The Search for Soaring Hawk Read online

  He dropped down, taking the dog’s head in his hands and pressing their foreheads together. “You’ll come to like him. You’ll see.” He stood up and looked in the direction Ramón had gone. But he was no longer in sight.

  * * * Sam came out of the hotel. He was upset. Why had his friends reacted so badly to his announcement that he was having lunch with Ramón at the hacienda? Gus had said he had heard some things about the man that made him distrust him. Even the levelheaded Garrett had been reserved in his response to the news.

  “Just be careful,” he had said. Were they jealous? Did they have something against Mexicans? First Wolf and now the men who were supposed to be closest to him warned him against this man. What trouble could Ramón cause him? It was just a simple lunch with a new friend. And, the biggest question of all was why was he so disturbed by their concern?

  “Come on, Wolf!” he called. He started down the street toward the livery to get his horse. Before he had gone more than a few yards, Ramón’s voice reached his ears.

  “Hola, Samuel!” he called. Sam hadn’t heard anyone use his formal name since Miss Mary back in Laclede’s or since he had left his village where only his mother called him that.

  Sam turned and saw Ramón riding up to him on a magnificent bay stallion. A man in peasant’s garb riding a small Paint followed him leading a beautiful chestnut mare, her burnished bronze coat gleaming in the sunlight. She had a white blaze and four perfectly matched white stockings. Her saddle and bridle were unfamiliar. Sam was impressed.

  “Hello, Ramón,” he replied. “I was just going to get my horse.” “No need. I brought this one for you. She is my gift to you. Do you like her? Her name is Tormenta dulce de Verano…Sweet Summer Storm.” Ramón was beaming.

  “I…I…uh… Thank you,” Sam fumbled. “But you don’t have to… I mean, she’s beautiful, but—” “Do not be silly,” Ramón said with a laugh. “I give her to show how much I like you.”

  He turned in his saddle and snapped his fingers. The peasant leading the mare jumped down and brought the horse to Sam, handing him the reins with a slight bow.

  “Thank you…ah?” Sam turned to Ramón, expecting to be told the name of the man so he could properly address him. Ramón did not offer it. He ignored the peasant as if he weren’t there.

  “She is a Paso. Have you ever ridden one?”

  “No,” replied Sam.

  “Then you are in for a delight. The Paso are the most marvelous of horses. Get on. You will see.”

  Sam mounted the horse. The peasant came forward and adjusted his stirrups. Again Sam tried to thank him, but the peasant’s eyes never met his. He looked back to Ramón, was was still beaming at him.

  With a toss of his head, and a wave of his hand, Ramón turned his horse and ambled off down the main street. Sam followed, with Wolf trotting behind. Ramón was right. The Paso was smooth as if he were gliding on a stream in a canoe. There was no jarring as with a regular trot as he moved along the road. He had never experienced a ride such as this.

  “See, did I not tell you she is marvelous?” Ramón called to him.

  “She is,” Sam called back. He reached down and patted her neck as they moved along. “Thank you, Ramón.”

  His benefactor smiled. “What will you call her?”

  Sam thought for a minute. “Storm,” he said, returning the smile.

  * * *

  They reached the outskirts of Sacramento. Ramón kicked his stallion into a faster pace. Storm followed suit. The smoothness of the ride did not change, but the speed was impressive. Sam noticed the peasant on his little Paint horse had to gallop to keep up. The Paso was, indeed, a remarkable breed.

  After a short time, Sam asked that they slow down so Wolf could keep up. Twenty minutes of riding brought the men and dog to the entry gates of the hacienda. The peasant immediately jumped from his horse and opened them. They rode through and down the road to the main house. Sam had never seen anything like this. The courtyard was adorned with flowers and statuary. The house with its tiled roof and balconies boasted of the wealth of the family.

  There were men and women tending the gardens. As they rode in, servants came running to take the horses. Sam dismounted and patted the mare once more. As the horses were lead away, Ramón took his arm and steered him to the main entry to the house. Sam ordered Wolf to stay at the door.

  “Now, when you meet my father,” Ramón said with a slight laugh, “do not be…oh, what is the word…intimidado?”

  “Intimidated?” Sam offered.

