Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2022 05:59:32 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 584  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 584 by Rob Williams

CHAPTER 584 – "NEW BOY FELIPE MAKES LOVE, NOT WAR"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Randy shows his lover Bob who's boss in graphic sex where the rugged gypsy
boss dominates the handsome young business executive. Then the tribe's new
boy Felipe asserts his newfound independence, but runs into trouble when
ex-hustler Finn insults and attacks him. Young Felipe surprises everyone by
retaliating with kindness, showing Finn it's better to make love not war.
______________________________________________________________________

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

Young Felipe, 18, was homeless and living rough at the beach when he met
blond surfer Jamie, seven years his senior.  Jamie took him home to meet
the tribe and they quickly became as close as brothers.  But Felipe was
undocumented, having come all alone to the U.S. in a long dangerous trek
from Honduras.

Typically, the tribe rallied to his aid, assisting him in ways social,
legal, financial and sexual.  His sex education came from Jamie, and
Jamie's man, the rugged cop Mark. Felipe was unsure about his own
sexuality, as he explained to Jamie, "In my world, especially in my
weeks-long trek here, there was no room for love and sex.  I was dealing
with life and death, or the constant threat of it, and I did anything it
took to survive."

But he soon discovered his own sexual inclinations when he watched Mark
make love to Jamie's ass.  Felipe was so enthralled, he didn't resist when
the cop fucked him too.

But Felipe's immigration problem still loomed large, and that's where the
tribe's co-leader Bob took over.  A corporate lawyer himself, Bob's good
friend Alistair was a top immigration lawyer, so Bob invited him to lunch
– cooked by Felipe.

Alistair was impressed by the boy and agreed to take on what he felt was a
strong case.  He was also impressed by Bob's powers of persuasion.  "Bob,
you could charm the birds out of the trees. That's what makes you such a
fine lawyer.  You really should have been a trial lawyer ... you'd have
judge and jury eating out of your hand ... twisting them round your little
finger ... they'd be putty in your hands."

Bob laughed, "Alistair, somewhere in that blizzard of mixed metaphors I
detect a compliment, and I thank you," which made his friend roar with
laughter.

Afterwards, left alone with Felipe and encouraged by his success with
Alistair, Jamie took his new friend on a tour of the grounds.  As they lay
on the grass together Felipe wanted to thank Jamie in some way for all he
had done for him.  Jamie said, "Er, there is one thing I would like."

"I think I know what that is, Jamie.  You want to fuck me."

Jamie laughed.  "Of course I want to fuck you ... but not right now.  Look,
I told you from the start I wasn't looking for a boy, one I could fuck
whenever I came home, like Mark does me.  I don't like putting labels on
things, but the younger brother image works for me.

"I want us to be equals, dude.  But so far you've been the helpless one,
just because of the immigration thing.  I don't want you to feel helpless
or ... or inferior in any way.  I want us to be buddies and, yeah, that
means fuck-buddies too.  See, I don't feel like there's any kind of top-man
bottom-boy thing about us. So sure, I am gonna fuck you soon, Felipe.  But
before that, I ... I want you to fuck me, dude."

Felipe was stunned by this turn of events, but also excited.  So, for the
first time in his life he topped another man ... his friend and new love
Jamie.  He fumbled uncertainly at first, like a younger brother being
taught by his older brother how to fuck.  But it wasn't long before they
howled with huge simultaneous orgasms.

Afterwards as they lay side by side, Felipe said, "You have so much to
teach me, Jamie.  But first I really must go and thank Bob for everything
he's doing for me.

"That would be good, but there's no big hurry. I have a feeling Bob is
still `taking care' of Randy, as he calls it."

"And what about us tonight, Jamie, with Mark and everything?  I've heard
that old saying – `three's a crowd'."

"Don't worry about that, dude, we just take our cue from Mark.  He's the
cop, the boss.

Felipe kissed him, wrapped his arms round him and they dozed, naked on the
grass – new friends, lovers ... and brothers under the skin.

========= CHAPTER 584 =========

<><> THE BUSINESS EXECUTIVE & THE GYPSY <><>

Jamie was right when he told his new friend Felipe that Bob was "taking
care" of Randy, his lover and co-leader of the tribe.

A short time earlier the smartly dressed Bob had been saying goodbye after
lunch to his friend Alistair, an immigration lawyer who had agreed to help
young Felipe, when Randy came home straight from the construction site
dressed in an old sweaty T-shirt, dirty jeans and muddy boots.

Alistair greeted Randy warmly and grinned, "You just come straight from
work?  Man, every time I see you two, Bob's dressed up like a guy in a
catalogue, and you're ..."

"Looking like something the cat drug in," Randy laughed.  "I know, but
someone's gotta do the heavy lifting, dude.  I'm the brawn of this outfit
and he's the brain – I make the money and he counts it."

When Alistair left, Randy said to Bob, "Well done dude. I'm real proud of
everything you're doing for this immigrant kid." He frowned. "Only thing
is, you know how I get when I see you take control like this, arranging
everyone's life, the man in charge. Makes me mad, and real horny."

"Here we go again, another episode of Who's The Boss?

"Wrong – the title of this show is `I'm the boss."  And when you've
finished with the kids here, I want you upstairs so I can prove it, ya
hear."

"Loud and clear, master," Bob grinned, his cock swelling in his tailored
slacks.

Bob stayed a while to give the boys the good news that Alistair would
represent Felipe and felt they had a strong case.  When he eventually got
upstairs and went into the master bedroom Randy was lying on his back on
the bed, hands linked behind his head, still looking like "something the
cat drug in", in the sweaty, greasy clothes of a construction worker.

"Stay right where you are, buddy," Randy said in his commanding voice.  He
gazed up at Bob, stylishly dressed in the clothes he had worn to lunch –
tan slacks and loafers, a navy blue blazer over a white dress shirt open at
the collar – the elegant look of a handsome business executive.

"Damn, you look so fucking gorgeous like that, dude.  You know what it
reminds me of?"

"I can guess," Randy smiled."

