Breath of the Feathered Serpent (11 page)

He licked his lips as he gazed down at Elijah. His lover looked sated and debauched. His face was flushed, his eyes closed, and they’d be picking straw out of his hair before going back to the ranch house. The sight of him with his shirt spread wide and pants open enough for his soft cock to lie against his thigh sent Adam’s arousal soaring. He squeezed at the bulge in his jeans.
That has to be the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

“Adam?” Elijah’s voice was soft and breathy. He smiled up at Adam as he opened his eyes.

“I’m here. God, you’re gorgeous.”

Elijah’s cheeks flushed red. “But, I didn’t take care of you.”

“Oh, but you did. I wanted to see you fall apart. I got what I wanted this time. Now we can let things build up slowly until you’re ready for the main course.” Adam smiled at the wide-eyed look from his lover. He had no doubts that Elijah would spill again before they had to return to the ranch house. “Now I think we have way too many clothes on for a start.”

He rose to his feet, slowly unfastened his shirt, and eased it from his body. He knew there were scars on his furred torso, but he was still fit and toned. He unbuckled his belt and unfastened his jeans. Kicking off his boots, he pushed his pants down and stepped out of them. His cock stood hard and proud, and Elijah’s gaze was riveted to his erection. “Hey, Lij, you gonna get naked with me or just admire the view?”

He laughed softly as Elijah stood and removed his already unfastened clothes. By the time Elijah was as naked as Adam, his dick was already rising again.

Adam urged Elijah to lie back on the straw and covered his body with his own, relishing the feel of the hard muscle and warm skin beneath his hands and mouth. He licked, kissed, nibbled, and stroked, mapping out his lover’s body.

He rolled aside and pulled Elijah to lie on top of him. “How about you do some exploring of you own?” he asked. He sighed as Elijah’s mouth hesitantly enfolded one of his nipples.

“You like that?” Elijah asked.

“Didn’t you?” Adam replied. “Just do to me what felt good to you. See if you can’t find other things I like.”

Elijah grinned as Adam spread his legs wide, offering himself to his lover. Adam moaned his appreciation as Elijah used his lips, tongue, and hands to pleasure him. He groaned low and deep when Elijah finally took the head of his cock into the wet heat of his mouth. Adam fought his body’s urge to thrust, not wanting to scare or choke his lover.

After a few moments, he looked at Elijah. The sight of his lover’s lips stretched around his cock almost sent him over the edge. He reached down and carded his fingers through Elijah’s hair, tugging gently. “How about you come up here and kiss me and we can spill together?”

Elijah didn’t hesitate, and Adam positioned them facing one another on their sides, Elijah’s head pillowed on Adam’s left arm while Adam wrapped his right hand around both his and Elijah’s dicks. He squeezed them together as he stroked. Their kisses quickly became hot, wet, open-mouthed panting against one another’s skin.

Elijah spilled first, muffling his shout of completion against Adam’s collarbone. The hot splashes of his lover’s release against his skin sent Adam over the edge. He groaned Elijah’s name as his body convulsed, sending pulse after pulse of his seed to cover Elijah’s chest, and he lost himself in the free-fall of pleasure.

Slowly Adam became aware of his surroundings once more. He looked down at Elijah who snored softly against his shoulder. Tenderly, Adam kissed the top of his head. He drew the other blanket over their bodies. It didn’t matter if they slept out here in the straw or back in the house, but this way gave him the chance to sleep with Elijah in his arms. Something he could commit to memory for when he returned to his cold and empty life.

Chapter Nineteen

The next morning, after some mutual discussion with the others, Adam and Elijah headed out toward the mountains to catch a few wild mustangs. Adam rode alongside Elijah who knew the countryside well. Adam was fascinated by Elijah’s knowledge of local history and horses. He’d assumed that as a cattle rancher Elijah would have little interest in horses.

As an accomplished horse wrangler, Adam would break the wild mustangs. He eagerly anticipated the challenge. Once they returned with the horses, Mecatl and Ellen were going to ride into the state of King Xipil. Mecatl had some friends there and would bring a herd of cattle back.

Adam hoped that once it was clear that Abe was operating a fully-functional ranch, their elusive enemy would make his move. However, something was tickling his brain about the two cowboys he believed were killers. He would speak with Madison about it when he got back.

He forced his attention to the present and the young man riding by his side. Elijah smiled broadly, and his face had an indefinable glow. Adam swallowed. He wished he could ensure Elijah always looked so happy.

