A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 533 By Rob Williams
Chapter 533 – "AN ALPHA-MALE'S PAINFUL PENANCE"
IN THIS CHAPTER
Two couples grapple with relationship challenges. First, inexperienced young newcomers Vic and Noah, despite insisting they are "just good friends", take faltering rookie steps to explore their emerging sexual attraction. Then, the tribe's alpha leaders Bob and Randy explore ways Bob can punish Randy for his explosive rage. In an erotic scene Randy's sexual craving endures the agony of denial. ___________________________________________________________________
<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>
The naïve young newcomers to the tribe, office assistants Vic and Noah, were starting to come out of their shyness shells. But they still insisted that their long friendship had always been platonic, and described themselves repeatedly as "just good buddies".
There had been a few fumbling attempts at sexual exploration, but their growing confidence came to an abrupt halt when boss Randy crashed into the office in a towering rage over a mistake they had made in the week's payroll. He insulted the terrified boys by calling then "skinny nerds – losers who don't know shit".
Randy's lover Bob, co-leader of the tribe, calmed everything down and assured the boys that they were not to blame, they were valuable workers and their jobs were secure.
But Randy had broken multiple rules of the tribe and had to be punished. Fortunately Uncle Mike was visiting the tribe. The kindly older man had taken the new boys under his wing and now assumed the role of judge, jury and executioner in doling out a savage physical and sexual humiliation to the macho gypsy while the whole tribe watched.
When the dust settled Bob took the battered Randy to their house and put him to bed. The boys, meanwhile, joined the tribe for dinner. Sitting some distance apart at the table Vic watched his pal Noah get friendly with two of the other boys, Finn and Tyler. Listening to their tales, the usually shy Noah became quite animated and laughed a lot at their jokes.
Vic watched the increasing playfulness between his friend Noah and the two boys. He should have been pleased to see his best friend opening up like this – but he wasn't. He became resentful that there seemed to be real affection between Noah and these guys. So he abruptly left the table and went back to Bob and Randy's house where he and Noah were temporarily sharing a guestroom.
Bob was working in his office and, hearing the footsteps called, him in. "Just wanted to see how you guys are settling down after all the excitement." Bob smiled. "Where's Noah?"
"Still at the table talking to those guys Finn and Tyler," Vic said sullenly. They been talking non-stop, getting on like a house of fire. I don't like it, sir. I heard that those guys have sex in the garden – next thing, they'll try to recruit Noah."
Bob smiled, "But if Noah's OK with it, what's the harm? I mean you and he are just good buddies, you made that clear many times. And now that you're surrounded by other boys it's only natural that you get to know some of them better, and like them."
But Vic's sullen expression persisted and Bob asked, "Vic ... are you feeling jealous?"
Vic averted his face and snapped, "Hell no. Why would I...?
"Vic, look at me. Look me in the eye. That's better. Now ... are you jealous?"
"I ... I don't know ... I guess I might be. But like you said, why should I be? He's just my buddy. He can see who he likes. I don't care ... much. Well, I guess I do ... but I don't know why."
Bob's heart went out to the confused young man. He put his hand under Vic's chin and raised his face so they were eye to eye. "Vic, I think the time has come for you and Noah to cut all the crap and face facts. I believe you two have been burying feelings that run pretty deep. I've seen that in so many of the boys when they first came here."
"I ... I don't know what you mean, sir."
"There's only one way to explain it. I'm going out on a limb here, kiddo, but there's something I want to show you."
Bob smiled, leaned forward ... and kissed Vic gently on the lips. Startled, the boy jerked his head back and winced, "Uggh."
But Bob's warm brown eyes continued to smile at him. There was a long, silent pause ... then Vic threw his arms round Bob and kissed him hard, hungrily. Like most first times, it was a clumsy kiss, lips pursed tight at first, then yielding to Bob's tongue and parting in a full open-mouth kiss – raw, awkward, but with all the pent-up passion of a first-in-his-life kiss."
When Vic pulled back at last he blushed deeply. "Sir, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."
"I think I do, Vic." Bob smiled down at the bulge in Vic's shorts. "And how does that feel?"
"Rock hard, sir. Sir, can we do it again?"
"Later perhaps, kiddo. But you see, I already have a lover. And here's the thing, Vic ... I believe you do too. He's downstairs, probably wondering where you are. I think you should show him what I just showed you."
"You think so, sir?" Vic frowned in thought, then his face cleared and his eyes shone. "Maybe you're right. Yeah, I think maybe you're right, sir."
They heard a door close down the hall. "Sounds like he's still looking for you. Go to him kiddo."
"Thank you, sir. Thank you ..." Vic ran from the room, down the hall, and into the guestroom.
Noah smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Ah, there you are, dude, wondered where you got to. I didn't even notice you leave the table, I was so engrossed with Tyler and Finn. Dude, those guys are so cool, they told me so many stories about this place. You should have joined us ... but never mind, I'll tell you now. I can't wait."
"You'll have to wait a minute, buddy, `cos first ... there's something I want to show you ..."
