Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2022 22:46:30 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 576  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 576 by Rob Williams

Chapter 576 – "COWBOY CHARLIE SHOOTS FROM THE HIP

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Aussie hunk Adam and blond fireman Jason come home from Sydney where
they've had hot and heavy sex – assuming Adam's lover Chad will not
object. They're wrong. Chad invites gypsy cowboy Charlie and his boys to a
homecoming dinner that turns into the meal from hell. Hot-blooded,
straight-shooting Texas cowboy Charlie tames the warring lovers, giving it
to them with both barrels.
______________________________________________________________________

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

The once-shy Vic & Noah – the new boys of cowboy Charlie – were
growing bolder under his guidance.

One evening, after watching the hunky construction boss Seth make love to
his boy Will, Vic and Noah wanted Charlie to spend the night with them.
But Charlie had a concern.  "Kids, I'll level with ya'll," he said in his
Texas drawl.  "Every time we watch other guys make love, the man always
ends up butt-fucking the boy. I'm sure that's what y'all want from me.  But
I ..."

"No, no, no," Vic insisted vigorously.  "We've told you over and over, sir,
we don't expect that from you. We accepted right from the start that you're
not into sex with guys, and we know it ain't gonna happen."

Charlie said, "I love that forcefulness in you, kiddo.  It's what I want in
you boys, so no one will push you around.  So sure, dudes, I'll spend the
night at your place."

"Good, sir," Noah smiled, "`cos we have plans for you."  They became
playful as well as bolder and Charlie played right alone with their games,
as they tied him to the bed and seductively explored every muscular inch of
the cowboy's naked bound body.  And after that, the boys were walking on
clouds, happier than they had ever been.

But next day their happiness was shattered when raging boss Randy found
them alone at work in the office.  He harshly blamed them for a money issue
that angered him, and then, wildly out of control, destroyed their
illusions about his brother Charlie, falsely accusing him of lying to the
boys about his love for them.

Randy stormed out, back to work, but the damage was done.  Charlie
comforted his tearful boys, who begged him not to fight Randy.  When the
ugly truth dawned on Randy of what he had done he went back and desperately
pleaded with Charlie and the boys to forgive him.

They were willing to forget the incident – but Randy's lover Bob was not
so ready to forgive yet another of the big gypsy's rage-filled tirades.
The punishment this time was not physical, nor even a brutal fuck, a
penance Randy craved.  Instead, Bob made tender, passionate love to him,
even though Randy begged him to hurt him as a penance.

Bob frowned, "Hurt?  Yeah, you understand hurt don't you, buddy?  The
brutal way you hurt those boys.  It's love you don't really understand, do
you – the kind of love those boys and Charlie have for each other, that
special love that you almost destroyed?  You don't understand the love I
have for you, so intense it lets me forgive you over and over again."

Hearing Bob's sorrowful voice, feeling the tender caress of his face and
gentle massage of his ass, Randy was overwhelmed with shame and guilt, a
pain worse than any physical beating could cause.  And the big tough gypsy
sobbed in remorse.

Even when Randy climaxed Bob continued to make love and Randy pleaded, "I
just shot my load, dude, I can't take any more.  Please forgive me and cum
in my ass.  "Please ..."

Bob finally relented and poured his juice inside him – the balm that
soothed the troubled soul of the gypsy who had lost his way, and been
rescued once again by the love of his man.

After peace was restored and they lay together, Bob said, "Don't worry
about the tribe's reaction, Randy. I'll tell the twins what we've done here
and they'll tell Eddie.  And in seconds everyone will know that I have
punished you and made love to you all in one.  They'll all take their cue
from me, knowing I've closed the file on this ugly chapter, and that will
be that.

"Don't worry about your brother Charlie either.  He's as tough as you are
– it's bred in the bone with you guys.  His focus will be on the boys,
especially provisions for them after he leaves.

Randy smiled. "There you go again, taking charge and arranging everyone's
life for them."

"Somebody has to – someone who's not gonna lose his cool and start
swinging his fists."

"That ain't gonna happen again, dude, I promise you that."

Bob sighed.  "Randy, be careful what you promise.  How many times have we
closed out a chapter like this in our lives, with you saying `never again'?
And look how that turned out."

Randy flashed his roguish gypsy smile.  "Yeah, buddy, you have a point
there."

========= CHAPTER 576 =========

<><> BACK TO BASICS <><>

After his rage-filled diatribe that offended so many people, gypsy boss
Randy had made his peace with his brother Charlie and Charlie's boys Noah
and Vic – and then, at last, with his lover Bob, who now lay beside him
on the bed.

By now it was mid-afternoon and Bob said, "Do you have to go back to the
construction site?  If not, I'd like to explain to you the savings we found
that helped us give you the increased budget for overtime you say you
need."

That was the issue that had provoked Randy's rage in the first place.  In
running the construction company, Bob was the white collar executive in
charge of financing and budget.  Randy was the blue-collar (or
no-shirt-at-all) man of action, getting his hands dirty as the
authoritative boss of the construction sites.

It was a point of pride that they brought each project in under-schedule
and under-budget, two imperatives that were sometimes at odds.  With the
budget in mind, Bob had limited the funds available for crew overtime,
while Randy insisted he needed the overtime to complete the job on
schedule.  Bob and the boys in the office had worked hard to find the
savings to accomplish both goals – making Randy's angry eruption
irrelevant, and thus even more shameful.

Randy replied to Bob, "I left Darius in charge and he can easily cope for
the rest of the day.  I'll call him and tell him he can give the crew as
much overtime as they need.  As for the figures and finances, you know I
space out on that stuff, but I guess I should understand where you found
the savings from to make that possible."

"That's good to hear, Randy.  If you had taken that attitude earlier we
could have avoided that caveman scene that caused so much disruption
... OK, OK, we decided that's water under the bridge, so I'll drop it.
Provided you spend an hour or so with me here at my computer."

Actually, when they got off the bed Randy enjoyed sitting
shoulder-to-shoulder with Bob, both in only their undershorts.  That
proximity to his handsome muscular lover made his dick pleasantly hard,
even though it was a distraction in his struggle to grasp what Bob was
showing him.

