Riding Ryder (2 page)

Chapter Two

Watching Caleb eat was a lesson in seduction itself. Logan couldn’t keep his gaze away from Caleb’s mouth. Did the guy realize just what he was doing? Probably not; he seemed totally unconscious of the fact that his every move was pure temptation. Logan moved uneasily on the bench, for once wishing he had some clothes on. He was so hard it was painful. A state that was glaringly obvious. At least Caleb had that damned apron over him.

“I’ll take it off.” The voice was soft.

Startled, he looked up at Caleb’s face. “What?”

“The apron. I’ll take it off. That’s what you were thinking, isn’t it? That this bloody apron is covering my cock, and yours is bare in all its glory.”

Logan stared.
Was I that fucking obvious?

“No, you weren’t. But I knew nevertheless. It’s a gift.”

“Bloody hell! Are you a mind reader?”
Shit, I hope not, my thoughts are X-rated at the moment.

Caleb laughed. “Not so much a mind reader as a body reader. Everyone’s body is really a bunch of ‘tells.’ I just have the ability to read and understand them.”

Oh ho, now that could be interesting.
Was that what Ally had been trying to explain? Those unconscious notes sent and only sometimes received?
He watched as Caleb removed his apron, and his cock, now uncovered, sprung up. Mmm, much better. It took his mind away from one hunger to another, specifically, Caleb’s body. And the feel of that dick inside him…

He cleared his plate and his throat. “That was good, and I was well ready for it. Thanks. Shall I wash up?”

Watching Caleb stand, Logan could feel electricity zinging between them. Caleb held out his hand toward him, pulling him to his feet, bringing him so close that they were almost touching.

“Not the plates, no, but your body? Let me help. There’s a little bit of sand, here.” Logan was conscious of soft fingers trailing over his shoulder. “And here.” Now his chest. “Oh, and here.” Those magic hands caressed his cock, so softly it was like a feather whispering over him. He sighed, lost in the moment. A butterfly kiss on his lips. A swirl of misty feelings like a newly budding rose began to unfurl inside him. He let himself be led out of the kitchen and into a bedroom. Big picture windows let the sea and cliffs in. They moved into a bathroom with more wide, wide windows. As he looked more closely, he saw they were not just windows, but doors that stood open, letting warmth, sunlight, and bird song in to surround them.

“I like the outdoors.” Caleb stood watching him. “I believe in the spirit of nature. I’ll explain it all later, if need be. But for now, just accept that
I
accept all things happen for a reason. Anyway, if you look up, you’ll see this bit of roof retracts. That’s a Jacuzzi; nothing nicer than sitting in it, watching the stars. And if it snows? Magic. Come on, let me show you.”

Logan allowed himself to be led to the big tub. Set to one side of those open doors, it did indeed have no roof over it. As he looked up, he could see the leaves on the trees moving gently in the soft breeze. The waves at this distance could barely be heard. The overwhelming feeling was of peace. Or so he thought, until he saw Caleb looking at him. Then the feeling was very overwhelmingly one of seduction.

But who was going to seduce whom?

“Neither. Together. Watch.”
Shit.
Caleb was at it again. Logan never knew he was so easy to read. His nickname back home had always been Poker Face. Now it seemed he wore his thoughts on his T-shirt, except he wasn’t wearing one. He heard Caleb laugh as he bent over and started filling the Jacuzzi, his gorgeous butt, round and smooth, presenting itself to him enticingly.

“You can touch if you want.” Caleb’s voice was amused. “Be my guest.”

“For fuck’s sake, that is bloody scary, you knowing exactly what I’m thinking. How the hell do you do it?”

“If you stay, you’ll learn,” Caleb said.

“I’ll stay.” His tone was fervent. He saw Caleb looking at him thoughtfully.

“Maybe,” he was told somberly. “Maybe not. Ah well, we will see. Come on, step in and sit down over on that side. There’s a headrest you can use.” He did as he was bid and began to lower himself into the warm, bubbling water.

“Now we’ll talk.” Caleb was smiling, although to Logan’s dismay, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. They seemed shadowed, worried even.

He let himself sink all the way down until he sat on the seat and rested his head on the soft cushion. Caleb was watching him, his expression enigmatic. He made no move to join him in the tub, merely stood tall and erect at the side. All of him.

