Preston waited until Walker and Jordan were out of earshot. He shook his
head, having a pretty good idea of the topic they would be discussing. He
smiled at Thad who was cleaning up as inconspicuously as possible and walked
over to stand in front of Seth.
Looking up at the bigger man, Seth found himself tongue-tied.
“So, young man, you believe your expertise at poker is the answer to
everything, right?” When the only response was a shrug, Preston quietly asked
another question. “Is it true that you have been gambling in order to avoid
doing your fair share of the work around here?” He bent slightly to lift the
other man’s chin and hold it firmly between his fingers and thumb. Staring into
the startled blue eyes, he clearly informed Seth he expected a proper answer.
Seth suddenly found his voice. “Yeah, I’ve been using my talents to get
out of menial work. As long as it gets done, what’s it to you?” Seth stared
back for a moment or two before jerking his face away from the big hand and
looking down at the ground in front of him. Anywhere was better than into those
warm brown eyes holding either concern or censure; Seth was not quite sure
which.
Preston straddled the log Seth was sitting on. “Seth, we have been here for
a good while now and you have spent the majority of that time being lazy and
selfish. We’re a small group, young man, and you can’t afford to alienate any
of us. You have too long a life ahead of you to be friendless and on your own.”
The words kicked Seth in the stomach. He grudgingly recognised the truth
of what was being said and somewhere deep within him, he wanted badly to
believe this man actually cared. But so afraid was he of trusting only to be abandoned
once again, that he hardened his heart.
“I don’t need anyone. I like it on my own,” he lied. “As long as
someone’s willing to gamble their time against my chores, then so be it.” He
glared at Preston, daring the older man to do something about it.
Preston leaned back trying to read the expression on Seth’s face. ‘He’s
got this ‘keeping his feelings hidden’ thing down to a fine art,’ Preston
reluctantly admitted. ‘But just what or who is he hiding from?’
“Okay,” the older man pretended to relent. “We’ll do it your way.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Seth asked suspiciously.
“We’ll play poker! I trust you have your playing cards with you!”
Preston announced. Turning to look over his shoulder and noticing signs that
Walker and Jordan’s conversation was drawing to a close, he shouted, “hey,
Walker, got any toothpicks?”
“Hold on a second and I’ll get them for you,” Walker answered. Turning
back to Jordan, he suggested with a wink. “Seeing as we’ve reached an
understanding, I guess it’s only fair to get cracking and help Thad out,
right?”
“Right!” The men got busy just as Aiden, Larry and Spyke entered the
tent.
“This lad has a job needs doing,” Aiden announced, giving Spyke’s
shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
Stepping up to Seth, Spyke grudgingly offered his apology. “Sorry for
throwing my plate at you, Seth.” He glanced up at Aiden, and seeing the stern
expression on his face, sighed before continuing. “I guess I was a little
out-of-sorts, or so my mama would have said.”
“Sure, kid!” Seth responded with a note of disbelief in his voice.
Preston’s raised eyebrow had him adding, “Ah, no harm done. Nothing splattered
on my suit,” he smirked.
“Good thing I was tired then, it must of put my aim off.” Spyke returned
the crooked grin. He went to collect a rag and bucket, and upon his return set
about cleaning up the mess he had made.
“Good lad, ’tis a grand job ye did there. Now it’s off to bed with ye!”
“But Thomas has a fire lit!” Spyke wailed, indignant at being put to bed
like a naughty child.
“Aye, but ’twas being over-tired that caused your temper tantrum in the
first place. Ye should be considering yerself fortunate that yer wee bottom
escaped unscathed. Such will not be the case next time.” Aiden didn’t wait for
Spyke’s rebuttal. He just tossed the smaller man over his shoulder, swatted the
unprotected backside and strolled out with Larry following in his wake.
“Now there’s a man of few words,” Preston commented, referring to Aiden
as he accepted the box of toothpicks from Walker.
“Yes! And one, I think, with his hands full,” Walker chuckled. “Come on,
boys, let’s get our last chore of the day out of the way.” He steadily steered
Thad and Jordan toward the kitchen area. “I know you’re tired, but with the
three of us working together, we’ll be relaxing next to the campfire in no time
at all.
