Vin's senses reeled as Chris's lips took possession of his once again. He felt Chris's hand in his hair, fingers sliding through the curly tresses, tongue probing to part his lips. He closed his eyes and surrendered himself to the moment, meeting Chris's tongue with his own, hungry for more.The younger man pressed himself against the gunslinger, grinding his hips into the man with a low moan of pleasure. "Chris," he whispered hoarsely, breaking the kiss to come up for air. "It ain't never been like this before," looking up at the taller man in wonderment.
"Hasn't been like this for me in a long time, Vin," Chris said softly in agreement. And it was true. Vin was arousing sensations in him that he hadn't had since Sarah. Feelings that he thought were dead to him forever and that were so different from what he had felt with Ella. Now that he was with Vin, he recognized just how different those feelings were. With Ella it had been blind lust. With Vin, it was...... 'What was it exactly?' he asked himself in bewilderment. And then he looked at the lanky tracker and it hit him like a thunderbolt. An emotion that he had never expected to feel again in his lifetime. Love. He was in love with Vin. Calm, cool, collected Chris Larabee, notorious gunslinger, shook to the soles of his black leather boots. Love. He was in love with Vin Tanner.
"Chris?" the object of his affection asked with concern, when he felt the tremors coursing down the older man's body. "You okay? Maybe you better lay down."
Chris nodded dumbly, too shaken to speak and Vin led him over to the bed, helping him to lay back.
"Nathan's gonna have my ass, Chris, lettin' you overdo it like this," he joked, trying to cover up his worry with humor. He looked at Chris for a brief instance, then took a step away from the bed.
"No Vin, don't leave," Chris blurted out, grabbing for the tracker's hand.
"I wasn't gonna leave, cowboy," Vin reassured. "I was just gettin' you some water."
"I don't need any water," Chris said, his voice rough with emotion. He looked at Vin, the naked need burning in his eyes. "Lay with me Vin, please," he asked, clutching Vin's hand tightly.
"I-in bed? Now?" Vin asked hesitantly.
Chris nodded, sliding over to make room.
Vin gulped. This was it. Now or never. Decision time. He looked at Chris, lying in the bed, waiting for his answer. His shirt hung open, showing the bandaged wound, and revealing his firm upper body to Vin's gaze. His gut tightened as he remembered the awful day Chris received that gunshot wound. And how he'd been prepared to leave the rest of the seven for a life with Ella. And now, just a little over a week later, he was ready to start a relationship with him?
"No," he whispered faintly, shaking his head. He'd really liked kissing Chris, but wasn't sure if he was ready to give the older man all that he wanted from him. And he wasn't all that sure that Chris really knew what he was getting himself into either. Was he just a warm body to Chris? Someone to pass the time with, get over the hurt? He'd been used by men most of his young adult life, first the Indian warriors, and then men out on the trail when he'd hunted buffalo. And he wasn't about to settle for that. He'd rather be alone than treated that way again. He backed away from the older man, eyes huge and filled with fear. "No," he repeated in a stronger voice, then turned and ran from the room.
He darted through the darkened town, heading for the safety of his wagon. If he hadn't ridden Peso so hard in the past week, he would have saddled up and ridden out of town. But the horse had worked hard and deserved his much needed rest. So instead, he threw himself on the makeshift bed, heart pounding furiously. He closed his eyes, just wanting to sleep, to forget about what had happened in Chris's room.
A short time later, he jerked awake with a strangled cry. His brief rest had been tormented with images of Chris being beaten and almost killed in that horrible jail in Jericho, and of him being shot by Handsome Jack. He shivered, cold sweat streaming down his back as he replayed the nightmare visions in his head. The idea of Chris, alone and hurt in that hell hole Jericho had haunted him for months after the experience, and now he was dreaming about it all over again. And he made his decision. He didn't want Chris to be alone ever again. He ran out of the wagon, heading back to the boardinghouse.
He hurried up the stairs to Chris's room and knocked softly on the door.
"Who is it?" a gruff voice demanded.
"Vin."
