Torn
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Sage Whistler
Who’s to say what they can’t love?
Torn ©2007 Sage Whistler
Josh and Jaime have always been different…from the rest of the world that is. To them, they are one and the same person. Born identical twins, even they have difficulty telling where one ends and the other begins. They know that their love for one another crosses all social boundaries, but living apart would kill them. Fearing the backlash of being discovered, they bide their time, and explore the new dynamics of their powerful relationship. But will they be Torn apart?
Warning, this title contains: Explicit sex, graphic language.
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Ebooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Cacoethes Publishing House, LLC. 14715 Pacific Avenue South Suite 604 Tacoma, WA 98444
Torn Copyright © 2007 by Sage Whistler Cover by PK1 Studios Ebook ISBN: 0-9799015-6-1 www.cacoëthespublishing.com
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Cacoethes Publishing House, LLC. Electronic publication: November 2007
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Torn
Sage Whistler
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Dedication I would like to dedicate this story to my Aunt Quin, who never said no when I shoved a sheaf of papers under her nose and ‘demanded’ she read, including this one.
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Acknowledgements I do not own nor do I make claims to rights of the Dodge Ram featured in my story. All rights, profits, and trademarks of Dodge are the property of Chrysler. I do not own nor do I make claims to rights of the Dodge Durango featured in my story. All rights, profits, and trademarks of Dodge are the property of Chrysler.
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CHAPTER 1
A rat scurried across his foot, and Joshua swore a green mile as the horse he was brushing balked. Artemis reared up on her back legs, neighing with disapproval. He grabbed for the reins with one hand, and soothingly rubbed her neck with the other. Once he had her settled down, he cast his gaze around the barn searching for the culprit. There was no sign of him. Joshua sighed. He’d already set down traps twice this summer to keep the rats from infesting their barn and eating the horses’ feed, but the damned things were harder to kill than a turkey in November. Joshua hustled Artemis back into her stall and gave her an apple. He patted her head a few moments, scratching behind her ears in just the way she liked. “Spoiled rascal,” he said fondly before making his way out into the fresh air and sunshine. A small dust devil in the distance let him know a vehicle was coming up the road. He leaned against the corral gate, hooked two thumbs in his jean lapels, and waited to see who it was. The candy-apple Dodge Ram that peeled up the driveway had a smile crossing Joshua’s face. He could spot that car anywhere, not to mention the man behind the wheel. The vehicle stopped, the engine died, and the door swung open. Long, lean legs hugged by well-worn jeans and brown boots, complete with a scuffed heel, emerged before the rest of the body. Then Jaime Trinovantes was reaching into his vehicle for his Stetson. He noticed Joshua almost right away, and his face lit up. Joshua felt his heart lurch. The feeling of excitement and anticipation were being consumed by guilt and
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shame. He might have been able to overcome both emotions with any other man, after all they were entering an age where it was okay to be homosexual, but this was different. This was a nightmare. This was his twin brother. Joshua struggled to keep the anguish he felt inside from showing on his face as he strode toward Jaime. He concentrated on being relieved just to have his brother home, rational normal feelings. The big house had been empty without him. Even with their older brother, Emilio, and their old hound, Buster, Joshua had still felt as if a huge chunk of who he was was missing. Without Jaime’s infectious laughter and mischief making, it just had not been the same; that had only been for a month, long enough for Jaime to take his course in accounting so he could take over the paperwork to run the Rockin’ R when Emilio finally moved out with his fiancée, Karla. Unlike the twins, Emilio didn’t share a great fondness for the hard, hot days it took to run a ranch. He was partial to the city, and gratefully signed over his portion of the ranch to them when he moved to the city with Karla. Although Joshua was the elder twin by four minutes, he did not have the knack for numbers that Jaime had, so it was decided that Jaime would take over the paperwork and some of the ranching while Joshua concentrated on running the daily duties and chores of the ranch. The twins walked up to each other and embraced. If Joshua clung a bit longer than necessary, neither man seemed to mind. They both had wide grins on their faces when they stepped apart. Jaime nudged back his Stetson so he could peer into his brother’s face, “You miss me?” “Hell, yeah!” Joshua chuckled, then added, “Buster farts in his sleep, he’s gonna have to go back into your room from now on.”
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Jaime threw back his head, and laughed, “He only does that with you. Ya’ll are the ones who feed him table scraps. If you stick to giving him only dog food, the old buzzard won’t stink you out of house and home.” Joshua tried for a frown, but it was impossible to pretend to be upset in Jaime’s presence. They both laughed over his dilemma, then the front door burst open, and Buster came barreling out yipping his fool head off. Six foot four inches of Emilio Trinovantes stood in the doorway with his big arms crossed over an equally big chest. Aside from the coal black hair, broad shoulders, and gray-green eyes, a Trinovantes trademark, there was nothing similar about the twins and their older brother. Emilio’s mother, Mary, had been half-Mexican and half Irish. His height, which was slightly shorter than the twins, was the result of their mother’s genes. He had inherited her deep cinnamon skin tone as well. The hair and eyes came from Damon Trinovantes, 100% Norwegian bred. The twins had gotten their mother’s coloring and slenderness; they were a uniform gold from head to toe. The only concession to their father’s genes in their build was their height, six-one, and wide shoulders. Still, the Trinovantes boys had always been protective of each other, and never had the word half brother passed their lips. As far as they were concerned, they were fullblooded brothers. “Hello, runt!” Emilio flashed a blinding smile. Jaime fell for the bait, instantly growling, “Not a runt.” For years, Jaime had lagged behind Joshua in height and size. Then suddenly one summer, Joshua had stopped growing and Jaime caught up. It was almost impossible to
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tell the slight difference in their heights, but then try telling that to a big brother, who neither twin, even together, could seem to pin down. Emilio just chuckled at the snappish reply. “How was your trip?” He nodded at Joshua, “His face has been pouting ever since you left. I thought I was going to have to string him up in the barn.” Because it was the truth, Joshua sounded a bit more defensive than was necessary, “I was not!” Jaime’s warm breath tickled the shell of his ear, “He’s just jealous we don’t feel the same way when he’s gone.” That made Joshua smile, and Emilio frown. “What are ya’ll over there whispering about?” Emilio demanded. He nudged Buster towards the steps with the tip of his boot, “And come get this dog, he’s ‘bout to wet himself, he’s so happy to see you, Jaime.” Jaime walked toward the house, trying to meet Buster before he got to the bottom step. Buster was not as young and spry as he used to be, and taking the steps sometimes aggravated his arthritis. Jaime didn’t want him to be in any more pain that he had to be. He crouched on the steps, giving Buster a good rub down. Emilio looked back at Joshua, “Was that a distressed horse I heard caterwauling just a few minutes ago, Josh?” Joshua rolled his eyes at the playful accusation. Emilio knew damn well that Joshua had a golden touch when it came to horses. “Yeah, damned rats are still in the barn. Big as damn squirrels, too.” Emilio frowned. “I thought you put down traps last month.”
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Joshua frowned back, “We caught one rat, genius, and there is probably a whole family around here somewhere.” Jaime stood from patting Buster, “What if we got a cat? I mean, we’ve been trying the traps for some time now, and we still got rodent problems. A cat would be safer, too. We wouldn’t have to worry about a horse getting over into one of the traps.” “That could work,” Joshua, agreed, “we will look into that tomorrow.” “Karla is still volunteering down at the animal shelter. You could get a cat from them for free. Lord knows, she’s been worrying about how overcrowded it’s getting down there,” Emilio said. “Sounds like a plan,” the twins said in unison, sharing a knowing smile. For a moment, two sets of identical eyes caught and held, staring deeply into each other’s depths. The air seemed to buzz around their heads as everything went quiet and still around them, but the moment was quickly lost when Buster barked. Jaime broke eye contact first, patting the dog’s head, “I hear you, Buster. I’m hungry, too, boy.” He looked up at Emilio, a smile playing across his handsome face, “Wha’d ya’ll cook anyway?” Before either man could answer, he and Buster were already well on their way to the kitchen. Emilio and Joshua looked at each other, and couldn’t help bursting out in laughter. Oh yeah, Jaime was back, and he was going to bitch when he found out they’d had sandwiches for lunch.
****
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Jaime had no sooner put away his things and taken a shower when he’d immersed himself in their father’s old office, poring over old records. Now that he could understand them better, he was eager to find out more about the ranch’s financial history. Night had fallen, and Joshua found himself with nothing to do. When Jaime wasn’t around he’d usually curl up on the couch with a beer, and watch the Discovery Channel. Knowing that Jaime was just a few doors away gave him an itch to enjoy the company he’d been denied for thirty-one long days. Joshua and Jaime never had been separated for more than a few days in their entire twenty-one years of living. The feeling of separation was strange and discomforting for Joshua. His need to reaffirm their bond led him to his Daddy’s office. Their father, Damon Trinovantes, had been gone for five years, after a long, agonizing fight with lung cancer. Even so, Joshua swore he could still smell him in his office. He'd smelled of horses, aftershave, chewing tobacco, and then peppermint, when his wife complained about his habit. Joshua leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. He waited patiently for Jaime to notice him, knowing that it wouldn’t take him long. They had a sixth sense when it came to each other, an awareness of one another that ran through their blood. While he waited, Joshua took the opportunity to study his brother’s features in the bright desk light. His face devoid of a smile, Joshua realized just how much Jaime had grown up on him. Not that he doubted that he looked almost exactly the same way. There was a youthful exuberance about Jaime that just made people clamor to him. In comparison, Joshua was well aware that his quiet, serious aura also drew people out of curiosity. Though their genes were identical, there was definitely a marked difference of how they looked. Most people who didn’t see them on a regular basis couldn’t tell, but
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friends and family began to map their faces for differences. Jaime’s gray-green eyes appeared a shade lighter, and his short-cropped hair tended to curl more, too. His face and body bore easygoing lightness. Sometimes Jaime looked as if he should be bouncing on his toes. He was a lot quicker to smile than Joshua, but also quicker to anger, and just as quick to forgive and forget. Joshua’s walk was likened to a predator’s gait. Women had told him more than once that it looked as if he were contemplating pouncing on someone. They’d been none too shy to imply that it would be them, hopefully. His features tended to be more solemn, his eyes being a shade darker, and he definitely never looked like he was going to bounce up and down on his toes. While Joshua was harder to anger, when he got angry, he tended to stay there. Jaime was the only one Joshua couldn’t stay angry with for long. Jaime put his pencil down and leaned back, stretching his long arms. He smiled up at Joshua, “Daddy and Grandpa did damn well for two men who’d never taken a course in business or accounting. Grandpa didn’t even finish middle school.” Joshua nodded, sinking his hands deep into his pockets, “Jaime, you wanna go out to the bar or something with me, and have a drink?” Jaime smiled. “Sure, just let me put this stuff away.” He cut a glance at Joshua from the corner of his eye, “I started wondering what took you so long to ask. I’ve been staring at these figures so long I’m seeing double.” Joshua chuckled. “So, why were you in here anyway?” Jaime winked. “Didn’t want Emilio to think I was slacking.” He paused for a moment, “He might not leave if he thinks I’m not capable.” The brothers shared a laugh.
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CHAPTER 2 The Bronze Horse was surprisingly busy for a Thursday night. It was Oldies Night, and Dolly Parton was belting out a tune about Texas. The floor was crowded with men and women dancing, and Joshua and Jaime were lucky to find two empty stools at the bar. Wade, the bartender, broke out in a grin as he spotted them taking a seat. He finished pouring a drink for one of his customers and came over, slapping a small, white hand towel over his shoulder. “Look who’s back, the dynamic duo.” “Hey, Wade!” Jaime touched knuckles with the bartender, and Joshua did the same. “What can I get you boys?” “Long neck!” both men said in unison. Jaime rolled his eyes, and Joshua shook his head as Wade burst out laughing as if they’d just told a joke. Two long necks were set before them, and Wade leaned on the counter. “I’ve been given some instructions about what to do if you two showed up tonight, but ya’ll just tell me if you’d rather me tell, and I’ll pretend like I forgot.” Wade waited until he had their attention. “Brenda Smith is here tonight, and she wanted notice if one or both of you came in. I think she’s got an interest in hooking one of you boys.” Joshua took a sip of his beer. Jaime said, “No shit! Brenda’s the blonde with a killer body, right?” Wade waggled his eyebrows. “Or I’ve died and gone to heaven. So, I’m guessin' you want me to call her over, right?”
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Jamie’s enthusiastic yes drowned out Joshua’s gracious decline. All he could do was try not to look pissed as Wade called over a waitress and gave her instructions. Less than a minute later, Brenda Smith was swishing over. Jaime swung around on his stool, and, not wanting to look uptight, Joshua did too. He looked Brenda over from head to toe. Brenda did have a killer body. What was remarkably different about her was that her DD breasts were real, as well as her slim waist and round hips. She had legs for miles and knew how to strut in heels as if she had diamonds on her feet. She had a pretty face, though not truly beautiful, but then, who did? Joshua had to give it to her, her face wasn’t made up six ways to Sunday and her hair wasn’t over processed. The blonde tresses and light blue eyes were one hundred percent Brenda Smith. Even though he could find nothing in particular to dislike about her, the fact that Jaime liked her rankled his nerves. He instantly regretted suggesting they go out. He should have just invited Jaime to sit with him in the living room, watch old horror movies, and eat popcorn until they passed out on the couch. Brenda addressed Joshua first and, to his surprise, seemed to be hitting on him the hardest. She ordered a fancy drink from Wade that came with a little, pink straw she was hell bent on playing with her tongue. “Welcome back, Jaime,” she said, sipping like her cup was made of fine China. With Joshua’s bland look and equally dry reply to her greeting, Brenda soon took the hint, focusing on Jaime. Jaime was not suffering from the same melancholy. They spoke at length, then Brenda sat her drink down and grabbed Jaime’s hand. “Come dance with me, cowboy.”
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Jaime handed his black Stetson to Joshua and followed Brenda out to the floor. Joshua did not miss the appraising look Jaime gave her ass. The hurt twisting through his gut was sharp and surprising. Joshua felt almost physically sick. It only grew worse when they started to dance. The music was slow, giving Brenda an excuse to grind against his brother. From where he sat, Joshua could see that there was no space between them. More agitating were the coy glances she kept shooting towards him. The message became loud and clear. She was doing this to make Joshua jealous. How ironic that she had succeeded, but he wasn’t jealous of Jaime; he was jealous of her. Joshua got to the point where he couldn’t stand looking at them any longer. He tossed Wade money for their drinks, and made straight for the front door. Outside, he headed down the wooden porch to the sidewalk below, and stood in the brisk night air breathing hard and deep, hating himself for every minute of it. He could feel his blood pounding in his ears, his fists flexed with the need to hit something. The feelings churning inside him were tearing him apart: fear, anger, jealousy, and disgust! It was impossible not to be attracted to Jaime, no matter how hard he tried. He tried to think back to a time when he and Jaime were just brothers, when his thoughts about Jaime didn’t involve a touch or a kiss. When he didn’t want to press Jaime up against a wall and fucking devour him. He couldn’t do it. His current feelings had erased that reality from his memory, as he began to fear he’d always felt this way. A large hand came down on his shoulder. Joshua jumped, spinning around he glared at the interloper. His eyes clashed with ones he knew well. Even in the dim light afforded by the lampposts lining the parking lot, Joshua could see that Jaime was upset.
