Sand Trap Read online

  “Sure do,” Hatchet agreed. He handed a ten-dollar bill over to Teddy. “While we were away this week, Teddy predicted Crow’s patience was about to run out. I gave him two days to get busy. Teddy went with one.”

  Shelton knew his entire body was bright red. Perhaps he could climb into the chest freezer—that might help cool him down and he wouldn’t have to face his friends’ smug grins. The kitchen door swung open again and Orlando bounced in, hair awry, stubble burn reddening his pale skin. Rogue was right behind him.

  “Knew I could rely on you vultures to start without me. Geez.” Orlando glared at them. “Feeding frenzy much? Is there anything left? I’ve worked up quite the appetite.” He batted his eyelashes at Rogue, who gave him a lazy, satisfied smile.

  “I think we need to cook some more,” Shelton said. “I haven’t eaten yet either.”

  He eyed the food Crow, Teddy and Hatchet had left. There wasn’t much. None of them seemed the slightest bit guilty.

  “I’ll do it,” Orlando offered. “I don’t want to sit down just yet.” He gave his ass a rub.

  Crow pulled out a chair, patted it then gestured to Shelton. “Come and sit here.”

  Shelton sidled over then took the offered seat. It was so near to Crow that their thighs touched. Shelton’s breath caught. It was hard to act like a normal human being this close to Crow. He wasn’t sure he could eat anything. The knots in his stomach weren’t leaving much space.

  “I know this great camping spot,” Crow said. “Real quiet and peaceful. I want to show you.”

  He wasn’t really asking, but Shelton detected a slight hint of concern in Crow’s tone.

  “Sounds nice.” He hadn’t camped for years but he wasn’t allergic to the great outdoors.

  Crow laid a hand on Shelton’s thigh and squeezed. After that the food kept coming. Shelton ate a little but mainly listened to the banter between his makeshift family members. It had been a hard week. Everyone needed a break and a bit of space. Only Hatchet, Rogue and Orlando would be staying at their headquarters. Shelton hadn’t been anywhere farther than Phoenix for months. Despite his trepidation at spending time alone with Crow, the idea of a trip away was exciting.

  “Anyone got a problem with me taking the truck?” Crow asked. “Where we’re going, we’ll need four-wheel drive and we can load all the gear in the back. It would be a bit of a basic essentials trip if we take the bike, and we wouldn’t be able to carry enough water.”

  “Go ahead,” Rogue said. “It’s all yours. Orlando and I won’t be moving far from the bedroom.”

  “Cool. After last week, I need a bit of luxury, not one inch of foam between me and the dirt,” Crow said.

  “Lightweight.” Hatchet grinned.

  “Fuck off, Hatch.” Crow gave him the finger.

  Hatchet shrugged and chewed on the last crust of bread.

  “What’s for dessert?” Teddy asked. “My sweet tooth needs indulging.”

  “I forgot the cake!” Shelton exclaimed. “It’s in the pantry.”

  Orlando, firmly ensconced in Rogue’s lap, didn’t move, but a wicked grin curved his lips. Shelton got up and fetched the cake. He deposited it with a flourish in the middle of the table. He couldn’t wait to see which of The Wyverns would comment on the pink frosting and sugar flowers first, but all he got was stunned silence.

  Then Teddy stuck a finger into the cake and scooped up a dollop of frosting. He sucked it off his finger with an orgasmic groan. “I need to take some of this to Adrian so I can smear it on his cock.”

  “Hey! My baking is not a sex toy,” Orlando protested.

  Hatchet stabbed the sponge with his knife then hacked off a huge slice. “Rogue, I want you to tan his hide. One stripe for every one of these fucking sugar roses.”

  Orlando clutched at his ass. “I am not getting spanked again because you don’t appreciate my culinary expertise, you…you…Kojak wannabe.” He jumped from Rogue’s lap and tore out of the room, Hatchet on his tail.

  Rogue sighed. “Fuck me. Those two need their own playpen.” He pushed his chair back. ”Save me a slice, Shelton. I need to go engineer a ceasefire.”

  “And I’m gonna get a couple hours’ shut-eye before I head over to Phoenix,” Teddy said. “Gotta build up my stamina for the lovely sheriff.” He strolled from the room, a plateful of cake in hand.