After a long pause, a tired voice answered. "Go 'way Vin."
"Don't wanna, and I'm comin' in, so if you're gonna shoot me, best be ready," he warned and turned the knob, entering the room. He locked the door behind himself and went to the bed.
Chris was still laying in the bed, almost exactly as when he'd left. The younger man regarded him silently, his expressive blue eyes holding Chris's gaze. He worked his boots off, never breaking the eye contact and slowly climbed into the bed.
"Vin," Chris whispered huskily, turning his body sideways toward the tracker. "Are you sure?"
Vin swallowed again, still slightly apprehensive, but knowing now that this was what he wanted. He pushed back the fear, looking deeply into Chris's eyes. "I'm sure cowboy," he drawled back with a slight smile.
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Sunlight streamed in through the thin curtains, washing Chris's room in a yellow glow. The gunslinger sensed the warm body next to him, and popped open his eyes. The green eyes widened in surprised pleasure when he took in the sleeping form of his best friend. Vin was nestled against him, a contented smile on his slumbering face. Chris hated to wake the younger man, but knew it needed to be done. Vin needed to get out of his room, and especially his bed, before anyone noticed.
"Vin," he whispered, kissing the sharpshooter lightly on those smiling lips. "Vin, wake up."
The tracker sighed and moved closer against Chris, mumbling something unintelligible.
A sharp rap sounded at the door. "Chris?"
"Shit. Nathan," Chris muttered softly. "Vin!" he hissed urgently, shaking the younger man.
"Huh?" Vin asked, opening his eyes dazedly. "Chris? What's goin' on?"
"Nathan's at the door, get out of the bed!" he whispered frantically.
Vin scrambled out of bed, instantly alert, while Chris laid back in the bed, feigning sleep. Vin pushed into his boots, then went to the door quickly. "Hey Nathan," he said guilelessly. "You checkin' on Chris?"
"Yeah Vin, how's he doin'?" Nathan asked, suspecting nothing. He just assumed Vin had spent the night in the chair, worried about Chris. Each of the seven had done the same thing many times whenever one of them was injured, so it was not an unusual sight.
"Seems a little better. He was really tired last night, though." Vin watched intently as Chris pretended to wake up when Nathan approached the bed.
"Mornin'," Chris greeted the two men.
"Mornin', Chris, how you feelin'?" Nathan asked, checking him for fever.
"Little tired, Nate, but I'm feelin' fine."
"Good." The healer completed his cursory exam. "You seem just fine Chris. Okay with me if you want to get up again today. Just don't overdo things and you'll be fine."
"Thanks Nate," Chris said. "Anybody up for breakfast?"
"Already ate, thanks," Nathan answered. "I'm headin' over to the O'Malley's now, just wanted to look in on you before I left. Mrs. O'Malley's time is comin'."
The healer departed, leaving Vin and Chris alone in the room. Chris grinned up at the former bounty hunter. "Hungry Vin?"
"Starvin'," the younger man growled, raking his hot gaze over Chris. The older man was shirtless, milky white skin shining in the reflected sunshine. His blue eyes dipped lower, taking in the long, black clad legs and the swelling bulge in the front of those snug pants. He licked his lips unconsciously
"Well, what do you wanna do about it?" Chris questioned teasingly.
"Scoot over and I'll show ya," Vin responded coyly, stepping out of his boots, then unbuttoning and pulling off his shirt. He slid into bed.
Chris straddled Vin, running his hands over Vin's chest lightly, skimming the smooth skin with his fingertips. Vin trembled as the light touch left his whole body tingling. Chris bent down to lap at Vin's nipples, slowing taking each one into his mouth, sucking and licking the sensitive flesh into excitement.
"Chris.....oh.....Chris...." Vin moaned, arching his back against Chris's probing mouth, scraping his fingers through Chris's hair.
The older man looked up at Vin, smiling at the rapturous expression. He bent back down, sliding his tongue over Vin's nipples once more, then working his way down Vin's body. He opened Vin's pants, pulling them down and off, then turned his attention to Vin's now exposed crotch. He hesitated briefly, tongue poised over Vin's swollen manhood while Vin writhed beneath him, begging for more. He snaked his tongue around the stiffened member.