Adam had already learned that Elijah tried to see something good or positive in everything, and was happy-go-lucky by nature. In that respect, Adam envied him. In his job, you looked for the dark side of men’s natures that made them lie, steal, and kill.

By early afternoon, Adam had caught four mares. To be able to relax, not look over his shoulder or worry worked wonders to lift Adam’s spirits, and he laughed out loud as Elijah performed a couple of tricks, like sliding to the side on his horse at full gallop to snatch Adam’s neckerchief from off a low hanging bush. The young man’s riding skills amazed and delighted him.

Adam clapped enthusiastically as Elijah joined him, handing back the neckerchief. “That was some fancy riding, Lij.”

Elijah’s cheeks flushed, and he grinned. “I love horses.” He shrugged as they rode slowly toward a suitable place to set up camp for the night.

“I took you for a cattleman through and through,” Adam said.

“I am. Pa wanted me to follow in his footsteps, so I made sure I knew all there was about cattle ranching. Ellen, too. According to Uncle Mortimer, I’ll make a good rancher, and that makes me feel real proud. It’s what Pa would’ve liked to hear. But...well...I still love horses.”

Elijah’s voice had a wistful tone, and Adam glanced over at him. He was smiling, his eyes fixed into the distance as if looking at something only he could see.

“I’m sure your pa would be real proud of you,” Adam said.

This time Elijah’s smile was dazzling. “You think so? Thanks, Adam. I try to do what I think he’d want with the ranch. At least for now. Maybe when it’s really mine, when Uncle Mortimer goes, well then I do have some ideas of my own.”

Adam nodded. He hadn’t appreciated just how difficult things were for Elijah. But in retrospect, he’d unexpectedly lost his father and yet was doing a good job managing a ranch he wouldn’t have expected to inherit for a long time. Not only did Elijah have a heart of gold, he had a backbone of iron. Adam was proud to have met him.

“Whatever ideas you have, I’m sure you’ll make a success of them, Lij.”

“Thanks, Adam. I really appreciate hearing you say that. Now this is a good place to camp. If we’re lucky, we won’t have to have fish. There are lots of rabbits around here. Wanna put a dollar wager on who can catch a rabbit to roast?”

“You’re on,” Adam said. He grinned at the challenge, and they rode apart, each man looking around carefully, keen to win the bet.

To Adam’s chagrin, Elijah won, the young man crowing in delight as he held up his offering. He laughed and dug into his pocket, but Elijah waved his hand.

“No. Keep it. I can think of a better way to claim my winnings.” Elijah’s cheeks flamed red, and Adam groaned as his dick surged. He looked around. Overall, the day had been a success, but on the downside, Adam was hot, sweaty, and tired.

“Let’s head for the river. I could do with a swim.” He shouted over to Elijah.

“I know something better,” Elijah said with a wicked smile. “This way.”

They headed down into trees, and Elijah laughed when Adam tried to guess where he was being taken. A short while later, they reached a small, clear pool fed by a waterfall cascading down the mountain. There were several large boulders at the base of the falls, and the stony shore led to mossy banks beneath the trees.

“How’s this?” Elijah asked, a self-satisfied smile on his face.

“Goddamn perfect,” Adam said. He dismounted and tethered his horse, ensuring there was plenty of grass around. He did the same for the wild horses, stroking their necks and talking quietly to them. Then he turned around and his voice stuck in his throat.

Elijah was already naked and standing under the falling water. Adam stared avariciously at the play of lean muscles as Elijah stretched and moved. Adam wasn’t given to poetry or fanciful words, but the sight made him think of ethereal sprites and heavenly angels. As Elijah moved, he glanced over his shoulder at Adam and smiled.

Almost without conscious thought, Adam stripped, leaving his clothes in a scattered trail behind him as he headed for the water. His boots and socks were the last things tossed carelessly behind him as he stepped into the water and strode towards Elijah.

As Adam came up to his lover, Elijah’s foot slipped, and he started to fall backward. Adam reached out and grabbed him before he fell. Both men froze where they stood as their wet flesh pressed together, and their erections touched. Elijah moaned when Adam’s hard heat pressed against his skin. The soft sound of need from Elijah’s lips triggered something primal in Adam.