"Yeah, like that first time we met and went to my scruffy motel room where
I got mad and worked you over so bad that the next day you escaped.
Dammit, I couldn't get you out of my mind, didn't know what was happening
to me.  And apparently you felt the same."

"Right," Bob said.  "I checked into a fancy hotel, got cleaned up after
everything you'd done to me, but I couldn't settle.  I drove around
aimlessly and found myself back in the motel parking lot.  When I came into
your room, Room 14, you were lying on the bed just as you are now."

"And there were you, dressed pretty much like you are now.  And I wasn't
gonna let you escape again, so I tied you up.  Damn you looked hot – the
powerful, classy young businessman tied up helpless.  And I needed to show
you who was the boss – like I do now.  Take off the jacket."

Bob shrugged off his blazer and draped it over a hanger in the closet.

Randy watched him move around the room in his crisp white dress shirt, two
buttons open at the neck.  Just visible through the shirt was the outline
of a white tank undershirt stretched over his muscular torso.  The shirt's
broad shoulders tapered down to the slim waist where it was tucked into the
tan slacks cinched by an elegant brown belt. The pants were tailored to fit
snugly over Bob's flawless round butt.

"Open another button of the shirt.  And stand over there with your hands
behind your back."

Bob complied and stood facing the bed, his shirt now open enough to expose
the top of his white tank underneath, his hands clasped behind his back in
a submissive stance,

Gazing up at him in awe Randy slid his hand down, grabbed the bulge in his
jeans, and rubbed his hand over it.  "You look fucking incredible, man.
That's what I saw when you came back to the motel and I knew I couldn't
lose you again.  Only way I knew was to tie you up and I worked you over
all night – a caveman proving my dominance.

"I'd never felt this for a man in my life and it confused me.  I just knew
I had to have it always, to own it, even if it meant keeping you in that
room as my prisoner.  Remember what I did?  I tied you to the wall at the
end of the bed and laid there jacking off staring at you, hour after hour.

"Then I wanted to see more ... more of your body.  So I slowly ripped those
fancy clothes off you until you were fucking naked, man.  But all that was
weeks before we ever got to fuck.  That was too much of a stretch in those
early days."

"But it's not now, Randy.  Now you can have everything."

"Damn straight," Randy growled.  He jumped up off the bed and stood facing
Bob. "On your knees, man."

<><> DOMINATION <><>

Bob fell to his knees in front of Randy, who grabbed his thick dark hair,
pulled his head back and stared down at his chiseled features.  "Arrogant
fucking business executive in charge of everyone ... everyone except me, a
greasy construction worker.  Me you kneel down to because you know what you
want.  Tell me."

"I want your cock, man.  I wanna suck that huge fucking rod."

Randy grabbed Bob's hair again and pulled his face forward and jammed his
mouth over the bulge in his jeans.  Through the filthy denim Bob inhaled
the smell and taste of the sweaty crotch, stinking of grease, dried cum and
piss.

"Lick it, man."

Bob licked the rough denim voraciously until Randy pushed his head back
roughly, ripped open his pants and pulled out his long, beer-can thick
shaft.  He grabbed Bob's hair again and held his face inches from his cock.

"This is what you want, man, what you crave.  You wanted it that first
time, though you didn't know it.  Now that I've got the cocky young
businessmen kneeling at my feet, I wanna hear it.  I want to hear the proud
executive beg the gypsy construction boss."

Bob was drooling now, as he looked up at the swarthy roughneck towering
over him, then stared at the massive shaft already oozing precum inches
from his face.  He craved it, desperate to take it in his mouth.

"Please, man.  I wanna suck your dick ... please."

"Do it, stud."

Obediently Bob stuck out his tongue and licked the sticky liquid oozing
from it.  "Yeah," Randy moaned.  Still grabbing his hair Randy drove his
massive cock down Bob's throat, making him choke. "Fuck yeah," he groaned
again, watching his shaft move in and out of the executive's mouth, tears
flowing down his high cheek bones.

It was the power that turned Randy on most.  Sure he loved Bob and loved
rough sex with him.  But it was more than that.  It is said that power is a
great aphrodisiac, and it was with Randy.  No one could make him feel this
good as Bob did.  The construction boss exercised power at work, barking
orders to a crew of tough men, but he never felt as powerful as when he
dominated the proud, self-assured young businessman and made him grovel at
his feet.

The dominance fed on itself and the gypsy wanted more.  He abruptly pulled
out of Bob's mouth, hooked his hand ender his arms, and in one powerful
move hauled him up and flung him on his back on the bed.  He stood at the
foot of the bed and yanked off his T-shirt.

A stunned Bob gazed up at the shaggy, muscular gypsy, stripped to the
waist, staring down at his with those hypnotic blue eyes.  Randy stroked
his wet cock and growled. "You know where this is going, don't you?  I'm
gonna fuck your ass, man, like I should a' done in that motel.

In silent response Bob reached his harms up in a V and grabbed the corner
bedposts.  Moving quickly Randy went to the head of the bed and tied Bob's
wrists to the posts with the ropes that always hung there.  He stepped back
to admire the handsome man now at his mercy, arms stretched up, wrists
bound, his shirt open halfway down.

Randy knelt on the bed straddling him.  He pulled open Bob's white shirt,
then ripped the tank down exposing his bare chest.  He licked his
fingertips and twisted them hard round Bob's nipples, making him gasp in
pain.  Randy growled, "I either torture your tits or you ass, man, your
choice."

"My ass, please.  I want your dick in my ass ... fuck me ..."

"Thought so," Randy grinned.  He eased back, still on his knees, unbuckled
Bob's belt and pulled his slacks down, watching his cock spring up fully
erect.  "Yeah, you really want it, don't you?"  He pulled the slacks down
further, to his knees, and pushed Bob's legs back, exposing his ass.  There
was no more foreplay, no more teasing or threats ... and no more pain.

Randy drove his cock clear inside Bob who sighed in ecstasy.  But instead
of pounding ass Randy smiled.  "I can't hurt you, buddy.  This ain't the
motel, and I'm not the caveman who captured you and worked you over `cos he
was scared of losing you.  "I love you buddy ... but hell you did look good
as the proud businessman groveling at my feet.

