Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 13:40:47 EDT
From: Tulsadriller7@aol.com
Subject: Tales from the Ranch, Chapter 9/?

Disclaimer:  The following story is a work of fiction.  If you
are offended by descriptions of homosexual acts or man/man
relations, please exit this page.

TALES FROM THE RANCH
Copyright 2002 by Tulsa Driller 7.  All rights reserved.

This is a story of men who have two common interests.  You will
see that they love the land where they live and work, but it is
also the story of young men who love other men and their coming
of age in a culture of prejudice and misunderstanding.  It is a
story, which deals with difficult and often disturbing issues
but, nonetheless, issues which must be confronted in today's
world.

This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any
specific person or persons.  Any similarity to actual persons or
events is entirely coincidental.  This work is copyrighted© by
the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the
specific written permission of the author.  It is assigned to the
Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but
it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the
written permission of the author.

PLEASE:  In a perfect world AIDS doesn't exist.  My characters
have unprotected sex.  I hope you use proper precautions because
I'd like you to be around the read the last chapter of this
story.

Chapter 9:  Moving quickly
     They both got up, Craig crossing to the door and opening it.
As expected, it was Trisha from Le Gourmet Catering.  She was
carrying two bags, which contained salad, the entrée, vegetables
and dessert for the two of them.
     "If you'll show me the kitchen, I'll get the food out and
show you what needs to be done, unless you want me to serve it?"
     "No, Trisha, I think we can manage.  I have plates out and
the table is set, so I won't have to warm anything up, or worry
about keeping the salad cold."
     By this time she had all the sealed, plastic food containers
out on the counter.  There was a bottle with the salad dressing
and she laid the receipt on the counter for Craig.
     "Thanks..." they each started to say at the same time.  Craig
said, "I really appreciate you being able to accommodate my order
tonight."
     "Most of our orders are for last-minute meals because
someone had to work late, or other reasons.  We've only been in
business for six months and we keep growing, thanks to people
like you."
     Craig showed her to the door and returned to the kitchen.
     "As we were so rudely interrupted..." Craig said, putting his
lips on Dale's.  They exchanged a tongue-scorching kiss.  "Uummm,
that was worth waiting for all day.  Are you ready to eat?"
     Dale grinned, leaned in to give Craig a peck on the nose,
saying, "Only if you promise we can continue where we just left
off after we eat."
     "You got it!!"
     "I'll put the salad on the plates."  Handing Dale a book of
matches and the bottle of wine, he said, "You light the candles
on the table and I'll pour the wine when we sit down."
     Dale walked around the corner to do as he was asked.  Craig
shook the dressing container, tossed the great-looking salad and
divided it between the plates.  He carried the two plates to the
dining table and motioned to indicate where he wanted Dale to
sit.  As Dale was sitting down, Craig filled their wine glasses.
     "This looks like a good salad," Dale said.
     "May I ask a blessing?" Craig asked.
     "Certainly."
     Craig held out his hands to Dale and they each bowed their
heads.
     "Our dear Heavenly Father, we come before you this evening
to praise you for what you have given us today.  We ask that you
be with Dale and myself and that you bless our friendship with
each other.  Thank you for the food we are about to eat and for
the nourishment to our bodies.  Blessed be Your Holy Name.
Amen."
     Craig squeezed Dale's hands as they separated.  Dale said,
"That was a nice prayer, thank you."  Then he added, "It seems
strange to ask God to bless two gay men."
     "Why not?  We are creatures whom God put on the earth to be
company for each other.  The fact that we are gay doesn't make
any difference to Him.  We are His image."
     "I've never thought of it that way."
     They started to eat and both made an "MMmmm" as they tasted
the salad.  Dale said, "This is wonderful, certainly different
than anything I've ever eaten before.  Usually you just get a few
lettuce leaves, some chunks of tomato and watery dressing.  This
has three kinds of lettuce, tomatoes, green pepper strips, carrot
shavings, olives, raw mushrooms and pieces of something that I
don't know what it is."
     "Pickled eggplant," Craig replied.
     Craig picked up his wine glass, held it up and said, "To us,
wherever our friendship may lead."
     "To us," Dale responded.  They each took a sip of the wine,
set their glasses down and smiled at each other.  Craig reached
for Dale's hand and squeezed it.