Vin jumped at the touch, uttering a small cry, which turned into a deep moan as Chris engulfed the throbbing shaft into the hot, demanding mouth, suckling every inch lovingly. "Oh God Chris," Vin panted, thrusting his hips forward, wanting more. The tracker was in ecstasy. He'd thought Chris kissing him was wonderful, but this was heaven. "Don't....stop......please...." he begged.
Chris was only too happy to oblige. One he'd he got over his initial uncertainty, he found that he really enjoyed doing this to Vin, that it made him happy to give the younger man pleasure. Vin's hips began to thrust spasmodically and Chris knew he was close to the edge. He sucked faster, drawing Vin's cock into this mouth hard and deeply. Suddenly, hot liquid filled his mouth, as Vin quivered and gasped with his release. He drank of Vin's essence thirstily, his head bursting with love for this man, knowing now that he had made the right decision, inviting Vin into his bed.
He changed positions gracefully, now laying next to Vin, stroking the thin layer of sweat from his brow. "Vin? How ya doin'?" he leaned over to whisper softly in his ear.
"Chris, that was...." Vin broke off, unable to finish.
"I know. Hard to put it into words, feels so good," Chris agreed.
"Chris?" Vin asked, sitting up suddenly. He looked down at Chris's own ignored erection, poking through the black pants. "What about you?"
"Whatever you want to do Vin." he replied huskily.
Vin looked down and blushed.
"Vin? What's the matter?" Chris asked with concern.
"Um...I...uh.....C-Chris, would ya like......I want...."
"Spit it out Vin."
The sharpshooter turned and looked at Chris meaningfully.
"You want me to do that?" Chris said in a shocked whisper, words not necessary to understand what Vin's look meant. "Are you sure?"
Vin nodded.
"Done it before with some saloon whores, but never with a man," Chris admitted.
"I have," Vin answered back in a small voice.
"You have?"
"Yeah, when I was with the Indians. They consider it an honor when a warrior chooses you. 'Cept you don't have much say in it." He gave Chris a wry smile. "I got chosen a couple times."
Chris shivered at Vin's quiet words. The younger man was experienced with men, but it sounded like it wasn't something he had jumped into willingly. He looked over at Vin's handsome face, and his heart broke.
"Vin, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to..." Chris began, even though his cock was starting to throb with longing.
"You ain't Chris," Vin insisted. "Never liked any of this stuff before, kind of steered clear of it, to tell ya the truth. But it's different with you, Chris. And I want to try that again, too. I wanna feel you inside me, Chris, please. Maybe it'll make me forget all the other times."
Inwardly, Chris groaned. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to push his hardened flesh into Vin's beautiful strong body. But he had to be sure Vin really wanted this.
He stroked Vin's face gently, then bent over and placed a light kiss on Vin's lips. The tracker opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, while pressing himself back against Chris. He rocked his hips lustily against the older man, a silent invitation.
Chris's head swam with desire, his body ignited once again by Vin's actions. He felt the light touch of Vin's hands at his waist and looked down to watch as Vin unbuttoned his trousers. Now he knew the sharpshooter really wanted him, and he reached down to help slide the tight material over his hips. Vin pulled the garment off, gazing at Chris's naked body with longing.
"Vin, we need some oil or something," Chris whispered, drawing the younger man out of his reverie.
Vin scanned the room, eyes lighting on the lamp on the table next to them. "How 'bout lamp oil?" he asked.
"Sounds good to me," Chris replied and stretched out to retrieve the object.
"Let me," Vin asked, taking the lamp, disassembling it, and pouring some of the oil into his hands. He pushed Chris back onto the bed gently, then ran each hand up and down the gunslinger's swollen length, slowly coating the rock hard cock with the oil. Chris began to thrust into Vin's hands, desperate for release as Vin hurried now, anxious to feel Chris inside him
Chris sat up, eased Vin onto his back and kissed him. He grabbed the lamp oil, drizzling some onto his fingers.