  That left Shelton alone with Crow. A thrill of anticipation built in his guts, offset by the anxiety Orlando had triggered. Any references to the relationship Rogue and Orlando enjoyed, and Orlando’s submissive role, made Shelton wonder about Crow’s expectations.

  Crow pushed his chair back a little, patting his lap. “Come here, Shelton.”

  Drawn by an invisible thread, Shelton found himself moving then straddling Crow’s broad thighs. He parked his ass, nestling in the dip between firm muscles. Just the closeness and contact perked his dick into hardness. Crow made a cage of his arms and there was no escape. Not that Shelton had any intention of moving.

  “I dropped the camping trip on you without warning,” Crow said. “If you don’t want to go, that’s fine.”

  “No!” Shelton panicked at the thought his adventure might be canceled. “I can’t wait.” He detected a slight easing of Crow’s broad shoulders.

  “Good. I would hate to have to chain you up in the back of the truck to get you to spend some time with me.”

  Shelton swallowed. The idea of Crow carrying him away by force was a bit too exciting and he didn’t understand his reaction.

  “I…um…do you need me to do anything? For the trip, I mean?” Shelton stumbled over his words.

  “I want this trip to be a break for you too, Shelton. You work just as hard as the rest of us.”

  “I don’t get battered doing research, sitting here at base with my computer.” Shelton reached out to touch the swelling on Crow’s face.

  “We’d be more than bruised without your detailed planning, Shelton. We don’t thank you often enough. If it weren’t for your work, some of us would likely be dead.”

  “You don’t tell me what goes on when you’re out working for Mr. Trap. I know you all try to protect me, but I’m not stupid. It’s a violent world The Wyverns operate in. Survival doesn’t allow for much in the way of gentleness. I’m not tough and I don’t pretend to be, but I can look after myself.” It was important to Shelton that Crow didn’t view him as weak.

  “I know you can.” Crow brushed a stray lock of hair away from Shelton’s eyes. “You throw a knife almost as well as I do. You shoot better. You handle your bike like a pro.”

  “Even though I prefer sitting behind you?”

  “In that we think alike.” Crow grinned. He placed his hand over Shelton’s bulging groin, resting it there so lightly Shelton wanted to beg for more pressure. “It seems our train of thought is similar in other areas too.”

  Shelton nodded, unable to speak. When Crow unzipped his fly, Shelton’s brain stopped working completely.

  “No underwear?” Crow smirked. “I’ll have to punish you for that.” He extracted Shelton’s rigid cock from its confinement, palming it carefully. “And reward you.”

  Shelton didn’t even attempt to understand that contradiction. Every atom of his being was focused on the sensation of Crow’s calloused fingers gripping his shaft.

  “This is mine now.” Crow jacked him slowly. “Say it.”

  Shelton wasn’t sure he could say anything. He licked his lips, desperate for some moisture. “Yes, yours.”

  “Good boy.”

  It took just three firm tugs. Shelton came so hard his vision blanked. He collapsed, resting his head against Crow’s chest, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. He couldn’t think of a good reason to be anywhere else.

  Chapter Two

  Shelton woke early after a night of unsettling dreams. He dressed in his comfiest jeans and an old Nirvana tour T-shirt before heading to the kitchen. It took a few minutes to brew a pot of coffee then he carried his mug outside. Pulling
one of the loungers to a sunny spot, he got comfortable then contemplated the view of the desert. The Wyverns inhabited a harsh environment, but it had its own stark beauty that Shelton could appreciate. It was a clear day, still cool with the sun only just risen. A lizard scuttled across the dirt in front of him, freezing for a few seconds before disappearing into a crack. Shelton watched for a while but it didn’t reappear. He took an appreciative sip of his drink, letting the slight bitterness coat his tongue. A smile reached his lips unbidden. Yesterday, Crow had turned his world upside down in a few short moments.