========= CHAPTER 533 =========
<><> A FUMBLING START <><>
"OK, Vic, what do you wanna show me that can't wait?" Noah asked.
"This." Vic wrapped his hand clumsily behind Noah's head, pulled him forward and planted an eager, sloppy kiss on his mouth. Noah was stunned, trapped for a moment, but then managed to yank his head away. He reacted more from shock than disgust.
"What the fuck...? What was that? Why did you do that?"
"Bob just did it to me and I kinda liked it. I thought you'd like it too." Unnerved by Noah's negative reaction Vic responded with sarcasm. "I s'pose you'd prefer to get it from your new pals Tyler and Finn. You were practically doing it at the dinner table. How d'you think I felt?"
"You're crazy, dude, it was nothing – we were just having fun. So then I s'pose you went running to tell Bob and he kissed you – it's obvious he prefers you to me anyway."
"Now who's acting crazy?" Vic snapped. "Bob likes us both. He was real kind and said we should ... that we should cut the crap and ... oh never mind."
As Vic turned away Noah could see tears in his eyes. A wave of sympathy swept over Noah – something stronger than sympathy even, as he saw his buddy's hunched shoulders. He came round to face him, and Vic looked up and stammered, "I ... I guess I was wrong. I just thought you might like..." Impulsively Noah silenced him by wrapping his arms round him and kissing him on the mouth.
Vic reacted by putting his arms round Noah and holding him tight. The kiss was hesitant at first, lips pursed, but it grew in intensity when their mouths opened and tongues touched. Suddenly the reality of what they were doing hit them but, having started, they weren't sure how to stop.
They pulled apart raggedly and grinned sheepishly at each other. "You OK?" Vic panted?
"Sure ... sure, I guess. What was that, dude? Why did we do that?"
"Not sure ... Like I said, Bob did it to me and said I should show you. It wasn't that bad, was it?"
Noah stammered, "No ... bit weird, but ... actually felt kinda ... I dunno ... made me feel closer to you." He grinned. "Gave me a hard-on too."
"Me too. You remember what Uncle Mike said? If you do something that feels good and nobody gets hurt, it's fine – do it again. You wanna?"
They kissed again, less awkwardly this time, not so roughly, and it felt even better. When they separated Vic said, "See, nobody got hurt so it must be OK."
"My dick hurts, though," Noah smiled. "It's harder than ever."
"Maybe we should go to the bathroom and do that thing we did yesterday – jerk each other off."
"Bob said it's called a hand-job," Noah giggled. "See, I'm even learning the lingo. But let's do it in bed this time – easier than standing up in the bathroom."
With sudden urgency, they quickly got naked and fell on the bed. They fumbled a bit, not sure what came next, and it became almost funny as they kept changing position. "Wait, dude," Vic giggled. "Look, lie on your side facing me then reach down and touch my ... you know."
Noah did as directed, and Vic said, "Good. Now we'll just ..." He leaned forward on the pillow and their mouths joined again. Their hands reached down, groped blindly, then touched each other's cock. Roused by how stiff they were, they grabbed and stroked their buddy's cock while the kiss got more passionate. This time their lips churned together, their tongues got bolder and they stroked harder.
Their chests pressed against each other, and the feel of so much flesh – mouths, chests and cocks – banished their inhibitions. They were floating in a new world, one ruled not by logic but by carnal impulses. They had never been roused in this way before, even when they had jerked off yesterday in the bathroom.
It was the kiss that did it – tasting each other, being inside each other's mouth. For an instant Noah flashed on other guys they had seen making love where one was actually inside the other's ass. But that image was fleeting as he concentrated on his buddy's mouth
Their coupling was still clumsy, frantic even, and it got more intense as they grunted and moaned, kissed harder and stroked faster. They were impulsive, it was their first time, not yet skilled in making the pleasure last. All they knew was the incredible sensation in their bulging cocks as they built to their climax.
"Mmm," Vic mumbled, trying to speak and kiss at the same time. "I think I'm gonna ..."
"Me too," Noah panted. "Kiss me, bro ... It feels so good, I ... oh, fuck ... fuck ... aaagh." He howled as his pent up orgasm erupted and spurted cum on Vic's stomach.
"Damn," Vic said. "I'm gonna shoot too ... yeaaah ..." Kissing ferociously, his body jerked against Noah's as his cock poured semen on his buddy.
Their mouths parted and they stared at each other, breath heaving, hearts pounding. They weren't sure what came next and instinctively kissed again. The act that had felt so strange minutes before now felt almost natural, a place of safety where feelings smothered thoughts.
But inevitably they jerked back to the real world and became vividly aware of what had just happened. Vic pulled away, went to the bathroom and came back with two towels that they used to wipe the cum off themselves and the bed.
Earlier, when they jerked off in the bathroom, they had scrubbed away at the mirror to erase the embarrassment of what they had done. Not now, though. When they had dried themselves and the sheet, they tossed away the towels and lay down on their sides again, facing each other. "You feel OK, Noah?" Vic asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I feel ... different. But good different, I mean really good." He frowned. "But what do you think it means, Vic?"
