There was a light frosting of snow on the ground, and the sharp outlines of the mountains on the horizon were softened by a powdery fall on their peaks. Occasionally, a ray of sun would dart out from behind a layer of clouds, and everything glittered like diamonds had been sifted over the landscape.

Chris’ truck was just about the only traffic on the road, and as he neared the ranch, he let the speedometer inch up into illegal territory. It was Friday, after a long week, and Vin was waiting at the ranch.

Six weeks had passed since that afternoon that had changed their lives. Two of those weeks had been difficult: Vin’s wound had turned septic, and he’d wound up back in the hospital for several days until they found an antibiotic that had finally overcome the infection. The only good to come from that siege was a protracted convalescence at the ranch. Vin’s condition had forced them to be circumspect; but it had become increasingly frustrating as he healed and regained his strength to refrain from pushing the limits of endurance and need.

Still, that abstinence had not been without its pleasures. Chris now woke with Vin in his bed, tucked up tight against him. That had happened the first night Vin was back from the hospital, and his fragility had so concerned Chris that he had insisted on it, just so he could keep his eye on him. They’d never gone back to separate sleeping arrangements, though the last few mornings had been painfully interesting, and would have tried the patience of a saint. Chris was no saint. His mouth twitched as he thought of Vin homing in on his warmth like a heat-seeking missile.

There were times when just looking at the sharpshooter could bring Larabee to full and aching arousal. Vin had no awareness of how beautiful he was. Sometimes he would catch Chris watching him with ardent hunger, and he would blush like a virgin bride, which both amused and humbled Larabee. Then he would allow himself to swoop down and claim a kiss from that sweet mouth, to hold Vin’s slender body close, to breath him in and know from his response that the wanting was reciprocated by Tanner.

Thinking about it sent the blood pooling in his groin, and he shifted to ease his aching cock. He could wait, but not much longer. Despite his apprehension over the physical aspects of making love with another man, his instinctive sexual drive was becoming an urgent need that could only be slaked by losing himself in, and being claimed by,Vin.

His tires skidded on the gravel as he swung to a stop and killed the engine. The front windows were dark, unusual at this time of day, and apprehension curled in his stomach. He took the porch steps two at a time and shoved the door open. "Vin!"

Silence.

Cursing under his breath, Chris went into the den. Empty. He returned to the hall. "Vin?" A glow of light came from the entrance to the kitchen. Chris walked slowly toward it, his hand curved around the butt of his gun despite the lack of any sense of danger. He looked around the door frame, feeling ridiculously cautious to be prowling around in his own house. "Vin?" he called softly.

He stepped into the kitchen and let his hand drop from his gun. There was a piece of paper on the table. Chris picked it up, frowning. It was a lab report from Mercy Hospital, and at first he thought it was related to Vin’s recent illness. Blood work. A line caught his eye. He looked at it for a long time, then sat down at the table.

He heard soft footsteps behind him as Vin padded in, nearly silent on stocking feet. He came over to the table and hitched a hip on the corner nearest Chris. "Thought you’d like to see that."

Chris swallowed. His throat was tight and dry. "You didn’t need to do this."

"Yeah, I did. For both of us." He folded his arms, and deliberately avoided looking at Chris. "I told you what it was like out on the streets, what I did, an’ what was done t’me. I wasn’t gonna take the risk of lovin’ ya without being sure I wasn’t gonna kill ya at the same time. I ain’t -- I ain’t been with anybody fer a long time, Chris. Didn’t want anybody touchin’ me. Not ‘til I met you. I jist wanted to be sure I’s safe."

Chris looked up at him. Vin’s eyes were sparkling like sapphires. He reached out and took hold of Chris’ wrist. "So, cowboy. I figure it’s time fer us t’ride." He pulled Chris up from the chair, moved him to stand between his legs. "Ya ready?" Those words were accompanied by a look through those long lashes and that twist of a smile that sent Chris’ blood rushing to his cock.