For his part, Bob kept his explanations simple but not condescending, he
hoped.  Randy was still regaining his self-confidence after going rogue the
way he had, so Bob trod warily.

They made such good progress that they lost track of time until there was a
knock on the door and the twins Kevin and Kyle came in.  "Sorry to
interrupt, sirs," Kyle said, "but we'll be serving dinner in half an hour.
Just in case you need to shower first and, er, wash off all that jizz."

Kevin added, "Be careful not to get any in the keyboard, sir, it can
totally gum up the works."

"That'll be enough cheek out of you guys," Bob chuckled.  "But while you're
here I wanted to say something in front of Randy.  I don't tell you guys
often enough how much I value and appreciate all the help and support you
give me, especially through difficult times.  You spend so much time in
your kitchen that you're kind of in the background a lot, but without you
backing me up my job would be much harder.

The identical twins were wearing their standard dark green aprons and
chef's hats, and they now smiled, raised their hats high in the air, then
swept them low in the deep theatrical bow they always took before a meal
when Randy, as boss, thanked them in front of the tribe.

"It's our pleasure, sir," they said in unison, as the two men applauded
heartily and Randy shouted "Hear-hear".  Kyle asked, "And may we assume,
sirs, that peace has been restored?"

"You may," Bob smiled.  "I already told you exactly what went on here.  I
know you are usually tight-lipped about all the private stuff you see and
hear in here, but this time please feel free to tell everyone, especially
Eddie.  Knowing Eddie it will be everywhere within minutes and I hope all
the guys will realize that this incident is at an end – because I say it
is."

Randy cleared his throat.  "Er, if I could make another suggestion. Later,
maybe you guys would like to join Bob and me up here, just us four, for an
after-dinner drink and, er, whatever else ..."

"That's a splendid idea," Bob beamed.  "What do you think, guys?"

"Yes please, sirs," the twins said eagerly.  And so it was settled.

<><> STARRING – THE TWINS <><>

Most of the men and boys were already at the long dinner table in the
garden when Bob and Randy appeared, and there was a rustle of anticipation
as everyone looked at them for signs that the breach had really been
healed.

Bob was aware of this.  As he had said to Randy and the twins, the tribe
always took its cue from him.  So, while the seating appeared to be casual,
Bob was careful to make a symbolic point.  Charlie was flanked by Noah and
Vic, and Bob and Randy sat opposite them.  Bob chatted amiably with the
boys while Randy smiled across the table at Charlie, an indication that the
hatchet had been well and truly buried by the brothers – and not in each
other's back.

The tribe recognized the subtle signs for what they were, and breathed a
collective sigh of relief.  Pretty soon the noise level reached its
pre-trauma level of cheerful gossip and raucous laughter.

After the food was served and chefs Kyle, Kevin and Will emerged from the
kitchen, Randy assumed his role as undisputed boss of the tribe by standing
and thanking the chefs, who took their customary bow to lusty cheers.  The
twins sat beside Bob, and Will joined his dad Seth.

And so peace reigned, thanks largely to Bob's diplomatic efforts and
Randy's true remorse at offending Charlie and his boys so badly.  His bouts
of impulsive rage, followed by his stoic endurance of punishment, had by
now become an inescapable part of his image as leader of the tribe, and
even added to his sexual charisma and status as their homoerotic gypsy
boss.

When the dinner was over, and pairs and groups began weaving their way
home, the twins had a quick word with Bob and Randy.  Bob smiled his
agreement and Randy grinned, "Sounds like a plan, kids.  Hey, Charlie.  The
twins are gonna spend the night with Bob and me and they were wondering if
you and your boys would like to come up for a while for a brandy nightcap."

Charlie smiled, realizing this would be a way of book-ending the day's
drama with a nicely-lubricated family gathering.  "What do you think,
kids?"

Their reply was an inevitable, "Yes please, sir."

And so the group of three men, two senior boys and two juniors, wended
their way across the garden to the Boss House and up to the master bedroom,
where the twins quickly put together a tray of after-dinner drinks and
snacks.

Charlie sat between Noah and Vic on a couch, his arms stretched along the
back resting on their shoulders. Bob sat similarly on another couch flanked
by the twins, while Randy sprawled in his favorite armchair, surveying the
family scene with paternal pride.  It was a tribute to Randy's resilience
that he could go from pariah to paternal in the space of a few hours.

For a while there was casual banter about the men of the tribe – topics
such as the excitement of Ben, Randy's and Charlie's kid brother.  Ben's
man Jason was soon due back from several weeks in Australia, and Randy
speculated about Jason's friendship with the Aussie Adam who had spent time
with him in Sydney. "Wonder what Adam's lover Chad will make of that," he
said.

As the brandy flowed and the mood mellowed, Bob's keen antennas picked up
the conspiratorial looks passing between the twins who, over the years, had
developed such an intimacy with each other they could carry on a whole
wordless conversation with just their eyes.

It was no surprise to Bob when the twins stood up silently, moved to the
center of the room, and smiled into each other's eyes.  Randy and Bob had
seen this act before and settled back to enjoy the show.  Charlie was
intrigued, smiled at his boys and squeezed their hands before focusing on
the identically handsome brothers.

Kyle and Kevin held a special place in the tribe as its most senior boys,
in their elevated position as the boys of the loved and respected leader
Bob.  It was known how close they were with Bob, privy to his private
thoughts and thus to the inner workings of the tribe.

What fascinated most of the tribe about them was their intimacy with each
other, extending to making love to each other often.  In their youth they
had moved from one foster home to the next, with a constant fear of being
separated.  When Bob met them they had run away together and were homeless,
about to steal Bob's SUV to live in.  There had been an instant connection
and they were soon living with Bob, who promised they would never ever be
separated.

In the ensuing years the twins had inevitably become like Bob in many ways
– the same calm sophistication, common sense and shared amusement as
they watched the ebb and flow of the tribe's moods.

They had come to adopt the casual elegance of their Italian friend Mario,
and were now both wearing the loose white, linen shirts that Mario favored.
Like his, their shirts were unbuttoned halfway down and tucked into the
slim, tight waist of stylish black dress pants that perfectly displayed the
mounds of their flawless asses.