"Does it have to mean anything, dude? Remember what Uncle Mike told us. You don't have to put labels on things. Just enjoy stuff as it comes."
"I remember. I think he called it `going with the flow'. We should ask him tomorrow."
"Talking of tomorrow, dude, we have another early start," Vic said. "We should go to sleep."
"Yeah, and I suddenly feel real tired. Would you, er ... I mean ... put your arm round me, Vic?"
"Sure. I was gonna anyway. There ... feels good uh? `Night, Noah."
"'Night, Vic."
<><> RANDY BEATS HIMSELF UP <><>
Down the hallway in the master bedroom another couple was fumbling sexually. But unlike rookies Vic and Noah, these two hesitated not from too little knowledge of each other, but too much. As garrulous young Eddie once said to Will, "Bob and Randy have been at it for years. They're pros at fucking and making love. You name it, they've done it."
Which was true of their sexual prowess, but domestic tranquility? Not so much. While deeply in love physically and spiritually, they were two totally different types of alpha male. They were both handsome, muscular co-leaders of the tribe, but it was widely known that Bob was the brains of the outfit and Randy the brawn.
While Bob was calmly sophisticated, with the chiseled good looks of Superman, Randy was the swarthy gypsy-looking construction boss, a leader of men but given to damaging explosions of anger like today's, for which he had been physically and sexually punished by the much-loved and respected Uncle Mike.
Now, while the boys down the hall were discovering each other, Bob and Randy were recovering from Randy's latest savage eruption. After his humiliation by Mike, Bob had brought Randy back to their house – the Boss House – and had put him to bed. Now he was stirring.
He opened his eyes, saw Bob and groaned, "Oh God." He turned his head away on the pillow, unable to look Bob in the eye. Bob said, "Come on, Randy, snap out of it."
Randy moaned, "This ain't something you `snap out' of, buddy. We both know I fucked up royally again, real bad this time." At last he turned to look at Bob and winced. "I let you down, dude. I always want you to be proud of me, but I let you down big time. I'm a total fuck-up."
"That's true, Randy, but like everything else in our lives, you and I have to face it together. You're not the first guy to make a mistake – though I gotta say, this one was a doozy. We all make mistakes in life."
"You don't." Randy raised up on his elbows. "I fuck up all the time, dude, but you never make a mistake."
"Of course I do. Only difference is that when I screw up I do it quietly, on the computer usually, and don't tell anyone. You stride around like a Colossus hurling insults at everyone – you advertise your fuck-ups. Me, I keep it quiet and don't get punished. What would you do if I told you that last week I made an error on the company taxes that could have cost us beaucoup bucks? Would you punish me?"
Randy grinned, "I'd tie you down and whip your ass."
"I said punish me, not pleasure me," Bob chuckled. "Here, we need a drink." He went and poured two brandies, then sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Randy who lay on his back naked, propped up against the pillows. Randy gulped his drink, then sighed deeply.
"Why do I fucking do this, Bob? I got demons inside me, and when I get raving mad like that I lash out at everyone I love. Hell, you'd think I could take the pressure of work after all these years. Yesterday was one of those days where whatever could go wrong, did go wrong, and I was fit to be tied."
"Pity you weren't tied," Bob grinned. "Would have saved a whole mess of trouble."
"I mean, dude, it was over nothing. The guys in the office made a small mistake on the paychecks, and corrected it in thirty minutes. But I have to go in there like a bull in a fucking china-shop and tear into those boys. Dammit, Bob, I love those kids. Brandon is the gutsiest boy I ever met, I've tried to do everything I could to make his life easier, and what do I do this time? Shove his wheelchair so hard it slams into the wall.
"And those new kids – real shy and insecure `cos they're skinny and nerdy – and what do I do? Throw it in their face as an insult, going straight for the jugular. Those poor young kids, I ..." He turned away with tears in his eyes. "Every time they see me they're gonna be scared of me."
"Randy, they're young and they have the support of Brandon, Mike and myself. I think they'll fall under your spell soon enough, as everyone does."
"Don't try to make me feel better, dude, I don't deserve it."
So Bob let the big gypsy wallow in self-recrimination. He had already been publicly punished by Mike and humiliated by the senior men of the tribe, but now he had to beat up on himself – it was part of the process.
"One thing I can't get over is how I treated Mike. Dammit, Bob, I love the guy, like the father I never had. I want him to be proud of me, to watch me grow and be successful, and yet I insult him so bad his impulse is to run away in disgust and never see me again. At least you persuaded him to stick around, and he punished me big time in front of everyone. I'd have gone through ten times that, just to show him how ashamed I was, and prove I could take it – prove how much I love the guy ..."
Again he turned away tearfully, and Bob said. "OK, Randy, I think you've beat yourself up enough. Don't worry, I guarantee that Mike still loves you – like a parent loves an unruly child and tries to make him behave. Mike just wants you to behave less like an asshole, is all."
"And what about us, Bob? Man, I couldn't live without you, I need your love and respect more than anything. I know I can never make this up to you, dude, but I need to try. Help me, buddy."
