Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2021 23:28:12 +0000 (UTC) From: rw6789@aol.com Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 572 by Rob Williams A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 572 by Rob Williams Chapter 572 – ""WELCOME TO MY RODEO, DOC" IN THIS CHAPTER: Randy's brother, husky rodeo cowboy Charlie, is shocked to find he has another brother – the tribe's handsome therapist Doctor Steve. At first Steve talks to Charlie like a shrink, but soon admits his own lust for the cowboy. Charlie grins, "Welcome to my rodeo, doc," and the captive doc surrenders to the erotic spectacle of the sexy cowboy, flaunting his chiseled, shirtless physique. ______________________________________________________________________ <><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><> Randy's brother, the rodeo cowboy Charlie, is spending a week with the tribe and, right from the start, has been winning the respect and affection of the men and boys. The square-jawed, muscular cowboy fits right in, except for one major difference. Charlie has never had sex with men. Never even considered it. He is highly sexual, but he's a ladies' man, and can have his pick of the groupies who flock to him at the rodeo. Several of the men, when they previously joined the tribe, had never had man-on-man sex either but, unlike Charlie, they were eventually seduced by the lifestyle of the tribe and ended up fucking with the best of them. Not so Charlie. But although he is not into guy-sex himself, his Texas background and colorful rodeo life has given him a boisterous sense of adventure and sense of humor. His easy-going attitude comes down to `live and let live – different strokes for different folks'. He is amused by this rowdy bunch of great-looking guys and laughs, "I gotta say, dudes, what y'all have going here is pretty spectacular. Hell, you're the hottest bunch of guys I've ever seen. What is it, something in the water? If so, I'll bottle it and sell it – make a fortune." He is intrigued by what they do – men having their own boys, kissing, making love, and he's not above watching them as they do it. He watches one of the sexiest events in the tribe – the cop Mark making love with his surfer boy Jamie, which even makes Charlie's dick hard, helped along by young Eddie, whom he laughingly dubs "Y'all's resident blowjob maestro". Eddie says, "I know I'm a guy and all, but you can shut your eyes and pretend I'm a girl if you like, I don't mind. I just wanna suck your dick, sir." And he does, resulting in Charlie's explosive climax in Eddie's mouth – the first time he has ever been sucked off by a guy. The big question is, how will big brother Randy react to Charlie, a potential rival as both rugged gypsies look alike and share the same macho strength and energy. Their history doesn't augur well as they were rivals back in Texas, and now Randy has to prove he is the undisputed boss. They wrestle in the gym and, though evenly matched, Randy wins and then, in true Randy form, fucks his brother's ass. But that event is so intense that it jolts them into realizing that their rivalry was merely a cover for the love they truly share. Randy is impressed by how much Charlie is like him, as in Charlie's affection and kindness to the boys, especially their kid brother Ben. Cowboys were always a fantasy of Ben's and he hero worships Charlie, who offers to take him for riding lessons next day, along with his buddy Tyler. At first Randy had feared that Charlie might even lure his lover Bob away from him, but Randy quickly realizes that the mutual affection between the two men is not a threat. In fact, on his first night there, Randy shocks Bob and Charlie by encouraging them to kiss. Charlie protests, "Randy you know I don't do that stuff." But Randy persists. "I know, I know, and believe me, bro, I'm not trying to convert you, or whatever they call it. You'll still be the old Charlie. Except that in this room, us three – you, Bob and me – we're different, we're the bosses, we can do whatever we feel like – it's just between us. "I love both of you guys, Charlie, I feel real close to you ... in different ways, of course. You know my rule – if two guys want it and no one gets hurt, go for it. Hell, I always do. I would have been hurt at first, but not anymore, not after watching you all day, Charlie, and seeing how much like me you really are, especially in your affection for the boys." And so it's another first for Charlie. Won over by Bob's charm and stunning looks, he fucks Bob while Randy watches approvingly. In the end Bob is at the mercy of both rugged gypsy brothers. They cum all over him, and Bob's cock erupts in a plume of cum that splashes down on his already cum-soaked body. After the men's three-way climax Bob said, "Un-fucking-believable, guys. Thanks, Charlie, I know that was way outside what your used to. You feel OK?" "Stunned, dude. Fucking amazing. I'm not sure what it all means. I'm kinda reeling. Man, how do you top that?" "Don't worry, Charlie," Bob said. "Like I always say, take it easy, one step at a time. You're still the same glorious macho cowboy you always were, solid as a rock. You just had a new experience is all. Would you do us a favor and sleep here with us tonight?" "Wild horses couldn't drag me away, guys," the cowboy laughed. "Oh, forget the wild horses. Tomorrow it's tame horses and the boys. And then I get to meet the rest of your clan, including this shrink you mentioned, Doc Steve, who seems so important to you. I can't wait." ========= CHAPTER 572 ========= <><> CHARLIE'S PLANS <><> Randy, his lover Bob and brother Charlie slept soundly through the night and were woken in the morning by a knock on the door. Young assistant chef Will came in, pushing a food cart with breakfast – sausage, spinach and scrambled eggs, oatmeal, berries and yogurt, coffee, juice – the works. "Good morning, sirs, breakfast for three," Will smiled. "Where would you like me to set it up?" "Thanks, Will," Bob said. "Over there on the round table would be fine. Smells delicious." Charlie felt slightly embarrassed to be seen naked in bed with the two men but Will didn't bat an eye. Charlie watched bleary-eyed as Will set the food in the table, dressed as usual in his dark green apron and a white chef's hat perched on his mop of red hair. "Mornin' Will," Charlie said, propping himself up on his elbows. "Say, you look real cute in that outfit, I could eat you up." "Better you try breakfast first, sir." Will's freckled-face smiled impishly as he set the table. "Say, kiddo, how come you don't seem fazed by the sight of three men in a bed?" Will straightened up from the table and his eyes blinked behind his owl glasses. "Sir, I see so many things, all different combinations, in the course of my day visiting