A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 490 By Rob Williams

Chapter 490 – "CHAD GOES FROM MILD TO WILD"

IN THIS CHAPTER: The hot doctor Chad is new to man-sex, but knows he wants it after meeting the cop Mark and his boy Jamie in Palm Springs. His sex education goes from mild to wild. At the home of Mike and Larry he watches the older man and his boy make love. Then he joins Mark and Jamie in a desert dungeon where they re-enact a homoerotic interrogation scene. But when love rears its head it threatens to ruin everything. ___________________________________________________________________

IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER

After Jamie's surfing accident and resulting concussion, the cop Mark took his boy for a few days' rest and recuperation at the Palm Springs home of Uncle Mike and his boy Larry. There was much talk and speculation about the doctor who had treated Jamie in hospital.

Jamie told his pal Larry, "His name's Chad and he was real sexy – you know, gorgeous face with that square stubbled jaw, and built like a brick shithouse under those sexy scrubs they all wear. I got a boner every time he poked and prodded me. I tell ya, he could put his shoes under my bed any time he likes."

But that was hardly likely as Mark said, "I ran across him professionally in the past a few times, but we know nothing about Chad's personal life. He's about my age and I'd guess by now he's married with a couple of kids.

But Mark was wrong. That afternoon they went to the leather bar Mike owned in Palm Springs and, to their huge surprise, they saw a man standing in a dark corner of the bar. It was Chad. After some awkward introductions Uncle Mike invited Chad back for a drink with them at his house, where Chad told them his story.

"I'm the same age as you, Mark, but not nearly as experienced. Since medical school all my energy and most of my time I've devoted to my profession and ended up as the head of the ICU in Santa Monica Hospital. But at the expense of my personal life.

"Oh, I've had my share of girlfriends, almost got engaged once, but somehow nothing seemed like a good fit. I was real confused, wasn't sure what I wanted, until one day quite some time ago when a cop walked into the ICU to interview an accident patient. You were that cop, Mark, and ... it wasn't just that I liked you, it was more than that, something I couldn't pin down.

"Then a few days ago Jamie was brought into Intensive Care unconscious after a surfing accident and you came in and kept an all-night vigil waiting for him to wake from his concussion. And watching you watching Jamie the way you did I suddenly saw everything clearly. You were in love with Jamie, it was written on your face and in every gesture. And that's what I had wanted all along – not only to fall in love but with a man! I had an erection whenever you were in the room, Mark.

"I knew I had to do something about it so I went to a bar – but not anywhere local where I might bump into someone I know, so I came out to Palm Springs and Googled the bars here. And that's where I ended up – the nervous wallflower in the corner of your bar, Mike, with no clue what to do next." He smiled. I blush when I say this, but I have never been with a guy, wouldn't know what to do if I did. But I know I want to."

Gradually Chad's embarrassment faded and he loosened up sitting with them in Mike's house. Mark said privately to Jamie, "You see what's going on here, don't you? Chad's brand new to the game, he's got the hots for both of us. I want to help him but I'll do nothing that harms you and me. I came so close to losing you, buddy, I'm sure as hell not gonna risk that again

"Sir, I knew it already and I have no fears on that score – you and me are rock solid. But however we help him, we can do it together, can't we?"

"You're right, Jamie, we're a team, and here's what I'm thinking. I don't like the thought of Chad tiptoeing round the whole subject, we should throw him in at the deep end, so here's the plan."

Jamie went into the bedroom and did what he did every evening of the week – got naked and lay on the bed waiting for his cop to come home after work and fuck him. Mark persuaded Chad to come and watch. He was hugely turned on watching the cop fuck the surfer and when Mark had cum inside Jamie he offered the boy's ass to Chad. The doc hesitated but he was so turned on that he copied Mark and butt-fucked Jamie, the first time he had ever been with a man, let alone inside one.

Dazed after the most intense orgasm of his life Chad panted, "Jesus, what's happening to me, Mark?"

"You're discovering yourself, Chad – and giving pleasure to Jamie and me in the process. Your first lesson went well, doc, you passed with flying colors. But we got a long few days ahead of us, lot of ground to cover. And I have an idea ... Jamie, you know we were going to check on Hassan's little house in the desert like we usually do? Maybe we should take Chad this time?"

"Sure sir." Jamie grinned wickedly. "But maybe not to the basement, eh?"

"No maybe not. See Chad, there's this buddy of mine, a big hunky Arab Marine named Hassan. We go back a long way to the Mideast war when we were enemies and he took me prisoner and ... well that's a whole `nother story, but we're real close buddies now. He came halfway round the world to find me, joined the U.S. Marines and got himself this little old house in the desert.

"And the, er, basement?"

"Ah, maybe that should be off limits. It's a long story but, well, Hassan fixed up the basement like that long-ago desert cell where he interrogated me. He wanted to make amends – it was payback time. But like I said, it's a long story. Bit too rich for your blood, doc."

Chad grinned, "I wouldn't be so sure, officer. With you and Jamie I'm game for anything."

