ATF Universe
Chapter 14
Vin's entire body felt like he was on fire, his thumbs making small circular movements over the top of Chris's hips, soothing.stroking.gentling. His dark eyes traveled up the length of the other man's frame, drinking in the sight of the expanse of smooth flesh now covered in a glistening layer of sweat. Chris's head was thrown back, his neck arched adding length to the line of his torso, his breath rasping in and out of his chest as he gasped for air. His hands were tightly clenched around the edge of the counter beneath his buttocks, his muscles tense and straining with the force of his release. Chris's scream of completion arrowed straight through Vin's body to lodge deep within the throbbing eagerness of his own shaft, and he moaned softly as he felt a hard shudder ripple through Chris's length before he finally relaxed beneath Vin's hands and mouth.At that moment, Vin didn't think he had ever seen a more beautiful or desirable sight in his entire life.and he desperately wanted more. His body was hungrily demanding more. But he had plans.plans for him and Chris together.alone.all evening long. The small surprise he had organized was waiting for them in the next room. Reluctantly releasing Chris from his mouth, Vin swallowed hard against the painful knot of desire lodged deep within his gut as he struggled to rein in on the lust coursing through his body, the almost overwhelming demand to take Chris and ride him hard until they were both too exhausted to do anything but lay sleeping in each other's arms.
All in good time! Vin promised himself silently. All in good time! But he wasn't so sure he didn't need to make a quick trip back into the shower in order to cool his body off first.
"Jesus.Christ, Vin!.You trying.to kill me?" Chris managed to rasp between gasps for air. Releasing his death grip on the counter top, he reached down with one hand and tangled it in the length of Vin's golden brown locks. Looking down at his lover, Chris tugged gently on the younger man's hair, urging him upward, unable to hide a crooked half-smile of his own when he saw Vin's passion-filled eyes and felt the trembling in that lean hard frame as he stood and rested lightly against Chris's chest. His other hand came up to finger the sensitive skin at Vin's waist, the touch warm and loving.
"Hadn't planned on it, Cowboy, but I `spose I could give it a try." Vin returned Chris's smile with one of his own before nipping gently at the point of the other man's chin. His arms slid around Chris's waist as he lightly hugged him.
Chris laughed softly at the mischievous look on Vin's face as he loosely circled his arms around his upper back. Tilting his head, Chris covered the tempting lips with a gentle kiss, his tongue stroking and licking, asking for entrance into the moist recesses of his lover's generous mouth. Chris sighed with pleasure as his request was granted and he tasted himself within the heated depths. His arms tightened around Vin's waist and back, holding him close, pulling the lean wiry body against his own.
One hand trailed leisurely up and down the length of Vin's naked back, touching and stroking the smooth flesh and firm muscle, tickling the areas of softer skin at his narrow waist, before Chris's fingers entwined in the dark wet strands at the nape of the younger man's neck. His other hand skimmed downward and circled around to grab hold of Vin's tight buttocks through the cloth of the towel, pulling his hips forward so that his body was cradled between Chris's outstretched legs.
Vin groaned at the contact and rubbed almost mindlessly against Chris as his hands moved up to clutch convulsively at the older man's shoulders. But the stimulation wasn't enough.not nearly enough and Vin needed more. Plans for the evening were practically forgotten as his hips thrust against Chris of their own volition, his lips opening wider, sucking fervently on his lover's tongue and pulling him deeper into his willing mouth. Vin shuddered hard before growling low in his throat.
"You all right there, Vin?" Chris asked in a husky voice as their lips briefly parted.
"F-fine!" Vin managed to choke out in a rasping tone of voice, his deep blue eyes glazed and glittering with an unfulfilled hunger.
Chris chuckled and arched one blond eyebrow at him questioningly, his own eyes not missing the tight pinched lines of Vin's handsome face or the small pink tongue that darted out to wet suddenly dry lips. The warm body within the circle of his arms was trembling and there was no mistaking the demanding solid length pressed against his hip. Vin wanted him.again.and he wanted Vin. Only this time.
"Really? You sure?" Chris teased lightly. "Cuz you don't look fine." He shifted his stance and rolled his hips beneath Vin's, creating friction through the cotton material that stimulated the younger man's arousal even further. A devilish smile lit his face as he felt Vin suck in a deep breath, the rock hard muscles of his abdomen contracting and releasing as the warm flesh brushed against his own. "Although I gotta say, you do feel fine." Chris tightened his arms and placed a teasing kiss along the line of Vin's cheekbone as the blue eyes drifted closed. "In fact, more than fine."
His voice trailed off as Chris lowered his head to begin mouthing and tonguing along the side of Vin's jaw, inhaling deeply as he traveled lower onto his neck and the hollow above his collarbone. One hand again moved to roam freely up and down the length of Vin's muscled torso, stroking and caressing, while the other continued to work the taut round curves of his ass.
