Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

I t took some convincing to get the bruised and bloody Centaur to go rest while Jesse paid Elliot a visit. While the man's ribs and cheek sustained some damage, it didn't take a genius to understand it was his pride that was truly wounded. Cal didn't want to get beaten up in front of Jesse, even if he did end the fight. Giving himself an excuse to go get some pain medicine gave Cal some time to cool off and relax.

Jesse had been floored at Cal's reaction to Jack's attempt at arresting him. Sure, he had expected Cal to argue with the man, but the sheriff challenging the marshal to a brawl? If someone had told Jesse he would be witnessing a Centaur and Minotaur duking it out on someone's front yard, he would have laughed in their face.

Now add the little fact that they had been fighting because of him?

What had Cal said to the man…?

Jack's voice replayed back in his mind. "Him? Yours?"

What the fuck did that mean?

Cal was a duty-bound, honorable Centaur who wore a badge. There was no way in hell he'd allow his pride and sense of justice to be snatched away after he gave someone their word. He was standing up for his crest, his family's creed, and his pledge to uphold the law.

Jesse was reading way too far into what the duel had meant, but it still made his heart swell. No one had ever stuck up for him like that. Not against anyone as formidable as Jack, and certainly not willing to fight against a whole horde of bandits. Whatever Cal thought of Jesse beyond their friendship and casual sex arrangement, Jesse had felt his heart getting tied up in knots. He was falling for the man stupidly fast and wasn't sure how to keep his feet planted on the ground.

Jesse had a week before either a swarm of murderous bandits came looking for him, or the marshal came to drag his ass to the gallows. In that time, he had to figure out how far he was going to allow himself to plummet for this man.

Inside Elliot's practice, the exotic-looking man glanced up from his work grinding something in a pestle, dark eyebrows raising toward the ceiling.

"Well, I assume you're no longer a prisoner?" Elliot asked, a little confused. "That or you're about to rob me?"

Jesse laughed. "I'm no longer a prisoner. For now anyway. I'm Jesse. I don't think we ever got a chance to really have a proper introduction."

Elliot set his tools down, wiped off his hands, and shook Jesse's as it was offered. "Elliot. What can I do for you, Jesse?"

"Cal had a bit of a tumble with someone and got some bruises and a busted cheek. I was wondering if you had anything for the swelling and pain."

"Now, who the hell did Cal fight that would give him bruises and a busted cheek?" Elliot asked surprised.

"The marshal."

"Marshal Rowlett and Calhoun got into a fight? With fists?"

"Shifted and everything."

"I'll be damned. What the hell for?" Elliot grabbed a jar off his shelf, filled with some type of creamy salve and a small, amber-tinted bottle.

Jesse considered the question a moment, craning his neck over a little and clicked his tongue in thought.

"Policy differences."

"Huh," Elliot added, bewildered, then set the salve and bottle on the desk. "Salve for the bruising and the swelling. Tonic for the pain. Just a couple sips though 'cause it'll make you drowsy if you have too much. Anything else I can get you?"

Jesse shook his head, reaching for the salve, paused, and chewed his lip. Eyeing the jars of various concoctions on the massive library of shelves behind the doctor, Jesse bounced his next question around in his head a good moment before finally deciding to take the plunge.

"You got anything for… the bedroom, doctor?"

"The bedroom? Performance wise? ‘Cause I have some drops that can help with—"

"Not like that." Jesse coughed. "More, uh… for help with… resistance."

To Elliot's credit, he didn't even bat an eye as he reached over and grabbed two different small jars. Tapping the first one, he said, "This is a basic lubricant that I recommend. This one however." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows as he tapped the second bottle. "Has an added surprise."

It was Jesse's turn to hike his eyebrows up in surprise. "Oh?"

"It has a heating sensation to it. Makes both parties… have a very enjoyable tingle."

Jesse stared at both bottles, a war raging in his head. After a moment, he glanced back up with his eyes.

"I'll take both."

Jesse had planned on going straight back to his bruised Centaur, but catching sight of Cooper and Marybell strolling toward the market brought him up short. It had been months since he saw his family last, and Cooper was looking a little worn down, skinny, and tired. It was surreal to have them there, walking around in his life like they had never left. A blast of comforting warmth spread over him at Marybell's smile when she spotted him, grinning like Jesse was the moon and stars.