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“You ready to go?” Jaime asked. He reached down and took his hat from Joshua’s limp fingers. The brim of the hat made a shadow over half his face when he put it on. Feeling guilty Joshua didn’t trust himself to speak right away. Instead, he nodded his head, and they walked to his midnight blue Durango and got in. The drive was silent. The only noise was a rock station turned on so low Joshua couldn’t name the artist. Then suddenly Jaime said, “She didn’t want me. She wanted you.” Joshua didn’t say anything. What was there to say, he had known that she wanted him. He was surprised at his brother’s next words, “The pathetic thing is, I’m not even mad at her, I’m mad at me. I knew she liked you from the first time I saw her walking toward us, and I played right along like a puppet. I can’t blame her for liking you, Josh. . . You’re just—” Jaime fished for the correct word. Joshua silently willed him to finish. What? I’m What?! “You’re just you, man,” Jaime sighed. Disappointed, Joshua concentrated on the road. *******
The rack, the guillotine, even Chinese water torture, had nothing on sitting at a table with Karla for an hour going through a bridal book, being forced to compare cream with off-white. They’d gotten into an argument over the colors being almost the same for over fifteen minutes. There was just no winning an argument with a woman. Jaime wasn’t much for arguments anyway. This whole irritability thing was new to him, like learning how to walk on eggshells. Surprisingly, he found that being irritable made him even more irritable. He
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couldn’t count how many times Karla, Emilio, or worse, Joshua, had asked him if he was okay. Of course, he wasn’t okay, but that didn’t stop him from lying about it. He had been home a total of three days, and could not seem to concentrate on anything. His mind often wandered off when he was trying to calculate numbers. Emilio was even being patient for a change, showing him where he’d messed up and how to do better next time. Only the next time, he messed up even worse. The screen door whined open, and Joshua strolled in. He was bare from the waist up, his torso shining with sweat and muscles defined by a hard day’s work Jaime just couldn’t pull his gaze away. Joshua’s shirt slapped against the small of his back from over his left shoulder as he walked to the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of water. Things only got ten times worse when he stood next to the refrigerator, gulping down the water in two long swallows. A few drops of it escaped from his lips, and slid down his chin. Jaime barely suppressed a tortured moan when his brother’s tongue went chasing after the stray drops. He was tracking their path with his eyes when Karla poked him hard in the side with her pen. Jaime whipped his head back around, staring at the petite brunette with what he hoped wasn’t a guilty expression. “Pay attention, knucklehead, we’re almost done. And wipe that look off your face, this isn’t so bad,” she remarked as she went back to reading off the colors of the samples. Jaime flushed in mortification as he realized how easily Karla could have interpreted the way he was looking at Joshua. He was finding that he looked at Joshua more and more in that sort of way since his return. He just couldn’t accept that he desired his twin, and being in the same room with him wasn’t helping. Jaime shot to his feet. “I’ll take a rain check, Karla,” giving her an apologetic look before heading for the door.
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Unfortunately, his brother followed, and Jaime didn’t have to turn around to know who stood behind him. When Joshua’s hands landed on him, kneading his shoulders, he only tensed more. Joshua dug his thumb into one particular tight muscle and worked it loose. Normally, Jaime would have relaxed into Joshua’s touch. The horses didn’t fawn over Joshua for nothing; the man’s hands felt like magic, but today the source of his tenseness was standing right behind him. Guilt and shame crawled through him, rearing its ugly head. Jaime spun around, effectively dislodging his brother’s hands. “I’m fine.” Jaime looked into his brother’s face, refusing to look further down, afraid his eyes would betray him. Joshua didn’t seem put off by his abrupt attitude, still as patient as ever, he said, “You don’t seem fine, bro. You’re coiled tighter than a rattler.” “You try explaining to Karla that no man of the Trinovantes family would like to wear ruffled pink collars, and you see how coiled you’d be.” Joshua laughed, but Jaime was just too upset to find anything funny. His eyes dipped down, despite his wish that they do otherwise, noting the way Joshua’s stomach muscles flexed when he laughed, “And put a shirt on, for God’s sake!” Joshua’s laughter tapered off. His look turned serious, “I’m worried about you, Jaime, and so is Emilio. That’s why he told Karla to come over with her bridal books and stuff and involve you. They’ve been engaged for eight months now. Karla had half their wedding planned the second week. You don’t honestly think she would have asked a man his opinion about anything to do with a wedding. All she wants from Emilio is a nod that he agrees with her.” “So, I have you and Emilio to thank for all this?”
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Joshua remained as tenacious as lockjaw. “Talk to me, Jaime. Is it Brenda? You haven’t said two words to me since—“ “No!” It’s you. Goddamn it. Everywhere I look, I see you, even when I close my eyes. Is this some sort of fucking narcissism? I feel like I’m going crazy! And would you put on your damn shirt! Jaime raked a hand through his hair, making it stand up on the right side of his head. “D-Did you and Beckham take care of all the chores today? I feel the need to work off some of this excess energy.” “Yeah, Beckham went home about fifteen minutes ago. You could always work out in the basement.” Jaime nodded. He’d nearly forgotten about the gym equipment they’d set up down there two years ago. Jaime half expected Joshua to grab his arm when he passed and demand an explanation for his odd behavior. He was only half-disappointed when Joshua let him go. The rational part of his brain argued that brothers didn’t feel this way about each other, only sick bastards did, who couldn’t get themselves untangled from some warped vision of brother envy. The irrational part of his brain screamed at him for being an idiot. It warned him that love was blind, and that what he and Joshua had went deeper than the surface. What they had was the same soul in different bodies. **** The last place Jaime wanted to be was anywhere near his brother. He’d spent a few hours taking his frustration out on the gym equipment, but it hadn’t done much to ease his mind; not once he started fantasizing about Joshua when using every machine.
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Emilio had only added to his misery by telling him that the shelter closed at six o’clock, and if he and Joshua were going to get the cat today, they had better put a move on. It had been his idea. He couldn’t very well back out of going to get the animal. What was he going to say, anyway? “I can’t get in the truck with Joshua because I’m afraid I might put the moves on my brother”? Yeah, right! So, here he was concentrating on the road, dividing his attention between that, his rearview mirror, and the speedometer. Was it his imagination, or was it taking forever to get to town? “Jaime?” Jaime jumped guiltily, and whipped his head around, “What—Shit!” Joshua had a death grip on the handle above his window. “Whoa, Jaime!” His eyes grew wide as the truck lurched dangerously close to the barely existent shoulder. The ditch on his side was deep enough that if the truck went in nothing could pull it out but a tow truck. Of course, if they went in, the truck would be the least of their worries. Heart beating like a war drum in his chest, Jaime easily righted the steering wheel. “S-Sorry, Josh.” Damn! He hadn’t pulled an idiotic move like that since he was seventeen and had gotten a hold of his first bottle of whiskey. He was a good driver! It was just that Joshua threw him for a loop. This entire situation had him on edge. “Jaime?” The voice was tentative now, careful not to startle him. Jaime took a deep breath. He wouldn’t look this time. He’d keep his eyes on the road, “Yeah?” “You okay, bro? Want me to drive?” “No! Look the town’s just up ahead.” He could see the small tan and brick buildings nestled together a little way up the road. Joshua nodded, and settled into his
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seat, waiting until Jaime pulled into a parking spot. He caught Jaime’s hand before his brother could slip out the door. “You want—” Jaime shook his head. “No, just leave it, J.” Before Joshua could press the issue, Jaime slid out of his seat, and shut the door. There was nothing left to do but follow him inside. ***********
The petite redhead who greeted them at the front desk offered a tiny hand and a big smile. Joshua ran his eyes over her slight form surreptitiously from head to toe. There was no doubt that the little lady was attractive, though nothing about her made bells go off in his head, or heat flare in his groin. Not like Jaime did. Not like his twin brother. Joshua mentally shook his head. He couldn’t understand it. He’d always been fond of women. Sure, he had admired a male physique or two, but he’d never gone much further than that. Did the fact that he was attracted to women and only Jaime make him bisexual? Bicurious? Was that even a word? Joshua was wrenched from his musings when Jaime lightly tapped his shoulder, indicating they follow the lady to the back. Apparently, while he’d been daydreaming, his brother had been informing the lady about what they were looking for. He followed the two through a door, which evidently served as a last barrier against pet escape. Joshua’s nostrils were assaulted by the smell of pet shampoo, flea spray, and wet fur. Overall, it was not so bad, but still a little overwhelming at first. The second door
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they passed through took them to the kennels. Large, silver boxes stacked in rows of three by seven lined one wall. “So, you guys are looking for a barn cat?” the redhead, whose name Joshua hadn’t caught, said as she hunkered down to peer into one of the lower cages. She looked up, and waved the brothers over. “Come have a look. This here is Jasbelle; she’s a bit feral, and doesn’t like to be handled so much, but those are the perfect makings for an outdoor cat.” Both Joshua and Jaime knelt to look down at the cat. Wide, yellow eyes, the shape of almonds, peered back at the twins with curious mistrust. “She’s a mixed-breed, long hair, with calico-colored fur. She has been given her shots, and was spayed upon entering our shelter. So you don’t have worry about her making lots of feral babies. What do you guys think?” Pretty, blue eyes flicked from him to Jaime, then focused on Jaime again. It was always like this when they were together. A woman would take her pick between him and Jaime. Had he and Jaime ever had girlfriends at the same time? Joshua couldn’t recall. What would it be like, Joshua wondered, if both of them were taken? If they belonged to each other? Whoa, Joshua, he’s your brother! Twin brother! Yeah, but somehow it was getting harder and harder to convince his body that his brain had it right. They were blood, and the sooner he got that through his thick head the better. Jaime turned toward him, his light green eyes dancing, and a smile spread across his handsome face. He nudged his brother with his elbow. “What do you think? She’s perfect right?”
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Joshua nodded, barely catching what his brother was saying. All he knew was that he agreed. “Yeah, perfect,” he muttered. Perfect.
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CHAPTER 3
Joshua shook his finger in his face, refusing to fall for those big brown eyes, floppy ears, and dangling jowls. “You. Are. Not. Sitting. Up. Here.” He pointed to the floor, and with a disappointed whine, Buster dropped his paws off the couch. He curled up under the coffee table instead, closing his eyes with what Joshua swore was a roll of his eyes. Joshua turned his attention back to the movie. For the life of him, he couldn’t recall what it was about. Something about someone being stalked by a serial killer. Why didn’t that damn girl stay in the house at night? Half his mind was attuned to what was going on upstairs. Jaime was getting ready for a date. So far, he’d heard the shower come on and go off, the thump of boots Jaime dropped to the floor, and a clunking sound as his heels echoed off the wooden floor when he strolled across the room. Of course, he wouldn’t have heard anything at all if his TV weren’t two bars away from mute. Jaime was walking down the stairs when the girl finally was attacked. Joshua didn’t even hear her scream. His brother had to pass through the living room to reach the front door, and Joshua was working on looking uninterested when Jaime walked into the room. Buster got to his feet, tail wagging. He was glad for that, because it gave him an excuse to look at his brother. Jaime was dressed in a new pair of jeans, black cowboy boots, a matching shirt, and Stetson. Over it all, he wore a leather blazer that stopped at his waist. He looked, for lack of a better word, amazing. Joshua had to swallow around the flare of jealousy that surged up his throat.
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Jaime reached down to pat Buster, and Joshua said, “Watch it, or you’ll get fur all over your shirt. Women hate that.” Jaime flicked him a glance. It was brief and curious. “He’s okay.” He patted Buster a few more times before gently prodding him out of the way. “I’ll be back by eleven,” Jaime said on his way out the door. “You’re an adult, Jaime. You don’t have a curfew,” Joshua knew self-disgust, fear, and jealousy were speaking for him, but he couldn’t help snapping. Jaime only shrugged. The door sounded painfully loud as it closed. *** Joshua honestly hadn’t planned on falling asleep on the couch, but it happened anyway. He woke up to the sound of jingling keys, and swore as his eyes darted around the dark living room. He didn’t recall turning off the television, but it was off. He heard snores, and realized Buster was still lying under the table. He stood up debating whether to dash upstairs. Did he really want Jaime to think he’d waited up, pining after him? Did he really care? Jaime had the door open before Joshua could decide. Realizing he had no time to sneak upstairs and into bed, Joshua threw himself back on the couch, turning his head into the cushions, and feigning sleep. Jaime came into the living room and stood in the doorway so long Joshua’s heart began to pound. What in the hell was he doing? Looking for a pulse? Jaime started walking again, but not in the direction Joshua thought he would. His brother sat on the single couch across from him. Thick silence filled the living room, punctuated every now and then by Buster’s loud snores.
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Joshua was lying so stiff his limbs began to tremble with the effort, and he had to battle his tense muscles to loosen up before he got a cramp. He wondered why Jaime was just sitting there. He wished he would do something: go to his room, wake him up, or nudge Buster in the ribs. Everything in him went still as the faint noise grew louder in volume until he was sure of what he heard. Sobbing! Everything in him tensed with his need to go to Jaime. His mind seized on the thought that Jaime’s date had done something to upset his brother, and, though Joshua would never hurt a woman, he wasn’t above giving her a good tongue-lashing. He’d just decided to reveal to Jaime that he was awake when Jaime started to speak.
“God, J, I’m so sorry. I fucked up so b-bad. I t-thought if I went out with someone else, and she was pretty enough, interesting enough, that I-I’d—” a big exhale interrupted his stammered speech. “I c-can’t. I w-want y-you, my own fucking twin!” Joshua’s heart slammed into his ribcage, the admission ringing in his ears. The dual sensation of exhilaration and dismay raced through his blood and nestled right in his heart. Joshua turned, hearing his twin’s dismayed gasp as he tossed his legs over the side of the couch and stood. The walk around the table to Jaime’s side of the room seemed unreal. Everything seemed fuzzy around the edges, undefined, everything but the shadow of his brother. He couldn’t see Jaime, but he needed no light. He could see Jaime even if he closed his eyes.
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Jaime surged to his feet; panic seeped from his brother in waves. Jaime looked both left and right, seeking a way out though there was none. His breath came rapid and heavy. Even in the dark, Joshua could see his brother trembling violently. Jaime shook his head. “Please, Joshua, don’t hate me!” The anguish in that voice ripped through Joshua. He reached for Jaime, pulling his brother into his arms, realizing he was trembling, too. He had no idea what he was doing. His brain refused to analyze if what he was doing was right or wrong. His heart and body led now, and both had been set on fire. His lips unerringly found Jaime’s in the dark, at first only a mere millimeter separating them. Their breaths mingled, warm and sweet. Joshua didn’t know who closed the distance first, but he thought it was probably both of them. Joshua had never known what it meant to be complete until his lips met Jamie’s. The melding of lips burned them down to their toes. They clutched at each other, twin whimpers of need piercing the dark. The kiss changed its momentum from a hesitant touch to a soul-searing hunger to taste and claim. Lips parted in unison, tongues clashed with passionate desperation. Their bodies twisted, seeking the closest fit, despising the clothes that buffered their skin, but unwilling to pull apart to disrobe. Hands delved into each other’s hair to hold the other close. Their cocks collided through their jeans, hips grinding against the other. Joshua became aware of an urgent epithet being poured into his mouth. He pulled away the minutest bit, and strained to hear. Jaime whimpered at the loss of contact, and continued to beg. He was saying, “Please, please, please,” over and over again.
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*** His brother actually growled. The sound shot straight to Jaime’s cock. His mouth was taken again, and this time Joshua’s kiss was rough and claiming. Jaime didn’t fight it, accepting Joshua’s dominance without question. He couldn’t help but shudder when impatient hands tore the shirt from the waistband of his jeans, and slid up the bare skin of his back. Joshua’s hands were like brands, rough and hot. Every inch of Jaime’s skin tingled in their wake. Jaime gasped as his twin’s hands forced their way into his tight jeans, and slid down the firm globes of his taut ass to cup his buttocks. Joshua dragged him impossibly close, as if he wanted them to meld into the same body. They kissed that way for a while, Joshua just kneading his ass, and Jaime almost purring into his mouth. Finally, Joshua pulled away. Jaime couldn’t see his face in the dark, but he was betting his brother’s lids were shuttered, like they got whenever Joshua experienced intense emotions. “We can’t do this here, baby.” Something inside of Jaime squeezed tight at the endearment. Joshua had called him baby before, but it had never been said in quite this way. Intimate. “Emilio is sleep upstairs.” Joshua didn’t have to elaborate; Jaime could fill in the rest. It wasn’t unusual at all for Emilio to come downstairs for a drink of water or a late night snack. Disappointment filled him as Joshua slid his hands out of Jaime’s pants. Then Joshua took his hand. “My room.” That would work. Joshua’s room was at the other end of the house.
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Jaime allowed Joshua to pull him. The moment they were in his room though, with the door locked, Jaime found himself pushed up against the wall, and a hard mouth sealed over his. Joshua didn’t close the distance of their bodies. That would have hampered his ability to get Jaime’s jeans undone. He did so with quick, efficient movements. Joshua hooked one finger of each hand in both his underwear and jeans, dragging them down at the same time. As he did, he went to his knees with them. Jaime looked down, and his head nearly swam with the delirious sensation of having Joshua’s warm breath teasing his erection. He followed Joshua’s silent command to step out of his jeans, watching as his bobbing cock came within an inch of touching Joshua’s face. “Take off your shirt,” Joshua whispered. Then he leaned back on his heels to watch the play of muscles rippling in Jaime’s lean torso as he took off his shirt and tossed it away. Joshua’s voice was raspy with need when he said, “God, you’re beautiful, Jaime.” That made Jaime smile. “Narcissus,” he teased. “Hmmm.” It was Joshua’s turn to smile when his hand wrapped around Jaime’s cock, pumping lightly, making Jaime moan. He could tease, too. “You might be my twin, Jaime--,” Joshua slid his thumb into the clear droplets escaping his brother’s slit, “but you aren’t like me at all.” Joshua brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it clean, “You’re much sweeter.” That admission made Jaime tremble, and Joshua watched with fascination as more cum leaked from his brother’s cock. “All for me, Jaime?” Joshua crooned, as he leaned in and lapped the slit of Jaime’s cock clean.