other guy's rooms, that I learned two things. Never be shocked, and keep my mouth shut. I take it all in stride, and discretion is a big part of my job. But stuff like this somehow gets on the grapevine anyway. I'm sure it already is. I hope you slept well, sir." "I tell you one thing, Will, sleeping with two guys is way different from sleeping with a woman." "Ya don't say bro!" Randy laughed. "I should hope so! You want me to show you how different?" "Randy, behave," Bob chided. "We don't want to embarrass Will." Charlie grinned, "He just got through saying nothing embarrasses him, Bob. Hey Will, you joining us for breakfast?" "Thank you, sir, but I've got to go down and help the twins with breakfast for everyone else. Only the bosses get breakfast in bed. "By the way, sir, your brother Ben is staying with me while his man Jason is away, and he was up early trying on clothes. He's so excited about his riding lesson today that he went down to breakfast wearing the cowboy boots you gave him and his cowboy hat Randy bought him. Right, so if there's anything else you need – fresh coffee or anything – just buzz my cellphone." He left the room and Charlie smiled. "God, that kid is cute. "Y'all done a great job with those boys, dudes. I'll do my best to give Ben and Tyler a treat today." "One I'm sure they'll remember," Bob smiled. "Come on, we gotta eat. Then Randy and I have one of our monthly meetings going over the figures and budgets. It can get real complicated. We begin up here at my desk, then go down to the office and join Brandon who gets his assistant Ryan to show us the computer spreadsheets he's built. The boy's a technical genius." Over breakfast they talked about some of the guys Charlie had yet to meet. Randy said, "I'll call Doc Steve and see if he's got some time for us this afternoon. He's real busy seeing patients, and he also does anger management training for the police department. That's how we met, after Mark had a session with him. Steve's got a fancy office in Beverly Hills, but he sees a lot of patients in his home office up there in the hills." Bob said, "And you should meet the other managers of the construction company, Charlie. Seth is one of them. He's Will's dad – big burly guy, looks a bit like a wild gypsy himself. Will's nuts about him." Randy added, "And I want you to get to know our fellow co-owner of the company, Zack." "Oh that's that handsome muscular black guy, right? Darius is his lover? Ben told me they're known as the second-floor guys – along with that hunky Hispanic guy I've seen – Miguel, I think. And Eddie keeps gushing about his Marine, Hassan, can't wait to meet him." Charlie chuckled. "Like you guys say, `So many men, so little time'." Bob said, "Not to mention my office manager Brandon and his man Pete, a Forest Ranger. Pete's crazy about him and they keep a low profile in their house across the street." "That's the boy I met in the wheelchair, right?" "Yes. He's a gutsy kid, so independent. He says he can do most anything the other boys do, and hates it when people mention his disability. And Charlie, he was so pleased when he met you that you didn't mention the wheelchair. Said you didn't seem to notice it." "I was aware of it, of course, but like you said, Bob, he was so confident and independent that I soon forgot about it. In the end I lost sight of it. That's a real tribute to Brandon." Randy's blue eyes sparkled as he watched his brother, showing so much warmth and affection for the boys Randy loved and protected. "Damn, I love you Charlie. You fit right in here – except for the sex thing, of course." "And that ain't gonna change, brother," Charlie laughed. "Although I'd kinda like to kiss Bob again – with your permission." "Come on guys," Bob said, "let's eat up and get to work before things get out of hand here." "See what a taskmaster he is?" Randy said. "Never lets me have any fun." <><> CHARLIE – TOUGH LOVE <><> After breakfast Charlie relaxed and watched as Bob and Randy huddled over Bob's laptop and Bob explained the latest figures. The discussion often got animated, as so much was at stake, and occasionally their disagreements got so heated that one or other of them would appeal to Charlie in frustration. "Guys," he laughed, "I'm in no position to give an opinion `cos I only understand one word in ten y'all are saying. But, boy, I love watching you two work together – two hot alpha men trading ideas that sometimes get so heated I think Randy's gonna drag Bob over to the bed and fuck some sense into him." "And don't think it ain't happened dude, and could easily again," Randy growled. Bob sighed, "If you two horny gypsies could drag your sordid minds off cock-and-ass maybe we'd get something accomplished here." Charlie laughed, and realized that this was the men's way of working together. It was, at the core, always love that drove them, with two understandably different perspectives – Bob's concern for the financial health of the company, and Randy's focus on how it would affect the actual work on the sites. Eventually they adjourned to the business office downstairs and Charlie went to his guestroom to get dressed for his riding date with the boys. He pretty much wore what he always wore to the rodeo – a shirt open halfway over his chest, sleeves rolled up, a bandana hanging loosely round is neck, tight jeans and the inevitable cowboy boots. It was almost eleven when we went down to the garden where Ben and Tyler had been waiting for some time in eager anticipation. He knew they had spent considerable time deciding what to wear and smiled at the result. Ben wore what he had yesterday, the same loose shirt in imitation of Charlie, and the cowboy hat Randy bought for him at the rodeo. Tyler wore an old T-shirt, jeans and cowboy boots that he told Charlie Pablo had bought for him as a way of "butching up" his look. "I know they look too new, sir ..." "There's no such thing as too new, Tyler. All boots, including the ones I'm wearing, started out that way, but they'll soon get scuffed up in the dust and dirt of the field." He noticed a smug look on Ben's face and guessed what he was thinking – that the boots he wore were not only old, they were `real cowboy boots' that Charlie had worn at the rodeo. But of course, Ben didn't say as much, as it would have been a put-down for his shy buddy Tyler. Charlie admired the boy's loyalty. "Here, I brought you these, kids. Two of my old sweaty bandanas that I've worn at the rodeo. Y'all gotta wear them, cowboys always do." Eagerly each boy slipped one over his head and let it hang loose round his neck. "I'll tell you why they're a must for cowpokes herding cattle. See, the herd stirs up so much dust that the cowboy pulls the neckerchief up to cover his nose and make breathing easier. When there's no dust he lets