Vin saw the shock of delight in Larabee’s eyes and it brought a low chuckle to his throat. He took his dark sweater in his hands and brought him close enough to kiss him hungrily. God, he’d been waiting for this forever, for his entire life. He darted his tongue into Chris’ mouth, explored it; the texture, the taste, the heat and warmth.

Chris groaned and wrapped his arms around Vin’s body. Urgently, he pulled him to the edge of the table. Vin wrapped his legs tight around Larabee’s hips, bringing their crotches tight and close, the friction of fabric against aroused flesh sending shocks of pleasure racing through him.

Chris thrust his fingers through the waves of Vin’s hair; his strength bore Vin back, until he was nearly flat on the table. He could feel the arc of Tanner’s ribcage as he panted, the sharp rim of his pelvic bones through the denim jeans he wore. He brushed his hand across the hard erection he felt straining at the fabric, and Vin gasped. He worked the brass button through the loop, released it. Dragged the zipper down, slipped his hand inside the waist of Tanner’s shorts and closed his fingers around that hot flesh.

Vin cried out softly as Larabee slid his thumb over the head of his cock, the bead of moisture that had gathered lubricating the glide of his fingers. He eased forward, lifted his hips, and Chris tugged the jeans and boxers down, exposing Vin’s sex. Trembling, he held him still, and bent his head to taste his lover.

God, he had never done this before. Had never wanted to. But now he worshipped Vin with his mouth, tasting the bittersweet fluid, inhaling the heady, musky scent of sex. He laved the length of Vin’s cock with his tongue, sucked on the vein, explored the tip with fingers and tongue until Vin was nearly incoherent with pleasure and pain.

It was that slight hitch of pain that broke through Chris’ haze of pleasure. He released Vin’s hips reluctantly. "Vin, you’re hurting," he said.

The sudden cessation of that loving attention made Vin snap, "I’ll be hurtin’ a lot worse if ya don’t finish what ya started, Larabee."

Chris gave him a lazy smile, ran a finger down Vin’s cock, and kissed him lightly. "Oh, I’ll finish, but not here. What say you t’movin’ someplace where we can get horizontal?" He helped Vin stand, pulled his jeans back up, and with their arms wrapped around each other, they stumbled over to the den.

Chris lowered Vin to the couch, then set a match to the fire laid in the hearth. He heard the rustle of fabric, the creak of the wood frame, and smiled. He slid his shoulder holster down his arm and set the weapon aside. When he turned around, Vin was naked and waiting. He lifted an arched brow at Chris’ expression. "Cain’t be all that bad, Larabee."

Chris swallowed. The flames were high enough to gild Vin’s body with shifting light. Lord God, but he was beautiful; slim and sleek, without an ounce of fat to hide the contours of muscle and bone. Chris drank in the sight, his eyes tracking from the crown of softly waving hair, to the wide shoulders and muscled chest, to the tapering belly, slim hips and long legs, then back to the hard cock nestled in a thatch of golden brown curls. The light glinted on the bead of semen that had gathered at the tip, and Chris prowled over to the couch.

"I’m feelin’ a mite overdressed, pard." His voice was thick with passion as he knelt beside Vin and ran his palms over his chest. Vin’s nipples pebbled at the touch, and Chris rubbed the tips gently between his fingers, making Tanner gasp and his eyes darken with pleasure. Chris caught his lower lip between his teeth, teased it with his tongue and then withdrew.

Vin was watching him with a gaze hotter than blue flame. "Might be able t’help you with that." He sat and took the bottom of Chris’ sweater in his hands, bunching it up and sliding it over his head and arms. He cupped Chris’ firm, denim-clad ass. "Shuck’em, cowboy." His teeth glinted white in his smile.

Chris unbuckled his belt and let it fall to the floor. He toed off his boots, and, aware that Vin was watching him hungrily, slid his zipper down, hooked his thumbs in the waistband, and slowly pulled jeans and underwear down. He stepped free and stood in front of Vin.

