The Apocolypse Is Upon Us (better write some pr0n)

CWRPS AU: The Cock & Dog Inn (1/2)
Title: The Cock & Dog Inn
Series: Gay-Friendly, Dog-Friendly Texas Bed &Breakfast AU
Rating: overall Adult
Pairing/Characters: JP/JA, JP/TW implied
Summary: It’s just a little B&B in the hill country, that happens to welcome dogs and gay boys.
Disclaimer: This is a fictional work, implying no real life events. No harm, no foul, no money. Please enjoy!
Author’s Note: I’m sure it’s happened to you. An offhand comment that snowballs until the next thing you know, people are nagging you and promising back massages and all the enablers come out of the woodwork.

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“Would you just shut the fuck up?”

Jensen stops mid-sentence and glares at Chris, then starts up again. “Hey! I have a right to be pissed. You said the reservations were made and I’d have my own room. If you think I’m sharing a queen size bed with you, you’re crazier than I thought you were.”

Chris Kane just turns and walks down the sidewalk of downtown Kerrville and Jensen’s just had enough. “Don’t ask me to ever do you any favors again, asshole.” His slightly raised voice garners glares from an older couple passing in front of him.

“Sorry,” he mutters, then looks up to see Chris turn back toward him.

“Look,” his friend begins. “How many ways I gotta spell it, Ackles. It’s not my fault and if you want my bed, I’ll go find something else.”

Damn it! Jensen wants to hold on to his pissy mood, but Christian is his best friend and he knows all too well how hotels can fuck up a reservation six ways from Sunday.

“Ah, screw it. There’s gotta be a bed for sale around here somewhere.”

The fact is, there are two kinds of odds for finding a vacancy the two weeks of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Slim and none.

With Chris promising all the beer he can drink for the whole weekend, Jensen’s mildly appeased as he walks into the Blue Bonnet Diner for a cup of coffee and hopefully a lead on a room. The place is filled with sunlight and that general feeling of well being Jensen recognizes as small town Texas. Kerrville is really a pretty cool place, as long as you know where you’re going to sleep.

“Hi, darlin’. Whatcha need?”

Jensen slides onto a stool at the counter, starts to order coffee and then spots a picture of several varieties of shakes and sundaes.

“You guys use real malt?” God, he hadn’t had a REAL chocolate malt since he left home.

“Sure do. And you say how much you want.” The middle-aged waitress behind the counter is already pulling down a metal mixing cup.

“Just throw in twice the normal amount and we’ll call it good.” The day’s looking up already.

When the huge tumbler of chocolate malt WITH whipped cream and cherry on top is placed in front of him, Jensen’s almost ready to forgive Chris for dragging him out here. He wasn’t a babysitter and Chris didn’t really need someone just to keep him company while he sits through all the “bad acts that wish they were good acts” waiting for a friend to play Sunday afternoon.

Jensen turns to glance at the door automatically when the tinkling bells announce a new customer. And oh my God! He knew they grew ‘em big and pretty in Texas, but the tall drink of water filling the doorway now has to be the best thing Jensen’s ever seen. From scuffed up, dusty boots to faded hillbilly snap-front western shirt, Jensen admires the view of long legs and well-muscled body. Fashion sense can always be taught. But a body like that? He couldn’t dream up anything that sexy.

“Hey Polly!”

And would you look at those dimples? Jensen fights the instant desire to dip his tongue right inside them. When the newcomer sits down, Jensen notices how he unconsciously shakes the hair out of his face, giving Jensen a nice close-up of a strong profile.

“Hey Jared. The usual?” The waitress pulls the cover off the pie case and begins slicing into one.

“You know it, sweetcheeks. Nobody makes rhubarb-strawberry pie like Mel. And throw a couple of burgers on the grill for the kids. They think I’m starving ‘em these days.”

Well crap. Kids. That answers that question. Jensen still can’t help watching the guy out of the corner of his eye when he slides in next to him at the counter and starts digging into the pie.

“You should try this.”

Jensen realizes his sneaky ogling must have crossed over into downright staring. The stranger is eyeing him, his fork halfway to his mouth and a big old grin on his face.

“Yeah?” What else was he going to say? “Looks really good.” But, what I’d really like to try…

“Man,” the guy, Jared, says, “it’s better than my momma’s but I sure can’t tell her that.” The rest of the slice is gone in two bites.