it drop loose round his neck like yours are. They get pretty filthy and sweaty – just like yours are." Bob and Randy had been watching them from the office window and smiled at the way the boys gazed up at in awe at their hero. Suddenly, there was an interruption as Eddie burst through the gate carrying his camera bag. "Sir, sir, you gotta have a cameraman to record this important event. Can I come too, sir?" While Charlie hesitated for a moment, working out the logistics in his mind, Eddie blurted, "If you let me come, sir, I'll suck your dick again when we get back." Charlie's face clouded. "Eddie, you're a great cocksucker, as I can attest, but that's only for pleasure. I hated your story of you in the back room of that bar, on your knees giving blowjobs for money. And now you're more or less using it to get a favor from me. "Like I said, kiddo, blowjobs are for pleasure, not for sale and not as bargaining chips. I have a feeling your Marine Hassan would not be too thrilled if you he knew you were offering blowjobs to get something you want." "Damn he's good," Randy said to Bob. "That's exactly what I would have said." Eddie blushed. "I'm sorry, sir, I know how it sounded, and I won't do it again. You won't tell Hassan, will you?" "Of course, not Eddie. It's what's called tough love – just between us." "I s'pose that means I can't come sir." Charlie flashed a dazzling smile. "Of course is doesn't mean that, and of course you can come, we'd love to have you. And you're right, the boys should have pictures of them on horseback – and I want copies to remind me of the great time I had with y'all." He flung his arms round Eddie and hugged him tight. "We're still buddies ain't we?" "You bet we are, sir, and I'll give you the hottest pictures you've ever seen." Randy said to Bob, "Eddie will love and respect Charlie even more after that. He's my brother alright – tough and loving at the same time. No wonder the boys love him." Bob smiled. "As you said, Randy. Just like you." <><> ROOKIE COWBOYS <><> "OK, let's go ride `em, cowboys. We'll take my truck." Ben sat up front with his brother, with Tyler and Eddie in the back seat. Excitement mounted as they swung through the gates of the LA Equestrian Center. Most of the merchant stalls at the rodeo were empty now, but there was still one shop selling riding gear, including cowboy hats. Charlie made Tyler try on a few and found one that fit. "Looks great on you, Tyler – you're a cowboy. He bought it for Tyler so the boy would have the same gear as Ben. That was Eddie's first picture of the day as Tyler posed proudly. Charlie was well known and popular with the staff at the center, the star turn when his Texas rodeo hit town on its circuit. He had called ahead and there waiting for them was a stallion that was a favorite of Charlie's and two even-tempered mares for the rookies. Eddie said, "Pay no attention to me, guys. I'm good at being invisible when I'm filming." He shot the preliminaries as Charlie explained to the wide-eyed boys what the lesson would consist of. They mounted – a bit unsteadily at first – and Charlie, on the stallion, led them around the field in a slow walk. Over the next couple of hours, as they gained in confidence, they progressed from a walk to a trot, during which their uncertain frowns changed to smiles and eventually laughter when they cantered for a while. Ben was more confident than shy Tyler, and Charlie was pleased to see how comfortable Ben was in the saddle. After a while they progressed to short gallops and it was there that Ben became, in his mind at least, a real cowboy. When he saw Eddie's camera focused on him he did what he had seen a triumphant Charlie do at the rodeo. He pulled off his shirt and whirled it over his head like a lariat, whooping and hollering. Tyler copied him – sort of, in his shy way – and pulled off his T-shirt, but without the triumphant wave. "That's it, guys," Eddie yelled, "that's the money shot. Hold it right there." He got several angles of the shirtless rookie cowboys, then said, "Now you too, sir." Charlie brought his stallion up between them and pulled off his shirt. And that was the picture Charlie always kept with him as a memento of his outing with the boys. <><> STEVE'S STORY <><> When they got back to the compound the boys were still rattling on excitedly, and Tyler ran into the office to show off his outfit and then call Pablo. Lunch had been over for a while now, but there were still two figures sitting at a small table under a tree, with their backs to Charlie, Ben and Eddie. "Hey," Charlie said to Ben, "ain't that Randy over there? I guess his business meeting with Bob lasted all this time." He frowned and squinted. "But that's not Bob with him now. Don't recognize him from the back." Ben and Eddie exchanged conspiratorial smiles, and Ben said. "I think I know, sir. You should come and say hello." They went up to the table, and the two men stood and turned. One was Randy, the other was a man Charlie didn't know. And yet ..." "Smile please," Eddie said, raising his camera. "Now this is definitely one for the archives. Four brothers, together at last. Great, and one more for safety please. This is too important to miss." As Charlie gaped in bewilderment Randy said, "Thanks, Eddie. Now perhaps the boys in the office would like to see your pictures." "Oh, I ..." But seeing Randy's insistent raised-eyebrow look ... "Oh, right, got it sir. Private family reunion type a' thing. I can take a hint. Later, Ben ..." Eddie walked reluctantly to the office and Charlie said to the stranger, "Hey, dude, I don't know you do I? Except ... " Randy grinned, "... except he looks a lot like me, eh Charlie? And you and Ben for that matter. Charlie, I'd like you to meet our brother Steve." "What?!" Charlie sat down heavily at the table staring at Steve who sat facing him. He blinked, caught himself staring and said. "Oh, sorry, Steve ... I was just ... I mean ..." "I know. Quite a jolt, uh? You're not alone. When Randy first found out he hit the roof and demanded a DNA test. When that came back positive he refused to believe it and fucked me in my office, to prove we couldn't possibly be brothers, and even if we were, he was the boss. I'll never forget his retort as he stormed out the door. `How's that for brotherly love, asshole?'" "Yeah," Charlie grinned, "sounds just like Randy. I guess it must be true then. But ..." "OK, OK," Steve laughed, "I'll put you out of your misery and explain. We did some research and it seems that our mom had quite the libido ... she was way oversexed. I guess that's where her sons' sex-drive comes from. Randy was only a year old when she popped another one – me. But she was poor, scraping by hand to mouth, and couldn't afford another kid so soon. "So she put me up for adoption, and