cries and moans of defeat punctuated their activities.

The dance floor was awhirl with bodies in motion, gyrating energetically to the throbbing rhythms that thump-thumped through the mega speakers situated strategically throughout the club. Marshall's feet were begging to be taken in that direction, but he curbed his enthusiasm and followed behind Lee as he threaded his way through the club in his quest for a table, telling himself it wouldn't be long now, Roy bringing up the rear.

On Western night, servers wore wrangler jeans, boots, cowboy hats, and leather vests that revealed bare skin beneath, with scintillating glimpses of nipples calculated to make a horny man's mouth fairly water with desire. These guys gave new meaning to the phrase "ride'em cowboy".

Marshall almost ran into Lee when he stopped without warning, grabbing his hips, as he felt Roy bump into him from behind. One of the cowboy servers stood before them, a tall slender blond with hair that fell Rapunzel-like down his chest. His cowboy hat was studded with rhinestones and purple feathers.

"Hey sexy, looking for a table?" the server purred. "I think I might be able to squeeze you in." 

Marshall noticed the server's eyes weren't exactly looking Lee in the face, and it didn't take a mind-reader to guess just what he was scoping out in that southerly direction his glance had just taken.

"You do that," Lee drawled. "I'd be much obliged."

"Walk this way, sugah." The blond batted his fake eyelashes, before turning and sashaying away with mincing steps, Lee close behind. Marshall threw one hand backward, into the air, and swung his hips in an exaggerated copy of the server's gait. Roy guffawed, even as he poked Marshall in the back and told him to behave himself or he'd tell Lee.

True to his word, the server managed to find them a four-top that had a decent view of the dance floor, and wasn't situated too close to the speakers. There were two seats on either side. Lee chose one side, Roy sat on the other, but when Marshall tried to claim his spot beside Lee, the server blocked his way, leaning in toward Lee in a confidential manner, under the pretense of making himself heard. "What would you like this evening?" he asked, his voice filled with a whole lot of innuendo.

Lee ordered three drafts and three shots. If he was aware of the blatant invitation behind the blond's words, he gave no indication of it. Once the server had gone to fill their order, a disgruntled Marshall took his seat, scooting his chair a tad closer to Lee's. Lee arched a brow but said nothing.

Roy was scoping out the dance floor, but he didn't seem to find what he was looking for. "The evening's young," he commented. "Maybe later, when the line dancing begins. That seems to bring the ladies to their feet, especially the unattached ones." He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, in sync with the music, his big body swaying back and forth.

A shadow fell across the table. Marshall glanced up, prepared to defend his territory against the predatory waiter. But this was a brunet, early thirties, neatly trimmed goatee, tight black T-shirt, and form-fitting leather pants.

"Want to dance?" There was no mistaking this man's intentions; his focus was clearly on Marshall. Not uncommon when they came to Partners. Marshall drew his fair share of attention, even though he did nothing—at least in his eyes—to warrant it.

He and Lee had an agreement—Marshall was free to dance with anyone, provided he received permission. And with the strict understanding nothing else would occur, there or anywhere else. Not that Marshall wanted anything or anyone else, but those were the rules, and he followed them. It wasn't that Lee couldn't keep up with Marshall. It was more a matter of giving Marshall his own space, Lee called it. A question of trust.

Marshall automatically glanced at Lee. 

"With your father's permission, of course," the man added.

Marshall snickered, just before Lee pulled him close and laid a liplock on him that took his breath away.



Don't Look Back Ch. 12



By the time Lee released him, Marshall's breath was coming in heavy gasps and his head was spinning—and the wannabe dance partner had disappeared. Guess he could catch a clue. Marshall didn't mind. There were plenty more where he came from. Including the sexy man who'd just kissed him stupid.

"Wanna dance, cowboy?" Lee asked in a sultry voice.

Marshall broke into a wide grin. "Hot damn, you know it!"

"Then don't you think you should get up? I don't see that dance floor moving up here anytime soon."

Warmth spread through Marshall's cheeks, and he heard Roy snicker. But he didn't mind. There wasn't anything but love behind those words. Love and a bit of fun.

He waited for Lee to rise before leaping to his feet. Putting his hands on Marshall's hips, Lee said, "C'mon, let's show 'em how it's done." To Roy, he added, "If that pretty boy gets back with the drinks, can you pick up the first round? I'll catch the next."

"You got it, Lee."

"Then let's go." He swatted Marshall's ass for good measure, and they sashayed their way down onto the dance floor. They found themselves a bit of space on the edge of the floor and began to dance, bumping hips in a slow sensual grind to the rhythm that pulsed around them. They fit together like a hand in a glove, sliding together naturally, like they'd just come off an episode of 'So You Think You Can Dance.' Lee guided Marshall with expertise, and he knew how to lift and spin Marshall, making it appear effortless.

Little by little the space around them grew as people stopped to watch and admire. The two men paid them no heed, focused on one another, until the music stopped, when Lee bent Marshall over backward and kissed him. They came upright to thunderous applause. Marshall couldn't help but notice a few people had their phones out. Taking pictures, no doubt.

"You did good, boy," Lee praised him, and Marshall warmed to his words.

Just then the music changed, and the dancers re-arranged themselves into lines. The boys engaged in some good ole scooting and booting before finally leaving the dance floor for the table. The drinks had arrived while they were gone. They slid back into their places, dropped the shots into the beers and drank.

"That server sure seemed disappointed you weren't here," Roy teased. "Kept asking about you. Wanted to know if you were taken."

"What did you tell him?" Marshall asked.

Roy shrugged. "Said if he wanted to know so bad, he should ask Lee."

Marshall kicked him underneath the table, and Roy laughed.

Lee leaned over and pinched Marshall's cheek between thumb and finger. "Aw, what's the matter, sweetums, feelin' a mite jealous?"

"No, of course not. I just thought he was trashy, that's all."

That produced more guffaws from Lee and Roy.

"I'm not jealous!" Marshall protested.

Lee clapped him on the back and grinned. "Oh no, not much you aren't!"

Blondie chose that moment to walk up to the table, producing more hoots of laughter from Lee and Roy, and little enthusiasm from Marshall. The server tossed his long hair back, away from his face, and batted his eyes straight at Lee, ignoring Marshall's presence entirely. So much so, he stepped on Marshall's foot in his eagerness to get to Lee.

"Goddammit, those are new boots!" Marshall spluttered. The server paid him no heed and leaned around him, his attention all on Lee.

"Can I get you something else, sugah?" There was no mistaking what the blond was offering. And it wasn't liquid refreshment. At least, nothing that came from the bar.

It took all of Marshall's self-control not to lean his chair back onto two legs and block the server's way, but he didn't do it.

"Yes, you can." Lee's voice was deceptively calm. Marshall recognized the don't-fuck-with-me undertones. He returned his chair to its original position and kept quiet.

"What can I get you, handsome?"

"Some respect for my partner," Lee replied. "And an apology for stepping on his foot." Lee slid an arm about Marshall's shoulders, his message clear.

Marshall felt his heart expand a hundredfold, and he reveled in the security and love that was Lee. He looked up at Blondie, who'd thrust out his lower lip in a pout, undoubtedly hoping to gain sympathy from Lee. Marshall could have told him he was barking up the wrong tree there.

Lee cleared his throat with purpose. Blondie backed up a pace.

"I... I'm sorry," he muttered in a voice that barely carried over the music. Marshall glanced at Lee, who nodded.

"Apology accepted. And can we have another round of the same, please?" Marshall said.

"Yes, sir. Right away." Marshall thought if Blondie were wearing a skirt, he would've curtsied. Instead he simply turned and shuffled toward the bar, a whole lot less sass in his step, and a whole lot more contrite.

"You see? Anyone can be trained, if you know how to do it right." Lee reached for his beer with his free hand, a twinkle in his eye as he observed Marshall over the rim of the glass.

"Is that so? I'm guessing you mean me?" Marshall couldn't help but stare into Lee's dark blue eyes. He tried not to smile, but he wasn't that good at dissembling, tending to wear his heart on his sleeve. When it came to Lee, anyway.

"Well, he sure doesn't mean me." Roy snorted.

They all laughed at that, and any lingering tension dissipated. The chastened server returned with their drinks, and a sunnier disposition.

"You know what, I think I see a pretty little filly that needs some attention. I'll catch up with you." Roy rose, took his beer and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lee and Marshall alone.

"Hey, Lee, long time no see!"

Another country heard from. Lee turned toward the newcomer.



Don't Look Back Ch. 13



Lee broke into a broad grin at the sight of the newcomers. The man who'd greeted him was tall, dark, and angular, about Lee's age. His bronze skin wore the weathered look of someone who spent a great deal of time outdoors, while his bright blue eyes were bursting with good humor.

"Hey Slim." Lee gained his feet as they approached the table, holding out his hand. The man named Slim took it, before pulling Lee into a quick hug. He did the same with Marshall. "It has been a little while, hasn't it? Hey there Rye, Denver." 

Rye was a little older than Lee, with a one-time athletic build that was turning to flab. He compensated by dressing in flattering clothes that hid his growing paunch. Denver was about a year or so older than Marshall. His wavy blond hair was heavily gelled, and he was as well turned out sartorially as Rye, but in bolder colors.

The four top next to them had just become free. They joined the two tables together and rearranged their chairs. Lee and Marshall sat on one side, Denver and Rye across from them, Slim at one end.

Marshall and Lee had been coming together to Partners for less than a year. Technically, Marshall was underage, but a small glitch in the law allowed him to drink in the presence of a parent. Being with Lee, though, no one seemed to question his right to be there. Also, having Roy with them on occasion, as a lawman, helped.

They'd met Slim, Rye, and Denver on one of their visits, and had become good friends. The three men all lived and worked in or near Tucker Falls—Slim on a working ranch just outside the city limits, Rye as a salesman for a local liquor distributor, and Denver in a retail computer store. 

"I noticed Roy up at the bar, smooth-talking some pretty little thing." Slim grinned. "I thought he was seeing someone?"

Lee shrugged. "You know how that goes. One day they're all sweet and lovey-dovey, the next they think you're public enemy number one. Can't live with them, can't live without them."

A chorus of amens resounded through the group. Not that Marshall had any experience with women. Not dating them, anyway. But he had a good idea what Lee meant.

At that moment, Roy himself turned up. He slid into the empty chair opposite Slim, setting his beer on the table in front of him.

"Didn't work out?" Slim asked.

Roy shrugged. "I kinda got a clue it wouldn't when she offered to introduce me to her mother."

"Ouch," Rye commiserated. 

"Don't worry," Marshall tried to cheer up the dejected sheriff. "You'll find someone else, for sure."

"You know it." Roy winked at him. "There's some good looking guys right at this table, too." He gave Lee a significant look. Marshall scowled and moved his chair closer to Lee's, which earned him a snicker.

"Oh no, don't you start too," Marshall warned the older man.

"Too?" Slim raised an eyebrow. "Is there a story there, Lee?"

Lee shook his head. "Naw, nothing really." He raised his hand to gain the server's attention, and a moment later, Blondie stood beside them, ready to take their order. Each man named his poison. Marshall noticed Blondie had moved his sights to Rye, who fairly ate up the attention. 

"Why don't I help you carry those?" he offered, following the server toward the bar. Marshall noticed a little more spring in Blondie's step.

Denver leaned across the table toward Marshall. "I bet he gets him in one of the back rooms," he confided. "Like in the next five minutes."

Partners was notorious among its patrons for the small back rooms that were the scene, more often than not, of intimate encounters, primarily between men. Most of the women preferred their lovemaking taken to different venues, but the men weren't as picky, and usually twice as horny. It wasn't unusual to see the beginning of such encounters on the dance floor, or at the tables, and people tended to look the other way if a couple showed a bit of flesh while caught in the throes of lust.

"I bet you're right," Lee agreed with a laugh. 

"And I think I might be right behind him. Check out that sexy drink of cowboy at your nine o'clock."

Marshall and Lee both turned and look in the direction indicated. A Sam Elliot look-alike was sitting alone, drawing on a draft. He seemed to be eyeing Denver up as well.

"Go for it," Marshall encouraged him. "You know you want to."

"Hell to the yeah. See that ten gallon he's got on? I'll be wearing it by the time we come back out," Denver said confidently as he got to his feet and moseyed in the direction of his dream cowboy.

Just thinking about the back room made Marshall horny. He and Lee had been back there a few times themselves. Sometimes the drive home was too long, especially when Marshall had a hard-on for Lee that wouldn't quit.

Like now.

Rye returned with the server, long enough to leave the drinks, their attention somewhere else. Sure enough, moments later, they were hand-in-hand, heading toward the rear of the bar.

Marshall squirmed in his chair a little. He lightly feathered his fingers along Lee's thigh. "How about another dance?" he suggested.

"Go ahead, have some fun," Roy encouraged them. "Slim and I can catch up, can't we?"

"You betcha," Slim agreed. "Go for it, you two."

"Sounds like a plan to me." 

On the dance floor once more, they fell into an intimate two-step. Marshall snaked his hand between them, boldly cupping Lee through the fabric. 

"I bet I can read your mind," Lee murmured huskily into Marshall's ear.

"Bet you can." 

Lee pressed against Marshall's hand. "Let's go in back," he suggested.

"Fuck yeah." Marshall fairly whimpered with need. "Right now, please, Sir."



Don't Look Back Ch. 14



They exited the dance floor and made the short trip to the back area in record time. There was a code of sorts that was used to determine the availability of the rooms. It was a simple system. Colored plastic cards were hung on the door knob—red, green, and purple. The one on top determined the occupancy of the room. Green meant no one was inside. Red meant 'stop, the room's in use', while purple meant 'yeah, someone's in there, but company's welcome'. That was for the more adventurous souls who enjoyed sex with more than one person at a time. Everyone was on their honor to use the cards, and there'd never been a problem with it so far.

They passed the first couple of doors which displayed red cards. Lee stopped in front of one that sported a purple tag and reached for the knob. Marshall let out an indignant whoop without thinking. Lee turned to face him with a shit-eating grin.

"Could someone possibly be jealous?"

Marshall noted with chagrin the amusement in Lee's eyes. He scuffed at the floor with his boot, debating a suitable response, before he blurted out, "Yeah, I guess that'd be me. "

Lee made no immediate reply. He took Marshall's hand, leading him farther down the hall until they found a door with a green card on top. He switched the card to red before they entered the room and closed the door.

Then he pushed Marshall up against the door and claimed his lips, sucking Marshall's lower lip into his mouth. Releasing him, he murmured, "You don't need to be jealous. You're the only one I look at. You're the only one I see."

Marshall warmed at his words. He knew Lee wouldn't lie to him. 

"I'll never leave you," Lee promised. "I told you that when we found you. I meant it then, and I mean it now. You and me, boy. Always."

He reclaimed Marshall's mouth, and their tongues met in a glorious union of flesh. Marshall knew what happened hadn't been Lee's choice or his fault. But every once in a while, he just needed a little bit of reassurance.

The décor of the room was simple. A single bed, nothing fancy, but the sheets were changed on a fairly regular basis, more than you got in some motels. A small wooden side table, if you needed to lay out a few things. Two or three chairs, in case of voyeurs. Each room was BYOL—Bring Your Own Lube, as well Bring Your Own Rubber. There were machines in the men's room that dispensed those, so there was no excuse for coming up short.

Marshall and Lee had never used condoms. They were exclusive with one another, always had been and always would be.

Lee already had his hands at Marshall's waist. He undid his fly and pulled down the zipper, freeing Marshall's leaking erection. Marshall toed off his new boots and shimmied his hips as Lee pulled the cords down his legs, before kicking them out of the way. His fingers were already working the buttons of the black shirt then it joined the rest of his clothes on the floor.

Lee undressed quickly. When they were both naked, he gestured toward the bed.

"Hands and knees," he directed, and Marshall obeyed.

Marshall knew just how far apart to spread his knees, how to wriggle his ass in an enticing fashion. Lee's hand crashed against first one buttock, then the other, leaving heat in its wake. The bed dipped under Lee's weight, the springs creaking their protest. No telling how many bodies had done this exact same thing many times before. Partners was a popular place, both with men who needed a quick place to hook up, as well as couples who liked to be adventurous without having to go home to do it.

"Head down, boy," Lee admonished.

Marshall had been daydreaming; his fault entirely. He dropped his head into the proper position and accepted another swat to each cheek as penance for his inattention. He loved the structure of Lee's love, although the rules weren't always rigidly enforced. Just most of the time. And it was all done with love.

Air hit Marshall's pucker as Lee parted his cheeks. He shivered at the coolness of Lee's breath as he blew across Marshall's entrance. Apparently, he'd been eating something minty, and the sensation was both startling and intense. Marshall shivered as Lee's tongue lapped at the sensitive skin of his perineum, licking at the underside of his balls as they hung down between his legs.

