Title: Cowboy
By: Fran Holland
Pairing; Nick/OMC

As if my day couldn't get any worse...I found the body of Randy Pruitt in the same stall that I was supposed to put the new mare.

Let me back up some. I left Las Vegas yesterday morning. It was supposed to be a simple trip. I was to drive to Reno, pick up the mare that my boss had just purchased for $200,000. As you can tell by the price, this wasn't just any horse. She was out of one of the best studs in North America. My boss, Gregory Davis, III, raises Arabian horses. He shows them some, but mainly he has the best breeding operation on this continent. His horses are shipped all over the world and he gets huge amounts of money doing this, but the horses are just his hobby. His real business and real money comes from owning a few of the casinos on the strip. Mainly a silent partner, Mr. Davis, spends most of his time traveling with his second trophy wife.

I am Mr. Davis' ranch manager. I make all the decisions regarding the horses. Mr. Davis trusts me with his million-dollar merchandise and I love the horses. I've worked on this ranch for ten years now. Mr. Davis hired me out of Texas, where I owned a small stable of Arabians. The few horses I had were phenomenal, but I had some financial issues and had to sell them. Mr. Davis bought the horses and me, so to speak. I've never regretted my decision to move here and run this ranch. Mr. Davis is very generous.

Getting back to my story, I picked up the mare as scheduled, but half between Reno and Vegas, the trailer got a flat. Normally, that wouldn't be to bad of a problem, but when I went to get the spare out of the storage compartment, the key broke off in the lock. I called Jenny, the little teenager that I hired to answer the phones for me and do basic office work, and got my AAA number so I could call and get someone out here to help me.

Two hours later, in the hot Nevada sun, the tow truck pulled up. He had a spare tire to fit the trailer, since I had given AAA the size and he proceeded to fix my first problem of the day. Thank God, I carry spare water for my horses, so the little mare was fine. I had a bottle of Coke in the cab of my truck and you know that Coke and the hot sun don't make you feel so good. Besides the fact that I was sweaty as all get out.

Finally, back on the road, to make a long story short, there was a bad accident and it tied up traffic for more than three hours. I pulled off at a gas station and shot the shit with a few other travelers until the accident was cleared up. By the time I got home, I was hot, tired and pissed off at the world.

My staff was gone for the night, so it was up to me to unload and get the mare introduced to her new home. I knew my staff had gotten the stall ready and it would have fresh bedding and hay ready and waiting. After I unloaded the horse and put her on the walker for a bit to exercise her after being cooped up in a trailer all day, I went to the stall and that's when I found him.

Randy Pruitt wasn't an example of my best judgment. I hired him a week ago to do some basic maintenance around the ranch. Handyman stuff, like repairing hinges, and other things. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, and after a few days, I realized that Randy was using his pay for alcohol. He didn't ever drink while on the clock, but his after hours drinking really made his work suffer. I was going to let him go tomorrow anyway.

I called 911 and within fifteen minutes, the cops were there. The detective in charge was named Brass. He was rough around the edges and grilled me for what seemed like hours. I told him about my day and my whereabouts and he made several phone calls, including AAA. I realized then that I was a suspect.

Another vehicle pulled in behind the coroner's van, the two police cars and the detective's car. This one was a black Tahoe. Two men got out and when the got their stuff out of the back of the SUV, I saw Forensics stenciled across the back of their vests. They headed towards us and I had to bite my lip to keep my tongue from hanging out. Both men were attractive, but the younger one was gorgeous. Why couldn't I meet guys like that?

"Gil Grissom and Nick Stokes from the crime lab." Was the introduction by the detective. By their nods, I assumed that Nick Stokes was the object of my lust.

Detective Brass filled them in on the situation while I stood off to the side with my cell phone. I finally reached Mr. Davis on his private cell phone in New York. I explained the situation to him and he told me that he would call his attorney, should the need arise. Breathing easier, I stood back to watch what was going on.