the couple I got were as different from our hard-scrabble Texas family as possible. They were a wealthy childless couple living an upscale life in Marin County. You might say I had fallen into a pot of jam – tutors, exclusive prep school, Stanford University where I studied psychiatry. I must have inherited that oversexed gene `cos I fucked so many girls they called me Steve the Stud. "Problem was it was never satisfying, I went from one girl to the next – slept around a lot. So I immersed myself in work, moved down here and became a high-priced Beverly Hills therapist. "Then one day a certain construction boss on the other side of town, a big tough guy quick to anger and swing his fists, swung them too hard and injured one of his crew in a fight. The insurance company had a fit and threatened to drop the Company. "But Bob sweet-talked them – huh, that guy can charm the birds out of the trees – and they agreed not to drop the policy provided Randy got an assistant and took a course of anger management. That's how Darius became his assistant and Randy was assigned to me. Mark knew me from his cop anger management sessions, and suggested Randy see me." "And that's when the fun started." Randy took up the story. "It began when I fucked his ass. Turned out he enjoyed it, like you did, Charlie. Difference was, Steve realized why no girls ever satisfied him and, unlike you who stuck with the ladies, he discovered he was into guys. They always say therapists are the most fucked-up people around. It's him needed to see a shrink." "So, wait a minute, slow down guys," Charlie frowned. "You mean, a year after Steve popped, I was born, and I guess by that time she could afford to keep me. Damn, our mom really fucked around eh? So ... so that means I'm the third brother, not the second." Randy grinned, "That's about it, bro ... and I'm still the first, and don't either of you forget it." "And I'm still the kid brother to you all," Ben smiled brightly. Steve said, "So, although I resemble you two – same bone structure and physique, definitely the same eyes – I'm what Bob refers to as `the cleaned-up version'. But another thing we all have in common is that we all worked hard and became something. "Charlie, you followed your passion and became a highly-paid popular rodeo star. And here am I, a successful Beverly Hills therapist with a house and lover in the Hollywood Hills. And our little brother here is a hard-working mechanic. "And Randy, you started as an itinerant day laborer and, along with your lover Bob, plus a lot of sweat and tears, created a big successful construction company as well as a lively, loving tribe of men and boys that still never ceases to amaze me." Just then Will appeared with a tray of beers. "Thought you might be wanting these, sirs." "Thanks, Red," Randy grinned. "Perfect timing. `Cos what you're saying, Steve, is that we would all make our mom proud, god bless her." He raised his bottle. "So, my brothers, here's to mom. Without her and her healthy sex drive, we wouldn't be here and none of this story would ever have happened." The four brothers clinked their bottles in a hearty chorus – "To Mom!" There were a few moist eyes round the table as they drank up, and they made small talk for a while to cover their emotion. Then Steve said, "Listen, I hate to drink and run, Charlie, but I've gotta get back for my next patient. Hate to keep them waiting. I hung on here after lunch so I could meet you when you got back with the boys. But why don't you bring Ben up to my house tomorrow for lunch? We got a whole lot to talk about, you and me." "Sounds like a plan," Randy said, answering for Charlie. "And Pablo's more or less given Ben the week off so he can spend as much time as possible with brother Charlie." Charlie smiled, "I'd like that, Steve – get to see this fancy house pf yours. I've never been up in the Hollywood Hills before. But there's one thing, doc, I don't need no shrink session. I ain't no batshit crazy wingnut from Texas you know." Steve laughed that boisterous laugh all the brothers had. "Funny how people think you don't need a shrink unless you're some raving nutjob who thinks he's Marie of Rumania. "Most of my patients just need to talk out their anxieties and life's problems, or learn how to control their anger like I tried to do for Randy here." "Yeah, and look how that turned out, Doc," Randy grinned. "Personally," Steve continued, "I would like to find out all about the brother I never met, but of course we don't have to talk unless you want to. We can just kick back and have lunch, and you can meet the two guys I live with, Lloyd and Tommy. "Sounds great, Steve. How about you, Randy?" "I gotta work early tomorrow, make up for the time I already lost today in this meeting with Bob. But I'll try to come up and join you in the afternoon if I can get off early and hand over to Darius." He grinned, "You know, my assistant the insurance company insisted on `cos they thought I was batshit crazy. Maybe I was," he laughed. "But you take me as you find me, like it or not." "I'm beginning to find that out, big brother," Charlie grinned. Before Steve left, Eddie came rushing out of the office. "Sirs, sirs, please ... I gotta get a picture of all the brothers together." "Sure kid, why not?" Randy smiled, and they got up from the table. Randy stood behind Ben, hands resting on the boy's shoulders, and Steve and Charlie stood on either side of Randy. "Smile please, guys?" And that was the picture all four brothers carried with them ever after. <><> DINNER & A MOVIE <><> That evening at dinner Eddie put on a show. He had worked hard all afternoon in his basement studio that Hassan had helped him equip in their house across the street. Eddie had gone through all the pictures and videos he had taken since Charlie arrived, including those Ben had taken at the rodeo with his cellphone. He had edited it, even included music and added titles and captions. He made the title "Charlie". It took him right up to dinner time, and it was by no means perfect yet, but good enough to show the dinner crowd. He set up a portable screen at the end of the long table on the lawn and sat close to it with his laptop. "Wow," Charlie said, "this is some setup. You'll be quite the star for after-dinner entertainment." "No sir, you are the star – beginning to end. It's all still a bit rough – didn't have time to clean it all up, but it's still pretty exciting. I want Hassan to be proud of me." Hassan himself arrived at that moment and sat next to Charlie, who had a real conversation with the Marine for the first time. "I'm always proud of him, Charlie. He's become real good at this camera stuff and really impressed the director of the big movie their making down at the beach." "He's a great kid, Hassan, and he obviously worships