     "I'm sure glad you're here.  You are a super person and I
want to get to know you better -- and not just in bed."
     Dale blushed, "I can tell that this is going to be a very
special friendship."
     They continued eating in silence, each in their own
thoughts.  Their salads eaten, Craig pushed his chair back.  Dale
asked if he could bring the plates to the kitchen and Craig said,
"Please."
     Craig opened the containers containing the pork chops, rice
pilaf and grilled vegetables and decided that maybe a quick cycle
in the microwave would be a good idea.  He started with the rice,
then separately gave the pork chops and vegetables a minute or
so.
     Dale rinsed the salad plates and Craig told him to leave
them in the sink, they could load the dishwasher later.  As food
was heated, Craig filled the plates.  There was even a plastic
bag containing chopped parsley for garnish and flavoring.  They
each carried a plate back to the table.
     Craig took a sip of his wine, thinking Pinot Noir was a good
choice.  Dale took a sip of his.  He didn't know anything about
wine, but this had a good flavor.  He had expected to taste
something sweet, but was pleasantly surprised at what he smelled
and tasted.
     They started eating.  The flavor was wonderful.  Craig was
thinking that maybe he should see about taking a cooking course.
Dale was also wondering how this dish was prepared.  He was used
to either broiling a hamburger or steak or maybe using something
like "Hamburger Helper" to make something a little more "exotic".
He then thought about his choice of the word "exotic" and smiled.
     "Penny for your thoughts," Craig said, wiping his mouth with
a napkin.
     "I was just thinking how much I liked the food.  I've never
done anything beyond broiling a steak, baking a potato and frozen
vegetables.  Just what I could get by with to satisfy my hunger."
     Craig replied, "I think one of the stores here offers a
cooking course.  What do you say that we both go?  I think it
would be fun and I know that I could learn something.  Anything I
could fix at home would be ten-times better than going out to
eat.  I don't like `fast food' and would rather eat in a
restaurant for a special occasion."
     "I'm with you, and seem to order a lot of pizza.  You get
more for your money."
     They laughed.  Craig said, "If you believe their TV ads,
it's more nourishing and healthful than Mickey D's.  After all
they now serve it in the school cafeterias."
     Dale said, "Yeah, I'm game for the cooking course.
Especially if you were with me."
     Hands searched for each other's and a quick squeeze.
     They continued eating and cleaned their plates.  "There is
enough for a second helping," Craig said.
     "I'd split one pork chop, but I don't think I could eat a
whole one by myself."
     "Okay, come on to the kitchen and we can help ourselves."
     The lids had been placed back on the containers so there was
no need to warm the food up again.
     They each took more food and returned to the table.  It
didn't take long before they were through eating.  After asking
Dale if he was finished, he stood up to take the plates back to
the kitchen.  Dale followed him.
     As Craig was rinsing the dishes, Dale walked up behind him,
wrapping his arms around Craig's chest and proceeded to wash out
his right ear.  It was a good thing that Dale was holding him up
because he got weak in the knees and he felt his cock twitch.
Carefully, he sat the dishes down and wiggled around so they were
facing each other.
     Grinning, he said, "Monkey feel, monkey do," and did the
same to Dale.  Their mouths found each other and they shared a
passionate kiss as each rubbed the other's back and chest.  This
brought on an immediate swelling in the front of their pants.
They reluctantly pulled away from each other, looking into the
other's souls through their eyes.
     "Hey babe, we still have dessert to go.  Carrot cake."
     Dale gave Craig another quick peck, and then said, "Let's
have that, then see if we can `whip up' something else to enjoy."
     "Only if I can help with the `whipping'," Craig teased.
     "If things work out right, you can... if you promise to be
good.  And... from what I tasted last night, you are very good,"
Dale leered.
     "Flattery will get you everywhere... and soon," snickered
Craig.  "I love your sense of humor.  Almost as off-beat as
mine."
     He got small plates out of the cabinet and put large pieces
of carrot cake on each.  He handed Dale's plate to him and as he
started to the table, Craig looked at the ticket Trisha had left.
He was very surprised.  It wasn't any more expensive than going
to a nice restaurant and it certainly was more pleasant to eat in
the comfort of one's own home.