Aw, hell! Vin cursed silently even as he arched his neck to allow Chris better access to his flesh, drowning in the sensations that the other man was creating with those strong graceful fingers and wickedly delicious mouth. This wasn't how he had things planned. Well, okay, Vin corrected himself. He hadn't really had much of a plan in mind when he`d followed Chris into the shower in the first place, just some things he'd thrown together at the last minute with the intention of surprising his lover with a little tender loving care. Things that even now, he knew were waiting for them in the bedroom.
Vin gave a low groan and pushed weakly against Chris's chest. "It'll keep," he somehow managed to rasp just before Chris sucked on the soft skin covering his collarbone, tasting Vin with his tongue then lifting his head, green eyes dark and glittering with desire.
"Wanna bet?" Chris laughed huskily and with one determined yank, stripped the towel from around Vin's waist, exposing his naked body to the older man's hungry gaze. He used his hand on Vin's backside to hold him still while Chris forcefully ground his hips against him, laughing softly again at the tight grimace of pleasure that covered the younger man's face at his actions.
Vin couldn't help but groan at the contact of silk steel meeting hot skin as he tried unsuccessfully to suppress another shudder. Chris's hands on his body were like magic and that sweet marauding mouth was going to drive him right out of his mind. "Oh, God! Chris." he gasped, his hands and arms clutching the taller man tightly against him.
"So what's it gonna be, Vin?" Chris murmured as he gently rubbed his mouth back and forth across Vin's neck and the side of his face and ear. "Soft `n slow." He soothingly mouthed the lobe of the younger man's ear, caressing and licking it lovingly with his tongue. "Or fast `n hard." Chris bit down sharply on Vin's earlobe, returning bite for bite as another shudder wracked Vin's slightly smaller frame.
Vin yelped and instinctively jerked his head away from Chris's quick teeth. One hand came up to cover the injured area of flesh, unconsciously fingering it as he searched for traces of blood. "Ow! Dammit!" He cursed under his breath. "That hurt, Chris!" he complained as his blue eyes turned to give his lover an accusing glare. But before he could say more, demand an explanation, Chris's hand came up and was pulling his own away from his ear. Warm full lips and a rough wet tongue appeased the damage that Chris had inflicted, sucking and tugging on the tender morsel until Vin was shaking like a leaf in the wind beneath his mouth.
"You didn't answer my question," Chris reminded him after several long silent minutes of mutual stroking, fondling and caressing.
"Mmmm." was all Vin managed to get out, a low purring sound rising from the back of his throat and quivering through the skin beneath Chris's seeking mouth. At that point, Vin didn't care what Chris did.just as long as he didn't stop.
God, please! Don't let him stop!
"You want it soft?" Vin shivered again as Chris dragged his tongue down the length of his throat and across to his shoulder. "Or you want it hard?" Chris's teeth replaced his tongue as he left a trail of small love bites across the length of Vin's collarbone and then drifted downward to surround one dark brown nipple with his lips.
Vin gave a loud groan and arched his back as Chris attacked the sensitive nub, circling it with his tongue before lightly scraping his teeth across the rigid button. Chris's low husky laugh echoed through Vin's chest and sent him spiraling even higher at the intimate contact. His hands came up to cup the back of Chris's blond head and capture the delightful torture against the wall of his chest.
Chris turned his head sideways beneath Vin's desperate grasp, his cheek resting just over the furious pounding of his lover's heart. He could hear and feel the desperation behind Vin's ragged breathing and knew that it wouldn't take much to push him over the edge. He turned his head again and nibbled at the aroused male nipple once more, wringing another agonized groan amidst the incoherent cries now issuing from the back of Vin's throat.
"I take it that's a vote for the hard way," Chris murmured suggestively before suddenly snaking one hand down the front of Vin's body and taking his lover's distended cock into the palm of his hand. Assertively wrapping his long fingers around Vin's length, he gave the younger man a firm squeeze, not enough to actually injure him but enough to cause a certain degree of pain intermingled with the pleasure of being taken in hand.
"Shit!" Vin stiffened and cursed as Chris's fingers wrapped around him, totally unprepared for the sharp stab of pain that shot through his body as the older man's hand applied firm pressure around his shaft. Startled blue eyes flew open as Vin struggled to breath beneath the onslaught of conflicting feelings pouring through his body. He looked down at Chris in mild confusion, not fully understanding the reason behind the roughness with which his lover was handling his body.not until Chris straightened and brought his mouth to within a hairsbreadth of the younger man's.
"Payback's a bitch, pard!" Chris whispered against his lips before taking full possession of Vin's mouth in a fiercely demanding kiss. He thrust his tongue deeply into the cavern of Vin's moist mouth, pulling back and then thrusting in again in imitation of the rhythmic physical sharing of their bodies. One hand tangled in the damp brown locks at the back of Vin's head as he ravaged his mouth.the other hand held firm pressure around Vin's stiffened cock.waiting.patiently.for sweet surrender.