"You know me, I'm usually a slam-bang raw fuck, but you get my fantasy
juices flowing.  But enough of that.  It's just you and me, dude, and I'm
gonna make love to you and your ass.  And we don't need these anymore."  He
leaned forward and quickly released the ropes. "I've got other ways of
making sure you won't leave me.  Just look into my eyes."

When Bob stared up at the laser blue eyes he was as much a captive of this
man as if he had been chained to the wall.  He reached up and traced his
fingers over the craggy features of the darkly handsome gypsy with his
heavily stubbled jaw and long shaggy black hair.  "Randy, you know I could
never leave you.  I would follow you anywhere.  No one could ever make me
feel like this.  Pin me down, dude, and make me cum."

Randy grinned, feeling again the sexual charge of dominating this stunning
man, not with threats of ropes, but with overpowering love.  I wanna watch
you shoot your load all over those ripped abs, dude.  I hardly have to move
my dick inside you – it's enough to feel your hot ass clamped round it.
So cum for me, buddy, while I pour my load in your ass.  I love you, dude,
simple as that."

Lost in each other's eyes, drifting in a world that belonged only to them,
they pumped semen – Bob all over his abs as ordered, and Randy deep
inside his lover's ass, as promised.

When their heavy breathing subsided Randy said, "Damn, it gets better and
better, dude."  Then with a roguish grin.  "But I ain't given up on that
chaining you to the wall of my cave thing.  Just to keep you in line."

Bob frowned.  "It's just that my wardrobe takes such a beating.  I got so
many ripped shirts."

"OK here's a newsflash dude.  You look better in ripped shirts than in
those fancy dress shirts you wear.  Sexy look – keep wearing `em."

"Do I have a choice?"

"No ... `cos I told you to."  Randy bent and kissed him gently on the lips,
as lovers do.

<><> FELIPE ASSERTS HIS INDEPENDENCE <><>

Meanwhile, across the garden in Mark's ground-floor apartment, a more
mellow domestic scene was taking place – afternoon tea.  Mark had been
asleep after last night's all-night shift, and when he work up Felipe had
offered to make tea for him and Jamie.

"It's something I learned working for my English family in Honduras," he
explained.  "They followed the old-time British tradition of tea promptly
at four o'clock.  I won't serve it as elegantly as they did – you know,
fancy cakes and sandwiches with the crusts cut off, but it's a nice way to
wake you up, sir.

As Felipe busied himself in the kitchen Mark smiled at Jamie.  "He's loving
this, Jamie, being useful, doing things for people after so many weeks
living rough and depending on the kindness of strangers – if he could
find any.  He's really a great kid.

The tea he produced was what he called semi-fancy – silver teapot, milk
jug, sugar bowl, lemon slices – but served with mugs, as he couldn't
imagine Mark sipping tea from an elegant teacup.

Jamie said, "After this I gotta have a meeting with Nate and Eddie, once
Eddie has finished `taking care' of Hassan.  Hassan always says the only
way he can stop Eddie talking is to shove his dick in his mouth, which of
course Eddie loves."

They talked about Jamie's long day tomorrow, working at the beach on the
complicated surfing scene with Nate and Eddie and dozens of surfing extras.
"I wish you could be there, Felipe, but your immigration attorney Alistair
said you have to stay close to home until he's filed your case."

"Oh, I'll be busy too," Felipe said cheerfully.  "I'll be in the kitchen
working breakfast, lunch and dinner with Will to give the twins a break.
I'm glad Will's piling the work on.  Makes me feel ... less temporary if
you know what I mean."

Kiddo," Mark smiled, "I have a feeling you'll be feeling real permanent
real soon."

"Thank you, sir," Felipe smiled.  "Oh, is that the time?" I have to report
to the kitchen at five so I'd better have a quick shower.  When he returned
he was wearing a shirt and shorts Jamie had given him, and over that the
dark green bib apron and white chef's hat Will had provided.

Jamie admired the look.  "The perfect chef dude.  OK, go over there and
knock `em dead, kid."

Mark chuckled.  "Probably not the best advice to give a guy who's about to
cook dinner for the whole tribe, Jamie."

Felipe found Will working all alone in the kitchen.  "Great, you're early,
dude.  Boy, am I glad you're here.  Kevin's not feeling well, some kind of
stomach bug.  He's in bed with Kyle looking after him.  Whenever one of the
twins is unwell the other stays with him – it's like they're joined at
the hip.  But it means dinner is on us, just you and me kiddo."

Felipe looked at the board on the wall and said, "Luckily it's only
eighteen for dinner."

Will laughed.  "'Only eighteen'.  You pick up the lingo fast, dude.  Anyone
else would have a fit serving dinner to eighteen hungry men.  Bur don't
forget we're on breakfast duty too tomorrow at crack of dawn.  Got to make
up packed lunches for the guys going down to Malibu for the filming.  They
have Craft Services down there but I want our boys to have proper food.

"We chefs try to avoid back-to-back shifts like this, but in this case we
can't.  I wouldn't blame you if you felt like chucking the job."

"Never," Felipe smiled.  "I never renegue on a promise, and I love keeping
busy and love being a chef.  So put me to work, Will.  Explain the routine
to me."

And so, while Kyle nursed Kevin, while Jamie met with Nate and Eddie in
intense conversation, and while men and boys started coming home from work,
the kitchen was a hive of frenzied but efficient activity.

And the ultimate result was a dinner on-time, delicious, and rowdy as
always.  Randy stood and gave effusive thanks to the two chefs, "working
under difficult circumstances", and they acknowledged the raucous cheers
with the time-honored theatrical bow.

Will had already taken food up to the twins, prepared with Kevin's delicate
stomach in mind.  And another man who got special treatment from Will was
Randy.  Will served him a sirloin steak, which he preferred to the others'
fish pie, Will's specialty.  He had also pulled out of a hidden stash
Randy's preferred (and very expensive) old Scotch that he drank instead of
wine.