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“Josh!” Jaime whimpered his brother’s name, as the most incredible heat he’d ever felt surrounded his cock, pulling him deep, “H-How--?” He didn’t want to ask in such an intimate moment, yet he had to know. He couldn’t bear thinking of his brother with anyone else, doing this to another man. Joshua reluctantly backed off, licking his way to the crown, and letting go with a wet pop, “Videos and books. Just doing what I like done to me.” Enough said. Joshua went back to sucking. He took his time, finding the best ways to make Jaime sing for him. He took Jaime deeper by increments, keeping his gag reflex in check. Once he had his brother to the root, he began bobbing his head, using his tongue to tease all the sensitive places. Each time his mouth encountered the flushed head, he backed off just long enough to tease the slit with his tongue. Jaime was moaning and making little thrusts with his hips, not wanting to cause Joshua harm. Jaime struggled to keep his eyes open and watch. He’d never been more turned on. Joshua was everything to him, and just having the one person he loved more than anything in the world cherishing him in such a way, was big. He was well aware of the significance of what they were doing, but in that moment, Jaime could find nothing wrong with them loving each other. Not one damn thing. All he could do was feel. Joshua’s mouth was driving him crazy. For a man who’d never done this before, his brother was definitely a natural. By now, every fiber in his being was vibrating, his stomach muscles contracting with the strong suction of Joshua’s mouth. He could feel his climax building. It was going to be as violent as an electrical storm. Joshua seemed to sense it too. Those clever hands went between his legs to cup his sacs, rolling them gently, adding more stimulation.
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Joshua wanted him to come in his mouth. He wanted to taste his brother’s seed flooding his throat, sealing the fact that Jaime was his. He could feel Jaime tightening under his hands and mouth. He could feel the climax building inside his brother in each taut line of muscle. Jaime’s body almost hummed with it. Give me! Joshua silently willed. Jaime’s cock jerked, pushing his hips forward until his cock touched the back of Joshua’s throat. Then Jaime’s cock began to push his seed inside his brother. Jaime was holding Joshua’s head as he trembled above him. His shout from the combined pleasure and pain was cut off by biting into his lip. Joshua almost came himself. The only thing that saved him from spending was thinking about how much better it would be when he came inside of Jaime.
********* Jaime pulled Joshua to his feet, and kissed him, tasting himself on Jaime’s questing tongue. “Want inside you Jaime,” Joshua whispered into the kiss. Jaime whimpered. “Want you inside me,” Joshua began walking backwards, pulling Jaime with him, their lips still clinging together. He reversed their positions when he reached the bed, riding Jaime down to the blankets. Jaime widened his legs, allowing Joshua to settle between them. He had just come, but his cock was already half-hard again. Joshua moved his attention to his brother’s jaw line, kissing and licking his way to the throat. One hand caressed Jaime’s hip, while the other teased the flat disk of his light brown nipple. Jaime arched to his brother’s hand, crying out when Joshua replaced his
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fingers with his mouth. His tongue was incredibly hot, teasing the sensitive flesh. He sucked the bud into his mouth, and bit gently with his teeth. Jaime moaned as his brother’s mouth and tongue slid down his chest, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Joshua paused to swirl his tongue in Jaime’s navel. Continuing on the course he had set, he nuzzled Jaime’s pelvic bone, teased Jaime with his lips against the side of his now completely hard cock. His tongue flicked over Jaime’s sac, and then he was teasing the sensitive strip of skin behind them. His tongue swirled over the tight entrance to Jaime’s body. Jaime bucked, “Josh?!” “Shush,” he murmured, “just preparing you, is all.” Joshua slid his hands under his brother’s ass, lifting him, and spreading his cheeks at the same time to give him better access. The tip of his tongue formed a tiny spear, and Joshua thrust against the tight bud. Jaime cried out, shuddering above him, the taut muscles slowly giving way to the demands of Joshua’s tongue. Joshua’s tongue thrust in and out of his tight sheath, stroking the bundle of sensitive nerves at Jaime’s entrance. Jaime trembled with the effort it took to stay still. His breath came in uneven pants, his entire body felt like it was on fire. It only grew worse when he felt the solid pressure of Joshua’s finger sliding in beside his tongue. The sensation stung a bit, but Joshua was soon soothing the tiny hurt with the wet heat of his dexterous muscle. Jaime’s eyes flared as Joshua’s long finger found the nut-sized gland inside him, and stroked. The stimulation of his prostate nearly makes him scream, but he bit down on the back of his hand to stifle it.
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“Gonna add a second finger, baby,” Joshua told him, “You okay?” “Yeah!” his voice broke in a groan when Joshua eased a second finger into his body, stretching him. Joshua carefully scissored his fingers, relaxing his brother’s muscles so that it wouldn’t hurt so much when he was inside him. Jaime balled his fists in the covers, and bit down on his lower lip. A few more pumps of Joshua’s fingers and he was crying out, “Fuck! Josh, I can’t take any more!” Joshua was suddenly looming over him. His hands held Jaime’s legs up and apart, titling his ass up so he could line his cock with Jaime’s hole. Jaime felt the large head of his brother’s erection pressing around the now sensitive rim of his anus. Jaime bent down and licked his nipple. “Let me in, Jaime,” he whispered, pushing slowly inside his twin. Jaime groaned as his brother filled him slowly. There was a slight burn as Joshua’s thick width spread him even wider; but underlying it all was the pleasure of being filled Joshua’s cock abrading every sensitive nerve in his channel.
“Fuck, Jaime. So tight . . . hot!” Joshua panted trembling with his effort to hold himself still and not plunge to the hilt inside Jaime, like he was dying to. Jaime’s body was clinging to his cock like a hot vice. Jaime ran his hands down his brother’s body trying to soothe them both, to take his mind off the slight discomfort, and allow his body to relax. Joshua continued to push inside him until he was in as far as he could go, and he thought he’d never felt anything as good as Jaime surrounding him. Jaime was moving under him now, refusing to allow him to stay still for long, and soon Joshua’s hips were moving in sync with his brother’s. Jaime’s fingers tightened on
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his brother’s hips hard enough to dimple the skin. He held him close for each thrust of his cock, amazed at how wonderful it felt. He could feel his cock throbbing with the need to spill already, but he wanted Jaime to come first. He took his brother’s cock in hand, and began to stroke him off. Jaime’s body rippled around him. His brother groaned and moaned, eyes latching onto Joshua’s, reflecting the love they felt for each other shining back at him. Jaime’s body clamped down on his cock as every muscle in his body went tense. “Josh!” His cock pulsed, spewing white ribbons of cum all over Joshua’s hand, the tightening of his body making Joshua come too. Incredible heat filled Jaime in intense bursts, and he thought he’d never seen anything more beautiful than the long line of Joshua’s throat with his head thrown back as he experienced the ecstasy of orgasm. They both sighed as Joshua slid out. Boneless with satiation, it was all Joshua could do to turn so he landed on the mattress next to his brother. Joshua ended up on his back. He reached out one hand, finding Jaime’s fingers there to link with his. Jaime scooted over until he was cuddled against his chest. Both of them relaxed, soothed by the sound of each other’s breathing. “I should probably go,” Jaime finally said, with obvious reluctance. Joshua caught his brother’s arm and tugged him back down before he could lean up all the way, “Stay. I’ll wake us both up early.” Jaime nodded happily. “Okay.” He closed his eyes, and a few minutes later was asleep. ****
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Joshua got up early, and helped Jaime back into his own room. Out of all the Trinovantes brothers, Jaime was the least likely to rise early. Ranch work tended to start early in the day, but Joshua let his brother sleep in most of the time. He and Beckham, the only other work hand on the Rockin’ R, could handle things at least until then. Joshua had to chuckle at his brother’s worn out state when he laid him in his bed. Jaime instantly wanted to curl up under the covers and fall back to sleep, but neither of them had bathed last night, and Joshua had the hardest time cleaning a squirming Jaime off with a damp cloth. He accomplished it though, and headed downstairs to start coffee brewing before Beckham arrived or Emilio came downstairs. Buster was already up. His tail wagging like mad; he was obviously happy to see him. Joshua padded over to the back door in his bare feet and let the dog out for his morning ritual. He’d taken a shower after tucking Jaime in, so he was already dressed in his standard t-shirt and stressed jeans.
The coffee was done brewing and he poured himself a cup. Jaime didn’t add anything to it, liking his coffee black. Buster scratched at the door, and he put down his mug and went to let him in. While he was on the porch, he grabbed the paper and returned to the kitchen table. It wasn’t until he was sitting down, taking his first careful sip of the dark stuff, that it finally hit him. He had been too exhausted last night and he hadn’t allowed himself to think about what he’d done while he’d been going through the motions this morning, but now his mind was idle. All he could think about was Jaime upstairs in his own bed
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after he’d carried him there this morning. All he could think about was that he’d had the best sex of his life and it had been with his twin brother.
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CHAPTER 4
Jaime wiped his sweating palms on his jeans before he slid on his work gloves, and bent down to get a grip on the bale of hay. One of the horses in the stall nickered, and Jaime turned his head to see his brother Emilio strolling into the barn. He immediately felt a nervous sweat break out on his forehead. His heart was slamming into his ribs like a caged bird and his arms went as limp as rubber. He tried to assure himself that he was making mountains out of molehills. He didn’t look any different than he had the day before. Surely Emilio couldn’t tell what he and Joshua had done by just looking at him. Making his feet shuffle forward, Jaime quickly relieved his burden on top of the other bales before he dropped it. He turned to offer Emilio a weak smile. Emilio wasn’t smiling. In fact, his brow was knitted with concern. Out of habit, Jaime reached up to tug at the brim of his Stetson only to have his hand meet his hair. Oh yeah, he hadn’t worn one today. “Wassup, Emilio?” Emilio frowned. “I don’t know; you tell me. I’d ask your reflection, but he’s made himself scarcer than a deer during hunting season. I want to know what happened between you two.” Jaime looked anywhere but his brother’s eyes. Emilio always had been too intuitive when it came to reading people. He couldn’t imagine his brother’s reaction if he ever learned what he and Joshua had done. The thought brought a flush to his cheeks. He thought if Emilio ever denounced him as his brother, he’d just about shrivel up and die. He was already on edge about Joshua. He’d awoken this morning with a silly grin on his
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face, showered, and headed downstairs, eager to see Joshua, only to find a cold cup of coffee on the kitchen table. Joshua wasn’t there, and Jaime feared what that meant. It wasn’t like Joshua to shirk his duties. Jaime had found Beckham already attending to the workload on his own, and Joshua’s SUV was gone. Jaime just threw himself into his work, refusing to think because he could almost feel the panic clawing up his throat. Good, hard labor left little time for his mind to wander. He’d done okay so far, but being approached by Emilio was almost too much. He needed to talk with Joshua. He needed his brother’s reassurance that he didn’t hate his guts. Even though it would have been logical to place the blame on both parties, Jaime just couldn’t seem to get over the idea that it was his fault. If he’d never made that confession, maybe . . .
“Jaime?” Jaime fought not to flinch. “It’s nothing really. We, uh . . . just got into an argument over . . . a girl we met in the bar.” Emilio’s frown deepened. It was obvious he didn’t believe him. “That’s all?” he asked doubtfully. Jaime ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Honest.” That was the biggest whopper he’d ever told. Emilio opened his mouth to say something else when his cell phone rang. Unclipping it from his belt, Emilio flipped it open and pressed it to his ear, “Hello. Oh hey, Wade, how’s it going? What—you sure about that? Okay. Yeah.” He paused to listen. “I’m on my way, thanks.”
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Emilio hung up. His frown was now a permanent fixture. “Found your reflection, runt, seems he’s been at The Bronze Horse all day, drinking himself under the bar. Wade refuses to give him another beer, and asked me to come get him.” Emilio’s brow went up. “All this over a girl, Jaime?” Jaime had no answer for that, so he didn’t say anything else on the subject. What he did say was, “I’ll pick him up.” Even if he were drunk, he and Joshua had a lot to talk about. He definitely didn’t want an intoxicated Joshua spilling the beans to Emilio on the ride home. Jaime walked past his brother before Emilio could protest. Tugging off his gloves, Jaime darted into the house to get his keys.
***
The Bronze Horse was fairly empty this early in the day, a fact for which Jaime had never been happier. There were less than a handful of men in the bar as he entered. Two older cowboys, well past their hay days, were tucked into a corner, nursing warm beers; probably regaling each other about old times. They glanced curiously at Jaime when he strolled in, then went back to talking. Jaime scanned the room for his brother, but didn’t see him. Then Wade came out from behind the bar, wiping his hands on the towel he always kept on his shoulder, “He’s in the restroom, Jaime.” Jaime nodded his thanks and started walking in that direction when Wade called out to him. “You’re going to want these.” Wade tossed a set of keys at Jaime, who caught
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them reflexively, “you can leave Joshua’s Durango in the lot until someone’s able to pick it up.” “Thanks,” then he added, “I’m really sorry about all this.” Wade’s smile was warm, but there was concern in his eyes. “You Trinovantes are good people. Take care of your brother, Jaime. Whatever is wrong with him, he’s hurting bad.” Yeah, he already knew that. He didn’t feel all that great himself. In fact, he was dreading coming face to face with Joshua. What if Joshua didn’t want to see him? He had left without as much as a fair thee well, after all. Still, he was here now, and Joshua needed to be brought home. They couldn’t avoid each other forever. Jaime sure didn’t want to. He’d given Joshua enough time on his own. It was time to confront his twin. They’d never been apart, and, if Jaime had anything to say about it, they sure as hell weren’t starting now. With a determined stride, Jaime headed for the restroom and his brother.
***
There were two stalls in the medium-sized restroom. Joshua had locked himself in the one on the right. Jaime knocked on the door. “Use the other one!” came the slightly slurred, but very distinctive voice of Joshua. “Joshua, it’s me. Open the door.”
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There was a long pause, before Joshua yelled, “Go away. Tell Emilio to come get me. Wade won’t give me my keys.” “Don’t be ridiculous, Josh, I’m already here.” “I don’t want to see you.” Okay, that stung. His voice was thicker with emotion than he would have liked when he said, “Josh, you don’t mean that. I know you’re scared right now. I am, too, but we can work this out. Just—just come out and talk to me.” “I’m not scared!” Joshua very nearly roared, and then in a lower tone, said. “What is there to talk about? I fucked you. You’re my brother.” Jaime heard his brother take in a ragged breath, “And. . . even knowing that, Jaime, I’d do it again. Sick fuck that I am, I would do it in a heartbeat. So, you see, there is nothing to talk about. It’s not talking that I want to do when you’re near me. I figured that out this morning. All those times I got the belly flutters when we were kids and you touched me. Every time you crept into my room and crawled in bed with me because you were scared of lightning, and I woke up with a hard on. I thought it was just morning wood, you know?” The pained sound Joshua made sent a dagger straight to Jaime’s heart. “Every moment of that had been leading up to yesterday.” The silence after Joshua’s confession was like a bridge between them. Jaime stood on the other side of the door at a loss for words. Joshua had pulled on his heartstrings something hard, but he’d also awakened Jaime’s arousal. He didn’t know whether he should be ashamed of his body’s reaction, or ecstatic that he hadn’t been the only one going through an awkward stage where he didn’t know if it was just natural teen
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horniness or his brother. He was still deep in thought when the door swung open, banging against the wall. Joshua looked startled, “Jesus! I thought you were gone.” Jaime couldn’t help the grin that tugged at his lips at his brother’s look of surprise. “Josh, you could have seen my boots under the door.” Joshua had the grace to look sheepish, “Oh, yeah. Fuck, I’m drunk!” Jaime agreed. Joshua smelled like he’d been dunked in a pool of whiskey. He also looked adorable. Tufts of hair stood up all over his head, evidence that Joshua had been raking his fingers through his hair again. It was a nervous habit they both shared. Wide, glassy eyes regarded Jaime for a minute, then Joshua tried walking out of the stall, which was a mistake. His coordination was off, and he only managed to slam his wide shoulders into the stall wall. Grunting, he went sinking to the floor. Jaime reached for his brother, but Joshua slapped his hands away, “No, don’t touch me!” he said a bit sharply.