“Are you getting in?” Logan asked.

“Later. We need to talk first. About us. Is there even going to be an ‘us?’” Caleb sounded worried. “Did you feel that same instantaneous ‘he’s the one?’ I tell you, Logan, it goes against everything I’ve ever believed in. Hell, it scares me shitless, more than lust, something almost overwhelming. I saw a raven this morning, so I knew there would be change.” He must have seen the bewilderment Logan experienced, because he smiled faintly. “Seeing a raven signifies change. There’s been one about a lot these last few days.”

“Do you believe that?” Logan asked.

Caleb nodded. “I do. I believe certain animals appear to give us guidance. No, I’m not crackers; it happens, believe me. And I meditate. But nothing prepared me for this feeling I have about us. And if you feel it?” His eyebrow rose in silent query.

“Yeah, I did, and I do,” Logan replied. “Without any animals or stuff. And yeah, it’s bloody scary for me as well.”

“Whew. Well, in one way ‘whew,’ because now I want to jump in the tub and jump you. But I have things to explain. What I am; what I do. It sounds trite, and I guess somewhat unbelievable.” Caleb was silent for a moment.

Logan held his breath. What was he going to say?

“And my job has nothing to do with my beliefs; I’ve got to say that.” Caleb continued. “Two different sides of my life. Even after what Ally explained to you, you need to know there’s so much more to it than helping people explore themselves and one another, and showing them how to open up and enjoy everything. I’m there as much, or as little, as they want. It varies.”

Logan nodded. He was beginning to suspect as much. “Okay, I get what you’re saying, I think. And I’m listening.”

Caleb smiled, and it transformed his face; he looked both happy and satisfied. “Good. So…open your legs.” Not a command. A plea? An entreaty? Said in a tone guaranteed to make you agree. Logan did. He moved his legs apart, feeling the gentle pressure of a jet of water hit him at the base of his cock. Involuntarily, he moaned.

“What do you feel?” Caleb’s voice was softly insistent. “Shut your eyes and explore your mind. Enjoy the sensations your body is giving you. Move your hands. Cup your cock. Nothing else. Just cup, hold, and feel.”

There was silence in the room, broken only by the sound of the rippling water. Even the birds seemed to be holding their breath. Logan sensed Caleb moving, sensed him moving behind him before touching his head lightly on each side.

“What do you feel?”

“You, your hands. Exploring my mind.”

“And?”

Logan paused. Could he really describe how he was holding himself? He gained the strength of resolution from the sense of Caleb with him. He moved his head slightly from side to side. To feel Caleb still there. The sensations grew even stronger.

“Lift your head. Move forward.”

Water swirled and he was aware of Caleb sinking into the water behind him. Caleb’s legs enclosed him, one on each side of his body. Then he sat on the bench behind him and pulled him back into the cocoon he had created. Caleb’s rigid cock was pressed tightly against him. He wriggled to feel its hardness.

“No,” Caleb insisted. “You don’t need me, not now. I’m your support, but you are your guide. My hands are where they are to help your mind. My cock is where it is because it’s part of my body. No other reason. Not yet. Focus. Feel you
from
you
. What’s your body telling you?”

That I want to fuck you? Maybe not the right thing to say at the moment
. Logan tried to clear his mind of everything except feeling. “Um, warmth. Happiness. Arousal.” Logan struggled to put his feelings into words. “Jeez, my cock feels incredible. Hard and soft. Steel and velvet. Your hands seem to hold my heart. My emotions. Fuck, Caleb, it’s incredible. I can feel our heartbeats echoing each other. I want to come, but then again I don’t. I want to watch you come.”

“Not yet. Explore yourself some more. Use your hands now if you want to. That gorgeous cock knows your touch. What other parts of your body would like to feel your hands? Your nipples? Try them and see. Let the sensations build. Tell me what you sense.” Caleb’s voice was mesmerizing, but Logan knew he wasn’t in a trance. He knew he was in charge of his own body, his own mind. But he was being given the chance to explore both, something that, if he was honest, he hadn’t taken the time to do.

He touched one of his nipples tentatively. It blossomed. Then he moved to give attention to the other with the same incredible reaction.