"This town's the best!" she yelled upon seeing him, her "ranger-in-training" bolo looped around her neck.

"Yeah, it's not bad." Jesse pushed her hat over her eyes, grinning as she swatted at him and pushed it back in place. "What are you two up to?"

"Sightseeing mostly. Originally, I was going to grab something for supper, but the innkeeper said she makes food three times a day for the guests, so I guess we'll be fed too." He gave a small smile. "Don't like feeling like a burden though."

"Hardly a burden. This town seems to like to help each other out."

That's an understatement.

Clearing his throat and strolling along with them, Jesse glanced sideways at Cooper. "How you been?"

Cooper was always a terrible liar, which only made his gambling issues worse. The man couldn't hide anything from his face, and right now the lines etched into his brow and the bags under his eyes told Jesse a long tale without words.

"Been alright," he lamely attempted, unconsciously glancing down at his happily humming daughter. Marybell was surveying the town like she was on patrol, unable to keep the skip from her step.

"Miss Marybell, can you run ahead and scout out the market? Me and Daddy gotta chat about boring stuff." As soon as the last word left Jesse's mouth, Marybell jumped on the chance to salute and sprint ahead. Jesse laughed, adjusted his hat, and slowed their walking pace, giving Cooper a chance to talk.

"They've backed off a little the past few months. I've been making payments, but it's hard to… keep up," Cooper finally spoke after a little while .

"What happened to the bank job you had?"

The way Cooper started chewing his lip told Jesse everything.

"Goddammit, Coop."

"I don't wanna talk about it, Jesse. Alright? I'm aware I'm a fuckup. I don't need my little brother rubbing my nose in it," he hissed, shame rolling off him in waves. "Just drop it."

Closing his eyes, Jesse took a deep, calming breath. As much as his anger was screaming at him to rip Cooper a new ass over his ongoing vices, he didn't have the luxury. There were much more pressing things looming over the horizon, and he needed Cooper to have his head on straight.

"Cooper, I need you to listen to me."

"Jesse, I said—"

"Ain't about that, Coop. Some men are coming here. Coming for me. I dunno how long we got."

Cooper's head snapped over to him, coming to a stop. "Coming for you…?"

"Yeah. Bandits I gave info against. They're coming for blood. You're safe here, Coop. Safer here than any place else. But I wanted you to know what's going on."

"God's fist," Cooper whispered, rubbing a hand over his face and glancing over at the distant marketplace his daughter ran to. "You're sure we're safe here, Jesse?"

"I promise you are. Cal and the others are gonna guard you if it comes to that."

"It better not, and I want you with me, Jesse. You don't get to go down in a blaze of glory, you understand me? I can't bury my brother. You promise me that," he hissed quickly. "Don't be a damn hero."

Luckily for Cooper, Jesse was a much better liar with a much better poker face. Tossing him a lazy grin and a wink, he said, "I ain't planning on being any such thing. If shit goes down, I'll be right there with you."

Lies .

I'll be as far from you as possible. Nothing to ever hurt you or Marybell.

"Good," Cooper said with relief in his voice, their walk continuing. "The sheriff seems like a good man. Marybell is head over heels for him."

Jesse barked a laugh. "Yeah, he's a good one."

Cal was the best one. A good man, willing to fight for all that was right. A better man than Jesse could ever be. No matter how much he tried to do right by people, he always seemed to make a horrible mess of things and run to the next heap of trouble.

Cooper let something hang in the air a moment. "You close with him?"

"That obvious?" Jesse kicked some dirt, watching his feet.

"To your brother, yeah," he said, chuckling.

"Coop…" Jesse bit back his words a moment, then finally exhaled with a scowl. "How… did you know you were in love with Elizabeth?"

"Love? Wow, Jesse. You love this guy?" Cooper caught his arm and stopped him, his blue eyes searching Jesse's. A tangle of emotions coiled in his chest at the question, freezing the words in his throat.

After trying and failing to form words, Jesse just shrugged simply.

"Dunno," he whispered, barely able to get it out in one piece.

"Sorry to tell you, baby brother, but if you feel that tangled up about him, I think you got it pretty bad." He gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Embrace it. Love completely and don't ever miss a chance to tell them so. Trust me."

