Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 02:51:42 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 540  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 540 by Rob Williams

Chapter 540 – "THE MEN FACE OFF – THEIR BOYS MEND FENCES"

IN THIS CHAPTER

Miguel and Pete, and their boys Finn and Brandon, heal the rift created by
bad-boy Finn. The virile Ranger Pete confronts the musclehunk Hispanic
Miguel in a hidden cave on the beach, and they take revenge, make love, and
a whole lot in between.  Pete's gentle boy Brandon makes his peace with
Finn by showing the experienced ex-hustler some new moves in bed that
surprise even Finn.
___________________________________________________________________


<><>  IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER  <><>

When Miguel and Pete took their boys to the luxury Ritz-Carlton Hotel down
the coast in Laguna, it was anyone's guess what would happen.  But that
didn't stop a group of other guys in the tribe from speculating.

The tribe's co-leader Bob set the scene.  "Miguel is not only the executive
chef of the Ritz Carlton in L.A.  He's a management consultant at the other
hotels' kitchens, so he's gonna spend a weekend at the Ritz down the coast
in Laguna, sorting out the kitchen's problems.

"As they include accounting issues, Miguel wants to take our young office
manager Brandon with him to give an impartial non-employee assessment.  As
Brandon is Ranger Pete's boy Miguel has offered them both a weekend down
there, living it up, all expenses paid.  Miguel plans to take his boy Finn
with them too."

"Wow, quite a foursome," Chad chuckled.  "You couldn't find two couples
more different – on one side the dominant Hispanic lover of boss Zack,
and his tough ex-hustler boy Finn.  And on the other, the handsome Forest
Ranger and his sweet-tempered kid Brandon."

Hassan said, "But I don't think those guys will have any problem with a few
days luxury.  After all, Miguel is a big noise in that hotel.  His party
will get the VIP treatment.  But I've heard that Miguel's boy Finn can be a
real handful, very unpredictable."

"He sure is," Eddie said. "Miguel had been looking for a challenge when he
chose Finn as his boy, but Finn resented being anyone's boy and acted real
mean.  Miguel tamed him, though Finn still kicks up rough sometimes – I
think he wants to be tamed by Miguel over and over, though he'd never admit
it. Wonder how a rebellious, rough-and-ready punk like Finn deals with a
luxury hotel.

When someone said there were a lot of rich guys staying there so maybe Finn
would revert to type and try to turn a few tricks, Eddie huffed, "Huh, I'd
like to see that.  Be like peeing on Miguel's own turf – but the stud
would sure come up with a way of dealing with that kinda stuff."

All that was gossipy speculation, but a lot of it came true.  Their first
day in the hotel Miguel had to leave them alone as he had to supervise the
kitchen staff all day.  Pete, Brandon and Finn were shown into their luxury
suite, which excited Pete and Brandon but intimidated Finn. The staff's
attention was mostly directed at the tall, handsome Pete, and the boy in
the wheelchair, Brandon, which made the insecure Finn feel second class.
He reacted by reverting to the only behavior that made him feel superior
– seducing other men.

He never followed through, but it was obvious he was asserting himself by
flaunting his old skills of seduction and cock-teasing older men he saw on
the lunch terrace and by the pool.  Later, at dinner in the formal dining
room Pete and Brandon feared Finn was becoming so blatant that others would
notice and Miguel's reputation would be damaged.

So Pete cut the meal short and they went up to the suite.  Pete decided to
go down to the kitchen and share his concerns with Miguel, and while he was
gone Brandon gently and casually brought up the subject with Finn.  His
reaction was explosive and brutal.

"How the fuck do you know how it feels to be treated like a hanger-on while
you and your precious Pete get all the attention.  Yeah, I was turning guys
on – and you know why?  Because I can, I still can.  That's something
you can't do, mister look-at-how-independent-I-am."

He laughed cruelly.  "Yeah sure, I can see guys paying for sex with a
cripple.  God knows what Pete does with you, but I'm damn sure he longs for
some real sex like he'd get from me. You know what it is with the guy?  He
feels sorry for you, that's all.

"And while we're on the subject, here's a news flash, kid.  You know why
Miguel invited you here in the first place?  `Cos he feels sorry for you,
not because you're this overrated big-shot office manager.  He could have
got any top accountant to look at the books here.  But he asked you out of
pity – he just wanted to make you feel good."

Brandon fled into his bedroom and sobbed.  When Pete and Miguel came up
they quickly ascertained what had happened.  Miguel apologized profusely
for Finn's outrageous behavior and reassured Brandon that he genuinely
needed his help and no pity was involved.  "That is the truth, Brandon.
Anyone who told you any different is lying."

Pete took Brandon in his arms and said, "Now let's go to bed and work out
all this nonsense about sex.  Only one way to do that, eh?"  Brandon
managed a watery smile.

Finn was scared by the look of cold, steely anger in Miguel's eyes "You do
not ... you do not take out your fucking phobias and paranoia on a boy like
Brandon, that sweet kid who everyone loves and admires for his pluck and
determination.  You do not call him or anyone else a fucking cripple.  You
do not tell him lies that Pete and I pity him."

Finn expected harsh physical punishment but Miguel growled, "Yeah, you'd
like that – you always do.  Well not this time, asshole. This time
something far less elaborate.  Strip naked and get on the bed on your
back."  Miguel slowly undressed and as Finn watched him he was seized with
lust. But Miguel said, "Do not touch yourself, don't even move.  If you
touch me or yourself, any time during the night, I'll throw you out."

So that was the plan, the punishment, the demonstration of how Finn would
feel living without him.  Miguel got into bed and ignored him. He even took
from his bag a men's health magazine and jerked off over a picture of one
of the hunky young sports models working out.  With a satisfied sigh –
and cum on his chest and abs, he turned out the light and went to sleep.

Helpless beside him Finn had never felt anything as suffocatingly
frustrating as he did now. He looked over at the beautiful face and body
and realized he didn't just want to touch Miguel.  He loved him ... he
loved the man ... he couldn't imagine life without him.  When emotional
exhaustion overcame him Finn slept fitfully beside the man he worshipped
– the man he was forbidden to touch.