"Vin, I want you so bad," he whispered.
"Then take me," Vin whispered back.
Needing no further urging, Chris parted Vin's legs, drawing them up against his chest. He slid an oily finger into Vin's passage, gently working his way in. Soon Vin was bucking his hips, twisting his body, desperate for Chris.
Chris lifted Vin's legs, placing one on each of his shoulders and slowly took possession of the sharpshooter. Vin's blue eyes opened wide at the gradual invasion, emitting a guttural cry at the sensation of Chris's cock, searing into him, branding him with its fiery heat.
The gunslinger halted his movements at Vin's cry, afraid he had been too rough. But Vin grabbed his hips, forcing him in deeper, begging for more. Chris groaned as he pushed hard, imbedding himself fully into the tracker and began a rhythm of powerful thrusts in and out of the slighter man. This felt so good, felt so right.
Chris reached for Vin's cock, drawing his hand up and down the stiff organ in time with his thrusts. Soon both men were slick with sweat, panting as they brought each other closer and closer to the brink. Chris plunged into Vin one last time, his hand convulsively clutching at Vin's cock as he poured his hot load deep within Vin's welcoming body. The sharpshooter followed almost immediately, his cock erupting with his warm essence.
"Chris...." Vin began, then stopped as he tried to catch his breath.
"Ssh, Vin, just rest for a minute," Chris soothed, pulling the younger man on top of him, holding him close.
"No, Chris," Vin protested, loosening Chris's grasp, leaning up to look the older man in the eyes. "What we did just now.....what's it mean? What are we supposed to do now?"
Chris gently pushed Vin back down on top of him again, his fingers idly running through Vin's soft, wavy hair. He wanted to savor this quiet time with Vin before they had to go out and face the rest of the world, having to appear as friends, but nothing more. But the sharpshooter wanted answers.
"What do you think it means Vin?" he asked quietly.
The lean shoulders shrugged in response. "Don't know Chris. Sure felt different."
"Is that a good thing Vin? That it was different with me?" Chris asked softly.
"Yeah, 'cause the others.....the other men I was with on the trail....they didn't care if I liked it or not. And I never liked it Chris." He stared at his new lover, remembered sadness dulling his blue eyes. "The Indians I was with....they always got up and left the teepee....afterwards. Made me feel dirty after it was over, like they couldn't stand to be around me once they were done." His voice caught in his throat as his body tensed. "Chris, is that what I'm supposed to do?" he asked in confusion. "Should I be leavin'?"
Chris tightened his grip on the tracker, unable to stop himself from sliding his hands down the smooth skin of Vin's back and arms. "No Vin, I don't want ya to leave. I wanna lay here with you. That okay?"
"Yeah Chris, that's just fine with me," Vin replied with relief, stifling a yawn. He relaxed as Chris continued to pet and caress him.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"Vin, don't leave yet," Chris pleaded, half asleep as he pulled the tracker's hand, trying to draw him back into the warmth of the blankets. In the month that had passed since he and Vin had become lovers, he had come to despise this part of the morning. The time when Vin had to leave Chris's bed and sneak back into his wagon.
"Got to Chris, it'll be light soon," Vin protested reluctantly. He wanted nothing more than to stay with Chris, held tightly in those loving arms all through the night, but if anyone found him slipping out of Chris's room in the wee hours of the morning, word would spread like fire throughout the town, and both men would pay dearly.
"Vin, hold on for a minute," Chris hissed in the dark. He climbed out of bed and walked over to Vin, pressing himself against the lean body he had come to love so much in the past month. "Let's ride out to the shack, just you and me. Tonight. We can be together and not have to worry about you gettin' up and leaving in the middle of the night."
Vin smiled at the gunslinger. "I'd like that Chris," he said, slightly dreamily. He was tired of all this sneaking around and a few days at the shack with Chris sounded like heaven. He kissed Chris lightly on the lips, then slipped out the door, melting into the pre-dawn darkness of the boardinghouse hallway.