     Dale was just sitting down as Craig arrived at the table.
     They ate dessert in silence, hardly taking their eyes off
each other.  Each was thinking about the other, how lucky they
were and wondering what the next step might be in their
relationship.
     After they finished the carrot cake, they drank the wine in
their glasses.  Craig poured another half glass for each of them.
     Craig took Dale's left hand in his right and brought the
backside to his lips, kissing it.  He held up his glass.  "Here's
to the nicest fellow I've ever met.  Someone who I hope is going
to be permanent in my life."  He raised his glass.
     Dale wasn't quite sure if he should say "thank you" or
something else.  He looked into Craig's eyes.  "Here's to the
most special man I've ever met.  You are a person I trust
completely."
     They touched the rims of the glasses.  Each had tears in
their eyes and squeezed hands again.  They emptied their glasses.
     "It's my turn to insist on a `happy kitchen' tonight," Craig
said.  There isn't much to put away.
     They went to the kitchen and all that was left was a little
of the rice and a whole pork chop.  He put this on a small plate,
covered it with plastic wrap and placed it on the shelf in the
refrigerator   Dale watched him rinse the dishes again and load
the dishwasher.  There weren't enough dishes to run it.  He
rinsed out the containers from the caterer and placed them in the
trash.
     Then turning to each other, it was automatic that they
embrace again, arms about each other and heads on the other's
shoulders.  It just felt natural and right.
     * * * * *
     They went to the living room to sit on the loveseat again.
Instinctively, they sat so they could turn and face each other,
holding one hand.
     Dale pulled Craig's hand to his lips and kissed his fingers.
"I have a wonderful warm feeling when we are together.  I know we
just met each other, but I trust you and hope you can guide me
through the feelings and emotions I have."
     "I don't know for sure what I'm feeling, but I know that I
want to see you again and again.  Although we've only known each
other a day, I feel that there is something between us that tells
me we complete each other and can rely on the other to return our
love.  I don't know where this is going, either, but I sure want
to find out," Craig told him.  "This may or may not work, but I'm
willing to give our friendship everything I've got and hope you
feel comfortable enough with me to do the same."
     They pulled together and locked themselves in an embrace
they were not willing to separate.  They held each other tightly
for what seemed to be a long time.  Finally they pulled apart,
looked into each other's eyes, then sought the other's lips.
     Separating, Craig whispered, "Help me turn out the lights
and let's go to the bedroom."
     Dale turned out two table lamps while Craig turned the light
off in the dining area, then reached around the corner to darken
the kitchen.  They joined hands, going to Craig's bedroom.
     They both needed to use the bathroom.  Craig had put the
sack containing Dale's toiletry articles     on the counter, so
this was the first time Dale had seen the room.  He was stunned.
Craig had a shower stall that was as big as his whole bathroom
and it had four showerheads!  He was impressed because he had
never seen anything like it.
     "Wow!!  That has got to be some shower experience," Dale
said.
     "Do you want to try it out tonight, or wait until morning?"
     "I'd rather try you out, tonight," Dale replied with a leer.
"I took a shower before coming over here, remember?"
     "No objection to that."
     They both used the toilet, one brushing his teeth while the
other peed, and then switched.
     Craig finished first and went back to the bedroom.  He was
folding the quilt down when Dale came out and started to take his
clothes off.
     "Dale, wait.  I want to take your clothes off.  It's like
opening a present and I haven't had mine yet today.  Please..."
Craig whined in a little boy voice, giggling.
     Dale flashed his wonderful smile at Craig and walked toward
him.  Craig moved to Dale and they wrapped their arms and bodies
around each other.  Somehow they fell on the bed and rolled
around, trying to find the most comfortable position.
     As they did so, shirts were pulled up so they could feel
each other's abs and chests, rubbing and pinching nipples, mouths
searching for an entrance to the other.
     They whispered their groans of pleasure to the other, trying
to crawl inside, swabbing the other's tonsils, bringing pleasure
to each other.
     Craig searched for Dale's belt buckle as Dale was trying to
slip his own shoes off, using his toes.  Dale's hands found his
way to Craig's beltline, but no belt.  `One less item to remove,'
thought both.  He slid the fastener loose and unzipped Craig's
pants.  They never broke their kiss.  Finally, in order to get
their shirts off, they had to move away; it was a chance to
refill their lungs with air.