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that. No good chaining you up and bullwhipping you – you'd hardly flinch. No, something more psychological, I think. Er, how's your ass feel after Mike's boy Larry pounded it?"
"Ah, bit sore is all, but I'm used to that. Why?" He brightened. "You wanna fuck my ass, dude?"
"Well of course, I always wanna fuck your ass, Randy. But face it, that's hardly punishment, is it? But, if we add one extra touch, I think that might do the trick."
<><> THE KING OF DENIAL <><>
Randy was still naked, covered by a sheet up to the waist. Bob now stood up, yanked off the sheet and stared down at the brawny gypsy.
"I know you too well, Randy. I know what you like, what gets you off. So what we're gonna get into here is what's called denial – I'm pretty much an expert at that. Young Eddie, always the comedian, once called me `de King of de Nile'." Bob chuckled. "At least he didn't say Queen."
While he talked Bob went up to the headboard and untangled the ropes that always hung from the corner bedposts. "We've been to this rodeo many times before buddy, so you know the drill."
Lying flat on the bed Randy stretched his arm up in a muscle-flexing V and Bob used the ropes to tie both wrists to the corner posts. He gazed with satisfaction at his captive. "Let me see you struggle, big guy."
Randy knew that was a big turn-on for Bob, who watched in awe as the macho muscle-stud looked up at his wrists and tugged at them hard so his biceps and shoulders bulged and his body writhed on the bed. His rugged face, with its chiseled features and stubbled jaw, thrashed from side to side, his long black hair flying across his face.
Bob grinned, "That's it stud. Man, I could watch you till I bust my load. But that's not what this is about, buddy – not me watching you, but you watching me. I know you get off on that too."
Bob was barefoot in blue-jeans and his usual V-neck white T-shirt. He poured himself another brandy and walked round the room, pausing to admire himself in one of the many wall mirrors and stroke his chest. "I know you like to watch me like this, Randy. You stroke your cock and sometimes even cum just watching me strip naked. You wanna do that now, man? I know exactly how to turn you on."
Bob stood at the foot of the bed and gazed at the mirror on the wall behind Randy. He took another sip of brandy, ran his free hand over his T-shirt and stroked his chest, his handsome face breaking into a seductive smile. "Hmm ... real hot, dude." He put down the brandy glass, reached up behind his neck and slowly pulled up on his T-shirt.
"See, that, Randy? First the abs, then the pecs. I'll flex them for you. "Makes you hot, eh? I see your dick standing up like a flagpole. Stroke it buddy ... oh, I forgot, you can't can you?
"I'd stop and untie you but I got a groove going here and I don't wanna stop. Hey, maybe you'll like this way better." Bob pulled his T-shirt back down, then curled his fingers over the neck and tugged it. "Oh fuck," Randy moaned as he heard the fabric start to rip. Bob jerked it down until the neck tore and the shirt split down the middle, pulling back from his pecs.
"I think this way's sexier, don't you, buddy?" Bob smiled, pulling the shirt open and tweaking his nipples in his fingertips.
"Fucking hot, man," Randy moaned. "When you gonna untie me so I can beat my meat?"
"Like I said, Randy, I don't wanna interrupt the flow here. Do you good to wait, you need to suffer a bit. Remember, that's what this is all about, stud." Bob yanked the ripped shirt off one shoulder and let it hang from the other. "Wow," he said, staring into the mirror. He unzipped his pants, pulled out his cock and tweaked his nipple again with his free hand. "Damn, that looks so fucking hot I could cum just looking at myself."
Randy was instinctively pulling at the ropes, even though he knew he had no hope of getting free. His cock was oozing pre-cum as he watched the spectacle of Superman, the fragments of his shirt hanging across his otherwise bare chest. Bob tugged at the ripped shirt and it fell in rags round his waist.
He took a breather. He pushed his cock back in his pants, picked up his brandy glass and took a sip, then walked slowly round the bed, with Randy's hungry eyes following his every move. "Touch me, man," Randy pleaded softly. "Touch my cock."
"All in good time, big guy. Right now I wanna focus on myself. Ah, what the hell. I'll give you a sample." He bent forward from the waist and the tip of his tongue touched the filmy liquid oozing from Randy's cock. He pulled his head back slowly, drawing out a fine thread of pre-cum with his tongue.
Randy watched eagerly. "That's it, man. Now suck it – suck my dick – make me cum."
"I told you man, this is not about you, it's about me." Bob straightened up, ripped the remains of this shirt from round his waist and tossed it aside. "There you go, Randy, you always say that look turns you on the most – me barefoot in blue-jeans with a glimpse of white undershorts showing above the waist. Remember the times you looked at me like this and we both jerked off – you watching me getting off on myself in the mirror? That was hot. Let's do it again now."
Randy groaned and Bob grinned, "Oh that's right I keep forgetting ... you're tied up, you can't touch yourself. Like I said, big guy, you'll just have to suffer while I jack off looking at myself. See, that's the denial part. You're desperate to bust your load – and I'm denying it. Hurts worse than whips and chains don't it, big guy? I know you too well, buddy."