Shaking his head, Jaime squatted beside his brother and grasped his arm. He tugged. “Help me out here, bro.” “Jaime.” Joshua’s eyes pleaded with his brother to leave him alone. “I’m not leaving you.” Joshua reversed the hold on his arm, and pulled Jaime forward with one rough jerk. Jaime lost his already precarious balance and spilled onto Joshua’s lap. Callous roughened hands cupped his head, pulling his gaze up to meet with Joshua’s eyes. “You should have left, brother. I’m not that drunk.”
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Joshua crushed his lips against his twin’s, making a needy sound in the back of his throat as he slipped his tongue into Jaime’s surprised mouth. Jaime was right there with him, sliding his tongue to meet up with Joshua’s. Jaime’s fingers dug into Joshua’s thighs and he whimpered, pressing closer. Their tongues sparred for dominance. Even though drunk, Joshua won the dance. Well, maybe Jaime helped a bit; he might even have given in on purpose. Joshua kissed his brother like he was fine a delicacy, like a starving man who’d come across a feast. Joshua tasted and claimed every corner, sucking at Jaime’s own questing tongue. Only the threat of being discovered by a customer or Wade had Jaime finally, reluctantly, pulling away. He was breathing hard, feeling the uncomfortable strain of his jeans against his pounding erection. “Josh, we can’t do this here,” he said as he reached up and pulled Joshua’s hands from his cheek, holding them in his own. “Don’t shut me out, Josh. We will get through this together, okay? Like always. Just you and me, yeah?” Joshua nodded. “Good. We’ll talk, but you need to sober up first.” Jaime pushed to his feet, dragging Joshua with him. Joshua staggered, and Jaime caught him under one arm, giving him the support he needed. They slid out of the stall sideways, and Jaime helped his brother to the door. His arm never lost its grip from around Joshua’s waist as they headed for his truck. Jaime was determined they’d work it out. Somehow.
*****
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Joshua had barely made it to the bathroom before he was sick. While his brother kneeled at the toilet, Jaime got a clean washcloth from the closet, wet it, and went over to his brother.
Crouching down beside his twin, Jaime gently nudged Joshua’s face around until he was facing him, then before he wiped his sweaty face off with the cool cloth. “How much did you drink anyway?” Jaime could smell the whiskey seeping out of his brother’s pores as his body made a valiant effort to rid his body of the foreign intoxicant. Jaime did his best to hide his worry. His brother was by no means a drinker; the most Joshua would ever have were two or three beers on a Saturday night. Joshua shook his head, wincing as the action made the red-hot ache behind his eyes flare to life, “Don’t remember. Stopped counting after ten or so shots.” He started to protest when Jaime’s fingers began undoing the buttons of his shirt. They were supposed to talk; there was no way he could think about anything but Jaime, even in his sorry state, if his clothes were off. “You’re burning up, Josh, and I need to get you a shower. I told you we’d talk later.” Jaime could so easily decipher his brother’s thoughts. “Right now, I want you showered and in bed.” It was a rare thing for Jaime to take the initiative where Joshua was concerned. He’d always been willing to allow his twin to make the decisions, so long as they were good ones. Then there were moments like these when fun-loving Jaime was as serious as a heart attack. There was no reasoning with him when he got into one of his
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rare stubborn moods, so Joshua barely put up a protest when Jaime pulled him to his feet, and began undoing his jeans. Jaime pulled his brother’s underwear and pants down and kneeled to tackle Joshua’s boots, “Lift up.” Joshua did, placing a hand on Jaime’s shoulder for balance as his twin tugged off first his shoes then the pants. Jaime stood and finished undoing the buttons on his brother’s shirt. He pushed the red and blue-checkered shirt off Joshua’s broad shoulders, and tossed it on top of the hamper near the door. Then, propping Joshua up against a wall, he went to start the shower. Jaime stood next to the shower and began to disrobe. Joshua’s eyes flared, and he swayed against the wall. “What in the hell are you doing, Jaime?” Jaime lifted one eyebrow pointedly. “You gonna be able to stand up in the shower on your own long enough to get washed up?” “Emilio could--” Jaime interrupted him. “He went to pick up the new horseshoes at the farrier’s. I saw his note on the table in the den. McCabe must have called while we were gone.” Jaime didn’t bring up the fact that Joshua was the one who was supposed to have met McCabe for the horseshoes. They were in El Paso, an hour and a half away, so they had plenty of time. Jaime crossed the room, locked the door, then clasped his brother’s arm and ushered him over to the shower. Joshua tripped on the rim of the tub, but his brother caught him. “Easy.”
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After some negotiating, both brothers were able to stand under the spray. Joshua leaned sleepily against his brother as Jaime reached for the shampoo and soaped up his hair. He chuckled as Joshua’s warm breath tickled his neck. “You better not go to sleep on me, Josh. If you do, I’m leaving you here with the water running. Even when it’s cold—HEY!” Jaime jumped as his brother pinched his ass.
Joshua smiled up at him unrepentantly. Jaime returned the favor, and felt the scrape of Joshua’s teeth lightly nibble his collarbone. “No fair, you’re assaulting a man with a disability.” Despite the ripple of heat that swamped his lower regions at the erotic caress, Jaime determinedly pushed his brother more firmly under the water, rinsing his hair, “You’re not handicapped, J, you’re just drunk.” His twin made a grunting sound, mumbling something unintelligible that was further muffled when Jaime wiped his face clean with a washcloth. The rest of the bath was done in quick, efficient movements. Joshua was growing as lax as a rubber band, and Jaime wanted to get him in bed soon. Getting him out of the tub and dried off was a hassle, but Jaime managed. He convinced Joshua to let him slip on boxer shorts before stuffing him under the covers. Only once that was done did Jaime return to the bathroom to clean up the mess they had made. He hopped back in the shower himself to freshen up, got out, and dressed. He was walking on quiet feet through Joshua’s room when his brother lifted his head and turned to regard Jaime with sleepy eyes and a grateful smile. “Thank you, Jaime.”
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Jaime swallowed hard, feeling something in his chest tighten. “You’re welcome, Josh.” ******
They really needed to look into getting a maid. He couldn’t run the ranch, tally the finances, and cook and clean. Jaime slammed the pan of burnt biscuits down on the stove and had to go scrambling after one rogue, burnt lump that leapt out of the pan and went rolling across the floor. He just managed to scoop it up before Buster could get his slobbering jowls on it. Buster sat back on his hindquarters and whined. “Trust me, boy, you don’t want to eat this,” he cast him a second glance. On second thought, maybe he’d learn to stick with his dog food if he thought he was trying to kill him. He almost gave him the biscuit before he recalled that he hated animal cruelty. He chucked it in the garbage instead, and was emptying the rest of the pan when a car horn went off in the front yard. He knew only one thing for sure: it wasn’t Emilio or Beckham’s truck. Setting down the pan, Jaime reached for a towel and wiped his hand on it. He went to the front door, with Buster clicking his nails noisily all the way through the living room. Jaime opened the door just in time, because the man on the other side had his big hand poised to knock. He grinned when he saw Jaime. Jaime looked quite the opposite. “Reid.” “Jaime!” Reid stepped forward, and enveloped the smaller man in a bear hug. He finally let loose with a hard clap on Jaime’s back that had him stumbling forward a little. “What . . . ah, what are you doing here, Reid?”
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Reid frowned, “Didn’t Emilio tell you? I’m his best man, for the wedding.” That made sense. Reid and Emilio had grown up together. They’d been practically connected at the hip until Reid went off to the army. Of course, that didn’t make Jaime feel any better. Reid had still been the bane of his existence. It hadn’t been Emilio that came up with the term runt, nor had he been the one to insinuate that Jaime might be gay. That had all been Victor Alan Reid.
The playful glint in his blue eyes told Jaime that Reid hadn’t changed one iota. **** Waking up hurt, so if he could avoid it a few more hours he would, but the throbbing pain behind his eyelids screamed out for Tylenol. Groaning, Joshua pushed into a sitting position, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood gingerly, testing out the steadiness of his legs. His mouth was dry and tasted like he’d eaten down moldy bread. “No more whiskey for me!” he grumbled, then winced at the smell of his own breath. Joshua hurried to the bathroom to relieve himself as standing finally registered to his bladder. After he’d done that, he brushed his teeth and gargled with mouthwash. He opened the medicine cabinet and fumbled around, squinting against the harsh bathroom light that was making it hard to see. Finally, he grabbed the familiar bottle. He was shutting the cabinet when he heard laughter from downstairs. It wasn’t Jaime’s . . . but sounded like Reid? He stood where he was long enough to shake out two pills before hurrying back into his room to tug on a pair of sweats. Not bothering with anything else, he headed for
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the stairs. He found Jaime, Reid, and Emilio at the kitchen table. Reid and Emilio were nursing beers, while Jaime sat on the opposite side of the table rubbing Buster’s head, blushing with embarrassment and looking like he was ready to bolt. Joshua felt his anger rise to the surface, which only burned brighter because his head was already hurting. He was opening his mouth to make his presence known when Emilio looked up and frowned. Just that fast, he remembered the earlier events of the day. Emilio was pissed because Joshua had gotten wasted in the middle of the day and shirked his duties. Not only that, but his brother had to make the trip to El Paso, which had also been his job. Joshua snapped his mouth shut. “Want a beer?” Emilio asked mockingly. Joshua clenched his jaw. “Naw, heard you had one too many already,” Reid quipped. “Hell, Joshua, you look like shit.” “Hello to you too, Reid.” Suddenly, Jaime got up and went to the stove; he pulled a plate from the oven, and busied himself unwrapping the tin foil. His eyes darted to Joshua, “You hungry, J? I saved you a plate.” “Awe, ain’t that sweet, Jaime still playing the housewife to Mr. Beaver.” “Shut up, Reid,” Joshua growled. “Joshua!” Emilio shook his head. “I’m not gonna sit here and let Reid insult our brother.” “Its okay, Leo,” Reid assured the eldest brother, “he’s just taking up for his little bro.” The sardonic smile that twisted his lips chafed Joshua’s patience. He never liked
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Reid anyway, not after all the years the asshole picked on Jaime. There was a difference between good, clean fun and being plain mean-spirited. Just because Emilio was blind, didn’t mean he had to be. Joshua was across the room with Reid’s navy blue shirt in his fist before he knew it. He tore the surprised soldier right out of his chair. “Listen here mother—”
Emilio’s arms circled Joshua’s waist and pulled him off. He set Joshua down on the other side of the kitchen, but still had to push him back with a hand on his chest. “What the fuck is wrong with you, Joshua?” Emilio demanded. “That’s Reid you’re attacking. He’s just messing around, like he’s always done.” Joshua’s heated eyes landed on his brother’s face, “That’s the problem, Emilio; Jaime’s not a fuckin’ kid any longer. No one wants to hear that shit any more.” Buster took that moment to howl, gaining everyone’s attention. His tail was wagging from the excitement of it all, and his eyes were darting back and forth between his masters, unsure of whom to aid. Joshua wrenched out of Emilio’s grasp, “You can have who you want at your wedding, Emilio, but he’s not staying here.” He glanced at the stove only to find Jaime had already walked off. Joshua left the kitchen then, ignoring Emilio’s muttered curses. His head was still pounding like a drill, and he’d dropped his Tylenol on the kitchen floor.
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CHAPTER 5
Three days had passed since Reid had showed up, and he was still there. Emilio had asserted his right to have any guest he wanted, because one third of the house belonged to him. The only way Joshua agreed to let Reid stay was if he apologized to his brother. Reid had apologized, but Jaime was still not acting like his old self. The house was constantly thick with tension, and Joshua could hardly catch a glimpse of his twin before Jaime was out the door. Joshua knew his brother was deliberately avoiding Reid, but he didn’t like being avoided in the process. When Friday rolled around, he went searching for his brother out in the corral. They didn’t do much on the weekends except put the horses out to pasture. He had an idea and he wanted to put it to his brother. He was almost sure that Jaime would be all for it. They needed time away, just the two of them. He spotted Jaime right away. His brother was in the middle of the corral holding the reins of a Dutch Warmblood. Warmbloods were a type of sport horse built for competitive jumping, or sometimes used in breed competitions. This one was young, barely two years old, with a beautiful sable coat and shiny mane. Jaime handled her easily, holding the reins just so as he walked her through her paces. Joshua recalled that her name was Adelphe. She was scheduled to go to a young girl named Sabrina and her mother, Ruth, who had her daughter involved in competitive jumping. The horse was a beauty, but Joshua’s attention was focused on her handler. Sweat had formed a small pool down the middle of Jaime’s back. He’d rolled up the sleeves of
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his light blue, button-up shirt, displaying toned, golden forearms. The well-worn jeans he wore did a great job of cupping his firm behind, and outlining long, well-muscled legs. His Stetson hung on a post off to his right, so Joshua was afforded an inhibited view of his handsome face, as well as the emotions that flickered across it as he focused on the horse.
Instead of calling to him right away, Joshua leaned against the fence and folded his hands over the railing to watch his brother work. After about five more minutes of letting her circle, Jaime moved forward and unsnapped the reins from Adelphe’s bridle. He scratched her nose softly as she nuzzled into his shoulder, and Jaime produced a sugar cube from his back pocket and fed it to her. Joshua couldn’t help but smile as memories assailed him. He could remember Daddy yelling after Joshua when the veterinarian came by and checked the horse’s teeth. Jaime would always make himself scarce. He knew he wasn’t supposed to keep giving the horses sugar like he was, but he had a soft spot for all animals. Jaime heard his brother’s deep chuckle and spun around guiltily. He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard Joshua come out of the house. That was rare, because usually he felt his brother’s presence. It just went to show how much everything was going to hell since that day he’d confessed to wanting his brother. “How long you been standing there?” To distract his eyes from greedily drinking in Joshua, Jaime concentrated on getting the horse to the gate, which led out to pasture just off the smaller corral.
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“A few minutes.” Joshua waited until Jaime had closed the gate behind Adelphe, who’d launched into a gallop in her hurry to join the other horses. Once the gate had clicked shut and Jaime turned around, heading for his Stetson, Joshua said, “I want to talk to you about something, Jaime.” Jaime retrieved his hat, but didn’t put it on. His fingers were plucking at the edges; another nervous habit of his. “Yeah, what about?” The sight of his brother’s tongue darting out to moisten his lips momentarily distracted Joshua. He swallowed a groan when his jeans suddenly grew tighter. Somehow, he managed to get back on track, and tell Jaime his plans. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in going up to Carter’s Creek with me this weekend. We could fish, swim, hike—whatever you want. I think we both need to get away for a little while. “ His heart thudded anxiously as he watched his brothers face light up. God, he was gorgeous when he smiled. This time Joshua did groan, but his brother didn’t seem to notice. Jaime was almost bouncing on his toes as he trotted over to where Joshua was standing, “Oh, hell yeah. We haven’t been up to Carter Creek in what, two . . . three years?” “Three.” He returned his brother’s smile. “I’m happy you want to go. I haven’t seen that much of you in the past three days.” At the mention of the past three days, some of Jaime’s happiness ebbed away. “Oh, about that . . . I wasn’t avoiding you, Josh. You know I don’t get along with Reid, and I didn’t want to stir things up again. He’s here for Emilio’s wedding and I figured I could wait out the week or so before he leaves again.”
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Joshua reached out and captured his brother’s hand, tugging it onto the fence. His thumb swept circles in a soothing gesture over Jaime’s palm, “Hush, baby; I knew you weren’t hiding from me. You shouldn’t have to feel like an outsider in your own damn home. If you want me to, I’ll go inside and kick Reid’s ass right now. You just say the word.”
Jaime grinned at that, but his tone was firm as he attempted to be serious. “I wasn’t hiding from Reid, Josh, I was avoiding him. There is a difference. I’m not afraid of him or intimidated by the crap that comes out of his mouth. I avoided him because he sees even more than Emilio. Suppose he catches me looking at you the way I do and puts two and two together. He already knew I was gay before I even knew it.” Joshua snorted. “Cooking and cleaning does not make you gay, Jaime. It just means you’re better than the two slobs that Emilio and I are. Besides, when Momma was alive, she instilled a love for cooking in you. You were the baby, and she didn’t want you out doing the ‘rough stuff’ Emilio and I did working with Daddy.” “I sorta ended up doing it anyway,” Jaime grinned. “Jack of all trades--” “--But master of none,” Jaime finished. After a moment, he realized what Joshua was implying, “Hey, I’m an excellent cook.” Joshua chuckled and dropped his brother’s hand as Jaime balled up his fist. A devilish light twinkled in his eyes, “I saw the burnt biscuits you tried stuffing into the bottom of the trashcan,” Joshua teased.