“See how your body reacts to itself, Logan?” Caleb spoke softly, not breaking the mood. “That’s you, making yourself respond. No one else; not me, just you. Are you thinking of someone? Have a picture in your mind?” Logan shook his head. “Exactly,” Caleb said. “Your body is responding to
you
. Let’s get out of here.” Caleb put his arms under Logan’s and helped him to stand up.

Logan could feel himself swaying.

“Steady. Let me help you. Here, climb out.” Caleb held his hand until they were both out, and then enveloped him in a towel.

“Okay?”

He nodded. “More than.”

Caleb laughed. “Oh, it will get better than this, I promise you. Let’s go.”

Go? Go where?
But he followed Caleb nevertheless to the tiny, enclosed garden outside of the bedroom. Two wide daybeds, with intricately carved head- and footboards, and thick, soft-looking mattresses on them were placed facing each other.

“You choose which one you want to be on.”

He considered. They both looked the same. Being left-handed, he moved to the left. There was a tug as Caleb removed the towel that was around him.

“Totally private with only the elements to cradle us,” he was told. “So, unless you feel you have a need…?”

Logan shook his head, sat down on the side of the bed, and waited. Bloody hell, he was so horny. Wanted nothing more than to feel Caleb’s cock in his ass.
That was scary in itself.
Not the wanting to be fucked by Caleb, but the intensity of his feelings. This total need was alien to him. Up until then, he would have said he was reasonably self-contained, happy-go-lucky, and could take or leave having a partner. Now, in the space of a few short hours, his whole focus had changed. He knew without a shadow of a doubt Caleb completed something he hadn’t even known was missing. A thought struck him. They hadn’t discussed it, and even though there was incredible sexual tension between then, would it matter to Caleb that he was gay?

“I know,” came the amused answer. “It’s irrelevant at the moment. We need to keep any thoughts of us, as in ‘you and me’ us, out of the equation. All that’s pertinent at the moment is you, your body, and what you’re going to do for it. Turn and put your legs on the bed. Lie down, keep your eyes open. Look at me.”

He watched as Caleb moved to the bed opposite and lay down, his body now a mirror image of his own. He realized the beds must be higher at the head than the foot as, even lying down, he could see Caleb perfectly. He waited, senses on high alert, for what was going to happen next.

“What do you want to happen?”

Shit,
That non-mind-reading stuff again.
“For you to fuck me. Then for me to return the favor. Learn together.”

He watched in disbelief as Caleb slowly shook his head. “It won’t happen. Now come.”

“What? You’ve just said you won’t fucking screw me, and you want me to come? Just like that?” Logan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’re mad. Don’t you fancy me? Is that stiffy only on your own behalf?” He knew he was ranting like a maniac, but hell, he was craving the man. And was calmly told it wasn’t going to happen. No way. He went to stand up, but a look from Caleb stopped him.

“Logan.” The knowing and sympathetic tone made him relax onto the mattress again. “I care. I want. I promise I’m going to come, too. Together, yet apart. Not together as one. Trust me. I’ll explain more later. Now look at my eyes.”

Logan felt Caleb’s gaze concentrating on him. He was sure all of Caleb’s attention centered on him. His cock, already hard, seemed to swell even more. He watched as, slowly, Caleb touched himself.

“Copy me; follow my lead. Your cock craves your touch. Like this.” Gently, it seemed, Caleb began to work his hands over his own engorged cock. Logan mimicked each stroke. One hand moved, briefly cupped balls before touching first one nipple, then the other. And all the time, their gazes held.

“Faster now, harder, tighter. Feel the ripples, Logan, feel the power.”

Logan watched as Caleb began to pump his cock. He was aware that his own cock responded, and knew that… “Oh, jeez. I’m coming
now.
Shit, Caleb, now, now.” He heard a high keening noise as his cum spurted over his hand and realized the noise came from his mouth. He saw Caleb’s head roll back, heard his shout of “
Yesss,”
saw his hands slow, stop, and rest.

Harsh breathing mingled with the noise of the waves, which suddenly seemed louder, announcing their presence and their power.

Neither spoke. At last, Caleb stirred. “Next time you’ll come without using your hands,” he said lazily.

“Because I’ll be inside you?”