Taste Test: Buck Wild Read online

  "You okay?” he asked, because Colby's eyes were open, and the man was moaning.

  "Fuck you, Sean. What the hell were you doing, parking there?"

  "Trying to get your attention. I swear, you don't wear a helmet at home anymore than you do on a bull, do you?"

  "No. I figure if the Lord has plans for me to crush my skull, who am I to argue?"

  Sean rolled his eyes, reaching down a hand to help Colby up. “Well, as long as you don't damage anything important. Like your riding hand."

  Colby was one of the best all-around rough stock riders Sean had ever met. As a bullrider himself, he'd met a good many. He'd come to get Colby to agree to do a charity event in Hawaii, but if the man killed himself first, it would make it all moot.

  "Why are you here, man?” Colby asked, taking his hand slowly climbing up to stand.

  "Your cell phone is out of order.” Really, it woulda been easier if he coulda just called.

  "Oh. I dropped it in the hot tub last week."

  "The hot...” Lord save him from pseudo-celebrity rodeo assholes. “Look, I need you on the Hawaii charity trip, Colby."

  "Why?” Dusting off the dirt staining his jeans and jacket, Colby grinned at him. “Because no one else wants to do it?"

  "No. I have Steve, Caleb and Rafe, among the big names. But I need you.” Fuck, Sean hated to ask. He surely did. The sponsors wanted Colby, and what they wanted, they got.

  "You know, I've waited years to hear you say that,” Colby teased, his green eyes just sparkling. Those eyes were lethal, as Sean well knew, especially when combined with reddish-blond hair and a tall, fit body, arranged cowboy style.

  "Shut up,” Sean snarled. “I have your plane ticket and all of your arrangements from your sponsors."

  Colby's head tilted to one side. “Okay. I'll do it. On one condition."

  Steeling himself, Sean planted his hands on his hips and did his best bullrider stance. “What's that?"

  "I get to stay in your room."

  * * * *

  The hotel room was top notch. Whirlpool tub. Well stocked mini bar. Two big old beds.

  That was the only disappointing thing.

  The explosion after he'd told Sean he wanted to share the man's room had been amazing. Red-faced cussing had commenced, with Sean reminding him that whatever they'd done in the bad old days when they were on tour together was in the past.

  Yeah.

  Colby still had a hard-on for that black-haired, brown-eyed bastard, and he wasn't gonna deny himself the chance.

  Dropping his duffel, Colby wandered to the mini bar, peering inside.

  "If you think I'm paying for your room just so you can drink up the bar, you're sadly mistaken,” Sean said, coming in after tipping the little porter who had insisted on carrying Sean's bag.

  "What? I was just gonna have a Jack and Coke."

  "No, you're not. You've got a meet and greet at seven."

  Shit. He hated those things. Still, he'd be a good little cowboy and go make nice. Colby stripped off his shirt, and then started on his jeans.

  "What the hell are you doing?"

  "If I gotta be social, I'm having a nap.” That and he was jonesing on the way Sean stared at him. He looked good these days, Colby knew it.

  Now Sean did, too.

  "You can wake me at six,” he finished, flopping on the bed, watching Sean watch him.

  "I'm not your social secretary,” Sean snapped, eyes on his chest, his belly.

  "Uh-huh. You set up the meet at greet. Do I get to sit next to you?"

  "All of Team Big Dog will sit together."

  Ah, the sponsor of all sponsors. “Okay.” Colby grinned, sliding one hand down into his boxer briefs. “Make sure I'm up."

  "Jesus, what the fuck are you..."

  "I need a little release,” Colby said, cupping his cock in his hand and drawing it out. He was up already, hard and hot from the look in Sean's dark eyes.

  "You could at least have the decency to do that in the bathroom!"

  Colby smiled, slow and easy, humping up into his hand. The words said no, but the stare said yes, because Sean wasn't turning away, was he?

  "You used to like to watch,” Colby said, spreading his thighs and teasing a little.

  "That was a long time ago.” Sean licked his lips, eyes moving with Colby's hand as it worked up and down.

  Yeah. A long time ago before Sean got famous and all worried that someone would figure them out. Colby still missed them together, damn it. Hell, he missed just being friends.

  Colby rolled more fully to his back, his balls drawing up. “You could watch now."