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Jaime put one hand on the fence and vaulted over it. Joshua was already running. His steps were slowed down by all the laughing he was doing. Jaime was grinning just as hard as he gave chase. He hadn’t been this happy since he’d come back from his month-long stint in Kenwood for accounting. He almost caught up to Joshua. His fingertips brushed the shirt billowing out from his brother’s waist. Then Joshua darted right, disappearing behind the barn. “Damn!” Jaime quickly changed directions. He was just rounding the barn when he was brought up short by a hand fisting in his shirt, nearly yanking him off his feet. Joshua tugged him around the corner and roped him in, pressing his twin against the barn wall. Jaime’s eyes barely had time to focus on him before Joshua was crushing their lips together. For Joshua, the heat was instantaneous, exploding outward from his belly. His cock jerked demandingly. He pressed his body as close to Jaime as he could get. Jaime’s lips parted without hesitation, allowing him to slip into the sweet cavern. Joshua groaned; he was home again. He plundered Jaime’s mouth like a starved man, making up for the three nights he’d dreamed about touching Jaime, only to wake up and find it impossible, because Reid was always underfoot. Jaime moaned for him, his mouth just as hungry as Joshua’s. Jaime’s hands didn’t know where they wanted to go as they moved over Joshua’s frame like two fluttering birds. He was trying to stroke everywhere at once. He finally settled on shoving his hands beneath Joshua’s shirt, and sliding them up the silken skin of his back. “God, you’re so hot!”
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Jaime poured the declaration into his twin’s mouth, and it was true. Joshua felt almost hot enough to burn. He imagined that Joshua felt the same way. Joshua ground his hips against Jaime’s, his brother gasping at the shock of finding something even hotter brushing against his own erection. The older twin nipped at his brother’s lips, before slowing his kiss to a languid perusal of Jaime’s mouth. Jaime felt his brother about to pull away and sighed with regret, but they couldn’t stay like they were. They’d taken too much of a risk already. This side of the barn faced away from the house, but it did face the driveway. All it would take was someone to come riding up the gravel drive, and they’d be discovered. Joshua pulled away, his breathing choppy, his heart throbbing, and his cock hard enough to pound nails. He rested his forehead against Jaime’s. He looked into his brother’s eyes and smiled. “We’re leaving today, Jaime, so pack enough to last you two days.” Joshua suddenly had to push away from the temptation of Jaime’s kiss-swollen lips. He looked thoughtful for a moment, “and bring swim trunks—no, scratch that,” his grin was wicked, “forget you have any.” Jaime laughed even as his cheeks heated. He studied his twin for a moment, and finally said, “How long have you been plotting to get me behind the barn?” Joshua tried to look innocent, but failed completely. He caved, “Actually, I had a dream about it while you were taking that course in accounting, but I didn’t see my chance until today.” Josh made a gesture toward the house by tilting his head. “Go on and get packed.” Jaime nodded, eagerly peeled himself off the barn wall, and started walking back to the house.
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“Jaime?” Jaime turned around to regard his brother. “Yeah?” “Hurry!”
***
Joshua reached across the seat to gently shake his brother’s shoulder. “Hey, Jaime, we’re here.” Jaime lifted his head from the makeshift pillow he’d formed out of his shirt. He blinked a few times, then focused his gaze on the cabin. It had looked the same way since he was a boy, sturdy and made of dark wood that looked bleached in some spots by the sun. There were no flowers or trimmed bushes around the cabin. A few trees lined the creek that sat about thirty feet from the house, as well as some stones, but the cabin was a man’s resort. No feminine touch had been allowed to ruin its simplicity. The front porch was relatively new, having been replaced four years ago because it had mostly rotted, but everything else was older than he and Joshua. The door swung open, drawing his attention back to his brother. Joshua got out and stretched, then shut the driver’s door and opened the back one to collect their bags. He smiled over at Jaime. “You coming or going, Jaime?” he teased. Jaime stifled the urge to make a face as he opened his own door and slid out. His back protested the abrupt straightening, making Jaime groan. “Save those for later,” Joshua said, shutting the back door with his hip.
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Jaime chuckled. “Will do.” He moved around the Durango to help his brother with the bags, but Joshua shook his head.
“Keys, in my back pocket. Could you open the door, please?” Still grinning, Jaime slipped his hands into Joshua’s pocket, taking the opportunity to cop a feel. His eyes slid to his brother’s and a shudder went through him at the heat he saw there. “I’m really trying to make it into the house first, Jaime, but if you keep. . .” Jaime sprang into action; running up to the porch and unlocking the door, he held it wide open. He waited until Joshua had passed the threshold before closing the door and feeling for a light switch. His nose wrinkled at the musty smell of old leather and wood. It was darker inside, the curtains having been drawn closed. His finger brushed a switch and flipped it on. After his eyes adjusted, he saw that the den they were in was a graveyard of white sheets. It was also incredibly dusty with thick cobwebs hanging from the corners of doors and clinging to the only light in the den’s ceiling. The floor was also covered in white chalkiness. Joshua settled their bags on a sheet-covered couch. He looked around, shaking his head. “We’ve got a lot of cleaning to do.” “I thought Emilio paid a woman to come here twice a month and clean.” “Aurora’s husband still cuts the grass around here, but we haven’t been here in three years, so Emilio didn’t bother to have the place cleaned anymore.” “How come I didn’t know about this?”
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Joshua shrugged. “It wasn’t all that important, I guess.” He saw the look Jaime was giving him that said it was indeed important to his brother. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you, Jaime. I won’t keep you in the dark about anything else, ever. I swear.” “Thank you.” Jaime lifted a corner of a sheet to reveal a tasteless, brown couch underneath. It looked like the hide of Mr. Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. He hastily let go of the sheet. “When do you want to get started on cleaning this place up?” “In the morning. I packed a cooler full of food and a new case of sheets, so we should be fine for tonight. Tomorrow, I can ride back to town and grab a few more things we need.” “Okay. You mind if I take a quick shower? I didn’t get the chance to earlier.” “No, you go ahead. I’ll make our bed up and bring the food in.”
Jaime nodded and went to retrieve his bag off the couch. He headed up the stairs to the bedroom he’d always slept in as a boy. Joshua had slept there too, his twin bed across from Jaime’s. It was stripped bare and shoved against the right wall, looking a lot smaller than he remembered, even though it had only been three years. He turned the light off and closed the door. No way was he sleeping in the narrow twin bed when he could sleep with Joshua. He strolled past his Daddy’s room. It would just be too weird to sleep with his brother in a bed his Daddy had slept in with his Mom. Instead, he walked to the end of the hall where Emilio’s old room was. Emilio only had a queen compared to his Father’s king-sized bed, but it would do. He gathered what he would need for the shower, stripped down to his boxers, and then headed down the hall.
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*** Jaime was just rinsing the shampoo out of his hair when the sliding glass door to the shower slid open and Joshua stepped naked inside the small cubicle. Jaime jumped a little, his eyes flaring in surprise. “Josh, what the hell! You just scared ten years off my life.” Joshua was smiling, “I seem to recall you assaulting a man with a disability in a shower just like this one.” Jaime shook his head, but he was grinning helplessly. “I told you that you were drunk, bro. Being inebriated isn’t a disability.” His brother begged to differ. He reached out and grabbed Jaime’s wrist, pulling him flush against his chest. Their cocks collided, Jaime’s already slippery wet. Joshua reached between them, and grasped both their cocks in one large hand. He began to pump them slowly, watching the way his brother’s eyes fluttered as Jaime struggled to keep his eyes open to watch. “To me, a disability means I can’t fuck you proper,” Joshua whispered against his brother’s lips. Jaime’s answer was a low moan. His hips canted forward, pushing firmly into Joshua’s hand. His brother’s thumb slid over the head of his cock, teasing the slit. Jaime’s frame trembled. “That’s it, baby,” Joshua crooned, “come for me.” He released his own cock, and concentrated on his brother’s. He leaned forward, burying his face in the side of Jaime’s neck. His teeth scraped Jaime’s Adam’s apple, followed by his tongue trailing a heated path to the hollow of Jaime’s throat. He sucked
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the water-dappled skin until he drew up a mark. Then he moved on to claim another patch of skin. Jaime would have to wear his beaded Indian necklace for a while when they got back to hide the hickies, but at the moment Joshua couldn’t seem to care. His free hand reached down and cupped Jaime’s sac, rolling the orbs within. “Ah, Josh!” Jaime cried out. His hips were now rocking into Joshua, shoving his cock through the tight band of his brother’s fist. Joshua reached further back, skimming his thumb lightly over the sensitive patch of skin behind his brother’s balls. Jaime went still, and suddenly shuddered. Jaime felt the pulses in his brother’s cock as hot cum splashed onto his hand. Breathing ragged, Jaime leaned against Joshua for support as his legs wobbled like Jell-O. Joshua cupped his brother’s face with one hand, angling his head so that their lips could meet. The kiss was lazy, yet sensual. No hurry this time. No risk of someone walking in to discover them. The freedom of it was a heady thing. Joshua groaned into his brother’s mouth as Jaime’s hand found his cock, stroking in time with the motions of their tongues. All too soon, Joshua felt the familiar ache in his balls that signaled his climax was about to peak. With one last kiss, he pulled away from his brother. Jaime didn’t protest as his twin guided him to move against the wall. Joshua turned off the shower, feeling the water already becoming cold. Then he turned his full attention back to Jaime. Jaime seemed to know what he wanted. He placed his hands on the wall and parted his legs. With an appreciative groan, Joshua slid his hand down the sleek line of his brother’s back to his ass. Was there ever a more beautiful sight than his Jaime splayed out before him, willing and wet, shivering from each of his touches? Joshua didn’t think
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so. He drank in his brother’s reactions as he slid his fingers between Jaime’s cheeks. His thumb found the tiny hole and stroked over it. His cock jerked as Jaime’s entrance fluttered beneath the gentle pressure. His brother arched his back and moaned. Joshua felt his patience dissolving with his need to be inside his brother. Dropping to one knee, he gently parted his brother’s cheeks, and slid his tongue up the sensitive tract of skin between the sweet halves to the puckered hole. Jaime cried out and shuddered as he felt the wet heat of Jaime’s tongue sliding inside him. Joshua slid out, then back in, fucking him slowly with his tongue. Jaime felt his cock growing hard again. The cool wall in front of him created a startling contrast to the heat of his brother’s mouth and hands. Jaime couldn’t help pushing against the wall, abrading the head of his cock on the smooth surface before impaling his ass back on Joshua’s tongue. “I’m going to come, J!” Jaime warned. His warning got the reaction he’d been anticipating. Joshua surged to his feet. Moments later, Jaime felt the wide head of his brother’s cock pushing at his entrance, “You ready for me, Jaime?” Jaime nodded, bracing his hands against the wall as he pushed back. Joshua groaned close to his ear as he sank deeper. “Fuck!” “Yes, please,” Jaime breathed. Joshua’s hands were suddenly covering his own. His fingers curled between the spaces made by Jaime’s fingers, locking them together. Joshua bent his arms in one slow, steady motion, which had the effect of a push-up in reverse. His cock slid deeper and deeper into his brother the closer his chest came to Jaime’s back, until finally there was no more space between them. Joshua was in his brother to the hilt, his mouth resting just
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below Jaime’s ear as he panted heavily, trying to calm the need he felt to fuck his brother through the wall. His brother’s body wasn’t helping any, clasping around him like a silken vise, milking him steadily until he wanted to roar like an animal. Jaime wiggled his hips a little, his silent demand that Joshua move inside him. “Jaime!” Joshua growled. He wasn’t yet in control of himself. “Fuck me, J. Hard.” Joshua didn’t wait to be told twice. His fingers tightened around his brother’s as he adjusted his stance for the best leverage. This close up, he couldn’t pull out that much, but that was okay, the force of his thrusts would compensate for the range. Both brothers shuddered as Joshua pulled out as far as their grip would allow. His body stilled for all of a second before Joshua slammed back in, driving his cock to the hilt, and drawing a near shout from Jaime. He stilled. “Jaime, are you okay, baby?” “I’m fine, Josh. Do that again.” “This?” He withdrew and thrust back in. “Yes!” “I can do that,” Joshua growled, and he did. Joshua rode his brother hard, until there was no telling where one body ended and the other began. Their moans, groans, and growls filled the tiny shower cubicle. The glass walls were fogged with heat of their own making. The methodic slap of flesh meeting flesh was a sweet counterpoint to their harsh breathing and strangled words. Joshua’s name was a litany on his brother’s lips, and he loved to see just how many ways he could make Jaime sing it.
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Then Jaime was clenching around him, not able to hold back any longer. His cum splattered the wall in front of him. His inner muscles milked Joshua’s cock with fierce suction. Joshua lost it himself, coming in seemingly endless spurts as he emptied his soul inside Jaime’s body.
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CHAPTER 6
Jaime smiled in his sleep, and rolled over onto his side. Eyes still closed, he reached across the bed expecting to feel Joshua’s warm, solid body. No such luck. Only cool sheets met his fingertips. Frowning, Jaime’s eyes popped open. He sat up in the semi-darkness, the first rays of light piercing through the shuttered windows. One quick glance around revealed that he was in his own room. Unease curled into his belly. He distinctively remembered being at the cabin with Joshua. Throwing back the sheets, Jaime gathered himself off the bed. He was nude, so he grabbed a pair of boxers from his dresser before heading out. The sound of running water greeted his ears. Grinning like a jackal as he thought of their last time in the shower together, Jaime hurried down the hallway. “Joshua, you in here?” Jaime pushed open the door. Steam clouded the small room. Too much steam. Frowning, feeling as if his heart was going to thump out of his chest, Jaime moved toward the shower stall and slid back the glass door. Heat blasted him in the face, but when he looked into the squared cubicle, it was empty. The showerhead was running by itself. “Looking for someone, bro?” Jaime spun around, heart slamming against his ribcage. Emilio stood at the door, his eyes straying over Jaime’s body.
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Jaime felt his cheeks flush. He couldn’t figure out why Emilio was staring at him like that. Like Joshua stared at him. “J-Josh. Have you seen him?” “Maybe.” Jaime felt his anger swell. “What the fuck, Emilio? Either you saw him or not, and stop looking at me like that!” “Why, you like it from Joshua?” Emilio cocked his dark head to the side, contemplating Jaime as horror slowly dawned on Jaime’s face. Emilio grinned wolfishly. “Didn’t think I’d find out, did you, perv? Always knew you were a little whore, runt. Always knew you were out to seduce our brother.” Suddenly Reid appeared at Emilio’s side, a grin splitting his handsome face, “What did I tell you?” he crowed to Emilio. “Yeah, you were right, Reid,” Emilio leaned away from the door, making space for Reid to walk into the bathroom. Jaime tried to back away, but his back slammed into the glass of the shower stall. Reid was advancing on him, eyes dancing with anticipation. “My turn!”
Jaime woke up with a jerk. He was shivering. Beads of sweat that had broken out all over his body began to rapidly cool as the sheet slid away.