Vin thought he might as well die right then and there, because he wasn’t ever gonna see a sight to match Chris Larabee as God made him. He was so damn beautiful it hurt to look at him; all ivory and gilt, with those green eyes the color of gold-flecked jade. Everything about him was perfect, the breadth of his shoulders, the impossibly narrow hips, and taut buttocks, the strong-boned legs, the swollen cock rising from dusky swirls of hair, that drew Vin’s gaze like a magnet.

"I reckon I must’ve done somethin’ right in this life," he breathed. "T’be able to have you, Larabee."

"Y’ain’t had me yet." Vin’s wondering, intimate appraisal had Chris so aroused that he thought he would come before he had a chance to be touched by the sharpshooter’s hands. He knelt back down. "But I sure as hell want you to, Vin. Never wanted anything more."

Their mouths met hard, open and seeking. The feel of Vin’s sleek flesh against his, the glorious tangle of limbs, to stretch out over him and to feel their sexes touch ... Chris was lost in sensations. He lapped at Vin’s throat, sucked on the ridge of his clavicle, teased his nipples into hardness with his tongue. He probed the sensitive navel, and felt Vin quiver with laughter, then he took his hips once more, and turned the full assault of mouth and hand on Vin’s sex. He cupped his balls, massaging them as he suckled on the weeping tip of his cock. He took Vin deep into his mouth and heard his frantic sob of pleasure as he glided his teeth gently over the sensitive skin. Vin’s hips began a rhythmic thrust as pure instinct took over his actions, and Chris responded by matching those movements with his mouth and hands. He had never made love to a man, but he knew his own body, and he knew how to give pleasure. He felt the tremors begin in Vin’s legs, the surge that drove him deeper into Chris’ mouth, then he climaxed, and Chris drank him in, stroking him, draining him, taking everything he had to give, until softened at last, he released him with a sigh.

Vin trembled in his arms and Chris gathered him close. His skin was moist and flushed, his mouth curved and sensual. Chris trailed kisses up his throat. "You all right, pard?"

Vin opened hazy blue eyes. "Ain’t never had anybody love me like that, Chris." And when he saw Larabee’s quizzical expression, his shook his head and cursed his stumbling ability with words. "I mean ... I mean the fellas I been with --" A deep blush colored his cheeks, and Chris silenced him.

"Reckon I know what you mean." Ignoring his own need, he settled Vin comfortably against his body. "They didn’t love you, Vin. They might’ve fucked your body, but they didn’t love you for this." He tapped Vin’s chest, right over his heart. "They were Goddamn fools."

Vin thought it over. The last person who had said they’d loved him had been his grandfather. After that, he’d been cast aside more than he’d been picked up. And those that had, had always wanted something from him: and not always sex, though they hadn’t been shy about using that as a means to an end. He’d learned that fast, but not fast enough to protect his heart. "I never loved ‘em either, then." Vin’s voice was sad. "Must’ve wasted a lot of years."

"Vin, they don’t deserve regret. Not for using and hurting you." He kissed him deeply, tenderly. "I wouldn’t hurt you for the world."

"I trust ya, Chris." He ran his fingers through the light, silky strands of his lover’s hair. "N’I want t’give ya what you gave me. Want t’love you."

"Are you askin’ or tellin’?" Chris smiled.

"Both." Vin moved his body, bringing their cocks together, and growing hard again. He slid his hands over Chris’ torso, marveling anew at the utter perfection of the man. Ivory skin, and rich brown nipples that rose to peaks when he touched them, the hard pectoral muscles beneath satiny skin, the bow and hollow of his clavicle. Vin ran his tongue along that ridge of bone, sucked at the center hollow where Larabee’s pulse beat against his lips, tasted the sweet, salty roughness of his throat. Nipped at an earlobe, and made Chris draw in a sharp breath. Vin rained kisses across his eyelids, working his way across his forehead, and down the other side of his face to nip at the other tender lobe, gratified when he got the same response from the controlled agent. He would take his time, but when he was done, Larabee would be making the same sounds that he had wrung from Vin, and the thought of it made the Texan smile.