  After bringing Shelton to the best orgasm of his life, Crow had cleaned him up, tucked Shelton’s dick away then fetched him a glass of ice water. For the rest of the day Shelton had worked, trying to ignore Crow as he’d made preparations for their trip. It had been difficult to concentrate on anything but the memory of Crow’s handling, especially as Crow had taken every opportunity to make contact with him as he’d passed. Just light touches. The barest feathering of fingers against his face or shoulder. A brief tousling of his hair. Every contact had had the impact of an electric shock and by that night, Shelton had been exhausted. He’d begged off the evening meal and collapsed into bed. Crow had made no attempt to join him and after a few minutes of taut-nerved anxiety, Shelton had drifted into his dreams.

  Now, the day stretched before him, full of possibilities. He sensed a presence behind him and knew without looking that it was Crow. For a big man, he moved silently. None of the others could sneak up on Shelton without betraying themselves.

  “Good morning,” Shelton said, glancing over his shoulder.

  Crow’s hair was down, hanging in a glossy curtain. He wore ripped jeans and a loose cotton shirt.

  Shelton had a sudden urge to rip the garment off him and lick him all over. Instead he took another sip of his coffee. “It’s a beautiful day for a trip.”

  “It is.” Crow pulled up another chair then sat next to him. The silence wasn’t awkward. Crow rarely wasted words and Shelton didn’t have Orlando’s ability to fill space with endless chatter. It was enough to sit together and watch the sun climb.

  Of course, the peace couldn’t last. Orlando flung open the door, yelling that breakfast was ready.

  “If you want bacon, get your asses in here. Hatchet’s on a mission to consume half a pig.” He stomped back inside.

  “Let’s go eat.” Crow extended his hand and Shelton took it without a thought. Crow’s strength was apparent as he tugged Shelton upright. Shelton shivered. He couldn’t wait to have that strength holding him down, making him feel more of the ecstasy he’d experienced the previous day. Crow could easily become his addiction. The man was dangerous in more ways than one.

  Teddy had stayed over at the sheriff’s, so breakfast saw just the five of them around the table. Hatchet had already finished eating and didn’t stay long. He picked up the print-outs Shelton had prepared for him the previous day then headed off to some mysterious destination that only Rogue was in on. Shelton heard the faint noise of his Harley as he fired up the engine and left.

  “Your cooking gets better all the time,” Shelton complimented Orlando. He took another helping of eggs and a couple of strips of crispy bacon. “What did you put in these eggs?”

  “Secret ingredient,” Orlando said. “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you. Actually, I’d have to get Rogue to kill you because blood is icky. Then he’d probably make me dig the hole to bury you in, and hard labor is so not me. So you’re safe. No need to panic.”

  Shelton’s fork was halfway to his mouth. “Sometimes I worry about the way your mind works.” He carried on eating.

  Crow handed Rogue a piece of paper. “Here’s our route, camp spots and estimated return time. We’ll be out of range for phone contact most of the time but I’ll check in when I can.”

  “This area is pretty remote,” Rogue said as he read the note. “Do you have the permits you’ll need?”

  Crow nodded. “Sure do. We’ll check in to the Park office in Ajo to get them ratified, then we’re good to go.”

  “You’ll be close to the border. Be careful.”

  “Sure. Though we’re more likely to come across Border Patrols than anything illegal.”

  Shelton watched them both. “You make it sound as if we’re heading to a war zone. I want to camp and enjoy the scenery, not dodge bullets.”

  Crow squeezed his shoulder. “Nothing’s going to happen. It’s always good to take precautions when you’re heading away from civilization.”

  Shelton sure hoped something would happen. Preferably involving an air mattress and Crow’s dick exploring his ass.

  “Time to load up the truck.” Crow stood.

  “I made you a picnic basket for today and packed a box of provisions for tomorrow,” Orlando said. “There’s a fridge in the truck that runs off the battery so you can keep stuff cool.”

  “That rocks. Thanks, Orlando.” Shelton gave his friend a hug.

  “If we feel any earth tremors, I’ll just assume it’s Crow showing you a good time,” Orlando whispered.

  Shelton giggled. “I hope so.”

  He followed Crow to where a heap of camping equipment and supplies waited near the door. They spent fifteen minutes making sure everything was loaded, then Shelton added his small bag of clothes to the pile. He’d thrown in a box of condoms and a bottle of lube that would probably last a month. He didn’t want them to run out.

  “Ready, then?” Crow asked.