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A hand touched his shoulder and Jaime nearly jumped out of bed. “It’s okay, Jaime. Bad dream, yeah? It’s just me, Joshua. I’ve got you.” Jaime slowly relaxed and allowed Joshua to pull him close. His twin wrapped an arm around his shoulder. His free hand came up to smooth the hair off Jaime’s forehead. Jaime just melted into his embrace. He’d sought comfort from his twin all his life, especially during thunderstorms. Joshua had always been his anchor, and in turn, he was always there for his brother. “You want to tell me about it?” He nodded. His nightmare had seemed so real. Just thinking about it had his heart picking up speed. Sharing things with Joshua always helped ease his fears. “I had a dream that I was back home…and you were supposed to be sleeping next to me. Only when I woke up, you weren’t there. I heard the shower going, and I went to look for you, but the bathroom was empty. Then I turned around and Emilio was in the doorway,” Jaime turned his head and looked Joshua in the eye. “He knew about us, and I could see the disgust and anger in his eyes.” Jaime shoved a shaking hand through his hair. “Fuck, I’ve never recalled a dream so clearly, man. I can still see him in the doorway with that twisted smile on his face. He was actually sizing me up as if he were contemplating…doing what we do together. That asshole, Reid, showed up to mock me. He told Emilio that he was right, then he started heading toward me. The last thing I remember was him saying, “My turn.” Joshua was quiet for so long Jaime started to become afraid he was having second thoughts about them. He had left out the part where Emilio had accused him of seducing his twin. They had just gotten over Joshua’s guilt in their having made love in the first
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place. Jaime knew that making love was an equal partnership and decision. They didn’t need to go over ground they’d already covered. “Josh?” Joshua met his eyes again, his expression thoughtful. “I think its time we have that talk we’ve been putting off, Jaime. I don’t think you’d be having dreams about Reid and Emilio if we got everything out in the open.” Jaime’s eyes went wide. “You mean tell them!” Joshua moved his arm from around his brother. He gave Jaime a tight smile. “We’ll talk, Jaime.” He shoved back the covers and stood up. He strolled over to his pants, seemingly unconcerned with his nudity. Even with panic threatening to settle in, Jaime could not help but notice how fine a specimen his Joshua was: firmly muscled, golden, and long limbed. Just like a jungle cat. His libido gave out a pitiful moan when jeans slid over the taut globes of his ass. Shit, he had it bad. “I’m going downstairs to fix breakfast. You can join me whenever you’re ready.” Joshua was already slipping into a t-shirt. “We’ll talk while we eat, yeah?” “Yeah.” He hated this part. Why couldn’t he and Joshua just live in their own little bubble, where no one would be the wiser? Because the world doesn’t work that way. They had a dirty, little word for what Joshua and Jaime were doing. Trouble was, Jaime just couldn’t find it in his heart to agree. The only word that came to mind when he was with Joshua was…love. ****
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The two worked in comfortable silence to put the kitchen to rights. They hadn’t gone out for groceries, and to their dismay, they found that the refrigerator was conked out, so it was sandwiches and an apple apiece, which Joshua had left in the cooler. Jaime was just popping open a can of soda when Joshua said, “We really only have two choices, Jaime. We can end this thing, here and now. It will be hard never to touch you again, harder still not to let my desire for you show on my face, but if you don’t want to be with me anymore, I’ll try, for you.” With those words, Jaime’s vision narrowed to a black hole, seeming as if it would suck his entire world down with it. To never know Joshua’s touch, his taste, to never hear words of desire murmured to him in that husky baritone of his… No! He couldn’t, he just couldn’t let it go. “NO! We’ll do whatever we have to do, Joshua, even if we have to move out of the state. I won’t give you up.” But what if Joshua wanted to let him go? “DDo you?” Jaime swallowed hard, feeling like his throat was closing up. He needed a drink of soda, but his hand was trembling so bad he couldn’t quite manage to lift the can, “I mean—I-If you want…” Joshua shook his head, “No, Jaime, never think that I want to give you up.” Jaime’s entire body eased up at the assurance. He hadn’t known his twin had been so tense until he saw Joshua’s shoulders hit the back of the chair as he sat back, and relaxed. “Okay, we have that settled. Our second option is being honest about what we are to each other. We can’t go on like we’re doing.” Joshua pushed a hand through his hair and sipped his soda. “I know we can’t tell the world, but we’re going to have to at least tell Emilio and Karla.”
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Jaime shook his head.“No, are you crazy? Emilio will try to beat the shit out of us and Karla won’t let us do the wedding!” “We can’t hide this forever, Jaime. Emilio knows us too well. You think he won’t find out? It would be better if we told him than to have him find out if he walks in on us making out one day… Karla’s his wife-to-be, she deserves to know because she’s family. As for everyone else, it’s none of their damn business.” Jaime was shaking again; he kept seeing Emilio’s face. He’d been relieved when he woke up to realize it was just a dream. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to stand it if Emilio looked at him in that way in real life. “Emilio moves out soon. He won’t have to know. We’ll have the house to ourselves.” Joshua frowned. “Do you want to hide it from him every time he comes over?” “Yes. No! Shit! I don’t know, Josh, what if he freaks and never wants to see us again?” His brother sighed. “I’ve been thinking about that possibility all morning. We’re just going to have to play this one by ear. We’re all the family Emilio has, and while I don’t hate myself for loving you in more than a brotherly fashion, this thing we have between us is not something I planned on happening. We can’t do anything to alter Emilio’s opinion of us. What he decides is up to him.” “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right!” Joshua reached across the table and took his hand. He squeezed it gently, and Jaime tried for a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ll still have each other though.” “S’right,” Joshua assured him.
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Still, if Emilio couldn’t accept them for who they were, it was going to leave a large, gaping hole in both their hearts. In time, the scars would shrink, but wounds that deep never truly closed. *** They had a day left. Only God knew what awaited them back home, but for now, he was safe—scared, but safe. He had Jaime to worry about. Putting on a brave front for his younger brother wasn’t easy, but Joshua had ample experience with putting on a mask of indifference. Tomorrow they would worry, but today was for them. He had a fun-filled day planned. After breakfast and a bit more cleaning, he gathered their fishing rods and bait from the Durango and announced that they were going fishing. After that, he planned to take Jaime out to dinner, seeing as how the refrigerator wasn’t up to keeping anything cool. He knew a cozy, little place about a half hour drive up the road, a little diner with low lighting and a breathtaking view of nature. He’d been to the diner first thing when he got his license. He had dragged what’sher-name up there to enjoy some privacy at the cabin, but the girl had complained so much about the bugs, heat, and lack of television that Joshua had returned home early. He dropped what’s-her-name off at her house, and had called her only to tell her he didn’t think they were working out. As much as he loved the outdoors, he just couldn’t see himself settling down with someone who didn’t. Along with a wealth of other issues he and what’s-her-name had clashed upon, that had been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
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Joshua was leaning against his SUV watching a pair of squirrels chattering to each other in one of the lower branches when he heard Jaime step onto the porch. He turned around, a fond smile already splitting his face. Now that was his soul mate. Jaime loved the outdoors, animals, and life, just as much as he did. He watched his brother glide down the stairs, admiring the wiry, solid frame composed of golden skin and sleek muscles. Jaime had chosen a pair of faded jeans, frayed at the knees so Joshua could catch a glimpse of skin. His shirt was a green bordering on blue, green being Jaime’s favorite color. The shirt had grown a bit tight after so many washings, so it outlined his flat belly and hinted at the cobblestone abs underneath. On his feet was a pair of black, square-toed boots. They looked like the type a guy riding a Harley would wear. Jaime was in love with all forms of boots, and despite Joshua’s attempts to introduce his brother to the famed sneaker, there was no such luck. You could take the cowboy off the ranch, but you couldn’t take the ranch out of the cowboy, or was it: take the cowboy out of the man? Jaime returned his smile, and came to stand next to the Durango with him. “Hey, you ready to go?”
Joshua handed his brother a fishing rod and one of the tote bags. His contained the bait and extra hooks and gear. Joshua would carry an additional bag of snacks and a blanket to sit on.
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They headed toward the creek. They’d need to walk down a good mile or so where it got deep enough for fish to breed. This far up, the rocks and pebbles were too numerous, swallowing up more space than the water did. The brothers walked in silence, listening to the sounds of nature. They only paused once when Jaime spotted a deer and pointed it out to Joshua. His face was lit up with excitement, and Joshua was reminded of the boy his brother had been--they both had been. If someone had told him only two years ago that he and Jaime would be lovers, he probably would have tried to knock their teeth down their throat (only male, of course), but now, looking at Jaime, he couldn’t see him as anything else. He loved Jaime probably a bit too desperately; he couldn’t imagine life without him. God! He hoped Emilio found it within himself to love them anyway. He was almost certain that if their positions had been reversed, and he and Emilio had fallen in love, that Jaime would have accepted them no matter what. He probably knew his brother better than Jaime knew himself. As for how he would have felt—well, he couldn’t exactly estimate how he would feel, seeing as how he couldn’t imagine Jaime with anyone but him. Jealous? Hell, yeah! He just couldn’t stop feeling anything for Jaime long enough to make the scenario work in his head. “Hey, Josh. The deer is gone,” Jaime said, lips twitching as he fought not to laugh. “Wasn’t looking at the deer, Jaime.” “Oh.” Jaime flushed to the roots of his hair. Joshua chuckled, “Come on, babe. Creeks ah’ waitin’.”
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They reached a good fishing spot a few minutes later and laid out their supplies. Jaime readied their rods, while Joshua spread out the blanket. He went to the spot where Jaime was sitting and took his rod. His brother opened a container of night crawlers, pulling one out before handing him the rest. Joshua set down the container and fished in the bag for a slim box of artificial bait, “I’m gonna try using the cricket. It twitches and everything.” Jaime stood with a laugh. “Still don’t like worms, J?” “Hey, you weren’t the one that got them dumped down your pants. Emilio scarred me for life!” Jaime was laughing so hard he didn’t cast his line far enough out, and had to reel it back in before he could try again. “S’not funny, runt,” Joshua mock growled as he stood up to cast his own line. “Not a runt,” Jaime said automatically. “Tell you what. You catch the first fish and I won’t call you a runt for two weeks.” Jaime eyed him for a moment, tilted his head and said, “A month.” “Done.” “Wait! What do you get if you win?” Joshua quirked a brow. “What would you be willing to give me?”
“I don’t know,” he said, but judging by the way Jaime licked his lips and looked him over, he had plenty of ideas. “You think on it and when I win, you can surprise me.”
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Jaime’s eyes narrowed, “When I win, you can be prepared to stop calling me runt.” They were silent for a few minutes before Jaime said, “Hey, what if neither of us catches a fish?” “Then neither of us owes the other, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case.” “No way!” “Yes, way!” Joshua crowed, reeling in his line. “What the hell?” his line was stuck, and Joshua leaned over his rod, peering at the nearly translucent plastic wire to see if there was a knot in it. There wasn’t, and he realized the line was stuck on a branch or something out in the creek, “Damn!” Jaime burst out laughing, nearly dropping his rod in the water. Mumbling under his breath, Joshua laid his rod down, stepping on the handle carefully to keep it secure as he began unlacing his shoes. He pulled his shoes and socks off, and started wading into the water. Sure, he could cut the line and set up a new one, but he didn’t want to lose his bait, and the line wasn’t that far out. Besides, there was still a chance a fish was on the other end; he sure as hell wanted to win his bet. Wading to the point where his line disappeared beneath the surface, Joshua reached down and felt around for whatever had snagged him. He found the hook twisting around the stem of an underwater plant. He freed his hook, and began walking back toward shore. “Where’s your fish, J?” Jaime asked, eyes dancing. Joshua rolled his eyes and grunted as he stepped out of the water; his wet jeans clung to his thighs, making him uncomfortable.
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Jaime sniffed him and wrinkled his nose. “Ew, you smell like pond water.” “It’s a creek.” “Same difference.” “Jaime.” “Yeah?” Joshua moved so fast, his twin didn’t have time to get out of the way. He shoved his brother by the shoulders. Jaime grabbed for his shirt, seeking to save himself from the fall, but Joshua pulled away, and his brother fell in the water with a cry. Chuckling to himself, Joshua put distance between himself and the water before Jaime could gain his feet. He paused near the blankets, and began unsnapping his buttons. It was warm out; if he sunned his jeans, they should be dry in no time. “Son’ bitch!” Jaime yelled, charging right at him. Joshua braced himself for the impact, but Jaime’s momentum knocked him off his feet. Joshua grunted as he hit the ground, the jolt rattling his teeth. He had the presence of mind to arch his neck so that his head didn’t wallop the hard-packed earth. Jaime lay on top of him, fingers digging into his sides. Joshua squirmed. “D-Damn it, Jaime,” he managed between startled yelps as he fought back laughter.
“Ticklish, Josh?” Jaime laughed, fingers wiggling at his armpits. Joshua rolled them onto their sides. His hands reached up to dislodge his brother’s fingers. “Stop.” “Gonna beg me?”
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Joshua groaned, “H-Hell no.” Jaime tickled all the harder. Joshua tried his best not to squeal like a little girl, but damn, Jaime was stronger than he thought. He couldn’t catch his breath, and his stomach muscles started to ache from exertion. He was done for. “Kay! Okay, please. Please, stop.” The fingers instantly ceased their torture. Jaime rolled them, pushing Joshua onto his back as he lay half on him and half on the ground. His wet hair dripped down on his brother’s neck. “Get off me. You’re getting me even wetter.” “It’s your fault,” Jaime said, pushing wet hair off his forehead. “Now we gotta get out of all these clothes.” Joshua lay still, suddenly realizing the position they were now in. Jaime was half on top of him, staring down into his face. Water had gathered at his temples, clear droplets gathered at his cheekbones, running down to pool in his chin. When they finally fell, they landed on his cheek. He could feel the warmth of Jaime’s body, even through their sodden clothes. “Hell, Jaime, you’re always as hot as a furnace.” Okay, he had not meant to say that aloud. Jaime grinned. “Yeah? You cold, bro?” Joshua groaned, feeling his cock start to harden. He couldn’t be that cold, now could he? He nodded anyway.
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Jaime sat up and Joshua swallowed a disappointed sigh, especially when Jaime whipped his shirt off over his head and tossed it aside. He shucked off his boots and socks too, but was more careful with where he laid his boots. See, cowboy through and through. Then those nimble fingers were finishing what Joshua had started. Jaime hooked two fingers in his jeans and tugged. Joshua lifted his ass off the ground to help. He didn’t miss his brother’s soft moan as he realized that the jeans were all he’d been wearing. Joshua would have returned the favor because he wanted to see Jaime naked too. He had a feeling seeing Jaime bare-skinned with the sky as a backdrop would be something else, but his brother pushed him onto his back again. He was going to say something. Honestly, he was, but when Jaime’s hands slid over his thighs with just the right amount of pressure to avoid being ticklish, Joshua couldn’t rightly remember what he’d been about to say. His breath hitched. His abdomen muscles began to contract as two thumbs stroked the tender inside of his thighs, coaxing him to spread wider as they went further up. Jaime bent down, and Joshua fought to keep his eyes open so he could watch those soft lips brush across his chest. His brother nuzzled against his chest a minute, breathing in his scent before he rained small, nipping kisses on his stomach. At the same time, Jaime’s thumbs had run out of leg to climb and his brother’s hands came together one cupping his balls and rolling the tight sac gently. His other hand wrapped around Joshua’s cock, thumb sliding to the tip, smearing the cum leaking from the head.
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Joshua bucked, unable to help himself. Jaime’s tongue slid into his navel, curling into the shallow dip. Joshua trembled. His cock throbbed so bad it was a wonder he wasn’t coming all over Jaime’s hand. Jaime licked his way past his navel, slicking a path straight to Joshua’s cock. “Jaime!” Joshua moaned, as his brother’s tongue slid over his weeping slit, pressing in lightly before moving down the side. His brother took his time, sliding his silky tongue over every inch of Joshua’s cock. Killing him in the process, Joshua wanted to beg Jaime to let him come, but at the same time, he wanted it to last. He could feel the pleasure building in his balls, pulsing low in his groin. Damn, Jaime’s mouth felt like a slice of heaven. Or maybe hell, he thought as the heated contours slid over the head of his cock, devouring his length as far as Jaime could take him in his relative inexperience. He expected Jaime to take his time here too, but his brother surprised him, sucking ravenously. His demand was clear. Not that Joshua minded.
His fingers glided through Jaime’s wet hair, not directing him, just seeking the contact. Jaime hummed low in his throat, and that did it for Joshua, but even if it hadn’t, the slick finger that pushed inside him would have. Joshua came with a shout; his body clenching so tight it was near painful. His cock pulsed, hot cum spilling from him aided by the tight suction of Jaime’s mouth. He might have even whimpered, but he didn’t care.
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Jaime continued to suck him, and lap him clean until the small aftershocks had faded. Joshua felt boneless, staring up at the sky. He wasn’t going to move, not ever again. Jaime leaned over him, mouth close enough so that each of his breaths wafted over Jaime’s lips. Well, maybe he’d move just a little. His brother brushed their lips together, a feather touch that set his lips on fire. Jaime moaned, and licked his bottom lip. Damn, that was…it was… just, damn. His cock started rallying for round two. Yeah, Jaime was going to kill him. “Taste good, Josh,” his twin murmured. Jaime’s hips were rolling, Josh’s erection pressing against him, rubbing against his leg. Joshua reached for his jeans, and began tackling button and zipper. Jaime fairly leapt into his hand, hot as hell, hard, and leaking. He groaned as Joshua stroked him, teeth sinking into his lower lip as he pushed into his brother’s hand. Joshua gave him what he needed, pulling at that sweet prick. He made sure to feather his thumb over the sensitive underside, smearing the clear droplets seeping from the tip. Jaime whimpered and humped into his hand, his face a mask of concentration and pleasure. He was the most beautiful thing Joshua had ever seen. “Come on, Jaime. You look so beautiful in your pleasure. You feel so hot. I can feel your heart beating in my hand. I want you to spill on my stomach. Mark me.