With a feral grin, he moved his hips in a gentle thrust and was rewarded by another whimper of desire from Elijah. His lover cried out with pleasure as Adam took Elijah’s erection in his firm grip and pulled gently. Adam held Elijah tight and pumped his rod rhythmically, pressing the thick vein on its underside and flicking his thumb over the swollen head. Elijah could do little more than voice his pleasure and tremble in Adam’s embrace, his hips bucking as he neared his release.

“Adam!” Elijah panted the single word breathlessly.

Adam pressed his face against Elijah’s cheek and licked the wet skin. “Spill for me,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

With a soft cry, Elijah came. Adam whispered a stream of nonsense as he gently milked Elijah through his release. His lover’s beautiful face was transfigured by bliss, and Adam’s heart soared.

When Elijah had nothing more to give, Adam swept him into his arms and headed back to land. He set Elijah down and went to Cinnamon. Adam got his blanket and a small vial of oil out of the saddlebags. Then he went to Elijah’s horse and got his blanket as well.

Setting his blanket on the ground next to where Elijah sat, Adam spread it out. He lay down on it and held out an arm. Elijah went willingly into Adam’s embrace. Ignoring his own aching dick, Adam pulled Elijah close and wrapped an arm around his slim waist. Their lips touched. Adam was almost consumed by heat and desire as Elijah molded to his will. He licked his lover’s full lips, coaxing them to part. Adam groaned as his tongue pushed into Elijah’s mouth.

Adam rolled their bodies, moving so that he straddled Elijah’s shoulders. “Suck me,” he murmured. He sighed and moaned as Elijah took his cock in his mouth. Adam squeezed the base of his dick as Elijah’s lips and tongue threatened to send him over the edge.

Although he was sure Elijah would get hard again soon enough, he wasn’t so certain of his own abilities.
And when I spill, I want it to be inside Elijah this time. Even if this is the only time I ever get to feel his body that way.

He eased back, his gaze locked on Elijah. “Are you ready for more?”

“I want...I want you in me, Adam. I have from the first day I saw you.” Elijah spoke with determination, despite his initial hesitation.

“I want that too, beautiful.” Adam stroked Elijah’s cheek. “You’re sure?”

“Very sure. I want you in me.”

There was no hesitation this time, and Adam nodded slowly. “There’s nothing I want more than to make love with you.” He swallowed as Elijah’s eyes widened. He’d never said those words to another. Never wanted to until now. Until Elijah.

“I’d like that, Adam,” Elijah said. “I do.”

Adam nodded, unwilling to trust his voice. He coughed, clearing his throat before he spoke. “I want you to lie on your belly for me and spread your legs nice and wide.”

Elijah obeyed without question and settled with his legs splayed wide, his head pillowed on his forearms. “Like this?”

“Perfect, Lij, just damn perfect.” Adam’s cock ached at the sight of Elijah’s pale, smooth ass waiting for him. Adam took a deep breath and squeezed the base of his dick once again. He may only get one chance to make love with Elijah, and he wanted to make sure it was perfect.

He knelt between Elijah’s spread legs, leaned forward, and ran his hands over his back. He repeated the action, sliding his hands lower with each sweep until he palmed the pale globes. Elijah squirmed slightly and then settled. Adam squeezed the pert cheeks, trying to get Elijah used to his touch there.

“Just relax, Lij,” Adam murmured.

Adam shifted his position and kissed each cheek, eliciting a half-smothered gasp from Elijah. Then, grasping each one firmly, Adam parted the taut globes and blew gently over the newly exposed flesh. Elijah wiggled a little and raised his ass.

This time Adam used his tongue. He trailed over each cheek, circling closer to his goal until he lapped over Elijah’s entrance. A muffled cry came from Elijah, and he pushed back into the intimate caress.

Adam alternated between licking around the tiny pucker and pushing his tongue inside. He held onto Elijah, who rocked back and forth in response. Adam knew he couldn’t open Elijah enough with his tongue, and slowly he eased away, kissing each cheek in turn. He sucked on a finger, getting it good and wet, and pressed against the saliva-slick portal.

He could only insert the tip, Elijah was still tight. He reached for his vial. “I need to open you a mite more, so I need to use my fingers. I have some oil. That’ll help make you slick for when I put my cock inside of you.”

“Hurry, Adam. I want you so much.”

“I can’t promise it won’t hurt, Lij, but trust me when I say you don’t want me going in there dry. Be patient, beautiful. I want this as much as you do.” Adam had no intention of explaining just
how
he knew how bad it was without some form of lubricant. He pushed all unpleasant memories from his mind and focused on preparing Elijah.