God, but Vin loved it when Chris kissed him like this! There was nothing more wonderful or sacred to him than that sweet sexy mouth playing across his skin and taking possession of him as if Chris intended to swallow him whole. The mind-numbing feeling of those powerful lips taking and plundering was beyond anything he had ever felt or experienced before, and Vin knew that if he climaxed right at that very moment, it wouldn't be the first time that Chris had brought him off just by taking his mouth. The excitement and stimulation from Chris's dominance over him at those times was sometimes just too much for the eager young sharpshooter to bear.
Vin's capable hands at the back of Chris's head moved to pull him even closer, his fingers threading through the blond strands and pulling that demanding mouth even harder against his own. He tasted blood and managed to fleetingly wonder whose it was.his.or Chris's? It didn't really matter though because neither of them were willing to stop. They paused only long enough to gasp for air before returning to attack each other's mouth once again. Vin gave as good as he got, refusing to back away or submit completely, embracing the combined sensation of pleasure and pain rifling through his body as his hands roamed freely over Chris's muscular torso.
Chris's hand moved over his stiffened cock and Vin gasped against his lips as a bolt of white lightning shot through the younger man's body. The hunger that he had tried so hard to keep in check threatened to consume him and he couldn't suppress a whimper of longing beneath the firm lips and hand that held him captive. He wanted Chris. He needed Chris.and he needed him now!
Chris felt the change in Vin's body, knew the exact moment that he surrendered to the powerful emotions washing over him. And ever so slowly, he began to move his hand up and down the length of Vin's cock, stroking and pulling, touching and caressing, sometimes using just the tips of his fingers.other times his entire hand. And all the while, he teased and tortured the sensitive straining flesh until Vin was mindlessly crying out his name, begging for his touch.his kiss.for release from the overpowering need surging hotly through his veins.his hips dancing uncontrollably as he thrust his aching body through the tight ring of Chris's fingers.
Stroking firmly, Chris brought his hand up once more only to pause just behind the head of Vin's rock hard shaft. The younger man groaned and was on the verge of screaming his frustration, his head thrown back and mouth open as if he were ready to howl at the moon.when Chris turned his head and sank his teeth into the sweaty flesh at the base of Vin's neck.
Vin cried out at the sharp bite that Chris inflicted near the pulse point of his throat, his body jerking reflexively as his release thundered through him. Hot creamy liquid quickly covered Chris's hand as well as the rest of his chest and abdomen only to coat Vin's smooth skin as well as he continued to plunge insistently against the hand that held him firm. Shuddering hard and gasping for air, Vin finally collapsed into Chris's arms, leaning heavily into the older man.grateful for the support of the countertop behind him as Chris placed soft soothing kisses at the base of his throat.
"Damn, Chris!" Vin barely managed to rasp. "Ya ever thought `bout registerin' them hands o' yers as lethal weapons?"
Chapter 15
Vin Tanner sat on the far end corner of the king-sized bed in the hotel suite. His legs were crossed Indian-style and a plate of food balanced precariously across his knees. Wrapped in only a white terry cloth robe loosely belted at his waist, he was indulging his taste for sweets. Under the amused gaze of his lover, he popped a chocolate-covered strawberry into his mouth. Vin's eyes closed in delight as the sweet fruit combined with the smooth taste of chocolate bathed the inside of his mouth and tongue. Blue eyes opened again and twinkled merrily in Chris's direction before the young ATF agent reached down beside the bed to retrieve the bottle of beer he had opened."Vin, how can you stand to eat that stuff?" Chris shook his head in amazement, not only at the sheer volume of food that Vin managed to consume but the way that he seemed to have a nearly insatiable appetite for anything loaded with sugar. It was a wonder that the man's teeth hadn't rotted out due to carbohydrate overload. And how in the hell did he manage to keep that lean trim shape with all the chocolate binges he indulged in? Chris didn't know but it almost made him cringe every time Vin shoved one of those things in his mouth.
"Tastes good, Chris. Ya oughta try some," Vin mumbled around a mouth full of cold beer even as his hand reached for another treat. He grinned unabashedly at Chris as he shoved another strawberry into his mouth. " `Sides, department's payin' fer it. Might as well enjoy myself!"
Chris shook his head again and laughed lightly before swallowing a mouthful of beer himself. He lounged contentedly back against the pillows piled up next to the headboard, his stomach full and his body relaxed beneath the matching white terry cloth robe that he also wore. The hotel was upscale enough that not one, but two bathrobes had been provided for guests use, complete with the rounded hotel crest embroidered in blue on the lapel. Vin had found them hanging in the closet when they checked in two days before and had let loose with a low whistle under his breath at their "fancy fixins." The younger man had also been quick to pounce on the room service menu and order just about every dessert dish the hotel offered.