As they moved closer and kissed, Charlie was mesmerized.  By now he was
used to seeing men kiss, but there was something special about the serenity
of these handsome identical brothers and the naturalness of their love.  As
their mouths joined they ran their hands over the shirt's soft linen on
their brother's back and chest, then stroked each other's nipples under the
open shirt.  They pulled back, made love with their smiling eyes ... and
kissed again.

As he watched, spellbound, Charlie thought of the way his own new boys made
love to each other – not brothers, of course, though they were so
intimate that they could have been.  He imagined they had received much
support from the twins' example of brotherly love.

Even so, it was a surprise when, after their lengthy kiss, the twins turned
to Vic and Noah and beckoned to them.  The boys had always admired the
twins and been attracted to them, but now they were not sure what to do.
So naturally they turned to Charlie, who grinned, "Go for it kids.  Go have
fun.  You want to?"

"Yes, sir, but we're shy about showing off in front of Bob and Randy."

"Then show off for me, dudes.  You know I like watching you.  Show me what
you got."

<><> A DOUBLE-DOUBLE ACT <><>

Eager, as always, to please Charlie, the excited boys stood up and joined
the twins by the bed. Kevin smiled, "This double act is what we often do
for Bob and Randy, they love it.  So how about we make that two double acts
– for them, and for your man Charlie?  We know you guys get off on each
other all the time."

"We do, sir, only not with so many men watching.  What should we do, sir?"

"First off," Kyle smiled, "stop calling us sir.  We're all buddies
here. And what you do is simple – just follow our lead, OK?  We know how
to please our men."

The boys nodded, the twins gave them a reassuring kiss, then turned their
attention back to each other.  Gazing into each other's eyes they slowly
unbuttoned their brother's shirt and stroked his chest. They pulled the
shirts out of the waistband, pushed them off over their shoulders, and
stood back to admire their shirtless twin.

The twins had a graceful symmetry, Noah and Vic were timidly clumsy, but
were equally charming as they tugged each other's T-shirt off over the
head.

Bob, attentive to everyone's comfort level, went and sat next to Charlie to
give him the same reassurance the twins had given his boys. "They'll be
fine, Charlie, my twins will take care of them.  You're new to caring for
your own boys but the twins are old hands at this.  Randy loves watching
them make love, part because they're my boys, but mostly `cos they're so
damn sexy."

"And so damn classy," Charlie grinned.  "Wonder where they get that from?
My kids can't compete with that."

"And they shouldn't, Charlie.  They have a charm all their own.  The twins
will make sure this is no competition.  Hey look, watch this ..."

As Noah tried to pull Vic's shirt off it had got stuck under his chin,
covering his face.  Vic spluttered and Noah blushed.  But Kevin quickly
helped to unhook it, then flung his arms round Noah, laughing merrily.
"Dude, best not to choke your guy before making love to him – tends to
break the mood.  I nearly did that to Kyle once and he totally lost his
hard-on.  Took a massive blow job to get it back."

All four boys laughed and any tension the youngsters had been feeling
vanished.  They looked over at Charlie who was laughing and giving them two
thumbs up.  "I see what you mean, Bob."

After that, the double double-acts progressed smoothly, with increasing
fervor.  The twins dropped their black pants, the boys dropped their
shorts.  Kyle puled Kevin into a tight naked hug and the boys did the same.
With the tension gone Vic and Noah felt their lust for each other rekindle,
spiced by their awareness that Charlie was watching, the tribe's leaders
too.

By now the show had reached its inevitable main feature.  The twins stood
face to face, with Kevin's back to the bed.  The boys followed suit, with
Noah backing up to the bed.  Kyle gave Kevin a light shove and he fell on
his back on the bed.  Noah fell next to him and they both stared up at
their `top-men' Kyle and Vic who were stroking their cocks.

Bob whispered to Charlie, "Even though they're identical in almost every
way, Kyle has always been the more assertive of the two."

"Same with my kids, Bob.  I've noticed that Vic generally takes the lead,
with Noah happy to follow along – and surrender his ass," he grinned.

Bob chuckled, "Not unlike Randy and me, though I can turn the tables on
him, especially when he misbehaves.  As you all had recent proof,".

They turned their attention back to the bed where, Kyle grinned at Vic
standing beside him – one top-man to another – and passed him the jar
of lube.  On the bed, Kevin pulled his legs back, and Noah copied him.  The
youngsters were beginning to find a symmetry with the more experienced
twins, and every move was now made in unison – especially the crucial
next step.

The top-men knelt on the bed and lubed their lover's ass.  They leaned
forward over them and there were four deep sighs as rigid cocks slid easily
inside warm asses.

Randy had been watching it all with rapt attention, unashamedly stroking
his cock.  Now he stood up and went closer to the bed.  Randy had a strong
affection for all the boys and loved watching their affection for each
other close up.

Bob and Charlie took their cue from Randy and stood together on the other
side of the bed, rubbing the bulges in their pants.  Randy flashed them a
broad smile.  "Great kids, ain't they?"

Energized by Randy's praise, the boys' passion grew and the synchronized
fuck intensified.  Noah smiled up at his buddy Vic, excited to be showing
off their love to an audience, especially to the man their idolized.
"Looking great, kids," Charlie said.  "I'm proud of you ... show the guys
why I'm such a lucky man."

Bob smiled down at the twins.  He knew they had engineered this entire
thing, right from the time they had suggested to Bob that they should
invite Charlie and his boys up here.  They did it all to help these
youngsters please their man Charlie, and learn to be as comfortable and
proud as the twins were in demonstrating to others their love for each
other.

Kevin and Noah were stroking their cocks, as were Bob and Randy towering
over them.  Charlie was caught up in the fervor and joined in.  The time
had come to bring the whole erotic scene to its inevitable climax, and once
again the twins took the lead.

Kevin gazed up at Kyle.  "I'm getting real close ... I love you, bro
... love your cock inside me."

Kyle glanced over at the two boys.  "How about you, guys?  Are you ..."

"Real close, dude ..."  Vic looked at Charlie who grinned, "Go for it,
kids.  Make me shoot."