  “Si, yes. He is really not as gruff as he will appear. But, being the patron, he feels he must show his authority.”

  As they walked through the entry hall, the opulent furnishings astounded Sam as he admired the ornate woodwork, the gleaming stone floors. They passed several servants. He noted that Ramón did not pay them the slightest regard. They in turn stopped their work, turned in his direction and bowed their heads. They remained in this position until both men had passed.

  They stopped before a set of massive double doors. Ramón knocked.

  “Entre,” said a deep voice from beyond the barrier.

  Ramón took both doors in his hands and flung them open, making a grand entrance into the room. Standing beside a large desk, whose dark, rich finish gleamed in the light from a pair of arched windows, was a tall, handsome man. He looked stern and imposing. His hair was white and thinning and he sported a moustache and a narrow beard, which covered only his chin. His shoulders were broad, his waist narrow and circled by a red sash. His deep blue trousers had gold braid down the sides. The man wore a white linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a patch of thick white hair. His deep chest filled out the shirt and his prominent nipples pressed against the fabric. He stood erect and proud.

  Sam was both attracted to him and awed at the same time.

  “Father!” Ramón said in English.

  “Ramón,” the man replied with a quiet confident air. “¿Quién es esto? ¿Un nuevo juguete, quizás? he continued, but now his voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

  Although Sam did not understand, it nevertheless made him uncomfortable.

  Ramón laughed. “Father, this is my new friend, Samuel Hawkins. He has just arrived with the wagon train. His father is an Indian chief.” Ramón made it sound as if this made Sam royalty. “Samuel, this is my father, Don Victorio dela Vega.”

  The older man stepped forward and proffered his hand. “Señor Hawkins, welcome to my home,” he said in a formal tone.

  “Thank you, sir,” Sam replied, taking the man’s hand. The grip was firm and strong.

  “Samuel will be staying for awhile,” Ramón announced, smiling broadly at an astonished Sam.

  Dela Vega released Sam’s hand. “With you, or in a guest room?” Again, the suggestion of sarcasm tinged his voice.

  Ramón laughed again. “With me, of course.”

  The man sighed. “You are welcome, señor. Enjoy your stay with us. I will see you at dinner.” He turned away from the men and went back to his desk.

  Sam knew the interview was over.

  “My father likes you,” Ramón enthused as they left the room.

  Sam’s head was spinning. “Ramón, I didn’t realize I’d be staying. I have no clothing and I…I…need to let Garrett know where I am. And Wolf…I…

  Ramón stopped, turned to him and put both hands on his shoulders. “I have it all taken care of. We are about the same size. You can wear my clothing. I will send someone to inform your friends that you will be staying and… Carlos!” he called, turning from Sam.

  Out of nowhere, a servant appeared. He stopped and stood with his eyes averted in front of Ramón.

  “Carlos, cuide de perro de Senor Hawkins. Su nombre es Lobo, Wolf.”

  “Si, señor,” said Carlos, backing away and turning to the door.

  “There, all is arranged. Carlos will take good care of Wolf…and I will take care of you,” said Ramón with an evil grin. “Come it is time for sie
sta.”

  Ramón turned and bounded up the curved staircase, taking the steps two at a time. Sam followed more slowly.

  “Come!” Ramón called, extending his hand toward Sam, who picked up his pace.

  When he reached the top of the stairs, Ramón grabbed Sam’s hand and pulled him down the hallway. The men were laughing. Taking both hands in his, Ramón backed into a room, pulling Sam after him. Once inside, he stood holding Sam’s hands and smiling his inviting handsome smile. “Welcome to our private world,” he said.

  He then released Sam and cupped his chin. Sam placed his hands on Ramón’s slender hips. Ramón pulled him into a tender, loving kiss. Sam’s mind exploded with emotion. When the kiss ended, he moved back slightly and looked into the deep brown eyes of the man who was capturing his heart. Then restraint ended.

  Ramón stepped back and pulled his white linen shirt over his head, while Sam in turn unbuttoned his shirt and cast it to the floor. Ramón seized his wrists and backed Sam forcefully against the wall. He held his arms above his head, pinning him. His second kiss was alive with passion. His tongue snaked into Sam’s mouth as he ground his rapidly hardening penis against Sam’s cock, which was responding in kind. Ramón dropped his head and tongued Sam’s nipples until they stood erect and swollen, then raised his lips to Sam’s once more.