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Jaime cried out, his body shuddering as he struggled to keep his full weight off his brother as cum shot from his cock in nearly violent spurts. He lost the battle with his muscles, finally falling on top of his brother. The brothers panted heavily, both shuddering with the aftershock of their climaxes. “You came, too.” Jaime said, with no small amount of awe. “Yeah, you’re one helluva incentive.” They fell silent, listening to each other’s slow breathing, “Hey, Joshua?” “Yeah, Jaime.” “You know what we have to wash with until we get back to the cabin.” Joshua groaned, “Creek water!” Jaime buried his laugh in Joshua’s shoulder.
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CHAPTER 7
“Yeah,” pause. “Tell Karla I said hello.” Jaime hung up the phone with a shake of his head. He looked up in time to see his brother strolling into the room, a Styrofoam container of take-out dessert from the diner cradled against his chest. Jaime’s heart skipped a beat as he watched his brother dip his fingers into caramel, and bring them to his mouth to lick clean. “Who was that?” Joshua moved across the room, and dropped down on the bed. “E-Emok,” Jaime coughed into his hand to clear his throat and tried again. “Emilio. I called him to see how Jasbelle was getting along in the barn. I also wanted to make sure Emilio was applying the ointment the vet gave us for Buster’s arthritis. And, you know, see how things were going for him and Karla. Joshua shook his head. His eyes glittered with amusement. “Jaime, you’re the only person I know who’s more worried about a cat or dog than a person. He chuckled softly, and then asked, “Well? How’s everything?” There went those fingers again, dipping into chocolate this time. Jaime had the sneaking suspicion that his twin was putting on a show for his benefit. Surely, Joshua had never eaten with such gusto, licking his lips and fingers so sensuously. Jaime shifted from one bare foot to the other, swallowing a groan as his erection continued to be strangled by his jeans and zipper. “Jasbelle is doing just fine. Beckham swears he hasn’t seen a rodent since we put her in the barn. Buster is okay, too.” A slow smile spread across his face. “’Course, Emilio is bitching about having to massage a dog.
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Karla had some friends fly in to help her set up the dining hall and do whatever else womenfolk do before a wedding, and Emilio swears he’s outnumbered. He practically begged us to come back.” Joshua chuckled, the deep velvety sound going straight to Jaime’s groin, and he swore he heard the material over his crotch tearing. His brother sobered after a few minutes and looked at him seriously. “What about Reid?” “Reid’s been oddly scarce since we took off, but Emilio doesn’t seem worried about it.” Seeing the frown lines forming in Josh’s forehead, Jaime decided to change the subject. He didn’t want to think about Reid. He didn’t want that asshole putting a damper on their time together. He asked instead, “So what is that dessert called, anyway?” Joshua blinked, seemingly coming out of deep thought, “Huh? Oh, it’s called Pecan Paradise. It’s a chocolate cake made with pecans and walnuts. Hot fudge and caramel go on top. You can get it with ice cream, too, but mine melted in the Durango.” Joshua swiped a finger through the caramel, and sucked it from his pointer finger, “Mmmm,” he groaned, “want to taste?” Jaime was already moving toward Joshua before he gave his feet permission. Did he want to taste? (Did a one-legged duck swim in circles?) “Yeah, I want a taste.” And before Joshua could bring his finger back to his lips, Jaime leaned down and licked off the caramel. Then he moved closer so he could lick across Joshua’s lips. The combination was sweeter then any confection he ever tasted, but even sweeter than that was the surprised gasp that turned into an aroused groan when he kissed those delectable lips. He reached between them and freed Joshua of his dessert, shoving the tray across the bed, not caring if it fell to the floor.
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As he had hoped, Joshua responded hungrily to his kiss, opening his mouth to invite Jaime’s tongue. Jaime shoved up his brother’s shirt, needing to feel the heated contours of Joshua’s body beneath his fingertips. His brother groaned as Jaime found his nipples, rolling the turgid peaks around with his thumbs. Far from being compliant, Joshua delved under Jaime’s shirt to stroke the skin of his back. As those callous roughened hands slid over his heated skin, Jaime shuddered, arching, purring like a cat. Skimming one hand down Joshua’s side, he came to his brother’s jeans and began hastily unsnapping to get them open. He yanked at the denim, letting out a pleased moan when Joshua’s cock, now free from its confines, easily jumped into his hands. Joshua felt like a bar of lead, he was so hard; silky, he mused, stroking over the thick column. His finger encountered the wide, mushroom head, and Joshua tore his mouth away to cry out, “D-Don’t do that yet, Jaime!” Now who was stuttering? “Do what?” Jaime nipped his brother’s bottom lip, running his thumb over the head again, spreading the moisture he found there. Joshua bucked so hard he nearly threw Jaime off. “I’m going to come if you…” Joshua’s eyes closed briefly, and when they opened again, the need in them caused Jaime’s heart to skip a beat, “I don’t want to come until you’re inside me.” Shit! That look, coupled with the voice, nearly had Jaime coming in his own jeans, but the prospect of being inside his brother was too much to miss. With a will of iron, Jaime managed to hold off. He didn’t, however, think he’d be able to last if he didn’t get inside Joshua soon. He never thought that Joshua would want him to. Oh, he
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liked being the bottom, but he wasn’t completely submissive. Jaime was dominant by nature, but he wasn’t a macho-never bottom-type of guy. Still, Jaime felt compelled to ask, “You sure?” All it took was Joshua’s nod, and Jaime was rolling off him. He stood and stripped off his jeans, and tore off his shirt. Joshua lay where he was admiring the view and grinning. Jaime froze, looking down at his amused brother. “What’s so funny?” Joshua shrugged, “Just never seen you move so fast. Well… except for the time Buster made off with your shorts, and you were buck naked in—Hey!” Jaime had caught both of his brother’s ankles and tugged them apart, making a gap for his body between Joshua’s thighs. He dropped to his knees and encircled Joshua’s cock with one hand while swiping the head with his tongue. “You were saying,” he said calmly. Suddenly, he thought he could wait a little longer, if only to get back at Joshua. He sucked gently at the head of his twin’s cock. He was saying—damn, if Joshua could only recall a single syllable. All he knew was the delicious sensations Jaime's mouth was creating. Molten lava seemed to be blazing through his veins, yet it wasn’t enough. Jaime was teasing. He tried to buck his hips, wanting to feel that tight, hot mouth enveloping more of him, but Jaime easily held him down. Joshua groaned his frustration, and this time it was Jaime who chuckled. His amusement didn’t last long though, because teasing Joshua was not as one-sided as he had first thought. He remembered the salty, bittersweet taste of his lover the last time he had tasted him. He wanted to taste that again. He wanted to see his brother’s face etched
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in pleasure. His impatience finally won out and Jaime started to suck Joshua in earnest, bobbing his head and relaxing his throat to take him deep. His brother’s groans fired his blood like nothing else could and Jaime found his own hips humping the air. He needed to be inside Joshua so bad he ached with it. Realizing he needed to hurry his lover along, Jaime tucked one finger into his mouth, wetting it, while never breaking his rhythm. Then he wedged his hand under Joshua’s buttocks and gently spread him. He did release his prize long enough to murmur, “Try and relax for me, J,” when he felt him clench with anticipation. He heard Joshua take a deep breath, and when he let it out, his body was considerably less tense. Seeking to distract Joshua, he started to tease him again, peppering his cock with kisses and languid licks of his tongue, until he was squirming on Jaime’s hand, not minding at all that a finger was circling the tiny rosebud entrance to his body. Joshua couldn't decide whether he wanted to push down with his hips and sink onto the hot digit that was teasing his hole, or draw away from the alien feel of the insistent tip pressing against him. He had been honest when he told Jaime he wanted to feel him inside. He wanted that connection with Jaime to go both ways, to give this part of himself to him. He wanted to feel his brother deep inside him, to know that he cradled him inside his body just as surely as he cradled Jaime in his heart. He was so lost in thought that he barely registered the finger sliding past the first ring of muscle, but when he did notice, he started to tense at the sudden fullness. If just one finger felt so invasive, how could he possibly take Jaime's cock? Then Jaime wiggled his finger around until he found something deep inside Joshua, and everything went white-hot in his line of vision. It felt like Jaime had touched
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a live wire. Joshua cried out. At the same moment, Jaime quit with teasing licks and sucked him in earnest. It only took moments of feeling the tight, hot vortex that was Jaime's mouth surrounding him before Joshua was coming. The finger inside him kept stroking over his prostate, kept the white-hot lightning riding along his spine. The orgasm that tore from him had him curling over Jaime's head, his fingers clenched at his brother's shoulders as he shot into Jaime’s mouth. Jaime's tongue probed at his slit, making sure he'd gotten every drop before he pulled away. Joshua groaned and fell back on the bed, feeling slightly lightheaded, like the lid had just blown off the top of his head. A kiss landed on his belly, and Joshua felt the burn of being stretched. Jaime had two fingers inside him. Watching for any signs of pain in his brother’s expression, Jaime carefully scissored his fingers, stretching Joshua wider. Joshua looked down and caught his brother’s gaze with his own, "How do you want me, Jaime?" *** On his back, Joshua could watch every expression flit across his brother’s face as he slowly sheathed himself within his body. At first, he'd been so worried that he'd be tense that he actually had tensed up, but once he'd seen the enraptured expression on Jaime's face and the love peering back at him from those familiar eyes, he'd been too absorbed in Jaime to feel the discomfort. It was more than just sex for the two of them. Their love was the joining of two halves. Jaime was his balance. He kept Joshua from being too serious with himself and others. He buffered his rough edges, and understood Joshua, perhaps more than he understood himself.
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In return, Joshua was his brother’s anchor. Jaime was the type of person to jump into the pool with both feet, often without even looking. Joshua was there to remind him to be cautious. He protected Jaime's kind, nurturing spirit. He always had and he always would. Jaime broke the train of Joshua’s thought by leaning down and capturing his mouth in a searing kiss. His brother began to move carefully, gauging his reaction to the new sensations. He could feel his brother shaking with the effort it took to hold back. It was just like him to let Joshua lose control when he was on the receiving end, and then to hold off for fear of hurting him. Joshua sifted his fingers through his brother’s hair and broke the kiss to whisper, "Feels good Jaime, but I need more." To emphasize his point, Joshua lifted his hips off the bed at such an angle that he took Jaime deeper. He rocked against his brother and squeezed his inner muscles. Jaime's eyes flared. “Josh!” He pulled back and surged forward, nailing Joshua's gland. "Hell yeah, babe! More!" Jaime leaned down and smashed their mouths together, burying his cries in Joshua's mouth as he thrust into his brother. The sensations were indescribable, the hot, tight clasp of Joshua around him, squeezing him like a velvet fist. Every time he drew out, muscles clamped around his cock not wanting to let him go, and every time he surged forward, they greedily pulled him in. He was glad he'd thought about the lotion he'd brought in his overnight bag. Next time they were at the store they would have to buy some proper lubrication.
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He wasn't going to last much longer. Jaime could feel the heat building in his groin, creating a firestorm he would release into Joshua's body. Surprisingly, Joshua came first. His inner muscles clamped down on Jaime just as his cock spurted thin ribbons of cum onto his stomach and Jaime's chest. The viselike grip around his cock was all it took, and Jaime was shuddering and coming, a seemingly endless flood of heat filling Joshua up. When it was over, he found he barely had the strength to roll off his twin and onto his back. Joshua was there to hold him, wrapping a strong arm around his chest and pulling him in tight. Jaime turned into the embrace, eager to stay in contact. "Love you, Jaime," Joshua whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Jaime, already halfway to the land of nod, murmured something unintelligible and snuggled closer. Joshua just laughed. ****** Joshua cut off the ignition and palmed his keys. "Emilio's truck isn't here so I guess we have a little more time before we have to tell him." Jaime turned in the passenger sent, and regarded his brother. He'd been raking his hands through his hair the entire trip and it showed, the short locks were sticking every which way on top of his head. "Do we have to tell him right away? I mean, can't we wait a day or two," he pleaded. "We could, but it’s better to get it over and done with." Joshua reached over and took his brother’s hand, giving it a brief squeeze. "No more hiding remember?"
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"Yeah. Okay, but you get to tell him since you're the oldest, and, if he swings, you get to take the first lick," Jaime tried to lighten the mood with humor, but his forced smile didn't quite match his eyes. Joshua remained serious. "It’s going to be okay. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." If Emilio went on a rampage, Joshua was determined to take the brunt of his fury. Not that he honestly thought his brother would resort to violence; Emilio wasn't like that under normal circumstances. Then again, these weren't normal circumstances. Honestly, Joshua had no idea how Emilio would lash out. Try as he might, he couldn't recall a time when he'd seen his brother truly angry. Joshua waited patiently until Jaime was ready to climb out of the SUV, offering himself as support, as he always did. He watched his brother working it out all in his head, thinking hard about what they were about to do. It was a life changing decision, and Joshua wasn't going to rush it. Even though Emilio wasn't home yet, being back home and knowing that he could be back any minute was scary in itself. Finally, Jaime nodded and reached for the door. Releasing his hand, Joshua did likewise, and the two of them gathered their stuff from the backseat and trunk. As they neared the porch, the brothers became aware of the sound of anxious barking and then a whimpering sound that could only belong to a dog. "Buster!" Jaime dropped his bag and the cooler where he stood and bounded up the porch, Joshua at his heels, nearly slamming into his back when Jaime came to a halt long enough to open the door. Jaime had no sooner opened the door and a brown streak came bounding out. Yelping and hobbling in a panicked run, Buster went tearing down the stairs. Jaime spun
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around and called after the dog, already halfway down the steps. He turned back once to look at Joshua. It was clear he was undecided whether to pursue his dog, or find out what had happened. "Go, Jaime! I'll see what’s going on!" With a nod, Jaime ran off in the direction Buster had taken. He was headed for the barn. It would be a familiar place to him because he always rested there when Jaime worked with the horses. It meant protection from the noonday sun. Joshua entered the house. The first thing he noticed was how dark it was. All the shades had been drawn, and not a single light was on. It didn't look like anyone was home, and Joshua could only think of one thing that could have accounted for Buster's fright and hobbling run. A snake! Quickly, he began turning on lights around the house, making sure he scanned the floor thoroughly before taking a step. He skirted around the couch in case the culprit was hiding beneath the couch skirts, and entered the kitchen. He was just coming through the door when he was grabbed. His back was slammed up against the wall so hard and fast that his head thudded against it and bounced off. Joshua groaned, automatically reaching behind himself to probe the back of his head for bleeding. His eyes were squeezed tightly closed in an effort to stop the tiny bursts of bright light swimming before his lids. "Jaime!" An excited cry broke the silence. A moment before lips smashed down over his, Joshua smelled the sour breath of someone who had been drinking heavily. His gasp of surprise was smothered by the invasion of a tongue. Joshua jerked his head away
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and reached up to grab a handful of hair, but his fingers met only with a closely shorn scalp. He only knew one person who wore a military crew cut. "Reid, get the fuck off me, you asshole!" Reid laughed, "Jaime. Jaime. Jaime," he said, almost gently, "such language. I don't think I've ever heard you curse before." Reid ground his erection into Joshua's thigh. Joshua let his fist fly. The meaty sound Reid's nose made when he busted it with his fist gave him perverse satisfaction. "That’s because I'm not Jaime!" Reid fell to the floor with a loud groan, clutching at his nose. "You brwok my nose!" he yelled. "Josh? Reid?" Jaime’s hand had found the switch, flooding the dim kitchen with harsh fluorescent light. Buster wasn't with him. Ignoring Reid's muttered curses and pained moans, Joshua asked his brother, "Where is Buster?" "He's hurt. I got worried about you and left him in the barn," his eyes drifted to Reid, "Her front paw is crushed. I called the vet already. What happened here?" "Sonofabitch kissed me. He thought I was you." "Gonna sue you for this shit!" Reid cursed, blood flying from his lips, "You brwok my nose!" "Kissed you!" Jaime's mind was reeling. Why had he kissed Joshua? Joshua didn't hear Jaime's outburst, all he could think about was that Reid thought he was Jaime. He remembered all those times Reid had teased his brother and, come to think of it, some of his touches had been inappropriate. What had been Reid's intentions for his brother? How quiet had Jaime been about Reid all these years?!