Even though Cooper was smiling, his eyes were heavy with memories his heart dared to whisper. There was no way to wrap one's mind around the loss of losing someone so tied to their heart and soul, and Jesse could barely contain a shiver at the thought of losing Cal.

Gods. Maybe Coop is right …

"Hey, Coop? You still got Pa's old pocket watch?"

"Yeah, of course," he said, almost offended. "I'd never lose that."

"I'm going to need it." Jesse looked at his brother's confused face. "Please."

Cooper watched him quietly for a beat before slowly smiling. "Alright, Jesse. I'll get it for you. Make good use of it, alright?"

Jesse nodded and didn't explain himself further. Cooper had struck a chord deep in Jesse's heart with his advice about never letting go of something precious. There was no way Jesse could promise himself that he could earn Cal's love the way he'd want it, but he could at least keep the man safe from harm to a degree.

Instead of going back to Cal's after getting the watch from Cooper's room, he figured the black-and-blue Centaur could wait until he visited the quarry first.

It was getting later in the evening and still no sign of Jesse. Cal had plenty of time to lick his wounds and feel like an ass for fighting with Jack, so now his mind started in with a barrage of concerns. Had he left? Did something happen? Did he mouth off to Jack and the man busted his head in? Just as he pulled on his spare pants and a fresh shirt, his front door opened with a knock.

"Jesse?" Cal asked, stepping out from his bedroom.

"Just me," Jesse said at the same time, glancing up with a smirk. Waving a jar of Elliot's salve, he added, "Still want me to rub you down?"

"Yeah…" Cal pulled his shirt off and sat with a thump into a chair. "You were gone a long time."

"Ran into Coop and talked to him a bit." Jesse pulled a chair over in front of Cal and sat, sitting with his knees almost pressed to Cal's. "Told him about the bandits coming. Figured he had a right to know."

"How'd he take it?" Cal reached for the jar, but Jesse pulled it away and dabbed some onto his fingers. The cool, soothing, dense substance felt amazing on his tender ribs as Jesse gently dabbed it on, making sure not to press down too hard.

"As well as expected. He's worried, but he trusts me to make the right call." His brows were creased in thought as he spread the salve across Cal's warm skin. Cal hadn't known him long, but he could tell when something was eating at the man. The shine in his eyes would dim just slightly. His brows would bunch in a way that most people would assume meant he was just wondering something and not cutting the thought into pieces.

"You made the right call, Jesse."

"I hope so," he whispered, moving to dab some of the strong-smelling medicine to his busted cheek. It immediately felt amazing, like ice settling over a dull burn. His ribs started to loosen as well, the pain ebbing slightly.

"You know I have your back," Cal offered. "They'll be alright here."

Jesse let out a long breath from his nose, dropping his hand away from Cal's face so he could lean on his knees and study his eyes. Dark stubble was painted over his handsome jaw that was ticking slightly. Gods, he was stunning. This close, Cal could see the slight bend to his otherwise perfect nose, from a past injury that didn't quite set. A small scar nicked his left brow, almost unnoticeable, and his lips begged to be kissed.

His eyes were searching for something, looking deep into the windows of Cal's soul. A feeling of vulnerability crept over Cal's spine as Jesse's whiskey eyes pierced into him, seeming to sweep over the very core of his existence. Cal wasn't sure what the man was looking for, but he hoped like hell he found it.

"I got you something." Jesse leaned back and fished something out of his pocket. Unfolding from a long chain, a simple pendant dangled in the air as Jesse held the necklace up for inspection. It seemed to be a deep bronze, almost matching the hue of the Klelbor shield. Jesse dropped it into Cal's outstretched palm for inspection.

The small, round pendant bore a deeply carved W in the center in an elegant script.

"W?" Cal mused.

"It was my daddy's watch. I had Sky make it into a lucky charm for you."

A bolt of shock ran through Cal's chest like a hot knife.

"You turned your father's watch into a ward?"

"I know it's not a mighty, Centaur family crest, but Woodlocks are known to be scrappy when they want to be. It'll keep you safe as long as you wear it."

"Jesse… I… I can't accept…" He fumbled, trying to hand it back, but Jesse curled Cal's fingers around it with his own.

"Yes, you can and you will. I owe you too much, Cal. Let me do this."