Bob pulled open his jeans and let them drop. He was wearing white boxer briefs underneath and now he walked round the room, stopping to admire himself from every angle in the various mirrors. Randy had never been so turned on looking at his gorgeous lover, stripped down to his shorts, the shape of his cock and ass bulging under the tight cotton fabric. As he moved round the room under a succession of ceiling spotlights, alternate light and shadows played over his muscular physique and superman features.
He was magnificent, and driving Randy wild with frustration. He tugged frantically at the ropes binding him and begged. "Please, man, let me touch myself. Just one hand, just long enough for me to shoot watching you."
But Bob was engrossed in himself. He dropped his shorts and Randy gasped at the sight of him naked. "Damn that's hot," Bob said, as if to his mirror image. "Now I know why Jason the fireman gets off on those narcissist trips, jerking off watching himself pose in the mirror. That's what I'm gonna do, stare at that muscle-stud flexing right there, till I shoot a big one."
Bob did a few bodybuilder poses, digging his fists in his waist and flaring his lats, then raising his arms halfway and flexing his biceps. Keeping his left arm raised he pounded his cock in his right hand as beads of sweat began trickling down the cleft between his pecs. "Damn," he moaned, "I'm real close ... real close ..."
"No!" Randy yelled. "Don't cum, man, not like that. You're fucking torturing me."
"That's the general idea, buddy," Bob grinned. "Denial – worst torture there is for a guy like you."
"Man, I'm sorry for the stuff I did. I apologize. Have mercy on me, dude. Don't jerk off. I want you to fuck my ass. I want it so bad. Please, sir, forgive me. I'm begging you. Fuck me ..."
Bob took his hand off his cock and gazed down at the bound gypsy tugging frantically at the ropes binding him. After some thought Bob said, "Just so we're clear on this ... If I fuck your ass it's because I want to, not because you need it so bad. I like to see a macho top man beg like you're begging, but this ain't forgiveness. I just wanna cut a bully down to size."
Bob knelt on the bed between Randy's splayed legs, pushed them back and pressed his cock against his asshole. "Dry fuck," Bob said. "Only way to go."
Suddenly, "Aaagh!" Randy yelled and his body flexed as his lover's cock pierced his ass and drove in hard and fast, straight down into the warm depths. Bob pulled all the way back and growled, "This is for Brandon." Again the gypsy's body shook as the shaft plunged in again.
"These are for those two shy kids you insulted so bad." Twice, Bob pulled back and rammed his cock in deep, wringing two animal howls from the big man. "And this is for Mike, the man you claim to love as a father and disappointed so bad." Randy yanked at his bound wrists and his body writhed as the iron-hard rod assaulted his ass again.
"And now for me, the man who loves you so deep he has dedicated his life to you – and been let down one more time. This is not revenge, Randy. This is love, because I love you so damn much."
The fuck was savage and relentless. The struggling gypsy looked up into the deep brown eyes and saw love, but felt pain throbbing in his ass. While he pounded ass Bob leaned forward, braced his hands on the bed and stared into the captive's agonized blue eyes. "Why do you hurt me so often like this, Randy? Why do you make me do this, when all I ever wanted was to love you? Dude ... why are you suck a fucking asshole?"
Tears were running down Randy's face – tears of pain and remorse. "I'm sorry, man. I worship you, man, but my demons take over and I ... Hurt me as much as you want, buddy, I deserve it, but please, untie me so I can touch my cock. Shred my ass, punish it, but let me show you how much I love you by pumping my dick and spilling my juice for you. I'm begging you, man."
"Not good enough, Randy. That's why I tied you up. There's only one way you can prove your love and remorse."
Suddenly the onslaught abated and Bob's cock moved slowly and gently in and out of the shattered ass. Bob's eyes locked on the gypsy's pale blue eyes that he loved so much – the portal to a magical world where there was no pain, anger or revenge.
"Now I see the real Randy," Bob smiled, "my soulmate. And I want you to show me how much you love me in the way only you can. You know what I mean, buddy."
Tears ran down Randy's face as he gazed up at his lover and felt his cock gently massaging his ass. He stopped pulling at his restraints, there was no need now. More powerful than any physical touch was the spiritual connection in their eyes, and Randy said through his tears, "I'm sorry, dude, sorry I hurt and disappointed you. I love you so much."
"Show me, Randy."
Randy smiled, his body tensed and he gasped as his cock reared up and spurted jets of semen that arched up and splashed on Bob's chest above him. "Forgive me, Bob ... please."
Bob said softly, "Now I'll take away all the pain." His cock eased in deep one last time and flooded the gypsy's ass with warm juice. "The balm of forgiveness, Randy. Because I love you."
<><> QUITE A PAIR <><>
Within minutes they were lying on their sides facing each other. All the essential stuff that needed to be said between them had been expressed through their act of love. What remained was reparations to the tribe and Randy's rehabilitation as leader.
"Will you help me through the next few days, buddy?"
