their late teens or early twenties. Three, not four, and none were Tex.
Killy flipped the case over to read the back. “Reverend T.S. Rose, with his wife Anna and three sons…”
This time, there was no mistaking Tex’s snort. “I buy their CDs ‘cause it’s the only way I still get to see my brothers.”
What the fuck? “It’s hard to lose a brother” Tex had said. And he knew firsthand. Maybe not the way Killy did, but the results were the same.
Not that Tex would be the first gay man tossed out by family. Must’ve been hell hiding that part of himself from the preacher. No way would Killy’s family, as fucked up as they were, have ever turned their backs. No fucking way. Tex had not one, but three brothers, and a mom, still alive, but just as gone to him as Elliot was to Killy.
“How long you been on your own?”
“Since I was nineteen.” Tex didn’t offer more; a growl in his voice said now wasn’t the time to push.
Nineteen huh? That would have been about the time “Highway” went gold. “ You and your music have kept me from being lonely during the worst times in my life.” Had the man clung to Trickster to get him through being cast out?
If Killy guessed right, they’d been alone about the same length of time. Too damned long.
They didn’t speak the rest of the way to the trailer. What could he say?
They hadn’t drunk much at the bar, and burned off any alcohol playing. Still, Killy barely kept his eyes open by the time Tex shut the engine off and led him inside. He peeled his clothes off and collapsed on the bed. The moment Tex’s mouth found his, all weariness fled.
Killy jerked, old habits kicking online at the brush of lips. Tex withdrew. Callused hands stroked his arms, and Tex’s hairy chest tickled Killy’s nearly hairless pecs.
Something slow and sensual played on the portable CD player by the bed. Tex kept time with the music, running his lips around Killy’s jaw to get to his ear, but avoided his mouth. He caught Killy’s earlobe between his teeth, nipping hard enough to elicit a gasp. With teeth and tongue he worked Killy’s throat and Adam’s apple, worshipping the expanses of skin, taking his time.
An unrestrained madman on bass, a thoughtful lover in bed, a hell of a cook, and a caring man to boot. What was the guy’s angle? What was he after?
No need to fret. Come morning, the detour ended with Killy’s return to the road.
A hand on his ass brought Killy out of his musings. He spread his thighs without thought. How long since he’d bottomed? Nothing registered now but Tex warming him up. He grabbed the man by the wrist. “No.”
Without questioning Tex put the condom he’d held to his own cock on Killy’s. “It’s not that,” Killy said. Why explain? What did it matter? “I got broncs to ride in two days, and I haven’t done this in a while.”
Tex pulled his lips back in a smile. “Rain check?”
“Sure.” Wait. Killy couldn’t promise a rain check. In a few hours he wouldn’t be here.
Oh, but the twin swells of cowboy ass called to him, and a ride so much sweeter than a bronc. He buried his face in the furry mat on Tex’s chest, inhaling sweat, cologne, tobacco smoke, and stale beer. Smelled like home. He pushed his cowboy back on the mattress and knelt between his knees. A little warm up, a little slicking up, and drive home. Home. Where was that?
For now home existed in a man’s hairy arms, sinewy muscles holding him close. In pants and grunts, and muffled curses. In the step, shuffle, turn of the mating dance. Killy sang the melody with his body, playing Tex with every stroke, every grunt, every out, out, out, too far, now back in.
Tex rocked against him, adding harmony with his hands drawing Killy close, and his legs hooked around Killy’s thighs. A chorus of squeaky bed springs joined in, and “Oh!” and “ah!” and “oh my God!”
They’d met less than a day ago, yet in perfect accord they came together in a carnal two-step, dancing like old lovers, long experienced in the perfect place to caress or bite.
Killy fought to hold on, to prolong the moment. Tex felt too good, loved too hard. Like on the stage, he didn’t just play, everything he did he gave his all.