     Somehow, neither knew how it happened; they had managed to
shed their clothes and finally, were both nude.  `What a great
feeling,' they both thought as they pressed their bodies to each
other in full contact from head to toe.
     As they rolled across the bed and back, one on top, then the
other, they broke their kisses to give other parts of the other's
body attention.
     Dale was the aggressive one tonight and was really giving
Craig's ear, then throat, then the other ear his attention.
Craig was almost beside himself at the feeling from the kisses
and nips Dale was giving him.
     Craig was returning as much as he could, his lips reaching
the spots he could make contact with.  Meanwhile, his hands and
fingers were roaming Dale's body as they ground their crotches
against the other.  Both were starting to leak precum which mixed
with the other's, causing them to slide freely together, giving
the ultimate sensations to the other.
     Each was experiencing electric shocks, which traveled
throughout their bodies, almost to the point of shorting out.
The more sensations they caused each other, the more they wanted.
     Finally Dale worked his way down Craig's chest, bathing his
nipples with saliva, pinching them and worked his tongue down to
his navel.  When he stuck his tongue in, Craig bucked his torso,
trying to get away from the exquisite feel, yet not wanting to.
Just a reflex he couldn't control.
     Without any further playing around, he dropped his mouth
over Craig's cock, ran his tongue around to spread his lubricant,
and then took it into his throat.  Again, Craig almost lost it,
but was able to hold off his orgasm.  He had never had feelings
like this before.
     While Craig's cock was embedded in Dale's throat, he managed
to wet his finger and tease Craig's pucker.  Craig bucked his
hips again, but Dale stayed with him.  Dale's finger broke
through his sphincter muscle and he wiggled it inside.  Then he
pulled it out, wetting two fingers and repeated the assault.
Craig entered nirvana.  He had not experienced anything like this
before.
     Dale continued his attention to Craig's cock, then pulled
off suddenly and attacked his pucker with his mouth.  It felt so
smooth and his tongue easily entered the hole, opening it up
more.  He packed as much saliva in there as he could using three
fingers this time.
     Craig was groaning so loud that Dale hoped the walls were
soundproof, or that the neighbor's bedroom was not next to
Craig's.
     Although he had never done this before, instinct told him
that Craig was ready for Dale to fuck him.  He gathered precum
from Craig's cock and coated the outside of his rectum, then
spread his own copious precum around the head of his cock,
retracting his foreskin and adding more saliva.  He wondered if
he was slick enough, but decided to try it anyway.  If it didn't
work, surely Craig had lube.
     As he pushed his cockhead against Craig's opening, it
started to slide in with no problem.  Dale didn't know if this
was Craig's first time, but held back until he felt Craig
starting to push against his dick.  As they pushed against each
other, Dale thought that it felt like "hot buttered velvet".
     Craig wrapped his legs around Dale's waist and searched for
his mouth.  This was so wonderful.  He couldn't imagine that it
could feel so good to have Dale's cock up his asshole.  He didn't
want it to end, but he felt the first signs of a tingle in the
bottom of his cock.  It reached to the center of his body.
     Dale wasn't sure what was happening.  Sure, he'd read about
this in a couple of stories in porn books he had, but words
couldn't describe the feeling.
     He tried to hold back, but the sensations were just too hot.
His instinct told him to speed up his strokes, but he knew he
shouldn't.  It was a war that couldn't be won -- by either person.
Each felt the sensations their coupling caused the other and
while they never wanted it to end, there was an urgency to
achieve a climax.  Craig was leaking precum on Dale's belly and
his cock was slipping between their bodies.  About that time they
realized that it was going to end.  They were almost sucking the
breath out of each other, panting and rushing toward the release
they each needed.  Craig was just a little ahead of Dale and as
his cock fired the first of several volleys, his sphincter
gripped Dale's dick, triggering an orgasm that he felt in every
nerve in his body.  He slammed into Craig repeatedly, depositing
his sperm as deep as he could push it.  Their mouths were going
into overdrive, each searching for something to kiss; lips,
shoulders, noses, ears... whatever was within easy access.
