The Farmer & Dale Ch. 04

Finally they were able to come within speaking range. Steven held out his hand, "Dale, it's good to see you again, I'm hearing great things from Sarah about the new book."

Dale shook Steven's hand, "I can always count on Sarah to build me up. Of course that's just good policy. Gets us more money from you guys." he said with a laugh, "James," he shook the other man's hand, "How have you been?"

James Duncan gave Dale a smile, "Tolerable, Dale, tolerable. I have my hands full trying to keep this guy out of litigation."

Steven's brow rose. "Now James..."

James cut him off, "Oh no, don't start, this is a party. We are not going to discuss legal matters."

"You, my dear, started it." Steven told him, assuming an offended air.

"You're absolutely right. I apologize. Forgive me?" James teased, a charming smile lighting his face.

Steven returned the smile, the air between the two of them shimmered with their mutual love and affection.

Steven pulled Dale into their play, "You see what I have to put up with?"

Dale grinned, "Oh yeah, I'd say you were pretty lucky too." Over Steven's shoulder, he could see Rick approaching with their drinks. "Speaking of luck, I'd like you to meet my partner." He indicated Rick who had stopped behind them.

Both men turned, Steven's face filling with astonished disbelief, "Oh my God. Gerald?" He reached out for James' hand, James immediately coming to his side. He shook his head, pulling himself together, "No, you couldn't possibly be." he murmured.

Dale stepped forward, a confused look on his face. "Steven, James, I'd like you to meet Rick Hunter. Rick, this is Steven Eddington and James Duncan."

Rick handed one of the drinks to Dale, freeing his hand which he offered first to James and then to Steven. "I'm very pleased to meet you both." His gaze turned to Steven, "Did you call me Gerald? Because Gerald is my dad's name. I'm told I look just like him."

The surprise and confusion left Steven's eyes, replaced with comprehension. "Gerald's son, that explains it. My God, you do look just like him. Exactly the way he looked the last time I saw him."

Rick and Dale made eye contact, astonished comprehension filling their eyes, "Steven, Steve. You're Steve, the man my dad told us about." Rick's own eyes were filled with disbelief, "I can't believe this!"

"Rick, Dale, could we adjourn to Steven's office? It looks like we have some things to discuss." James suggested.

With nods of agreement, they made their way out of the party and up two floors to Steven's office. James offered drinks, which were declined in favor of discussion.

Steven began, "Your father told you about me?"

Rick nodded, "I ‘came out' to my parents not long ago. I'm bi, something my parents weren't aware of. When I met Dale, well I didn't have any choice. I knew he was the one I'd been waiting for." Sitting beside Dale on a leather sofa, he reached for and held his hand. Dale gave him a smile filled with love.

Steven smiled, his own hand reaching for James who was perched on the arm of the chair Steven sat in. He stared at their linked hands and then into James' eyes, a silent message passing between them.

He turned to Rick, "I loved your father, Rick. I don't know how much he told you about us, but I loved him. I think he was beginning to feel the same for me, but there was someone there before me. Your mother."

Rick nodded, swallowing hard at this gentle confession.

"When your mother discovered us, I had no idea that your dad was engaged to be married. He never told me, never let on." James squeezed Steven's hand, reassurance and love conveyed in that simple act. "Gerald was devastated. I knew then that the only right thing for me to do was to back away. Gerald was so obviously in love with your mother, and even though I felt that he was coming to love me... I, well, I."

Steven stopped speaking, emotion closing his throat. James wound an arm around him.

"I understand." Rick spoke, his own voice husky with emotion, "Dad understood too. He told us that you were the most unselfish and giving man he'd ever known and that you told him to follow his heart or that he'd regret it for the rest of his life." Rick captured Steven's gaze, "He said he loved you, that you were a good man and that he hoped you had a good life because no one deserved it more."

Steven nodded, tears in his eyes, unable to speak. They waited in silence until he was able to get hold of his emotions, "You've no idea what those words mean to me. At the time it seemed like the end of the world, but things worked out for the best. I found this man," he returned James' hug, "I couldn't be happier."

Rick and Dale nodded in understanding, their own love making it clear to them just what Steven and James shared.

"What about your father, Rick, has he been happy?" Steven asked.

"Yeah, I'd say so. I've got a brother and two sisters. Mom and dad have seven grandchildren. But more than that... our home was always filled with laughter and good feelings. You could feel the love my parents had for each other and still have for each other."

"Wonderful," Steven pronounced, smiling. "And how did they take the news about you and Dale?"

Rick looked at Dale who nodded, "Mom wasn't real happy about it, to say the least, but dad thinks she'll come around. Dad was shocked at first, I never let them see that I had any interested in men." Rick ducked his head sheepishly, a slight blush heating his cheeks.

The other three men chuckled in sympathy at his discomfort. Rick's patented grin made its appearance, "Dad's in our corner now, he says every things going to be all right. I believe him." Rick stated with simple conviction. He gave Dale a shining smile, squeezing his hand.

"Well, I'd say things have worked out well for everyone concerned. What say we return to the party? Our absence is probably causing all kinds of speculation." James rose, Steven with him.

Steven approached Rick, "If you want, you can tell your dad that you saw me and that I'm living that happy life he wished for me. Tell him I'm glad to know that his life has been all he wished it to be. He's a very lucky man. Just as I am." His gaze connected with James'.