“Alright, Seth,” Preston recaptured the man’s attention. “Approximately
how many articles of clothing do you figure you own?”
“I don’t know,” Seth shrugged. “Do pairs of socks count as one or two?”
Seeing the frown on the other man’s face, Seth wisely reined in his flippant
attitude. “Fifty or sixty, I guess.” He watched as Preston counted toothpicks,
dividing them into two piles and pushing one in his direction.
“Okay, there’s fifty for each of us. Yours are worth one piece of
clothing each and mine are worth thirty minutes of chore time. You okay with
five-card draw, nothing wild and no limit on raises?” Getting a nod, Preston
ordered, “then cut the deck to see who deals first.”
The first hour passed quietly as each man concentrated on the game.
Neither of them paid any attention to the long, black-haired, lone figure
sitting off to the side as if patiently waiting for someone. Nor were they
aware of Walker and his assistants, finishing-up and leaving the tent. They
also failed to notice Brock enter the tent and help himself to the meal set
aside for him, eat and clean up afterwards, and then leave with young Raythe
trailing behind him.
Preston was impressed with Seth’s ability and even more so when young
man made no attempt to cheat. ‘The boy’s good, I’ll give him that,’ Preston
smiled, eyeing the growing pile of winnings in front of his opponent.
“Looks like I’m not going to be worrying about doing any manual labour
for quite some time,” Seth gloated. He was becoming over-confident and cocky.
“The game’s not over yet,” Preston reminded him. ‘It’s time to make my
move,” he thought. ‘He’s getting careless.’
Toothpicks moved back and forth across the playing area as hands were
won and lost. Eventually most of the ante ended up in the middle as the game
drew to a close.
“I’ll see your five and call,” Seth announced, dropping the last of his toothpicks
onto the pot. He was almost bouncing as he laid his cards down. “Ha, gotcha!
Four of a kind! You owe me!” the younger man crowed his delight.
“Not so fast, young fella. I’m pretty sure my straight flush takes those
four sixes.” Preston felt no satisfaction at the parade of expressions crossing
the other man’s face. Shock, disbelief, denial. The crushed look of defeat was
almost Preston’s undoing. “It’s not that bad, Seth.”
“What do you know about it?” Seth glowered, fighting back the tears.
“You’ve taken everything that I am,” he whispered despairingly. It had been a
long time since he’d felt this vulnerable.
“You are more than a wardrobe of fancy clothes, lad.” Preston tried to
reassure him but quickly realised he’d failed to do so.
“He always said clothes made the man,” Seth murmured wretchedly as he
shook his head, refusing to believe the older man’s words.
“Who said it, Seth?” Preston kindly asked.
“Snake. He’s the only true friend I’ve ever had. At least I thought he
was, but the bastard left me high and dry just like all the others,” Seth
muttered angrily as he blinked several times to hold back the tears. He felt
his defences cracking but was too defeated to prevent it. He folded his arms on
his raised knees and hid his face against them.
Giving the other man time to come to grips with the results of the game,
Preston gathered up the toothpicks and returned them to the kitchen area. Next
he placed the deck of cards in their box and blew out the lantern Walker had
left burning.
“Come with me, Seth.” Preston softly invited, pulling the shorter man to
his feet and gently steering him out of the tent. No words were exchanged as
Seth meekly allowed Preston to lead him a short distance from the compound to where
some privacy would be assured.
“Can you tell me about Snake and the others? How did they abandon you?
Who was the first to do it?” Preston gently prodded. He wanted to learn as much
as he could about the enigmatic young man he unexpectedly realised he was
beginning to care for.
Preston was ready to get up from the log they were sitting on and return
to the campsite several minutes later when Seth had yet to answer him. Then he
heard a soft choking sound of distress and reached over to pull the young man
into his arms. He was surprised at the strength with which Seth clung to him.
Try as he might, it was completely beyond Seth’s ability to hold back
any longer. Twenty-some years’ worth of anguish, disillusionment and pain
bubbled up, finally causing the dam to burst and his body to shake with
unrestrained sobs.