His cock ached from inattention, but he didn't dare reach for it. That was so against the rules. Although he might, if he got horny enough, just to see what Lee would do about it. Might be fun.

Lee's tongue was doing the most amazing things to Marshall's hole, dipping and sucking, but there was more to come. Marshall knew it, and he needed it. Needed Lee inside of him. Soon.

He tried to curb his impatience, but the moan he inadvertently released was heartfelt. 

Lee ceased his ministrations, leaning along Marshall's back until his breath was warm in Marshall's ear, his cock nestled securely between Marshall's cheeks.

"Tell me what you want, baby," Lee whispered seductively, his voice sending delicious shivers ranging through Marshall from his fingers to his toes.

It didn't matter where they fucked, or how often they fucked, Lee continued to take Marshall's breath away on a constant basis.

"Want you, Lee," Marshall moaned. "Need you inside of me."

Lee grasped Marshall's cock and pumped it. "You want me to fuck you hard?" he teased. "Want my cock inside your hot ass, do you?" 

"With all my heart." Marshall bucked into Lee's hand. He tried not to whimper, but he was quickly losing control.



Don't Look Back Ch. 15



Lee rolled Marshall so they were face to face. Marshall's breath quickened at the sight of Lee's hard body poised above him. Although Lee presented a tough façade to the world, Marshall could read him like a book. His own personal, private edition. 

He could read the emotions that flashed through Lee's eyes, mirrors to his soul, and he loved them all. But most of all, he loved how Lee loved him.

A slow, lazy smile spread across Lee's face. Marshall's heart lurched at the sight. Lee reached between them, his fingers circling Marshall's length, pressing his palm against Marshall's flesh. "Don't come until I tell you," he warned. 

"Understood." Marshall shivered at Lee's touch. He'd promise anything if it meant he got to have Lee inside him, reconnecting at their most basic level. There was a fire inside of him that perpetually burned for Lee, a flame that could never be quenched. 

"Think maybe we should go up to San Antone soon. There's a few things I'd like to get."

Marshall knew Lee had more than computer parts on his mind. They'd been looking at various toys online. Lee wanted to try the wireless remote butt plug on Marshall. According to the website they read, it vibrated.

"Sounds like a good idea," Marshall agreed. He tried not to let his excitement show, but he knew Lee felt it anyway. 

"I can plug you while you work, keep your hot ass on simmer all day, and watch you squirm until you beg me to take you." His hand pumped Marshall's cock. Marshall thrust into his tight grip eagerly.

Just thinking about that plug threatened to send Marshall over. He had to get a grip on himself or he'd come. "I like that idea," he moaned.

Lee reached behind Marshall. "Raise up," he directed. Marshall lifted his hips, and Lee slid a pillow beneath them. The pillow wasn't the softest, but it wasn't exactly hard either, and the added elevation allowed Lee better access to Marshall's hole. It also meant he could bury himself deeper inside of Marshall.

Marshall was certainly all for that.

"Then you better work extra hard, next couple of weeks. And watch that smart mouth."

Marshall knew better. He knew Lee encouraged his sass. He also knew Lee was proud of him, and the work he did for their company. He just liked to give Marshall a hard time. And Marshall loved that he did.

"Maybe I should use that smart mouth on you," Marshall retorted.

Lee grinned. "Not tonight you won't." He leaned down, slanting his mouth over Marshall's, effectively ending that particular discussion. For now.

Their tongues tangled in silent communion, in a mutual give and take, exploration of familiar territory. Marshall's need for Lee was only growing greater and hotter. He had to focus hard to keep from exploding into Lee's hand.

Lee drew back and slid two fingers inside Marshall's mouth. He sucked at them eagerly. At last, things were moving forward, and he was closer to getting what he wanted.

When Lee felt the digits were wet enough, he removed them, releasing his hold on Marshall's weeping cock to grab his legs, raising them to his shoulders. A familiar giddiness coiled inside Marshall's stomach, the kind you get when you're sitting on a roller coaster, about to take the big plunge.

Lee eased his wet fingers inside of Marshall, stretching his tight muscles. He would never enter Marshall without prepping him first, and he'd never do it dry, either. He reached inside of Marshall and pressed on his prostate. Marshall released an involuntary yip, arching his back.

"Like that, boy?"

"Sir, yes, Sir," Marshall moaned. He started to reach for his cock, without thinking, but his hand was swatted away.

"Did I say you could?"

"No, Sir, you did not."

"Then remember that." Lee pulled his fingers out of Marshall's ass with a wet pop. Marshall knew his actions wouldn't cost him what he wanted most—Lee wanted it as badly as he did.

He felt the head of Lee's cock nudge his opening, and he resisted the urge to reach for it and guide it inside of him. Then Lee plunged into him in one strong move, filling Marshall completely. He gasped at the feeling of fullness that suffused him, the completeness of their union.

Neither moved, simply enjoying the moment. Then Lee lowered Marshall's legs to the level of his waist, and Marshall locked his ankles behind Lee's back, pressing against the dip just above Lee's ass. He leaned up a little and Lee leaned down, and their mouths met in the middle in a passionate kiss.

Lips joined, Lee began to move, quickly establishing a steady rhythm. The bedsprings creaked beneath them, in sync with Lee's movements, echoed by similar creaks from nearby rooms—the symphony of Partners, the music from the bar an audible backdrop to the private activities. 

Marshall moved his hips to meet Lee's thrusts, urging Lee to fuck him harder, his moans becoming lost inside Lee's mouth. Just when he thought he'd have to risk taking himself in hand, Lee took hold of Marshall's cock and pumped. Lee released Marshall's lips long enough to whisper hoarsely, "Come now, boy." And Marshall did, his orgasm the crescendo to their love song.

Lee continued to thrust as Marshall's cock released in hard spurts between them, covering Lee's hand, and spattering both their chests. Marshall squeezed his muscles harder, and felt Lee's response. A few more pushes and Lee released, filling Marshall with wet warmth.

They lay together afterward, after wiping off as best they could. Just for a moment before heading back to their friends.

Marshall stared up into Lee's gorgeous eyes, unable to speak, filled with love for this beautiful man he could not live without.

As if sensing his mood, Lee murmured softly, "No matter where you are, I'll be there. I love you, Marshall."

"Love you too, Lee."

Life was perfect.



Don't Look Back Ch. 16



The dreams were variations on a theme. He was just a kid, under her control once more, and she'd left him alone—again. Locked him in a closet, one of many she used to contain him. She always claimed it was for his own good. Told him she just wanted to keep him safe. Even at the age of eight, Marshall didn't believe her. But he was helpless to do anything about it. Everywhere they went, this became the norm of their lives. Running from place to place, never staying more than a few months in any one location. A different town, a different man.

Each place had one thing in common with the one before—the closet where she'd lock Marshall when she left. Trouble was, she sometimes stayed away for days at a time. Like she'd forgotten he existed.

"Where's Dad? When are we going home to Dad?"

"Soon," she kept promising him, but soon never came. He asked her once too often and she finally exploded, screaming, "Never!"

By the time he was thirteen, he understood she was playing an adult version of Hide and Seek. Keep Marshall away from Lee. He just didn't understand why, and she wouldn't tell him. 

The darkness of the closets was the worst part, even beyond being hungry or thirsty, or being forced to piss in a corner. That he could handle, but the rest... In his dreams, the darkness reached out for him with hungry clawed hands, awful creatures that wanted to hurt him, keep him away from the father who loved him.

Marshall's eyes snapped open, but the darkness persisted, and he knew he was still inside the dream, and he began to scream...

A light clicked on. Strong arms enveloped him, held him close. A soft voice murmured in low soothing tones. Gentle hands stroked down his back, stopped his trembling. "Shhh, shhh, I'm here, I'm here."

Marshall's heart raced and his breathing was ragged, but he was becoming aware of himself and the world around him once more. He wasn't in any closet; he was safe, with Lee, in their bed. It had been nothing but a bad dream, as usual.

He took deeper breaths, calming down, embarrassed at letting a dream get to him like that. He felt like a baby for overreacting. Not that Lee would ever make him feel that way.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, burying his face in Lee's chest, rubbing his cheek against the familiar softness of Lee's chest hair. Marshall hated nights like this.

Lee tilted Marshall's head back so their eyes met. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault, not at all."

Marshall knew where the blame lay, but that name was never spoken between them. Ever.

"I was dreaming about... and then I woke up, and it was still dark, and I... I guess I panicked." He took a long shuddering breath.

"Light in the hall must have gone out. I'll take care of it."

Marshall clutched at Lee tightly, as if afraid he meant right that minute. "No, don't leave me," he murmured, his voice riddled with anxiety.

Five years. Five long years they'd been separated. 

His mother had turned up unexpectedly when he was eight years old, after being gone for months, and snatched Marshall away. She must have been watching them, waiting for just the right moment. Marshall barely remembered the house he grew up in. He didn't find out until later it was somewhere in rural Georgia. Marshall had been playing out in the yard one day when a strange man grabbed him and shoved him into the backseat of a car, with his mother.

That's when the nightmare began.

She didn't dare put him into school. Never let him talk to anyone. Wouldn't give him any books, although occasionally he found one. He'd sneak it into his room when she wasn't looking, and devour it as quickly as he could. 

The men she lived off of treated him like another piece of furniture and never questioned anything his mother did. But they paid the bills, put up with her ways, and told her she was pretty. He heard her tell one of them her kid's father was dead. Marshall didn't believe that, even if those assholes seemed to. His dad wasn't dead. He knew it. 

As Marshall grew older, he became more and more determined to escape his captivity and find his way back to his father. He had no real idea where his father was, or how to get to him, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. He was just watching for the right opportunity. He was thirteen, and not the naïve little boy he'd once been.

Then one night, when he least expected it, a miracle happened. They were living in Fargo. It was always bitter cold there, and Marshall hated the cold with his whole soul. That night, his mother yelled at him to take the trash can to the curb for the next day.

He dragged the can through the foot of fresh snow that had accumulated during the day. Despite the cold, he stood a moment, watching his breath steam into the crisp night air. At that moment, a strange sedan pulled up. The back door opened, and Marshall saw the face of the man he loved most in the world.

"Jump in. Quick!"

Marshall hadn't thought twice about it. He leapt into the car and the driver peeled out like he was trying to set a record at the Indianapolis 500. And Marshall had never looked back.

"Want to talk about it?" Lee offered, but Marshall shook his head.

"Just hold me, please."

Strong arms held him close, and Marshall knew he was safe, and loved. Lee's lips brushed the top of his head. "Go back to sleep."

Marshall nestled against him, until sleep claimed him once again.



Don't Look Back Ch. 17



When Marshall opened his eyes, he found the bedroom to be sunnier than usual. What the hell? Why hadn't the alarm gone off at its normal time? He looked to Lee for answers, but the other side of the bed was empty. He felt the sheets. They were cool to the touch. Lee obviously hadn't slept in quite as much as he had. 

He rolled to a sitting position, set his feet on the floor, and yawned. He shouldn't be tired if he'd slept in—accidentally or not. Then he remembered the reason he hadn't slept very well. And he realized Lee had shut off the alarm to let him sleep in. His heart swelled, and he felt tears prickle his eyes. He swiped at them and took a deep breath.

Coffee. That's what he needed. And Lee. Not in that order. After that he'd get to work at his computer.

He debated throwing on a pair of shorts, but decided against it. He'd get dressed after his shower. It wasn't uncommon for both of them to run around in "the altogether" in the privacy of their home. Marshall sure wasn't about to complain about the chance to see Lee naked more often. And he didn't hear Lee putting up a fuss, either.

As he started down the stairs, Marshall inhaled deeply. The seductive smell of bacon filled the house. Oh man, Lee was making breakfast. He shivered in anticipation. Normally, breakfast was fast and easy. About the fanciest they got was toasting muffins or bread to go with their coffee. But when Lee was in the mood, he could cook up a breakfast that put most restaurants to shame. 

Marshall couldn't help the shit-eating grin that stretched from ear to ear as he approached the kitchen. This already promised to be a great day.

Lee stood at the stove, his back to Marshall, giving Marshall a full dead-on view of his magnificent backside. Mmm, what a sight first thing in the morning. Marshall's cock twitched, blood rushing south in a hurry. Lee wore an apron, but that was all. The man was too smart to cook bacon without some protection for delicate parts that would object to being spattered with hot grease, tasty or otherwise.

Marshall padded silently up behind Lee, kissed one bare shoulder then the other, his hands cupping Lee's ass. 

"'Bout time you got up, sleepyhead," Lee teased. But Marshall knew he wasn't mad, especially since he pushed back against him, grinding his ass into Marshall's growing erection. 

"You shoulda woke me." Marshall glanced at the stove and his mouth watered. Just what he'd hoped for—Lee's famous bacon, eggs, cheese, peppers, and jalapeno breakfast. When he was a kid, Lee used to joke if this didn't put hair on his chest, nothing would. Marshall would run to the bathroom after he ate and look in the mirror, hopeful to find the same dark chest hair Lee had, but the only thing that greeted him was bare, smooth flesh. Until he hit puberty, anyway. And even then, the hair was fine and red. But by then he didn't mind as much.

Lee finished stirring and removed the large spoon from the skillet before he moved it to another burner and turned off the heat. "Untie this thing, willya?" he asked, and Marshall gladly complied.

Lee removed the apron and slung it over one of the kitchen chairs. He pulled Marshall into his arms and kissed him gently. "I had an idea. I was thinking that after we eat, we can go out to the pond and do a little fishing. Weather's supposed to be good. There's nothing pressing for today that can't wait until tomorrow. We can stop by the deli and pick up some of that cold fried chicken you like so much, get some sides to go with it. A cold twelve pack. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a terrific idea." Just the kind of day to chase the frights away. He pressed closer to Lee, his hand snaking between them, attempting to snare Lee in its grasp. Lee caught the wandering hand and pulled it away with a grin.

"I thought... maybe, after breakfast?" Marshall suggested hopefully, but Lee was already shaking his head.

"Nope, not now." At Marshall's crestfallen expression, he added, "But bring the big blanket," and Marshall smiled again. Even better. Lee wanted to make love outdoors. That was more than all right with Marshall.

"Roy's gonna join us later, close to lunch time."

Marshall wasn't surprised. This was pretty much standard operating procedure after one of his bad nights. His two knights rallied around him and made everything all right. It had been this way ever since they rescued him and made sure she would never find him again. There had been more bad nights then, but Lee had been incredibly patient, and never complained—either about losing sleep or having to deal with Marshall. Those nights were fewer and farther apart now.

They sat down to eat, and Marshall was in heaven. Lee had made biscuits too, little buttermilk rascals, dripping in butter; they literally melted in his mouth.

"I'll get the gear ready," Marshall volunteered once he'd scraped his plate clean, rinsed it, and set it in the dishwasher. "What do you think—fly or bait?"

"Let's take both, see which works better. Them bass can be tricky sons of bitches. We can run by Jose's and pick up some bait on the way." Jose lived down the road a little ways. During the summer he sold bait from a small stand in front of his house. Most of his customers were locals, but it was just a sideline to bring in extra income, and to keep his teenage son, Jesus, busy.

Marshall bent over and wrapped his arms about Lee's neck, pressing their cheeks together. "You're the best," he murmured. 

"Don't forget that." Lee swatted Marshall's ass and grinned.



Don't Look Back Ch. 18



Marshall loaded the back of the beat-up old black pick-up with their fishing gear. Although the sedan was better for going out of town, the Chevy truck was their ride around town. He loaded the coolers, too: one for the beer and food they'd pick up, and one for any fish they might catch—they always caught fish, that was a given. And oh the things Lee could do with them. Made the mouth water.

Of course, he didn't forget the blanket. Or the lube. Could never be too careful.

They stopped by the grocery store to pick up lunch. Lee liked to tease Marshall that the girl who worked in the deli had a crush on him. Marshall claimed that was just Lee's excuse to make Marshall place their order. Although it was true she usually added a little something extra for good measure. Marshall said she did it for the both of them, both Lee only laughed. Besides, not like the whole damn town didn't know they were together, so how could she not know he was unavailable? They never hid that from anyone, and they were accepted for who they were by everyone.

All right, maybe they didn't know everything, but they didn't need to. Folks in Burnham didn't pry. Even so, they were a close-knit community where it counted.

As they were checking out, Marshall noticed Lee'd picked up something that didn't quite go with the rest of their selections. He gave Lee a skeptical look.

"What?"

"What's that for?" He motioned to the bear-shaped bottle, just before the girl put it into a bag.

"It's honey," Lee replied helpfully. "You know, the stuff that comes out of bee hives?"

The checker snickered. Marshall scowled, even as Lee assumed his smart-ass face.