Vic and Kyle pounded ass, Noah and Kevin pounded their cocks, and four
joyful voices whooped as heir cocks erupted ... all at exactly the same
time.

They stared at each other, regaining their breath, until the `top-men' Kyle
and Vic pulled out and flopped on their backs beside Kevin and Noah.  They
all stared up at the three hunks looming over them and Randy said, "Damn
that looks hot.  What do you say, men, you think these boys deserve a
prize?  We ain't got no champagne to pour over them, but we got something
even more festive.  Let's soak 'em, guys."

The boys laughed as three streams of cum splashed down on them, like
champagne corks popping in celebration of a memorable event – definitely
one for the archives.

Bob tossed towels to the boys.  As the twins wiped the youngsters chests
and faces, Kevin said, "That was hot, dudes, we gotta do that again.  And
when Charlie's away you can always depend on us.  See, you and us, we're
alike.  Kyle and I have always been a real close couple, more into each
other than the other boys.  Plus, Bob is the only man to have two boys –
until Charlie teamed up with you two."

Kyle said, "So that makes you and us kinda different from the other boys
– like, keeping to ourselves as a couple, having sex with each other.
So if you ever have questions or problems, come see us.  Whatever the issue
is, we've probably been there before you.  If ever you feel physically
threatened, Randy's your guy to take care of that.  But for the other stuff
... we're easy to talk to ... and fuck with," he grinned.

Overhearing this Charlie smiled at Bob.  "See what you mean, buddy.  We
seem to have all bases covered for my boys when I'm away.  They'll be in
good hands."  He turned to the boys.  "Hey, kids, how d'you feel about
spending the night in my guestroom down the hall here?  Beats staggering
across the garden to your place after all that brandy and sex."

"Yes please, sir," came the inevitable reply.

Randy said, "And the twins are staying here with us, that right Bob?"

Bob smiled at Kyle and Kevin.  "We wouldn't have it any other way, boss."

<><> LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE <><>

Next morning at breakfast Charlie said to Bob.  "Today I really gotta find
a doc to look at my sore wrist.  It don't hurt bad, but I can't risk it
giving out on me.  The boys suggested Doc Chad."

"Best there is, Charlie.  He specializes in sports and workplace injuries,
so your rodeo qualifies on both counts.  He's treated Randy for a broken
arm and the Marine Hassan for a sprained back. He's in surgery most
mornings, then sees patients after that at his hospital, not too far from
here.  He'll have a busy day at home too today `cos his lover Adam is due
back after one of his five-day trips to Sydney."

"Adam works for QANTAS right?"

"Right.  He's an Aussie but based here in L.A. as the executive in charge
of cabin services and crew training.  He does one or two trips a month
himself as the head purser on flights between here and Sydney to evaluate
on-board service.  It's a joke among the guys here that when Adam walks
down the aisle of the plane in his uniform he leaves a trail of stiff dicks
behind him.  When you get to meet him you'll see why."

"Yeah, Noah and Vic told me a bit about Chad and Adam when they talked
about their boy Nate.  Seems they have a real happy family life, nice house
and a big dopey dog too.  And Chad and Adam have a monogamous relationship?
Can that be right in this horny crowd?"

Bob chuckled.  "Depends on who you ask, Charlie.  Chad insisted on it when
they started living together, though Adam is – well, let's just say he
was a star in the leather bars when he lived in Sydney.  I mentioned that
Chad once treated Hassan for a bad back.  The `treatment' started with
massage and led to ... well, I'll leave that to your imagination.
Meanwhile, Adam was cheating on him with an old buddy in Sydney.  Caused a
major drama!"

"Is there any other kind around here, dude?" Charlie laughed.

Just then Charlie's kid brother Ben bounced up to them, his eyes sparkling.
"Hey, kiddo, you look like you just won the lottery."

"Better than that, sir.  Jason's coming back today ... you know, I'm his
boy ... hot hunky fireman."

"Yea, yeah, you told me all about Jason.  And he's been away in Sydney
too."

"Yes sir. You know they have big brush fires there like we do here, so a
bunch of California firefighters went down there to compare strategies.
Jason stayed over a day longer so he could come back on the flight Adam's
working.

"He spent a couple days with Adam in Sydney on his layover there, they got
on like a house on fire – oh sorry, bad choice of words.  Anyway, Adam
said he'd bump him up to first class, give him the full treatment.
Although," Ben grinned impishly, "if you ask me, Adam already gave Jason
the treatment while they were together, if you know what I mean – two
such horny studs."

"Now, now, Ben," Bob said, "don't go spreading false rumors when you're
just guessing."

"Oh, sorry sir."  Ben grinned at Charlie.  "But I bet I'm right.  Anyway
their flight got in about six-thirty this morning so he'll be home soon.
Pablo gave me the day off so I could be there when he comes home.  Don't
you think a fourteen-hour flight prob'ly makes a man horny, sir?"

Charlie laughed.  "I dunno about the flight, kid, but it's a pretty safe
bet you'll be the one getting the full treatment this time."

<><> TAKE CARE OF THIS BLOKE <><>

Ben raced into the garden of the house he shared with Jason by the Arroyo.
In the three weeks that Jason had been away Ben had spent hardly any time
here.  Lonely at first, he had been rescued by his pal Will and stayed with
him.  But he had come here from time to time to air the place house out and
make sure it was clean and ready for his man's return.

Now he stood there too excited to move, not sure what to do next.  It was
still early, so would he want breakfast?  Did they give you breakfast on a
flight that arrived at six-thirty in the morning?  Prob'ly not.  Though
Jason was in first class and they give you everything in first class, don't
they?  At least Adam would have given him everything.

What did `everything' mean?  Had they fucked in Sydney?  Prob'ly.  Jason
was into hot hunky men, including his own mirror reflection – especially
his own reflection.  Did Adam get into that too?  Coffee.  Jason was sure
to want coffee.  Yeah, he'd make coffee.  But he didn't because he heard a
car pull up outside and he rushed to the gate.

Adam had driven Jason from the airport in his SUV and they both got out and
hugged.  Jeez, Ben thought, Adam sure looked hot in that uniform.  But then
Ben was swept off his feet, literally, as Jason engulfed him in the strong
arms Ben knew so well, and swung him around.