When the outpouring of tears ended, Seth lay limp with exhaustion
against Preston’s muscular chest. He couldn’t remember a time when he had felt
so at peace, so safe and protected. He was in a place he didn’t want to leave
and suddenly he had an overpowering desire to tell this man everything. ‘But
why should this guy even be interested in knowing anything about me?’
“If you feel like talking, I’m ready to listen,” a quiet voice said
above him.
“She left when I was five; just walked out one day in search of a better
life. A life with no room for a kid, not even her own.”
“Who, Seth?” Preston already knew the answer but wanted to be sure.
“My mother. Guess she got tired being married to the town drunk. But she
could have taken me with her!” Seth stated angrily. “What made her think I
wanted to stay with him anymore than she did?” Seth sighed. “Anyway. it’s all in
the past, nothing can change it now. But I was stuck living with that son of a
bitch for the next ten years.”
He paused to calm himself and gather his thoughts. “There was a gang of
young men, troublemakers actually, who asked if I wanted to join them. I
figured it would be a good way to get away from my old man, so I took up with
them. Thought we were gonna make it big. What a joke! Did we ever suck as petty
thieves! I still don’t know how we got away with all the shit we pulled. For two years I hung around as their getaway provider and then one night, a
stupid quirk of fate had them somehow striking it rich. They took off without
me and I haven’t seen them since. A few months later, I met Snake.”
“Snake?” Preston softy inquired.
“Kyler ‘Snake’ Jackson. He was my best friend and the closest I’ve had
to a big brother. I learned a lot from him, including gambling. He set up rules
to keep me safe; then the stupid bastard broke the most important one and was
called on it. Snake had fast hands when it came to cards, but the other guy was
faster with a gun. He told me if he ever caught me cheating he’d take a belt to
my bare butt; always said we could win just as much playing fair. After seven
years of us travelling together, he was gone just like that.” Seth snapped his
fingers.
‘And you were alone once again,’ Preston thought.
“Now there’s no one, not even me,” Seth woefully whispered.
Preston sensed Seth’s pain reaching an almost unbearable level. “You’re
wrong, lad. There’s still you and now you have me, if you want me that is,”
Preston murmured. He was relishing the feel of this young man’s body leaning
into his own. The urge to protect and defend him was almost overwhelming.
“What’s the catch?” Distrust mingled with disbelief as Seth lifted his
head to gaze into Preston’s face, but there was also a glimmer of hope in his
blue eyes.
“Hmmm, the catch is you follow my lead. You answer to me until such time
as you are making wiser decisions regarding your behaviour and your interaction
with others. For instance, your chore-gambling days are over. In return, I’ll
be there for you no matter what you do. I will provide you with guidance,
support and protection.”
“Protection from what exactly or should I ask who?” Seth experienced a
spark of interest in the offer. Curiosity in something, or anything for that
matter, was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in very long time. He almost
overlooked it.
“Mostly from yourself and your self-abased tendency to go out of your way
to make people dislike you. I watched you on the ship and even then I
instinctively understood what you were unconsciously doing,” Preston patiently
explained. He had easily picked-up on Seth’s defence mechanism of maintaining
an emotional distance from others by giving them cause to loath him.
“Are you willing to give a relationship built on such a premise a
chance, Seth?” The older man was mindful
of the younger one’s ingrained fear of being ill-treated and forsaken once
again, but fervently hoped Seth would be willing to take what would probably be
the biggest gamble of his life.
Seth wanted desperately to accept this man’s proposal, but “I’m afraid!”
He was unaware of having spoken the words out-loud.
Settling Seth on his lap, Preston solemnly vowed. “If you say yes, Seth,
I promise I will do everything in my power to never see you abandoned again.”
Brown eyes locked on blue ones and seeing the affirmation in Seth’s misty orbs,
Preston slowly and passionately sealed the promise with a kiss.
Seth clung to Preston long after the kiss ended, silently taking in the
scent of the man and not wanting this moment to end.