As if to atone for her laugh, the checker added, "Honey's good for both baking and cooking. My daughter loves it on her peanut butter sandwich." She gave him a wide smile, and Marshall couldn't help but return that smile. 

When he looked back at Lee, Lee's only comment was, "You'll find out," which told Marshall nothing, so he gave up trying.

They picked up some bait from Jose's stand, exchanged a little chitchat with Jose, and invited him to come down and fish with them sometime. He said he would and wished them luck.

The pond was at the far end of their property—far enough it was easier to take the truck than walk there—and it's where they did most of their fishing. It was big enough to take a small boat. They had a two-seat aluminum jon boat they kept under a tarp by the pond. Sometimes they liked to spend a lazy afternoon in the boat, poles in the water, relaxing together. Roy liked to join them when he could.

Today, though, they were going to stick to the shore.

There were some good-sized bass in the pond, as well as a family of ducks who liked to squawk at the two men for invading its territory, but they weren't averse to eating the popcorn or bread that was thrown their way by those same two men, either.

Marshall and Lee carried everything from the truck to their usual spot beneath the jacaranda tree that grew near the pond. Planted by a previous owner, it was a good twenty feet tall, and even now was covered in bluish-purple blossoms. Marshall spread out the blanket while Lee straightened out the tackle. By the time he was done, Marshall was lying on top of the blanket, naked, beside the thermos of coffee they'd brought.

"Hot already?" Lee arched a brow, and Marshall grinned at the double entendre.

"Always for you." 

"Sure it's not for Kelly in the deli?" Lee teased, stripping off his own clothes and adding them to the pile of Marshall's at the edge of the blanket. 

"I'm sure," Marshall insisted, crawling across the blanket on his hands and knees to where Lee stood, watching him. "She's missing something very vital to my happiness, if you know what I mean."

"No, what do you mean?" Lee made a point of gripping his hardening cock, pumping slightly, his eyes fixed on Marshall.

"You know exactly what I mean. You're touching it."

"Is this something you want?"

"That's something I always want." Marshall had reached Lee's feet, and applied tender kisses to the top of first one foot and then the other. He looked up into Lee's eyes, trying to gauge his desire. He could go for it, and maybe he'd reach the prize he sought, but he had a feeling Lee had something else in mind. He just didn't know what, but he knew Lee would let him know.

"Maybe if you're a good boy, I'll give it to you. Later. For right now, I want you on your back. And no touching."

Marshall had quickly obeyed the first command, and was well on his way to breaking the second when Lee spoke. Marshall pouted, but he didn't touch himself, much as he wanted to. 

Lee dropped to his knees beside Marshall's head. "My good boy," he murmured, just before he claimed his mouth with a kiss so passionate it stole Marshall's breath.

Marshall closed his eyes and fell into the intensity of Lee's touch, at the fire in Lee's eyes, reveling in the intimacy that was theirs. Opening them once more, he stared up into the canopy of purple above them and caught his breath. 

"Just relax, and don't move. I'm doing everything right now," Lee whispered. He began to kiss Marshall in all of his favorite spots: behind his ear, under his jaw, the corners of his mouth. As he began to trail kisses down Marshall's neck, Marshall understood exactly what was going on, and why. He relaxed into the blanket, allowing Lee his way. Not that he didn't all the time, anyway, but today was special.

Lee was making today all about Marshall. God, he loved Lee.



Don't Look Back Ch. 19



Lee's lips were soft, his breath warm, and his fingers were doing the most amazing things to Marshall's flesh. Marshall ate up the attention. Not that he didn't have Lee's attention on a regular basis, but today was special, and he felt like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting to see what Santa had brought. Except in this case Santa had brought Lee, and Lee brought joy to Marshall's world.

When Lee backed off and rose, Marshall moaned at the loss.

"Just for a second," Lee assured him. "Be right back."

Marshall's eyes fastened on Lee's hot ass as he knelt beside the cooler and rummaged through their bag. He licked his lips appreciatively at the sight. When Lee returned, he held the honey bear in one hand, the lube in the other. Now Marshall was even more confused as to Lee's intentions.

"You hungry?" he ventured a guess.

Lee gave him a knowing smile. "Always hungry for you, aren't I?"

Marshall had to grin at that. Familiar warmth stole through his body at Lee's words. "Yeah, but that doesn't explain... Oooh..." 

Lee tossed the lube onto the blanket. He opened the bear and removed the seal that proved it was virgin and untouched by anyone else. Upending it, he began to slowly drizzle honey over Marshall's nipples, first one and then the other. Marshall watched the process with fascination. What in the world was Lee up to?

When Lee touched the tip of his tongue to one nipple, Marshall began to understand. Even more so, as Lee licked around the pink nub before taking it fully into his mouth and sucking. Marshall moaned in appreciation. Lee repeated the procedure on the second nipple. By the time he was done, they were rosy and stiff peaks, and ached pleasurably.

Lee leaned back and squatted on his haunches. His eyes hungrily grazed over Marshall, who writhed impatiently. Marshall knew better than to whimper. He bit his tongue as he waited for Lee to make his next move. He didn't have long to wait.

Lee moved farther south, and turned the bear upside down again, holding it over Marshall's hard, weeping cock. The viscous substance oozed out, hitting the cockhead, sliding slowly down the side. Lee used his fingers to help coat Marshall's erection with the sweet stuff, before he bent over it and took it into his mouth in its entirety.

Lee's mouth was warm and wet around Marshall's cock, and his tongue was doing things that in certain societies might be considered criminal. Marshall arched his back, digging his fingers into the blanket beneath him. A gentle breeze stirred the air, and purple blossoms descended upon them in a colorful shower.

Lee took Marshall's hairless balls in one hand, rolling them between his fingers. He'd given them a quick going over in the bathroom last night, just in case. Not that they were all that hairy to begin with. Lee had a lot more hair down there than Marshall did.

"Finger," Marshall moaned needily. "Please," he added as an afterthought, although today he knew it wasn't mandatory. Still, couldn't hurt. 

Lee knew what Marshall wanted—Lee always understood Marshall's needs. Marshall watched as Lee moved his hand from Marshall's balls, picked up the lube and one-handedly pushed open the cap. He spilled a small amount of the lube onto Marshall's stomach; it was cool to the touch, not unpleasantly so. Setting the tube aside, Lee dipped his fingers into the substance, slicking them. "Spread'em, sweet cheeks," he directed, and Marshall happily obeyed.

Marshall pulled his legs back and held them against his chest, knowing this would give Lee greater access. 

"How many?" Lee wanted to know, licking the top of Marshall's cock.

"Three."

"Let's work up to that, why don't we? Start with two?"

Marshall nodded his assent. Lee slid two fingers slowly inside Marshall's channel, even as he devoured his cock once more. Oh God, that felt good. He clenched his muscles about Lee's fingers, hoping to keep them there forever. He knew what was coming, and he braced for it.

Sure enough, Lee reached Marshall's prostate and pushed against the bundle of nerves. Marshall yelped; Lee did it again.

"More!" he gasped, and felt Lee add the third finger he'd promised.

Marshall felt full, but in a good way. There was only one thing better than having Lee fingerfuck him, and that was being filled by Lee himself. He closed his eyes and gave in to the sensations that bombarded him, to the glory of the moment. 

Cool air hit his cock as Lee pulled off again, and removed his fingers gently from Marshall's ass. "I think you're ready. Roll on your side."

Marshall wasted no time in doing as directed. Lee lifted one leg and raised it to his shoulder before he pushed inside Marshall with one thrust. 

"Go ahead and touch," Lee gave his permission. Marshall quickly wrapped his hand around his cock and pumped, even as Lee began to thrust in and out in a quick rhythm. 

Marshall's control began to slip. He was about to come, and he knew it. That familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach that began to grow, radiating outward, rapidly. The feeling sparked and caught fire as his cock began to spasm and Lee thrust harder. Marshall kept pumping his cock, ejaculating in quick spurts that coated his hand and chest.

A few hard thrusts later, he felt Lee's release fill him warmly, heard Lee moan his name aloud as he came, before he collapsed onto the blanket, pulling Marshall close. 

Damn, that was good. If the fishing was even half as good, it would be a perfect day. Drained, he was tempted to close his eyes for a moment. It was a struggle not to give in. But in the end, he gave up and fell asleep against Lee, inhaling his familiar scent.



Don't Look Back Ch. 20



Marshall felt a light pressure on the tip of his nose. He swatted at it without opening his eyes. Damn flies. He wasn't quite ready to wake yet, wrapped in a pleasant post-coital haze, a warmth that suffused his entire body from head to toe. There it was again. He reached for it again, but this time he encountered warm flesh. He opened one eye a crack and beheld a smiling countenance. He couldn't help but grin back.

Lee. He should have known.

And then he heard another voice, one that wasn't Lee's, coming from somewhere above where they still lay, completely naked, on the blanket.

"How's the fishing? Catch anything?"

Marshall would know that voice anywhere. He'd known Roy was coming, no surprise there. He stretched his limbs, enjoying the warmth of the sun, and the splendor of the day. He wasn't concerned about being seen by Roy, any more than Lee was. He'd known Roy too long to be shy around him. And Roy knew the score, understood about Marshall and Lee. And didn't judge.

"Yep, I did catch one," Lee drawled. 

Marshall rolled to his side and peeped up at Lee, who had sat up, his long legs bent. Marshall couldn't help but admire his profile, the curve of his ass and the strength in his thighs, his heart beating quicker at the sight of Lee's amazing body. 

"I was thinking I should throw him back, though, he's a mite scrawny, don't you think? What are the legal limits, Sheriff?"

Placing one hand beneath his chin, Roy pretended to consider the question, his eyes grazing over Marshall's form. "Does seem a mite puny at that, Lee. Think we should measure him and see if he comes up lacking?"

Marshall burst out laughing. "Oh yeah? Bring it on, I dare you. And while you're at it, let's take a measure of your worth, see how well you stack up."

"Ouch." Roy pressed one hand against his heart, as if Marshall's words had wounded him.

Lee burst out laughing. "I think he might have you there, Roy. Pass us our clothes, willya?"

Grinning, Roy gathered up the pile of clothing they'd left at the edge of the blanket and dumped it between them. 

"And this is why I didn't rush out here at the buttcrack of dawn. That and I went to the office for a bit."

"Everything quiet?"

"Right as rain. I think I'll just stake out my spot over yonder." He pointed to one side of the pond, away from the ducks. "Seems to be calling my name." He reached into the cooler, brought out a cold bottle.

"Did you get any bait from Jose?" Lee asked. Marshall paused in the act of drawing on his clothes to watch Lee. Shame to cover up such a fine body. He admired every inch of the sight while he could. Lee turned his head, catching him in the act. Marshall didn't even bother to act embarrassed, cause he wasn't.

"Peeping Tom much?" he grinned. "You going to finish, or be a voyeur all day?"

"I dunno. Why don't you take your clothes off again, and I can tell you?" Marshall sassed.

"Maybe Roy might have some objection to that," Lee teased.

"Roy's right here and Roy says keep it tucked in, gentlemen. If I want an eyeful of that, I know what magazines to look for. I think you two have most of those, anyway." He winked at them, taking a long drink of the cold beer. 

He carried all his stuff to the spot he'd picked out: fishing rod, tackle box, camp stool, and a couple of beers, so he wouldn't have to get up too often. Marshall and Lee set up in adjacent spots near to where they'd been dozing. They were far enough apart not to get in each other's way, but well within talking distance, their voices carrying easily to one another.

After a few hours spent fishing, they stopped for lunch. They couldn't have asked for better weather. The sun was warm, but not overly so, and a balmy breeze blew. Fishing was decent, enough to warrant throwing in their lines, but that wasn't the important part. What mattered was simply enjoying one another's company. The three men shared a bond that would never be broken. Marshall knew that Lee and Roy would do anything to protect him. He felt completely safe with them.

"Deli makes great chicken." Roy took another appreciative bite of the drumstick in his hand. Between the three of them, they'd damn near wiped out everything they brought, except for the beer. Roy had even brought dessert. Nothing fancy, but some of the fruit pies that Marshall loved. He'd brought an assortment—lemon, chocolate, apple, and cherry. Lee would cook the fish they'd caught for dinner that night, and Roy would join them for that too.

"I think we're going up to San Antonio next week," Lee said, as Marshall cleared the remnants of their meal, gathering up all their trash to take home and dispose of. 

"For how long?" Roy asked.

"Probably no more than a couple of days."

"Business or pleasure?"

"Want another beer?" Marshall asked, hand poised to plunge into the cooler.

"Yeah, that sounds good, thanks. A little of both," he answered Roy's question. "Got a client wants to talk about a software project. Might offer us a maintenance contract too. Worth checking out."

"I can only guess what the pleasure part is." Roy grinned knowingly.

"Well, there are certain things you can't get around here. Or even in Tucker Falls," Lee pointed out.

"Amen to that," Roy agreed. "Want me to keep an eye on the house for you?"

"Yeah, if you would."

"No problem."

Marshall came up behind Lee, leaned down and hugged his neck. "Thank you for today," he whispered softly. "I loved it. And I love you."

"Anytime, you know that. Love you too." 

Their lips met in a soft kiss.



Don't Look Back Ch. 21



Lee pushed through the revolving brass door, Marshall just behind him. Back on the sidewalk, they paused to get their bearings and catch their breath. The business meeting had lasted longer than they'd expected, but it had been worth it. 

Marshall squinted at the reflected glare of the sun's rays that bounced off the huge glass buildings that surrounded them. They didn't have anything like this in Burnham. The only time he saw structures this big was on their periodic visits to San Antonio. It was nice now and then, but he preferred living the way they did to being part of this noise. Marshall reached into his pocket and brought out his sunglasses. There, that was better.

"Now that's a good morning." 

Other people might not be able to tell how Lee was with their morning's efforts. For the most part, he maintained a stoic demeanor, but Marshall knew how to read him. Like a well-thumbed book.

"You did a good job, Marshall."

Marshall warmed at Lee's words of praise. "You're the one that sold him. I just talked software with him, listened to what he wanted, and told him how I could do it."

"And make it better. Don't be so modest. He was impressed, and rightly so. I'm very proud of you." Lee glanced up and down the street before raising his hand. Immediately, a yellow taxicab materialized at the curb in front of them. 

It wasn't until they were in the backseat, and safely away from the curious eyes of anyone on the street, that Lee kissed him. Marshall understood and wasn't offended. It wasn't easy to be openly gay in Texas, even now, especially in some of the bigger cities. The last thing they wanted or needed was to get into trouble, or draw attention to themselves. Luckily, the people of Burnham knew them and never judged them for who they were.

"How about a little lunch, and then we can go shopping?"

Marshall was tempted to say shopping first, especially as he knew the particular store Lee had in mind, but he knew from long experience that anticipation was just an aphrodisiac of a different sort. Besides, he needed to fuel himself for the night ahead. The very thought of what was coming made him smile. "Sounds good," he replied.

Lee gave the driver the address of the restaurant they'd decided to try the next time they were in San Antonio. A customer who lived in the area had recommended it, said it wasn't much to look at but the food was fantastic. 

"I thought we'd go to the Alamo after we get up tomorrow." Lee reached for Marshall's hand and held it in his on top of his leg as the cab sped them toward their destination. "Then pick up some stuff for the office. Maybe do some clothes shopping, as long as we're here. How does that sound?"

"Sounds perfect."

They leaned together, exchanged a quick kiss.

Visiting the Alamo was mandatory. It was their favorite place in San Antonio, the sex shop coming in not even a close second. But more than a place of great history, the Alamo held special meaning for them

In the dark days of Marshall's captivity, when Lee sought to find him for five years, with the assistance of the PI he'd hired, Lee had moved to Burnham and established a life, in anticipation of Marshall's return to him. Worked hard, preparing for the day when he would have Marshall with him once again. On his business trips to San Antonio, he'd visit the Alamo and sit inside the church, in this very hallowed of Texas shrines. And he'd pray for Marshall to come home to him.

Now they went there together and gave thanks for their lives.

Lunch was delicious—thick and juicy sirloin steaks, crisp steak fries, and cold beer from a local microbrewery. They generously tipped the waitress and promised they'd return next time they were in town. Afterward, they found another cab and headed to the large sex store, which was located in the downtown section of San Antonio.

The store was the largest in the area and had something for everyone. The clerks were helpful, but discreet, and they didn't bother you unless you wanted to be bothered. They found some DVDs for their collection, picked up a few bottles of flavored lube, and a blow-up doll for Roy as a semi-serious, somewhat gag gift. 

When Lee picked up a pair of handcuffs, holding it in the palm of his hand as if to feel their weight, Marshall's eyebrows arched. This was something new and different. They'd used ties and scarves but never handcuffs. Marshall was getting hard just thinking about having them used on him, in their bed. "Maybe we need two pairs?" he suggested in a breathy whisper.