He took his time working his way back down to Chris’ chest; loving the way the man reacted to every touch, every sensation. Lord, this was the way lovin’ was meant to be! He took a nipple in his mouth and suckled, and felt the growl of pleasure rumble beneath his cheek. He teased the other nipple with his fingertip as he swirled his tongue around the nub, and felt the body beneath his grow still with heavy, waiting tension.

His own body was starting to ache with the languor of arousal. He laid a moist trail down Larabee’s flat belly, then blew over the damp skin. Chris cried out at the sensation. His hands were moving through Vin’s hair, guiding him towards his throbbing sex. Vin rubbed the tip between his fingers, loving the silky glide of the semen over the hard, warm flesh. Chris’ body arched up as Vin took his cock in his mouth and tongued the slit, drawing out another potent bead. He cupped Chris’ balls and squeezed gently. Larabee shuddered and his breath came hoarse and fast.

Vin moistened his fingers and slid them between Chris’s ass cheeks, finding the hole and making him thrash as they massaged the opening.

"Jesus!" Chris gasped, suddenly aware of what was happening, and caught between passion and apprehension at having his body claimed.

Vin understood. He stilled Chris with the palm of his hand laid flat on his abdomen. "If ya don’t want this, there’s other ways of lovin’."

For a moment, Chris nearly agreed. Then he saw the look in Vin’s eyes, the hopeful patience, the blur of pain, the softness of love. "I’m gonna need help, here," he said. "But I want this. Want you."

Vin’s smile was brilliant. "I won’t hurt ya. I’ll take care of ya, make it right fer us both, cowboy. Wait." He vanished out of Chris’ sight.

Chris closed his fingers over his engorged shaft, stroking his erection. Vin bent over the arm of the couch and captured his hands. "Miss me already?" he teased.

"Get over here an’ finish what ya started, ya damn Texan!"

Vin laughed and spread a blanket in front of the fire. "Might be better t’have a little workin’ room." He held out his hand and Chris clasped his forearm and let Vin pull him down to the blanket. He stretched over Chris, warm in the firelight, looking down at this wondrous lover. He opened up the tube of lubricant and squeezed a generous amount in his palm, letting it warm in the hollow of his hand before he smoothed it over his palm and fingers. He enclosed Chris’ cock gently, rubbing and pumping as he tongued his nipples, bringing him back to writhing, moaning arousal. He positioned Chris’ legs over his, lifting his pelvis slightly.

Once again, he slid his fingers to the puckered hole and rubbed gently. Chris gasped. "Easy ... easy," Vin soothed. His cock ached so much he thought he would ejaculate on the spot. He made sure his fingers were well lubricated before he eased one finger through the tight ring of muscle, and gently worked it inside Chris’ body. He felt Larabee tense as it brushed up against his gland, but he could tell from the way Chris’ breath started that it wasn’t pain he was feeling. He massaged gently and Chris bore down against his finger, seeking more contact. Vin withdrew slightly and slid in a second finger, scissoring the opening. His cock was weeping, burning, and sweat was gathering at his temples. Chris was starting to quiver and thrust, seeking the movement that would bring him to climax. Vin stroked his hips, soothing him. His third finger entered that warm channel, stretching it to allow his sex entry. He rubbed the gland and Chris bucked up as pleasure shot through him.

"Chris," he whispered hoarsely. "I’m gonna try not t’hurt ya, but if I do, ya have to tell me, ‘cause once I’m inside, I won’t be able t’stop."

"I want you inside," was all Chris could manage. He was overwhelmed with pain, pleasure, fear, want, love ... Vin.