========= CHAPTER 540 =========

<><> THE SHOWER <><>

In the morning when Finn woke after a restless night plagued by demons, he
felt Miguel stir, saw him yawn, stretch and, with no touch, no morning
kiss, he sprang out of bed.  "We're having breakfast in the suite, the four
of us," Miguel said bluntly.  "I'm gonna shower."

Finn was in a turmoil of fear and confusion. What was he supposed to do
now?  What was Miguel thinking?  In an agony of anticipation he was
startled by the deep voice.  "Hey, boy ..."

What now?  Did he want him in the shower?  Or was he about to end it all
and lower the axe forever?  Finn jumped out of bed, went trembling to the
bathroom and said weakly, "Yes, sir?"

"As long as you're here you might as well come in, soap me up, and massage
some of the tension out of my neck and shoulders."

What did that mean – `as long as you're here'?  Did it mean he wouldn't
be here much longer?  Finn got into the large shower and cursed his own
cock for getting rigid as soon as he saw the muscular Hispanic, body
streaming with water and surrounded with steam.  Miguel didn't notice
Finn's boner – didn't notice much of anything, seemed barely aware of
the boy's presence.

The one consolation for Finn was that he was at last permitted to touch
that magnificent body.  As he did most mornings, he lathered up, stood
behind Miguel and ran his hands over his neck, shoulders and back, feeling
the muscles ripple under the smooth, wet flesh.  His trapezius muscles were
especially tight this morning from his neck to his shoulders, and Finn dug
his fingers in to massage them.

Miguel groaned deeply, feeling relief flow through him.  Finn glanced down
to see if he had an erection, but unlike most mornings, Miguel's long,
thick cock was swinging down from his mass of black pubic hair.  Maybe he
had already jerked off, Finn thought, like he did last night looking at the
magazine picture of the sports-model at the gym.

By contrast, Finn's own cock was throbbing as he felt Miguel's flexed
muscles and heard his euphoric moans, just like he was having sex.  He
thought of all the other mornings when he would soap down his whole body,
then drop to his knees and work the cock with his mouth.  Strong hands
would pick him up on his feet, push him face first against the shower wall
and Miguel would slide his cock deep inside him until Finn splashed his
load down the wall.

Right now his balls were bursting with the pent-up jizz that had built up
during the tormented night when he had been denied any sexual contact –
any contact at all.  His cock was throbbing as he felt the man's rock-hard
muscles under his touch and looked at the thick wet mass of black hair
clinging to the square nape of his neck.

Desperately Finn longed to kiss it, to kiss his full, sexy lips, then his
cock, then be flattened against the tiled wall while his master drove his
cock inside him.  That image made him dizzy with lust – he pictured it,
needed it so bad that he almost felt it and ... aaagh!"

To his horror he felt sperm spurting spontaneously from his cock, splashing
on Miguel's ass and running down his leg.  As his cock drained he expected
a reprimand and punishment but all he got was, "Clean up that mess, boy."
At last Finn dropped to his knees and frantically licked the mounds of
Miguel's ass then his thighs, sucking up every trace of his forbidden
juice.

He expected Miguel to turn, slap him, maybe cum in his face.  But nothing.
Miguel simply walked out of the shower, leaving Finn on his knees, alone,
bereft and sobbing as water poured down on him.

This was torture – the coldness, the disdain of the man he loved. He
couldn't take any more, maybe he should leave now and go back to L.A.  But
he couldn't leave Miguel, couldn't leave the man he idolized, the man he
had rebelled against so badly.  He wanted to make amends, show him it was a
mistake, prove that he loved him ... he loved him.  Tears ran down his
face, and then he heard, "Get your ass in gear, boy.  Don't wanna insult
our guests again."

`Our guests!'  Clutching at straws he saw a glimmer of hope in the simple
`our'.  He turned off the shower, wrapped a towel round him and watched
from the bathroom as Miguel pulled on board shorts and a T-shirt and walked
barefoot out to the living room.

Finn quickly put on his shorts and shirt and braced himself.  Breakfast.
He would have to face Miguel, who was ignoring him; Pete the angry Ranger;
and Brandon, the boy in the wheelchair he had insulted so cruelly. He took
a deep breath and walked out nervously to join them.

<><> BRANDON BREAKS THE ICE <><>

A big table was set up on the long private terrace that ran the length of
their top-floor suite.  It was laden with their favorite breakfast foods
that room service had just delivered.  Pete, Brandon and Miguel were
already seated when Finn joined them.  Miguel ignored him, but Pete said,
"Hey, Finn.  What a great place to have breakfast.  Look at that view over
the ocean – you can see almost to Hawaii."

Brandon smiled with a simple, "Hello Finn," and moved his wheelchair to
make room for him.

Last night Pete and Brandon had made love which, as it always did, blew
away the troubles of the day.  Lying in bed, they had talked calmly of
Finn's insults, and Brandon reassured Pete that he was fine.  "See, sir, I
understand Finn.  Living and working on the streets, as he used to, takes
its toll on a guy and his self-esteem.  The world treats boys like him as
inferior, and he gets to believe that his only talent is to turn tricks, to
seduce men for money.

"A street hustler gets treated bad a whole lot.  Even if someone took him
into their home for a few days or weeks he could be kicked out as quickly
as he was picked up.  It's no wonder Finn's afraid Miguel will do the same
thing.

"Oh, he's crazy in love with Miguel – what's not to love eh?  But he's
so insecure he doesn't think he's worthy of a muscle-god like him and keeps
testing Miguel's love for him.  He was totally intimidated by the luxury of
this place so he freaked out – I was just collateral damage."

Pate grinned.  "Quite the philosopher ain't you, kiddo?  Well, if you can
be charitable I guess I can be too.  I'm prepared to leave Finn's
punishment to Miguel – I'm sure he has his methods."  And with that,
they made love and Brandon fell asleep in Pete's arms.