     Finally, the urgency was over.  They gripped each other as
if their lives depended on it, slowly calming and regaining their
breath, senses and a normal heart rate.
     Dale didn't want this to end, but he was totally spent.
Craig didn't know what he felt.  His body was tingling from his
asshole to his toes to the top of his head.  There couldn't be
anything better than what they had just experienced with each
other.
     As they relaxed, Dale's cock involuntarily slipped from
Craig's ass.  They, again, searched for the other's mouth, Craig
lowered his legs and they slid against the other's body made
slick by Craig's cum.  Without realizing it, they went to sleep,
wrapped in the other's arms.
     * * * * *
     Sometime after they'd gone to sleep, they had moved to their
sides, but still were wrapped in the other's arms and legs.  It
was a wonderful, soothing way to sleep.
     Dale opened his eyes.  His cock was hard, as was Craig's.
He had to pee and wondered what time it was.  The drapes were
open, although heavy sheer curtains prevented the bright sum to
really penetrate the room.  Dale knew that he needed to move, to
go to the bathroom.  He raised his head and finally spotted the
clock on the dresser.  5:55.
     `Well, my clock still works,' he sleepily thought.
     Craig must have been aware that Dale had moved and that it
wasn't just to reposition himself while asleep.  He raised his
head, too, and looked into Dale's eyes.  Even with sleep still
fighting to reclaim him, Dale's eyes were beautiful.
     "Hi, stud.  Is it morning?" Craig asked.
     "`Fraid so, another day.
     Craig tried to stretch.  They were glued together by dried
cum that flaked off on the sheets as they separated themselves.
"Is it time for us to get up?" he asked.
     Dale replied, "At least for me.  You can sleep if you need
to."
     Craig was instantly awake.  "No.  I need to take care of my
Babe and get him ready for another day of hard labor."  He sat up
and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
     "I'll go start coffee and get us some orange juice.  You
start shaving and I'll come shower with you," he leered, sleep
still in his eyes.  "I want to demonstrate that wonderful
contraption and you are the first I've ever had a chance to share
it with."
     "I feel honored and can hardly wait for my personal (he
stressed the word) shower assistant."
     Craig headed off to the kitchen and Dale slowly got out of
bed.  He was sore from the heavy work of the previous day, but
something told him that the shower was going to take all the
soreness away.  He hoped so, anyway.  Even if it didn't it was a
chance to shower with his buddy, Craig.
     He thought, `Wait a minute.  Craig isn't just a buddy.
Buddies didn't do what they had done the last two nights.  There
was something else that he felt for Craig and he hoped that
feeling was returned.'
     Craig was a little sore, as he discovered when he started
walking.  But it was a "good sore", whatever that meant.  He had
never felt anything like what they had done the night before and
wanted it to happen again and again.
     As he started to make coffee, he thought of Dale's comment
from the night before and laughed to himself.  "At least I don't
have to ride a horse today, either.  But... that stud can ride me
again... anytime."
     The coffee pot was ready to go so he pushed the switch to
start the brewing process.  He pulled two large glasses out of
the cupboard and filled them with orange juice and headed to the
bathroom.  Dale was just finishing his shave.  Craig gave Dale
one of the glasses and raised his hand to the area between Dale's
upper lip and nose.  Yes, he could both feel and see the new
mustache.  As thick as Dale's beard was, it would not take long
before he had a very respectable growth.  Thinking about it made
Craig's dick twitch.  `How would that feel raking up and down his
cock, or his pucker?' he wondered.
     Dale had brushed his teeth, so Craig excused himself for a
minute to pee and then brush his own teeth.  Then he was ready
for his orange juice.
     Dale was standing there waiting for his shower, as he wasn't
sure how to turn on the various nozzles in the enclosure.  It was
a glassed-in area with white tile, so anyone who was in the
bathroom could watch the person in the shower.  No frosted glass
here.
     Finishing, Craig opened the door to the shower enclosure and
allowed Dale to enter ahead of him.  He quickly explained that
there was a master temperature control on the showerhead in front
of them and the other three showerheads just had an on/off
control.  The master had to be turned on before any of the others
would spray.