you. Talks about you all the time. But I don't really see him as a military boy in any way, so different from you." "Thank god for that." A smile spread over Hassan's swarthy Arab features. "I get that all day with the Marine cadets all trying to act macho. When I get home Eddie is a breath of fresh air with his cheeky smile and sense of humor. I can even stop that machine-gun mouth of his." "How d'you do that, dude?" "Easy – shove my dick in his mouth. I hear you got to sample his talent in that direction when you were at Mark and Jamie's." "Un-fucking-believable, dude, even though that's not my thing with guys. First time actually." "Glad you liked it, man. And if you want more of that while you're here go ahead, you have my full approval. Eddie would love it." Charlie and Hassan got along well, cowboy to soldier, and at the end of the meal Hassan said, "Time for the after-dinner movie. I'm crazy about the kid – watch how he milks this." Hassan was right. Eddie presented the movie with theatrical flair, using words out of old-movie promotions – super ... colossal ... amazing. In fact, the movie was very impressive and brought loud `oohs' and `aahs' from the crowd, bursts of applause and a standing ovation at the end. Charlie went up to the glowing Eddie and raised his arm in the air. "My hero," he shouted. "He made me into a movie star." As the boys helped an excited Eddie pack up his gear Bob sat down next to Charlie. Those shots of you left lots of stiff dicks around the table, Charlie. Very sexy. And talking of hard-ons, what's your choice for tonight? You're welcome to shack up with Randy and me again." "Thanks, Bob, it's tempting, but I think I'm gonna sleep alone in your guestroom. These last few days I've been bombarded with a bunch of new sights, acts and sensations and my thoughts are reeling. I need some time to make sense of it all." "Good choice, Charlie. And if you're still confused in the morning, as I predict, there's always your brother Doctor Steve to help you out tomorrow." "Yeah I know. But like I told Steve earlier, I don't want no shrink session. That's all very well for y'all California dudes, but us Texans like to muddle things through for ourselves." "I understand, Charlie, but we don't think of Steve as a shrink but as a friend. He's talked to most of us in his time and helped us straighten out our problems. And hey, he's your brother." "`Yeah, Bob, that's one of the things I'm still coming to terms with. It's a lot to take in. Steve's the second brother and I'm the third – kind of a demotion." "Hardly a demotion, Charlie. And I bet Randy was quick to remind you he's still the first." Charlie roared with laughter. "You know Randy, Bob – always big brother, always the boss – except with you, it seems." "Yea, we pretty much take turns bossing each other. Think of it as self-preservation. `Night, Charlie. Have fun with Steve tomorrow." <><> IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS <><> In the morning Charlie woke early. He had slept well and, if his mind was still confused, it was a lot calmer and happier. He enjoyed being with these guys, and determined to just enjoy himself. He pulled on jeans, boots and a T-shirt and bumped into Will in the corridor. "I was coming to see if you wanted breakfast in bed again, sir, but I see you're up." "Yeah, I thought I'd join everyone else downstairs." "It's real casual, sir, a buffet breakfast, `cos all the guys go to work at different times. Randy's already left. He's always the first on the site. Well, I better get back to the kitchen." "You seem to spend your life cooking, Will." "A lot of it, sir. I love it, it's my passion. And the twins are my other passion – them and my dad Seth. One evening we want you to come to dinner, at Seth's house, sir – you'll like him." As Will ran off Charlie smiled. That phrase, `I love it, it's my passion' appeared to be the theme for all the boys – Ben, Eddie, Tyler, Jamie, and all the others he had met. There was a lot of love and passion around in these guys – they seemed to have hit on a magic formula for living. It was in this buoyant mood that he met Ben at about eleven to go up to Steve's house. Ben was brimming with joy, but now that the time had come to leave, Charlie's buoyancy was tinged with unease. Sure, he was a well-paid rodeo star and wined and dined a lot. But he was still a gypsy cowboy and was not sure if he would fit into the elegant world of this smart professional. He drove his truck with Ben beside him giving directions, and his unease deepened as they traveled along Mulholland Drive on the spine of the Hollywood Hills, lined with luxury houses behind high hedges. When they pulled up at the gates of Steve's house, the security camera swung to face them and the intercom crackled. "Hello, sir, welcome. This is Tommy, I've been expecting you. Come straight down the driveway and I'll meet you at the front door." The gates swung silently open and Charlie inhaled sharply as the impressive house came into view at the end of the long drive. At the door stood a handsome young blond (`what else?' Charlie thought to himself). Ben jumped out, ran to Tommy and hugged him. Then Tommy turned his attention to his big brother. It was true, he looked very much like Randy, and Tommy's dick got hard as it always did for Randy. Tommy's square-jawed features broke into a gleaming smile as they shook hands. "A real pleasure to meet you, sir. We've heard so much about you, you're the talk of our grapevine, and I see all the praise was definitely merited. I'm Steve's assistant and house manager. The doctor is out on the terrace, if you'll follow me." As they walked a short distance behind him Charlie chuckled to Ben, "Huh, how did I guess Tommy would be drop-dead gorgeous. And look at that bubble butt." Ben giggled. "He always walks like that, sir, to show off his butt in those tight black pants. He started out as an ice-skater and now he's a gymnast, both sports that make great asses. You should see him doing his gymnastic routine in tight spandex shorts – maybe you will, sir. "Randy always drools over that ass and fucks Tommy every time he comes here. And Tommy just loooves to get ploughed by Randy – can't get enough. Like, did you notice his package bulging in his pants when he met you. As you look just like Randy Tommy's got the hots for you too, sir, I guarantee." "But does he know ...?" "Oh sure, everyone knows you're not into guys, sir – except maybe to look at – so don't worry, he won't embarrass you. But he'll prob'ly jerk off afterwards thinking about you." They blinked as they walked out to the terrace in the gleaming sun. Steve was sitting in the shade of the long awning by the pool, and he stood up with a broad smile. "You made it, Charlie, welcome to our humble home. And you, little