  After several minutes, Ramón pulled Sam to the ornate bed. He pushed him down and stood before him. He undid the sash holding his trousers. They slid slowly off his hips and to the floor, releasing his turgid organ, which sprung to stand against his rippled abdomen. He placed his hands on Sam’s shoulders.

  With a whimper of desire, Sam reached around, took the globes of Ramón’s buttocks in his hands and pulled him close. He swallowed the engorged organ and buried his face in the black hair at its base. Ramón began to thrust and massage Sam’s head, moaning his name over and over.

  Breaking the union, Ramón pulled Sam to his feet and undid his belt, pushing his pants to the floor. Sam kicked them to one side. Ramón forced him back onto the soft, cool, smooth bed, then lifted Sam’s legs and placed them on his shoulders. Using saliva, and the clear fluid oozing from the tip of his organ, he gently massaged Sam’s sphincter, until Sam could feel it relax and open.

  “For you, with all my heart,” the Mexican whispered. He pressed against the entry to Sam’s body.

  Sam relaxed and allowed himself to be taken by the man.

  “My Samuel, my Samuel,” Ramón said over and over as he moved in and out of Sam’s body.

  Sam reached up and pulled Ramón forward, moving backward on the bed until Ramón was kneeling between his legs, still buried deep inside. He leaned down, wrapped his arms around Sam’s head and kissed him. As he did, he stiffened and Sam could feel him release his seed into him. This pushed Sam to his own release and his warm issue flowed between the two men.

  Ramón lay astride Sam’s torso for a long time. Sam realized Ramón was as reluctant as he to break their first union.

  “Do you believe you can see a man one time and be in love with him?” Ramón asked.

  The words echoed and ricocheted in Sam’s mind. Ramón had said “in love with him.” Not just love him. In love, as with Alan and Garrett. In love, as in the condition Gus warned him about. In love, as the wish that had been forming in his heart over the past year.

  “Yes, I believe it can happen,” said Sam, warmth growing in his heart.

  “I believe it has happened,” said Ramón. “I am in love with you, Mr. Hawkins.”

  “And I with you, Señor dela Vega.”

  Ramón kissed him and then snuggled down on Sam’s broad chest, his head in the crook of his neck.

  * * * When Sam woke some time later, he was spooned against Ramón, his hand draped over his chest, his head against his shoulder. He lay for a moment, re-orienting himself, then realizing he had the urgent need to urinate. In the corner, he spotted what he was looking for. Carefully getting out of bed after giving Ramón a soft kiss on his neck, he made his way to the receptacle and relieved himself.

  He looked around the room. It was bright and pleasant. The furnishings, as in the rest of the house, were of the highest quality. Sam realized his clothing, as well as Ramón’s, was no longer in the room. On a wooden rack near the bed, he saw two sets of white linen garments. Two pairs of sandals sat side by side beneath the rack. He walked over and picked up a pair of pants.

  Slipping them on, he turned to a full-length mirror. He smiled. The pants sat low on his hips and extended to mid-calf. He had to admit he looked good in them.

  He walked to the arched doorway to the balcony. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair. Here he saw a table and two chairs. Flowers were on the table and in various containers around the area. Going to the rail, he looked down into the courtyard. Several men and women were going about their business below him. One of the men looked up. Sam waved at him. The man quickly averted his eyes and turned away. Sam frowned and went back into the room.

  As he re-entered, he looked at the man lying on the bed. Ramón was on his back, his hands clasped behind his head, his legs crossed at the ankles. Sam leaned against the doorframe and studied the man with whom he was falling in love. Ramón had black hair and a handsome face, with dark, thick eyebrows. Right now, a slight smile played on the man’s sensuous lips. The short, soft, black hair that coated his chest and rippled abdomen lay against his skin, accentuating the muscular frame. The brown circles surrounding his nipples protruded slightly from his chest. Sam found this to be highly arousing. Ramón’s manhood was fully erect and lay against his stomach, reaching nearly to his navel.