That was last night, and now at breakfast it didn't take them long to see
what Miguel's method was – the cold-shoulder treatment.  They were
pretty sure that involved no sex too. To cover up any tension on such a
beautiful day Miguel turned to the safe topic of his work in the hotel.

"Sorry to talk shop, guys, on your weekend off, but, like I told you
yesterday, Brandon, I've got a handle on what the kitchen's problems are, I
just don't know how to fix it.  It's their inventory control and purchasing
that's fucked up.  They have two guys checking supplies of food and kitchen
equipment and they pass requests to purchasing.  But there's a lot of room
for error and far too often they run out of things, so they have to take
items off the menu at the last minute."

Pete chuckled.  "Huh I can imagine how a waiter feels in a classy joint
like this going up to a table, presenting the menu and saying, `I'll show
you the items that are off the menu right now'."

"That's exactly it, Pete.  There have been complaints and that's why
management brought me in."  He gave Brandon a few examples of what went
wrong and Finn was starting to feel left out once again – no one cared
if he was there or not.  He felt the old resentment rising up ... but
salvation came from an unexpected quarter – from Brandon.

"Sir," Brandon said to Miguel, "on a smaller scale we had the same problems
with the tribe's compound and our kitchens.  It's a big job keeping tabs on
the compound's needs, with so many guys living and eating there.  In the
office we work very close with Finn and Tyler, the house managers.  It's a
tough job – they do the house inventory, get the kitchen requirements
from the twins and pass everything to us for purchasing.  With Ryan's
computer expertise we put together a great system – almost foolproof.

"So, er, I have a suggestion, sir. As Finn is so key to that process, and
if he doesn't mind, I think he should attend our meeting after breakfast.
His input would be crucial as he's the one who knows everything there is
about inventory control."

He looked expectantly at Miguel who glanced at Pete with a knowing smile.
Both men realized what Brandon was doing it and saw it as a stroke of
genius – it was a kindness to Finn but also absolutely logical.  Plus it
would break the ice by forcing Miguel to interact with Finn.

Brandon looked at Finn.  "How about it, Finn.  Would you help us?"

Finn was surprised at this suggestion coming from a boy who, barely twelve
hours ago, he had savagely insulted and demeaned.  Brandon was being so
kind to him, making him feel needed and important – but what he was
saying also made absolute sense.

"Er, sure," Finn said meekly.  "If you think I can help."

"Good, that's settled then," Pete smiled.  "And as I seem to be the odd man
out on this one I'm gonna stay over here on a chaise, getting some sun and
communing with nature – my favorite thing.  Your meeting will be like
background music ... maybe you could throw in a tune or two."

"Except I'm pretty much tone deaf, sir," said Finn, already feeling
brighter after so much anxiety.

Chuckling, Pete got up, winked furtively at Miguel, and went to a chaise
near the end of the terrace.  He pulled off his shirt, stretched his rangy
body, then sank onto the chaise with a deep sigh.  Seeing Brandon staring
at Pete Miguel grinned, "OK, Brandon, down, boy.  Forget your boner for a
while – we got work to do."

<><> BLINDED BY TECHNOLOGY <><>

They moved the breakfast things aside and Miguel began the meeting by
opening his folder and going over the notes he had made in the kitchen.
Brandon asked a lot of clarifying questions and Finn stayed silent at first
until Miguel looked at him and asked, "Your thoughts, Finn?"

Thrilled to be addressed by Miguel, even if it was just about business,
Finn sensed a small crack in the ice.

"Well, sir, me and Tyler always categorize our needs before we give the
list to the office.  Some things are what we call just-in-time items –
stuff that you don't wanna order too soon in advance `cos they would just
clutter the storage sheds. Then you got things that can easily be stored,
and then food items that should be fresh.  The chefs, Will and the twins,
like to go shopping for them themselves, but we coordinate the billing with
the office.

"Thanks, Finn, sounds like a great system, but I'm not sure how we'd adapt
it to our big outfit."

"You use barcodes, don't you, sir?" Brandon asked.

Miguel frowned.  "Er, not much.  Some of the younger chefs have suggested
that but the older chefs, the ones in charge, tend to resist innovations
like that. Technology kinda scares them."

"Then right there's your basic problem, sir," Brandon grinned.  "I know how
they feel – I was scared about being a computer klutz, which is why we
hired Ryan.  He's brilliant.  He creates computer programs that are totally
user friendly – idiot-proof.  Your older managing chefs would understand
it and in no time they'll be wondering how they ever managed with the `old
way'.

Finn cleared his throat.  "Er, I don't know if this is possible, but d'you
think we could call Bob and Ryan and get their input?  We're getting into
stuff that needs technical know-how."

"Great idea," Miguel smiled (he actually smiled at Finn who felt a weight
lift off him.)  Brandon made a facetime call to Ryan and by a lucky chance
Bob was with him in the office. The phones were on speaker and Bob grinned,
"Hey, you guys, shouldn't you be in the hotel pool or on the beach there?
You're not in the office now, Brandon, you're on vacation."

"My fault, buddy," Miguel laughed.  I'm stuck with an antiquated purchasing
system down here and I roped in Brandon and Finn to help me."  (`Brandon
and Finn,' – it was music to Finn's ears.)  "We were wading into
computer stuff and we need Ryan and you to help us unravel it."

"You've come to the right guy, Miguel – our resident genius Ryan.  And
if he blinds you with science I'll try to translate.  OK, guys, shoot."

The meeting between the two men and three boys went swimmingly, with Ryan
outlining how he could custom-build a computer program.  Brandon and Finn
fired questions at him and Finn became quite animated, asking how his own
daily interface with the office could be adapted to a larger barcode-based
system run by older, computer-shy chefs.

On his chaise, with his eyes closed and a smile on his face, Pete listened
to the general tone of the meeting, especially Finn's lively contributions,
a far cry from his sullen resentment all day yesterday.  Pete became even
more aware of Brandon's kindness, cleverness, and his ability to bring
peace to an ugly, festering conflict, while all the time doing the job of
helping Miguel, the original purpose of their visit here.