The coroner packed up the body after the two crime scene investigators looked it over and they spent a lot of time in the stall, taking pictures and gathering evidence. If I wasn't involved, it would have been very interesting. As it was, I was still in shock about being a suspect.

They must not have thought I was a big risk because after everyone had packed up, the detective told me to come down to the station. I was happy that I could drive myself and was not stuck in the back of a police car in handcuffs.

After several hours in the interrogation room, Detective Brass told me that he had verified my story. It seems AAA told him about the call and gave him the time records and the clerk from the gas station remembered me and the horse trailer. So, I was in the clear. Glancing at my watch, I was disgusted to see that it was almost four o'clock. I was dead beat and I had to get up at six to make sure the stock was fed and let out to pasture by seven-thirty at the latest.

The drive back to the ranch was a long one, I had the air conditioner going full blast and the radio blasting to keep me from falling asleep at the wheel. Once I was home and in my small apartment built onto the ranch office, I took a long awaited shower, but found I could not relax enough to sleep.

I was still awake at six, so I started my day. My groomers and barn staff arrived at seven and by seven thirty, all the horses had been fed and most were released into their pastures. Some of the mares that were ready to foal were kept in their stalls and they would be put on the walker for a little while this afternoon. The new mare had been put in a practice ring last night with water and hay, since her stall was still a crime scene, so I had a one of the hands to prepare a new stall for her. The morning sped by and soon it was lunchtime.

After I ate a sandwich and washed it down with some iced tea, I called Joe Turner into my office and told him that he was in charge the rest of the afternoon. All my employees had been told the news of Pruitt's death. All were shocked but there wasn't any love lost, so they went about their business as usual. I set my alarm for 5:00, most of the men would be gone by then and I knew Joe would have everything done before he left for the day too.

I was right. When my alarm rang, I got up, showered, shaved and dressed. The barns were all quiet, since the men were gone. The horses nickered as I walked by and spoke to each one. Satisfied my charges were safe and sound, I went into the office and worked on the paperwork side of my job. At seven, I stopped for a lonely supper of a frozen chicken breast on my George Foreman grill and popped the top on a beer.

The air conditioner in my office had died a slow death last week. That was one of the things that Pruitt was supposed to fix around here. I guess I would have to call a repairman tomorrow. Meanwhile, it was sweltering. The portable fan was just making the hot air circulate around me, and finally I just pulled off my shirt and worked in my jeans. The first chance I got to have a face to face with my boss, I was going to ask for a laptop, so I could work on this stuff in my apartment.

When the clock on the office wall said nine o'clock, I shut down the computer and closed the account books. It was time for one last walk through of the barns before retiring to my apartment. I was halfway through broodmares' barn when I noticed the sound of a motor coming into the yard.

By the time I got to the yard, the one and only Nick Stokes had gotten out of the same black Tahoe and was heading towards my office. I called out to him and he turned. We shook hands and he rewarded me with a beautiful smile.

"Mr. Sawyer, I hate to bother you, but I need to look at the scene once more. I need to get a paint scraping to match to something that we collected last night. I promise I'll be out of your hair as soon as possible."

"Jack, you can call me Jack. Take as much time as you need. I'd like to know who killed that sorry bastard and why."

He gave me another smile that made my dick start to harden and turned towards the mares' barn. I followed close behind, but not too close because I wanted to see that tight ass in those equally tight jeans. Damn, some things should be illegal.

I watched as he took a sample of paint from the inner stall, then he took one from the wide aisle that separated the box stalls. We made small talk while he worked, of course taking paint scraping didn't take a whole lot of time and in no time, he was packing up his kit and heading out of the barn.

"Would you like a cold drink before you head back?" I don't know where it came from, it just spewed forth. I mentally groaned. Why did I do this to myself. He was so out of my reach.

"Sure, that would be nice." He gave me a boyish grin that had my hormones doing cartwheels.

It was only after I led him into my apartment that I realized I was still walking around shirtless. God, he must think I'm a redneck or something.