Vin slid his hands over his cock to coat it, nearly bringing himself to orgasm. He pushed the head against Larabee’s hole, entering him, feeling the muscles clench against his presence. Chris made a small keen of pain, and Vin stroked him, whispering to him to let go, to let him in. And Larabee’s body opened and accepted his full length.

Vin cried out and buried himself deep in his lover, pulling back and pushing in, feeling Larabee’s body join in the rhythm to drive him deeper inside. He took Chris’ cock in his hands and pumped the slick shaft. He cast back his head, sweat poured down his throat and chest, and he came at the same time Larabee climaxed in his hand, the milky stream of seed erupting over them both.

Chris lay still, Vin’s head laid on his abdomen, his chest rising and falling rapidly at first, then calming as his body settled. He stroked Vin’s hair, feeling the moist warmth of his breath on his skin. The light of the fire and the scent of sex enveloped them, made the rest of the world fade into darkness. Chris tugged gently at the curls woven around his fingers. "Vin?"

A muffled, "Hmm?"

"Want you up here where I can see you."

Vin raised his head and gathered enough strength to inch up so that his head rested on Larabee’s shoulder. Those strong arms wrapped around him and he nestled closer to the warmth that radiated from Chris’ body. He sighed. "Feels like home. Like I been searching for this m’whole life."

Chris kissed his forehead. He was awash in so many new sensations that he couldn’t speak right off, but Vin didn’t seem to mind his silence and lay content in his arms. Chris loved the feel of Vin; the slightness of the bones beneath the hard muscles, the texture of his skin. All apprehension was gone, and he held Vin close until the warmth of the fire began to die. He rose to stir it back to life. Vin shivered as the haven of his body was withdrawn, and Chris pulled the blanket over his shoulders. "I’m not goin’ anywhere, cowboy. I’ll be back." He tended to the fire, then brought warm towels from the lavatory and cleaned the residue of lovemaking from their bodies before he slid back under the blanket and took Vin in his arms once again.

"Better?"

A sleepy blue eye appraised him, and a wicked smile curved that mouth. "Ain’t never been better. ‘Course, I reckon we need t’keep tryin’ t’be the best we can. Like target practice."

Chris laughed. "Damn it, Tanner. You’re the marksman -- thought you hit the target ev’ry time."

"Did I hit it this time?" he asked, his eyes glinting. "I’s a mite distracted."

"Yeah," Chris sighed. "I’d say you did."

Tanner was silent for so long that Chris thought he had fallen asleep. "Vin? You awake?" he queried

"I ain’t sleepin’. I was thinkin’ our lives jist got a lot more complicated."

Chris laughed softly. "And I was thinking that mine has got a lot simpler." He drew in a deep breath. "I just dropped about ten tons of guilt, partner. Hope I didn’t drop it on you."

"What about the others?" Vin asked. "How the hell ‘re they gonna understand this?"

Chris raised up on his elbow and looked down at him He flicked a wave of hair from his forehead. "Seems Josiah and Nathan already know. Don’t know how they figured it out before I did, but they aren’t gonna see us any differently."

Vin considered that revelation for a moment before he spoke again. "They ain’t the ones I’m worried about."

Chris lay back down. "I know." He ran a long forefinger along the ridge of Vin’s cheekbone, stroked a thumb across his lips. "What happens between us, is between us. I don’t want to share it with anybody but you. But if they find out, they find out. I’m not ashamed of this; not any more. God, I’d be a fool to be ashamed of loving you."

Vin’s eyes darkened and he brushed gentle fingers over Chris’ hair. "Won’t be easy," he sighed.

Larabee looked down into his lover’s eyes, saw the fear, the concern, the wonder in those blue depths. "Nothing worth having ever is," he said. He bent his head and kissed Vin deeply, tenderly. Then the emotion in that kiss kindled as surely as the tinder he had placed on the hearth, to match fire with fire.

Vin felt Larabee’s arousal, felt his own body responding and pulled Chris down beside him. "Hell, so much fer easy," he sighed, and lost himself in shameless love.

The End