In the end Ryan, Brandon and Finn were in a spirited conversation tying up
the details of a possible custom-built plan Miguel could present to the
managers.  Miguel said, "Bob, it feels like the boys have taken over and
you and I are kind of out of the loop.  I think I'll withdraw and join Pete
lazing in the sun on the terrace.

"But one last thing before I do that.  I could never explain the technical
details of this system to the hotel staff so I'm wondering if you could
spare Ryan to come down here and help me do that sometime.  I understand he
ran rings round the City of L.A. `experts' when he clinched the
construction company's contract with the City.  I could arrange for him and
his man Darius to spend a few days here, best room, free of charge of
course."

Bob replied, "I don't know if you can see the glow on Ryan's face, Miguel,
but your suggestion is an obvious hit."  He chuckled, "And don't worry –
I'll explain to Darius that he would have to wear a shirt."

<><> BRANDON TALKS TURKEY WITH FINN <><>

The men left the boys to it and Miguel pulled a chaise next to Pete.  He
pulled off his shirt and lay down beside him and spoke quietly.  "Pete,
that kid of yours is amazing.  He has, I dunno, a special kind of
intuition.  Frankly I wasn't sure how to go on punishing Finn for the
appalling way he behaved to Brandon.  I'm sure you saw I was giving him the
deep freeze and that scared him to death.  The mental agony he went through
was ten times worse than a whipping.

"But I kinda painted myself in a corner.  I wasn't sure how to melt the
deep freeze – and then Brandon stepped in.  It's almost as if he knew."

Pete said, "I've seen him do stuff like that before.  It's not quite
intuition, though.  It's that Brandon has a naturally kind heart.  He
senses when someone's hurting, feels their pain, and acts naturally to help
them.  He was hurt by Finn, but knew that Finn was hurting more.  He looked
for a way to help him, and when the meeting came up, he brought Finn in,
knowing instinctively how that would solve a whole lot of stuff.

"Incredible," Miguel said.  "He was hurt by Finn so bad he was in tears,
but he got over it by easing the pain of the very guy who had insulted
him. Face it, Ranger, you're a lucky man."

Just then the room-service waiter came in to wheel away the breakfast
table.  The meeting had just finished and Brandon asked the waiter to leave
the coffee on a small table inside the door to the terrace.  He wheeled
himself inside and Finn sat at the table facing him, leaving the men out of
sight on the terrace.

Brandon poured the coffee and said, "Good meeting, don't ya think, Finn?
Our Ryan is a boy genius and Darius is crazy about him.  That gentle Thai
look really turns him on – and Ryan worships the young black
construction guy – not to mention his ten-inch schlong."

Finn looked wistful.  "Yeah, they're lovers alright, just like you and
Pete.  I envy you guys.  I wish my relationship with Miguel was like
yours."

"But it is, Finn, if only you could see it."  Finn winced doubtfully.  "I
mean it," Brandon said, "except you keep trying to fuck it up.  OK, one
question ... do you love Miguel?"

Finn looked into Brandon's earnest wide eyes blinking under his glasses.
"Dude, I'm crazy about the guy.  It's not only his incredible looks –
that face and that body – but his, I dunno, his strength, the way he
puts up with my nonsense and stupid behavior.  Yeah, I love him Brandon
– and it scares me to death."

The boys didn't realize that even though the men were out of sight they
were not out of earshot and Pete said, "Hey, buddy, this sounds like it's
getting deep.  Maybe we shouldn't eavesdrop."

"No, it's OK, Pete.  I never have a chance like this to find out what Finn
really feels. Let's listen."

Brandon asked Finn, "Do you tell Miguel you love him?"

Finn shrugged.  "Not often, no.  No, I don't, and I don't know why."

"OK, Finn, let me have a crack at that one.  All this shit comes from your
past.  I bet that when one of your johns asked you to live with him, love
was not part of the deal.  Sex yeah, but if you ever told one of those guys
you loved him he'd run for the hills."

Finn sighed.  "Yeah, you're right.  There was one guy, a kind, good-looking
older guy.  There was something special about him, like the father I never
had.  I thought it was love and I told him so.  Everything suddenly changed
and he told me to leave.  I was just a hustler to him after all, a
short-term toy-boy."

"And do you think the same's gonna happen with Miguel?"

"It almost did last night, dude. He turned his back on me and I had the
most miserable night of my life.  I still don't know if he's gonna throw me
out."

"But dude, that wasn't `cos you told him you loved him.  It was the
opposite – you lost your cool and showed him your worst side by being
mean to me.  To Miguel that was the worst thing you could do, though god
knows I've been insulted worse in my time.  Trouble with you, Finn, is you
don't believe anything can be permanent in your life, `cos it never has
been up to now. You can't see the difference between Miguel and the guys in
your past who kept throwing you out with the trash after a couple of
weeks."

Finn frowned, "But be realistic, kid.  Look at the man, he's a fucking god.
He could have any boy he wanted with just a flick of his fingers.  Why in
god's name would he settle for a cheap hustler like me?  It can't last.  I
keep waiting for the axe to fall.  I was sure it was gonna fall last night
– it still might."

Outside Miguel winced.  "Dammit Pete, he's never told me any of this.  Poor
kid."

Brandon persisted.  "Let me tell you something, Finn.  For the longest time
Miguel was the only man in the tribe who didn't have a boy.  Like you said,
he could have had his pick – guys were almost throwing themselves at his
feet.  But we all realized he didn't want it to be that easy.  He wanted a
boy who was tough, who would be a challenge.

And that day at the leathermen's slave auction he saw you tied to the fence
with a `For Sale' sign round your neck and that resentful scowl on your
face, and he knew he'd found his boy.  Finn, you're a hot-looking guy, and
my guess is when he saw you tied up, with a torn shirt hanging over your
hot body, he got a hard-on right there.

"Anyway, the rest you know.  Under all the rebellions and fights, you've
grown to love each other a whole lot – if only you weren't too insecure
and pig-headed to accept it."