"Kid, you are a sight for tired eyes."

"It's awesome seeing you too, sir."  Ben stared at the handsome blond
fireman in jeans and his dark blue uniform T-shirt.  "I wasn't sure what
you'd be wanting, so I ..."

"I want two things kiddo.  Sleep for a few hours, which means bed and you.
And I'm horny, which means bed and you."  (So he was right, Ben thought.
Fourteen hours in a plane does make you horny.)  "I almost dragged this guy
here into the john on the plane for a quickie, but he said it was against
the rules for the chief purser to fuck the passengers.  Which is what he
does with his eyes – your should have seen them drool.  They all had the
same idea as me."

"Hey, mate," Adam said to Ben in his Aussie drawl.  "Take good care of this
bloke, he's something special.  I'm going home to get some shut-eye myself,
but I'll be back later for a gym workout with Jason in his gym here."  Adam
kissed Jason on the lips, which kind of surprised Ben.  "See you later,
stud.  Get a good rest – you're gonna need it."

Adam drove away and Jason pulled Ben into the house and the bedroom.  He
pulled off his shirt, baring his ripped torso that always made Ben gasp,
then dropped his pants.  Ben quickly got naked too and Jason grinned.
"Damn, I always forget what a sexy young gypsy you are, kiddo.  He grabbed
the ecstatic Ben and they fell into bed together – which for Ben felt
like a little corner of heaven.

<><> DOCTOR CHAD TREATS COWBOY CHARLIE <><>

A bit later, while the fireman and his boy still slept, Charlie was walking
into the hospital where Doctor Chad was the head of surgery.  Charlie had
called him earlier and Chad urged him to come to see him after he got out
of early-morning surgery.  The staff had been alerted and whisked him off
to have his wrist X-rayed.

Charlie waited a while in an examining room.  When Chad walked in he looked
macho and sexy in his surgical scrubs, his muscular body evident under the
V-neck short-sleeved blue shirt.  Jeez, Charley thought, if I was into sex
with guys I'd be in real trouble here.

They shook hands with a firm grip.  "Hey Charlie, sorry to keep you waiting
so long. The surgery took longer than I expected.  Coincidentally I was
resetting the wrist of a jockey.  You horse riders sure give your wrists a
beating, gripping and tugging those reins."

Chad sat at a computer keyboard.  "OK, so let's take a look at your X-rays,
here."  He studied the picture on the screen on the wall.  "Hmm, pretty
much what I expected.  Looks like a minor sprain – see there, and there?
The good news is it's not serious – yet."

Charlie frowned, "Yeah, doc, but it has to be perfect.  See my wrist, arms
and thighs gripping a horse are my tools of the trade.  Like you said, my
body takes a punishing, and I end up pouring with sweat."  He grinned.
"It's one reason I rip my shirt off at the end, on my victory lap.

"Hmm," Chad murmured, "I won't ask about the other reasons.  Sit facing me
and let me feel your wrist – tell me when it hurts."  He prodded various
points and Charlie said "ouch" a couple of times.  "How long do you have
before you rejoin the rodeo – Arizona isn't it?

"Yeah, I go out there in about a week. So what's the verdict, doc?  Am I
gonna die?" he grinned.

"Well not from a dodgy wrist, cowboy, and it definitely doesn't need
surgery.  But it must have a week's rest.  I'll put on a compression wrist
brace that I've got here. It'll improve the blood flow and reduce
inflammation.  And no strenuous activity – like that bone crushing
handshake when I came in.  Sorry about that.  Definitely no gym workouts
... and no masturbation with this hand.  Hope that doesn't cramp your style
too much."

Charlie chuckled.  "No problem there, doc.  I just got two boys who'll be
more than happy to take care of me in that department."

"Yeah, so I hear."  Chad's handsome, chiseled features broke into a
seductive smile and suddenly the clinical doctor was transformed into sexy
Chad, Adam's lover and the cause of so many stiff dicks in the tribe.
Here, give me your wrist again and I'll fit the compression sleeve.

Chad chatted as he worked.  "So how's it going with you and those kids?
I've been hearing great things from Bob, and I gotta say, when I see Noah
and Vic there's a glow about them – a complete transformation from the
timid kids they were before you came."

"I'm not sure I understand it myself, Chad, especially as I'm not sexually
attracted to guys.  But I have feelings for them that are ... I dunno
... something like parental.  I'll sure be coming back here every break I
get from the rodeo."

"Glad to hear it, Charlie.  Say, I'm having a small dinner party tonight to
welcome Adam back from his Sydney trip, I always do that.  Young Will is
cooking – one of his catering gigs.  Why don't you bring your boys?
They get on real well with our boy Nate, he's kind of a big brother to them
– when he has the time."

"Thanks, Chad, sounds terrific.  You must miss each other when Adam's away
working flights on those five-night gigs."

"I sure miss Adam, sleeping alone and all.  Not sure he misses me so much
when he's back there on his old home turf, with all his buddies.  And this
time, he told me, he spent a couple of days with Jason after his
firefighter maneuvers were over.  I believe Jason even stayed over a couple
of nights with Adam in the small apartment Adam keeps on there.  It's only
a one-bedroom, so it must've been a bit crowded.

"They worked out together too in the Sydney gym Adam uses.  And, er, as
soon as he landed back here he called me to say that, after a nap, he was
going down to Jason's house to work out with him there.  It was a real
casual, oh-by-the-way kinda call, like it was no big deal.  He's probably
there with him right now, and Adam's invited Jason and Ben to dinner.  I
was a bit surprised he ......"

Chad stopped talking and patted the sleeve on Charlie's wrist. "OK, there
you go, fits perfectly.  Wear it all the time, except in the shower."

Charlie wasn't sure why the doc had told him so much about Adam and Jason,
and there was a troubled edge to his voice.  He got the feeling Chad needed
to vent on someone, but Charlie had learned enough in his few days with the
tribe not to get involved in other guys' relationships.  "You only end up
with mud on your face if you forget to duck," Bob had joked.

