Justin bit down on JC’s bicep as his arm supported his body next to his face. His own hands were wrapped around the headboard’s rails, holding tight on as JC slammed into him again and again and again. The pleasure coming from their coupling was flooding Justin’s head. He’d had no idea…no idea… The plan for the two men to wait, to take their relationship slowly had lasted about thirty minutes. Justin had served dinner, and they’d even eaten a bit of it. But desire had interrupted, exploding between them after silent looks and small touches. JC had all but thrown the table away, grabbing Justin by the ears and pulling him into a hot, hard kiss. Justin had replied in kind, wrapping his arms and legs around JC, letting JC slam him against the wall, groaning as the older man humped him with his heated erection. They’d somehow managed to stumble into the bedroom, where clothes were torn off, and Justin tumbled down onto the bed, JC spreading the boys legs and surging inside with one sure thrust. “Oh…god…oh…yes…” Justin groaned, his legs wrapped around JC’s waist, squeezing hard. “Jesus…Justin…oh…you.” JC blinked the sweat out of his eyes, searching Justin’s face. The boy’s eyes were closed, his head thrown back, his mouth open slightly. Sweat had matted his hair, and he was grunting with pleasure. He was the most beautiful thing JC had ever seen. JC stilled his movements, watching Justin’s eyes flutter open. He lowered his head, kissing the parted, damp lips. “Justin…” Their bodies exploded in ecstasy. ************* JC lay limp and sticky on Justin’s body, unable and unwilling to move. He felt Justin’s hand release their grip of the headboard and come around JC, holding the older man closer. A cool breeze kissed their damp bodies, cooling them off and drying their skin. JC propped his chin on Justin’s chest, looking up at Justin’s face. He lifted a hand, touching Justin’s face lightly. “Are you…did I hurt…” Justin shook his head. “God, no, you didn’t hurt me. And I’m fine.” He held JC closer. “I’m better than fine.” JC made to move off Justin, but was stopped by the iron grip of Justin’s arms. “No, please,” came Justin’s request. “Stay there.” JC smiled. “I’m too heavy,” JC said, though his voice did not sound like he was protesting that much. “No, you’re fine.” Justin’s eyes were wide. “I’ve never slept with anyone…been this close.” He squeezed JC one last time. “Stay.” JC reached down and pulled the sheet up, covering both men as they lay together. ******** JC awoke slowly, reaching out to find Justin gone from the bed. Had he dreamed it? Did it actually happen? He sat up quickly, the sheet slipping down his bare chest. “Good morning.” JC looked toward the doorway. Justin was standing there, fully dressed, with two cups of coffee in his hand. JC couldn’t read anything from the boy’s face. “I’d hoped you’d sleep later,” Justin said, coming into the room and handing one of the cups to JC. “After all,” he continued, leaning down to JC. “You worked really hard yesterday,” he finished, laying his mouth on JC’s. It hadn’t been a dream. JC reached his free hand up, grabbing the back of Justin’s head, his tongue sliding between Justin’s lips to deepen the kiss. “Good morning,” JC mumbled, taking Justin’s mouth again. The coffee dropped to the floor as JC pulled Justin into bed. “And a good morning it will be,” JC said, deftly stripping the clothes from Justin’s body. ************ JC finished the last of the scrambled eggs on his plate, smiling as Justin refilled his coffee. He picked up the steaming mug, taking a tentative sip. “Want to go into town today?” he asked. Justin whirled around from the sink. “Town? Why?” “Because I need some supplies,” JC said. “And you need to pay the Miller’s for the stuff you stole.” “I don’t have any money,” Justin pointed out.” JC’s hand dipped into the pocket of his shirt, bringing out two ten-dollar gold pieces. “Yes, you do,” he said, laying the money on the table. A cold expression entered Justin’s eyes. “I’m not your whore,” he told JC, walking past the other man, his body tense with anger. JC caught Justin’s arm as the boy passed. “What the hell do you mean by that?” he demanded. Justin tried to slide out of JC’s grip. “You know what I mean,” he said, refusing to meet JC’s eyes, a blush staining his cheeks. “I told you two nights ago I was going to pay you for your work, Justin,” JC reminded him. “Your work, nothing else.” “I haven’t earned twenty dollars,” Justin pointed out. “Consider it an advance.” JC pulled Justin closer to him. “Justin, you have to pay the Miller’s back. We can’t live forever with that over our heads.” Justin blinked at JC’s words. “Forever?” he asked. JC pulled Justin into his lap. “Forever,” he repeated, kissing Justin softly. “I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you, Justin.” Justin swallowed, unable to find his voice. “You love me?” he croaked, his head shaking. JC smiled, grabbing Justin’s head to move it up and down. “Yes, I love you.” He rested his forehead on the boy’s, sighing softly. “I know it’s too soon for you, and I don’t want you to tell me anything you think I want to hear, but