12. Beau
Chapter 12
Beau
I found Lucas sitting next to me once more in my rusty truck as we drove out of town for the second night in a row. Except this time, we weren’t going to the fair. I had something better in mind, a place where we could be alone and get to know one another a little better. Someplace I wouldn’t have to worry about my family or neighbors finding us.
The sun was setting over the rolling prairie hills of Sagebrush, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Lucas leaned back in his seat, his long legs stretched out as far as the cramped cab would allow. I couldn't help but steal glances at him as I drove, admiring the way the fading light caught his gold earring and danced in his green eyes.
“So, cowboy,” he drawled, a hint of his East Coast accent peeking through, “where are you whisking me away to tonight?”
I grinned, keeping my eyes on the winding dirt road ahead. “You'll see. It's a surprise.”
Lucas chuckled, a sound that shouldn’t have had such a strong effect on me, but it did. “I like surprises,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “Especially from handsome cowboys like yourself. ”
I felt my cheeks flush and grow warm. I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure, if only a tiny amount. “Well, I hope this one lives up to your expectations then.”
We drove for another fifteen minutes, the truck bouncing along the uneven road as we climbed higher into the hills. The sky darkened, stars beginning to twinkle above us. Finally, I pulled off onto a small dirt path, barely visible in the growing twilight.
“Almost there,” I said, navigating carefully between the scrub brush and rocks.
Lucas leaned forward, peering out the windshield. “You're not taking me out here to murder me, are you?” he joked, but I could hear a hint of nervousness in his voice.
I laughed, easing the tension. “Nah, nothing like that. Just thought you might like to see a bit more of Texas than just the fairgrounds.”
We crested a small hill, and I brought the truck to a halt, parking it at the very top amongst the tall grass. I cut the engine, and the sudden silence enveloped us. The only sounds were the gentle whisper of the wind through the grass and our own breathing. I turned to Lucas, drinking in the sight of him in the soft starlight.
“We're here,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas's eyes widened as he took in the view. From our vantage point, we could see for miles in every direction. The rolling hills of Sagebrush stretched out before us, bathed in moonlight. In the distance, the twinkling lights of the town looked like fallen stars.
“Wow,” Lucas breathed, his face filled with wonder. “This is... incredible.”
I smiled, pleased by his reaction. “Thought you might like it. City boy like you probably doesn't get to see the stars like this very often.”
Lucas shook his head, still mesmerized by the landscape laid out before him.
“Come on,” I said, still smiling as I pushed my door open. “I got some blankets in the back so we can get a better view. ”
He shot me a knowing look, and he was right of course. Sure, I hoped that our night might end in another lust-fueled romp like we’d had in the backseat of my truck the day before. But I also just wanted to spend time with him. There was something about this city boy that made me want to try new things. And, since I knew he was going home after the fair, my chance to do so was on a strict time limit. Being too shy meant I’d miss out on this wonderful opportunity.
I hopped out of the truck, my boots crunching on the gravel as I made my way to the tailgate. Lucas followed, his movements graceful despite the uneven terrain. I couldn't help but admire the way his jeans hugged his ass as he walked. Every time I saw it, I couldn’t help but appreciate how perfect it was.
“Here,” I said, tossing him a thick wool blanket. “Spread this out while I grab the other stuff.”
Lucas caught the blanket with ease, his eyebrow quirking up. “Other stuff? You really came prepared, didn't you?”
I felt my cheeks warm again, grateful for the darkness that hid my blush. “Just a few things to make the night more comfortable,” I replied, pulling out a small cooler and another blanket.
We laid out the blanket in the bed of the truck, the soft wool a stark contrast to the hard steel beneath. I set the cooler between us and we both took a seat on the tailgate. Flipping the lid open I was hit with the scent of roasted meat, dry rub, and delicious homemade rolls as soft and fluffy as clouds.
“Fuck…” Lucas groaned, leaning in and taking a deep whiff of the food tucked inside. “Oh my god… that smells amazing.”
I smiled, enjoying the compliment. “I figured I’d let you try some of my world-famous barbecue before the competition at the end of the week,” I said, pulling out the still hot container of brisket. “And Mabel made us some rolls and coleslaw so we could make sandwiches out of it.”
I spent a moment unloading the cooler and opening everything up, the smells filling the night air around us. Lucas's eyes lit up when I handed him a paper plate loaded with tender brisket, a soft roll, and a heap of tangy coleslaw. He took a bite and let out a moan so sultry that it went straight to my cock.
“Oh my God,” he mumbled around a mouthful of food. “This is incredible. You made this?”
I nodded, a surge of pride warming my chest. “Family recipe. Been perfecting it since I was old enough to reach the grill.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a while, savoring the food and the view. The night air was cool but not cold, and the blanket beneath us provided just enough cushioning against the truck bed. As we finished our meal, I pulled out two bottles of beer from the cooler, popping the caps off with the opener on my keychain.
Lucas accepted his with a grateful nod, taking a long swig before letting out a sigh of pure satisfaction.
“This is perfect,” Lucas said, leaning back on his elbows and gazing up at the star-studded sky. “I can't remember the last time I felt this... relaxed.”
I took a sip of my beer, watching him out of the corner of my eye. The moonlight cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting his strong jawline and the curve of his lips. God, he was beautiful.
“City life must be pretty stressful,” I ventured, trying to keep my voice casual.
Lucas chuckled, a hint of bitterness in the sound. “You have no idea. Deadlines, meetings, constant noise, the threat of eviction from an apartment I can’t afford... sometimes I feel like I can't even hear myself think.”