     The bathroom had it's own 65-gallon water heater with rapid
recovery so one (or two) could take a long shower.  Craig turned
on two of the heads and Dale turned on the other two.  All were
aimed toward the same general area so they didn't have to take
turns getting wet, soaping and rinsing.  Although they weren't
turned on, all of the heads were equipped with a pulsating flow
for a massage.
     Even with their own soap and washcloths, they still found
reason to help the other get cleaned and rinsed.  This was like
taking a shower after gym, but more fun since they could look at
each other without fear of being caught spying.
     They didn't fool around in the shower very much as Craig and
Dale both knew there wasn't time.  Craig remembered the Jacuzzi
tub in the bathroom and apologized to Dale for their not having
used it the night before.
     "I didn't need that.  You made me feel better than anything
of that sort.  But, I do want to try it sometime."
     The water was shut off and Craig reached out for two large
extra fluffy bath towels.  After they dried themselves they
stepped out on the bathmat.  Craig picked up the empty glasses,
saying, "I'll get us some coffee."
     It didn't take Dale long to finish in the bathroom and he
was almost ready to get dressed when Craig came back with the
coffee.
     "I'm going to shave quickly while you start getting dressed.
There are some sweet rolls in the kitchen we can have with our
next cup of coffee."  Dale went into the bedroom and Craig
quickly soaped up his face, applied lather and deftly scraped his
face quickly.  He washed the remaining soap off his face, dried
it and applied deodorant to his underarms and cologne to his
face.  He ducked into the bedroom and put on a pair of boxers.
     Dale had just finishing dressing and was picking up the
clothes they had shed the night before.  He needed a clothes
hanger but wasn't sure if he should just look in the closet or
ask for one.  He carefully folded the clothes and left them on
the chair by the dresser.  He sat down on the end of the bed to
pull on his boots.  Each looked at the other, not sure what to
say.  `Should he take his clothes and toiletries with him or
leave them here?'  He hoped he would be invited back, but Craig
didn't say anything immediately.
     Craig walked over, took Dale's hands and pulled him up to
face him.  They exchanged a brief, passionate kiss.
     "Are you ready for a bite to eat?  I have things here for
your lunch and I can fix sandwiches, or you can."
     "You've already gone to a lot of trouble.  I'll be glad to
make them while you get the rolls out and pour more coffee for
us.  Just show me where things are."
     Dale really hadn't paid any attention to the kitchen the
previous night.  In the light of the day, he realized that all of
the appliances were `top of the line' professional equipment
usually found in a commercial kitchen.  He was impressed.
     Craig got out the two packages of lunchmeat, cheese, bread,
mayo, mustard, cheese, apples and cookies, along with a paper
sack to use for a tote.  Dale set out to fix his lunch while
Craig busied himself with putting the sweet rolls on plates and
warming them in the microwave.  He poured a third mug of coffee
for each.
     All the while, both were thinking about the other's plans
for this evening and if they might include the other.
     Craig broke the ice.  "What are your plans for this
evening?"
     "Nothing special.  We should be finished with the hay by
noon, then move the four wagons to the barn in Section 22 and get
ready to stack it for storage.  But it needs to dry for a few
days before we do that.  I need to start two of the guys plowing
in another section and then determine if we are going to be
cutting and baling hay in a couple of other sections next week.
Hopefully, I'll be off and ready to go home about 5:30.
     "Do you have anything that you just have to do at home?"
Craig asked.
     "No.  He hesitated.  Do you?"
     Craig replied, "No.  I was hoping that you could come over
after work and spend the night again.  We'll be able to have a
long evening and there are things we need to talk about."
     Craig thought there was going to be a long silence.  Dale
finally asked, somewhat hesitating, "Okay?  What is it?"  He was
fearing the worst, that Craig maybe didn't want to see him again
-- or as often.
     "I wasn't going to say anything about this until evening,
but I guess it wouldn't hurt you to be thinking about it during
the day today.  Don will be making an offer on your house in the
next few days.  If you accept the offer, you are going to have
come up with a possession date.  You'll have to think about
vacating the property, where you are going to live, what you are
going to do with furniture and the other things you have."
     "Yeah, I've done a little thinking.  The residence that
Marty is going to build for the permanent crew is coming at a
good time, but probably won't be ready for two months.  And,
there won't be any room for the little bit of furniture I might
want to keep.  Plus, there is a lot of junk to go through; most
of it can be thrown away, or given to a group that helps other
people."