And it looked like Vin had been letting his fingers do the walking again. He had surprised Chris by having lunch waiting on a small table in the bedroom when they exited from the shower. A couple of scented candles were burning brightly and the curtains had been pulled closed, lowering the light in the room to a cozy intimate level. The soft soothing strains of a jazz radio station played quietly in the background, just barely audible unless you were actually listening for it. The matching robes had been laid out on the bed and Vin had offered one to Chris first before donning one himself. By unspoken agreement, neither man bothered to dress further than that.
For lunch, Vin had ordered up sandwiches, a fresh fruit and cheese tray and an odd assortment of even more desserts that he had yet to try. He had grabbed a couple of beers from the refrigerator, handing one over to Chris, before settling himself on the end of the bed with a plate stacked high with food. Chris had watched with a sparkle in his green eyes as the younger man attacked his lunch and consumed it with relish. One thing that could always be said about Vin.he never did anything by half measure and always enjoyed himself to the fullest no matter what he was doing. Chris could attest to that fact first hand.
For himself, Chris settled on a sandwich and a few slices of apple and cheese. Content to drink his beer for dessert, he leaned back into the pillows behind him and stretched his bare long legs down the length of the bed. He was satisfied just to sit back, relax, enjoy the quiet.and watch Vin eat. Before too long, his eyes began to feel just a bit heavy and Chris could tell that he was exhausted even before he emitted a loud yawn. Too much fighting and too much lovemaking, he chided himself silently. He covered his open mouth with the back of the hand holding the beer bottle and then took another swallow of the cold liquid before letting his head fall back onto the pillows.
He was on the verge of drifting off when Vin's soft drawl interrupted his rest.
"So, ya mind tellin' me what this mornin' was all about?"
Chris's eyes snapped open and he shifted uncomfortably, suddenly unhappy at the prospect of having to talk about Rick Darden at this point. He wasn't sure he wanted to chance ruining the rest of their afternoon and evening together by bringing it up now. Sure, there were things they needed to discuss but it just didn't seem like an opportune time to do it. Vin had arranged a quiet lunch for just the two of them and Chris was reluctant to let anyone or anything spoil these few precious hours. It always seemed as if they had little enough time together as it was without spending it talking about a piece of crap like Darden.
Besides, Chris wasn't sure just yet what he wanted say, how to explain himself or why he'd found it so particularly satisfying to smash his fist into the other man's face. And until he could sort it all out himself, he was reluctant to share it with anyone...even Vin.
"It ain't important," he muttered before taking another long swig of beer, refusing to meet Vin's inquiring gaze across the width of the bed.
Vin thought on Chris's reply for a moment, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the flicker of emotions play across the other man's face. Chris wasn't comfortable being put on the spot like that and yet that was precisely what Vin had done. He'd done it on purpose with the sole intention of trying to force a straight answer out of the obstinate man lazily stretched out on the other side of the bed. Question was.would his tactic work?
"Seemed awful important just a little while ago.in the shower?" He tilted his head to the right, a slight twitch to his lips as he watched Chris squirm beneath his steady regard. Vin reached for another strawberry and waited patiently.
Chris shot Vin a quick frown of displeasure that clearly conveyed the message that he preferred to let the subject matter drop. "I said it ain't important." He repeated his answer more forcefully and fixed Vin with a baleful glare, obviously trying to intimidate the younger man into leaving the issue alone. It was a look that Chris had perfected over many years of hard work in law enforcement and that piercing green gaze had been known to frighten many a suspect into quiet submission. Only Vin wasn't a suspect.and he didn't frighten easily, at least not where Chris Larabee was concerned.
The young man took another swallow of beer, a pensive expression crossing Vin's face before he responded, "I see. Not important." He nodded his head slightly as if agreeing with Chris. "Guess that must mean you `n me ain't important neither." It was a bit of a cheap shot, Vin knew, but he was willing to risk it if it would goad Chris into opening up and talking to him. Not that the man was ever much of a talker in the first place, but if he could just get beneath that calm cool facade and shake Chris up a bit, Vin was sure that he could find out what lay at the bottom of all of this. "Not important," he muttered softly, coloring his voice with a tinge of dejection.
And it definitely got Chris's attention. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?" A pair of irritated green eyes threw sparks at him as the older man shifted against the pillows behind his back, one leg bending at the knee as he turned sideways to face Vin more fully. Chris really didn't feel like talking about this morning but he also didn't like what Vin's words were implying either.
"Jes what I said," Vin mumbled before popping another chocolate-covered strawberry into his mouth. The sleeping dragon had awakened and it was all Vin could do to suppress a small smile of triumph at having successfully started a fire underneath Chris Larabee. He ducked his head a bit, letting the long strands of his hair briefly hide his face while he struggled to control his features. Concerned that Chris might be able to figure out his plan, Vin kept his eyes down, refusing to meet his lover's gaze.