"You won't need my help, Randy. All you have to do is what Mike told you. Personal apologies to the boys you hurt, and then therapy with your brother Steve – regular sessions."
"I'm not scared of the doc, I can handle him."
"Er, I think it's the way the doc handles you that counts, dude," Bob chuckled.
Randy frowned. "It's the boys I'm nervous about. Facing Brandon will be hard enough `cos I love him so much and insulted him so bad. But those new kids, we speak a different language. They'll be scared of me, and whatever sexual charms I have will cut no ice with those boys."
Bob smiled. "I wouldn't worry too much about Vic and Noah if I were you, buddy. Maybe they're not so averse to sex as we think. Before I came in here to wake you I had a little chat with Vic and ... and I kissed him."
"You did? Wow, what did he do?"
"He kissed me back. I suggested he go and practice on `best buddy' Noah. If I'm any judge of character, all they needed was a little push down a path they may have dreamed about but never dared venture down when they glimpsed it in real life."
Randy grinned. "So while I'm throwing my weight around, ranting and raving, you are weaving your own magic web with a simple kiss. We make quite a pair don't we?"
"That we do, buddy. Now put those brawny ol' arms round me and go to sleep."
<><> GOING WITH THE FLOW <><>
Next morning they were woken by a tap on the door. It was pushed open with a foot and Will came in bearing a heavy tray that he put down on the bed. "'Morning, sirs. The twins thought you would prefer breakfast up here this morning. I cooked your favorites."
"Thank you, William," Bob smiled. "The twins were right. Sorry to give you the extra trouble."
Randy emerged from under the covers. "Hey, Red, how's it hanging? Thanks for breakfast. So what's going on downstairs?"
"Well, sir," Will said adjusting his chef's hat on his mop of red hair, "A lot of guys have eaten already and left for work. Larry and Jamie left early for the beach – it's the last day of filming the opening shots for Grady's movie. Mike is having a leisurely breakfast `cos he's on vacation."
"What about the office?" Randy asked.
The office guys are already working and I looked in on them. There was something different that I couldn't put my finger on ... hard to describe ..."
"A lighter atmosphere?" Bob suggested. "Not so tense?"
"Yeah, something like that, sir. The new guys have these smiles on their faces all the time." Bob grinned knowingly at Randy. "Anyway, I gotta get back to the kitchen. Bon appétit, sirs."
"What did I tell you?" Bob grinned. "I think Vic and Noah may have taken their first steps on the primrose path. Take your time over breakfast, Randy, and then go down and start the apology tour. I have a feeling the two rookies will be quite receptive – not as scared of you as you think."
Certainly the mood in the office was quite relaxed. Yesterday's trauma was behind them and Brandon, as office manager, had worked out a way to avoid a repetition of what was, after all, a simple, correctable mistake. He made it clear they were a team and nobody was to blame.
Their mood became even brighter when Uncle Mike, their favorite, came in. "Hey, guys, how's everything this morning?"
"'Morning, Uncle Mike," they chorused.
"Er, Brandon, I know you just started work but is it possible for me to borrow Vic and Noah for a quick word outside? Promise I won't keep them long."
The boys looked eagerly at Brandon who smiled. "Sure, Mike. Take as long as you like. Just send them back in one piece. They're an essential part of the team."
The boys eagerly scrambled after Mike and they sat outside at the table drinking coffee. Mike smiled, "I just wanted to check in and make sure you kids were doing OK after yesterday's little roller-coaster ride. I want you to know stuff like that don't happen often. Everyone usually gets along real well." He looked at their smiling faces. "You sure don't seem to be any the worse for wear, though. You, er, you got something you wanna tell me?"
They looked at each other and Vic spoke. "Sir, you remember that thing you told us about ... er ... that flow thing?"
"Go with the flow?"
"That's the one, sir." Well we did. We went, sir ... with the flow."
"You did?" Mike's face crinkled in an amused smile. "And how was it?"
"It was ... real nice, sir," Noah said shyly.
"Dudes, we gotta get rid of the `nice' word. I mean, nice how?"
Vic took up the story. "Well, sir, last night I had a chat with Bob and he was real nice ... sorry, I mean real kind ... and guess what? At the end he kissed me – on the lips, I mean. It was a shock but it felt real ni ... real good. And he said I should try it on Noah."
"So he did, sir," Noah said. "I was shocked and we argued a bit, but then I kissed Vic back and ... and we ended up in bed kissing and jerking each other off." They sat back with a look of triumph."
Mike applauded softly and grinned, "Well done, guys. And it seems to have done you a power of good. You have a kind of glow about you. And now you're probably asking, what's next? So let me give you a bit more advice. Take things slowly. Only do stuff that feels right, feels natural to both of you. Don't do things just because you see other boys doing it.
"See, everyone's different, that's the beauty of life, so when I say go with the flow, I mean your flow, no one else's." Take Tyler and Finn. They've known each other a long time and they often fuck out in the garden. But that don't mean you have to run outdoors and get it on in the shrubbery, no matter how good they make it sound. You get my drift?" They nodded happily.