"But I don't belong in a place like this, Brandon, all this luxury, the
staff `sir'-ing us all the time.  I don't deserve this.  I belong ..."

"... back on the streets?  Don't be such a fucking dickhead, Finn.  Look,
one of the highest ranked and most admired men in this hotel is the
executive chef Miguel.  The staff love him and a lot of them want to get in
his pants.  But they can't because the big handsome chef already has a boy.
And that would be you, Finn – you're the boss's boy.  Funny, Randy's boy
Pablo throws that title around and it makes him feel ten feet tall.  But
you get all scared and insecure, and whimper that you don't deserve it."

Finn smiled at last.  "Brandon, what makes you so damn bright?  You fucking
nailed it, kiddo, you're right about everything.  How come you know so
much?"

Brandon chuckled.  "Just by listening to guys, Finn.  I'll tell you, being
in a wheelchair, when I'm in a room with lots of guys standing around, it's
like they don't notice me – they literally talk over my head.  So I just
sit there looking at their knees (or their crotches) and I listen – and
learn.  It's amazing what you can learn by listening to other guys, some of
whom even make sense."

Finn laughed, then turned serious.  "But dude, yesterday I said some real
vicious things to you, things no guy should ever hear.  Of course it wasn't
true about Miguel inviting you here out of pity.  That was pure bullshit
and I can't even believe I said it.  But instead of becoming my sworn
enemy, here you are being kind and ... and loving.  You broke the ice
between me and Miguel by saying I should join your meeting."

"Yeah, because you belonged at the meeting and gave valuable input.  Dude,
apart from being such a hot number, you do a great job running the compound
as house manager with Tyler.

Brandon grinned ruefully.  "You know, of all the stuff you said to me
yesterday, the thing that hurt most was when you said that, with my
handicap and all, I couldn't possible satisfy Pete in bed.  Well Pete, god
love him, shot that one down by taking me to bed and we had terrific sex.

"Oh I know what guys say behind our backs – `yeah, but what do they do
in bed?'  And I wanna tell them, folks, it's only the legs don't work.
Everything else, all the plumbing, works just fine.  Sometimes I'd like to
show them."

Finn smiled.  "Show me, you mean?  Dude, I'd go for that.  But what about
Pete and Miguel?  Pete hasn't had revenge yet for what I did to his boy."

"Oh, you know how the men of the tribe are, they'll do their usual thing,
they always get involved when one boy attacks another.  It's kind of a
ritual, that the victim's man punishes the aggressor's man. So I'm sure
Pete will follow the rules and square off with Miguel.

"But don't worry, Finn.  What I love about Pete is he's a gentle soul,
working all day in nature as a Forest Ranger.  The only thing that makes
him real mad is when he sees campers lighting a campfire in the forest, so
damn stupid, or doing stuff like cutting down a tree at Christmas.  So
he'll go easy on Miguel – probably just fuck him or something."

Outside on the terrace Miguel smiled at Pete.  "That don't sound like such
a bad idea, Ranger.  Not that I've lit a campfire or anything, but my kid
did insult yours.  Come on, let's go for a run and let the boys do their
thing."

They got up from the chaises, came into the room and feigned surprise that
the boys were still there.  "Er, kids," Pete said, "Miguel and I were
thinking of going for a run on the beach."

"That's just fine, sir," Brandon grinned mischievously.  "Finn and me have
stuff to do anyway."

Pete ruffled Brandon's hair – "see you later kiddo" – and gave him
one of his special smiles that always made Brandon melt.  Miguel bent down,
kissed Finn and said softly, "I love you, boy."

They left, and Brandon grinned at Finn.  "See, told you so.  OK, now for
that corny old question, dude.  Your place or mine?"

"Mine, I think," Finn said, and they made their way to Finn and Miguel's
bedroom.

<><> BRANDON CALLS THE SHOTS <><>

Finn threw the sheets back on the bed and said, "So how do we do this?"

"Same as you would with any guy, Finn."  Brandon grinned mischievously
"Damn, to think I have to give sex lessons to a guy like you.  OK, here
goes.  First I get on the bed like so..."  He wheeled up beside the bed and
nimbly pulled himself from his chair to the bed.

"Then I take my glasses off and get naked – though this might not be the
most elegant striptease you've ever seen."  He folded his glasses on the
bedside table, pulled off his shirt, then shuffled his shorts and
undershorts down over his legs and off. "Ta-da!  Your turn now.  Think you
can manage?"

"Asshole," Finn chuckled.  With exaggerated gestures he pulled his T-shirt
off slowly, undid his shorts slowly, one button at a time, then let them
drop, and stepped elegantly out of them.  He smiled.  "I, er, have a lot of
experience as a stripper, turning guys on."

"Works for me," Brandon grinned.  "See?"  He wrapped his hand round his
stiff boner.  "OK, stud, come and get me."

Finn hesitated, then climbed on the bed and knelt carefully between
Brandon's legs.  Brandon giggled, "Hey, I won't break, dude.  You make me
feel I'm stamped `Fragile – This Side Up'.  I'm a regular red-blooded
guy ... except my legs don't work."

Finn smiled down at him.  "I think I know which end is up, kiddo, I don't
need a sign.  You've got a great upper body, dude – real muscular."

"Comes from years of wheeling that chair.  They really should make it
standard equipment in a gym – have guys wheel up and down an inclined
board.  Their muscles would pop real fast."

All this light banter made Finn's nervousness disappear and he didn't
hesitate to raise Brandon's legs in the air.  "You are so sexy Brandon
... see what you've done?"  He looked down at his own cock that was rigid
and pointing directly at Brandon's ass.  "Spit OK?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Brandon grinned.

"Man that is a cute ass," Finn said.  He bent his face low and pressed his
tongue into the downy black fuzz around the hole.  Brandon moaned as he
felt Finn's tongue lubing his ass, preparing it for the cock, which came
suddenly without warning.  In one quick move Finn pulled his face back and
eased the head of his cock over the sphincter and slowly into the warm
tender ass.