"Thanks, Red," Randy grinned, squeezing Will's butt, "you always take such
good care of me, almost as good as my man here," punching Bob's shoulder."

"But sir, you can't just have steak.  There's a ton of broccoli and spinach
on the table, you've got to eat your vegetables."

"Red, you're starting to sound like my mom.  By the way, how's your new
chef working out?"

"To the manner born, sir, as if he's worked here forever.  I hope he can."

"Kiddo, with Bob and his buddy working on it, it's a home run."

Other guys too now felt freer to talk to Felipe, especially Eddie who said,
"Dude when we come back from the beach you gotta make time for a viewing
party.  I have videos of these guys that'll make you hair curl.  I mean,
dude, you...will...not...believe.

Another person who made a point of talking to Felipe was Miguel, a fellow
Hispanic and an important executive chef in a luxury hotel.  "Hey, Felipe I
hear you're an expert in Central American cuisine and you've even made up a
lot or recipes yourself.  I'm always on the lookout for new ideas, so if
you have any time to talk tomorrow I'm gonna be here all day.

"I'd love to, sir," Felipe replied, his cock already swelling in his shorts
at the sight of the stunningly handsome man, his muscular physique visible
under the partly open Hawaiian shirt he always wore.

Felipe also smiled at Miguel's boy Finn, but got a suspicious frown in
return.  Finn still had the wariness of the street hustler he had been
before Miguel tamed him, and he tended to be jealous of anyone who got too
close to Miguel.

When the dinner ended, men and boys paired off and Will and Felipe cleared
the table with the help of their buddy Brandon, whose wheelchair got the
job done much faster, the tray table piled high with dishes.  He said to
Felipe, "I hear you got one of those dreaded back-to-back shifts, dude.
You better go straight to bed and get plenty of sleep."

When eventually Felipe hugged Will goodnight he went into Mark and Jamie
who were kicking back over after-dinner brandy as usual.  "Hey, kiddo,"
Mark smiled, "great job out there.  Things seemed to go swimmingly between
you and Will.  Come and join us."

"Just for one drink, sir, `cos I have to get up early to help Will with
breakfast."

"Buddy, you're welcome to sleep with us, you know."

"I er, wanted to talk to you both about that.  You know I am immensely
grateful for all you have done for me, and of course sleeping with you
would be wonderful.  But working with Will has made me see that one of the
most important things that I lost in my country was my independence.
Living the way I did, and especially in that harrowing journey for so many
weeks, my free will was stifled and I need to rebuild the independence I
lost.

"Part of that is sleeping alone without waking up scared all the time.  So
sir, and Jamie, if it's alright with you I would like to sleep alone
tonight in my guestroom.  I hope you understand."

Mark and Jamie exchanged smiles and Mark said. "Of course we understand,
Felipe, and you're absolutely right.  A bright kid like you must feel free
to be himself and enjoy an independent lifestyle.  So I'll just say this.
If in the night you do wake up scared, bad dreams or whatever, we are in
the room right next door and you can always climb into bed with us."

"And if there's anything else you need," Jamie added, "just say the word."

Felipe smiled.  "There is one thing, Jamie.  As I have to report to the
kitchen at five-am, do you have an alarm clock I can borrow?"

Jamie laughed. "I can to better than that buddy.  Here, I was gonna give
you this anyway.  He pulled from his pocket a cell phone.  Somehow I ended
up with two of these so this one's your to keep.  You know how to set the
alarm on it?"

"Thank you, Jamie, I was feeling kind of unconnected without a phone.  I
used to have one but on my trip it was stolen – along with most
everything else ... except my pride," Felipe smiled.  "Thank you so much,
and to you, sir.  And now I think I should get to bed."  He hugged them in
turn.  "I love you both so much."

After he left Jamie looked at Mark teary-eyed.  "He's such a great kid,
Mark.  And so brave."

"You're right, Jamie.  Hard to imagine everything he's gone through, and he
still has the guts to pick himself up, get back on his feet and rebuild his
life.  And he's not bitter – still has that gentle, respectful attitude.
You got a great friend there, kiddo."

<><> MIGUEL AT BREAKFAST <><>

Jamie set his alarm for four-thirty, took a quick shower and left the
apartment as silently as he could. He was still feeling sleepy when he
entered the kitchen where Will greeted him warmly.

"I know, I know, it's a bitch, right?  So first things first – coffee.
I've got some on the go here, so let's fortify ourselves for a few minutes
before we start work.  The good news is that Kevin's feeling better and the
twins are gonna do the lunches.  They're even gonna take the box lunches to
the construction sites, so after breakfast we have the whole day free until
dinnertime.  So, how did you sleep?

"Like a log, Will.  And if you mean who did I sleep with, I slept alone in
my own bed.  I asked the guys if I could, I wanted to feel my independence.

"Good for you, kid.  But right there is kind of a contradiction.  I mean,
an independent guy doesn't have to ask permission to sleep in his own bed."

Felipe laughed.  "Give me time, Will.  All this is new to me."

Last night – and pretty much everything else – was forgotten as they
focused on the task at hand.  First they had to do the box lunches for
Jamie, Nate and Eddie who were leaving early for the beach.  The three of
them bounced in excitedly and Will said. "Grab a quick breakfast over
there, guys.  And don't forget your lunches stacked on the counter."

They ate quickly, then Jamie gave Felipe a long full mouth kiss.  Have fun
today, kiddo.  See you tonight.

Next came the setting up of the buffet breakfast on the big table in the
garden.  The men and boys started work at different times so a
serve-yourself buffet was the only way to do it.

Randy was one of the earliest as he was always the first on the
construction site.  He looked into the kitchen.  "Hey Red, hey Felipe,
how's it hangin'"

"Just right, sir," Will grinned.  "How's yours?"

"Don't get sassy with me, kid, or I'll ... ah, never mind.  Hey, Felipe, I
spoke to Miguel last night, he told me he'd be meeting with you today,
swapping recipes or some such thing.  Look out for his boy Finn, though.
That kid gets jealous and fires up easy."

"Almost as bad as you, sir," Will teased.