With perfect timing, a Styrofoam container is dropped in front of Jared. “Can I have a glass ‘a milk now, please?”

Polly, the waitress, smiles at her obvious favorite indulgently and pulls on a handle to fill an old-fashioned style glass with smooth white liquid. “Speaking of, you called your momma lately?”

Jensen thinks it’s totally charming how Jared’s cheeks flush and he ducks his head down before answering. “No. Been really busy getting ready for the festival.” He looks up with what Jensen suspects is his “charm ‘em” look and says, “But I promise I’ll call her Monday morning, Polly. Last guest should be gone by noon.”

Guest? Jensen mentally shrugs to himself. Wouldn’t hurt to ask. Even if the guy’s married with kids, if he has a bed for let, Jensen’s willing to overlook that.

“You got some kind of motel or something?”

Jensen gets Jared’s full attention and man, he’s pretty sure he’s never seen eyes that color in his life. Sort of earth-toney, with flecks of green. Figures. All the good ones are taken or straight.

“Got a bed & breakfast…well, sorta one anyway, just west of town. Just bought it this winter and been spending the spring getting it ready for my first big weekend.”

Jensen assumes he means the festival, since anyone who knows the Texas music scene knows about the Kerrville Folk Festival. He nods and downs the last of his malt.

“I was sort of hoping… well, my friend made reservations for us this weekend at the Best Western and they screwed it up. Now they’re full, along with every other place in town and his room’s only got one bed.” Jensen places his glass back on the counter and is about to ask the question he figures is just a waste of time when Jared speaks up.

“You need a room?”

Hot damn.

“Well, yeah. I was fixin’ to ask you if you happened to have one, but figured you were full up like everyone else.”

Jared’s grin got bigger and brighter if possible and Jensen thinks this just might be Christian Fucking Kane’s lucky day. Nope, he’s not mad at Chris anymore.

“As it turns out, I’m not, uh full.” Jared stands to pull his wallet from his back pocket and extracts some bills when Polly brings the check. Jensen is momentarily distracted by the nice package exhibited just below eye level a mere foot in front of him. He knows it would be very bad to get caught staring at a stranger’s crotch, so Jensen peels his eyes back up to Jared’s face.

“Well, alright.” Heh! Take that Kane. Not only my own bed, but at a B&B and not some smelly hotel.

Jared glances quickly at Polly, then away, when Jensen hears a short little gasp escape the waitress. Like she was going to say something, then changed her mind and swallowed the words.

“Is it okay if I catch a ride back, if that’s where you’re headed next? I’m supposed to meet up with my friend on the festival grounds in a bit, so I can just call him for a ride when he’s ready.” Jensen feels incredibly lucky and toys with the thought of buying a lottery ticket before heading out to meet Chris.

“Sure… um, let’s go.”

Jensen’s a bit confused at Jared’s lack of enthusiasm for filling his place up. It seems as soon as Jensen’d asked for the room, Jared almost regretted offering it up. For a brief second, Jensen wonders if Jared’s gaydar is more finely honed than most straight guys and if that’s the reason. He knows that’s paranoid thinking, but he’s had cause in the past for that paranoia and it’s served him well.

With a mental shrug, he gathers his bag from the floor by his stool and walks out into the blindingly bright sun, reflecting off concrete and white siding. Jensen doesn’t see Jared immediately, but when he swings his head to the right, he finds him standing beside a black pick-up, ruffling the head of a large brown dog.

Jared looks up when Jensen approaches, all smiles and dimples again. “Just throw your bag in the back with the boxes. They won’t mess with it.”

Jensen notices now there’s two dogs, the other acting a bit more sedately by sitting back in the corner by the cab, licking her chops frantically. With a shrug, he throws his bag in the bed of the truck. His guitar is with Chris at the hotel.

“You are too smart for your own good, Sadie Lee,” Jared’s laughing and talking at the same time and Jensen sees him pick the Styrofoam container off the ground and pulls out the two burgers. No buns, no condiments. Just meat. These were Jared’s ‘kids’?

“Harley, if you don’t get some manners you can wait all day for this.”

Jensen is a bit surprised at the way Jared’s smiling voice transforms into a stern, commanding tone. He’s even more surprised when the dog that had just a second ago been spazzing out over the treat, drops immediately into a sit, tail still wagging furiously and drool pouring out of his mouth. Jensen eyes his bag cautiously, making sure it’s out of the way of the slobber brigade.