Lee winked at him, before picking up a second pair. "I like the way you think." He grinned.

They found the remote-control vibrating butt plug Lee had mentioned, and added it to the items in their cart. Then they wandered through the clothing section, where they discovered the assless underwear.

"I can think of a lot of uses for something like this." Lee held a colorful pair in his hands, openly admiring them. He looked between them and Marshall. Marshall could only imagine what he had in mind... and he loved the idea.

"You know that old saying," he ventured to say.

"What's that?"

"What's good for the goose..."

"So I'm a gander, am I?" But Lee was grinning as he leaned toward Marshall. "And why should I wear something like this?" he questioned in a soft voice.

"So I can lick your hole," Marshall whispered back, their gazes meeting.

"Boy, I like the way you think. Maybe if you're real good, we can do that tonight."

Marshall swallowed hard. Hot damn.

They picked up some fuckbooks for themselves, and some for Roy, and headed to the checkout.



Don't Look Back Ch. 22



Marshall and Lee loved the Crockett Hotel for its proximity to the Alamo, as well as its amenities. It was right next door to the shrine, a few blocks from the Riverwalk. They'd taken the cruise a few times—a relaxing way to take in the sights. 

They carried their discreetly wrapped purchases through the busy lobby. At one time, this had been an open courtyard. Now it was a six-story atrium with a skylight, where people mingled. 

"Want to get a drink after we take these up?" Lee nodded toward the bar across the way.

Marshall considered the idea for maybe two seconds. "Nah, I'd rather stay up in the room. " Lee's smile at his words warmed him; he knew they'd have a much better time there than at some bar. 

"We can always send for drinks if we want 'em." Lee motioned toward the elevators, and Marshall followed. He juggled their packages to press the up button. Their room was on the fifth floor, and the balcony overlooked the Alamo. They tried to request the same room whenever they could. 

Once inside their room, Marshall dropped everything on the bed, made a beeline to the bathroom, and took a refreshing piss. He heard Lee's phone through the closed door. Wonder who that can be? Hope nothing's wrong.

By the time he'd washed his hands and exited the bathroom, Lee was already off the phone. Marshall arched questioning eyebrows.

"That was the garage. We can pick up the car in the morning."

That was good news. Meant they wouldn't have to take cabs any more. He liked that idea.

Lee had opened one of their packages. In his hands, he held a gray pair of boxers. "Strip, boy," he said softly.

Marshall started to protest, what about you, but he held his tongue and did as he was told. Once he removed his clothes, Lee handed him the underwear and he slipped them on. Not having an ass felt odd at first, but also strangely liberating. 

When he looked up, he saw Lee had also stripped, and wore only a black pair of boxers. Feeling Marshall's eyes on him, he turned in a small circle, affording Marshall a better view. And what a view it was! Marshall licked his lips, his mouth going suddenly dry.

"Um, wow," he managed to say as he swallowed. The desire to lick Lee's ass was overwhelming, and his cock began to rise accordingly, filling the front of his boxers rather nicely. Not like he could hide his condition, so he didn't bother.

He took a step toward Lee, and then another, his hands stretching toward that luscious flesh, wanting to touch so badly he could taste it, but Lee sidestepped him easily. Marshall pushed out his lip in a pout and Lee caught it, pressing their mouths together in a slow-burning kiss, a simmering fire that threatened to flame when properly kindled. Lee's hands caressed Marshall's bare ass, his fingers sliding into the crack, over his hole.

Marshall shuddered with need, moaning into Lee's mouth.

He expected Lee to walk him backward, toward the king-size bed that dominated the room, push him onto it, and then let the fun begin... But Lee surprised him. He released him instead and took a step back.

"I've changed my mind. We're going out."

Going out? What! Why?

Lee gently stroked Marshall's cheek, as if sensing his dismay. "I want you to simmer until it's time to boil. And if you can keep a lid on it, and not give me any trouble..."

Marshall hung on Lee's every word, hardly daring to breathe.

"... then I'll let you eat me out to your heart's content."

"Oh lordy," Marshall whispered. "Where do you want to go?"

Ten minutes later, they left the hotel and strolled the short distance to the Riverwalk. Lee had considered plugging Marshall, but had decided against it and placed a cock ring on him instead. Marshall could feel it with every step, but he decided that was better than having his anus stimulated by the plug and no way to relieve the pressure. The cock ring was insurance against bad behavior on his part, as well... such as coming without permission.

It was a pleasant walk, and ordinarily one Marshall thoroughly enjoyed. But he had a bit too much on his mind to appreciate the beauty of the scenery they passed. Lee walked just slightly ahead of him. Not because he didn't wish to be seen with Marshall, far from it, and Marshall knew better. It was to afford Marshall a mouthwatering view of his magnificent ass. Just knowing that nothing lay between those splendid cheeks and the material of his trousers caused Marshall's cock to throb with need and desire.

The Riverwalk contained a number of businesses, and customers roamed from store to store, drinking in the atmosphere. Umbrella-shaded tables lined the river, where people sat and laughed, ate and drank, enjoying the view.

Much as Marshall was doing, just in a different way.

This was a game they liked to play. This anticipation of pleasure to come, holding desire in check, increasing need to fever pitch. Which would make everything that came after much better.

Marshall restrained a moan as he watched Lee's long-legged movements, the sexy sway of his hips... seemingly innocent but filled with so much innuendo if you knew where to look. And Marshall knew exactly where to look. And he knew exactly what awaited him between those sweet cheeks.

He was determined to have that, no matter what.

When Lee stopped walking and motioned Marshall to an empty table along the river, he gritted his teeth and sat, offering Lee his best smile. Under guise of showing him something on the menu, Lee slid his hand along Marshall's thigh. Marshall bit back a moan.

"Ready to go back to the room?" Lee whispered.

Marshall nodded his willingness, not trusting his voice not to betray him.



Don't Look Back Ch. 23



The walk back to the Crockett seemed impossibly long, but Marshall curbed his impatience, and refrained from putting his hands all over Lee, much as he wanted to. In public, anyway. Once they were alone, that wasn't all he intended to touch Lee with, and his cock ached at the thought.

"Want to grab a bite to eat?" Lee asked. They stood at the back of the elevator, which crawled up to the fifth floor, stopping for an eternity at every floor in between, as people got on and off.

"That's the plan," Marshall quipped. He gave Lee a sassy wink.

"I meant dinner, boy." Lee chuckled.

"So did I." Marshall offered a faux innocent look that didn't fool Lee for one moment.

Lee's grin only grew broader. Food could wait, as far as Marshall was concerned. Oh yes, he intended to dine—on Lee.

They arrived on their floor at last. Lee took Marshall's hand in his and they strolled the short distance to their room. Marshall's heart pounded in anticipation. His cock was hard and leaking pre-cum. Lee opened the door and pulled Marshall inside, pushing him up against the back of the door. Their mouths meshed hungrily together.

Marshall never tired of the taste of Lee, no matter how often they kissed, which was pretty often. His connection to Lee was everything to Marshall. Lee was his anchor and his rock, and he couldn't imagine life without him. Never again.

He moaned when Lee broke off the kiss. 

"Shhh. Get undressed and meet me on the bed," Lee murmured, "but leave the underwear." He disappeared into the bathroom. Moments later, Marshall heard running water, and he understood. He quickly yanked off all his clothes, leaving the assless boxers. And the cock ring, of course, which technically didn't qualify as clothing. More of an accessory.

By the time Lee emerged from the bathroom, Marshall was splayed across the bed, his head on one hand, the other draped along his side. He looked into Lee's eyes as he approached, and read the open admiration there, as well as lust.

"If I'm the main course, you're dessert," Lee said, his voice deep with need, and the promise of what was to come. "How do you want me?"

Now that was a good question. Marshall scrambled onto his hands and knees and crawled down the bed toward Lee. "Turn around and let me see what I'm gonna eat," he directed.

Lee obeyed, turning in a sexy pirouette until his ass faced Marshall. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes fixed on Marshall. 

God bless whoever designed these.

Lee was in fantastic shape. His body could put a lot of younger men to shame. Every time Marshall looked at him, his heart swelled with pride at the knowledge this sexy man was his.

Rising onto his knees, Marshall nuzzled Lee's ass. He rubbed his cheek against Lee's firm flesh. Lee spread his legs a little more, and Marshall reached between, cupping his heavy balls, rolling them in his fingers. 

This was nice, but this wasn't what he wanted. For right now, Marshall was in charge and he knew it, knew how to use it.

He slid his tongue along Lee's crack, but that was just an appetizer. "On your hands and knees," he instructed him, moving aside so Lee could clamber onto the bed. 

Lee's movements were slow and sexy, and Marshall watched with open admiration as Lee assumed the requested position, facing the headboard. He wriggled his ass enticingly. Marshall's mouth watered in anticipation at the sight.

He was determined to make this moment last as long as possible.

Marshall began with the soles of Lee's feet, pressing soft kisses on them, then on up his muscled legs. He liked the feel of the hair against his lips as he kissed his way up to his thighs and licked at the tender skin there before turning his attention to Lee's taint. He licked a trail from his balls to his hole and felt Lee shiver.

Using his fingers, he spread Lee's cheeks, admiring the pink pucker inside. This was his goal. This was his prize for good behavior. For this, Marshall was willing to be a very, very good boy indeed.

He tenderly kissed Lee's hole and the sensitive skin around it, before adding his tongue to the mix and licking the same areas. 

Feeling adventurous, he raised his hand and slapped Lee's cheek, felt it quiver beneath his palm. When he heard Lee moan, he repeated the action on the other cheek. 

"Goddamn, boy," was Lee's only comment. 

And now for the feast...

Marshall devoured Lee's hole, alternating between licking and sucking and fucking with his tongue. No fingers today, he used his mouth alone to satisfy both their desires. He felt Lee's need ramping up, growing stronger, much like his own. With the cock ring, though, there was nothing he could do about that. At least not now.

He knew Lee was reaching his limit when Lee's hand snaked beneath him, reaching for his cock. Marshall forestalled his move by rolling them both over. He knew damn well Lee was stronger, and could have stopped him easily... if he'd wanted to.

Marshall twined his fingers in Lee's offending hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it sweetly. The sheet beneath them was soaked with pre-cum. 

Marshall raised his eyes to Lee's lust-laden orbs, so dark they were almost purple. He didn't need to ask to know what Lee wanted. He swallowed him whole, taking Lee's cock into his mouth up to the root. Lee arched his back. With his free hand, he grabbed Marshall's long hair and held on tight as he thrust upward, fucking Marshall's mouth.

Marshall sucked as Lee fucked his mouth hard, harder. When Lee came, he swallowed every last drop and licked him clean, like a cat with cream.

"Your turn, boy." Lee smiled.



Don't Look Back Ch. 24



Marshall and Lee rose early the next morning, pausing just long enough to enjoy a quick cup of coffee before heading to the Alamo church. Few tourists were about yet. They left an offering in the basket by the door, lit two candles, then selected an empty pew and knelt, each man becoming lost in his own thoughts.

Marshall refused to think about the period of his captivity with his mother unless it was absolutely necessary, which it generally wasn't. He preferred to remember his reunion with Lee instead. Lee and Roy spent several days on the road, once they had Marshall with them, moving from motel to motel. Once they were sure they weren't being followed, they headed to Burnham, Texas, and the home Lee had made for Marshall.

At first, Marshall slept in a room of his own. But every night, bad dreams ravaged his sleep. He woke up screaming for Lee, and then he ended up being taken into Lee's bed for the rest of the night. Finally, he just slept there, with Lee. Like when he was a kid. He felt more secure with Lee's arms around him. Less afraid his mother was coming to get him.

Roy gave up being a private investigator. Over the five years he'd spent working for Lee, searching for Marshall, they'd become close friends, and Roy stuck with them, even after Marshall's rescue. Burnham was too small a town to support a private eye, but they had a need for a sheriff, and Roy filled that need. It took little persuasion to convince the mayor he could handle the job.

Every time they went to the Alamo, Marshall gave thanks for Roy being able to find him, and for their removing him from an abusive situation. And most of all he gave thanks for Lee in his life.

Lee slipped his hand over Marshall's. It was warm and comforting. Marshall opened his eyes to find Lee's gaze upon him. His heart warmed at the sight. I love you, Marshall mouthed, and Lee repeated the sentiment back to him.

They rose, hand in hand, and left the church to the wide-eyed wonder of the newly arrived tourists, then walked the short distance to the garage, to retrieve their car. After that, they did some shopping. First for computer parts they needed for their business, which they had shipped to the house, then for clothes for each of them. Afterward, they ate lunch at a small Mexican cantina. Marshall loved the smell of fresh cilantro that permeated the air, and the earthy scent of cumin and roasted peppers. 

Marshall ordered the hottest item on the menu. 

"Sure you can handle that?" Lee drawled, eyebrows skeptically raised.

"Of course, I can!" Marshall assured him. "Why do you think I can't? Been eating hot peppers for years, as you damn well know."

"Well, maybe because these are ghost peppers, not jalapenos. But it's your stomach."

Marshall stuck his tongue out at Lee. Lee only laughed, and ordered a big vanilla milkshake to go with dinner.

"Why?" Marshall asked curiously.

"You'll see," is all Lee would say.

When their food arrived, Marshall toughed it out as long as he could, insisting he could handle it. But the ghost chilies set his insides on fire, and no matter how much water he drank, nothing quenched the flames. Until Lee handed him the milkshake and told him to drink, and Marshall began to feel as though he might actually survive the experience.

After that, Marshall ate his food a little more cautiously, and managed to finish it all. As they got into their car, he asked. "How'd you know the milkshake would work?"

Lee grinned. "Been there, done that," he said before he leaned in and kissed Marshall. Marshall felt a little less chagrined after that.

To Marshall's surprise, they didn't return to the Crockett right away. Instead, Lee turned the car into a parking lot Marshall didn't recognize. Neon letters in the front window proclaimed the name of the establishment as Flying Free. Once they parked and walked inside, there was little mystery as to what went on there.

"A hair salon?" Marshall glanced at the colorful surroundings. The walls were covered with pictures of gorgeous men. Customers of both sexes sat at various hair stations, being attended by chic stylists.

"A hair salon, yup. You're an observant one," Lee teased. Marshall's face heated. 

"Lee!" A slender man with a full head of gloriously white hair came toward them, hands outstretched. "I'm so glad you came!"

"Told you I would next time we were in town, Carlisle." The smaller man pulled Lee into a quick hug before turning to Marshall.

"And this must be Marshall!" he declared. "He's every bit as handsome as you said, Lee. And such beautiful hair."

Marshall felt his cheeks heat even more.

"This is Marshall," Lee confirmed. "Marshall, this is Carlisle Chambers. He owns this place. I did some computer work for him before you joined the company, and he's been wanting me to bring you in, ever since I told him about you."

Marshall was flattered. Both at the interest the hair stylist was taking in him, and at Lee's obvious pride in him. He held out a hand to Carlisle. "Pleased to meet you," he began, but suddenly found himself drawn into a welcoming hug.

"The pleasure is all mine, sweetheart!"

From this proximity, Marshall could see how the strands of Carlisle's hair were almost pearlescent, rather than simply white. The effect was rather stunning.

Carlisle released him and stepped back, his lips drawn into a bemused grin. "You didn't tell him, did you, Lee? You sly dog, you!"

"Nope, wanted it to be a complete surprise."

"Wanted what to be a complete surprise?" Marshall glanced between the two men.

"I am personally going to take care of you today!" Carlisle declared. "Lee said to give you the works."

Marshall wondered just what that meant.



Don't Look Back Ch. 25



"You have such beautiful red hair," Carlisle commented. He ran his fingers through Marshall's locks. "So soft and supple. You treat it well, I can tell. What do you use?"

"Just shampoo and conditioner. Whatever's on sale."

"Oh, that's just criminal!" Carlisle tutted. "I'll give you some product before you leave. The same stuff I'm going to use on you today."

Marshall cast a hopeful glance at Lee, but Lee was grinning, and obviously had no intention of interfering in whatever was about to happen. Probably since he'd orchestrated it to begin with.

"How long is your hair?" Carlisle continued. He turned Marshall to look behind him and whistled. "All the way down to your perfect ass. Oh honey, so beautiful." He rotated Marshall once again, facing him. "Would you be interested in donating ten inches of your pretty hair to Locks of Love?"

"What's that?"

"An organization that helps kids who are sick and lose their hair but can't afford wigs. What do you think?"

Marshall never hesitated. "Then let's do that." Taking ten inches would still leave him plenty of length, but he wondered how much. As if the stylist could read his mind, he said, "I think it'll still fall below your shoulders." That would work, Marshall decided.