"I told you, Red, cut the sass or I'll have to ream that cute ass."  He
grabbed it, squeezed hard and went out chuckling.

Felipe said, "Is it true Will, that when Randy coaches a boy in the gym he
fucks him at the end?"

"Not always, dude, but a lot of the time.  He never actually forces himself
on a boy ... but most of the boys want it ... in fact they're drooling at
the thought.  I know I did."

And so it went on, chatting easily as they worked until the buffet was all
set up and they could relax.  Will took food up to the twins and Felipe
went out and sat with Bob at the crowded table.  Sitting almost opposite
was Miguel who smiled, "You gonna have any time today, Felipe, for us to
get together?"

"As a matter of fact, sir, the twins are doing lunches today so I have all
day free until five."

"Great, so how about after you guys have cleared away all this?  We have a
small kitchen up in our apartment on the second floor.  Come and join me in
a glass of wine. I've heard of your Culinary Academy in Tegucigalpa.  Has a
good reputation.  Can't wait to pick your brains."

With that settled Felipe turned to Bob speak to Bob, and he didn't see the
sour look on Finn's face a few seats down.  But Bob did.  Very little
escaped his notice.

<><> FINN EAVESDROPS <><>

When the kitchen was all cleaned up, ready for the hand-off to the twins to
prep lunch, Will said, "OK, Felipe, we're off duty until five o'clock.  How
you gonna spend your free time, dude?"

"Well, Jamie and Mark are both at work all day so I'll probably hang out in
the garden and the pool, get some sun.  I could do with a rest.  But first
I'm gonna go chat to Miguel."

"Yeah, great guy.  I've had long conversations with him about food and
cooking methods.  He even offered me a job in his hotel's kitchen, but I
could never leave the twins – I love my job too much.  Miguel's always
on the lookout for new information and recipes.  Have fun, kiddo."

As Felipe crossed the garden and went upstairs to the second floor he
passed Finn going down to the garden.  Felipe said hi and was received a
grunt in return, which he took as a hello.  As he tapped on the door he was
excited but a little nervous.  Miguel was such a handsome, macho guy with a
perfect body, and he had such a prestige job as executive chef.  But when
he went in his anxieties were dazzled away by Miguel's welcoming smile.

Looking handsome in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt hanging open over his
muscled chest he said, "Great to see you, Felipe.  I've been eager to get
to know you and share kitchen talk with you.  We have a small kitchen for
the three apartments on this floor and I got coffee brewing there, so let's
go through."

Felipe admired Miguel's kitchen which was much smaller than the main
kitchens, of course, but well equipped.  Miguel poured coffee and they sat
at the kitchen table.  "So how's it going down there with the twins and
Will, Felipe? Quite an operation they go going there, uh?  Not working you
too hard are they?  I hear you had back-to-back shifts."

Felipe smiled.  "That work could never be too hard, sir.  I love to cook,
and the kitchen is my favorite place to be.  Especially after ..." his brow
clouded over, "well, after the last few weeks."

"Yeah I heard all about that, kiddo.  Tough time, I can only imagine."
Miguel smiled, "But here you are, fallen in a pot of jam, and your new
bosses are terrific guys.  So I don't want to dredge up all the bad
memories of your life in Honduras, but I am eager to hear about the
Culinary Academy you attended in Tegucigalpa.  I've always heard good
things about it and I looked it up online.  Looks like a highly
professional outfit."

"Sir, the three years I spent there were the happiest of my life –
before now anyway – and I graduated with honors.  I was sorry to leave,
especially as the economy was so bad and there were no jobs going.  It's
one reason I left the country ... that and ..." he winced.

"Yeah, so like I said, let's push all that on the back burner and take
refuge in food talk – always gets me out of a depression.  I suppose you
specialized in Central America cuisine."

"Oh yes, sir."  The boy's eyes sparkled and he was off and running.
Despite the difference in their ages, status and experience there was a
natural affinity between the two – both Hispanic and both being lovers
of fine cuisine.  Miguel was fascinated by the breadth of Felipe's
knowledge and enthusiasm.  "Kid when you get your work permit I'd hire you
in a heartbeat.  And I understand Bob's got an expert working on that,
right?

"OK, so what intrigues me is all these recipes you've made up on your own.
Those baleadas you guys served last night at dinner were awesome, dude.
Even my palate couldn't distinguish some or the ingredients.  If you share
them with me I promise not to use them at the hotel.  You should publish
them – people would pay big bucks for that."

And so the conversation flowed, partly in English, part in Spanish, and
they lost track of time.  At one point Finn came in and said, "Er, sir ..."

"Yeah, Finn I'll be right with you.  Just give us a while OK?"  He
chuckled, "What you got here is tow chefs bonding over their mutual love of
food."

Finn went out, closing the door behind him.  He heard their laughter and
imagined they were laughing at him.  He stood outside the door listening,
frustrated that he couldn't understand the parts in Spanish, so he let his
imagination fill in.  But Miguel's words `two guys bonding' hung over him
and darkened his brow. He knew he should have left, he was only punishing
himself by listening to their animated conversation and letting his
imagination go places it shouldn't."

But at long last the conversation seemed to be winding down and Finn dared
to open the door a crack.  He saw them stand up, and Miguel drew Felipe
into a tight, affectionate hug.

"Kid, I know you've been through a lot recently, the stuff of nightmares,
but that's over now.  Welcome to the tribe.  I still have a lot to ask you
so we should get together often.  If you run into problems in the kitchen
you can always come to me.  In my job I sort out kitchen issues all the
time, so you can depend on me, kiddo."  He kissed Felipe lightly on the
cheek ... and that's when Finn ran down the stairs, fists clenched.

<><> THE STORM BREAKS <><>

When Felipe left he was in high spirits.  Talking one-on-one with a
highly-placed chef, an executive at one of L.A.'s finest hotels, had given
his own self-confidence a boost.  Now he wanted to relax in the garden and
go over in his mind everything they had said.

He didn't go far, just out by the pool, fairly close to the house.  He took
off his shirt and shorts and lay on a poolside chaise in just his
undershorts.  Lying on his back he folded his hands behind his head and
closed his eyes against the sun.