“That’s better. That’s my good baby.” And just like that, both burgers disappear and Jared’s wiping his fingers on the leg of his jeans. “Ready?”

It only takes Jensen a minute to catch on. “Uh… sure. Thanks.” So, no kids, or if so, Jared has no problem lumping them in with his dogs. While Jared concentrates on weaving through downtown traffic as he heads west to his home and business, Jensen finds himself wondering exactly what he’ll find when they got there.

~~~

The farther they get out of town, and they’ve really only gone a couple of miles since passing the “Thank You for Visiting the Beautiful Hill Country Town of Kerrville” sign, the quieter Jared gets.

During the drive through town Jensen gets to listen to Jared brag about his ‘babies’ and how he always knew his establishment would be dog-friendly, even before he bought it. Jensen nods, agreeing that there was definitely a dearth of pet-friendly places of accommodation, even though he’s actually never given it a moment’s thought.

The place is called The Cock & Dog Inn, which Jensen thinks is pretty odd, but hey, he’s seen some pretty weird pub and bar names, too. In the space of fifteen minutes, he discovers that Jared had actually been an actor in his later teen years, but knew when the show he was on decided to kill off his character, that film and TV wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life.

He followed the series up with one movie so he could bankroll his own business and called it quits.

“Man, you ever been to LA? It’s nothing like Texas and well, I just can’t imagine not being able to live close to my family — but, not too close – not having my dogs with me and someone telling me what to do just about every minute of the work day. That’s so not me.”

Yeah, Jensen can see that.

“So, you decided to be an innkeeper?” Jensen is genuinely curious to hear Jared’s story. It isn’t that he doesn’t seem the type, exactly, but Jared also doesn’t fit Jensen’s image of the owner of a country B&B, either.

“Yep. I’m from San Antonio. My family’s still there and I thought about buying the ranch next door that came up for sale last year, but I didn’t want to like, live in their back pockets, either, if you know what I mean.” Jensen smiles and nods. He sure does. Even being in the same huge-ass city of Dallas, where his mom and dad live, is sometimes too close for comfort.

“I kinda liked the idea of something in the hospitality industry. And well, being my own boss and having the dogs around were factors, too.” Jared shrugs as if still justifying this business venture to himself. “My sister-in-law suggested a Bed & Breakfast and even said there’s a listing for pet-friendly establishments that’re in big demand. It just all clicked.” Jared snaps his fingers and Jensen can’t help grinning at his host.

Now, though, Jared’s preoccupied, leaving Jensen to stare out the window at the Blue Bonnets lining the shoulder of the road. A splash of red Indian Paintbrush pops out every few yards and Jensen’s pretty content to enjoy the Texas spring wildflower show. Maybe Jared’s already thinking of all the things he needs to do to get Jensen’s room ready and any one of a hundred other things an Innkeeper probably has to keep up with.

Which leads him to once again wonder about Jared’s domestic situation. He still hasn’t mentioned actual human children or a wife. But, he hasn’t shown any interest like that towards Jensen, either. And as tempting as it is, Jensen isn’t about to jeopardize his bed for a flirtation that might get him kicked out on his ass. Chris’d never let him live that down.

When they round a sweeping curve, Jensen sees the brightly colored sign swinging from the fence. As they get closer, he can make out the folk art styled design. The rough depiction of a generic brown dog chasing a rooster around the barnyard. Cute.

“Well, this is it. Home sweet home for me…and you for the next couple days if you like it.” Jared shifts up into park, pulls the emergency brake and climbs out.

Jensen doesn’t have time to wonder why he wouldn’t like it when he feels a breeze along his leg as Harley leaps out of the truck and bounds off into the nearby woods.

“Crap! I’ll have to check him for ticks when he gets back.” Then realizing how that sounds, Jared rolls his eyes and tries to make fun of himself. “Well, only because he goes and rolls around in the underbrush. As long as you’re careful and wear protection, you’re fine.”

Jensen wants to pat Jared on the shoulder to let him know they’re cool. “Dude. I was born and raised in Texas. I know from ticks.”

Jared looks relieved and lets the tailgate drop so he can get to the supplies he’d stowed in the bed. Sadie, who seems to have much better manners than Harley, walks up to the edge of the gate and daintily drops down to the ground before trotting toward the freshly painted farmhouse at a leisurely gait.

“Those two aren’t related, are they?” Jensen grabs a box packed with dry goods while Jared loads up with a case of orange juice.

“How’d you guess,” Jared snorts and whistles loudly, but doesn’t wait to see if Harley hears. “He’ll be home for dinner.” He heads for the back entrance of the house, calling behind him, “Hey, thanks for the help, man. Way to treat a guest, huh?”

Jensen drops his bag in what he presumes is the great room. A large, dark wood paneled place for the guests to gather any time of the day or night to chat, read, or play one of the many board games stacked on the side table. Jensen thinks it might be decorated in Texas western, but the odd mix of furniture styles makes it hard to judge. There’s a worn saddle straddling a chest in the corner and one whole wall is covered in a floor to ceiling bookshelf with reading material for every taste. Thankfully, there are no mounted heads on the walls.