"I'll be right back, wait right here." Carlisle floated off and Lee took advantage of his absence to lean in and murmur in Marshall's ear. "I'm gonna pamper your ass ten ways to Sunday." Marshall began to tingle, both at his proximity and his words. Lee kissed his ear and stepped back, just as Carlisle returned, a bright blue sheet in his hand.

"Let's start by washing your hair, sweetheart. Right this way. Lee, you're welcome to come too, honey." He led them to a small room, just off the main one. It held four sinks and chairs, and a shelf filled with various product.

Carlisle swept Marshall into one of the chairs and covered him from the neck down with the plastic cover. "There. Don't want to get hair anywhere it shouldn't be. Lean back here. That's good."

Marshall found himself with his head hanging into the sink, but Carlisle quickly supported it with his hand. "You know, Lee, you two make a lovely couple. I'm so jealous." 

Lee's reply was drowned out by the water Carlisle suddenly aimed into Marshall's hair, over his ears. It felt good and warm. He gave in to the sensation of floating, relaxing in Carlisle's care as he massaged shampoo into his scalp and hair, followed by conditioner. Carlisle's fingers were strong, yet gentle. He rinsed Marshall's hair and sat him up, toweling his hair dry.

"Feel good?" the stylist asked, and Marshall replied, "Mmmhmmm," producing a chuckle from Lee.

"I wish I could find myself a cute Texas stud like you two," Carlisle commented, as he helped Marshall rise from the chair. "Where'd you find this one, Lee?"

Marshall darted a quick glance at Lee, whose expression never changed. Before he could respond, Carlisle pointed at the seat Marshall had just vacated. "Plop those cute buns down there, Lee," he instructed him. 

Marshall enjoyed the momentary look of confusion on Lee's handsome face. This was obviously not on the agenda. "Why should I do that?" Lee asked.

"Because I'm going to do you too," Carlisle answered. "And before you give me any lip, you have a cut coming. Marshall's is free because of his donation. 'Sides, I just want an excuse to touch you too." He winked, and Marshall snickered.

"I don't have Marshall's length," Lee protested, but Carlisle waved his arguments aside and maneuvered him into the chair, with Marshall's help. Eventually, he gave in to their combined efforts.

"You don't need a full cut," Marshall agreed, "but a trim wouldn't hurt." Lee's hair was thick and black, luxurious to the touch, and he wore it just below his ear. Long enough for Marshall to thread his fingers through, and long enough to hold on to when he needed.

As Carlisle fetched a clean cover, Marshall took advantage of his momentary absence to lean in and kiss Lee. "Thank you," he murmured. Lee returned his kiss, silencing them both. They pulled apart to find Carlisle waiting patiently for them to be done.

"So jealous," he repeated with a laugh, before he proceeded to wash Lee's hair.

Carlisle took care of them both, as he'd promised. He ended up taking twelve inches off of Marshall's length, which he bagged for Locks of Love. Even so, his hair still fell below his shoulders, but it contained a little more wave now. Looking to Lee for approval, Marshall read the answer in his eyes. His heart warmed as he took in Lee's appearance. Hot, as usual. 

"Did you have him touch up your roots?" Marshall teased, knowing damn well Lee's hair color was all his own and not due to either Miss Clairol or Grecian Formula. He heard Carlisle snicker, even as Lee shot him a look, the one that said 'you trying to test me, boy'?

Yeah, he was.

Lee didn't reply, which was even more of a turn-on than any smart remark he might have made. Oh yeah, Marshall was gonna get punished for his smart mouth, no doubt about that.

He couldn't wait.

They each got a manicure, although Lee protested he had no use for something like that. But Marshall insisted, and once the perky little manicurist began to work on Lee's fingers, he even got into it. He drew the line at a pedicure, but agreed to a couples massage, which left them both relaxed and refreshed.

Lee paid the bill, and they received parting hugs from Carlisle, promising to stop in again on their next trip, before heading back to their room at the Crockett. Marshall was starved again.

"Dinner?" he asked hopefully, but Lee shook his head.

"Punishment first, then dinner."

Hot damn. 



Don't Look Back Ch. 26



The drive back to the Crockett seemed hella-long to Marshall. But he didn't dare fidget and reveal his impatience to Lee. And he definitely knew better than to touch himself, although the temptation to do so was great. He cast surreptitious glances at Lee, in the guise of taking in the scenery like any visitor to San Antonio. Instead, he secretly admired his handsome profile, the curl of Lee's dark lashes over his blue eyes, the curve of the lush lips he longed to kiss.

Damn, he was one fine man.

Marshall swallowed a moan.

Lee turned his head, fixing Marshall with that all-seeing gaze of his, the one that pierced Marshall's very soul. He didn't have to say a word, and Marshall knew he knew. Had the temperature in the car just shot up twenty degrees?

All Lee said was, "You can shower first. Then assume the position and wait for me."

"Yes, Sir," Marshall replied throatily.

Back in their room, Marshall hastily stripped. He stuffed his dirty clothes with the other laundry, then stepped into the shower. Quick but thorough. He didn't bother to wash his hair, since Carlisle had just done that, but he did manage to get rid of the tiny pieces of hair that had found their way beneath his shirt and begun to itch.

After he'd toweled off, he knelt on the floor at the end of their bed, head down, hands palms up against the small of his back. He heard the rustle of Lee's clothes as he removed them, the clunk of his belt buckle when he tossed it onto a chair.

Don't look, don't look...

But he looked anyway, against his better judgment. Lee stood in the doorway to the bathroom, bare-ass naked and looking like a god.

"That'll cost you," Lee commented before he disappeared from view. Marshall couldn't help but smile, as he resumed his former position. Listening to the sound of running water, Marshall couldn't help but think about Lee, and what was to come, and his cock twitched in anticipation.

A short while later, Marshall heard Lee return, but he never raised his head, keeping his eyes focused on the beige carpet beneath him. He had no idea what Lee was doing, but he caught glimpses of his bare feet as he moved about the room, accompanied by strange sounds—mysterious rustlings and metallic jangling.

"On the bed," Lee directed at last. "On your back."

Marshall obeyed without hesitation. He lay full-length upon the bed, awaiting further instructions. Lee approached him wearing nothing but a grin. In his hand was one of the sleep masks that had been in a drawer of the room when they checked in. Marshall gave him an inquisitive look. "Yep, for you." Lee nodded. "Lean up a bit."

He slid the mask over Marshall's head, and blackness filled Marshall's vision. This was something new. They'd never used any sort of blindfold before. Marshall shifted a little nervously. The darkness made him uncomfortable, too much a reminder of things best forgotten. Lee placed a soothing hand upon his arm.

"It's all right," he assured him. "I'm here, I'm right here." The words were comforting, but still Marshall was a little leery.

He felt Lee's warm breath against his ear. "If you don't like it, use your safe word and I'll stop. I promise."

Marshall believed him, and he trusted him. "Okay," he agreed, and was rewarded by a trail of warm kisses along his jaw.

"I'm going to let go of you now, but just for a second."

Marshall felt an absence when Lee moved away, and for a moment he seemed to be ungrounded. But then as the bed shifted under Lee's weight andhe knew he'd returned, and Marshall relaxed again. Lee's hand stroked his hip, down along his leg, stilling the slight tremors there. Then Lee touched his half-hard cock and placed something around it.

The cock ring. That meant Marshall was not to come until Lee allowed it. What else did his lover have in store for him, he wondered?

He received his answer as he felt something metallic ring first one wrist, and then the other. Both arms were then stretched, one at a time, toward the head of the bed.

The handcuffs, Marshall realized. Lee'd promised they'd use them tonight, didn't he? Lee was nothing if not a man of his word.

Once Marshall's arms were in place, Lee spread his legs apart. Marshall felt exposed, even if he couldn't see.

"First the punishment." Lee was whispering in his ear once more. "Just like I promised."

Somehow, Lee managed to make punishment sound sexy and exciting. Marshall relaxed a little more.

The next moment, he almost jumped out of his skin as something very cold was pressed against one of his nipples. What in the world? He quickly realized Lee had an ice cube in his hand. Compliments of the hotel, no doubt. If they only knew to what purpose it was being utilized...

Marshall felt his nipple harden from the ice. Damn, that was cold, but he didn't dare complain. The next moment he didn't mind so much as Lee engulfed the cold nipple in his warm mouth, and the sudden change in temperate was simply exquisite.

Marshall couldn't help himself. He moaned in delight.

"Like that, do you, boy?" Lee murmured, even as he applied the ice cube to Marshall's other nipple.

"Mmhmmm/" Marshall's only coherent thought was if this was to be his punishment, then bring it on, baby, bring it on.

Marshall felt Lee take his other nipple into his mouth, warming it as well. But he obviously wasn't done. He slid the ice cube down Marshall's chest, heading south. Marshall knew what lay that way, and pleasurable though the sensation on his nipples was, he had his doubts how his cock would feel about such treatment. Without thinking, he squirmed, and for that he received a swat against his leg.

"Want more punishment?" Lee drawled.

"Sir, yes Sir!"



Don't Look Back Ch. 27



The swat was repeated, and immediately after, Marshall felt the ice being pressed against the spot. The contrast between the warmth and the cold sent tingles shooting through him. Damn, it hurt so good. And he found the darkness wasn't quite as terrifying as he would have thought. He knew Lee was right there, and always would be. Nothing bad could happen to him as long as they were together. The knowledge was comfortable, and he felt more secure for it.

He felt Lee's weight shift on the bed, heard what he thought was the clink of ice, and then he felt a fresh coldness on his balls. "Damn!" he inadvertently exclaimed, more surprised than anything.

"Too much? Want me to quit?" Lee's soft voice encompassed him. Marshall shook his head.

"No, Sir!" he stubbornly replied. "Keep it coming." He couldn't see Lee's smile, but he just knew he looked pleased. That was a big disadvantage of the blindfold—not being able to see Lee's face, watch his enjoyment. For right now, memories would have to do. He had plenty of those, spanning the last two years.

Marshall felt his balls shrivel at the coldness, and his cock wasn't quite as lively as before, either. But when a sudden warmth engulfed his cold nuts, the contrast was delicious. Lee rolled Marshall's sac in his mouth, tonguing him. Marshall arched his back as Lee's hand wrapped around his dick and began to pump, resurrecting his cock.

Oh yes, so good, so wonderful. 

Without visual stimulation to distract him, Marshall felt everything more vividly, every sensation magnified, his whole being focused on the intense pleasure Lee provided. When they got home, he wanted to reverse their roles, to give Lee the same magical feelings.

Under Lee's ministrations, Marshall's cock was fully hard again and aching for release. A release he knew he could not have as long as he wore the cock ring. But he couldn't exactly ask to have it removed, either. That decision was up to Lee, awaiting his pleasure and his agenda. That was all part of the way they lived. Marshall put himself into Lee's hands and accepted that Lee dominated him. Lee was his strength and his protector, but not his master. Through Lee's love, Marshall found a strength in himself to be the best man he could be. He chose to obey Lee's rules; there was never a question of force between them. And when push came to shove, he knew they were equals. Lovers. Partners in life forever.

Marshall couldn't imagine a better life.

Suddenly the warmth and wetness that surrounded his balls was gone, and so was the hand pumping his cock. The bed creaked as Lee moved off. Marshall felt a momentary panic, but tamped it down. He felt Lee's hand stroke his arm gently, reassuringly. Then he heard the sound of a latch. Sounded like their suitcase. They'd shared one, since they were only going to be gone for a couple of days and didn't need all that much. What could Lee possibly want from it now?

Marshall sniffed. The fragrance of citrus filled his nostrils. Smelled just like the orange lube they sometimes used. Marshall wondered if Lee was greasing his fingers... or maybe his cock? The second idea gained credence when Lee spread Marshall's legs a little wider. Better access, no doubt.

He felt a pressure nudge against his hole. But he realized immediately it wasn't the warmth of Lee's flesh. This was a little harder, almost like soft plastic, even if the shape was the same... Ah, Marshall knew now. Sneaky Lee had packed one of their toys, and was going to fuck him with it. Marshall shivered in anticipation.

Lee slowly eased the dildo inside of Marshall, allowing his muscles to relax. The first time Lee had suggested using an artificial phallus, Marshall had wondered what was the purpose, since God had given Lee a rather magnificent cock of his own, so why use anything else? Wasn't that for horny single women and desperate gay men?

Marshall quickly learned why, and he was suitably impressed the first time he felt the vibrations in his channel. Okay, maybe that was something Lee couldn't do. He promised to keep a more open mind to new ideas in the future.

Lee moved the dildo in and out at an even pace. Marshall refrained from begging for more, sure that wouldn't get him further than patience. Sure enough, he felt the vibrator come to life, and he cried aloud from the sheer pleasure of it. 

"Like that, do you boy?" 

"Oh yes, yes, yes." Marshall bowed his back again, straining at the cuffs that restricted his hands. His torment was made worse when Lee palmed his cock once more, ratcheting the level of his desire even higher. He wanted to touch Lee, so badly he ached. Wanted to be able to come. If not for the cock ring, he was pretty sure he would've blown by now.

And he wanted to look at Lee. Stare into his beautiful eyes when he came.

God, he loved that dildo, and the way Lee used it in his ass, the euphoria that sped along every nerve ending he possessed until he thought he might pass out from pleasure. A whimper escaped his lips, despite his best efforts.

"Too much?" Lee asked.

"Want you," Marshall admitted. "Please, Sir."

The vibrator was good, but Lee was better. 

He felt the dildo's removal first, followed by cock ring, and then the release of his hands from the cuffs. Lee rubbed at each wrist gently. Then he removed the sleep mask. Marshall blinked as his eyes adjusted. He looked up, into Lee's loving eyes, as Lee pushed inside of him, his hands going to Lee's perfect ass.

Their climaxes were long and hard and good. Afterward, Marshall curled against Lee, breathing him in, Lee's arms around him. What a great way to spend their last night in San Antonio.



Don't Look Back Ch. 28



A few weeks had passed since their trip to San Antonio, and nothing had been said about the vibrating butt plug. Marshall began to wonder if Lee'd forgotten about it, and what he'd said he had in store for Marshall. But he sure as heck wasn't about to remind him. He knew better than that. When Lee was ready, he'd know it. So Marshall stopped thinking about it. After all, a watched pot never boiled. Or so the saying went. Marshall had never had a desire to watch a pot of water come to a boil in the first place.

Lulled into a false sense of security, he was shaken from his complacency one fall morning when he came out of the shower to find Lee waiting for him, bullet-shaped butt plug in one hand, remote in the other. Marshall's eyes lit at the sight. This promised to be an interesting day, indeed. The only question was how long did Lee intend to keep that inside of him, and how crazy did he intend to drive him with the remote control?

Guess that remained to be seen, didn't it?

"Ready to be wired, boy?" Lee drawled. He was already dressed for the day, having taken a shower earlier. His eyes raked appreciatively up and down Marshall's body as he finished toweling off.

"Actually, that one's wireless," Marshall corrected him playfully. "Didn't I ever explain the concept of Wi-Fi to you, old man?"

Lee snorted. "That'll be the day when you need to explain something to me. But you just keep it up. And remember. He who holds the remote has control."

Truer words were never spoken.

"Now, bend over and spread'em," Lee directed. He set the remote aside and pulled the lube from the drawer in the bedside table.

Marshall obeyed and bent over the bed, his forehead touching the bedspread, his hands going to his backside, spreading his cheeks. 

"Such a pretty sight," Lee murmured, coming up behind him. He felt Lee's lips lightly press a kiss onto his pucker, before he slid the lubed plug into position. It fit snugly in Marshall's channel.

"There you go. Now, let's make sure this thing works. Go ahead and sit on the side of the bed."

Marshall did as he was told. The plug was slightly intrusive, and yet not uncomfortable. Lee stepped around the end of the bed and picked up the remote, pressing one of the buttons with his thumb. Almost immediately, Marshall felt his ass vibrate in a rather pleasurable way, and his cock twitched. 

"Feel that?" Lee asked.

"Mmmhmm, I sure did."

"Good. It works. Now get dressed, and let's get to work."

For the first few hours, as Marshall worked at writing a software program for one of their clients, Lee would sporadically press the remote, sending short waves of desire bursting through Marshall's ass. It felt incredibly good, and the more Lee did it, the more he wanted to be fucked by Lee.

But of course that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Lee was milking this for all it was worth.

Marshall almost wished Lee had insisted he use a cock ring. It would help ensure he not come before he was supposed to. He had a feeling that wouldn't be easy. And Lee wasn't exactly playing fair. 

When Marshall was getting a cup of coffee from the kitchen, Lee came up behind him and deliberately rubbed against him, under the pretext of reaching for something on the counter. But Marshall knew better, and he was forced to stifle a moan. He suspected Lee heard it anyway.