He simply said, rather lamely, "From what I hear, doc, y'all got a great
family life going there.  I kinda envy you.  Looking forward to this
evening.  And from what you say, Chad, it won't be such a small party after
all – there'll be, what, eight of us?  So my boys will be happy to pitch
in with Will in the kitchen. They like that, and look real cute in those
aprons and chef's hats Will gives them.  Thanks a million for fixing my
wrist, doc, how much do I owe you?"

Chad's troubled look changed to a warm smile.  "On the house, cowboy.
You're one of us now."

"Thanks, doc.  I'm beginning to feel that more and more."

<><> GYM BUDDIES – FUCK BUDDIES <><>

After he left the hospital, wearing his new wrist brace, Charlie still had
an uneasy feeling about Chad, Adam and Jason.  He was still not familiar
enough with the rules and rhythms of the tribe to work out what was going
on – he just had a gut feeling.  And he was concerned about his little
brother Ben, Jason's boy, though there was no point in consulting Randy as
he had nothing specific to go on.

His own boys were safe and happy, working all day for Brandon in the
office.  But as he had no other plans for the afternoon he decided on a
whim to drop by Jason's house and see how Ben was doing.  If he and Jason
were still making love or whatever, he would beat a hasty retreat.

When he got there he saw Adam's SUV parked outside.  The gym session Chad
had mentioned must have started already.  When he went in, the first person
he saw was Ben, sitting alone on a bench, his eyes trained on the patio gym
beside the house.  Jason and Adam, both shirtless in gym shorts and
sneakers, were already hard at work, their muscular bodies gleaming.

Charlie thought, anyone but me would cream his shorts just looking at that.

At the sound of the gate Ben looked back over his shoulder and a broad
smite lit his face.  Was there relief in his smile, Charlie wondered, or
was it just his imagination?

He sat next to Ben and draped his arm over his shoulder.  "Hey, kid, how's
it goin?  You give Jason a nice warm welcome?"

"Oh yes, sir, it was awesome.  He threw me straight into bed and made love
to me.  He was way horny and fucked me for a long time."

"Hey Charlie," Adam shouted from the patio. "Come and join us, mate."

Charlie held up his braced wrist and smiled ruefully.  "Can't ... wonky
wrist ... doctor's orders.  But I can sit here and watch."

"Enjoy the show, mate," Adam laughed and turned back to Jason.  It soon
became clear that Jason was getting off on his own reflection in the
mirrors – no surprise there as Ben had told Charlie of that, and how
much it turns Ben on.  But it was also apparent that Adam too was getting
off on the act as both men stood side by side admiring themselves in a
muscle pose-off.

"They seem to be hitting it off real good, eh dude?"

"Yeah, don't they?" Ben said.  "I guess they've spent the last few days
together, running around Sydney, having fun, working out, sleeping
together."

"Do you mind?"

"Not for myself, sir.  I mean, I love watching Jason, and it's even hotter
with Adam there too."

"But ..." Charlie smiled.  "I hear a `but'.  You have the same tone of
voice as Chad did."

"Did Chad talk about Jason and Adam, sir?  I know boys are not supposed to
get involved in what the men do, but ..."

"Kiddo, we're brothers.  You can say anything and everything to me.  And
yeah, he did talk about them.  I was surprised he said so much – not
criticizing or anything, not in so many words, but it was obvious he was
troubled. Seemed he needed to talk to someone about it.  So what gives
there, dude?  I never understand the complicated sex lives y'all lead here.

"Yeah," Ben said, "this one is specially complicated, sir.  See Chad and
Adam are totally in love, but they're different guys.  Adam's an old hand
at screwing around with guys, cruising the bars in Sydney.  For him,
fooling around sexually is like having fun ... has nothing to do with his
love life with Chad.  But's Chad's new to sex with men.  When he fell in
love with Adam he wanted a monogamous relationship, sort of like a
marriage.  And that ain't easy in this tribe."

 "I can believe that," Charlie chuckled.  "I asked Bob how that monogamy
thing was working out and he said it depends who you ask.  He mentioned
that it was Chad who strayed once when he had hot and heavy sex with
Hassan."

"Yeah, while Adam was in Sidney fucking an old buddy of his.  Man, the shit
really hit the fan that time.  But they kinda patched things up and came to
some sort of agreement ... kind of.  See what I mean, sir?  It's real messy
and I just don't want Jason to get blamed for anything.  Jason has a real
tough job as a fireman, and sex is relaxation for him.  He's playful, like
Adam, and it prob'ly don't even cross his mind that there's a problem."

"Well, maybe there isn't.  Maybe, like you said, they're just having fun
together."

"Not if you watch them, sir.  I mean, look at that ..."

Charlie turned his attention to the gym and said, "Wow, see what you mean,
bro."

Adam and Jason were working together – Jason leaning over Adam and
spotting him on the bench-press ... Adam grabbing Jason round the chest
from behind and holding him tight while he did leg raises and ab exercises.
A whole lot of hard physical contact, which morphed into body worship as
they stared at the mirror, posing and flexing.

"Yeah, Ben, this can only go one way.  Uh-oh, here we go ..."

Jason was leaning forward, arms stretched out, palms flat on the mirror.
He bent his arms till his chest touched the glass, than pushed back, like a
series of vertical pushups. Adam, standing behind him, was staring at his
muscled back and his perfect ass bulging under his shorts.

"Need some help there, mate?" came the Aussie drawl.  He pressed against
Jason's back, reached forward and pressed his palms against the glass
beside Jason's.  They did push-ups in tandem, one pressed hard against the
other.  Adam's pecs pushed hard against Jason's flexing back, and the bulge
in his shorts ground against Jason's ass.

"Damn," Charlie grinned, "gives a whole new meaning to the term workout
partners.  First time I ever thought of a gym-buddy as a fuck-buddy, but
that's just where this is headed.  Do you find it sexy, kiddo?"

"Of course, sir, I'm rock hard, but ... I kinda wish it wasn't happening."

It was no surprise when Adam stood back and pulled Jason's shorts down
round his ankles, then dropped his own.  He went back to the dual position,
only this time his long stiff cock was grinding against the crack of
Jason's ass.  Adam kissed the back of his neck, and the fireman grunted,
"Fuck, man.  You know what you're doing to me?"