“It’s not really where I want it yet.” Jared strides across the room to open a door on the far side. It reveals a screen side porch, lined with potted plants and filled with wicker furniture. “I just finished this room last week. Wanted it ready for the season. There’s always a breeze blowing back here, so it’s nice for early morning or evening relaxing.” Jensen stands in the doorway, noting the celadon green walls and hanging baskets of begonias.

The pride in Jared’s voice is clear. His decorating style might be a bit eclectic, but it’s obvious he takes great pleasure in what he’s doing here and it’s certainly clean as a whistle. Jensen’s mother would be pleased.

“That’s nice. I have no idea what our schedule’s going to be like the next few days. Is it okay if I bring my friend Chris over after the shows one night?”

“Of course! The more the merrier. I’ve spent practically all winter by myself doing some of the remodeling, then in March I got the workmen out to finish what I wanted done this year.”

In other words, Jensen thinks, Jared would love to show off his place. “Cool. Maybe tonight. I know the act we’re here to see doesn’t play ‘til Sunday.”

Jared slings Jensen’s bag over his shoulder and the two men make small talk about the festival and how Jared likes the area and the friendliness of the people while he shows Jensen the rest of the house. When they get to the last room on the second floor, Jared comes to an abrupt halt.

“Oh shit! Oops, sorry.” Jared slaps his hand over his mouth, but it’s easy to see he’s dismayed about something.

“What?”

“The room’s uh…not ready. I wasn’t expecting any more guests this weekend, so I sort of threw a bunch of stuff in there ‘til I could figure out where everything goes.” Jared looks like he’s in downright pain. “I’m SO sorry. Can you wait downstairs while I pick up and make the bed? There’s beer in the fridge if you want.”

All Jensen wants to do is put that fresh smile back on Jared’s face. Based on what he’s seen and what Jared’s said, the innkeeper is single, with no signs of a feminine touch in the place. He appears to be running the place by himself. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s gay, or even bi, but it’s better than nothing and Jensen makes a mental note to start sending a few discrete signals and see what bites.

“How about I get us both a beer and come back up and help. If it’ll make you feel better, you can give me a break on the rate.” Jensen laughs, but Jared’s still all serious as hell.

“Oh, man, you know it…I just want everyone to have a good time here. How about tonight’s on the house?” He looks so earnest, so scared of giving the wrong impression, Jensen feels downright sorry for him.

“Just clear out the porn before I get back with the beers,” then realizes his joke’s fallen flatter than a pancake when Jared’s expression fades from remorseful to downright panic. He watches curiously as Jared rushes to get to the room before Jensen.

“Uh, sure…go get the beers. I’ll be up here.” And the door slams behind Jared.

Although he feels a little sorry for Jared, Jensen laughs loudly on his way back down the stairs to the kitchen. He wonders just what is in that room, now.

Whatever it was, Jared’s taken care of it and he’s working on stretching the fitted sheet to the mattress when Jensen returns. The room is simple, but homey. The bed, dresser and wash stand by the window are all mismatched antiques, but they kinda go together, too. What Jensen really finds interesting, though, is how Jared’s pants stretch tight across his very nice ass when he leans over the bed.

“Here’s your beer,” Jensen holds the bottle up for Jared to take. “Hey, let me help with those.”

One-handed, because clearly holding on to their beer is the main priority, they get the sheets on and finally Jared hands over his bottle while he snaps a homemade quilt into the air and lets it drift down across the queen size bed.

“There.” Jared takes his beer back and stands back to admire his handiwork.

“It’s nice. Comfy. I like it a lot.” Jensen emphasizes his words with a nod and sees a prime opportunity to test the waters. “I used to have a boyfriend who was a decorator for the Junior League set in Dallas. He’d probably freak over this, but I like it. A lot.”

He watches Jared from under his lashes, looking for the telltale signs of repugnance or interest. Jensen knows them both well.

Amazingly enough, Jared’s usually very expressive face remains…neutral is the best term Jensen can grab onto. Jared turns his bland look on him and then smiles smugly. “Yeah, well, this ain’t the Junior League and I doubt anyone from their ranks will ever stay here, so I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Jensen can’t help but laugh and shake his head. “You know. I think you’re right.” He hefts his bag from the floor up onto a chair next to the dresser and looks at his watch.

With a sigh, he pulls out a clean shirt and tosses the bag back down to the floor. “No time for a shower, guess I’ll do a quick whore’s bath before hooking up with Chris.”

That brings a bark of laughter from Jared as he heads out the door. “I like you Jensen. I sort of do a little happy hour down in the main room everyday around this time. Come on down when you’re done, okay?” And with that he’s gone, the door closing gently behind him.

Damn. Still no clue. Jensen heads through the interior door to his bathroom, stripping out of his sweaty shirt so he could splash water under his pits and get ready.