Upstairs in the kitchen Miguel smiled down from the window at Felipe
sunning himself.  He was full of admiration for the boy who had endured so
much, taken so many life-or-death risks and was now bravely building a new
life for himself.  With a smile on his face Miguel sat at the table with
his notebook and made notes of his conversation before they escaped his
memory.

By the pool Felipe was drifting off in a pleasant doze when he was woken by
a gruff voice. "Huh, so you must be feeling pretty pleased with yourself."

Felipe opened his eyes, smiled and propped himself on his elbows.  "Hi,
Finn.  Yeah, I guess I am.  Talking with Miguel made me feel good about
myself.  I mean, he is so knowledgeable about my kind of cooking, we have
so much in common, and he wants us to get together more often.  He's such a
nice man, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous."

"He's also mine!"

"Excuse me?"

"Oh don't come the innocent with me, dude.  I been around the block a few
times, ya know, and I can tell when a guy is doing a number.  Quite the
little act you pulled there, coming on to Miguel, fluttering those long
eye-lashes, pretending you got all kinds a' shit in common, when all you
want is to get in his pants."

Felipe frowned and sat up on the edge of the chaise.  "Finn, I don't
understand.  Our conversation was just about work.  I wasn't `doing a
number' as you call it.  He's a great looking man but he's your man and I
wouldn't dream of ..."

"Listen, asshole, let me tell you something.  I spent years hustling on the
streets, being picked up by guys who promised me a great life, so I lived
with them until they traded me in for a newer, fancier model.  I been
kicked to the curb lots a' times, but not this time, buddy.  I'm Miguel's
boy and I aim to keep it that way."

His voice got louder.  "From what I hear you're nobody's boy, just a
fucking loser, so don't even think of muscling in on my territory, asshole,
or you'll get hurt."

Startled, Felipe jumped to his feet.  "Finn, you have it all wrong.  I'm
not trying to steal Miguel from you, that's absurd."

"Oh give it a rest dude.  Why don't you just get the hell out, go back
where you came from and leave us all alone."

"I can't go back, Finn, I'd probably be killed."

"Oh yeah?  Well the same thing's gonna happen if you stick around here."

"Are you threatening me, Finn?  I think Mark will have something to say
about that."

"Yeah, I hear you seduced him too into fucking you – trying to take him
away from Jamie.  But not this time, punk ... ya hear? ... ya hear?"

He punctuated his words by prodding Felipe in the chest.  He stumbled back,
tripped over the chaise and fell sprawling on the grass.  "Right where you
belong, douchebag, groveling at my feet."  Finn kicked him in the stomach
and Felipe doubled up.  "Stop, Finn, please."  But Finn persisted and
kicked again, not hard enough to do real damage but enough to hurt."

Upstairs Miguel had been working on his notes until he became aware of the
noise when Finn started raising his voice.  He went to the window, looked
down at the scene and heard Finn's ugly words in disbelief.  He waited a
minute, assuming Finn's temper would cool.  But the instant he got
physical, when Felipe fell and Finn started kicking, Miguel raced outside.

"What the fuck?" he yelled, charging at Finn.  He grabbed him by the
shoulder, spun him round and slapped him hard across the face, sending him
reeling back and tumbling on the grass.  Miguel towered over him eyes
blazing and growled, "Get up ... get up or I'll put the boot in and give
you the same treatment you were giving that kid."

He reached down, grabbed Finn's T-shirt and hauled him to his feet.  He
pulled his face close and snarled, "Get your sorry ass upstairs and stay
there.  Wait for me and don't move a muscle.  One wrong word, one wrong
move and we're finished, done.  Get it?"

"Yes, sir" Finn mumbled and staggered into the house.  Miguel ran to Felipe
and knelt beside him.  "Are you hurt, Felipe?"

"I don't think so, sir," he said in a daze. "He didn't kick hard, just
bruised me I think.  I think I can get up, sir."

Miguel stood up, curled his hands under Felipe's arms and eased him gently
to his feet.  "I'm taking you inside, you gotta lie down."  He wrapped his
arm round Felipe's waist and slowly helped him inside and, haltingly,
upstairs."

<><> A REAL SPECIAL KID <><>

Miguel helped Felipe to the guestroom, pulled back the bed covers and eased
him into the bed.  "You have to stay warm."  He pulled the covers over him
and plumped the pillows. "OK, brandy."

In a few minutes Felipe was sitting up against the pillow, sipping brandy
and calming down.  "You sure you're OK, dude?  You be alright while I go
and face my boy?"

"I'm fine, sir, only ... could I say something?  Please, sir ... don't be
too hard on Finn."

"What?  Dude, the boy insulted you, flung ugly and baseless accusations at
you, knocked you to the ground and kicked you.  And you say don't be too
hard?!"

"Sir, I know the rule, Jamie told me.  We should never interfere between a
man and his boy.  I would never do that, sir, except ... if you'll let me
explain.  See, I understand Finn ... in some ways we're a lot alike
... we're both scared, and for the same reason."  Miguel sat on the bed and
listened.

"It's like this, sir.  For years Finn had a really bad time living rough
and hustling, being passed from man to man.  He told me that guys would
take him home and promise to take care of him until the day always came
when the guy would meet someone else and, as Finn put it, kicked him to the
curb.  That was his life, until he met you, sir, and everything changed.

"It's obvious from the look in his eye how much he loves you, and of course
he's scared that the same thing will happen again – that some other guy
will show up, steal you from him and he'll be back on the streets.  He was
paranoid that I was that new guy and he overreacted.

"Like I said, I understand him `cos I'm scared like him.  Oh, I didn't work
the streets, but I was on the streets for a different reason.  In my
country I trusted people who let me down.  I thought I had found friends
who would keep me safe but they all turned out to be cruel.  My last friend
joined a gang and tried to recruit me. So I had no choice but to run away.

