Stallions and Studs Box Set

Shoulda Been a Cowboy-8

After an incredible steak dinner in The Chuck Wagon, Charlie and Jared, along with Rick and Richard, made their way to the saloon. Jared had already had three martinis and walked with his arm draped over Charlie’s shoulder. He was talking, rather more loudly than necessary, about how maybe Charlie’s choice of a vacation spot wasn’t so bad after all. “Except for all this cowboy stuff.”

They found a table near the dance floor. Jared ordered another martini, Charlie a beer, and the Richards each a vodka Collins from a very cute waiter who was shirtless, in tight jeans, wearing a gray cowboy hat and a red bandana.

It was just a bit after 8 o’clock and the band, Lost Dogies, was already playing. Only a couple of people were on the dance floor, typical of when a group of people were together for the first time. Charlie knew as the evening wore on and the liquor got flowing that that would all change.

The leader of the band stood, smiled, and said that Tex would be happy to teach the joys of country/western dancing to any of the tender-foots that would like to learn.

Tex hopped off the stage and several of the guys, including Rick and Richard, got up as the band started playing. Tex began to organize them into rows and his lesson began.

“Coming?” Jared said, taking a generous swallow of his drink and getting up to join the dance.

Charlie, who had never been much of a dance fan, replied, “I’ll just sit and watch for a bit.”

Jared shrugged. “Party pooper.”

Charlie had been watching for a few minutes when a voice came from behind him.

“Hi! Glad ya could make it.”

Charlie turned and saw Wade standing with a bottle of beer in his hand. He was wearing a black western hat, a crimson silk shirt with pearl snaps that clung sensuously to his body, jeans and his silver buckle: a cowboy fantasy vision come to life.

“Mind if I sit down?” he asked.

“Not at all,” Charlie said, feeling a warmth spread through his loins.

“Ain’t ya gonna git out there and learn how ta line dance?” Wade asked as he pulled a fifth chair up to the table and sat down.

“I’m not really much of a dancer,” Charlie admitted.

“Me either.”

“What? Isn’t it against the code or something for a bona fide cowboy not to be into country dancing?” Charlie said, smiling at the man.

Wade laughed. “Well, I do a fair Texas Two-Step, but I really like slow dancin’ where ya kin git yer arms around somebody.”

Charlie’s warm glow increased.

“With my bulk I cain’t make them quick turns that ya have ta do in them line dances. Ma body jist don’t wanna change directions that fast.” He laughed again.

They sat and talked for a while, watching the dancing lesson. Jared, Rick, and Richard eventually came back to the table. Rick and Richard seemed to vie for the chair next to Wade.

Jared had a red-haired young man in tow. Charlie remembered seeing him that afternoon in Wade’s riding lesson. He also recalled Jared commenting on how cute he was. Charlie got up and procured another chair for the newcomer, since it was obvious Jared wasn’t going to.

“Refueling time,” Jared said as he sat down and took a gulp of his martini. “Charlie, you should get out there and try this; it’s really a gas. Oh, hi, Wade.”

Wade nodded his hello. When it became clear no one was going to introduce the redhead, Wade said, “Hey, Jeff, I don’t think ya met Charlie. Jeff’s had his first lesson with me taday.”

Charlie shook hands with Jeff.

The six men sat and chatted while the band took a break. Jared ordered a round of drinks for the table.

When the music started again, it was a slow song.

“Would ya mind if I asked yer friend here fer a dance?” Wade asked Jared, who Charlie could see was more than a bit buzzed.

Jared giggled. “Mind? s**t, no, I don’t mind. You can ask him. He’ll probably say no. If you can get him out on the dance floor, f**k…you’re a better man than I am. Charlie’s such an ol’ stick in the mub…I mean mud.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Wade said, smiling broadly at Charlie, who was already flushed at the thought of being held in the arms of this Adonis. “How about it, Charlie? Will ya dance with me?”

Wild horses couldn’t keep…“Yep, I will,” Charlie replied almost too obviously.

Wade took Charlie’s hand and led him out onto the dance floor. He was several inches taller than Charlie, so he put his arms around Charlie’s shoulders, while Charlie encircled Wade’s waist with his. Wade pulled Charlie close. His head rested just above Wade’s massive chest, tucked securely under his chin. As the two swayed and moved to the music, Charlie felt Wade’s muscular body against his. The same body that only hours before had been fully displayed was now separated by a few millimeters of fabric. The effect of their physical contact was electric and instantaneous. Charlie was hard. At first he panicked. But when he felt Wade’s burgeoning erection against his abs he stopped fighting any embarrassment and let himself be swept away by the sensations caused by his arousal.

Wade nuzzled the top of Charlie’s head. Charlie took a deep breath, snuggled tighter against Wade and closed his eyes.

“What’s goin’ on between you and Jared?” Wade asked when the song ended and another began.

Charlie opened his eyes. At first he didn’t understand the question. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, are ya jist buds, lovers, boyfriends…what?”

Charlie hesitated. What was his relationship to Jared? They were more than buddies. But lovers? No, not really, not anymore at least…maybe at one time. When talking about him or when Charlie introduced him he used the term ‘boyfriend.’

“We live together,” Charlie ventured. “We have s*x…”

Wade leaned back and Charlie looked up into his handsome face. “But there’s nothin’ serious goin’ on? Just f**k buddies? Right?” There seemed to be a hopeful tone in his voice.