~~~

His ablutions complete, Jensen goes back into his room to call Chris. The clean smell of beeswax fills the room, reminding him that he definitely got a better deal than his friend and maybe the reservation screw-up is a blessing in disguise.

The sound of a distant voice catches Jensen’s attention and he looks out his window to see his host pacing around the yard below, cell phone to his ear. When Jared turns back to face the house, it’s pretty obvious he’s not happy about something. Probably a delivery order gone array. What a bitch.

Jensen punches the speed-dial for Chris who picks up after the first ring.

“Yo.”

“Hey asshat. Miss me?” Jensen’s good mood comes through in spades.

“You sure sound happier than last time I saw you. Must’ve found a room.”

“Yeah. Lucky for you. Ran into the owner of a bed & breakfast at the diner and he had a vacancy. Place is pretty cool and there’s a screen-porch where we can hang after the shows.” Jensen describes the porch to the side of the house, perfect for sitting and strumming their guitars and sipping beers.

“Sounds supreme! You ready to head out?” Chris sounds like he’s still unpacking, but Jensen knows he’s probably still anxious to get to the festival grounds.

“Sure thing.” Jensen waits for Chris to grab a pen so he can scribble the address of the inn, then hangs up.

Might as well go down for ‘happy hour’ or whatever Jared’s doing in the big room. After seeing the storm brewing on Jared’s face, he hopes all is okay.

There’re other guests already milling around the room, checking out the book titles. Two guys, both dressed in jeans and t-shirts. When Jensen walks in, they both turn. Oh yeah. They are so a couple.

“Uh…hi. Jared said I should come on down.” Jensen’s not sure about protocol, but doesn’t want to seem unfriendly. However, all his worries seem to wash away when the two approach him, hands held out in welcome.

“Hi. I’m Jesse.” The taller one, sporting bleach blond hair and a tattoo of a red ribbon on his neck shakes Jensen’s hand warmly. “This is my partner, Reese.”

Okay. So, gay-friendly as well as dog-friendly. Jensen feels hope springing up like the rising tide. His smile brightens and he shakes the hands of both men.

“Cool. I’m Jensen. Lucky enough to snag the last room, I guess.”

Reese, a shorter and stockier version of Jesse, sans tattoo, laughs and nods. “Yeah, Jare was kinda disappointed he wasn’t full for the festival. He’s been counting on this weekend to help pay for the renovations.”

Jensen’s curiosity about how the guests know so much about the place has to wait when he hears a stomping of boots outside the door and it swings open to admit Jared.

“Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late. Something came up and I had to deal with it.”

Irate phone conversations aside, Jared seems to have regained his good mood, because his face is all smiles and welcome again, reminding Jensen of a playful, joyful puppy.

“S’ok. Just meeting Jensen here,” Jesse says.

“Awesome.” Jared looks around, his forehead creasing. “Wonder where the Blevins are.” With a shrug, he addresses the room in general. “They have the carriage house out back with their Labrodoodle, Macy. Talk about a spaz.” Jared laughs and looks at Jensen. “You thought Harley was bad.”

Jensen decides he’s not in a hurry to meet Macy and her owners if she puts Harley to shame.