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Jaime must have seen his face, must have sensed the waves of barely contained fury pouring out of Joshua when he took the first step toward Reid. Jaime moved fast, wrapping his arms around Joshua's shoulder, holding on tight. "He's not worth it, Josh. Please, he didn't do anything to me, I swear!" He could feel his brother shaking, struggling to control his anger. The need to hit something rode him hard. Jaime hugged him tighter. “Please, Joshua!” Joshua closed his eyes and took a deep breath. If Reid had so much as issued a sigh in that moment, he would have leapt on him and beaten him to a bloody pulp, but Reid remained uncharacteristically quiet. Jaime turned him gently in his arms, forgetting for a second that they had an audience. He hugged Joshua tightly, murmuring words that were meant to be comforting to them both. He was talking Joshua down, calming the hatred he felt for Reid and turning it into something else. Love for him. He caught his brother’s face in his hands, and looked Joshua in the eye. "You okay, J?" Joshua slowly nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, Jaime, I'm okay." The wheezing chuckle that blossomed from Reid's throat had the twins freezing. Two sets of gray-green eyes turned slowly to Reid. All it took was one look from those dark eyes, and they knew. Jaime felt as if a lead ball had just plunged into his belly. He'd just given away their secret to this asshole. It couldn't possibly get any worse...
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"What in the hell?" Emilio asked, skidding to halt in the doorway. He spotted Reid where he lay on the floor, and his eyes swung back to his brothers, "Jaime? Josh?" "Your brwothers brwok my nose!" Reid chirped happily, "after I walked in and caught them fucking!"
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CHAPTER 8
Things hadn’t exactly been sugar, but they sure as hell had turned to shit. Joshua sat across from Jaime, not touching or talking to him. He ached to comfort his brother, but Jaime needed time. When he was ready, he’d come to him. Right now, Jaime was coming to grips with what had happened. God knows, it had gone through his head a hundred times since two days ago. Emilio hadn’t believed Reid. He had even said as much until he’d spotted Jaime, who'd been red-faced and terrified. Emilio had turned his back on them, walking quietly from the room. He’d been calm about the whole thing, even starting up his truck and coming back to help Reid off the floor. Several hours had gone by in which Jaime had paced a hole in the floor, reciting in his head about what could have happened. When Emilio came back, it was to get his clothes. He looked like he’d aged ten years in the span of hours. His eyes were bloodshot and his hair was sticking up wildly. He also smelled like Joshua had the day Jaime had dragged him home from the bar. He wouldn’t talk to his brothers, even going so far as to shove Jaime out of the way when he wouldn’t move. Jaime and Joshua hadn’t wanted him driving drunk, but when they followed him outside, they saw Karla sitting behind the wheel of Emilio’s truck. She looked like she wanted to say something, but Emilio stared at her hard, and she didn’t say a word. That night Joshua had stood outside Jaime’s door, knowing his brother was inside his room crying silently, just as he was. The quiet was driving Joshua crazy, but Jaime wasn't talking and he didn't feel like watching television.
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Someone knocked at the door and Joshua hopped to his feet. Buster looked up from his spot on the couch, nuzzled his cast a bit, and then shut his eyes again. It seemed like she’d taken on the same mood Jaime had. The door whined open and Emilio stood in the doorway.
*** He looks awkward in his own home, was Joshua’s first thought. He had been around the brothers he’d known his entire life, and Emilio looked ready to bolt. Joshua sensed that it would be better if he didn’t say anything, and took his seat again, noting that Jaime hadn’t moved. Emilio stared at his brother for what seemed like an eternity, but what surely only amounted to a couple of seconds. “I didn’t want to know,” he said finally, simply. Then he went on, “Fuck this is hard!” he said, raking his hand through his already tousled hair again. It was a good thing running hands through one’s hair had never been proven to make a person go bald. “I visited Reid when he had sobered up some and he told me the truth. He said that he had lied about catching ya’ll in the kitchen, but the other was the truth. The two of you were together. You know, I was kinda hoping he’d tell me the whole thing was a prank.” His eyes darted up and looked at Joshua. When his brother showed no outward reaction, he continued, “I mean, we've been living together all our lives and I didn’t know. I had no clue. Did ya’ll?” he waved his hand, tripping over the words, “When ya’ll were younger?”
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Joshua shook his head. "It just sort of happened recently. A little while after Jaime got back from his course in accounting." Joshua waited a while for the knowledge to sink in before he asked, “Did Reid tell you what did happen?” "Yeah, and I nearly broke his nose a second time. I mean, I knew Reid was gay, but I didn't know he had his eye on Jaime. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. Reid and I have decided it’s best we go our separate ways. He agreed not to say anything about you two as a favor to me, although I not so subtlety told him that if word got out, I was bringing trouble to his doorstep.” Joshua wasn't surprised that Emilio knew that Reid was gay. Although he had never gotten along with the man because of Jaime, Emilio and Reid had always been close. Now he knew why Reid mercilessly picked on his younger brother. All that time he had wanted Jaime. A part of him was elated that Emilio didn't seem to have a problem with homosexuals. As he had suspected, his biggest hurdle was the fact that they were brothers, his brothers. It took him a moment to realize Emilio was still talking. “Yeah, well, I’ve been sitting around mopin’, feeling like shit, and looking it, Karla says." He smiled a little at that. “She also says I’m a fool if I stop loving my brothers over something like that. ‘Course I hopped up and gave her the what for, just as she knew I would. Karla knows me too damn well. She knew that the only thing that would get me out of my slump was to piss me off. Anyway, she knew that I never stopped loving you two. I was just shocked.” He spread his big, square hands out in front of him in a pleading gesture. “I didn’t know what to do, ya know? Brothers aren’t supposed to…that’s just--” He snorted at his own bullheadedness. “That’s just the way it is, isn’t it?”
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Jaime slowly nodded. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Emilio crossed the room and pulled Jaime to his feet, wrapping him in one of his bear hugs. “I love you, runt!” Tears were coursing down Emilio’s cheeks as he continued, “I don’t understand it, but I love you just the same.” Jaime was smiling as he pulled back and swiped at his eyes,.“Not a runt.” Joshua thought that Emilio and Jaime’s laughter was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. *** The morning of Karla and Emilio's wedding dawned bright and sunny, which was good, considering Jaime and Joshua had considered submitting Karla as a candidate for the television show Bridezilla. After Reid left, Emilio had asked Joshua and Jaime to be his best men. The ceremony had been short and sweet with only a bit of a catastrophe when Karla’s nephew, Michael, tripped over his own two feet, taking the flower girl down with him. Instead of crying, as everyone had expected, the flower girl had smacked Michel in the head with her empty basket. Jaime had quickly run down the aisle to drag the feisty, little girl away, and the wedding had proceeded. Now Jaime and Joshua stood next to each other in the ballroom, among two hundred other guests, and watched their older brother take his new wife for a spin around the dance floor. She wore an elegant, white gown with a bell-shaped skirt. The top of the gown cinched her waist and cupped her chest in a heart shape. Her veil was now pulled back and the headband formed a V in the front that rested on her forehead. She looked radiant and happy, smiling up at her handsome husband. Like all the groomsmen, Emilio
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wore a black, three-piece tuxedo with a silver vest. What set his outfit apart was that he wore a bowtie instead of the black tie worn by everyone else. Once the customary first dance for the newlyweds was over, several guests joined them on the dance floor. “Would you like to dance with me, cowboy?” The twins turned to see Brenda Smith standing just behind Joshua. The skintight dress and mischievous smile she wore told them that she was here for more than the wedding. Joshua opened his mouth to respectfully decline; the last thing he needed was to endure her flirting.
“Excuse me, fellas. You mind if I cut in?” Beckham offered one broad, sunbrowned hand to Brenda. At first, it looked as if Brenda were going to object, but then she got a good look at Beckham. He was handsome in a rugged sort of way: he had a wide, square jaw darkened with a shadow of a beard that no amount of shaving could completely hide; cornflower blue eyes; a wide nose that suited his face; and curly hair as black as ink. On top of that, his smile could charm the poison out of a snake. Brenda’s face lit up in a pleased smile as she placed her hand in his. As Beckham escorted her to the dance floor, he turned around and gave Jaime and Joshua a conspiratorial wink. ***
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Joshua leaned one hip against the balcony railing and tilted a glass of champagne to his lips. He'd finally managed to escape the noise and crowd of Emilio and Karla's evening celebration. The sun was finally going down and the sky was a canvas of light purple, red, and orange. The only thing he could think of that would make this moment better was Jaime. "I was wondering where you got off to," came Jaime's breathless voice across the balcony. He plucked Joshua's glass from his fingers, and drained the contents in one long swallow. Joshua watched him, eyes dancing with amusement as he took in Jaime's loose tie, wrinkled shirt, and black tuxedo jacket, which was stained with some unidentifiable substance Joshua wasn't even going to ask about. "What happened to you, Jaime? Were all the starry-eyed single ladies hounding you for a dance?" Jaime snorted. "No, just one white-haired, old lady with high heels and an affinity for stepping on her partner’s feet. The starry-eyed beauties couldn't even get near me." "Ohhhh, Jam-Jam!" Joshua teased, rightly guessing that Aunt Ida had cornered Jaime for the last four dances. "Don't call me that!" He really hated that nickname. He shoved Joshua's empty champagne flute at him. "And she's been looking for you, you coward. When she couldn't find you, she sent me to find out where you'd disappeared to." "Well, you found me. What do you intend to do with me?" There could be no mistaking the husky timbre of his voice or the need shining in his eyes. "I should turn you over to Aunt Ida. Your toes aren't nearly bruised enough." "But?"
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"But? Did I say ‘but’?" "You were going to." Jaime cocked his head to the side. "And how would you know?" Joshua leaned in, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Because Emilio isn't going to be home tonight, so we don't have to be quiet anymore." That got him wide eyes and a noise that sounded suspiciously like a whimper, “Jesus, J, you're gonna make me go off right here." "Then you better bring the car around." Jaime nodded, and turned to go. "Oh, and Jaime?" "Yeah?" "Hurry!" *** Joshua had barely gotten the door open when his arms were full of one hundred and seventy-two pounds of Jaime. Jaime shut the door with one foot, and pushed Joshua up against the wall. Before he could tease his brother about being impatient, his mouth was otherwise distracted. Joshua didn’t mind in the least. He opened himself willingly, giving to Jaime as he always did. The heady feeling of freedom they’d gained by telling the people that mattered most in their lives had his chest tightening with happiness. Emilio knew about them, and he hadn’t turned his back on his brothers. The worst was over. They could deal with anything from here on out.
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Of course, Jaime’s tongue was doing a hell of a job distracting him from his musings, and finally Joshua shoved all thoughts aside. With a growl, he cupped Jaime’s head, tilting his brother to just the right angle for his assault. Oh, those hungry moans were something else. The sounds Jaime made could make a man come in his pants like a greenhorn. When he felt Jaime reaching for the buckle of his dress pants, he broke the kiss and nodded towards the stairs, “Lube’s upstairs, Jaime.” He watched the confusion on his brothers face morph into a pleased grin, and he couldn’t suppress his own silly smile. Damn, but he was lucky. Without a word, Jaime took his hand and started tugging him along. He went, admiring the view being behind his brother afforded him. He could tell by Jaime’s awkward gait as he took the stairs that his twin was in no better condition than he was. When they crossed the threshold, Joshua pulled his twin close, reaching for his pants, even as he leaned forward to kiss and nibble Jaime’s lips in the process. Jaime pushed into his hands, whimpering when Joshua reached inside and wrapped his hand around the column of hard flesh he found there. He pressed one last kiss to Jaime’s lips before sinking to his knees, tugging the pants down. Jaime needed something to take the edge off, and he knew just the thing. Feeling the body under his hands, his mouth tensed in anticipation, and let it out in a shudder when he began to lap at Jaime’s balls. Jaime made the most delicious sounds as he rolled the heavy orbs around with his tongue,. His hips rolled gently because holding still was not something he was capable of. “Ah, Josh. I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”
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“That’s the idea, babe,” Joshua said, moving his attention to the weeping slit of his brother’s cock. “No, you need this, baby. Go ahead. I want to taste you.” At the same time, he took Jaime in as deeply as he could, feeling the head of his cock touch the back of his throat. His admission was all the incentive Jaime needed. With a hoarse cry, he came. His hands flew to Joshua’s hair, plunging through the strands to find an anchor as his body flew upward. When he finally came down, Joshua was there to catch him, to murmur soothing words as he laid him on the bed, and stripped him of his clothes. Jaime hadn’t realized how much the day had drained out of him, how tired and high strung he’d been for days, worrying that Emilio would have second thoughts about them. It was only after his mindblowing release, when his mind and body were stripped of all their defenses, that he found solace. His mind was finally at rest, and he had Joshua. He wanted to tell his brother how he felt, how much he meant to him. He wanted to say so much that his throat felt clogged, but Joshua’s hand was sliding through his hair and tugging a cool sheet up to his chin. Joshua’s voice was like velvet in his ear, and sleep was tugging him under. He’d tell him when he woke up. After all, they had all the time in the world.
***
“I love you.” A kiss landed on his shoulder. Not quite awake, Joshua sighed, and snuggled his head into his pillow, wishing it were Jaime. Where was Jaime? He’d fallen asleep with his brother lying in his arms.
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“I love you.” An open-mouthed kiss landed on his chest. Heat flared to life where a wet, warm tongue slid over his skin. The fog that was sleep slowly began to lift. “Jaime?” he murmured, turning so those kisses had more room to graze. Jaime chuckled softly, but placed another kiss and lick to the opposite side of his chest. When those talented lips closed around his nipple and sucked, Joshua arched and groaned. His eyes opened, and he reached for his brother. Jaime met his hands with his own, interlocking their digits, pressing Joshua’s hands back onto the bed, keeping him from touching him. “What are you doing, Jaime?” “Showing you how much I love you, Joshua, and you don’t get to touch me just yet. This time is for you.” Joshua looked a bit disappointed by the knowledge that he couldn’t touch, but Jaime didn’t miss the excited glint in his eyes nor the curious gaze that watched him expectantly. He wasn’t older by much, but Joshua had always taken care of him, always strived to keep him happy and safe. Jaime just wanted to give a fraction of that love back to Joshua, seeking nothing in return but his brother’s happiness. When he started his leisurely exploration, he found that his ministrations weren’t at all fair; he was deriving so much pleasure from just touching Joshua that it could never truly be one-sided. He watched his brother’s face, mapping the changes and learning the lean body beneath his own, like how Jaime’s eyes would flare when his index finger caressed a nipple or the way his breath would hitch when his hand came close to the thick erection jutting up from between his thighs.
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Joshua’s lips parted on a groan when Jaime licked the sensitive strip of skin where hip met thigh. The hand over his brother’s heart detected its wild thump when he finally slid his tongue over the mushroom head of his cock. He began to suck lightly, increasing his efforts as he anticipated the need in Joshua. And when Joshua finally came it was a sight to behold. His face a mask of male beauty etched in lines of pleasure so sharp they bordered on pain. Joshua’s lips moved in a silent cry, and Jaime didn’t have to hear the words to know what word he spoke. He flicked his tongue against the wet slit, tasting the last of the salty-bittersweet drops that were the essence of Joshua. So different from his own, yet, somehow, irrevocably the same; the other half of his soul. He could feel the rightness of it: he could feel it in the way his heart beat the in the same rapid tandem as his twin’s; in the way his body burned to press near the hard hot body that willingly let him touch without interfering. Most of all, he could feel it blooming in his chest, so much love inside of him that it could not possibly be contained in one shell. Luckily for him, he didn’t have to contain it all. There were two of them.
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About The Author Sage Whistler was born in North Carolina but spent the better part of her life in Connecticut. She now makes her home between the two traveling from college and back to visit her mother. At an early age Sage Whistler had a love for fairytales. Even before she knew how to write she was making up stories, reading to her grandparents from a magazine, using words that weren't actually printed in the book. In her later years she began reading and writing romance, but her evolution to erotica happened virtually over night. One day she was reading a sedate romance and then she stumbled upon an erotica book and it was all she wrote. Pleading guilty to a flirty mind Sage hopped from the mainstream to swim up creek with the bad boys and started writing homoerotic fiction only a year ago. She's been hooked ever since.
Sage readily admits to being a bit quirky, prone to doing things like blurting out random lines from one of her favorite movies. She has only one sister who she swears is the complete opposite of her, and her greatest love right now is her books. Other then writing one of her immediate goals after graduating college is getting a Dachshund she plans to name Zombie.
Sage loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to email her anytime! To learn more about Sage Whistler please visit her at www.cacoëthespublishing.com/sagewhistler. Send an email to Sage at
[email protected].
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Look for these titles by Sage Whistler…
Coming Soon: G-Strain Torn Ho, Ho, Ho and Mistletoe: All I Want for Christmas It Takes A Thief Pets
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Cacoethes Publishing House, LLC. (cacoethes=uncontrollable desire) Action/Adventure Fantasy Historical Horror Mainstream Mystery/Suspense Non-Fiction Paranormal Romance Science Fiction Western And Much, Much More! http://www.cacoëthespublishing.com
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