"Dude," Finn sighed, "that is one sweet ass – soft as butter. Like it's
pulling me in. Damn, Pete's a lucky guy.  He must do this, what, every
day?"

"Usually twice," Brandon smiled.  "I can't get enough of the Ranger's big
dick.  I can tell you're an expert, Finn – feels so good.  Make love to
my ass, dude."

In the past butt-fucking was Finn's way of asserting his manhood, pounding
a john's ass hard to show he wasn't a tame hustler who could be pushed
around.  But this was totally different.  This time he was making love to a
sweet, gentle kid it was easy to love.  This was his way of making amends
for his former gross behavior – the opposite of the raving savage who
had hurt the kid so badly.

He smiled down at the big eyes gazing up at him, such gentle eyes that
Brandon's generous nature washed over Finn and transformed him from a
brittle bully into a loving friend.  It wasn't just the exquisite feeling
of his cock massaging the soft membrane of the boy's ass.  It was the
unaccustomed tenderness he felt for this loving kid who had shown him such
kindness and forgiveness.

"I love you, dude," Finn said, sounding surprised by his own emotion.  "It
feels so good, kinda different, you know what I mean?"

"There are all kinds of love, Finn, and the love between real close buddies
is one of the best – relaxed, easy-going, and deep.  You are such a hot
guy, with that sexy/savage look that could go either way.  Kind of
exciting.  I'm sure that's what excites Miguel."

Brandon was stroking his own cock slowly as he felt Finn's shaft pushing
deeper and deeper inside him.  "Only trouble is," Brandon grinned, "it's
gonna make me cum real soon."

Finn slowed down.  "Wait, dude, there's something else I wanna know.  Like,
er ... I mean, Pete fucks you all the time, I can see that.  But er ..."

"Do I ever fuck him?" Brandon chuckled.  "And if so, how?  Well, there are
not many things I can't do, but one of them is kneel, like you are.  So
you're gonna have to stay on your knees, buddy – just move a bit further
forward.  Give it a try."

Finn smiled.  He had rarely felt this close to a buddy, a bit like
conspirators sharing secrets.  Carefully he pulled out of Brandon's butt,
lowered his legs flat on the bed, and shuffled forward until he was
kneeling astride his waist.

"That's far enough, dude," Brandon said, "that should do it."  He reached
down, touched his own cock and stroked it across Finn's ass-cheeks.  "You
get the picture?  I'm sure you've ridden the cock of your Hispanic hunk
often enough.  Spit OK?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Finn grinned.  Brandon spat on the palm
of his own hand, reached under Finn's ass and spread spit on his cock.
"OK, cowboy, your move.  What Pete does is sits down on it hard and sudden.
I love that."

"Your wish is my command, sir," Finn smiled.  He paused, took a deep breath
... and sat down hard and heavy on Brandon's cock, till his ass was sitting
on his wiry mass of pubic hair."

"Aaagh!" Brandon gasped.  "God I love that – almost made me shoot."

"Oh no," Finn smiled, "this is where experience comes in – I used to
drive men insane with frustration as I brought them right to the edge and
backed off again and again."

He proceeded to give Brandon the same edging treatment, riding his cock
faster and faster before slowing down when he thought Brandon was about to
climax.  Brandon reached up and touched Finn's rippling abs and pecs. "You
look so fucking gorgeous riding my dick, Finn.  I can see why you turn
Miguel on so much – another way you drive him crazy, eh?"

"Yeah.  I love it when the alpha stud begs me to let him cum.  Damn that's
hot, and I'll make you do the same thing.  Never fails."

"Never, Finn?"

"Never.  I'll show you.  I wanna hear you beg me to make you cum.  Here we
go."  Finn went to town, teasing, taunting, alternately riding hard then
slowing down, using every trick to drive Brandon crazy with frustration and
beg for release.

But that didn't happen – and it was Finn who frowned in frustration.

Brandon laughed.  "Buddy, it's me fucking you, remember.  You may be on top
physically, but it's me calling the shots.  I've spent my life finding ways
round my physical limitations, and this is one of them that I learned with
Pete.  I can hold back my orgasm until I'm good and ready – I'm
edging-proof. When you asked if I fucked him, yeah, I fucked him until he
begged me to cum inside him.  I was the top man, just like I am now.  Try
me, dude."

Finn took it as a challenge.  He resumed his tactic as before, but it
didn't work any better this time.  Riding Brandon's cock and staring down
at his loving face with big shining eyes, Finn was consumed by affection
for his friend. He stroked his own cock as he rose up and down and said,
"Dude I wanna feel you cum in my ass.  Please man, I'm real close.  Dammit
I can always make guys shoot.  Please, buddy.  You wanna hear me beg, is
that it?  OK, I'm begging you.  You're driving me nuts.  Please ..."

"You only had to ask, Finn," Brandon smiled impishly.  "You look so damn
hot, of course I'll bust a load in your ass.  Ride it, cowboy ... here it
comes.  I love you, Finn ... aaagh!"

They both howled together as Finn felt Brandon's cock erupt inside him and
his own cock spurted jets of semen that splashed down on Brandon's chest
and laughing face.  With the sudden release of sexual tension Finn too
broke into lusty laughter.  He eased off Brandon's cock, fell forward on
top of him and hugged him tight.

"Dammit, kid, you sure know how to treat a guy," Finn said.

"I should," Brandon laughed. "I get lots of practice."

<><> MIGUEL & PETE FIND A CAVE <><>

After they lay together for a while recovering – from their sexual
activity and from their laughter – Finn watched in admiration as Brandon
wheeled himself to the shower, pulled himself onto the seat inside and
turned the shower on.  "Come on in, dude, the water's fine."

Finn was starting to realize that life for Brandon was not the obstacle
course he had assumed it to be.  After they got dressed Finn said, "Hey,
you wanna go out and take that zig-zag cliff path down to the beach and
meet the guys coming back from their run?"

"Love to.  Only I think they'll be gone quite a long while.  I had the
impression they were gonna do that crime-and-punishment' thing that we
talked about.  You know how men are.  But there's a bike path along the
beach we could take."