brother." Steve hugged Ben as Tommy said, "May I take your drinks order, sir?" Charlie said, "Beer for me would hit the spot, thanks Tommy." Ben gushed, "Tommy, I'll come help you in the kitchen, dude. I have soooh much to tell you." <><> THE NON-SHRINK SESSION <><> Before he sat down Charlie shaded his eyes and looked at the spectacular view of the hills that stretched far off, all the way to the ocean shimmering silver in the far distance. "Holy fuckin' shit, dude, y'all got a fucking gorgeous spread here. Oh, sorry, dude. Guess I should watch my language in a place like this." Steve clamped his hands over his ears. "Oh no, he used the F-word, and the S-word." He threw back his head and laughed. "Charlie, relax will you? You'll hear those words all the time around here, and every cuss word from A to Z, and a few that aren't even in the alphabet. Just because the house is fancy don't mean the language is. Shit, you don't think Randy watches his language when he's here do you?" "No," Charlie grinned, "too busy watching Tommy's ass." "Yeah, there is that. Our big brother has a fixation on that perfect butt, and Tommy on Randy's cock. It's a match made in heaven – and on the deck, in the gym, in the pool and practically every room in the house – even one time across my office desk. My case files ended up sticky." Charlie laughed. "Tell you the truth, Steve, I did feel intimidated when I walked in here. See, I do pretty well on the rodeo circuit and make plenty of money that's all piling up in the bank. They call me a star and I get my pick of the ladies. But I know I'm still basically a sweaty gypsy cowboy, and could never measure up to a classy, brainy professional like you in this gorgeous house. I mean, you're ..." "... I'm your brother, Charlie, so stop right there. I was a gypsy boy once, so how do you think I felt when I was growing up in preppy, buttoned-down Marin County? Hell, I'm sure I was the only gypsy Marin had ever seen, except in the movies. But the right education, the right grooming, the right haircut eventually ironed out the gypsy in me and I ended up a rich post-graduate student in Stanford. "But you know what's wrong with that picture, Charlie? The word `right' – as in `right' education, `right' grooming, `right' haircut. There's no such thing as `right'. There's equal value in being a therapist, a rodeo cowboy, construction worker or mechanic, and we four brothers prove that. We've all done well in our field, and I'm sure Ben will have his own mechanic's business one day, with the help of his big brothers. "Which reminds me – all that money you got piling up in the bank. You must talk to Bob. He's a financial wiz and manages all our investments. "But money aside, even if a guy is not a success in life, he still has his worth as a human being. See, hard work is one thing, but life is more about luck and timing than anything else. Like Randy meeting Bob one day in that sleazy bar, against all the odds. It turned his life around. "I met my partner Lloyd by chance `cos he was Randy's architect, and we fell in love and decided to make a home together here in the Hills. But you don't need a big fancy home `cos you've chosen a colorful life that keeps you on the road most of the time, and you became a star. You love being an itinerant gypsy, like most of your brothers started out. Oh, maybe one day you'll get married and settle down with a family." "Ah, there you're wrong, Steve. I love life on the road too much. If I had a wife and kids I'd leave them home best part of the year. I don't want to be tied down ..." A distant look came to his eyes. "Although, now I see Randy, Bob and all the men and the kids of the tribe ... "God they're a great bunch of guys, Steve. Young Will said to me only this morning that he loves working in his kitchen ... `it's my passion' he told me. And it seems that most of those guys are following their passion – and I've fallen in love with all of them. Ben, of course, cheeky Eddie talking endlessly, shy young Tyler, his eyes sparkling as he sat on a horse, those wide-eyed kids Vic and Noah in the office. "At first I was confused by the idea of every man having his own 'boy' but now I kind of envy them. I love doing things for those kids. Except," he frowned ... "except there's always this barrier of sex. I mean, they all fuck each other and I ..." "Ah I wondered when we'd get to that. `And you what', Charlie? You don't fuck guys, not your thing? But you say you love all these guys and you've even fooled around with some of them – let Jamie suck you off, not to mention the expert Eddie. And of course, with Randy urging you on, you kissed Bob and even butt-fucked him. You even had your own ass fucked by Randy ..." Steve shrugged. "Well OK, that's different `cos Randy fucks everyone – even me. "But none of that means you're converting or anything. You're still you, Charlie. Look, a lot of those alpha guys – Randy, Bob, Zack, Seth – started out with wives, mostly in unhappy marriages, and when they discovered man-sex they jumped ship to our side. But that's not your thing and never will be, I can tell that about you – you value your independence. "Thing is, I hate labels, they're so false. I always think sexual orientation is a matter of percentages. Some guys are at one end of the scale, others at the other end, with a lot of us somewhere in between. A lot of people frown on the idea of bi-sexuality, but it's a fact of life, dude. I prefer the word pansexual – gender doesn't count, you indulge in whatever you want. You still have no idea the stuff these guys get into ... huh, wait till you meet the leathermen on the second floor. "But it's all good. With the major proviso that it's always consensual and nobody gets hurt. What you have going for you, Charlie, is your curiosity, your easygoing sense of fun and adventure. All that's perfect for the rodeo life – and a good basis for living. So don't put labels on anything, dude. Go ahead, live your life and do whatever feels right at the time. "But there is one thing I sense in you, Charlie. Although you love your life on the road, there's part of you that misses coming home once in a while, to a family that centers you and gives you joy. As you said, the answer in your case is not to get married and have kids. That would lead to problems. "But you know what, Charlie? Here's the best part. You already have that family, complete with relatives who love you. The kids idolize you and you love doing things with them and for them, like the riding lesson. So there's your answer, Charlie. Use the tribe as your home, and whenever you get time off from the rodeo or need to take a break, come home to all of us. We'll be waiting for you with open arms." Steve smiled. "You ever heard of T. S. Eliot?" "No, who's he?" "He was a poet, and