At other times, Lee would inexplicably stop what he was doing to stand up and stretch. He'd put on a damn tight pair of jeans that morning, one that clung in all the right places, like the tight black T-shirt he wore over it, which accentuated his nipples. He made damn sure Marshall got a bird's eye view of his body, and then he pushed the remote again, sending frissons of pleasure cascading into Marshall's ass, making him moan again.

By noontime, Marshall's cock was swollen and needy, and his pants were tight on either end, and the butt plug was keeping him in a constant state of horny that was making concentration on work difficult. His condition wasn't helped by having to answer the door what felt like a hundred times, although in truth it was only a few. The UPS guy, and the Fed Ex guy—who knew they'd have deliveries from both in one day? And each delivery driver seemed to take his time, chatting Marshall up when all he wanted to do was close the door and hustle back inside. 

Then Sarah, from across the road, came over and asked to borrow a bit of sugar until she could get up to the store, and she chose today to be extremely chatty and sociable. Not that he had anything against her, mind you, he rather liked her. But today he wasn't in the mood to listen to much of anything, other than the sound of Lee's heavy breathing when he pushed his big cock inside of Marshall.

And that wasn't happening anytime soon, was it?

As if things weren't bad enough, Roy came by in the late afternoon. At least Roy didn't stand on ceremony and expect to be let in. He'd knock on the door and holler out, giving them fair warning of his presence, just in case... and if it wasn't a good time, they'd let him know. 

"Y'all about ready to go up to Milly's?" he asked, standing in the doorway of their workroom.

Milly's? What for? A surprised Marshall gave Lee a questioning look. 

"It's a mite early, Roy." Lee glanced at his watch. "Why don't you grab a beer and we can set a spell before dinner? How does that sound?"

"Works for me, want one?"

"Sure, make that three."

This was gonna be a long night.



Don't Look Back Ch. 29



Marshall thought dinner would never end.

It felt like everyone they knew in Burnham—which was practically the whole town—had decided to eat at Milly's that night. And every one of them had something they needed to say, a story they had to tell, or a question that just had to be asked.

The situation was exacerbated by random pulses shooting through his ass when Lee touched the remote, which he'd brought with him. Of course, Marshall could have told him to stop that and Lee would have, no questions asked. But Marshall wasn't about to do that. It was torture, sure, but of the most exquisite kind. And Marshall knew if he endured it, then his reward would be all the sweeter for having done so.

At least when Roy invited them back to his house to shoot a little pool, Lee graciously declined the invitation, citing pressing business that needed to be taken care of. Roy shook his head at them good-naturedly, and just grinned.

Good thing dinner didn't last any longer than it did. Marshall's legs were almost jelly by the time they got up to go. His ass was on fire, and every nerve ending he possessed was on high alert, in anticipation of what was to come. Lee held out his arm to give him something to hang on to, but Marshall stubbornly refused. He saw amusement glint in Lee's eyes, as well as admiration.

They arrived home in record time, and made a beeline for the bedroom. No more waiting, no more foreplay, no more anticipation. The moment of truth had arrived.

"Undress, boy," Lee directed, and Marshall wasted no time in obeying, his fingers fumbling at every button, his arousal so intense he could almost taste it. Lee also stripped, down to his own bulging erection, evidence of his desire for Marshall. He pointed to the bed, and Marshall lay down, bending his legs, and spreading them apart for Lee's benefit.

When Lee removed the butt plug, Marshall felt an emptiness, an ache that demanded to be filled. He bit back the whimper that threatened to spill from his throat, but he was sure his eyes reflected his neediness. Not to mention, Lee could read him like a book.

Lee knelt between Marshall's legs, laying a tender kiss on either knee, as he inserted two fingers inside of Marshall. "Damn, boy, you're ready for me, aren't you?"

"Sir, yes Sir," Marshall agreed. "Aren't I always ready for you?"

"Hell yes, you are."

Lee teasingly licked along the inside of one thigh, down the length of the leg to the crease. He twisted his fingers inside of Marshall, eliciting a moan.

"You did good tonight, boy," Lee praised him. "You deserve a reward. What would you like?"

Marshall was conflicted. On the one hand, he'd love to take Lee's fat dick into his mouth and suck him off until he screamed. But on the other hand, his need to have that cock inside his ass, fucking him hard, was pretty strong.

What he didn't expect was for Lee to offer him Door Number Three. The chance to do something he'd often dreamed of, but never been allowed to do.

Lee removed his fingers from Marshall's channel, then stretched himself out on top of Marshall, their cocks rubbing deliciously together, as he murmured in Marshall's ear, "How about tonight I fuck you to your heart's delight and tomorrow night, I let you fuck me?"

Well, knock him down with a feather...

Marshall had dreamed about this moment for such a long time, he was sure he must be hallucinating. Hearing what he wanted to hear. But no, those words had actually come out of Lee's mouth. He'd actually made the offer.

Was there any question what Marshall's answer would be?

Heart beating almost out of his chest, he responded in a voice thick with lust, "Yes Sir, that sounds perfect." And then Lee's mouth crashed down on his, and he was consumed once again with love for Lee.

Marshall arched up into Lee's embrace. He locked his ankles at the base of Lee's back, rubbing against him almost frantically, his need growing stronger by the second. When they came up for air at last, Lee moaned, "Roll over and grab the headboard." Marshall wasted no time in obeying, kneeling on their pillows at the head of the bed.

Lee pressed up against Marshall. He pulled Marshall's hair back from his ear and sucked the earlobe into his mouth, even as he reached around him, caressing his chest and nipples.

Marshall thought he might lose his mind if Lee didn't get inside of him right now. He ached to be filled by Lee's cock. He hungered for him more than he'd ever thought it was possible to want someone.

"Lee," he moaned, unable to suppress his need.

"Yes, baby," Lee murmured, as he thrust up inside Marshall, filling him completely.

"Yes!" Marshall cried. "God, yes." He gripped the headboard tightly, pushing back to meet Lee's thrusts. 

"Not deep enough," Lee declared, after several minutes of intense exertion. He slapped one of Marshall's cheeks. "On your back," he commanded, withdrawing, to Marshall's chagrin.

Marshall slid quickly onto his back, his eyes pleading for Lee. Lee lifted Marshall's leg, placed it on top of his shoulder and re-positioned himself inside of Marshall. The new angle meant he could thrust harder and deeper, and Marshall moaned his approval with every breath he took.

This was what Marshall had been waiting for all day. This was the main event for which the vibrating butt plug had only been the warm-up bout. All the sweet agony he'd endured every time Lee pressed the remote was worthwhile, justified by this moment in time. Even sitting through dinner plugged and unable to do anything to ease his agony.

"Goddammit, Lee, I love you so much."

Lee's lips made further words unnecessary.



Don't Look Back Ch. 30



Mid-morning the next day. Both men sat at their respective computers, working. Marshall lifted his ceramic coffee cup, brought it to his lips, only to discover the damn thing was empty. Setting it down, he pushed back in his chair, stretched his arms and flexed his fingers. They cracked with small popping sounds. Guess he'd been sitting there a spell without moving, engrossed in what he was doing.

"I'm getting some coffee, y'want some?" he offered, glancing at Lee.

Lee angled his own cup back and looked inside. "Since you're getting up, sure, that sounds good. I could use a refill."

Marshall rose, wincing slightly. He remembered now why he'd been limiting his movements. His ass was more than a little on the sore side, a combination of having worn the plug all day and night, and being gloriously pounded into oblivion by Lee the night before. He'd briefly considered getting one of the throw pillows from the couch to cushion his ass, but decided he'd rather live with the slight discomfort than give Lee fuel for smart comments.

Besides, every little ache was a reminder of last night, and that wasn't such a bad thing. He shuffled across the room and reached for Lee's mug.

"What're you grinning about?" Lee asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about last night. And what's gonna happen tonight." Tonight would be his turn, the first time he'd ever topped in their relationship. And oh man, did he intend to wring every bit of enjoyment from it he could—for both of them.

Without warning, Lee pulled Marshall onto his lap. He set Marshall's cup beside his own, freeing Marshall's hands even as he wound his own about Marshall's waist. Marshall laid his hands against Lee's.

"This will be a first for both of us, you know."

Marshall realized that, which only served to heighten his anticipation. It seemed only fitting. He'd given Lee his virginity, and now Lee was offering his own. The very thought of being inside of Lee was... intoxicating.

"I hope you know you're everything to me," Lee murmured into Marshall's neck. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, to make you happy, keep you safe."

"I know that, and I feel the same way." Marshall sighed and relaxed into Lee's touch.

They sat together, simply holding on. Marshall's ass didn't even bother him in this position. Or else it had gone numb. Reluctantly, he realized he needed to get up when he felt Lee shift beneath him. He turned his head, looking directly into Lee's dark blue eyes.

"Should we set a safeword for you?" he asked.

"For me?" Lee sounded surprised.

"Well, yeah. I mean, I have one, shouldn't you?"

Lee chuckled softly. "Darlin', there's nothing you can do that's gonna hurt me. Trust me. Besides, I trust you with every fiber of my being."

Marshall understood what he meant. Although he had his safeword, he'd never used it, never had to. They knew each other too well to let anything get out of hand. Even in the throes of passion.

"How about that coffee you promised?"

Marshall understood the unspoken words that always lay between them—they were the bedrock of his existence.

"Coming right up, old timer," he quipped, and was rewarded with a light swat on his rump. But a carefully placed one, at that. Marshall grinned all the way to the kitchen.

* * * *

Marshall spent a great deal of the remaining day focused on the night to come, unable to concentrate on anything but the culmination of his heart's desire. He wanted tonight to be perfect—for both of them. The question was: how could he do that?

Visions of implements flashed through his mind—an inventory of the toys they'd acquired over the past couple of years. Although much fun was to be derived through improvisation as well. They had a very active sex life, and were not averse to trying new things. But what was appropriate for tonight?

In the end, Marshall decided he wanted nothing more than Lee, himself, and some lube. Good thing they'd stocked up when they were in San Antonio. Sometimes they ordered it online. That wasn't exactly something you could pull off the shelf at the local grocery store. At least not for what they wanted to use it for. Of course, there was always Tucker Falls, which was a little more sophisticated than Burnham, as evidenced by the existence of Partners, and they sometimes availed themselves of its proximity when they were out on the town.

Marshall was determined this was going to be the best night ever. And not just in bed.

While Lee worked on restoring a hard drive someone had shipped to them, Marshall gave up any pretense of working.

"I'm heading up to the store to pick up something for dinner. What would you like to drink with it?"

"I dunno." Lee looked up from his work table. "Whatever looks good, I guess."

Well, that didn't help.

"Wine or beer?" Marshall tried to narrow the choices down.

"Beer's good. Maybe see what kind of ale they got in?"

Marshall could work with that. This time of year, they might even have some of the seasonal stuff. He jingled the truck keys in his hand. "Be right back."

Once at the store, he stood in front of the meat counter, looking over the various cuts of meat before selecting two nice-looking sirloin strips. He could grill those, with some vegetables. He chose asparagus and two ears of corn, then decided against baked potatoes as being too heavy. He found a twelve pack of seasonal ale and carried his selections to the front. Nothing sweet—Lee would be dessert.

"Romantic dinner?" the checker asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes'm," Marshall replied, unable to keep from smiling at the thought.

"Ah," the checker sighed, "why are all the good ones taken or gay, or both?"

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know." Marshall laughed.



Don't Look Back Ch. 31



Dinner was an unqualified success. Marshall prided himself on his ability to grill any piece of meat to perfection. So rare, it practically mooed, just the way they liked it. But then he'd had a great teacher, hadn't he? 

Everything he knew, he'd learned from Lee. 

Afterward, Marshall cleaned the kitchen, rinsed the dishes and set them into the dishwasher, eyeballing everything to make sure it was clean before turning out the light. Lee was kicked back in the family room, a bottle of ale in hand. Marshall carried in his own and took a seat on the couch, but jumped up almost immediately and set the bottle on the end table. He paced into the bedroom. The bed was made, everything was straight. The lube sat out, on his side of the bed. Nothing to be done there.

He padded back into the family room and took his seat again. He crossed and uncrossed his legs before jumping back up to his feet.

"There's no reason to be nervous," Lee commented.

"Nervous? Who said I was nervous?" Marshall assumed an air of nonchalance he was far from feeling. 

"I think I know better than that," Lee said softly. "Especially since you're playing with your hair, and that's a definite sign you're not sure of yourself. You shouldn't be. You'll do great."

Marshall guiltily removed the hand that had been twisting strands of his long hair. Yeah, that was a bad habit he had. And yes, he was nervous. Both on his account, and Lee's. He wanted everything to go right, and he didn't want to do anything to hurt Lee, despite Lee's protestations that he wouldn't and couldn't.

Lee set his ale aside and rose from the chair. He pulled Marshall toward him, wound his arms about his waist. "Don't overthink things," he said. "Just think about how good it's gonna feel when you're inside of me. For both of us."

That thought was dizzying indeed. Marshall felt his cock react to the words alone. How much more excited would it be when it became a real and happening thing, when he was buried balls deep inside of Lee, fucking him for all he was worth.

He needed to get over himself and take charge. He was in control tonight, and he needed to act like it.

"I think we should take a shower first," he decided. "Separately," he quickly added as Lee quirked a brow. Lee nodded his approval. If they got into the shower together... well, that might end things before they ever got to the bed, since they couldn't seem to keep their hands off one another under hot running water. 

"Who goes first?" Lee asked. Marshall realized Lee was not contesting his right to be in control, and he felt his confidence rise from the boost to his ego.

"You first," Marshall decided. Then he wouldn't have to worry about Lee taking a cold shower. They'd installed an extra large hot water heater not too long ago, but they did both love their hot water.

Lee's hands strayed across Marshall's ass, stroking it, while his lips claimed Marshall's. "Goddamn you're sexy, boy," he murmured, taking a breath. "I think I'll take that shower now." He disentangled himself from Marshall, left a last kiss on his lips, and sauntered toward their bedroom.

While Lee was otherwise engaged, Marshall put the next part of his plan into effect. 

Sometimes they liked to make love by candlelight. Marshall dug into one of the drawers in the bedroom and retrieved several partially burned pillars in assorted colors. He placed each one on a small saucer and lit the wick as he set it in various spots about the room. Then he pulled out the wooden incense holder, set several sticks of sandalwood incense beside it and one in it. He lit the end, watched it burn for a few seconds, then blew out the flame. It continued to glow, exuding the sensuous aroma of sandalwood.

Lost in contemplation of the scene, Marshall was taken by surprise when Lee strode out of the bathroom buck naked. Marshall's mouth dropped at the sight. Oh damn, but that man was fine. Even soft, his cock was a sight to behold. 

At times, Marshall had tried to persuade Lee to shave his chest and legs, but Lee'd always refused. Not while he had breath in his body, he would say. Today, Marshall was glad Lee hadn't given in to his request. There was something incredibly sexy about Lee's dark hair. It felt good to Marshall's touch, and yet it wasn't overpowering either.

"I left a towel for you on the rack." Lee's words pulled Marshall out of his reverie. "Candles are a nice touch," he added. "Incense too." Marshall warmed at his praise.

"I won't be long," he promised.

"I'm not going anywhere." Lee laughed softly and made shooing motions toward the bathroom. Marshall grinned and hurried inside. Lee had deliberately left the door open so Marshall wouldn't have to contend with steam. He quickly stripped and threw his clothes in the hamper, then started the water and jumped in.

He washed every body part he possessed thoroughly, shampooed and conditioned his hair. When he was certain he could do no more, he exited the shower, pausing only long enough to brush his teeth, gargle with mouthwash, and splash on some aftershave.

He re-emerged into the bedroom feeling almost brand new. Time spent in grooming had managed to quell some of the fire which had threatened to consume him earlier with Lee's touch, but the spark was rekindled when he caught a glimpse of Lee. Lee reclined on their bed, long legs stretched out comfortably, a book in one hand, apparently caught up in his reading.

The other hand rested on his crotch, not quite covering his cock. 

Marshall debated whether he should suck Lee off first and then fuck him, or jack him off while he fucked him.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...



Don't Look Back Ch. 32



Lee gave no indication he'd noticed Marshall's entrance. Marshall realized it was up to him to make the first move, and that knowledge was thrilling to him. This was it, the time was now. 

Lee had turned on the bedside lamp in order to read. Marshall rounded the bed and clicked it off, gently removing Lee's paperback from his loose grasp. Marshall glimpsed the corner of Lee's mouth go up, as if he'd been expecting as much. He never said a word when Marshall thrust a bookmark inside and laid it on the table. He never moved either, comfortably reclining on one side, his back to Marshall.