“We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow and as much as I’d loved to
prolong this time together, I think we better hit the hay,” Preston softly
suggested, kissing the auburn hair beneath his chin. He set the slightly
smaller man on his feet and stood up. Taking Seth’s hand in his, Preston started
leading him back to the campsite.
“Ahh, am I gonna get hauled before the council, Preston?” Seth asked in
a small voice, the question that once again pushed itself to the foremost part
of his mind.
“Not this time, Seth. They’ve let me handle it and even if I do say so
myself, I think I’ve done a fairly decent job of it.” Preston grinned when he
felt a fist jab him in the side.
“What about my clothes, Preston? What are you going to do with them?”
“First, I am going to get rid of all that fancy stuff, keeping only the
practical pants and shirts. I’ll also keep aside one outfit for special
occasions.” Preston glanced down at the man walking beside him. “Got any
thoughts concerning what I should do with the non-keepers?”
“It’s kinda a shame to just burn them or something.” Seth was surprised
to discover he was not as bothered by the thought of losing his clothing as he
felt he should be. ‘Must be resignation on my part,’ he mused. “Maybe Nathan
can use the more serviceable material to make garments for the others who don’t
have very much.” Seth grinned shyly up at the older man. “Of course, if you tell
anyone it was my idea, I’ll flat out deny it.”
“It’ll be our secret, my little shyster!” Preston laughed and hugged his
companion.
It was late and Wes was still up. He watched Nathan as the older man
conversed with Samuel on the other side of the fire. He sure liked the way
Nathan looked and moved. The man always appeared neat and trim and was always
soft-spoken.
“Stop drooling,” Wayne said lazily as he leaned back against a log.
Wes flushed. “I was not!”
“Sure looked like it from where I’m sitting,” his brother teased.
“Mind your own friggin’ business!” Wes retorted.
Wayne smirked at his twin. “He seems to fancy you some.”
“For crying out loud, we’ve only just met! Although it may feel like it,
in reality we’ve not been all that long on this goddamn island!”
“What’s that got to do with anything? You’re surely not suddenly turning
shy, are you?”
“Be quiet!” Wes spat.
“Why, I’ve known you to take up with someone in much less time,” Wayne
deliberately prodded. “And some who didn’t look half as good either!”
“Shut up!” Wes growled.
“And with much less fuss than …” Wayne continued determinedly.
“I’m gonna make you shut up if you don’t stop talking,” Wes threatened.
Their voices had become louder and louder causing Nathan and Samuel to
quickly walk over.
“What’s going on?” Samuel asked, clearly unhappy when he saw the
combative looks on the twins’ faces.
“Nothin!” both of them chorused at once, reacting automatically.
Samuel looked unconvinced.
Nathan decided a short separation would be beneficial and held out a
hand. “Come, Wes, walk with me a bit. I going to check out the perimeter and
I’d enjoy your company.”
Wayne smirked once again as Wes quickly scrambled to his feet. His smirk
died down fast enough as he felt Samuel frown at him.
Nathan drew Wes’ hand into his and steadily moved them away from the campfire
and out of hearing range before murmuring, “Having another go at it, huh?” It
was a rhetorical question.
Wes felt a thrill run down his spine at Nathan’s touch. It was true what
Wayne had said. He’d had numerous encounters back home. He had flirted
outrageously with anyone and everyone, and he’d had no qualms at being more
than friendly with them when an opportunity presented itself.
All that seemed a lifetime ago. He had almost forgotten what it felt
like to be happy or carefree, and it had been ages since he had even thought
about sex or any kind of release.
Suddenly, Wes realised his steps were light and his senses tingling. He
looked over at his silent companion, finding the profile extremely attractive.
He began to feel a stirring in his loins.
Nathan glanced down at the young man beside him. ‘Delightful imp,’ he
thought. ‘He’s cheeky, charming, sensuous, absolutely beautiful, and definitely
in need of some guidance. I have to be careful not to give my emotions free
reign too soon. I might frighten him off and I’d really like to know him so
much better.’
Wes allowed Nathan to lead the way, stopping obligingly when Nathan
leaned against a rock and looked up at the sky.