"Sorry, it was hot in the office....let me just go put a shirt on."

"It's okay, no need to on my account." Was that a shy smile I saw? Was I imagining things because I wanted them to be true?

"Okay, I guess you can't have a beer, do you want a Coke or some ice tea?"

"Coke."

He sat down on my worn sofa while I went to the fridge. Now my apartment is small, the kitchenette and living room were together, with a small bedroom and bathroom. I handed him a Coke and popped the top on one for myself.

We chatted a bit more and I found out he was from the Dallas area. That led us into a conversation about The Cowboys. After awhile, he looked at his watch and said that he should be going. I didn't want him to leave, but couldn't think of anything to make him stay.

We both reached for his empty Coke can at the same time and our hands connected. We both drew back quickly, sending the can tumbling to the floor. Then to make the moment even more awkward, we both reached down to the floor and bumped foreheads. He laughed and I turned and our lips were inches apart.

This is going to sound kind of hokie, but when our eyes met, I felt a spark. I kissed him then. As soon as I touched his lips, I tensed up waiting for the fist to slam into me. I held my breath and moved my lips and his moved under mine. Before I knew it, we were sprawled back on the sofa and panting after a kiss that pretty much knocked me for a loop.

His eyes met mine again and he smiled. "Wow."

I smiled back and said, "Yeah, wow."

I know, I know, that was really intelligent conversation. But you didn't experience that kiss. I couldn't have told you my full name after that kiss.

I tentatively began to unbutton his shirt and he reached up to run his hand down my chest. In no time, I had his shirt off and we were kissing again. God, he was a terrific kisser.

Nick moaned when he felt my hand on the button of his jeans, and the sound of his zipper was loud in the room. I wanted him so badly that my hands shook. He lifted his hips off the sofa, so that I could slip his jeans down. Once they were on the floor, my eyes were riveted to the bulge in his navy blue boxer briefs. His dick had to be at least eight inches long and it was thick. I ran my hand over his briefs and he thrust his hips forward, pushing his dick into the palm of my hand.

With my other hand, I unsnapped my jeans and had the zipper halfway down, before he pushed my hand away and finished the job himself. I wasn't wearing any underwear and he looked up at me and grinned. Soon his hand was wrapped around me and I thought I was in heaven until he lowered his mouth and licked my slit. Then I knew I was in heaven. Nick slicked up my dick with his spit and ran his hand up and down it a few times before gripping the base and lowering his mouth on my shaft. It felt like he was swallowing me whole.

Usually, I'm not a talker during sex, but I was egging him on. Telling him to suck my dick and that it felt so good. His head was bobbing up and down in my lap and I knew I was getting close to blowing my wad. I told him that he was going to make me come and his answer was to squeeze my balls.

I swear, I almost passed out as I shot my cum down his throat. The aftershocks came as he continued to lick and gently suck me dry. Weakly, I pulled him up for a long kiss. It was erotic to taste myself as my tongue invaded his mouth.

"Now, it's my turn." I said, pushing him back on the sofa. I wrapped my fingers around the waistband of his briefs and pulled them down and off. I must have moaned out loud when my eyes saw his thick dick, because he grinned and wrapped his hand around it and gave it a few slow strokes. A bead of pre-cum appeared at his slit and I quickly lapped it up. After that, I licked up and down his shaft while I watched him. He had let his head fall backwards and looked so hot. I wanted to be inside of him but being slightly over the age of forty, I knew it would take a short while before I was up for the challenge.

Hearing him moan as I took him in my mouth did make my dick stir a bit and began to suck his dick in earnest. He was thrusting his hips and to slow things down a bit, I transferred my attention to his balls. I gently took one of them in my mouth and swirled my tongue around it before moving on to the other one. He seemed to really enjoy that if his moans were anything to go by.