  Sean finally lifted those eyes to his face, and they snapped black fire. “No. I can't. I'll wake you at six."

  Watching Sean's ass until it disappeared from view gave Colby all the fuel he needed to finish what he was doing.

  He just wished Sean had stayed to help out.

  * * * *

  Sean watched Colby schmooze old ladies and elderly cowboys, buckle bunnies and little kids. The man hated this shit; Sean knew that. But he was so damned good at it that the sponsors insisted he come along.

  Hell, it didn't hurt any of the rest of them, either. Sean signed more autographs in two hours than he had in two months. Steve and Rafe were laughing with Colby, clapping him on the back whenever they stood to take a picture, offering to buy him a beer and shit.

  Sean tried not to be uncharitable as hell and snap out that no one bought him a damned beer anymore. Sometimes he just wanted to go back to being a broke dick rider. Life was a hell of a lot more simple then.

  When the volunteer came around and told them the meet and greet was closed, Sean surged to his feet, grabbing his shit and motivating for the door.

  "Sean! Hey, man. Wanna have a drink?"

  Oh. See, that was what he got for feeling all left out and shit. One of his old riding buddies, Zac Nelson, came right on up, shaking his hand and smiling warmly. “This was a great idea,” Zac went on. “Way to go."

  "Thanks, man.” Zac's hand was hot and firm, scarred up like Sean's own, and it lingered just a bit too long. Well, hello.

  "Sean's already got someone to go get a beer with, Zac,” Colby said, coming over and getting right up in his space. “We're here for a week, though. I imagine he'll have plenty of time."

  Zac looked from him to Colby and back again, something like disappointment flashing in his gray eyes. “Sure, Colby. Sure. Night, Sean."

  "Night.” He waited until Zac was out of earshot to whirl on Colby and snarl. “You know, you could let me have some damned fun."

  "Oh, no. You brung me to the dance, buddy. You're hanging with me."

  "You little shit. I don't know what game you're playing, but it wasn't me wanted you. It was the sponsors. I didn't coerce you into nothin', and you're the one who insisted we share a Goddamned room."

  "I was. I did.” Colby nodded like that made some kind of sense. Then the man lowered his voice, moving close. “Come back to the room and have a beer with me, Sean. Please."

  Sean stared, his eyebrows going up and up. Please. From Colby Dannis. He needed his ice skates. Hell was about to freeze over.

  * * * *

  Colby was just tickled.

  Sean had said yes, and they'd gone on back to the room and popped the mini bar, then ordered room service. The talk was a little stilted, but it got easier, and Colby decided the effort to be decent and not a sarcastic asshole was working out pretty good.

  "Gonna ride that bull tomorrow?” Sean finally asked, sitting back and patting his belly. They'd had hamburgers and banana splits and were both stuffed.

  "You know I don't never get on one I don't think I can ride,” Colby said, smiling at the old taunt. How many times had Sean said that to him?

  "I know. Just want to make sure you give the fans a good show."

  Colby frowned a little, trying not to snarl. “Since when did you stop trusting me to do what I do, Sean? I didn't break up with you, you know. You
left me."

  Those dark eyes snapped up to meet his, wide and surprised. “I know that. It ain't that at all. You been reckless these last years, Colby. Pushing things too much. I worry you'll hurt yourself."

  Well, if Sean still worried about him, that was a start.

  "Maybe I'm trying to get some attention, buddy.” Let Sean make what he would of that.

  "You get plenty.” That fine upper lip curled just a little.

  Snorting, Colby shook his head. “Not from you. ‘Sides, if you really wanted all that fan adoration, why did you retire?"

  "You know why."

  Yeah, Sean had always said his body was getting too old for riding, but his brain still worked just fine, and he could do more for bullriding as an ambassador or some shit.

  Privately, Colby thought Sean's last head injury had just scared him too much, and he was afraid of scrambling his brains. A man had to know his limits, though, and Colby could respect that.

  What he couldn't get was why Sean refused to see that someone was ready to adore him, just like he wanted.

  Sean yawned, stretching out on the bed, the t-shirt and sweats he'd put on when they got back to the room separating at the belly to show Colby a little trail of hair. Jesus.