"I struggled for weeks to make it to this country ... and then my life
changed when I met Jamie.  I love him, like I've never loved anyone else,
and he would never throw me out, of course not. But I might lose him anyway
if the immigration stuff doesn't work.  And I tell you this, sir.  If
another guy came along and tried to steal Jamie from me I'd go crazy and
probably act the same way as Finn did.

"Of course his paranoia got the better of him and he totally misjudged
everything.  But what he did was not so much out of hate for me as love for
you, sir."  Felipe frowned.  "Sir, don't you think that when you love
someone a whole lot there's always some fear in the back of your mind that
it might end?"

Miguel smiled.  "For such a young kid, you're real smart, Felipe.  I guess
you've seen more life at eighteen than most guys have by thirty-eight.  And
you're dead right, we see it in the tribe, right at the top.  Everyone
knows that when Randy fell in love with Bob it knocked him sideways.  He
didn't know what it was but he sure as hell wasn't gonna lose it, so he
went all caveman and physically restrained Bob.  As their love grew, so did
Randy's fear of losing him.  It's only fairly recently that he's completely
secure in their relationship."

Miguel sighed.  "So, Felipe, you make a lot of sense.  I've never had
anyone explain Finn's fears so well, or his reason for them."  He chuckled,
"The irony is that I'm so in love with the boy that I would never throw him
out in a million years.  Why didn't he just talk to me, and I could have
explained and de-fused the whole situation?"

"Sir, I think he tried.  He tried to interrupt us but you told him to wait
because you were enjoying our conversation.  So he went away."

"Damn, you're right, dude.  That was cruel of me – made things worse.
But the fact remains that he assaulted you Felipe, so I do have to punish
him.  I always knew as soon as I made Finn my boy that, with his
background, he would be a challenge.  And when he goes off the rails like
this he knows I have to punish him.  But I'll do as you ask, I won't be too
hard on him – nothing physical and nothing public, just between him and
me, OK?"

"Thank you, sir.  And could I ask I ask another favor? After you've spoken
to Finn, could you ask him to come in here?  I'd really like to talk to him
and replace all the bad feelings with friendship.  Or try, anyway.

Miguel smiled.  "Kid, I have a feeling that is just what's needed here.
Felipe, you are a real special kid ... Jamie and Mark are lucky guys to
have got to your first.  And now, this is just between us ..."  He leaned
forward and held Felipe tightly in his arms, then kissed him on the cheek.
"Like I said," he smiled, "just between us, in case anyone jumps to the
wrong damn-fool conclusion and starts the whole stupid ball rolling again."

<><> LIGHT PUNISHMENT <><>

When Miguel went into the main bedroom Finn was standing in the middle of
the room, hands clasped behind his back, waiting for his sentence.  He had
misbehaved before, but this was real bad and he expected the worst.

Tears came to Miguel's eyes when he saw that Finn was trembling.  "Oh,
kid," he said, walked forward and wrapped his arms round him.  Finn didn't
move, stunned by this unexpected act.

Miguel said softly, "The really dumb thing about this whole thing is that I
would never ever throw you out, kid, I love you too much.  I know all the
rough treatment you had before we met left scars and I really want to heal
them.  If only you had discussed your problem with me before going off the
deep end."

"I did try, sir, but you sent me away.  You were so involved with Felipe."

"I realize that now, and that was wrong of me.  I'm sorry, I should have
listened.  Nevertheless, what you did to Felipe out there was inexcusable
and totally unjustified.  Of course he wasn't trying to seduce me or steal
me, that was your paranoia.  So I do have to punish you, but I had a talk
with Felipe just now and he's persuaded me to go easy on you.  So ... no
sex for a week, which, by the way, will be as hard on me as it is for you."
He kissed Finn full on the lips."

"Thank you, sir," Finn said.  "I'm sorry, sir.  I love you so much."

"I know, Finn, I get it.  Now, I want you to go talk to Felipe in the
guestroom.  He's a terrific kid and wants to be your friend.  So go make
your peace with him, then come back to me and we'll have a drink.  Even if
we can't make love we can be close – and right now I need that, Finn."

<><> NEW BUDDIES <><>

Relieved, and surprised, that his punishment was no harder, Finn said
"Thank you, sir, and left the room.  When he went into the guestroom Felipe
was sitting up in bed waiting for him and smiled, "Hi, Finn."

Finn managed a weak, embarrassed grin and a mumbled, "Hey, dude."  After an
uncomfortable silence he blurted, "Why are you being so kind, man, after
what I did?"

Felipe's smile widened.  "Better to be kind than angry, don't you think?
I'm sure you've seen too much anger in your life, Finn, so kindness is
always welcome for a change.  Here, come and sit on the bed so we can
talk."

He sat facing him and Finn's words tumbled out.  "Dude you don't know what
it was like, you can't know.  Life on the streets is rough, kinda dog eat
dog, and you have to be tough, `cos everyone else is.  You get to think
that everyone's an enemy, which they usually are.  That's why I jumped to
the conclusion I did with you and Miguel.  Street-life leaves you scarred
and you build a hard shell.  And when I met Miguel I still felt I had to
fight to keep him.  You can't understand unless you've lived on the
streets."

Felipe smiled.  Actually Finn I can understand – you'd be surprised how
alike we are.  In my home I learned not to trust anyone, even my best
friend who betrayed me when he joined a gang and I had to run away.

"As for living on the streets, I did that for weeks – streets that were
new and strange to me. I made my way alone across two foreign countries to
reach America and it was very scary.  I wasn't dealing with rival hustlers
or nasty johns, though sex was forced on me, like when a truck-driver made
me suck his cock.

"Those streets were deadly and brutal, I was never sure I would survive
another day.  Early on I had almost everything stolen – money, phone,
but somehow I made it to the border.

"And then, living on the beach, tired and hungry, I met Jamie.  Dude, you
said you'd fight to hold onto Miguel, and I would do the same for Jamie.
That's why I understand what you did to me.  But Finn, you are in no danger
of losing Miguel, he loves you.  But I am in real danger of losing Jamie if
my immigration thing is denied and I get deported back to the dangerous
life I left.