I nodded, understanding despite never having experienced it myself. “Is that why you really came out here? To get away from it all?”
He was quiet for a moment, taking another swig of his beer. “No. I told you… I have that marketing research… thing.”
“Right, the food festivals.”
“Yeah. ”
“But did some part of you take the assignment so you could get away for a while?”
Lucas just shook his head. “No. I didn’t have a choice.” His eyes darkened as he turned his face toward the stars. “But being out here and meeting you… well, it’s been nice. It’s just too bad it can’t last.”
I reached up, my hand coming to rest on his jaw as I turned him to face me. “Well, then we should probably make good on the time we have then, huh?”
“You sure you want to do that, cowboy?” he asked, his expression melancholic. “I… I’m not the guy you think I am.”
“I think you’re just fine, darlin’,” I smiled, pulling him closer. Just as I was about to kiss him, I paused. “Wow…” I breathed, taking him in. “You are so beautiful. And your eyes… they look like they’re full of stardust.”
Lucas’s cheeks heated under my touch, and I knew he was blushing despite the darkness surrounding us.
“Why do you have to be so nice?” he sighed, like it hurt him to be complimented. “And handsome… and perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect, darlin’.” I pulled him closer, my hat pushed high by his forehead. “But out here, all by ourselves, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”
“Really? You’re not scared anymore?”
“Fuckin’ terrified,” I grinned. “But I’m not gonna let that stop me. Not tonight anyway.”
“Then kiss me… please.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I leaned in, closing the distance between us, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if we were both still unsure of this newfound intimacy. But then Lucas's hand came up to cup the back of my neck, his fingers threading through my hair, and suddenly the kiss deepened, became more urgent.
I tasted the beer on his tongue, mingling with the lingering flavors of barbecue and something uniquely Lucas. My hand slid from his jaw to his waist, pulling him closer until our bodies were flush against each other. The heat between us was palpable, even in the cool night air.
Lucas broke the kiss, panting slightly as he rested his forehead against mine. “Damn, cowboy,” he breathed, his voice husky. “For someone without experience, you sure know how to make a guy feel good.”
I chuckled, my voice low and raspy with desire. “Just doin’ all the things I’ve only dreamed about.”
Lucas lifted an eyebrow. “What other things have you dreamed about?”
“This,” I said, reaching down and grabbing the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head. Immediately I placed my lips against his collarbone, kissing my way down his chest.
“This.” I playfully bit at his nipple, making him squirm as I tipped him back onto the blanket, crawling over top of him. “And this.”
My lips were on his abdomen, just above the waistband of his jeans. I kissed and licked his skin, tasting his unique flavor as he moaned softly into the stillness of the night. I breathed him in deeply, enjoying the mixture of his scent and the cologne he wore. My fingers fumbled with his button and the zipper, trying desperately to release that dick that I’d been dreaming about tasting since the day before.
Lucas's breath hitched as I slowly pulled down his zipper. My hands were shaking slightly, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through me. I glanced up at him, seeking reassurance, and found his green eyes twinkling in the starlight, watching me intently.
“You don't have to—” he started, but I cut him off with a shake of my head.
“I want to,” I said, my voice low and husky. “God, I want to.”
I tugged his jeans down his hips, revealing a surprise and the unmistakable outline of his arousal. I gasped as I stared. He was wearing a jockstrap. Of course I’d worn one back in high school when I played football, but this wasn’t the same. It was silky and soft, clearly not meant for sports. But the way the straps hugged his ass, and the fabric stretched over his throbbing cock turned me on more than I thought possible. My mouth watered at the sight.
Obviously he’d been hoping something would happen between us tonight. And I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Slowly, reverently, I pulled his underwear to the side, freeing his cock at last.
It was beautiful—long, thick, and already rock hard. I wrapped my hand around it, marveling at the feel of soft skin over rigid flesh. Lucas let out a soft moan as I began to stroke him, his hips bucking slightly into my touch.
“Fuck,” he breathed, his fingers knocking off my hat and tangling in my hair. “That feels so good.”
Encouraged by his reaction, I leaned down and tentatively licked the tip of his cock. The taste was salty and musky, but not unpleasant. Lucas gasped, his grip tightening in my hair.
“Oh God,” he groaned. “Please, don't stop.”
Emboldened, I took him into my mouth, sucking gently as I bobbed my head up and down. I may not have had experience, but I'd certainly thought about this enough times to have some idea of what to do. I swirled my tongue around the head of his cock as I worked him with my hand and mouth simultaneously.
Lucas was writhing beneath me, his moans echoing across the starlit prairie. His fingers tightened in my hair, guiding my movements as I took him deeper into my mouth. The taste and feel of him was intoxicating, and I found myself getting lost in the sensations.
“Fuck, cowboy,” Lucas gasped, his hips bucking slightly. “You're a natural at this.”
I hummed in response, sending vibrations through his cock that made him cry out in pleasure. Encouraged, I picked up the pace, sucking harder. My free hand roamed over his thigh, feeling the taut muscles quivering beneath my touch.
Suddenly, Lucas tugged at my hair, pulling me off his cock. “Wait,” he panted. “I don't want to finish like this.”
I looked up at him, confused and a little hurt. “Did I do something wrong?”
Lucas shook his head, his eyes dark with desire. “God no, you were perfect. Too perfect. I just...” He sat up, cupping my face in his hands. “I want more. I want all of you.”