"I know what I'm gonna do to you, mate."  Adam pulled back again and this
time spat on his cock, then on his fingers to moisten Jason's ass.  He
clamped his hands round Jason's slim hips ... and pulled his ass back on
his cock that slid in fast and deep.

"Yeah, fuck that ass, "Jason groaned.  "Give it to me, stud."  His arms
still rigid, Jason braced harder against the mirror and let the Aussie
repeatedly yank his ass back on his cock.

Ben was stroking his own cock and Charlie said, "Gotta hand it to those two
jocks, Ben, they really know how to put on a show.  Look at the Aussie's
flared back and bulging shoulders as he pounds the fireman's ass.  Don't
think Jason can take much more of this."

He was right.  Adam fucked so hard it drove Jason flat against the mirror,
his arms stretched up fingers clawing at the glass.  Behind him Adam
reached up and grasped Jason's wrists, pinning them to the glass so the
young fireman was trapped, at the mercy of the Aussie's driving shaft.

On the bench Charlie reached over with his good hand and grabbed Ben's
cock.  "You want me to do this for you?"

"Yes please, sir," Ben said, dazzled by the sight of the two muscle-jocks
fucking against the mirror. Jason, gazing at his own handsome square-jawed
face, groaned, "Make me come, dude.  Make me shoot."  He pressed his lips
to the glass, kissing his own reflection and gave a muffled yell as his
cock, squeezed between his body and the glass, spurted semen high up the
mirror.

"Good on ya, mate," Adam yelled as his own cock erupted in the fireman's
ass.  Charlie said quietly to Ben.  "OK, kid, your turn."  He pounded his
kid brother's cock faster and the young gypsy gave an animal howl as cum
spurted up over his abs and Charlie's curved fist.

Having got their rocks off, the panting gym-jocks laughed and hugged.
"Damn, that was hot, mate," Adam said, "the best yet."

It was obvious to Charlie that the men had no inkling of a potential
problem with Chad.  And that phrase `the best yet' suggested they had
fooled around sexually several time before this.  After Ben wiped cum off
himself and Charlie's hand, he said. "Is it OK if I go to Jason now, sir."

"Of course, kiddo, you don't have to ask me that.  You're Jason's boy, so
go to him.  I gotta get home – only stopped over here to see you."

"Thanks for the hand-job, sir."  Ben kissed his brother's cheek and ran to
Jason.

Adam said, "OK, mates, so I gotta get back to the house and help Nate and
Will get ready for tonight's dinner.  See you and Ben around seven, Jason.
That goes for you and your boys too, Charlie.  Hey, pity about that wrist
keeping you out of action.  Would a' made a hot threesome.  Oh, I forgot,
you don't fuck do you, not guys anyway. Such a waste, hot bloke like you."

<><> CHARLIE SHOOTS FROM THE HIP <><>

A few hours later Charlie picked up his boys, Vic and Noah, who looked
smart and freshly scrubbed for their night out.  As they drove up the hill
to Adam and Chad's house Charlie told them everything he had seen at
Jason's house.  "They had a great time, but there was something didn't seem
right about it."

"Yes sir," Vic said.  "We heard Bob talking about that to Brandon.  Bob
always has a good sense of what's going on in the tribe and, like you, he
was uneasy about that three-way situation.  It was Chad he was worried
about.  But he reminded us all again of the rule not to get involved in
other guys' relationships.

"Hmm," Charlie mused as they approached the house.  Adam was there to meet
them, looking casually sexy in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt open over a white
tank.  "Welcome, mates," Adam smiled as they shook hands.  At last we'll
have a chance to get to know each other better, though you already saw the
wild part of me, eh Charlie?"

Skirting that subject Charlie said, "Great place y'all got here dude –
the house, garden, even wisteria over the door."

"Yeah, Chad insisted on that.  He's a real home body, a family man.  Said
he'd always wanted a house like this, big fireplace and a golden retriever.
Only thing he didn't get was the golden.  We went to the pound and fell in
love with this gangly mutt, Molly.  Here she comes now."

A big shaggy dog bounded across the garden and threw herself at Charlie and
the boys.  While Charlie made much of her, Noah said to Adam, "Er, sir,
Will and Nate could probably use our help in the kitchen."

"Yeah, good on ya kids, thanks for offering.  Ben's already there.
Straight through the living room to the right."

Adam and Charlie followed them inside where the fireplace was already
ablaze. Molly flopped down on her place, a thick hearthrug between the
fireplace and the couch.  Jason stood up from the couch with a big smile,
wearing jeans and a pale blue T-shirt stretched over his muscular
torso. "Hey, cowboy."

Charlie joined him on the couch and Adam said, "Sorry Chad ain't home yet,
dude.  Had an emergency case to deal with at his hospital, but he's on his
way.  "Cocktail?  Martini?"

"Sounds good, Adam, thanks."  A few minutes later all three were sprawled
on the couch, Adam close to Jason.  Charlie said, "So, Adam, you and Chad
haven't even seen each other yet since you got back.  He's been at the
hospital all day."

"Yeah, sometimes happens like that with my crazy schedule.  Ah, talk of the
devil ... sounds like his car."  As Adam got up Charlie looked for signs of
nervousness in him or Jason, but they were relaxed as ever.  Clearly they
expected Chad to take everything in stride.  But as soon as Chad came in,
still in his scrubs, Charlie felt tension in the air, like the temperature
just dropped.

"The men hugged, but it was not the warm homecoming hug and passionate kiss
he would have expected between lovers who had been separated for nearly a
week.  Molly's greeting was more enthusiastic as she jumped up at Chad.
Chad pulled away quickly from the tentative hug and said "Hi, Charlie
... er, and you Jason," almost as an afterthought.  "Sorry I'm late.  I'll
just go upstairs and clean up, won't be long."  He left, followed by an
excited Molly.

It struck Charlie as odd that Adam didn't go with him and chat while he was
changing clothes.  Instead he sat down next to Jason again. Apparently
neither was aware of Chad's chilly greeting of Jason.  Perhaps it was all
Charlie's imagination, he thought, and Adam was simply being a good host
for his guests.

They all exchanged small talk until Chad rejoined them, looking handsome as
ever in beige slacks and a white polo shirt.  He poured himself a martini
and sat in one of the big armchairs near the fire.  "How's the arm feel
now, Charlie?"