Turning back to Lee, Marshall lowered his head to Lee's neck and kissed the soft flesh. He inhaled Lee's skin, growing hard at the familiar scent. His hand moved down along Lee's body, tenderly stroking and caressing. He heard a soft rumble issue from Lee, which only served to inflame his desire.

His swelling cock was issuing an ultimatum—get inside that hot body right now or else... But Marshall had no intention of making this into a quick fuck just to get his nuts off. This was so much more than a matter of simple satisfaction. This was a watershed in their relationship, and he knew it. This would mark the beginning of their true partnership. Not that Marshall didn't feel himself to be Lee's partner already—his equal in every way. And not like anything would overtly change between them.

This would be the final step on the road they'd chosen to take together, the one begun when they realized how much deeper their relationship was than mere father and son. Partners forever, lovers forever... two men with one heart and soul. Nothing else mattered.

Marshall lightly skimmed his fingertips over Lee's toned ass, marveling at the feel of his musculature. Not a bit of flab; soft in all the right places and hard where it counted. He cupped one cheek in the palm of his hand and squeezed. The only thing better than touching was...

"On your stomach and spread'em," he said. 

"You going to let go of that?" Lee snarked. Marshall couldn't help but grin. He squeezed Lee again for good measure then released him. Lee rolled gracefully onto his stomach, pillowing his head on his hands as he spread his legs for Marshall's benefit. 

"Did you want anything else spread?" he asked in a pseudo-innocent voice as Marshall settledbetween Lee's legs .

"Yeah, but I can handle that." Marshall applied one hand to each of Lee's cheeks, revealing the dusky pucker in between, producing a swift intake of breath. His mouth filling with saliva at the sight, Marshall quickly swallowed before diving in between the twin mounds of flesh. He raked his tongue gently across Lee's hole, felt him quiver in response then repeated the action. 

He loved to rim Lee as much as Lee enjoyed being rimmed. Loved the taste and feel of his hole, loved delving inside the tight muscles, relaxing them with his touch. He could easily lunch on Lee all day and night...

But not tonight.

When he'd gotten enough of a taste to satisfy that particular need, he raised his head and lapped at the crease before moving back onto his haunches. 

He wasn't going to take Lee from behind. No way. He wanted to look into those gorgeous eyes as he topped him for the first time—hopefully not the last. Besides, the missionary position offered better opportunities for kissing without twisting around quite so much.

However, there was something he wanted to do first...

He scooted up Lee's body, straddling him on his butt. This would be the perfect position to reach what he wanted. He'd sat on Lee like this many times, so he knew he wasn't too heavy for him. Marshall wanted to make sure Lee was good and relaxed. He intended to massage any tension from Lee's body before he entered it for the first time.

Placing a hand on either shoulder, he rubbed at the muscles beneath his palms and was happy to find them at ease. He'd concentrate on massaging for pleasure, then. Sometimes they liked to use warm oil, but not today. There would be many other days for such things ahead of them.

"How does that feel?" he asked, leaning closer to Lee's ear.

"Feels wonderful. Aren't you afraid you'll put me to sleep?" Lee teased.

Marshall chortled. "I think I can keep your attention, old man," he riposted. "Don't you worry about that."

"Wasn't worried at all, boy."

Marshall read the message beneath the words. Lee's way of saying he trusted him.

He finished his massage by peppering kisses across Lee's back, from shoulder to shoulder. "Ready for me?"

"Bring it on," Lee replied in a lust-filled voice.

Marshall swung one leg over, moving off Lee's ass. He crawled on his knees far enough to be able to reach the lube he'd left on his night table. With his free hand, he swatted Lee's ass. "Roll over," he directed.

"Can't make up your mind?" Lee snickered, even as he obeyed. Marshall proudly noted Lee's dripping cock standing proud and tall, just begging to be touched. Such a beautiful sight.

"Just putting you through your paces, seeing what you can do," Marshall countered with a wink. He flipped the top on the tube of lube and squeezed some onto his fingers.

"How about I rub some on your cock?" Lee offered. "Before you grease up my ass."

Didn't that sound like a plan?

Lee held out one hand, and Marshall poured some of the scented lubricant into his waiting palm, then capped it and set it aside. Lee rubbed his hands together, then reached for Marshall, engulfing his cock in his clasp. He gripped it tightly, sliding his hand up and down the swollen shaft.

At that moment, Marshall felt as though he'd done died and gone to heaven.



Don't Look Back Ch. 33



Once Lee had finished applying sufficient lubrication, Marshall positioned himself between his legs. He carefully and slowly inserted one finger inside of Lee, trying to gauge his reaction.

"It's fine," Lee assured him, "keep going."

Cautiously, Marshall slipped in a second finger. Lee's muscles were deliciously tight. He could only imagine what it would feel like to be embedded in all that luscious heat. Lee shifted slightly, and Marshall froze in place. He could hear Lee's breathing hitch just a little, and he started to move his hand.

"No, you're good, just hold on a sec." Lee took a long breath and then released it. "Okay, go ahead."

"You sure? I don't want to hurt you."

"You're not hurting me, I'm adjusting, that's all. Feels good." Lee's smile was visible evidence of his pleasure.

Thanks to Lee, Marshall was familiar with the mechanics of stretching, even if he'd never applied the knowledge before now. He scissored his fingers and was gratified to feel the guardian muscles gradually relax at his touch. 

"Like that?" 

"Mmmhmmm," Lee moaned in reply, his flushed face a testament to how much he liked what Marshall was doing. 

Marshall wiggled his fingers, and Lee squirmed against them, his moans growing louder. Emboldened, Marshall pushed in, reaching for a particular little bundle of nerves. There it was. He touched the gland and was gratified at Lee's reaction—he arched his back and released a yelp.

"Oh yeah, right there," he managed to moan, and Marshall pushed on the spot again.

Lee's cock was weeping copious amounts of pre-cum onto his belly. Marshall couldn't resist. He leaned over and ran his tongue over the salty head, lapping at it. He felt Lee's cock twitch, and he couldn't resist mouthing off a little.

"Better not come until I tell you," he warned.

Lee chuckled. "I have more control over myself than you any damn day. Bring it on, boy."

Now, wasn't that a challenge? Besides being exactly what Marshall wanted to do.

He pressed against Lee's prostate again, for good measure, before withdrawing his fingers. He could tell Lee was as ready as he was. His nervousness fell away as he positioned himself at Lee's entrance. Even if he'd never done this before, it felt right and familiar and natural, his instincts asserting themselves over his inexperience. Slowly but surely he slid inside, sheathing himself within the velvet heat that was Lee, until he could go no farther, and he stopped.

He looked into Lee's eyes and read the answer there to every question he'd ever had, and more. Love shone there, reflected in Lee's dark blue gaze. It filled this moment, expanding until it overwhelmed and consumed Marshall. Never had anything felt more right or perfect.

Without hesitation, he began to thrust, quickly finding his rhythm, setting a pace between them which Lee matched. Together they were a perfect fit. Like two parts of a well-oiled machine, they flowed together—in and out, back and forth, in glorious harmony. 

Lee clenched the sheets beneath him in a tight grip, his eyes darkened to large purple pools. Looking into those beautiful eyes, Marshall read his need and responded, clasping Lee's cock and pumping it. Lee's parted lips and breathy moan acknowledge he'd done the right thing.

Marshall felt his control begin to falter, even as he fought not to come. But damn, Lee was so tight, and so hot, and so... so goddamn good to be inside he just wasn't sure how long he could stave off the inevitable. This was better than his birthday, better than Christmas... better than anything he could think of, except being made love to by Lee. Two of them against the world. They could face anything, as long as they did it together.

One thing for damn sure—he wasn't about to find his own release before Lee did. He tightened his grip on Lee's precum-slicked dick, and pumped it with short, strong strokes.

"Oh yeah, oh yeah..." Lee moaned. "Just like that, keep it comin'..."

Marshall squeezed harder, another need growing inside him, a longing, and even as he felt Lee's orgasm begin to build—the telltale signs in his body too familiar to miss—he swooped down and meshed their mouths together, their bodies completely united in love. Their tongues met and mingled in passionate licking and sucking.

Marshall pulled back long enough to murmur, "Come for me," then claimed Lee's lips once more. 

Lee's cock pulsed within Marshall's grasp, his cries of pleasure vibrating in Marshall's mouth. Warm semen splashed them both as Lee came. Marshall continued to thrust, but knew he wouldn't be far behind. Sure enough, just a few pushes and his own orgasm struck. He released inside of Lee, riding out the tremendous tidal wave as he came, a feeling so intense he thought he might pass out from sheer pleasure.

And when he had emptied himself, he collapsed in a sweaty heap atop Lee, panting.

Marshall didn't want to move for a long long time, wanted to stay connected with Lee in this very primal way. It felt too good to lose quite yet, so he stayed still, letting his breathing return to normal. He felt Lee's fingers in his hair, stroking and smoothing back the damp strands. 

He rested one hand on Lee's chest, tenderly caressing the damp flesh. On impulse, he leaned down and laid a kiss on one nipple, then the other. He glanced up to meet Lee's eyes with his own.

"First time for both of us," Lee said softly.

"Yep, it was."

"Think maybe I'll let you do that again sometime. If you mind your manners." Lee's eyes twinkled, and Marshall understood exactly what he was saying.

"Like it, did you?" he couldn't resist asking with a smirk.

"Not saying yes, not saying no," Lee teased. "Just saying mebbe."

"Love you too, Lee," Marshall whispered as they rearranged themselves into spoons and cuddled for a long while.



Don't Look Back Ch. 34



November 4th was not only Marshall's birthday, but it was also the day he and Lee celebrated what they considered to be their anniversary. The date on which they became a couple in every sense of the word. Normally, they stayed at home and enjoyed their privacy. But this year also marked another occasion, one which could not be ignored. 

This was the year Marshall turned twenty-one.

"Couldn't we just stay home and continue what we're doing?"

Marshall lay stretched out on their bed, on his stomach and naked. Lee, also naked, straddled him, gently but firmly relaxing the muscles along Marshall's back and shoulders. Lee was certainly no slouch when it came to the art of massage, and Marshall appreciated all his ministrations. The trouble was he wanted more, not to go out. Usually, that wasn't a problem, but tonight, it seemed to be.

"You know we can't, and you know why."

Marshall groaned and pouted. Not that it did him a lot of good, since he was face down, and only the mattress was privy to his scowl. He would have rolled over and shown his displeasure more clearly but that wouldn't do him any good, and he knew it, and besides, he was too damn comfortable to roll over this moment. Lee had relaxed every damn muscle Marshall possessed. Well, all except one. And right this minute he wanted nothing more than to lie here in sublime bliss, with Lee's hands on him, as well as the heat of his body where they made contact.

Just not quite enough contact to suit Marshall.

"How about we go tomorrow night? Stay here tonight?"

"It's all set for tonight, and tomorrow doesn't count." Lee slid off Marshall and slapped his ass for good measure. "Besides, it's just for a little while. Have some dinner, a few drinks..."

"And then?"

"And then... providing you behave yourself... we come home and I'll fuck your brains out."

Now that sounded more like it.

Marshall rolled over and regarded Lee, who was rubbing his hands on a towel, removing the massage oil. Lee arched an eyebrow.

"You can quit being a brat now," he commented, "and appreciate that our friends want you to have a great twenty-first birthday."

"I know, it's just that—"

"And be grateful I talked them out of kidnapping you and taking you on a road trip to Eagle Pass, over to the Kickapoo casino. Or even Vegas."

Lee was right. That would have been a much longer journey. This way, they were only an hour away from home. And it was flattering to be the guest of honor at a birthday party. That had never happened before. When he was little, it was just Marshall and his dad. His mother never remembered or seemed to care.

"Yeah, that's true," Marshall relented, his voice softening. At the same time, he scooted across the bed, his eyes fastened on Lee and his hot body. "And I do appreciate it, trust me. But couldn't we... you know..."

"Couldn't we what? Take a shower and get dressed?"

"After, sure. Sounds like a great plan."

"After what?" Lee slung the towel over one shoulder. Marshall swore he spotted a smirk, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "You telling me you can't exercise a little bit of self-control until we get home? Do I need to get the cock ring out, just to remind you what restraint is?"

No, not that. Marshall suppressed a moan. The idea of sitting through dinner with that thing caging his cock was not an inviting one. The last time they'd done that had been pure torture.

"No, that won't be necessary," he hastily replied. This time Lee flat out grinned.

"All right then." He approached the bed, leaned down and kissed Marshall, sliding his hand into his long locks and gripping them firmly. "Don't worry, once we get home, you're all mine, and I intend to show you just what that means."

Lee's words went straight to Marshall's cock, eliciting another moan. That idea appealed to him more than he could say. Three years, and he was as much in love with Lee as he was at the beginning. Even more so. Their love only grew stronger every day.

"I'll behave," he promised, and was rewarded with another long kiss. Lee pressed closer against Marshall's slick flesh. 

"Let's take that shower now." He tenderly nipped at Marshall's earlobe, then straightened up and offered him a hand. Marshall pretended to groan as he gained his feet, and they headed toward the bathroom.

* * *

The birthday celebration began at Partners, where they met up with Slim and Rye and Denver and a few of their other friends. Of course, Roy was with them. He wouldn't miss Marshall's birthday for the world. They shoved a few tables together in a corner, and bought Marshall his first legal drink. Of course, they didn't tell anyone else that Marshall had been drinking there as a minor. He probably wasn't the only one, though.

Afterwards, they all met at a nearby roadhouse that advertised the best Texas barbecue for miles around. They got a room to themselves, placed their orders, and kicked back with a couple pitchers of draft beer.

"We didn't get any dancing in," Denver complained. He sat on one side of Marshall, who had the place of honor at the head of the table, with Lee on the other side. Roy sat on the other side of Lee, next to Slim. "I wanted to dance with the birthday boy. How about we go back after we eat?"

"Not tonight." Marshall laughed, shooting a quick wink at Lee. "Some other time, son, tonight's spoken for."

"Well hell's bells." Denver rolled his eyes. "I wanna do what you two did on the Internet!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, when you was in that video that got posted on You Tube."

Marshall and Lee exchanged puzzled glances.



Don't Look Back Ch. 35



"You Tube? What the hell are you talking about?" Marshall asked.

"Boy, what have you been smoking?" Slim demanded to know, and everyone laughed. Everyone except Denver, who pulled out his phone, indignation shining in his eyes.

"I'll show you what I'm talking about. Hold your horses for just a minute, willya?" 

Marshall leaned in to Lee, lowering his voice for his ears alone. "I bet he's going to pop up with some kind of birthday video or something, and then yell surprise."

"You never know, that might just be it," Lee agreed. Marshall caught a hint of something in Lee's voice, though, something that wasn't entirely amusement. Before he could ask what was wrong, he heard Denver's cry of triumph.

"Found it!" He pushed his phone at Marshall. "There it is. Just press play. I turned up the sound already."

Marshall took the phone, holding it between him and Lee, so they could both watch. He heard the scrape of chairs as the others rose and grouped behind them, everyone's attention on the phone. 

Marshall pressed play, prepared for anything. What he saw was the familiar crowded dance floor of Partners. People were moving back, out of the line of sight of the camera, to a respectful distance from a couple. The camera shifted, focusing on that couple.

Marshall realized with a start that it was indeed him and Lee. They were dancing together, and the crowd was watching appreciatively, shouting encouragements, along with whistles and catcalls. Marshall remembered the dance, of course, and the way Lee had bent him over and kissed him long and hard. He even remembered people taking pictures of them. What he hadn't expected was to end up in a video on You Tube.

"Well, I'll be damned." Only after the clip ended did he notice the title given it by whoever had uploaded it: Two hot men and a great kiss at Partners. He felt his cheeks go warm, but he wasn't exactly displeased about the video. Not like he was embarrassed about his love for Lee, or of having people see them together. Then he looked at the view count. Holy shit. "There's almost a million views on this thing." He looked up to find Denver grinning widely at him.

"Oh yeah, you're quite the sensation. I think they call that going viral. You two are gonna be famous."

Marshall snorted with laughter, until he caught a glimpse of Lee's face. Lee wasn't smiling, and he didn't look very happy. Come to think of it, neither did Roy.

Marshall pushed the phone into Denver's hand. "The answer is still no," he responded to the unspoken question he could read in Denver's eyes. "Still got plans. It's our anniversary, you know."

"I know," Denver grumbled, pocketing the phone. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

Everyone laughed, as they resumed their seats. Marshall took advantage of the momentary confusion to whisper in Lee's ear. "Is something wrong?"

Lee didn't answer immediately, heightening Marshall's unease. He pulled back enough to look at Lee's face. "What is it?" he asked.

Lee's brows drew together before he relaxed his expression and forced a smile. "Probably nothing," he admitted. 