     "I know this may be way too premature, but I want to talk
about us tonight.  I know we've only known each other a couple of
days, but if you are interested this might be a good time to see
if we can make a start of a life together for us.  I hope it will
work, but there's always a chance that it might not.  I think we
are really good for each other -- and not just the sex -- that's
tremendous, to say the least.  But if you would have me, I'd sure
like you to be my partner... no, wrong choice of words... that too,
but to be my lover and the person that completes my life."
     With that Craig walked over to Dale, put his arms around him
and said, "My MATE -- I hope for life."  Then he kissed him.
     Dale had tears running down his cheeks and when Craig saw
them, he did, too.  They clung to each other, neither wanting to
let go.
     Finally they pulled apart, neither knowing what to say or
do.  Dale finally spoke up.  "I agree that we barely know each
other, but I feel comfortable with you.  I know I like you and
respect you and I'm pretty sure that I feel love, too.  I'll
think about this today and, yes, we definitely need to talk about
this -- a lot!"  He smiled at Craig, tears still in his eyes.
     Craig busied himself, checking to make sure the rolls were
ready to eat and set the plates and a fork on the counter, and
then got out a paper napkin for each of them.
     "Com'on, MY GUY!!  Here's our breakfast."  He leaned over to
kiss Dale on the cheek."
     "Is that the best you can do?  A peck on the cheek?" Dale
teased.
     "If I do anything more, we'll end up back in bed and neither
of us will get anything done today.  What time can you have your
ass over here this evening?" Craig laughed.
     "Oh, it's not just me -- it's my ass that you want.  Well,
MISTER, you are going to have to make me a better offer than that
if you ever want to see my ass again."  They both fell against
each other in laughter.
     Still laughing, they sat down at the counter to eat the
rolls and drink their coffee.
     Dale told Craig, "I think I should be able to be over here
about 6:30.  Why don't you allow me to take you out to eat
somewhere?  You paid for the pizza and last night's wonderful
meal.  It's more than my turn."
     "Ok, but someplace that is casual."
     Dale realized that he needed to be on his way and while
Craig rinsed the dishes and added them to the dishwasher, he put
his lunch in the sack.
     They clung to each other at the door, giving each other a
kiss to last the day and then Dale left.
     The apartment seemed so empty after the elevator doors
closed.
     *  * * * *
     Dale and Craig both thought about what they might be facing
and the offer Craig had made regarding their being together.
     Craig was all for it.  Certainly he had enough space for
both of them -- he thought.  He hoped that Dale would live with
him.  Later, maybe if they each contributed to it, they could
have a house of their own instead of it being "Craig's apartment"
they lived in.  Yes, that would be for the best; something Dale
felt he was part of, not just living with Craig.
     * * * * *
     Dale knew that he was going to have to look for other living
quarters, but hadn't expected his house to sell so quickly.
True, the living quarters were going to be built at the ranch,
but it really wasn't much more than just a room to share with
several other men.  Not that it was a bad idea, but hardly any
privacy.  Of course, living with Craig would mean not a lot of
privacy from each other, but that was different.  They were
intimate with each other.  That was a lot different than just
sharing rooms with other men.
     There wouldn't be any room for him to keep anything from his
house.  However, there wasn't much to keep except some personal
items.  The furniture wasn't very good and he certainly wouldn't
expect to put any of it in Craig's nice apartment.  So many
decisions.  So quickly they had to be made.
     * * * * *
     (to be continued)
     * * * * *
Author's Note:  This is my first attempt at gay fiction, and the
only way I can learn whether or not I should continue is from my
readers' feedback.  I would appreciate your comments, criticism,
suggestions, and anything else that you would care to say.  All
Email will be answered.  If you wish to receive e-mail
notification of subsequent posting, please let me know by sending
your request to the e-mail address below.  Contact me at:
tulsadriller7@aol.com

Thanks for the overwhelming response to previous chapters.  I
received positive replies from all over the world.  My special
thanks to RW, whom I've known for many years and value his
suggestions.  Also for the proofreading help of Paul Daventon,
author of  "Turning the Page" found in the "Adult-Friends"
section of Nifty.  Please read it.