I put my hands under his thighs and pushed them upward, giving me access to his puckered hole. He resisted a bit, but soon relaxed as I began to rim him. Soon, I was thrusting my tongue into him and I could feel the muscle relax. He whimpered and tried to back up some when I put my finger into him, but once I took his dick in my mouth again, he relaxed. I continued to move my finger in and out of him while giving him head and soon his balls tightened up and I felt his hot cum spurting down my throat. I took the whole load and licked him clean.

By this time, my dick was rock hard again. I stood up from my place on the floor between his legs, and told him that I'd be right back. I almost ran to my bedside table and pulled out a condom and some lubricant. Wishful thinking, I grabbed a second condom and hurried back into the living room.

He was where I had left him. His eyes closed and breathing still a bit harsh. When I sank to my knees again, he opened his eyes. When he saw the bottle of lubricant in my hands, his eyes widened slightly.

"I don't....I've never....I just do oral. Okay?"

I blinked up at him a few times in disbelief. Then, seeing the look of panic on his face, I put the bottle on the floor and leaned up to brush my lips against his. I needed to get him to relax again, actually I needed him hot and horny again. So, my hand began to rub my hard dick again his. Soon, he was kissing and nibbling on my neck and his dick was hard and thrusting against mine.

Raining kisses down his chest, I took one of his nipples in my mouth and he really liked that by the way he was panting and moaning. I reached down and grabbed the bottle of lubricant and popped the top. I squirted a large amount into my hand and rubbed in on his dick and balls, playing with them as I sucked his nipples. Soon my finger was in him again and he was moving his hips. With one hand pumping his dick and the other hand at his tight hole, he was bucking under me and not wanting him to come yet. I took my hand off his dick and grabbed one of the condoms.

"I want to be inside you, Nick. Please, I'll go slow. You'll like it." My voice had taken on the softness that I use gentling the horses.

I looked him right in the eye, with my finger still fucking his hole and he must have felt something because he bit his lip and nodded once.

That was all it took for me. The condom was on my dick in a heartbeat and I poured more lubricant on my hand and stroked up and down my shaft, getting it really slick. I eased my finger out of him and he grimaced a little.

Again, I pushed his thighs up and rubbed the head of my dick against his hole. He never took his eyes off my dick and that was a big turn on for me. Using my hand to guide it in, I pushed a bit. Nick backed up, but my hands gripped his hips and pulled him back. The head of my dick breached his muscle and he gasped. My voice was quiet as I eased into him little by little. He was so incredibly tight.

Watching his face intently, I waited for the burn to become pleasure and was soon rewarded when he pushed back a little and rotated his hips. By that time, I was in all the way. I just leaned into him, stroking his dick, letting his body adjust. When I thought he was ready, I pulled out until just the head of my dick was in him. Then slowly, I pushed back in.

Sweat had beaded up on his forehead and chest and I could feel my own sweat dripping down my neck and back. I was trying hard to hold back, I didn't want to make his first time a regret, but it was getting hard to do. I just wanted to fuck him until he screamed. Time seemed to move really slow as my dick slid in and out of him. I don't think I've ever fucked anyone so slow before.

"Faster." Nick said that one word and I didn't have to be told twice. I began to pump my hips and he was thrusting up to meet me.

"Fuck me. Fuck me. Harder...." My meek little virgin became a tiger under me and I gripped his hips hard enough to bruise and pounded into him.

"Gonna come...." His hand covered my hand and we stroked his dick together and I watched as streams of cum erupted from his dick, covering his belly and chest. His muscles tightened around me and my own dick throbbed. I was going to come. I pulled out and tore off the condom and pumped my cum onto his dick and belly.

Breathless, I collapsed on top of him. I could feel the rapidly cooling come between our slick bodies. We lay like that for a few minutes when a load buzzing sound startled both of us. I jumped off of him and he mumbled something about a phone.

Nick reached quickly for his jeans and pulled out his cell phone.

"Stokes."

"Yeah, I'm leaving the scene now. Should be back in a few."

