GENRE: Gay Western Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 53,824 words
RATING:

Eight men are about to descend upon Capstone's Dude Ranch, and they are in for the most memorable two weeks of their lives. Chief among them is Thrice Montgomery, a spoiled rich New Yorker who has arrived at the ranch, newly single, running from his cheating ex. Marc Tolling has recently come out, the support of his ex-wife and daughter allowing him the chance to indulge all the sexual exploration he's lost out on over the years. What both men don’t realize is they will find themselves in competition for the attention of the ranch's studly owner.

Johnny Lee Capstone, owner and proprietor of Capstone's Dude Ranch, is the ideal cowboy, sexy and single, hot and hairy, and more than willing to submit to the sexual whims of his guests. There is something familiar about Marc, but what past they share eludes him, and Marc, for some reason, isn't talking. As for Thrice, his cocky self-assuredness intrigues Johnny Lee, and soon they begin a passionate, steamy affair. But an unexpected visitor threatens the delicate balance at Capstone's, and as the men venture deep in the misty woods, the sexual heat spills out, ultimately jeopardizing the life of one of the eight men.

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

“Marc Tolling, is it?”

The blond man with a swimmer’s body actually raised his hand. “That’s me.”

“Good, nice to have you with us,” Johnny Lee said.

“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

“And, so, I guess our final guest is Hamilton ... uh,” Johnny Lee said, again consulting his paper. “Hamilton Ford Montgomery the third. Wow, that’s quite a mouthful of a name, no wonder you needed a long car to bring you, had to include your whole name in there, right?”

The man was not amused. “Name’s Thrice.”

Johnny Lee nodded. “Concise.”

The group laughed, and while Johnny Lee had meant it good-naturedly, it was clear he’d offended Mr. Limo. But seriously, what was a guy who arrived in a limo, whose name was so long, both in letters and in heritage, that it required Roman numerals at the end, doing in a rustic place like Capstone’s Dude Ranch? If Johnny Lee wasn’t already intrigued, he now wanted to know this man’s story in the worst way. The fact that he was pretty hot overrode his petulant stance. So long as he delivered. On all fronts.

“Okay, boys, everyone happy with their room assignments?”

No one argued outwardly.

“Okay, follow Georgia inside, she’ll hand out keys, the General will show you where your bags are. No porters here, you carry your own stuff. Then you’re free for an hour to set up your space. But I want to see you all back by four-thirty. Nightfall comes early this time of year in Tennessee; I want you all to be prepared for the cool night ahead.”

“What does that mean exactly?” asked a hesitant Evan, exchanging a wary glance with his young paramour.

“Means cuddling up with your sexy boy may not keep you as warm as you like,” Johnny Lee said. “Fear not, there’s other ways to keep you warm. Like I said, report back here at four-thirty and ... oh, wear loose clothing.”

As the eight men shuffled off toward the Big House, Georgia rounding them up, the General nudged his son’s arm. “So, what do you make of this season’s first crop of recruits?”

“An interesting mix of men,” Johnny Lee said. “There’s much to discover about each man’s strengths and fortitude, and I suppose our first test will separate the men from the boys. I myself am looking forward to seeing who’s got what.”

Norman nodded. “I know you, son, you know how to pick ‘em. Which of those men has struck your fancy, who do you think is going to surprise you with his ability to work the land, challenge you with his wit, to show his sense of survival out on the trail?”

Johnny Lee had to give all those questions some careful consideration. Usually he could pinpoint just what to expect from his unsuspecting guests, but this rag-tag group was not without some surprises. There were definitely some sexy ones among the bunch, Mr. Limo chief among them, and Johnny Lee had to wonder how easily conquering any of them would be. Would he make his move quickly, or test the landscape, get a feel for who might be into what, and whether it was the land they wished to explore ... or the body of the man who was leading the way. Johnny Lee had been feeling the need for some hot, sweaty, indulgent sex for quite a while, and now that this fresh assembly of men was here, he was eager to get started.

He knew the classic cowboy mystique held a certain erotic appeal to many gay men, and hell, why not, it was all about the fragrant, pulsing heat of testosterone coursing through their bodies, their inner desires controlling them, driving them toward men who riled their souls, stirred their hearts, and excited their cocks. Johnny Lee was not alone in this thought. No doubt these men felt the allure of sex, too.

“Shame on me for thinking it, Dad, but there’s something about Mr. Limo. Seems like he needs some breaking in.”

His dad laughed. His son’s sexual appetite was not exactly a secret around here.

His dad patted his shoulder, then retired inside. Johnny Lee was left to his own thoughts. Staring up at the expansive sky, at the smoky mountains looming against the horizon, listening to the neighing of the horses in the rear stables, he grinned like a man in love with his life. He absently scratched at his chest, enjoying the feel of his own hair but wishing it was another man stroking him. And not just there. Perhaps later, perhaps as soon as the coming night, his desires could be quenched. Because this first challenge of Capstone’s Dude Ranch experience was but an hour away, one in which Johnny Lee would learn a lot about his guests’ stamina and determination to succeed in this new landscape. His wish for them was a simple one driven by his once dormant, reawakened libido: single out the sexy man whom he could take under his wing, and eventually, into his bed.