  Ramón opened one eye. “Well?” he said seductively. “Are you just going to stand and stare, or come and enjoy me?”

  Sam smiled and walked quickly to the bed, letting the white linen trousers slip to the floor. He leaned forward and lifted one of Ramón’s feet to his mouth. He licked and caressed his toes and the sole of his foot. Ramón giggled and tried to pull his foot away. Sam fought him for a while, then let go. He crawled up on the bed, tracing the contours of Ramón’s legs with his tongue and fingers.

  Then Sam tenderly kissed the insides of the lightly furred thighs. With deliberation, taking infinite care, he took each testicle in turn in his mouth and sucked it. When he had given the man’s scrotum due attention, he took the hard member in his hand and directed it toward his mouth. Pausing, he looked up to find Ramón staring down at him. Wetting his lips, he smiled and then proceeded to lick the drop of clear fluid emerging from the swollen head. Encircling the engorged organ with his lips, he slid it all the way into his mouth.

  Ramón reached down, holding the sides of Sam’s head in his hands. At the same time Sam reached around and cradled Ramón’s smooth butt. He eased Ramón in and out of his mouth, tracing the veins of his cock with his tongue. Ramón’s climax was slow and gentle. He tensed and moaned softly. As he pulsated within his mouth, Sam drank the salty-sweet fluid that gave him such pleasure.

  Ramón shuddered as Sam released him, then made his way toward Ramón’s waiting lips, stopping only momentarily to caress each nipple and the area surrounding it. Their lips came together.

  “I love you, Ramón,” Sam whispered.

  “I know you do, and I love you,” he replied.

  With Ramón’s urging, Sam raised up until he was straddling his partner. He leaned against the headboard as Ramón took him into his mouth, gently stroking his backside while he ministered to Sam’s erection. Sam released his seed within moments and slid back down to lie next to the man whom he now thought of as his lover.

  “Are you happy here?” Ramón asked.

  “Yes,” Sam said without hesitation.

  “Good. I am glad.”

  A thought came to him. “Ah, Ramón, what did your father say to you when you introduced me to him this afternoon?”

  Ramón laughed softly. “He asked if you were my new toy.”

  “What does that mean?” Sam asked, leaning on an elbow and
looking down at Ramón.

  Ramón pulled him down and kissed him. “Father has his little jokes. Come. It is time for dinner. Father will be waiting.”

  Sam wondered why Señor dela Vega would make such a joke.

  * * * Dinner was a formal affair. The senior dela Vega sat at the head of a long table. The younger men sat on either side. Two servants waited on the three men. Sam kept thanking them every time they brought him something, but Ramón laughed and admonished him.

  “You do not have to thank them, that is their job.” Both the dela Vegas treated their servants as if they weren’t there. This made Sam uncomfortable, but he adjusted his behavior to fit what was expected.

  After dinner, during which Ramón had carried the conversation, they went out into the courtyard, while Señor dela Vega retired to his room. Sam wanted to be sure Wolf was being taken care of and to see the horse Ramón had given him. As they walked across the courtyard, Sam inhibited his tendency to smile and greet the workers they passed. The workers in turn invariably stopped, turned toward the men, and inclined their heads in their direction. Ramón completely ignored their deference.

  As they approached the stable, a sharp bark greeted them. Wolf bounded out of the door. He stopped a few feet short of the men and regarded Ramón warily. Sam dropped to one knee.

  “Wolf,” he called. The dog immediately loped to Sam, nearly knocking him over. He covered his face with kisses, his tail wagging furiously. Ramón stood a ways off, hands on his hips, watching.

  “He loves his man,” he said in a quiet voice. “As much as I do, I am sure.” He smiled at Sam.

  Sam felt that now-familiar warmth spread through his body.

  The men and dog went into the stable and stood outside Storm’s stall, leaning on the doorway. The filly came to them and nuzzled Sam’s chest. He reached up and scratched behind her ears, just as Ramón ran his hand up Sam’s back, resting it on his shoulder. Sam turned in his direction and they kissed. Wolf pressed against Sam’s leg, whining, but Sam ignored Wolf’s gesture. He was far too happy to heed anything the animal might be trying to tell him.