I wanted you to know.” Justin threw his arms around JC, squeezing the older man tightly. “So, we go to town, okay?” JC felt Justin nod against his shoulder. “Let’s go, then.” *********** Justin tensed as the wagon drew to a halt in front of Miller’s Store. He peered through the window, spying Mr. and Mrs. Miller behind the counter, waiting on customers. JC jumped down from the wagon and hitched Zeus to the post on the sidewalk. “Come on, Justin,” he told the boy. “No getting around it.” Justin climbed down. “You’ll come in with me, right?” he asked JC. JC nodded. “Yes, but you have to do the talking.” JC saw Justin wince. “Justin, you’re the one who stole, you have to be the one to pay back.” He bent down to catch Justin’s eyes. “But if you speak to Mrs. Miller, you’ll have an easier time.” Justin blinked. “Why?” “She’s a sucker for a pretty face, that’s why,” JC said, taking Justin by the shoulders and twirling him around, pushing him toward the store. A bell tinkled as they entered the store, both Mr. and Mrs. Miller looking up at the sound. JC watched Mr. Miller’s eyes narrow at the sight of Justin, but since he was busy with a customer, he couldn’t say anything. JC pushed Justin toward Mrs. Miller. “Good day, Mrs. Miller,” JC said, removing his hat. “This is Justin, and he has something to tell you.” JC poked the boy in the back. “He does?” Mrs. Miller looked suspiciously at Justin. “Yes, ma’am,” Justin said, removing his own hat. “I took some things a few weeks ago, and would like to pay you for them.” He dug deep into his pocket and pulled out the two ten-dollar pieces. “Here,” Justin said, handing the money to the woman. “So, you’re the one!” Mrs. Miller exclaimed. “I knew someone had taken my pie, and the boots and things!” She shook her head, tutting with reproach. ‘You shouldn’t steal, young man,” she scolded. “I know, ma’am,” Justin said, dropping his eyes as red stained his cheeks. “But I was hungry.” “Hrmph,” Mrs. Miller said. “Looks like you still haven’t gotten enough to eat.” She pinned JC with a look. “What’s this boy to you, Mr. Chasez?” “He’s working for me, Mrs. Miller,” JC explained. “That explains it,” Mrs. Miller said, her eyes running over JC’s frame as well. “You both look like a strong wind’ll bust you down.” She jingled the two pieces of money in her hand. “This is too much for what you took, Justin,” she said, handing one of them back to Justin. “Take this one back and get something to eat.” “I’m sorry I stole from you, ma’am.” Justin apologized. “Don’t do it again, son,” Mr. Miller said, coming up behind his wife and plucking the gold from her fingers. “This town don’t take kindly to thieves.” He glared at JC. “You need anything else, Chasez?” JC nodded. “Here’s my list.” ****************** They were loading the wagon when a familiar, and to Justin a grating voice sounded behind them. “JC!” The men turned to find Kati Anderson behind them. The girl threw herself into JC’s arms. “And here I thought it would be weeks before I saw you again,” she simpered. JC removed Kati’s arms from his neck, leaning down and kissing the girl on the cheek. “Hello, Kati,” he said. “You remember Justin?” he asked, nodding to where the younger man stood. Kati’s eyes dismissed Justin with a glance. “Yes.” She linked her arm into JC’s. “Come to the hotel and let’s have a cup of coffee, JC,” she said, trying to lead him away. “Your hired man can do all that for you.” JC shook his head. “Can’t, Kati,” he said, removing the girl’s arm from his. “Have to get back home.” Kati pouted. “But Father is coming to pick me up, and we can make plans for the wedding.” Justin stiffened at the word. He looked at JC’s face, but the older man avoided eye contact. JC led Kati away a bit, making Justin strain to hear their words. “Kati, I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you,” Kati’s face now wore a sullen expression. “Of course you can,” she said, as if it were already decided. JC shook his head. “No, Kati,” he said softly, holding the girl’s hand gently. “I don’t love you, and it wouldn’t be fair to either of us.” Kati shook her head. “I love you enough for both of us,” she protested. “And think about our ranch, JC! Once Father is gone, it’ll be all yours!” “Kati, you deserve better than me,” JC said. He leaned in and kissed Kati’s cheek again. “Tell your father I’ll be by later this week,” he told her. JC left her, walking back to Justin. The men’s eyes locked, relief showing in Justin’s, love showing in JC’s. “Thank you,” Justin said softly. “I never would have married her, Justin,” JC said, not wanting any lies between them. “But now, I have more reason than ever.” Justin nodded, understanding. “Nevertheless,” Justin said, his eyes sparkling. “I’m happy.” “Me, too,” JC said, his gaze lingering on Justin’s lips. “I wish I could kiss you,” he whispered. “Let’s go home,” Justin said, his heart starting to pound with desire. JC nodded. “Let’s,” he agreed, walking past Justin to finish loading the wagon. Justin was smiling when he caught Kati’s eyes. The girl wore a puzzled expression. Justin’s smile froze as a look of understanding dawned in Kati’s eyes.