"Are wheelchairs allowed on the bike path?"

"This one is," Brandon grinned.  "If anyone gives us grief I'll just say
I'm allowed `cos I'm the friend of a friend of the hotel's executive chef.
And you'll have to back me up."

"Huh, I'd prob'ly slug `em."

Brandon laughed.  "I'm gonna put Bob onto you.  He cured Randy of that
`slug-first, talk-later' thing.  Well, almost cured him – kind of –
some of the time."

They were still laughing as they went down in the elevator, past the pool
and out to the top of the long path down the cliff-side.

They took their time, which was just as well as Pete and Miguel were
somewhat distracted on their run.  It had started out routine enough.  They
had come down the beach barefoot in board shorts and T-shirts.  When they
got out to the water's edge they took off their shirts, tucked them in the
back of their shorts and began their run, their eyes focused on the distant
point where the beach became lost in a haze of mist.

They chatted a bit as they ran.  "So, Miguel, you think you've got a handle
on how you're gonna treat Finn when we get back?"

Miguel laughed.  "I kind of have a feeling that your Brandon is taking care
of that as we speak."

"What do you think their doing?"

"You heard what they said, buddy.  Brandon was gonna show Finn he can be as
good in the sack as any boy."

"Lucky Finn," Pete said.  "He's in for a treat."

They lapsed into a silence for a while until Pete asked, "Are we headed
anywhere in particular?"

"Yeah, I wanted to show you something that young Danny discovered when he
worked here as a waiter, same time as I worked in the kitchen.  It became
kind of our secret.  We're almost there actually."

All Pete could see was the endless expanse of beach before them, far from
anywhere and completely deserted.  But soon Miguel veered off toward the
cliffs that towered over the back of the beach.  They looked solid until
they got closer and Miguel pointed to a big boulder, hiding a crack in the
cliff base, the opening to a hidden cave.

"Jeez, I can see how it stayed your secret, dude.  You'd never know it was
here.  Still panting they walked behind the rock and eased through the
crack that opened up into a largish cave, big enough to stand up in.  It
was surprisingly light, with beams of sunlight shining through the crack
from above.

Even so there was a strange feeling about the place and Pete said.  "Kind
of eerie, in a good way.  I don't think the cave resents us being here.
There's almost a feeling of anticipation, like anything could happen."

"Yeah.  Maybe the cave is expecting this to happen ..."  Miguel suddenly
wrapped his hand round the back of Pete's head and pulled him into a
passionate kiss.  Taken by surprise, Pete's momentary instinct was to
resist, but then responded with a churning tongue-probing embrace.

When at last they separated Pete uttered a stunned "Wow", and Miguel's dark
Hispanic features broke into a glittering smile.  "Been wanting to do that
ever since we got here.  You're a sexy man, Ranger, with that quiet
inner-strength you have, much more erotic than the flamboyant physical
strength other men flaunt."

"Er, thanks – I think – dude," Pete said still recovering from this
sudden turn of events. "Quite a compliment coming from a major stud like
you – a hunk straight out of a fitness magazine.  But, er, where do we
go from here?"

Miguel grinned.  "You heard what your own boy said to Finn.  You punish me,
that's what."

"Ah, Miguel, I don't pay much attention to some of the tribe's rules.  I
know you leather guys – you, Zack and Darius – like to play rough,
but I live a quiet life with my boy Brandon and we like it like that."

"I know, Pete, but my boy was so fucking vicious to yours I really need to
make amends somehow.  Sure, you're a man of nature, but come on, dude –
I know that under that strong silent Forest Ranger calm there's a tiger
waiting to spring out."

"Oh you think so, do you? Be careful what you wish for, man.  Pete suddenly
grabbed Miguel by the shoulder, turned him around and shoved him face-first
against the wall of the cave.  He yanked down Miguel's board shorts, then
pushed down his own and grabbed his cock that sprang out – still rock
hard from the kiss.  "You want punishment, stud?  How about a dry fuck?"

Pete grabbed Miguel's wrists and forced his arms up behind his back in a
painful double hammerlock, a move he used when subduing combative
lawbreakers in the forest.  Miguel gasped as Pete pushed his arms higher up
his back, then howled as he felt Pete's long dry shaft drive into his ass.
"Fuck that hurts, man."

"Punishment is supposed, man.  It's what you asked for."

"Aaagh!"  Miguel's shout of pain echoed round the cave as Pete held him
captive and pounded his ass.  Stunned by the sudden ferocity of Pete's
attack on his ass Miguel saw the tough Ranger in a whole new light.
Ignoring his screams Pete increased the intensity of his attack and his
long pole became a piston driving ever deeper into the leatherman's ass.

Instinctively Miguel struggled to get free but he was trapped in the
hammerlock at the mercy of the Ranger who forced his arms painfully higher
up his back.  Miguel was tough and had won many a contest with his muscular
black lover Zack. But now, as the fuck went on and on and the pain in his
ass and arms intensified, he knew that the suddenly-savage Ranger had
beaten him.

Pressed hard against the wall of the cave Miguel looked back over his
shoulder, tears running down his face, and pleaded, "I can't take any more,
man.  Please, finish me off, cum in my ass.  I'm sorry for the way my boy
hurt yours.  "You win, dude.  I give up, I submit ... aaagh!"

His scream bounced off the walls as Pete's pile-driving shaft slammed in
hard one last time and blasted semen deep in the tortured leatherman's
shattered ass.  Pete fell against the heaving back of the sobbing man, and
said quietly in Miguel's ear, "There, that should take care of that, buddy.
Punishment over, honor satisfied."

Slowly he released Miguel who groaned as feeling flowed back in his
tortured arms.  He moaned louder as the long rod pulled out slowly, then
heaved a sigh of relief.  Pete turned him round against the wall to face
him and gently licked the tears from Miguel's face.  He kissed the dark
eyes, then the lips – kissing the pain away as a parent does to a child.

"Fuck, man," Miguel panted as they separated, "You are one hot
son-of-a-bitch.  Anytime you wanna join us leathermen, you'd fit right in."