"Goddammitt, Vin! That's not an answer!" Chris shot back, his temper beginning to flare and he wasn't even sure of the reason why. He thought that Vin had wanted to talk about Rick Darden and now all of a sudden, the conversation had taken a turn he didn't follow to where they were talking about their own relationship. How the hell had that happened and just where did Vin get this crazy notion that he wasn't important to Chris? Hadn't he shown him in multiple countless ways just how much he meant to him? Hadn't he taken on Rick Darden.and incidentally enjoyed beating the crap out of him.just for making insulting remarks about the younger man? What more did he have to do to prove to Vin just how important he was in Chris Larabee's life? What more did Vin want from him?
Chris didn't understand.
"Well, I don't reckon ya answered my question neither," Vin murmured softly from behind the curtain of his hair before raising his head and looking directly into Chris's eyes. That steady blue gaze spoke volumes and conveyed more in the ensuing silence than any spoken word ever could have. What he wanted was for Chris to open up and talk to him, let him in to the private thoughts and emotions that made up Chris Larabee's psyche. No barriers, no silences, no words left unspoken.
Because if Chris couldn't trust him enough to share his thoughts and feelings with Vin, then what sort of relationship did they have in the first place? He knew Chris was scared of opening up, of letting someone in and what it would mean.but Vin was scared too. Scared of losing Chris because the older man couldn't get past this fear of sharing himself with others.and ultimately sharing himself with Vin.
Chris silently stared back at Vin for what seemed like an eternity, blue eyes locked on green. Vin's gaze never wavered. He had too much at stake to back down now. It was Chris who ultimately looked away first and shifted restlessly on the bed. Taking another long swallow of beer, Chris sighed heavily and let his head drop back onto the pillows. He stared fixedly at the ceiling. His voice was low and flat when he finally began to speak.
"Rick Darden and I were at the academy in training together. He didn't like me. I didn't like him. Simple as that. Time and distance haven't made us any better friends. He still hates me. I still hate him." Another mouthful of beer washed the bitter taste from his mouth and Chris turned to set the empty bottle on the bedside table.
That was it. The short and sweet of it. Vin could take it or leave it.
"Hell, Chris. I already knew that. That ain't what I meant." Vin sighed in exasperation as he removed the plate from his lap and placed it over on the serving tray that the food had arrived on. Damn stubborn bastard, he berated Chris silently. He rested his elbows on his bent knees, beer bottle in hand as he continued to watch the older man closely.
"So, just what did you mean?" Chris asked in a brusque tone as he looked over at Vin again, increasing irritation evident in his voice and the tight lines of tension embracing his body beneath the white robe.
"I think ya know," Vin answered softly before swallowing some more beer, his eyes remaining locked on Chris's face. Damn Larabee and that thick hide of his anyways! Vin cursed silently. But his keen eyes didn't miss the slight twitching movements of Chris's fingers. Normally fairly quiet and still, it was a sure sign of the other man's increasing agitation.
Chris gave an exaggerated sigh of impatience and rolled over onto his back. "Aw, hell, Vin. The bastard was mouthing off, saying things `bout you `n me `n the rest of the team, insulting, degrading.totally unprofessional. As far as I'm concerned, Darden got exactly what he deserved."
"And you think beatin' the crap outta him is professional?" There was no censure in that quiet voice, just a gentle curiosity. But it was still enough to spark Chris's volatile temper even higher.
Furious green eyes pinned Vin to the bed where he sat. "Dammit, Tanner! He was going on `n on about you, for chrissakes! Wanting to know whether or not you were any good. Hell, he even offered to let me skip the training session in return for letting him pound your ass for a few hours. What the hell was I supposed to do? Tell him yes, snap my fingers `n have you drop your drawers in front of God `n everybody?"
Vin felt his own temper starting to escalate, making his answer slightly sharper than he intended it to be. "I heard what he said, Chris. I ain't deaf."
"Oh yeah? Well, you don't seem too concerned about it." Chris shot back angrily. "Maybe I shoulda just told him go right ahead!"
The quiet conversation that Vin had been hoping to have was rapidly deteriorating into a full blown argument, and so far, it didn't seem to be getting him anywhere with figuring out what was going on inside Larabee's head. "I'm a big boy, Chris. I don't need ya to fight my battles for me," he snapped defensively.
"Ha! You think you could take Rick Darden in a fair fight?" Chris was just mad enough to take a cheap shot at Vin's wounded ego, his tone of voice clearly indicating that he found the idea of Tanner being able to take on Darden somewhat absurd.no matter how much time the younger agent spent training. Chris had known Rick Darden for quite a number of years.knew his methods.his moves.and he had still had his hands full trying to take the other man down. The thought of Vin going up against Darden again and coming out on the losing end of the fight.