“So.” Jared claps his hands and rubs them together. “What’s your pleasure? We have wine, scotch, whiskey and beer. There’s vodka in the freezer and I’ve probably got just about any kind of mixer you want.”

The next ten minutes pass with everyone fixing their drinks and more small talk. Jensen’s still trying to figure out how to tell the sexual orientation of his host when Chris bangs on the front door.

With an eye roll, Jensen apologizes. “Sorry. He was raised in a barn on Mars by wolves.” That brings a round of hearty laughter that’s just winding down when Jared shows Chris into the room and offers him a drink.

While Chris is getting his beer, Jesse sidles up to Jensen and leans in. “Is he yours? Talk about your rough and ready.” Jensen bites the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the flamboyant way Jesse waves his hand when talking about Chris.

“Nah. We’re just buddies. I don’t think Chris is gay,” he answers with a smile, glad to have his own preferences out on the table. “Besides, I like ‘em a bit smoother around the edges.”

That earns Jensen a look he can’t quite decipher before Jesse nods and winks. “I totally get what you mean, honey. I’ve known Jared since high school. He’s the same way.” And with that, he sashays off to join Reese at the backgammon board where he’s giggling at some joke Jared’s told.

Well, what do you know? Hell yeah!

“So, what’s the deal? Is there a Barbra Streisand show playing around here?”

“God. I can’t bring you anywhere,” is all Jensen has to say and swings his fist into Chris’ arm. “We going or what?”

Six hours later, Jensen’s ready to kill Christian Kane for the second time today and leave his body in the God damned ditch. The Friday night performances were the bottom of the barrel to begin with. Then Chris leaves him alone an hour after they arrive when two girls about Jensen’s sister’s age latch onto him. Last Jensen’s seen, the three of them were headed off toward the campground area where he’s been getting a nose full of weed all day.

Fucking asshole.

Jensen digs around in his guitar case, which Chris brought from the hotel, for the spare set of keys to the truck. Let the horny bastard find his own ride back to town. Jensen’s ready to leave.

Because it’s after eleven and his momma taught him manners, Jensen tries to be quiet when he closes the truck door and enters the mudroom that leads through the kitchen and into the dining room. He’s only seen the one set of stairs off the hallway on the other side of the great room but it’s taking him a few minutes to get his bearings, plus the only illumination is the dim exhaust hood light over the stove.

“S’ok. The place is pretty soundproof. I think I’m the only one still up.” Jensen follows the voice in the dark to the far corner at the little breakfast nook. With his eyes adjusted, he sees Jared sitting there with a bottle and shot glass.

“Hey.” Jensen still speaks softly because it’s just so quiet in the house. “Sorry about coming through the back way. I wasn’t sure the front door was unlocked.” He approaches the small table, not sure what to say or do, but grateful for the opportunity to speak with Jared alone. He’s been thinking about him all night. Well, when he wasn’t imagining all the ways he could hurt Chris.

Jensen rethinks his plan, though, when he gets a look at Jared’s face in the shadows of the kitchen. He knows drunk when he sees it.

“Um…uh.” With his hands jammed deep into his front pockets, Jensen’s not sure whether to just leave Jared alone, ask if he needs help or offer to drink with him.

“Siddown.” Jared waves his hand, making Jensen’s decision for him. Jared reaches behind him to the cabinet of glassware and grabs another shot glass, holding it up to Jensen in question.

“Yeah, sure.” Jensen takes the opportunity to fill his glass and down one shot and Jared’s already tilting the bottle for a refill.

“Rough day?”

Jared wipes his mouth with the back of his hand but Jensen can’t help but stare at his lips, still bright and wet with the liquor. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Before Jensen can respond with something not totally lame, Jared sighs and keeps going. “Nothing ever works out like you really think, does it? I mean….” he waves his hand in the air, “this place. It’s supposed to be m’dream come true. The place I was going to settle and …you know… settle.”

Jensen empties his glass again and inhales deeply. This he could respond to. “It’s a pretty cool place, man. I don’t know what it was like when you bought it, but it’s really comfortable now. The kind of place people look for when they come to Texas.”

Jared seems to consider that for a moment then shakes his head. “Not the same when you’re by yourself, y’know. We had plans. Fix up the place, world-class breakfast, provide bikes to ride around the hill country.” Jensen thinks Jared’s about to cry and he just can’t stand that.