He clicked his phone shut and stood up. Without looking at me he asked for the bathroom. I pointed and he picked up his clothing and walked out of the room. I heard the water running and thought maybe we'd have time for a shower together, but before I could stand and get to the bathroom door, he was in the doorway, already dressed in his jeans and pulling his shirt on.

I felt stupid, still naked with drying cum all over me while he was dressed, but I didn't want him to leave without saying goodbye. I figured I had a few minutes while he put on his shoes, so I ran into the bathroom and grabbed the hand towel. Running it under the faucet, I cleaned myself off the best I could and hurried back to Nick.

His shoes were on and he was heading for the door.

"Hey, I'd like to see you again." God, I sounded pathetic.

"I'll call you." Nick said, as he rushed out of my apartment. Seconds later, I heard Nick's SUV pulled out of the yard.

After my shower, I laid down and went over every second of the last hour. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed the anal sex issue. Maybe I should have just stopped at the blowjob. I'll probably never see him again and it made me sad. I've never had a serious relationship. I've had a few fuckbuddies over the years, but never anything meaningful. Mainly, I have one night stands with men I've picked up in out of town gay bars.

For some reason, I didn't want that with Nick. He was different and I wanted him. I must have fallen asleep because I awoke to the sun streaming in my window. Groaning, I turned over and yelped. My clock said it was eight in the morning. Without bothering to take another shower, I threw on some jeans and was pulling on a t-shirt as I slammed my apartment door and sprinted towards the barns.

Joe grinned at me when I skidded to a stop beside him.

"Figured you needed the sleep. The other night was kind of exciting for you. Don't worry, all the morning work has been done."

"Thanks, Joe. I owe you one."

The rest of the day passed in a blur. We had two mares go into foal within an hour of each other, so it was almost seven before I had a break. Joe and one of my other groomsman stayed with me to help with the births and they left after we cleaned everything up. I was heading over to my apartment when my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but answered anyway.

"Hello."

"Jack? It's Nick." I was speechless. Several thoughts raced through my mind, one being how did he get my cell number. Then I remembered that he had access to the police files and I had given Detective Brass my number.

"Jack?" Nick's voice came through the phone and I remembered that I hadn't answered him yet.

"Yeah, Nick. Hey." That sounded intelligent.

"I was just calling to let you know that we made an arrest."

"Oh." Well, so much for romance. This was business.

"Yeah, apparently Pruitt was going to use one of your horses to pay a gambling debt, but the big guys didn't want to deal in stolen property that couldn't be pawned. Things got ugly and you know the rest of the story."

"Yeah, well thanks for the call." I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I was happy they caught the murderer, it freaked me out being out here at the ranch in the evenings after everyone went home. Now, I could sleep easy. Lonely, but easy.

"Jack, wait." There was a long pause and for a second, I thought I had lost him.

"I didn't call just to tell you that..." Another pause.

"I was wondering if we could...if I could...see you again."

I must have had the dopiest grin on my face, standing there in the middle of the exercise yard.

"Great. I mean...I'd love to see you again too."

"I don't have to be at work until eleven tonight. If you aren't busy...." Nick's voice trailed off and I was quick to let him know that I was not busy at all. He said he'd be out here in about thirty minutes.

I raced into my apartment and did a quick look around. I began picking up laundry and stuffing it in the closet that held my small washer and dryer. Then I checked the fridge. I had three beers left and I panicked, then I remembered that Nick had to work, so he wouldn't be drinking. I had two Cokes in the fridge, but we had a drink machine for the workers down by the stallion's barn, so I had beverages covered. I looked up at the clock on my kitchen wall and ran to the bedroom.

No telling when I changed those sheets last, so I stripped the bed and put on another set. I jumped in the shower next and was combing my hair when I heard the knock on the door. I took a second to put on a pair of clean jeans and a white t-shirt before opening the door.

He smiled at me tentatively and I invited him in. My palms were sweaty and I kept wiping them on my jeans. He caught me and grinned. I took a step towards him and he leaned in to meet my kiss.

It was going to be a hot night.