  "I think I'm gonna hit the sack, Colby,” Sean said, rolling to his feet and heading for the bathroom. “Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

  Colby watched that tight little ass, lovingly outlined by the soft sweats, until it disappeared down the little hall to the bath.

  Then he flopped back on the bed, a gusty sigh leaving him. “Yeah. It'll be an even longer night."

  * * * *

  Colby made the eight seconds. Sean found himself screaming along with the crowd, dancing around like an idiot and waving his hat.

  Afterward he met up with Colby in the locker room, clapping the man on the back. “Good show for an exhibition, buddy. That was a ninety plus ride."

  "Thanks!” Colby wrapped him in a quick hug, smelling like cow and dirt and sweat. “I'm not beat up too bad, am I?"

  Bruises bloomed on one side of Colby's face, because his get off wasn't as good as his ride, but it was a damned good look for the man.

  "You look fine,” Sean said, admiring.

  "Cool. Wanna go get some food?"

  He nodded, not even thinking of saying no. “Sure. Come on."

  They ate. They let people come up and glad hand Colby. Then they headed back to their hotel, flopping in the room and grinning at each other. The event had gone real well.

  "You did good, Sean. You've got a knack for running things."

  "You always said I was a bossy bastard.” Suddenly Sean just ached, missing the old days when he was just another rider. When he and Colby could just touch and fuck and not worry on it.

  Something must have shown on his face, because Colby slid across to sit next to him, reaching out to put a hand on his arm. “What, man?"

  "Huh? Oh, nothing."

  Those green eyes hardened a little, Colby's lips pursing. “Bullshit, it was nothing. I want you, Sean."

  "What?” Oh, he knew they still had attraction, that wasn't the surprise. It was that Colby would say it, right out loud, bold as brass, and not be teasing or sarcastic.

  "You heard me. I'm sick of throwing the gauntlet at you. Figured I might just as well slap you with it.” Colby leaned right in and kissed him, lips soft and hot on his.

  His eyes went wide, staring into Colby's at close range, but Sean didn't back away. No, sir, he took that kiss, opening up and letting Colby in, moaning at the taste of what he hadn't had in so long.

  Pulling back just a little, Colby stared, so close that when the man blinked his lashes brushed Sean's cheek. “Don't do that unless you mean it, Sean. Don't. I need it too bad."

  "I'm not teasing, baby. That's your job."

  Oh, he'd crossed a line with that one endearment. He could tell. Colby's eyes went dark, hot, and he got another kiss, Colby pushing him right down on the bed to straddle his hips, rocking against him like crazy.

  "Colby. Baby. Slow down...” he panted when they broke for air. “I ... We need to get rid of your clothes. They're kinda dirty."

  "Huh?” Lips swollen, eyes looking drugged, Colby raised his head. “Oh. Sorry."

  Rolling up, Colby stripped for him, baring the wide shoulders and narrow waist, the pale skin at odds with his tanned arms and neck. Sean remembered that skin so damned well, could tell where every mole and mark was. Except there was a new scar right there...

  Colby moaned when Sean touched it, his whole body shaking, and Sean felt like an ass for giving this up.

  They got the rest of their clothes off, both of them so hard a cat couldn't scratch, and they came back together with a smack, Colby's thighs straddling his, letting them rub together.

  "Want to taste you, Sean. Want to ride you."

  "Anything. Anything you want, baby.” He was willing to give and give. To make up for lost time.

  Grinning wildly, Colby rubbed up on him, their cocks making this clicking sound where the heads rubbed together.

  Sean reached down and stroked them both, his fingers shaking, his muscles tight as frozen rope.

  They both groaned, both stared down at his hand. Colby licked his lips, the sound making Sean grunt and hump up, and then they were both moving. Moving fast and hard, driving toward their pleasure.

  When Colby came, Sean remembered what was fucking important in life. That look. Just that look, right there.

  His balls drew up at the feel of spunk on his skin, and he was ready to blow when Colby reached back and grabbed his balls, pulling them down.

  "Colby! What the fuck?"

  "I said I wanted to taste you.” Colby slid down his body, the slow grind more erotic than any lap dance. Then that hot mouth closed around the tip of his prick, Colby sucking him right in.