"So you and I are both scared, Finn.  As my life with these guys gets
better and better, I get more and more afraid of losing it all.  But I try
to face my fears with kindness, not anger.  That's why I couldn't be angry
with you, Finn, because I understand.

"There," Felipe chuckled, that was a very long answer to a very short
question.  I just hope we can be friends, Finn."

Finn's eye were brimming with tears.  "Dude, I never knew ... I ... I'm so
sorry ..."  He fell forward on the bed and they hugged – brand new
friends, a friendship formed in a crucible of fear, resentment and hurt.
"Dude, I'd do anything to take back those stupid things I said and did.
I'd give anything to make things right between us ... anything you want,
buddy.  I mean, are you OK?  Like, injuries and stuff?"

"I'm fine, Finn, a little bruised is all."  He smiled at the look of
concern on Finn's rugged young face.  Suddenly, as he gazed at Finn, Felipe
knew the kind of thing a boy with his background would see as a gesture of
friendship to make up for past mistakes.  He grinned, "At least I think
everything works down there, despite the boot in the stomach.  There's one
way to find out."

Mischievous eyes met and they understood each other well.  "Oh dude, if you
mean what I think you mean, you're asking the right man."  He pulled the
sheets down from Felipe's waist, then the undershorts, and grinned at the
semi-hard cock.  "Looks OK to me, dude.  Let's take it for a test drive,
OK?  Trust me, dude, I have years of experience."

Finn knelt on the bed, leaned down and scooped the cock in his mouth.
Using the skills that had made him a successful hustler, Finn got Felipe
hard in seconds.  Felipe looked down at the tousled hair falling over
Finn's face as it bobbed up and down, and felt a wave of affection and
sympathy for this young man who had lived such a tough life.  He recalled
Bob saying that compassion is close to love, and it was something like that
that he felt for Finn now."

"That feels so good, Finn.  Call it an act of kindness or just a great
blowjob ... either way it works just fine.  I think you and me are going to
be real good buddies, dude."

Finn pulled away briefly.  "I think so too, kid," he said with a roguish
grin, and eagerly resumed sucking.  He pulled out his own cock and stroked
it with renewed energy.  Pretty soon he pulled back again, spit running
down his chin.  "You close, dude, `cos I'm sure ready to spill?"

"I thought you'd never ask, Finn, `cos I'm fit to burst..  Here it comes,
dude ... yeaahh ... now!"  Finn swallowed hard as his new buddy poured jizz
down his throat and his own cock spurted streams of creamy juice.

"Wow," Finn said, panting hard. "For a kid who just discovered sex with
guys you're a natural.  You ever wanna hit the streets I could get you
fixed up real fast.  I got contacts."

Felipe laughed, "Finn, our days on the streets are numbered, or I hope they
are."

Finn fell forward and kissed Felipe.  "Sure they are, kid, for both of us.
And dude, take it from me, you can stop being scared.  Once this tribe
loves and protects you, no force on earth would make them give you up.
Neither would I, dude.  You're my buddy.

<><> FINN & FELIPE HAVE A PLAN <><>

They lay talking for a while, getting to know each other better, and Felipe
said.  "I am a bit scared of something else, Finn.  See, I wanna get in
shape like all you guys, and Randy said he'd set me up with a routine in
the gym tomorrow.  Only thing is, everyone says that when he trains a new
boy he always ends up fucking him."

"And they're right, kid.  But like I said, I want you to stop being scared
– especially of Randy.  Sure it's a kind of ritual that Randy fucks new
guys soon after they get here.  But he would never force himself on you
– that's a major rule of his."

"Yeah, I've got to know him quite well and he seems very kind."

Finn laughed.  "Dude, you think you know him, but you don't really know
Randy till he's fucked you.  Something all the boys want and something they
never forget.  Like I said, Randy won't fuck you until you want it ... and
dude, you are gonna want it, trust me.  But listen, tell me all about your
great new job in the kitchen with the twins and Will.

"I love it, Finn, never been happier, and I really want to help them.  I
can tell them a lot about Hispanic cuisine, like the baleadas we cooked
yesterday.  One thing, though.  When Jamie showed me what a spectacular job
you've done on the garden, I didn't see a vegetable garden."

"That's because it's round the side of the buildings where it gets full
sun.  Why do you ask?"

Well, for example my baleadas recipe calls for uncommon vegetables and
spices that are hard to find here in the regular stores.  Will and I had to
go to a specialty Latino store some way away.  So the thought crossed my
mind that we should be growing our own."

Finn's eyes gleamed.  "That's what I've been saying forever, dude, but the
twins and Will have been way too busy to get into that.  Hey, you wanna
take a look at what I've done so far and tell me the kind of stuff you
need?"

Eagerly they jumped out of bed, got dressed and went downstairs.

Meanwhile Miguel was still upstairs when his lover Zack came in straight
from the construction site, shirtless as always in black jeans and boots,
his muscular black body gleaming.  They kissed and Zack grinned, "So rumor
has it there's been trouble in paradise, here."

"Well there was, between Finn and the new boy Felipe.  But Felipe turned
out to be an amazing kid and I have a feeling the boys might be sorting it
out on their own ... I hope."

They heard laughter coming from the side of the house, and Zack went to the
window and laughed.  "And I think you might be right, buddy.  Come here,
take a look."

"They looked down at the vegetable garden below where Finn was standing
with his arm over Felipe's shoulder, talking animatedly and laughing.'

Miguel's face broke into a satisfied smile.  "You know, Zack, I think we
underestimate the boys sometimes – they can be smarter than we are. When
they have fights we should just stand back and let them sort it out between
them.  These two seem to have made their peace in a big way."

That's `cos they're such great kids.  Are you gonna punish Finn?"

"Ah, not so much – Felipe asked me not to.  I just told Finn he couldn't
have sex with me for a week.  Like I told him, that would hurt me as much
as him."

Zack's fine ebony features gleamed.  "Well we can take care of that right
now, dude, if you don't mind a big bare-chested black guy stinking of
grease and sweat."

"My favorite kind," Miguel smiled as Zack's muscular arms folded round
him."

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

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 585


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