“Hey.” He can’t help it. Jensen lays a hand lightly on Jared’s arm and squeezes, hoping to offer some kind of reassurance. “You should be proud and well… Jesse and Reese really seem to like the place.” Hesitates for just a second. “I think it’s really cool you’re gay-friendly.”

Jared looks straight at Jensen, holding his gaze and licking his lower lip. Just like that, the air is charged and Jared’s free hand is on top of Jensen’s, pinning it between the warmth of Jared’s sleeve and his palm.

Jensen feels drawn to Jared, like there’s a rope connecting them and Jared’s reeling him in. He leans across the space between them and lightly kisses Jared on the mouth. It’s not invasive, but it’s definitely a question.

Jared’s eyes flutter closed, then open as Jensen pulls back. “Take a walk with me?” Jensen just nods and clasps Jared’s hand, pulling him up.

The fresh air reminds Jensen of the ranch where he cooked one summer on a trail drive. The faint whiff of cattle and horses nearby, the pine trees that are still in the windless Texas night, but still offer up their sweet smell.

They walk hand in hand for a ways until they’re at the barn that’s currently empty with the exception of a lawn mower and some old furniture stacked in the back. Both men lean back against the fence and Jensen props one foot on the lower rail, lets his arms rest across the top. Jared’s shoulder nudges at his hand as he settled next to him.

Jared seems content to just stare out into the night and Jensen wonders where this is going when Jared finally turns to him and smiles sadly.

“You know, I didn’t know anything about running a business or even owning a house when I bought this place. I just knew I wanted somewhere people with, ya know, alternate lifestyles could go and feel welcome.”

Warming to his subject, Jared shifted so he was facing Jensen more and continued. “Did you know that less than 5% of the inns in America welcome pets? I mean, come on. They’re part of the family. Harley and Sadie are like my own kids.” Jared’s arms are swinging around animatedly. “And the gay part…well, that just makes sense, considering, you know, my own orientation.”

Now Jared looks at Jensen shyly, obviously unaware that he’s already figured that one out. It’s time to set the record straight, Jensen figures.

He pulls Jared to him and angles his head, signaling his intent. Jared makes a satisfied growl and meets him, mouth slightly open. They’re kissing with tongues, deep and exploring, in no time. Jared takes a step forward, backs Jensen against the fence and presses their bodies together, chest to thigh. Rough denim rasps and Jensen breathes deep through his nose to keep from breaking the kiss.

Jensen rubs his hands down Jared’s arms, then rests them at his waist, curling a finger in each belt loop, pulling in, letting Jared feel the rigid length between them. Jensen smiles against Jared’s mouth. The feeling’s mutual, no doubt about that.

When they finally have to come up for air, Jared’s large hands are framing Jensen’s face and he just holds him there, as if searching for something. “You’ve got a mighty pretty mouth,” Jared says, straight faced and serious-sounding.

Jensen frowns, then the moonlight catches the twinkle in Jared’s eye and he can’t help the gust of laughter that fans Jared’s bang away from his face.

“Ass.”

Jared’s hands barely press into Jensen’s cheeks, but Jensen knows he’s back to being serious. “You really are beautiful. I think I’d like to kiss you some more.” And proceeds to do so.

Jensen’s a big one for foreplay, and kissing Jared is definitely up there on the top of the list of best things ever (and wow, he never knew he had a kink for having his face held), but right now he really wants more. And yeah, Jared’s taller and broader but Jensen has no problem at all reversing their positions and pressing Jared’s back against the fence.

Of course, Jared almost trips over his own big feet resettling himself and reaching back for Jensen at the same time, but Jensen disregards the questing fingers and drops to his knees. That gets Jared to quiet down.

Looking up, trying to read Jared’s face, Jensen is struck by how sexy he looks with his hair shagging out around his head and his lips partly open, puffed up and red. Jensen swallows before he begins to drool down his chin.

He finally takes Jared’s silence and stillness as permission, because that’s what he wants it to be, and begins working at the silver Texas belt buckle. Button fly next and then the weight of the buckle is doing the work for him, pulling Jared’s jeans open and tugging them down. Jensen finishes the job until they rest at the top of Jared’s boots.

Jensen takes a while to just admire the view, inhaling Jared’s work-sweat scent and nosing at his erection, just peeking over the top of his underwear. A dog-like whimper comes from somewhere above Jensen’s head and he smiles before dragging the remaining covering down to join the jeans.