Aw, hell! Some things weren't even worth contemplating. Chris opened his mouth to continue the argument only to be interrupted by Vin's soft lazy drawl.
"Who said anythin' `bout a fair fight?"
Stunned silence followed the younger man's quietly worded question, the only noise audible being the smooth notes of a saxophone playing low on the bedside radio. Chris turned his head to stare angrily straight into Vin's face, seeing the spark of temper that lay beneath the surface of his deep blue eyes and the steely determination that was so much a part of who and what Vin Tanner was. He found himself mesmerized as a slow mischievous grin spread across the younger man's features, easing the lines of anger and bringing a wicked sparkle to the azure depths.
Chris couldn't help himself. Vin's smile was catching. He suddenly realized just how ridiculous the entire argument over Rick Darden sounded and felt his own irritation and anger rapidly fade beneath the impish look on Vin's face. He chuckled softly before an answering small grin curved his lips upward. In the next instant, both Chris and Vin were laughing out loud at the absurdity of the situation and the quiet confidence reflected in Vin's question. Words of anger were forgotten and small slights forgiven in the rush of shared amusement.
"I look forward to seein' that," Chris finally managed to get out between bouts of soft laughter.
Vin wiped a tear of mirth from his eye with the back of one knuckle before uncrossing his legs and climbing off of the bed. "Reckon I oughta put this stuff away. Save some fer later in case we don't feel like going nowhere fer dinner." Moving gracefully around the room, Vin began to gather up the remaining food, used dishes and empty beer bottles under Chris's watchful eye. Piling it all onto the tray, he paused in the doorway of the bedroom, turning halfway back to Chris before he spoke. He hadn't gotten precisely what he wanted from his lover but Vin reckoned he could at least make a small peace offering. perhaps lay the groundwork for Chris to open up enough to talk to him about all this at some point. Vin could only hope.and be patient.
"Chris," Vin began hesitantly. "I don't give a rat's ass `bout what Rick Darden says or does. I'm thinkin' `bout you. Somethin' happened to ya this mornin'.inside.'n I think.I think it scared ya. Don't mean ta pry.well, hell! Yeah, I do." He shook his head ruefully. "But it's cuz I care.'n I worry `bout ya, Cowboy. Jes wanna say that.when yer ready ta talk, I'm here ta listen."
Having said that, Vin turned to leave the bedroom when Chris's quiet voice halted him in his tracks. "Vin." There was a long expectant pause during which neither spoke before the older man softly offered, ".thanks."
Vin nodded his head briefly in acknowledgment before carrying the tray into the adjoining room. He knew it wasn't much, but at least it was a start. And if Chris wouldn't tell him on his own, then perhaps he could try again later.only this time, Vin decided he would use a much different tactic. One that he knew Chris would respond to without hesitation. A small grin covered the lower half of his face with that thought as Vin proceeded to put the leftover food in the refrigerator before rinsing the plates, leaving them to drain on the sideboard.
Walking back into the bedroom, Vin realized that it must have taken him longer to put things away than he anticipated because stretched out on the bed like a magnificent golden lion was Chris Larabee.fast asleep. The tousled strands of his blond hair were spread across the white pillowcase, the lines of his face relaxed and almost boyish in sleep. His mouth hung slightly open with the deep even breaths that whispered in and out in perfect harmony with the rise and fall of his chest. The short white robe did nothing to hide the powerful lines of his body and a sudden rush of warmth filled Vin at the handsome vision displayed before him.
Moving quietly to the opposite side of the bed, he stood for a moment just enjoying the intimacy of being able to watch Chris sleep. Of their own accord, Vin's hands moved to the belt of his robe, loosening it and shrugging the garment off of his shoulders as he let it slide to the floor. Being very careful not to awaken his lover, Vin crawled across the bed on his hands and knees before stretching out full length next to Chris's warm body. Propping himself up on one elbow, his other hand reached across to the belt of Chris's robe. Untying the knot, he folded back each side of the white material so that his eyes could feast on pale silken skin and smooth firm muscle. Reaching behind him, Vin folded the bedspread over their adjoining bodies to keep away the chill. Sighing contentedly, he eased one arm across Chris's waist while the knee of his upper leg bent, moving forward until his inner thigh rested on top of his lover's groin. Lowering his head to a powerful shoulder, Vin snuggled contentedly next to Chris and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 16
It was early evening when Chris finally awoke, his body relaxed and comfortably warm beneath the bedcovers. Yawning, he reluctantly slid one eye open taking note of the deepening light that shadowed the bedroom in a layer of dark velvet. The candles Vin had lit earlier were burning low in their holders providing barely enough illumination to make out the walls of the room. A warm heavy weight lay across the right side of his chest and hip, a restrictive band around his waist. Chris opened his other eye and looked down to find a head of golden brown hair tucked firmly in the hollow of his shoulder. Vin's right arm was thrown across him and one leg rested teasingly over his groin as the firm wall of the younger man's chest pressed closely against his side.He couldn't help but smile at the soft dreamlike expression on Vin's face or the gentle tickle of the younger man's breath as it feathered lightly over his skin. Chris didn't remember falling asleep or Vin coming back into the room. The effects of all the physical exertion plus a few beers with lunch had obviously combined to send him off into a peaceful slumber. He lay there quietly, content to just absorb the tranquillity and closeness of the moment as he listened to Vin's slow steady breathing, felt the gentle even rhythm of his heart through the layer of warm flesh covering his own.