  "Jesus!” His hips popped right up, but Colby held him down, controlling the pace. His cock felt like super-hot steel, so hard he hurt, and Sean rocked and grabbed the sheets and fucking begged the man to let him come. “Baby. Please. I ... oh, God."

  "Mmmhmm.” Colby was relentless, hand circling the base of his cock and squeezing to keep him going, tugging on his balls when he got too close. The pleasure went on and on, and Sean thought he might just die from it. His belly felt like a board, his thighs so tight he might pull a damned groin muscle.

  "Baby. I need it.” He was panting, struggling, his body wiggling and squirming, and Colby finally let him go, let him fuck that mouth with everything he had.

  It took maybe five seconds before he blew, his balls emptying to the point of pain.

  Sean felt scoured. Burned to the ground.

  Colby grinned up at him, green eyes sparkling. “Better?"

  "Hell, yes. Better than I've been in ages."

  "Cool. Come on, Digger. Let's get a shower."

  Oh. Oh, he hadn't had anyone use that nickname in ages. Sean nodded, his legs feeling rubbery when he got up and looped an arm around Colby's waist. “Yeah. Then we'll try that other thing you wanted to do."

  * * * *

  "Goddamn it, Colby! You trying to kill yourself?"

  Colby blinked up from the back board, his eyes still swimming from being hit right on the noggin by old Brickbuster's horn.

  "Well, I wasn't trying, no,” he said, “I just kinda got off on the wrong side."

  Sean snorted. “You got to work on that, b-man."

  "Digger, my head hurts. Shut up and come with me to the damned hospital."

  They'd been traveling together again for three months, fucking like bunnies and having a ball, but to Colby, the best part of it was having someone who gave a damn when something happened. He didn't have to do crazy things to get attention, anymore. Sean was right there.

  The ride to the hospital was quiet, the wait for x-rays annoying as hell. It wasn't until they got into a private cubby to wait that Sean sat down and grabbed his hand. “You got to stop this, baby. No more whonking your head." br />
  "I'll try, Digger.” He tried to wink, but his eyeballs weren't working. He knew Sean had stopped riding because of the damned head injuries. “Not gonna wear a helmet, though."

  "Not asking you to. Just get off on the right side, okay?"

  "Why are you so worried about me, Digger?” he teased. “Will you miss my ass if I get damaged permanently?"

  Those almost black eyes stared right into his, and suddenly his focus was as sharp and clear as could be. Sean squeezed his hand. “Your mouth, your ass, your damned snoring at night. I'd miss it all."

  "Yeah?” Well, that was okay then. “I promise not to wreck my ATV again. Or anything like that."

  "You'd best not,” Sean agreed, finally breaking into his trademark smile, looking goofy as hell. “I need you around."

  "Uh-huh. I make you money."

  The smile disappeared, Sean serious as a heart attack again in seconds. “No. I need you around because I love you, baby."

  Oh. Oh, Jesus. Sean had never said that to him, not once, not in all the time they had known each other. Colby groped for one of Sean's hands, not one sarcastic, nasty word forming in his brain.

  He did have a head injury, though. He could blame it on that.

  "I love you, too, Digger,” he finally said, the freedom of it making him laugh. That was a hell of a rush. Better than any four-wheeler or bucking bronc could ever give him. So he said it again.

  "I love you, too."

  Contributors’ Bios

  Dallas Coleman

  Dallas Coleman grew up in Deep East Texas. She survived. She escaped. She has, thus far, resisted her daddy's attempts to reclaim her. She writes because it's cheaper than therapy. You can find her at www.dallascoleman.com.

  M. Rode

  M. Rode loves winter, being a canuck and watching boys of all sorts rub together. M. has edited various anthologies for Torquere Press and is most currently editing the Taste Test and Toy Boxes, as well as the Chaser series.

  Julia Talbot

  Julia Talbot resides in the Texas and has quit her day job. She has a penchant for blank books, gay porn, and big, ugly hats. She can most often be found in coffee shops and restaurants, scribbling in her notebook and entertaining other diners with her mutterings.Julia cut her reading and writing teeth on purple-prosed romance novels, and as a result decided that boys were much more interesting with boys. Intense study of her subject and as much firsthand research as possible figure heavily in her writing adventures. Historical and fantasy settings are Julia's favorites. Her novels include Manners and Means, Jumping Into Things, and Mysterious Ways.