Richard’s words from earlier in the day came back to Charlie, Seems he picks out one guy every week and makes them his project.

“No, there’s nothing serious going on,” Charlie said, feeling a twinge of guilt.

“Hoped that’s what ya’d say,” Wade said, giving him a light kiss on the head.

“What about you?” Charlie asked. “Is there anyone special in your life?”

Wade chuckled. “Me? Naw. I never found me anyone who’d put up with me.” He laughed again then said in a more serious tone, “No, living here on the ranch ain’t too conducive ta anything permanent. Maybe someday somebody will come along.” He tightened his hold on Charlie and twirled him around as the song ended.

The group spent the rest of the evening drinking, dancing, and talking. Wade and Charlie danced several more times. Most of the time it was to a slow song, but Wade also taught him the Texas Two-Step. At 10:30, Wade said he needed to go check the horses as it was his turn at night barn duty.

“And I got me a lesson at 7 in the mornin’,” he said, looking directly into Charlie’s eyes and reaching out to squeeze his shoulder.

“Oh, my Lord!” Jared slurred drunkenly, having had about two drinks to everyone else’s one. “Who would want to be up at that God-forsaken hour just to ride a fuckin’ horse?”

“Some folks say the outside of a horse is good fer the inside of a man,” Wade said, still smiling in Charlie’s direction.

“Don’t you mean the outside of a c**k is good for the inside of a man?” Jared corrected, laughing as he raised his glass and took a drink.

Wade chuckled and winked at Charlie. “Well, that, too.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Good night, y’all. Ya have a good rest.” He pointed at Charlie. “I’ll be seein’ ya bright and early tamorra.” He reached out and ruffed Charlie’s hair.

“Project, project,” Richard said, leaning toward Charlie and whispering in his ear.

Charlie smiled.

Shortly after Wade left the saloon, Charlie did, too. He told everyone he wanted to get some rest as he would be up early. Jared told him to go ahead because tonight he didn’t need a designated driver. If they would have been back home in Chicago he sure would have. He was pretty well wasted. Charlie hoped he would remember the way back to their room.

Charlie made his way to The Bunkhouse and went to bed.

* * * *

At about 2 in the morning, the door opened and Jared stumbled in. The room had two queen-sized beds and he fell onto the one next to the door fully clothed and began snoring immediately.

Charlie got up. He’d left a light on for Jared. He looked down at his boyfriend. His clothes were disheveled. It looked as if he had undressed at one point and then tried to put his clothes back on.

Interesting, Charlie thought.

He went to the john and relieved himself, then came back into the room and undressed Jared, a task he’d performed often after a weekend of partying. As he slid off Jared’s jeans, he noted Jared wasn’t wearing underwear. Smiling to himself, he thought, I wonder where those will turn up?

Upon closer inspection he saw Jared was wearing a condom with evidence it had served its purpose. Charlie decided to leave it where it was. He smiled again. He was surprised he felt no negative emotion at the revelation that Jared had had s*x, probably with Jeff. He went back to bed, looking forward to his morning riding lesson with Wade with increased enthusiasm and a sense of freedom. The guilt he’d experienced earlier when Wade had questioned him about the nature of his relationship with Jared was ebbing away.

* * * *

Charlie's wake-up call came at 5:30. He needn't have scheduled it; he’d woken and checked the clock on the bedside stand every five or ten minutes since 4:45. When the call finally did come he was fully awake. He got out of bed. Jared was still out cold.

Charlie considered what probably had gone on with Jeff. He thought of the evidence he’d discovered that indicated Jared had had s*x. Once again it made him feel less restricted. He wondered if he hadn’t met Wade, would such a discovery upset him? Would the idea of Jared being with someone else be of any concern? As it was, the confirmation given by the condom seemed to embolden him. If it turned out Charlie was Wade’s 'project', well, he wouldn't fight it.

After taking a shower and checking on Jared once more he went to The Chuck Wagon for breakfast. There were about a half dozen men there, including Mack and Seth, who signaled him to join them. He looked around at the others in the room. He knew from the schedule that the only ranch activities that went on this early were riding lessons. For some reason he’d assumed he’d be the only one taking a lesson at this hour: probably wishful thinking.

Stupid me, he thought. Of course you're not the only one who wants to hang out with the studly Mr. Connors.

Somewhat chagrined and disappointed, he joined Mack and Seth at their table.

“Good mornin’,” the two men said.

Charlie acknowledged the greeting and sat down. A waiter was at the table almost instantly.

Probably because I’m sitting with the boss, Charlie surmised with a smile.

He ordered dry rye toast, juice, and coffee.

“That ain’t enough to keep a bird alive,” Seth said with a grin. “This is the grub that’ll put hair on yer chest,” he continued, pointing to his plate heaped with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon.

“He’s right,” Mack added and pointed to the open collar on Seth’s shirt that outlined a lush patch of silver-white hair.

Seth chuckled, then said, “Charlie here’s signed up fer one a Wade’s early mornin’ lessons.”

“I figured as much. Wade’s a fine ridin’ instructor. You’ll have a great time with ’im,” Mack said.

Charlie smiled. He was looking forward to spending more time with Wade. “Well,” he said, “I hope he’s patient because, other than a picture taken of me on a pony when I was five, I don’t ever remember being on a horse.”

“Not to worry,” Mack continued. “He’ll have ya busting broncs in no time.”

They all laughed.