"No I wouldn't, buddy," Pete smiled. "I've worn leather in sex-games with
my kid `cos he loved that, but what we just did here was a one-off –
because you wanted it and I got off pushing a macho muscle-god to his limit
and hearing him beg for mercy.  But you know there's another phrase the
guys of the tribe throw around – `payback time'."  He reached down and
felt Miguel's still rock-hard dick.  "Good.  So let me show you what I
really wanted when you kissed me.'"

Pete picked up the T-shirts and shorts from the ground, shook them and
spread them out on the soft sand like a blanket.  Then he dropped to his
knees, lay down on his back and gazed up at the naked Hispanic towering
over him.

Miguel smiled down at the handsome face and flawless physique, striped by
the rays of the sun streaming in from above.  "So fucking beautiful.  But
dude, if you think I'm gonna give as hard as I got and pound the crap out
of you, you got it wrong."

"Good, `cos I told you, I'm more into love than revenge.  You think you can
handle that – shed the leather image and be a lover?"

"No problem at all," Miguel grinned, "especially when I'm looking at the
most gorgeous Forest Ranger to ever roam the woods.  So let's make love,
dude."  He spat on his cock, knelt down between Pete's legs, then leaned
forward and kissed him while he eased his cock slowly into his ass.  He
pulled his face back and smiled, "That feel OK, man?"

"You know it does, buddy.  A perfect fit."

And so Miguel made gentle love to the Ranger's ass.  An incandescent smile
spread over the Hispanic's chiseled features, in sharp contrast to the
wincing pain that had distorted his face only moments before.  "Damn this
feels good, Pete.  You're an incredible man – you and your beautiful
boy.  The perfect couple."

As the gentle caress of his ass continued Pete reached up and brushed the
dark hair from Miguel's forehead.  He stroked the high cheekbones and
square, stubbled jaw, then ran his fingers down the cleft at his throat and
between his pecs.  "Beautiful ... fucking beautiful, man."

They made love in this way for what seemed like an eternity, until at last
Pete smiled, "Dude, I wanna feel your juice in my ass – remember payback
time?"

"Glad you mentioned it, Pete, `cos I'm right on the edge.  Fuck, your ass
is so damn hot – and that face, that body, so damn sexy.  OK, here it
comes, Ranger..."

The only sound was their heavy breathing and the faint hiss of the distant
surf.  At this moment the magical cave was their only world, a small
private world for two strong, virile men to discover each other and make
love.  Lost in each other's eyes they smiled as Miguel quietly poured his
juice inside Pete, who rewarded him with a deep, satisfied sight.

<><> TWO NEWCOMERS <><>

As they lay together in the soothing coolness of the cave, Miguel said,
"Now I gotta face Finn, buddy.  I gotta somehow help him banish his demons
and feel secure."

Pete chuckled.  "Miguel, if I know my boy Brandon, I would guess that he
has already taken care of that.  He loves Finn.  His heart goes out to a
lost soul who's trying to shake off his past and feel secure at last."

"What do you think they've been doing while we've been gone, Pete?"

"Duh!  Pretty much the same as we've been doing."

"Really?  You think so?  Only one way to find out.  It's time we got back
to them."  They pulled on their shorts, grabbed their T-shirts and
reluctantly left the cave, with an unspoken promise to return.  They jogged
back along the beach until they came to the bike path where they saw in the
distance the unmistakable shape of a boy in a wheelchair and another
striding beside him.

When they came close they saw that the smiling Finn was resting his hand on
Brandon's shoulder.  "Hello, sir," Finn said, with a clarity and assurance
Miguel had rarely heard before.  Brandon and me have been having a great
time.  We've got so much to tell you."

Pete grinned at Miguel.  "Told you so."

Miguel said, "Yeah, we've been having a pretty neat time too.  Let's get
back to the hotel and then I am gonna take you all out to a great little
cantina I know on the beach a few miles away."

Pete leaned down and kissed Brandon.  "Well done kiddo."  He rested his
hand on the back of the boy's neck and they started back.  To Finn's
immense joy and relief, Miguel smiled at him and threw his arm over his
shoulder as they walked back side by side.

Back in the hotel they got cleaned up and were about to leave the suite
when Miguel's phone rang.  "It's Darius," he said and put the call on
speaker.  "Hey, Darius, what's up?"

"Sir, I'm glad I caught you – it's about the conversation you had with
Bob.  Bob spoke to Randy and – well, you know how that goes, Randy never
says no to Bob.  The upshot is that Randy's given me three days off work.
Seems Bob thought it would be good for my boy Ryan to come down there and
join you right away before you leave to come home, so he could help you
explain all that computer stuff down there."

"Darius that's terrific. I would love to have Ryan here before I leave, he
could be such a help.  I'll get you a real nice room right next to ours and
it'll be like a mini vacation for you two.  How soon can you leave?"

"We can be out the door in five minutes, sir.  We don't need to pack much
... except that we don't have too much in the way of fancy clothes."

"No sweat, buddy, we've got a ton of stuff we can lend you when necessary.
When you get here just check with reception and I'll have everything set up
for you.  Er, but ... there is just one thing, Darius.  When you get here,
you should probably be wearing a shirt."

Darius roared with laughter. "Bob already told me that, sir. Don't worry, I
won't let the side down.  I know the rules ... I'll try my best not to
break any.  OK, guys, see you all in a couple of hours."

Miguel shut off the phone with a satisfied smile.  "Gentlemen, it seems
that our little group is gonna grow by two – Darius and Ryan.  Think we
can cope?"

"Just adds to the fun, sir," Brandon smiled.  "I don't think Darius and
Ryan have ever been here, but you know Darius, nothing intimidates that
gorgeous young black stud.  He's confident wherever he goes.  There'll be a
few beating hearts, and stiff dicks, when he strides through the lobby,
with a good-looking Thai boy at his side."

Miguel laughed.  "As you say, kiddo, it adds to the fun.  OK, guys, you
hungry? Time for lunch."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 541


Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I
welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in
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