he came up with the neatest phrase for how you should think of this tribe: "The still point of the turning world." <><> WELCOME TO MY RODEO, DOC <><> Charlie smiled. "Doc, I feel like I've just been through a shrink session." "No, Charlie, a brotherly conversation. If you had been a patient I would be in dead trouble professionally, even lose my license. See, a basic rule for therapists is never to get emotionally involved with patients. And I did. When you first walked out here I got a hard-on and it's never gone down." Charlie roared with laughter. "Well, bro, in the spirit of pansexuality, we gotta do something about that. "Oh, not that I'm offering to suck your dick to get you off, or offering my ass. I'll leave that to Tommy and his bubble butt." "No," Steve chuckled, "I don't need that. I'll probably go into my office and rub one out thinking about you." "What about going one better and looking at me. Like you can see in Ben's video, I can be a real show-off. At the end of the rodeo I hear all the cheering, ride round the arena, rip my shirt off and whirl it in the air like a lariat. We ain't got no horses here, no arena – except your office, where you say you've jacked off and brother Randy has fucked Tommy across your desk." Steve smiled at Charlie – definitely not the professional smile of doctor for patient. This one was larded with lust. "Let's go, bro." He took Charlie into his office and closed the door. "No one comes in here without knocking. Stand there, Charlie, just as you are. That's all I need." Steve was casually dressed (for him) in tan slacks with a smart brown belt, brown loafers, no socks, and a plain white short-sleeved shirt, which he unbuttoned, pulled off and folded over a chair. He had a white tank under it that he also took off and hung it over the shirt. Stripped for action, he leaned against a full-length wall mirror and gazed at Charlie. Charlie, as usual, was wearing beltless jeans, cowboy boots and a loose black shirt, sleeves rolled up, and unbuttoned halfway down his chest, falling open to give a glimpse of his pecs. He felt a bit weird just standing there, arms hanging limply at his sides, not sure what he should do. But when Steve groaned, "Damn, you are one sexy son of a bitch, bro – fucking gorgeous," it was like applause at the rodeo – Charlie's cue for action. He smiled the same roguish smile as Randy's and slowly unbuttoned the rest of his shirt. Making intense eye contact with his brother he pulled the shirt out of his waistband, shrugged it off and hung it over his shoulder. "Fuck," Steve moaned, staring at the muscular cowboy standing stripped to the waist, stroking his own solid pecs and ripped abs, flexing to show them off. His lats slanted down from broad shoulders to his narrow waist, cinched by tight beltless jeans. Charlie pressed his fists into his waist, flared his lats and flexed the muscles of his torso. "Damn!" Steve unzipped his slacks and pulled out his cock, as long and thick as both his brothers' rods. As he stroked it he stared at the bare-chested cowboy, his dark gypsy features smiling seductively as he rubbed the bulge in his jeans. "Fuck," Steve said, "I'm not sure how long I can keep this up, dude, my dick's already dripping pre-cum." Charlie walked up close to him and pierced him with his laser blue eyes. "Where's your sense of adventure, man?" He pulled Steve's hand off his cock and pushed both arms behind his back. He stepped back, pulled his own shirt from off his shoulder and twisted it into a rope. He spun Steve around and pressed him face-first against the mirror, his hands still behind his back. Too stunned to resist Steve let Charlie use the shirt to tie his wrists behind him. Reflexively Steve tugged at them but realized they were tied tight. Charlie grinned, "Captured by a cowboy, eh doc? Big muscle-stud like you – bit like roping a steer." He pressed his bare chest against Steve's back and grinned over his shoulder into the mirror. "See, up to now you've done all the talking. But now ... welcome to my rodeo, doc." He stepped back and turned his captive round again, back to the mirror. Steve's cock stood out hard as a rock and Charlie slapped it. "Big fucking hunk a meat, just like Randy's. I'm still burning about the way big brother Randy fucked my ass, knowing I'm not into that kind a' shit. Cowboy creed – I gotta get revenge for that. And as I've got his brother here at my mercy, I guess y'all are gonna have to take the heat instead of him." Charlie laughed. "Oh, not that I'm gonna plough your ass, dude. Like I said, I don't go for that stuff, not with guys. But I got other God-given talents I can torture you with – my vanity for one. Like I told you, I know how to turn on a whole rodeo crowd by ripping my shirt off and flexing my biceps. I can just sit there on a horse, stripped to the waist, pumping my fist in the air and I guarantee there are orgasms all over the place. And now I've got an audience of one – and here's the kicker, dude. You can't touch your fucking dick. It's dripping pre-cum, you're longing to bust your wad, and I'm gonna make you suffer, make you choke on lust, just looking at me." "Please, man, my nuts are fit to burst and ..." "Did I say you could talk, man?" Charlie went close and cupped Steve's chin in his hand. "You want it the hard way, dude? Something like this?" Holding his face in a vise-like grip Charlie pressed his bare chest against him ... and clamped their mouths together in a grinding kiss. Steve gasped, stifled, forced to exchange the same beery breath as the cowboy's, in and out. Worse, the bulge in Charlie's jeaned churned against Steve's cock until he was on the edge of climax – when Charlie abruptly pulled away, turned and paced round the room. "See, with horses and bulls in the ring I can use a whip to get obedience." He pointed at the shirtless doc. "But with you, man, I don't need no whip, or need to fuck your ass. I can fuck with your head, man, and your eyes. So watch and suffer, doc." He paced again and his eyes settled on Steve's discarded shirt and tank on the chair. "Hey, maybe I'd be good at giving shrink sessions, doc, kinda like what I'm giving you now. All's I gotta do is dress the part." He picked up the tank and pulled it on. Stretched over his muscular torso it made him look almost sexier than bare-chested. The mirror Steve was leaning against was wide and Charlie got a full view of himself next to his bound captive. He started to pose and Steve went wild, tugging at his bound wrists, desperate to touch his cock and shoot his load. Charlie ran his hand over his own chest, pulling down on the thin cotton to give teasing glimpses of the cleft between his pecs. He raised his arms in bicep-flexing poses, then tensed his ripped abs and punched them to show how solid they were. "See, us