"OK, now this morning Randy will be coming to talk to you, so don't be nervous. He feels real bad about what happened. Randy's a kind man and loves and protects all the boys, especially new kids like you. It's hard for an alpha guy like Randy to apologize, but that's what he's gonna do. Now get back to the office before boss Brandon accuses me of kidnapping you."
With hugs and profuse thanks the boys left Mike and ran back to their desks in the office.
<><> APOLOGY FROM AN ALPHA MALE <><>
A short while later the office had another visitor, this one anticipated – Randy. Brandon saw the boys' fingers clench over their keyboards. Randy sensed it too.
"Oh, you guys, I can feel the tension, and the last thing I want is for you kids to be scared of me." He managed a rueful smile. "Bob even made me wear this clean T-shirt so I wouldn't look so scary. Brandon, I won't interrupt you for long, I just gotta get a few things off my chest." Randy pulled up a chair and straddled it, facing them at eye-level.
"First off, I wanna apologize to you all. My ranting and raging yesterday were way out of line and I said things that hurt and insulted you, things that are the opposite of my true feelings for you guys. I was out of my mind and used words that disgust me when I recall them. It was my demons talking. I'm ashamed of myself and can only hope that one day you'll forgive.me.
"Brandon, you and I go back a long way, back to the day when I came up the hill to your little apartment and installed those pull-down shelves. From that first day I have admired and respected you, and come to love you too. Pete is a very lucky guy that you're his boy. You know I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I do, sir. I've always loved you since that first day, and that's never changed."
Randy turned to Vic and Noah. "But you kids, you're new here and haven't got to know me, so you might find it hard to believe how ashamed I am for what I said to you. Bob tells me you're doing terrific work here already and Brandon made the perfect choice in hiring you."
"Actually, sir," Vic said, "you were right about one thing, when you said we're skinny. And we were talking last night about that. We don't want muscles like the other guys, but we would like you to show us the gym and maybe teach us a few things, `cos we don't have a clue."
"Vic, Noah, I love you for saying that and of course I'll help you. I'll set you up with a beginners' program, light weights and aerobics, just so you get toned and fit, and stay fit. And I promise, I won't lay a hand on you, unlike the gross stuff I boasted about a few days ago." He kissed them both lightly on the cheek, then grinned at Ryan.
"As for you Ryan, you notice that I didn't attack you yesterday no matter how out of control I was. You're Darius's boy ... Darius is my assistant at work, a major tough guy, and I wouldn't dare do anything bad to his boy. He's crazy about you, kiddo, and he'd demolish any man who hurt you."
"I know, sir," Ryan smiled. "He told me the same thing."
"Finally, kids, I want you all to know that after I leave here I'm going to see my brother Steve. He's a psychotherapist and he specializes in anger management. And boy, do I need anger management! Doc Steve is a great shrink and maybe he'll be able to tell me what goes on in this crazy brain of mine. I hope that one day you can all forgive me for being such a total asshole."
Brandon spoke up. "Sir, personally I already have, and I feel sure the other guys will come round to that too. I think I speak for my staff when I say we'd like to put all this behind us, sir, water under the bridge. We just want to get on with our work."
Randy chuckled. "Which is a polite way of saying, `get the fuck out of here, Randy ... enough already'. OK, I can take a hint." He stood up, grinned as he ruffled their hair in turn, and left the office. Brandon smiled at the other three boys. "He's a wonderful man really ... really, he is."
Outside, Randy hesitated when he saw Mike still sitting at the breakfast table. "Well done, boy," Mike said. "You're getting there. Next stop Doctor Steve – off you go and get your head shrunk, dude.' As Randy walked away Mike called after him. "Randy, I love you, boy. Make me proud." Those words meant everything to him.
<><> EIGHTY PERCENT BULLSHIT <><>
As he drove up the winding road to the Hollywood Hills, Randy felt a mix of emotions – anxiety, confusion, and resentment that he had to go through this shit again. Last time it was a mandate from the insurance company that he had to enroll in an anger management course as a condition of continued coverage.
Randy hated being ordered to do anything. He was the one who gave the orders round here. Dammit, even Bob had ordered him to wear clean jeans and a black polo shirt `cos be said it looked presentable and sexy. What the fuck did he ever care about being presentable? As for sexy, he looked sexy even buck naked – especially buck naked.
He grinned to himself and thought back to last night. Sex with Bob had been spectacular, even though it was supposed to be part of his punishment. No, he could never resent Bob, no matter what he told him to wear. In fact, Bob and Mike were the only two guys in the world who could make him obey orders
Even so, as he approached Steve's house, Randy's free spirit rebelled, being forced to see a quack, as if that would make any difference. He was only doing it now `cos Mike had told him to. Mike's parting words still rang in his ears – "I love you, boy" – and Randy really did want to make the man proud of him.
Resentment still gnawed at him as he rang the gate buzzer, but his mood lightened as he heard Tommy's seductive voice over the intercom. Last time he had come here he had watched the young gymnast work out and had then fucked that gorgeous ass. He loved it when the blond athlete tried to seduce him – though he didn't need much seducing.