"I'll do that Steven," Rick paused, "Oh hell." He wrapped his arms around Steven and gave him a hearty hug. Stepping back he grinned, "I feel like I just met family."

Steven laughed heartily. "You're a good man, Rick. Gerald's a lucky man to have a son like you. Come on men, lets rejoin the party."

With much good will and good feeling they returned to the party.

Dale and Rick were soon separated as they again began to mingle with the crowd. At one point Dale found Rick, noting with a frown that Greg Jamison had again captured Rick's attention and company. He sent glances in their direction from time to time, feeling a sense of relief when Greg left the room. His stomach dropped when a few moments later, Rick followed in his wake.

Dale felt a darkness open in his soul as fear and uncertainty poured in. Surely Rick wouldn't...he thought to himself, struggling to make the negative thoughts in his head go away. Still, his experience with Tony made it hard not to feel the insecurity. As he struggled with his feelings, he was unaware of James' scrutiny.

James approached Dale and gently took him aside, "Are you all right Dale?", he asked.

Dale shook his head, not knowing what to say, how to express his emotional turmoil.

"Your fears are groundless, Dale. Rick loves you. In fact, here he comes now." James nodded in Rick's direction.

Dale turned quickly, relief leaving him mute, tears stinging his eyes. He gave James a grateful smile and watched him retreat, turning to greet Rick with stricken eyes.

Rick took one look and was instantly at his side, "What's wrong babe? Are you all right?"

Dale again shook his head, "Can we go?" he murmured.

"Of course we can. Come on love." Rick gently took Dale's arm and steered him through the crowd, making their excuses, telling anyone who asked that they were tired from their sightseeing and needed to rest.

He caught Steven's eye. Steven nodded his understanding, his look sympathetic yet encouraging. Dale was hurting. Rick didn't know exactly what was going on, but he intended to find out.

The doorman got them a cab, their trip quick and silent. Rick held Dale's hand, his thumb rubbing soothingly over his knuckles. They made their way through the lobby and up the elevator without speaking. On reaching their room Rick swiped the lock with the key card and drew Dale into the room and into his arms.

"Damn, I thought we'd never get here. What's wrong, baby? Tell me." Rick murmured as he rocked Dale.

Dale's arms tightened as he whispered a muffled, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry for what, babe?" Rick question, genuinely puzzled.

Dale pulled away, "I doubted you. I saw you leave the room after Greg Jamison and I...I."

Understanding lit Rick's eyes, "You thought I was going to what, get a quick piece of ass in the mens room or in some deserted office? Greg offered, Dale. I turned him down. I did go to the bathroom. Alone." Hurt shadowed Rick's eyes, "I love you Dale, I wouldn't do that to you."

"I know!" Dale wailed, "In my heart I know that, but I kept thinking about what happened with Tony and I... I got scared." He reached out for Rick. "I'm so sorry, Rick. Please, please baby, forgive me."

Rick let his hard gaze rest on Dale for a moment, then he softened, "Come here," he commanded, pulling Dale into his arms.

Dale shuddered with relief, burrowing into Rick's arms, pressing himself tightly against Rick. Rick tightened his arms, "I understand, babe, I really do. I know you were hurt and I didn't help matters by what I did to you." His hands rubbed Dale's back with long soothing strokes, "But you've got to learn to trust me, Dale. Trust me when I say I love you, and that I'll never leave you."

Dale sighed, "I'm trying, Rick. You help me by showing me everyday how much you love me."

Rick nodded, he pulled back, "Good. Because... I'm about to trust you with something. Something I've wanted, but never trusted anyone with. Until you."

Dale frowned and cocked his head, "What is it angel?"

Suddenly nervous, Rick took a deep breath, "I want you to make love to me, Dale."

Astonished comprehension lit Dale's eyes. "You mean you want..?"

"Yeah, I want you inside me," Rick admitted. "I've always been a top. I never felt the need to be fucked. Whenever I thought about it, there was never anyone I wanted to be with in that way. Until you, Dale. I want you to truly make me yours. I don't want us to be stuck in some role that we play. You're not my wife, you're my partner, my lover, in every sense of the word. We're equals."

Dale nodded, a warm and loving smile gracing his face.

Rick frowned and bit his lip, "Um, you have done this before, haven't you?" he asked uncertainly.

Dale laughed, "Yeah, I've done it before." He approached Rick and circled round him. "I've had some thoughts about this beauty." His hands ran over Rick's taut ass. "You just never seemed interested in changing the status quo and I really didn't have any complaints." He continued his circle, coming round to face Rick. "Don't worry, babe, I can handle it." he spoke with sure confidence.

Dale left Rick standing in the middle of the room and picked up the phone He spoke with the front desk, asking to be connected with the airport. Once connected, he made arrangements for the quickest flight out. Finished, he turned to find a frowning Rick.

"What are you doing? I thought we we're going to make love."

Dale went to Rick and took him in his arms, kissing him with sultry, heated, passion until Rick moaned. Dale pulled back, "You think I'm doing something this important in a hotel room? Not on you're life, babe. We're going home. I'm going to pluck your cherry in our bed." Dale chuckled at Rick's sudden blush and smacked his ass, "Now get packed, our plane leaves in two hours."

To be continued...