  Shelton nodded. Anything he’d forgotten he’d just have to do without. They were only going to be away for two nights, it wasn’t a three-month expedition.

  After the effort of loading, the truck’s air-conditioned cab was comfortable. It was also fitted out with cushioned bucket seats. Shelton settled into his with a contented sigh while Crow got behind the wheel.

  “Just you and me for the next two days,” Crow said.

  “Uh-huh.” Shelton waved to Orlando as they pulled away. “Bliss.” He hoped the roar of the engine meant Crow hadn’t caught that word.

  * * * *

  For the first few miles, they traveled in companionable silence. Crow stole sideways glances at Shelton every time he could safely take his eyes off the road. He wanted Shelton to have a good time and to be relaxed. The sweet man worked far too hard supporting The Wyverns, often pulling all-nighters to get them the information they needed. Shelton thought they weren’t aware, but Crow always kept an eye on what Shelton was up to. He’d taken things slow. Small touches, kind smiles, the occasional order to see how Shelton reacted. Crow was a Dominant. He was well aware that his desire to be in charge in the bedroom could be a turn-off for some and he’d half expected Shelton to run for the hills. He hadn’t. He’d responded beautifully, but Crow had detected a hint of fear and he never wanted Shelton to be afraid of him. This trip would finally provide a chance to get to know Shelton better and hopefully to reassure him that Crow had no intention of chaining him up for a whipping. He was a patient man and Shelton was well worth his time.

  “Traffic’s light. We should be in Ajo in less than two hours, then we’re going on to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Have you ever been?”

  “No. I know it’s a protected part of the Sonoran Desert and a lot of it was closed for years for security reasons.”

  “It’s been opened up again now. There are some great trails. We’ll park and hike. Then tonight we’ll drive over to Cabeza Prieta and head off-road. Not many people venture that far into the wilderness. We should be completely alone.”

  “It’s the right time of year for it,” Shelton said.

  “Yeah. We couldn’t do it in summer, we’d fry.”

  They traveled a bit farther before Shelton cleared his throat. “Why are you called Crow? Is it something to do with your heritage?” He paused. “Sorry. It’s none of my business.”

  “I want it to be your business.” Crow gripped the steering wheel a bit harder. “I wish it was that romantic, but I do
n’t know anything about my heritage or what Nation I might be part of, if any. I have green eyes so I guess I’m a mongrel. I was dumped on the steps of the San Francisco PD as a baby. My parents were never traced.”

  “Oh…I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  “You didn’t. I was adopted by a cop. Grew up in a family of cops. Spent my teenage years hell-raising and turning my dad’s hair white, then joined the army in a fit of rebellion. He supported me every inch of the way, even after he lost Mom to a stroke, far too young.”

  “And he’s still around?”

  “Sure. He flies a desk now. Spends his time busting rookies’ asses and loving every minute. I haven’t seen him since I joined The Wyverns, but we speak every now and again.”

  “So why the name, then?”

  “Well, despite what the media suggests, a tour in Afghanistan is not all firefights. A lot of the time it’s deadly boring. I started feeding scraps to this big black bird that used to land outside the tent and the guys kind of adopted it as a mascot. Damn bird wasn’t even a crow, it was a raven…but I guess the whole Native American thing got me saddled with Crow.” He shrugged.

  “It’s a lot more exciting than Shelton, that’s for sure. What’s your real name…that is, if you don’t mind sharing it?”

  Crow loved how sensitive Shelton was about his feelings. “I don’t mind. Rogue knows, but nobody uses it—well, apart from my dad when he thinks I’ve been up to no good—it’s Francis. Francis Charles Redway. My dad took Francis from San Francisco and Charlie is his name.”

  “Crow suits you better,” Shelton said.

  “No shit.” Crow could not imagine going through life as Francis. He’d suffered through High School as Frannie and only his status as a football jock had saved him from being beaten up because of it. Shelton laughed. The sound gave Crow a warm feeling. Making Shelton happy seemed like a good goal to have. “Now you know my deepest, darkest secret and, by the way, if you mention the Francis thing to Orlando, I will spank you so hard you won’t sit for a week. Now, it’s only fair that I should get a secret from you in exchange.”