"Hey, Tommy, you gonna let me in?"
"Sir, you know I would always let you in – whenever and however you want."
No subtlety there, Randy thought, as the gate swung silently open. His big truck stopped at the front door where Tommy was waiting for him with a flirtatious smile. Randy swung down from the truck and gave Tommy a kiss full on the lips, knowing it would give the boy a huge erection in his pants. Was it Randy's imagination or were his black pants tighter than usual, leaving nothing to the imagination about his flawless gymnast ass?
As they crossed the living room Tommy's boyfriend Danny came in from the pool. Randy grinned, "Hey, Danny. The Grady House finally let you off the leash?"
Danny chuckled. "I got the day off, sir. Grady is at the beach all day filming, and when he gets home Mario's gonna play house and treat him to home-cooked Italian food, just the two of them – like a date. So I'm spending the day with my boyfriend here."
"Good. We don't see enough of your handsome face, kiddo. Whenever I'm up there you're holed up playing King of the Kitchen."
Just then Steve emerged from his office and smiled, "Hey Randy, come on through." With a last hungry look at the two hot young jocks Randy followed the doctor inside. Steve chuckled, "Keep your eyes off those boys, bro. This visit is all about you, no one else."
It was meant as a joke but touched all Randy's resentment buttons. "Laying the law down already, doc?" he said, sprawling in an armchair. "Knocking a guy when he's already down?"
"Sorry, Randy, just trying to lighten the mood. I`ve heard what you've been going through down there."
"What I've been putting other guys through, don't you mean?"
"Bit touchy aren't we, Randy? That's one thing we gotta work on." Steve sat facing Randy, his clipboard resting on his crossed legs.
Still bristling Randy said, "Look, bro, let's get one thing straight before we begin this stuff. I don't need to be here. It didn't work last time and it won't work now. I only came to satisfy the guys down there after I went off the rails. I wanna show Bob and Mike I can be a good boy."
"Hmm, I see." Steve's tone was skeptical, and his professional calm always annoyed his impulsive brother. "If I recall, our last series of anger management sessions were at the insistence of the insurance company after you slugged a crewman and almost put him in hospital. Against my advice you voluntarily terminated the sessions.
"I even went against professional ethics by reporting to the insurance that we had simply completed the course of treatment, and they bought it. I knew if I told the truth your contractor's license would be pulled and bang goes your job."
"I appreciate what you did, doc, so maybe you can do the same kinda thing this time."
"And lie to Bob and Mike?"
"Ah, don't bust my chops. Steve. We both know this head-shrink mumbo-jumbo is eighty percent bullshit, though it brings in a ton of money for you to afford a fancy place like this. But this ain't my style, dude. Guy like me, in construction, has gotta crack the whip sometimes, throw a punch or two. And I don't look down at the asshole and ask the classic shrink question – `and how did you feel about that?'" So let's go through the motions and you can pronounce me cured."
"Randy, I'm a doctor. I have no intention of `going through the motions' and I strongly resent your implication that I do this just for the money. You know very well that you need professional help, but I see now that I'm the wrong professional. I'm your brother, so you have no respect for what I do. Respect and trust between doctor and patient are essential, and I encourage patients to shop around for a therapist till they find one they feel comfortable with."
Steve pulled a sheet of paper from his clipboard. "I have here a list of highly qualified doctors who specialize in anger management. I think we should terminate this session before it gets started, and you go away and call one of these therapists who will provide the treatment you obviously need."
Steve stood up. "It was good to see you again, brother, even under these less-than-ideal circumstances. If you like you can stay by the pool a while and have a drink with those two boys. I suspect that's what you really came for anyway, far sexier than a therapy session with your money-grubbing brother."
Steve held out his hand to shake goodbye, but Randy ignored it and stayed seated. "Ah, Steve, I'm sorry about that money crack, I know it's not true. Just like all those insults I threw at the boys were not true. But that's the problem, I get mad and pop off like that – like I become a different guy." Steve sat down again.
"I love you, Steve, and I do respect what you do. Hell, the reason we met all those years ago was `cos you were hired by the L.A. Police to give regular anger management to their cops. Our cop buddy Mark was part of the program and told me about you. Dude, I don't wanna see no stranger. I'd give him a harder time than I give you and I'd prob'ly end up slugging him."
He sighed and Steve let him talk. "OK, doc, I admit it, I do need help. Like I said, when I get mad I kinda lose my mind. The demons take over, like some kinda nightmare, and when I wake up I see all the damage I've done. Dude, this time it was only insults, but I'm scared that one day I'll really hurt one of those sweet kids, or even Bob and ..." He turned his head away to hide his tears.
Steve saw his brother's pain and said gently, "OK, Randy, we'll declare a truce. We'll imagine we've just come in and we'll start over. But no distractions, like the two blond jocks out by the pool. Just the truth, bro, and trust. Deal?"
"Deal, buddy."
"Good. So let's just start talking and we'll see what happens."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength – Chapter 534
Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.
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