cowboys learn how to take punishment ... not like you're getting, though. I can tell you're really suffering, dude." "Please, Charlie, untie me ... let me touch my cock. I gotta cum, my nuts are fucking bursting." "Not a chance, doc. I still gotta see how I look as a doc myself." He pulled on Steve's dress shirt, tucked it into the waist of his jeans and buttoned it hallway up to reveal just a glimpse of the tank underneath. He admired himself in the mirror. "I always think that looks sexy, don't you doc? Just a hint of the body underneath, enough to tease the audience and drive them crazy." He was right. It was driving Steve crazy and pre-cum dripped even faster from his agonized cock. Still staring in the mirror, Charlie said, "You know what I always wanted to do at the end of my rodeo ride? You know that famous scene where Clark Kent rips open his shirt and becomes Superman, with that blue tunic thing underneath. But nah, I thought it might look a bit cheesy. What d'ya think, doc?" He stared at himself ... then ripped the shirt open with both hands, the buttons flying. He admired himself, then pulled down on the shirt, making it rip and hang in shreds over the now-sweat-soaked tank. "Yeah, that looks fucking great, dontcha think?" He posed again, smiling at his reflection, then high-stepped arrogantly round the room, pumping his fist in the air. "Yeah!" Steve flashed on the fantasy of the cowboy astride his horse, his shirt hanging in shreds over his muscled body, and he could almost hear the crowd roar. "Now this is where the doc becomes a cowboy again," Charlie laughed. He pulled the remaining shreds of shirt from his body and admired himself in jeans and a sweaty tank top. "Now that I am definitely gonna do next show. Fuck, man, they'll go wild seeing me in an old tank like this on a bucking stallion." "Dude," Steve groaned, "I'm already going wild here. I'm begging you, bro, please let me cum. I can't take any more." "Doc, nobody's stopping you. You said yourself, when you feel like doing something, just do it. Maybe the picture's not sexy enough. How about this, dude?" Charlie stared at himself once more, his sweaty tank clinging to his rippling muscles as he raised both fists in the air and pumped them in triumph. The tank pulled free of the jeans at the waist and rose up, giving taunting glimpses of his abs. "Oh what the hell?" he laughed. "Cheesy or not, this'll get `em swinging from the rafters. Here it comes, doc." Charlie grabbed the neck of the tank and jerked it down to the sound of ripping fabric, until the tank was hanging in shreds over his heaving chest. Steve had seen many great sights in his life but nothing matched what he was looking at now – the chiseled, musclehunk cowboy in tight jeans and boots, stripped to the waist except for the tattered remains of his shirt over the slabs of his pecs. "Charlie, please. I gotta cum ... please touch my cock." "What's your problem, doc?" He stretched both arms forward beckoning him tauntingly. Come on, man ... come on ... come on, let's see what you got. Let's see that jizz." Steve was going wild as Charlie fell on his knees in front of him, sitting back on his haunches, legs spread wide. "He grinned up at his struggling brother. "Come on, dude. Give it to me. Give it to the cowboy, bro." Charlie leaned further back, bracing his hands back on the floor by his boots ... and he opened his mouth. In a daze Steve stared down at the macho cowboy, ripped shirt hanging over his bare chest, his mouth open wide, waiting for it. Lost in the pornographic fantasy, Steve pulled frantically at his bound wrists and howled has his body tensed and his cock exploded at last in a massive spontaneous orgasm, blasting jets of cum in the cowboy's mouth, splashing over his face and his magnificent heaving chest. "Welcome to the rodeo, doc," Charlie laughed, and gulped down his brother's warm juice. <><> A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN <><> Still laughing. Charlie used the ragged remains of the tank to wipe the semen from his face, his chest and the ridges of his abs, then untied Steve's wrists. "Quite a workout, eh, bro? But it's your fault. You told me to go ahead and do whatever feels right at the time, provided it's consensual and nobody gets hurt. Well, it felt right, we're both consenting adults, brothers actually, and I don't think anyone got hurt – except for your sore wrists, maybe." Steve chuckled. "Dude, when I made that suggestion it never occurred to me that I'd be part of the `whatever-feels-right'. And damn, did it ever! You'll fit right in with the guys of the tribe, even though they fuck and you don't. "You looked fucking spectacular – pornographic. You gotta meet my lover Lloyd who's into staring at hot guys – follows them around at the gym. And Ben's man Jason, too. That guy is not only a gorgeous fireman, he's a total narcissist. Gets off looking at himself in the mirror when he's working out, and our little brother loves it. You and he would get on well." There was a tap at the door and Tommy came in. He grinned as he surveyed the scene, with two half-naked men, one smothered in cum, and rags on the floor. Regaining his poise he said, "Sirs, lunch is on the table on the terrace. Ben's already there and Randy called to say he can get off work early and come up to join us in an hour or so. Er, is it OK if, after lunch, I go downstairs to the gym for my gymnastics routine as usual?" "Of course, Tommy. If you don't mind an audience of Randy and his three brothers." "Sir, I like an audience as much as your brother Charlie does, except his are in the hundreds." "Not always, Tommy. Sometimes Charlie has a captive audience of one." "So I see, sir," he grinned and left the room. Steve smiled. "You probably realized, bro, that Tommy wants to go through his routine precisely because Randy will be watching. He loves to show off his ass to him and ... well you get the picture. Now that is something to see. Like I said, Randy's huge dick and Tommy's perfect ass – a match made in heaven – or in the gym, or wherever." "Damn," Charlie laughed, "you guys don't quit do you? I can hardly wait." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 573 Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter turned you on, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com. ALSO, I invite you to visit my own Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You can read the whole story, with extras including pictures and biographies of all the characters. AND DON'T FORGET – IF YOU ENJOY THESE STORIES, PLEASE DONATE to this site. Nifty needs your donations to provide these thousands of wonderful stories. So please go to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html and donate what you can. All the other writers and I thank you.