Before too long, an urgent need made itself known, a direct result of the beer that Chris had consumed with lunch. Not wanting to wake the younger man, he carefully eased out from beneath Vin and slid off the bed, trying desperately not to groan at the sudden stiffness of his body as his feet touched the floor. One side of his robe was trapped beneath his lover's sleeping form and rather than trying to work it free, Chris simply slipped out of it and walked naked into the bathroom. Turning on the light, he shut the door quietly behind him.
Pausing in the doorway a few minutes later, he was surprised to find a pair of sleepy blue eyes watching him from the bed. "Sorry, pard. Didn't mean to wake you," he managed to rasp in a voice still rough with sleep.
Vin smiled drowsily up at Chris from the bedcovers he was now nestled beneath. "Got cold without ya, Cowboy. Had ta git some more covers `til ya came back." Vin had known the exact instant that Chris slipped out of bed even though it was obvious from his actions that the other man was trying hard not to awaken him. He had admired Chris's naked backside through slitted eyes as he walked into the bathroom and was now thoroughly enjoying what he could see of the front view as well despite the room's dim interior and the back shadows cast by the light behind him.
When Chris didn't immediately return to the bed, Vin raised up the edge of the covers with one arm as he drawled huskily, "So, ya comin' back ta bed or ya jes gonna let me freeze ta death?"
Chris smiled softly and shook his head at Vin's teasing tone. He reached behind him to turn out the bathroom light, plunging the room once more into velvety darkness. Padding noiselessly across the carpeted floor, Chris made his way back over to the bed. He was in the process of easing his tall frame down onto the mattress and into Vin's waiting arms when a sudden stab of pain in his left side brought him up short. He instinctively tensed against it and gave a small grunt as a second wave of sharp discomfort followed the first. Chris turned and sat down heavily on the side of the bed, his hand automatically going to press against the injured area as he gasped for breath.
Vin was up beside him in instant, his touch on Chris's bare shoulder warm and concerned. "Chris, what is it? You all right?"
Larabee had taken note of the stiffness in his body when he'd gotten up just a few minutes before. He hadn't paid too much attention to it at the time as other things primarily occupied his attention. But the few moments that he'd been out of bed had allowed his body to cool and the minor discomfort he had felt earlier was now being exacerbated by the chill covering his flesh. All the blows and kicks that Rick Darden had managed to land were now more noticeable and the stiffness he had felt before was rapidly turning into an all-over body ache. The level of discomfort was bearable for the time being but Chris knew that come morning he was going to be in for a serious world of hurt.
I'm getting too old for this shit! Larabee berated himself silently.
"I'm all right, Vin. Just some sore ribs is all," he replied roughly in an effort to ease the worry he heard in the other man's voice. No sense upsetting Vin and keeping him from at least getting a good night's sleep just because Chris was hurting.
Before he could stop the younger man, Chris felt Vin move on the bed behind him, reaching over to turn on the bedside lamp as he answered, "Yeah, `n I jes bet them ribs ain't all that's sore. Lemme have a look-see."
Chris flinched at the sudden explosion of light beside him, his sharp movement earning him another brief flash of pain up his side. He bit down on his lower lip, trying to stifle any sound that might escape and ended up sinking his teeth into the bruised swollen flesh. He tasted blood again and cursed silently at the further damage he had just caused. He felt Vin moving on the bed beside him, sliding around and off until he was kneeling on the floor in front of Chris.
Vin's hands touched the arm that Chris held protectively against his middle and the older man immediately tried to pull away. But Tanner was determined and threatened, "Either ya lemme have a look-see or I go `n get Nathan. Now what's it gonna be?"
Hearing the firm resolve in Vin's quiet voice, Chris slowly dropped his arm with a barely audible sigh of irritation and sat up straight. He fixed his eyes on a place on the opposite wall, a bit disgruntled with the whole thing. He already knew that his body was stiff and sore and covered with bruises. He already knew that he was really going to be hurting come morning and for several days to follow. He didn't need Vin or Nathan poking and prodding at him to tell him that.
Vin gently pulled Chris's arm away from his midsection and hissed in dismay at the darkened flesh he found there. The bruises had been just traces of color before, but in the hours that had passed since the morning's training session, the discoloration had blossomed to where a fair portion of Chris's abdomen and chest created a rainbow of brilliant color ranging from black to deep blue to a dark shade of purple. "Damn, Cowboy, but yer a mess!" The pattern was repeated in several places on Chris's arms and legs as well.