"Give this to your family. Your niece…"

Jesse shook his head. "It ain't for them. It's for you. Only you." He gave a small smile. "Wear it proud, Sheriff."

Cal reached out and grabbed Jesse by the nape, dragging him over to kiss him feverishly.

"Thank you," Cal whispered against his lips, kissing him again and practically pulling Jesse into his lap. With a chuckle, Jesse broke their kiss to put the necklace around Cal's neck. It fell right in the same place as West's medallion had.

It was perfect.

Cal tried again to manhandle him into his lap but winced with a hiss when he moved too fast for his bruised torso. Jesse smirked, stepping back to his feet and holding his hand out to haul the Centaur to his two feet.

"Let's get you on your back," Jesse purred into Cal's ear once the man was standing, almost making his knees give out at the suggestion. "I feel like riding a Centaur tonight. "

"You've already ridden me before, don't you remember?" Cal reminded him, biting back a curse as Jesse licked his lobe.

"Let me ride you proper then."

"Oh, god, Jesse. You're gonna make all the blood rush out of my head."

With a devilish grin, the handsome man before him scooped up another bottle of Elliot's and wiggled it between his fingers. Cal practically carried him to the bedroom, grabbing at him and demanding kisses as they maneuvered back down the hallway, almost crashing into the door-less frame as he edged him backwards. Jesse refused to take his lips off Cal's, spearing his tongue into his mouth to sweep over his before nipping at his lip. Cal nearly ripped Jesse's shirt as he pulled it off him, his hands diving into his belt buckle to unlatch it and shove the fabric down his thighs. Jesse sucked in his breath as Cal fell to his knees in front of him.

Jesse's cock bounced out of his clothing as Cal pushed the fabric away from it, flushed and eager as ever. Grabbing Jesse's hips with one hand, he wrapped his fingers around the base of his length and gave a slow pump, his mouth watering at the glisten of precome that beaded from the tip. With a quick lash of his tongue, he licked it up to taste and tease the hell out of him. He rolled the taste of him around in his mouth, savoring how it coated his tongue.

The hiss that escaped Jesse's clenched jaw made Cal's dick jerk. Unable to keep his lips from the gorgeous cock, Cal slowly pressed the flat of his tongue against the underside of Jesse's dick and ran it all the way down to his balls before pulling one into his mouth.

A noise similar to a whimper ripped from Jesse, his hands threading through Cal's thick hair to grip it tightly. Cal allowed himself to groan from the sharp pain that pricked at his scalp, sucking and lapping at the sensitive flesh to let the man he was pleasing know how much he liked it. When Jesse's hips started to buck against him, Cal moved back to swallow his cock down to the base, the move almost kicking his gag reflex to surface. The smell of the day and the lingering scent of soap still clung to Jesse's skin, the coarse hair curtaining his impressive member tickling his nose.

It had been a long damn time since he had taken someone this way, and goddamn did he miss it. The grip on his hair tightened, and Jesse moved his hips with Cal's rhythm, his cock swelling and getting rock hard against his tongue. Cal pulled off him, standing and claiming his mouth, pushing him onto the bed to climb over him and cage him in.

Jesse bucked his hips up to Cal's, his slippery cock rubbing against his.

"Get on your back," he whispered to Cal. "Let me ride you."

Cal growled and moved, rolling onto his back and pulling Jesse on top of him. With the man straddling his lap, Cal could see every beautiful muscle in his torso flex and shift under his skin every time he moved. Jesse opened the bottle slowly, grabbing Cal's hand and slicking his fingers with the cool, slick substance.

"Get me ready for you," Jesse breathed against his lips as he leaned down to him, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth to suck as Cal reached around to do as he was told. As soon as his fingers brushed over the spot in question, Jesse moaned and arched his back, inviting him.

Cal's chest was a drum of heat and desire, his pulse rising as he pushed one thick digit into Jesse slowly. Hot muscles wrapped around him as he moved methodically, in and out, relaxing Jesse and driving him insane all at the same time. The mix of pleasure and discomfort danced over his face, slowly melting into bliss as he started to loosen up. Another finger pushing to join the first, and Jesse was practically fucking himself on Cal's hand.