“Jensen.” His name’s never sounded quite so much like a prayer and Jensen thinks he could really get used to that.

“Gonna suck you now, Jared. Suck you right down.” Another whine of consent and Jensen opens his mouth, lowers his head and goes to town.

Jared’s cock bottoms out against Jensen’s throat only halfway down. Fuck, but the boy was hung. Jensen figures he can show Jared a good time with his tongue, lips and just the right amount of teeth, though, so he’s not too worried.

Jared’s hands are on his head again, making Jensen shiver at just the feel of them, tickling along his scalp, caressing his temple, down the side and across his forehead. When he’s done here, he wants those beautiful, humongous hands on him where they’re going to do some good.

The taunt muscles along Jared’s flank, the way his legs are starting to shake and his hips buck – Jensen’s ready for him and tightens his hold at Jared’s hips and sucks just right to let Jared know he’s not going anywhere. Something Jared finally seems to accept and just let’s go.

Jensen takes the first rush of come in his mouth, then pulls out to lick along the underside of Jared’s dick and jack him through it, while he continues to come over Jensen’s face. Jensen looks up and their eyes lock and Jared’s sexed out and flushed and seems mesmerized by the sight of Jensen down on his knees, having his mouth fucked.

When Jared pulls back, still shaking and panting, Jensen rises to his feet and wipes a glob of come from his chin, then sticks his fingers in his mouth, sucking them clean.

“Jerk me off, Jared. Please?” Jensen whispers, but Jared hears him loud and clear.

Jensen helps Jared unbuckle, unbutton and unzip him, then wraps his arms around Jared’s neck, leans in and lets him take over. Long, blunt fingers feel just as awesome as Jensen imagined. He can feel calluses scraping the tender flesh of his dick, but it only makes him hotter. He grinds up and into Jared’s hand because it just feels so God damned good he can’t help himself.

“Easy, baby. I got you. Gonna take care of you.” Jared crooning in Jensen’s ear is fucking hot! Jensen’s discovering all kinds of things he never knew he liked. Or he just hasn’t been with the right guys.

Jared’s hand forms a tight tunnel with just the right amount of pressure, scrape of a nail or flick of the thumb in all the right places. Jensen’s gone and isn’t even embarrassed he’s not lasting as long as his norm. Who could?

“Yeah…yeah…that’s it…” He encourages Jared and jerks counter to Jared’s strokes, then comes so hard it’s almost painful. Jensen’s done and pretty sure he’s even seeing stars.

“Fuck.”

“Well, gimme a few and we can do that too.” Jared’s drawling humor grounds Jensen once more and he looks down ruefully at the mess on both their shirts.

“Dude. I haven’t done that since high school.” Which only makes Jared laugh out loud.

“Really? Outside is the BEST, cowboy.” Jared pulls him to his shoulder and buries his nose in the curve before licking up and around his ear until Jensen’s giggling with the tickles.

Then, there’s a post-coital moment when they just stare into each other’s eyes and Jensen is overwhelmed with the speed at which he feels himself falling. Without a shadow of a doubt, he knows he’s fallen. Just stick a fork in ‘im, he’s done.

When Jensen comes downstairs he can smell some kind of frying meat, eggs and toast. His stomach reminds him that the last thing he ate was a crappy hot dog at the festival the night before. He can’t wait to see Jared, share a meal with him and possibly plan some time together later in the day before he meets up with Chris again. Hell, he’ll even help with the chores that must be a constant running list for a place like this.

He assumes the voices in the kitchen are Jesse and Reese – maybe the mysterious parents of Macy — and strides in, grinning, a greeting on his lips. Jesse and Reese aren’t there though and Jared’s sitting at the table with a man Jensen’s not met yet.

The stranger is well built, wavy black hair and piercing blue eyes. In other words, gorgeous. Jared jumps when he notices Jensen standing there and honest to God blushes.

“Oh, hi Jensen. The rest already ate, but I saved you some breakfast.”

Jared gets up and fumbles around with plates and silverware, setting a place in the dining room, away from the small kitchen table where he’s sitting with the strange guy.

“Jared?” Jensen lets the question speak for itself and Jared must understand.

“Oh, uh… Tom, this is Jensen. He took the last room yesterday so I got my full house I wanted.” He hesitates and turns his back on Jensen, making himself busy at the stove. “Jensen, this is Tom. My boyfriend.”