"Afraid I'll get famous on You Tube and take off for Hollywood?" Marshall joked. 

Lee leaned forward and kissed him. "I think I know better than that."

"I should hope so. You know I was just kidding, right?"

"I know that. Look, we can talk about it later, okay?"

"Okay. Good." Marshall felt somewhat relieved. They'd talk about it, whatever it was, and Lee would make everything all right, like he always did.

"Hey you two, break it up!" Slim's voice broke into their moment. Lee slid an arm about Marshall's shoulders and grinned at their friend. 

"What's the matter, Slim? Tell us how you really feel!"

More laughter. Slim raised a glass of beer. "Kinda hard to make a toast if you're not paying attention. To Lee and Marshall! Happy anniversary, and happy birthday to Marshall. May you always be happy and together."

Glasses were lifted around the table, and everyone echoed the sentiment. A short time later, Lee rose, reaching for Marshall's hand. "Time for us to go," he said in his no-nonsense way, "but we'll get together again soon. Agreed?"

They made their good-nights and said their thank yous for a fine evening. Roy left with them, citing the need to work the next day. He accompanied them to their car, leaning against it as Lee unlocked it. A look passed between the two men that Marshall didn't understand. His unease, which had subsided, began to return.

"Doesn't have to mean anything," Roy said.

"Yeah, I know that. But then again, it might."

"I know." Roy removed his hat and scratched the side of his head before replacing it. "I'll get on it soon as I get home, Lee, 'kay?"

"I appreciate that, Roy." The two men shook hands before Lee opened the door and motioned Marshall inside. Marshall started to ask a question, but decided against it, and let Lee close the door without comment. Roy headed to his car and Lee slid behind the wheel.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, Lee staring out at the highway, once they left Tucker Falls. Marshall gazed out his side window, but there wasn't a whole lot to see at this time of night. Finally, he couldn't wait any longer.

"Want to tell me what's going on? Something about that video's got you spooked. What is it?"

Lee took a deep breath, then let it out. "Just don't like having us out there on the Internet like that."

Marshall was sure there was more to the story than that. "We advertise on the Internet, that's how we get a lot of our business. What else is there?"

Lee hesitated. "I just don't want our past catching up with us, that's all."

Suddenly Marshall understood, his stomach knotting. "Oh hell no," he whispered.



Don't Look Back Ch. 36



Lee gripped one of Marshall's hands in his, while Marshall leaned silently against him. Nothing more was said for the duration of the ride home, but Marshall understood the unspoken message: they were in this together, and nothing would force them apart. Nothing, and no one.

Once they were home, they shut down the house for the night and headed for the bedroom. Despite his dismay at the news of their newly acquired Internet status, Marshall was determined not to let it affect their evening. This was their anniversary, three years of loving one another, and nothing could detract from that.

When Lee came out of the bathroom, Marshall was waiting for him. He pressed against him, his fingers reaching for the buttons on Lee's Western-style shirt. Lee covered Marshall's hand with his own and gave him a questioning look.

"I believe you made me a promise earlier tonight," Marshall murmured. He slid his hand between them, covering the growing bulge in Lee's jeans.

"That I did," Lee concurred, "if you're sure—"

"What I'm sure of is that I love you, and these past three years have been wonderful. The best years of our lives are still ahead of us..."

He studied Lee's face, waiting for his reaction. Lee's familiar slow, lazy smile spread across his face, and Marshall's heart swelled at the sight. Lee's smile was so beautiful, it took Marshall's breath away.

"I love you too," Lee replied, "and this I promise. I'll never stop loving you, and I'll never stop being here for you, no matter what."

There was nothing more to be said. They quickly undressed one another before tumbling onto the bed. 

"Back or stomach?" Marshall asked.

"Back. I want to look at you while I make love to you."

Lee's words were balm on Marshall's troubled soul. Nothing bad could happen to them; their love was too strong to break. This was forever, and even though Marshall was young, he knew their love was true and right.

He positioned himself as Lee got out the lube and slicked his erection. Marshall watched, turned on by the way Lee's hand slid up his shaft. Someday he'd have to ask Lee to beat off just so he could watch him do it. Assuming he could resist the urge to touch him while he did.

"Hand me the lube," he said, and when Lee did, Marshall greased two fingers and began to work them inside himself. Lee nodded his approval and watched him hungrily. When Marshall felt sufficiently loosened, he tossed the lube aside, and spread his legs. 

"All yours," he murmured, as Lee positioned himself between Marshall's legs.

Three years of lovemaking, and Marshall still couldn't get enough of Lee. As Lee sheathed himself inside Marshall's heat, he welcomed him with his entire being, squeezing his muscles with practiced ease, gripping Lee's cock. When Lee was fully seated, he stopped. He lifted Marshall's legs to the level of his waist, allowing him to delve deeper inside him, and Marshall locked his ankles together, resting them just above Lee's ass.

He could stay like this all day and night, if it was physically possible. Sadly, it wasn't.

"Goddamn but you're beautiful," Lee told him in a reverential tone which reverberated through Marshall, enveloping his heart. 

"And you're very sexy," Marshall murmured, "sexiest man I've ever seen..."

Lee began to move, slowly, inside of Marshall, and Marshall matched his pace with the thrusts of his hips. They had all night, no need for speed, no urgency other than the dictates of their hearts. Nothing else and no one else existed for them at this moment. This was their world and theirs alone.

When Lee pulled out of Marshall, without having come, Marshall started to protest, but Lee silenced him with a kiss. "Don't want to finish yet, I want to taste you, then take you in the shower."

Marshall couldn't help but like that idea, with one modification. "How about we sixty-nine?" he suggested.

"I like the way you think. Scoot over so I can get on bottom."

Marshall made room for Lee, then rolled on top of him, his head between Lee's legs and his ass and cock within reach of Lee's mouth. A shiver of anticipation shook Marshall's frame. He kissed the tip of Lee's weeping cock, tasting his salty precum, before easing his lips around Lee's erection. Lee took Marshall's dick into his mouth, which was warm and moist, and began sucking on him in return.

Marshall was too wound up to hold out for long, especially with Lee's expert tonguing action coaxing his orgasm from him. It seemed like they'd barely begun when Marshall tightened and released inside Lee's mouth. He continued his ministrations on Lee's hard-on, and was rewarded with Lee's load as he came.

Marshall reversed his position and snuggled into Lee's arms as they caught their breath, before heading into the shower. There, they cleaned up together and played with some of their toys beneath the warm water.

Drying off, they returned to the bed and relaxed for a few minutes before beginning again. 

Lee lay on his back, Marshall on his stomach beside him. He touched Lee's chest, his fingers lightly brushing over Lee's nipples, which stood at attention. Lee made no objection, so Marshall took one dusky nub into his mouth and sucked at it lightly. Lee's hand slid down Marshall's back, caressing his cheeks before he slid a finger inside of him. Marshall moaned around Lee's nipple. Lee continued, adding a second finger, dexterously reaching for Marshall's prostate. When he touched it, Marshall quivered, his entire body alight like a pinball machine.

"Sounds like you're ready for me," Lee commented.

"Oh hell yeah. Fuck me again, please. Hard," Marshall practically begged.

They changed positions, Lee taking the upper hand once more. No stretching was needed. Marshall was already relaxed. Lee pulled Marshall's legs up to his shoulders and pushed inside him in one stroke.



Don't Look Back Ch. 37



Hard and swift. Just the way Marshall wanted and needed their lovemaking to be.

He lost himself in Lee, in the short hard strokes with which he pounded him into sweet oblivion. Lee held Marshall's legs in a firm grip, so Marshall took other matters into his own hands. He stroked his cock until he reached the precipice and then pushed himself over, crying Lee's name as he came. Lee continued to push inside him until he too reached the point of no return and filled Marshall with his hot seed. Afterward, spent, they wound their arms around one another and cuddled as they caught their breath.

"Happy anniversary, Lee," Marshall murmured, basking in the contented glow that stretched from one end of his body to the other. 

"Back atcha," Lee replied. He lowered his head to tenderly nuzzle at Marshall's neck. "Never forget," he said softly, "I want to spend forever with you, and only you..."

"Me too," Marshall affirmed. He breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed into Lee's love.

* * * *

Three weeks after their anniversary, it was time for Thanksgiving. This was a holiday they always spent with Roy, who joined them at their home for the occasion. Everyone had his part to play in preparing the meal. Lee roasted the turkey in the smoker, Marshall was responsible for side dishes and keeping the kitchen clean, while Roy's job was to provide dessert. Usually he brought a traditional pumpkin pie and whatever else tickled his fancy at the grocery store. And of course there would be plenty of beer. And football. Texas A&M was playing LSU that night, and they wouldn't miss that game for the world.

A light drizzle fell late morning, but Marshall knew a little bit of water wouldn't keep Lee from smoking the turkey. The smoker was under the overhang at the back of the house, well out of harm's way. Despite the drizzle, the temperatures were pleasant, especially for November. Marshall couldn't help but remember the deep snow that had often blanketed Fargo, and how much he'd hated it as a kid. Of course, that had a lot to do with the life he'd led with his mother.

Marshall hadn't been able to stop worrying since he'd found out about the You Tube video of him and Lee, despite his best efforts not to think about it. He watched Lee for any sign that something was wrong, but Lee didn't show any evidence he was concerned about anything. Neither did Roy, come to think of it. Roy knew all about them, and obviously knew the circumstances of Marshall's kidnapping, since he'd been the one to help rescue him. He'd be the one Lee would turn to if there were any trouble. Marshall knew Roy was looking into things for them, but so far he didn't seem to have found anything.

"Hey, want another beer?" 

Marshall was so lost in thought he hadn't heard Lee enter the living room until he was at his elbow. Marshall glanced at the bottle in his hand. It was empty. "Yeah, sure, why don't I get one?" He took a step toward the kitchen, but Lee stopped him, sliding his arms about Marshall's waist.

"What's wrong? You look like you're out in the ozone somewhere. And I don't think it's football you're thinking about, either. Or turkey." Lee looked deeply into Marshall's eyes, as if searching for answers there.

"When did you know you were gay?" Marshall blurted out. Lee's eyebrows arched.

"Well, I'm not sure I am gay, if you want to be technical. People might say I'm bi more than gay."

"You mean because you married a woman and had a child?"

"Yeah, that has something to do with it, sure." Lee nodded. "With me, it's not about body parts, or who fits where. It's people, if that makes sense."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Marshall said slowly. "I was just wondering... I mean..." But he couldn't get the words out; they stuck in his throat. He wasn't even sure he really wanted to know. He was treading in dangerous waters here, subjects generally not discussed between them. But they were burning a hole in his brain right now.

"Ask me anything," Lee encouraged him. "Anything at all." He raised one hand and gently stroked Marshall's cheek.

"Did you ever love her?" Marshall's voice came from far away. He dropped his eyes, half afraid of what he might see.

Lee didn't answer right away, and Marshall tensed in his grip, until he heard Lee take a deep breath and clear his throat. He looked up.

"I'd like to say yes, but I think that would be a lie. I don't think I loved her any more than she loved me. We just ended up together because... well, because it was a small town, we were both there, and we thought it was a good idea at the time. And it worked for a little while."

"Did you get married because of me?"

"We got married because it seemed the thing to do. I didn't exactly have a choice. Her old man had a shotgun, and he knew how to use it. But don't ever think I didn't want you, 'cause I did. And I wanted to make us work as a family, I really did. I tried. Damn hard. But she wasn't exactly the domestic type." Lee shrugged.

Marshall knew that only too well, didn't he? She'd never been a real mother to him, and in all of his memories of her, she seemed more annoyed with him than anything. Like she didn't know what to do with him, and didn't want to find out. Most of the time, she just wasn't there. And that's the way he liked it. He realized that he wanted it to stay that way.

"What if she finds us?" he fretted. "What if she comes here?"

"We'll deal with it." Lee kissed him.



Don't Look Back Ch. 38



"Knock, knock, anybody home?" Roy's voice came to them from the front door. Marshall knew the sheriff wouldn't wait, but would let himself in. The shout out was just a courtesy to him and Lee.

"Come on in!" Lee hollered back.

"I'll get those beers now," Marshall offered, as he slid out of Lee's arms. No need to ask if Roy wanted one; that was a given. Lee held him close, not releasing him quite yet.

"We can talk more later, if you like?" He gave Marshall a significant look that Marshall understood immediately. They were shelving the subject for now, but it wasn't off-limits. Nothing between them was.

"Okay," he agreed, grateful for Lee's understanding. 

Lee searched his eyes, as if looking for confirmation of something, then kissed him softly and swatted his butt. "Okay," he echoed. Marshall headed to the kitchen. He wanted to take a minute to gather himself before facing Roy. He could hear Roy's voice as he joined Lee in the family room. 

Marshall opened the refrigerator, grabbed three beers, than used his hip to close it again. He'd left room on one shelf for Roy's pies. The bottles of beer lay flat on another shelf. He'd replenish them as needed.

He wondered if Roy would have any news about his mother. In Marshall's mind, it was hard to think of her that way. Even as a boy, he'd never called her "Mom" or "Mother". She'd discouraged the practice, and insisted he refer to her as Rhonda, especially in front of the men she collected, like so many notches on her bed post. Fear of aging, no doubt. Or the desire not to acknowledge that she had a child.

As far as he was concerned, she didn't.

Just thinking that made him feel better. He didn't care what she thought of him, and he knew Lee felt the same. Even if she found them—and that was a big if, assuming she even wanted to after eight years—what could she do to them?

"Hey Marshall." Roy's voice broke into his reverie. He realized, with a guilty start, he was still holding the beers, his mind on the past.

"Hey, Roy. I was just bringing these in."

"Let me set these up and I'll give you a hand. " Roy held a plastic bag in one hand. Marshall recognized the familiar logo of the grocery store. He watched Roy open the fridge and slide the entire bag onto the open shelf.

"What kind?" Marshall asked, curious.

"Pumpkin and pecan." Roy turned, took one of the beers from Marshall. Marshall held onto his own and Lee's.

"Sounds good." Marshall followed Roy back into the family room, where Lee waited for them, on the couch. Roy sank set his beer next to it, then sank into his usual spot at the end of the couch, tilting his hat back as he did.

Lee indicated the spot beside him with a nod of his head, reaching for the bottles. He took them as Marshall situated himself next to Lee. Lee's proximity was always very comforting, but especially so right now. Having Roy close at hand didn't hurt either.

"You know, I read the damnedest thing on the Internet today." Roy tilted his bottle back and took a drink before continuing. "Some guy in Hawaii has this restaurant where he serves an alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving dinner."

"An alternative?" Lee looked skeptical. "Like what? Chicken? Duck? Or something worse, like tofu?"

"Dude, how can it be Thanksgiving without turkey?" Marshall quizzically asked.

"Spam," Roy informed them.

"Spam?" Marshall and Lee spluttered in unison.

"Yep, Spam." Roy confirmed. "Do you believe that?"

"I don't," Lee said. "Never heard of such a thing. What in the world is he thinking?"

"Do a lot of people there go for that?" Marshall asked.

"Apparently it's a pretty big thing there. Go figure."

Lee snorted. "I don't see it ever catching on around here."

"That's a fact," Roy agreed. "Hey, do you remember that time we were up in New York City, that little hole in the wall place we ended up in on Thanksgiving?"

Marshall watched Lee, as he thought back. "You went to New York City?" he asked.

"We did," Lee answered. "Went a lot of places, searching for you." He reached for Marshall's hand, clasped it in his own. A soft shiver stole through Marshall's frame. 

"I do remember that place, yeah," he addressed Roy's question. "Don't remember the name, and it sure wasn't much to look at, but the food was really good, and they had some of the best stuffing I think I've ever had. Do you remember what the cook said he put in it?"

"Can't say I do, but I know it wasn't Spam." Roy grinned broadly, and Lee laughed. Marshall just shook his head.

"Chorizo. That's what it was," Lee suddenly remembered. "Damn tasty."

"Was I in New York City?" Marshall asked. So much of that time was a blur, and he didn't always know where they were. He did know Rhonda tended to stay to the north and central part of the country, probably afraid if she went too far south, Lee might find them. She might feed her lovers the bullshit story that Lee was dead, but her actions spoke loudly that she knew the truth. And that she feared the truth.

"We thought you were, but the lead didn't pan out," Roy said apologetically. "Turned out to be another boy and his mother. They were on the run too, but for legitimate reasons."

"Abuse?" Marshall was almost afraid to ask. Roy nodded.

A moment of silence fell among them, broken only by the contented sounds of beer drinking.

"Do you know where she is?" Marshall asked at last. He felt Lee tighten his clasp about his hand.

"Unfortunately, no. She's a hard woman to track. She doesn't work, doesn't set down roots, has nothing in her name."

Marshall couldn't contain his shiver.