“Lovely night, isn’t it?” Nathan casually intoned, returning his gaze to
the younger man.
Wes moved closer and let his hand brush casually against Nathan’s hip.
Nathan didn’t make a move. He patiently waited to see what Wes was up
to.
Suddenly the passion in Wes flared and he wanted the man. He boldly
moved in and seeing the invitation in Nathan’s eyes, planted a kiss firmly on
his lips.
As the younger man went to step back, Nathan pulled him into his embrace
and returned the kiss. He used his lips to gently tease and gain entrance into
the sweet recesses of Wes’ mouth. His hands roamed over the other man’s back as
he held him closer.
Wes was breathless by the time Nathan released him.
‘Jeez,’ Wes thought giddily, ‘who would have thought the man had such a
strong grip.’ He ran his hand over Nathan’s body and was pleasantly surprised
to find hard muscles under the soft muslin shirt. Muscles that were well hidden
by perfectly tailored clothes, but muscles nonetheless. Wes shivered at the
thought of the power and strength beneath that well-cultured exterior.
“Do you want to go further, Wes? This decision is yours, but once made
and if it is in the affirmative, I will be taking the lead,” Nathan murmured,
while planting tender kisses on the younger man’s face and nibbling on his
lips. He raised his head and gazed into hungry brown eyes. “Maybe you need a
few minutes to think it over.” He deliberately turned on his heels to walk away.
Wes hesitated for only half a
second before he ran after Nathan and fell into step beside him. Nathan smiled
over at him.
“What did you mean by ‘going
further’?” Wes asked.
“I find myself very much
drawn to you, both emotionally and sexually,” Nathan softly replied. “I’d be
interested in knowing what feelings, if any, you had for me. Or are you playing
a dangerous game, Minx?” Nathan’s speech was satin-smooth but held a note of
warning.
Wes almost swooned at the
silky sensuality in Nathan’s voice. “I find you attractive too. I think you are
… sexually exciting.”
“You’ve experimented some,
have you?” Nathan calmly continued to probe.
“Yes, I admit I’ve tried a
few things. You’ll find me readily game for anything. But I am usually the one
on top.” Wes said smugly, looking up at Nathan through his eyelashes.
Nathan inwardly smiled at the
flirtatious implication. “Is that a fact? Well, it’s going to change if we are
to take this further. I will top you, be sure of that!” Nathan’s voice was
implacably unruffled.
Wes’ legs grew weak at the
complete mastery of the man. The passion flared in his stomach and worked its way
down to his groin. He had to struggle to keep his hands to himself. “And if I
refuse?” he whispered, though in his mind he already knew his answer.
“As I said earlier, the first
decision is yours to make.”
Wes gulped. He nodded his
willingness to continue and allowed Nathan to again pull him into a warm
embrace. He felt a large warm hand pry the buttons off his pants and slide
inside. It enveloped his already hardening shaft and he groaned in agony as it
stroked him. In a few minutes, he began to buck against the solid body in front
of him and finally, with a strangled wail that got trapped in his throat, he found
his release.
Nathan leaned back against a
rock and held the other man up until Wes regained his senses. Then he took a
large white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand before cleaning Wes
and tucking him back in his pants. “Enjoyed that, did you?” he quipped.
“Oh hell, yes! That was damn
good!” Wes replied weakly. He leaned hard against Nathan, trying to steady his
breath. “I can think of only one other thing that might be better.”
“And what would that be?”
Wes cocked a mischievous eyebrow
at the man. “Your turn?”
“Not at this time, Minx. For
one thing, I have to get back to my watch. We’ve been gone long enough,” Nathan
explained. Seeing the beginnings of a pout, he leaned in close and whispered in
Wes’ ear. “And for another, I will choose the time and when I do, I will decide
whose turn it is. I promise, my little minx, you will find it well worth the
wait!” He took the younger man’s hand in his and started back towards the
campfire.
Wes followed, a little dazed
at how it had turned out. Then he grinned to himself, his disappointment
mingling with deep anticipation.
TBC……
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