"I feel better `n I look," Chris managed to mutter from between clenched teeth.
"Oh, yeah? Right! Whose cracked mirror you been lookin' in, pard?" The younger man challenged sarcastically.
His hand trembled slightly as Vin reached out to touch a particularly dark spot on Chris's left side. He drew back suddenly, as if burned, when Chris flinched and sucked in a slow hissing breath. Vin glanced up to see the expression on his face and wasn't surprised to find Chris staring straight ahead, his green eyes focused on nothing in particular.that vaunted Larabee control keeping his features set in an expressionless mask. Chris was hurting. Vin knew he was, but that damnable stubborn Larabee pride wasn't going to let him admit it. And Chris wasn't about to ask for help either.
"I'll be fine, Vin. Just leave it be." Chris wasn't sure just who he was trying to convince, himself or Vin. But either way, there wasn't anything to be done about it except wait for it to heal all on its own. Hell, he'd been hurt worse than this plenty of times before and was still kicking. Why should this time be any different? "Let's just go back to bed, okay? We have to be at the gun range early in the morning."
Chris barely managed to stifle a groan as he made to swing his long legs back up onto the bed. His movements were stiff and hesitant, so very different from Chris's usual fluid and graceful manner, that it was all Vin could do not to reach out and offer him a hand. Instead, he remained kneeling and watched helplessly as the older man eased himself back down on the mattress, wishing with all his heart that there was something he could do to take away the aches and pains that he knew his lover was suffering.
And then Vin suddenly remembered. "Damn!" he muttered softly. "Almost forgot about that." With those cryptic words, the young man rose to his feet and padded quickly into the other room, a pair of puzzled green eyes following the delightful sway of his naked backside.
Chris could hear Vin moving around in the living area and the rustling of a plastic bag as he searched for whatever it was he was trying to find. He heard a brief small cry of triumph just seconds before the younger man reappeared at the bedroom door. Vin held something in his hand, a pleased smile on his face and a twinkle to the depths of his brilliant blue eyes. He bounced up onto the bed beside Chris, shooting the older man an apologetic glance at the sudden jostling that wrested another small groan from the back of Larabee's throat. Chris looked curiously at the small plastic bottle Vin held in his hand.
"Almost forgot I had this stuff," Vin offered by way of explanation, a wide grin splitting his face to reveal the even whiteness of his teeth.
"What is it?" Chris asked half-heartedly as he let his head relax back against the pillows.
"It's some sorta liniment fer sore muscles `n aches `n pains `n such. Jes perfect fer whatever ails ya." The younger man was already in the process of taking the cap off of the bottle and held it up to his nose as he sniffed experimentally. "Smells kinda nice," Vin muttered almost to himself as he started to pour some of it into his palm.
"Let me see." Chris reached out and took the bottle from Vin's unresisting hand, bringing it toward his face in order to get a good look at it. He raised his head slightly off the pillow before inhaling the light mint fragrance. He glanced at the label, trying to read the namebrand of the lotion but was surprised to find it was written in French. "Vin, where did you get this?" he asked while trying to keep his voice deceptively casual.
"From Buck. He come `n knocked on the door when you was jes getting in the shower. Why?" Looking back at the bottle, Vin's answer suddenly made more sense to the older man. Not about Buck giving Vin the lotion but about the origin of the "liniment" in the first place and the fact that the name was written in a foreign language. Buck was a bonafide expert when it came to creams, lotions and liniments.of all kinds, Chris thought with a wry grin. No telling precisely where this one had come from but Larabee was willing to take bets on what it was.
"No reason. Just wondered is all," he answered lightly before passing the fragrant bottle back to Vin. An amused smile continued to play about the line of his mouth as Chris pondered on Buck's reasons for giving it to the younger man in the first place. He couldn't honestly say that he was surprised. Buck was, after all, a student of human "nature" and a keen observer when it came to those around him. No, Chris definitely couldn't say he was surprised.
"Well, I reckon it'll either kill ya `r cure ya!" Vin proceeded to pour a generous amount into one palm before replacing the cap and setting the bottle on the bedside table. He briskly rubbed his hands together to warm the liquid just as Buck had instructed him to do, the smell of mint drifting upward to tickle his nose. Grinning almost wickedly at Chris, he asked, "So, ya ready fer a good ole-fashioned rubdown?"
Chris had to swallow hard at the look of near delight on the younger man's face, his naked body quickly warming despite the chill of the air-conditioned room. His eyes flew to Vin's hands and then back up to his face again, uncertain if he was doing the right thing by allowing this to happen. Because if Vin was planning on applying the liniment to Chris's bruised body himself, then Chris wasn't so sure it wasn't going to kill him first!
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