Jesse's hand was shaking when he grabbed the bottle again, pouring a good amount onto Cal's heavy cock and coating it completely. Pressing his hips down against Cal's, their sensitive parts ground against each other, sending electric waves of pleasure vibrating through his body. Unable to resist, Cal connected their mouths again, diving his tongue into his to taste and devour. In one smooth motion, Jesse's body snaked up to press back against Cal's rigid cock, teasing himself with the tip before easing himself down on top.

Slowly, Jesse worked Cal inside, the oil helping slide him deep into his body. The warm, tight cocoon of Jesse's tight cavern was pure bliss, but the true ecstasy was the pleasure evident on Jesse's beautiful face. Jaw slack, eyes fluttering shut, and head tilted toward the ceiling, he looked like an incubus feasting on the raw pleasure Cal's cock was giving him. Once fully astride, his hips flushed to Cal's with all of him buried inside, Jesse let out a low, delicious moan.

"Fuck, you feel good," Jesse mumbled, rolling his hips to let his muscles tense and play under his tan skin. Cal's breath caught at how mesmerizing he was to watch, his hands sliding up Jesse's thighs to feel the powerful limbs tense as he moved. Arching his back, Jesse rolled his hips back and forth, his abs flexing and chest heaving, pushing Cal as deep as he could go with each motion.

Matching his momentum, Cal rocked his hips up to meet his pace, deep and slow and bone melting in the sensation it was coaxing from him. They moved together, their pleasure dancing and intertwining. Jesse's hands slid up Cal's stomach to brace on his chest, running his nails down the skin as he pushed down with a rough snap of his hips.

Two could play at this.

Cal hissed in agreement, grabbing his hips and lifting Jesse up only to slam him back down as he fired his hips up. Jesse yelped happily, biting his lip and leaning forward to cage Cal under him.

"Fuck me like you're trying to buck me off," he said through his teeth, nipping at Cal's lip, heat radiating from his whiskey eyes.

Cal pulled him down for another deep kiss before grabbing his hips.

"Hold on, cowboy," Cal warned before jerking Jesse's hip up again and slamming him back home as he angled his hips up.

Jesse barked a grunt of approval and fell into the rhythm Cal set; his hips bucked and rolled with Cal's thrusts. Pulling Jesse's hips forward and angling him up more, Cal pushed up, causing Jesse to gasp and grip the pillow on either side of Cal's head.

"O-oh…" Jesse managed. "Cal… fuck… there. There."

Having found what he had been seeking, Cal let loose. He held Jesse's hips in place as he pistoned up from under him, hitting Jesse's spot over and over, making the man a grunting, moaning, pleading mess. True to his word, Jesse was riding him like a cowboy trying to keep a wild mustang from throwing him off; his strong legs and core working against the torment of white-hot pleasure assaulting him from below.

The primal sounds and smell of Jesse's sweat were causing Cal's orgasm to build in his gut, curling and threatening to burst free. Letting one hip go, Cal gripped Jesse's iron-hard cock and started pumping, causing the man's spine to jerk to attention. Once again he was sitting straight up, but this time his eyes were focused down on Cal as he rode him hard. Sweat beaded and fell down his chest. Jaw clenched and eyes fixed on Cal, Jesse was the epitome of a man hell-bent on ending the night with a bang. Cal's hand worked Jesse's hard cock, pumping as he worked him from below, wanting to see the man riding him come undone. The moment he saw Jesse's eyes flash with pure passion and desire, he knew he couldn't hold back anymore.

"Cal… Cal… yes… aaaugh!" Jesse's head tilted back, his eyes rolling back as thick, white ropes painted Cal's chest as Cal unloaded completely inside of him. The orgasm that ripped through Cal made him cry out, pressing Jesse's hips down hard on him as he felt every inch of his body erupt into flames of pleasure.

Jesse's scorching body flopped down on top of him, his chest heaving and his breath crashing into his neck as they lay together. Sticky, warm liquid slid between them, but Cal couldn't seem to find a reason to give a shit. Leaning his head back into the pillows, Cal angled his lips toward Jesse's temple and planted a kiss, not caring how intimate that made the moment.

"We're gonna need another bath." Jesse smiled, catching his breath.

"Mmm," Cal hummed, keeping his lips pressed against his damp hair. He knew eventually they'd need to move, to get cleaned up and go back to reality. But right then, in that moment with Jesse in his arms, Cal couldn't imagine any reason for him to do a damn thing to change it.