"Great, thanks doc.  Much less ache."  He grinned.  "And I followed
doctor's orders and jerked off using my other hand."

"Jerked off watching Adam and Jason?" Chad asked, like a bolt from the
blue.

Shocked into silence at first, Charlie stammered, "Um ... well ... now that
you mention it.  I, er, went to Jason's to check on my brother Ben and ..."

"... and they were working out together ... if that's what they call it."

Adam jumped in.  "Look, Chad, I don't think Charlie wants ..."

Chad interjected, "I'm more interested right now in what you want, Adam.
Or rather who you want.  Did you and Jason fuck, was that part of the
workout?"

Jason blurted, "Chad, chill dude.  We were just letting off steam after
that endless flight.  Long flights always make me horny and ... it was
nothing, just a fuck."

Charlie wished Jason would keep quiet, his flippancy was only making it
worse.  It was obvious that the doc's earlier barbed comments to Charlie at
the hospital were signs of a deeper resentment that had been building for
some time.  And now, in his first face-to-face meeting with Adam, things
were coming to a head – at a most inappropriate time.

Chad snapped, "Is that what it was for you, Adam, `just a fuck'?  How about
all the fucks in Sydney?  You did share an apartment – and a bed, right?
Did you share bodily fluids too?"

Just then Nate, Vic and Noah came in, unaware of the building storm.  Nate
grinned. "Hey mates, dinner's nearly ready.  Will's just putting the final
touches himself and shooed us out of the kitchen."  He frowned, feeling the
tension at last.  "Er, what's going on here, mates?"

"Good question, Nate," Chad said.  "That's what I was trying to work out.
Like, what would you say is the difference between a gym workout, a fuck, a
fling, an affair, another fuck and another. While the cat's away, working
his buns off in a hospital, earning money to pay for all this ..."

Adam jumped to his feet.  "Now hold it right there, Chad.  You're not the
only one working, you know.  What do you think it is supervising twenty
cabin crew on a fourteen-hour flight?  That ain't no picnic, mate.  I come
off that plane real tense, and a gym workout is just what I need."

"With all the trimmings, eh?  I thought we agreed that ..."

"That what?  No fucking?  Yeah after you fucked the Marine that time
... yeah, monogamous you. I thought we put that tired old monogamy crap to
rest, out of its misery."

"Giving you license, I suppose, to shack up with Jason in Sydney and fuck
your brains out – like you did the time before with your old buddy."

"Hey, leave me out of this doc," Jason protested.  "All I did was ..."

"... fuck my lover, that's all you did, Jason.  You're in this up to your
neck, like it or not.  And apparently you did like it ... enough to do it
over and over again ..."

"Enough!"  Charlie leapt to his feet, his eyes blazing with the same gypsy
fury as his brother Randy.  "Let me remind you two that you have guests
here, including my boys and my kid brother, not to mention your own boy
Nate, and they're squirming with embarrassment.  Fuck you both for
insulting us all, including Jason, who had no idea y'all had this fucked-up
relationship and he'd fall into the same pile a' shit you're in.

Roused by all the shouting Will came to the door and watched in horror.

Charlie reined in his anger.  "What is it with you guys anyway?  You
obviously love each other and you've built this perfect home together, but
it's all built on this cockamamie relationship of monogamy one day and
screwing around the next.  For god's sake get your act together, guys.
You're both better than this.

"Look at this place – the house, your boy Nate, your dog, the fireplace
– the perfect family life – except, it turns out, not so perfect.
Y'all know what most couples would give for a life like this?  What I would
give if I weren't a wandering rodeo cowboy.  I'd love to set up a home with
my boys, but if I did I'd make goddamn sure we had the ground rules set.  I
started out by envying y'all but right now you disgust me for putting on
this display of raw bullshit in front of us.

"OK, I know y'all got this dumb rule about not interfering, but I'm a
straight-shooting Texan with the same hot gypsy blood in me as my brother
Randy.  If he were here he'd be swinging his fists right now.  I realize
I'm an outsider and have no right to try knocking sense into you boneheads.
But to hell with rights.  I know what's right and what's wrong, and this is
plain wrong.

"I'm not gonna let my boys sit here and be polluted with your garbage.  So
we're outa here, but before we go here's some advice.  Since Adam came home
you two have hardly said hello, unless you count that pathetic non-hug you
gave each other.  Like I said, you're clearly in love with each other, so
get your sorry asses upstairs, or wherever the hell you fuck in this house,
and make love to each other – two hot guys who've missed each other and
are back together."

Charlie looked down at Vic and Noah, gazing up at him in awe as their hero.
"Come on, kids.  Let's go home."

He pulled them to their feet and they headed for the door when Chad said,
"Wait Charlie, please.  You got one thing wrong.  You are not an outsider,
you're definitely one of us, and you have every right to knock sense into
us.  I've been an asshole and I humbly apologize to you all for turning
this into the dinner party from hell.  Do I speak for you too, Adam?"

"Too right, mate.  Charlie, Jason, and all you boys, you just watched a doc
and an Aussie totally lose their cool and behave like idiots.  Chad and me
clearly have a lot to settle, but not here, insulting our guests.  The real
place to settle it, as Charlie said, is in the bedroom.  And if you'll
excuse us we'd like to take your advice, Charlie, and do that right now."

Charlie grinned. "That's more like it, dudes.  I for one would like to
stick around with my boys. We can't let the dinner go to waste that Will's
worked so hard on.  Also, I need to talk to Nate about him and me teaming
up for Vic and Noah. You on, Jason?  You and Ben staying too?"

Jason smiled.  "I ain't leaving until I see these guys back together –
really back together."

That settles that," Charlie grinned.  "OK, guys.  The war's over – go
make love.  Come back and join us when you're done."

The couple went out together, leaving an uneasy silence behind them.  It
was broken by Will's calm, practical voice.  "Dinner in fifteen minutes,
gentlemen.  More cocktails?"

Charlie laughed and ruffled Will's red hair. "I love you, dude.  Sure, I
could kill another martini."

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

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 577


Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter turned you on, and I
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