********************** CHAPTER 490 *********************

<><> CHAD LEARNS THE JOY OF LIVING <><>

Mark, Jamie and Chad pulled on their board shorts and went to rejoin Mike and Larry in the garden. They couldn't see them at first but then heard them splashing in the pool. They walked toward it but suddenly Mark held them back. "Wait a minute guys, I don't think they're swimming ... see what I mean?"

Unaware that the three men were watching from a distance Larry was pressed forward against the side of the pool his arms resting on the edge. Behind him, pressed up against him was Mike, and there was no mistaking what he was doing. He was fucking Larry under the water and with each thrust water splashed over the side of the pool.

Chad was unsure though. "Is Mike ... I mean, under water ... in his butt?"

"It's what we call making love – one of the ways anyway," Mark smiled. "I want you to watch this, Chad. Uncle Mike and Larry are a great example of pure love between a man and his boy."

"But aren't we, like, spying on them."

"Just watching, doc. It's another tradition of the tribe – getting off watching two hot guys make love. And those guys won't mind. Having an audience kinda ups the ante ... makes the fuck even more erotic knowing onlookers are stroking their cocks."

"Yeah, I get it. And that look on Larry's face – and Mike's. They're in a whole `nother world."

"It's even more intense if you know their history, Chad. A long time ago two wild young skinheads bust into the tribe. One of them was Jamie who I was gonna arrest, but instead I took him under my wing and he became my boy. The other boy, Larry, went back to his folks in St. Louis. But it was a rough family, a brutal dad, and some years later his browbeaten mother died and Larry ran away from home.

The only other guy he knew was his old pal Jamie, so he hitchhiked all the way from St. Louis to L.A. He still had an angry chip on his shoulder and attacked one of our boys but, as it happened, Mike was visiting for the weekend and, long story short, after a long talk they shared a bed. It turned out that Larry, in his early twenties, was attracted to older men, and Mike, maturely handsome and well-built in his late fifties, offered the affection, wisdom and much-needed discipline that Larry never got from his own dad.

"Anyway, Mike brought Larry home with him and here they are today, making love in the pool."

Chad sighed. "You never know about guys, do you? Everyone had a backstory. I see so many young men in the Emergency Room, often gang members with gunshot wounds. After we've treated them I talk to a lot of them and they tell me their story – broken homes, single mom, no man around. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. But I guess as a cop you see that stuff on the streets all the time, Mark."

Just then loud groans from the pool cut short their conversation and they focused on Mike and Larry. It seemed Mike was approaching his climax as Larry dug his fingers in the ground at the edge of the pool and the water splashed higher as Mike drove one last time in Larry's ass and yelled, "Here it comes, boy."

"God, that was awesome," Chad said. "Mike has the stamina of a thirty-year-old."

"And he's gonna need it, sir," Jamie grinned, "if I know Larry."

He was right. Larry pulled himself strongly from the pool and on his feet, then reached down, grabbed Mike's hand and yanked him out of the water. Mike fell against him and they tumbled together on the grass, wet and naked, laughing and rolling over and over in a fake wrestling match. Mike was still in great shape, muscular and handsome with thick gray hair, but Larry's youthful energy won out. Soon he was on his knees with Mike on his back beneath him, wrists pinned to the grass.

Staring down at the older man Larry taunted, "You think you can get away with ploughing my ass? Well here's a news flash. I didn't cum – and it's payback time."

Mike's eyes opened wide in mock horror. "No, not that, anything but that, I can't take it."

Larry laughed, "You know, old timer, you're a great fuck but a lousy actor – so don't quit your day job. Who writes your dialogue, anyway? You know you want my dick inside you and I know you know. So quit the playacting and brace yourself `cos I'm stronger than you and your ass is grass, man."

Mike raised his legs and Larry pushed against them with his shoulders. Smiling down at Mike's eager face he pressed the head of his hard, wet dick against his ass and drove it in deep.

Mike grimaced and yelled, "No, please. Not that, anything but that. I can't take it."

Trying to stifle his laughter Larry said, "Dude, either get a new script or shut the fuck up. Like I said, it's playback time." He pulled back and plunged in again ... and again, still pinning his muscular captive to the ground.

Chad was watching fascinated, another example of two men making love. He had already been thrilled by the love between Mark and Jamie, but that had been intense as the cop fucked the young surfer. This had a different tone – pure fun, almost a game between an older guy and his young lover, who were obviously crazy about each other – and who laughed a lot.

The fuck was no less passionate despite the laughter – or maybe because of it – and once again Chad felt his cock pressing hard against his board shorts. It wasn't so much the physical act of butt-fucking – though that was sexy as hell – but the way the guys looked at each other, their eyes shining with the obvious love they felt.

"Damn, I wish I could feel that kind of passion," Chad muttered.

"You will, Chad," Mike said softly. "But for now, let's live vicariously through these guys, eh? Don't hold back. You know you're dying to pull out that stiff rod you got under those shorts."

Larry pounded the older man, knowing he was tough enough to take anything. Larry was everything Mike could ever want as a lover and he gazed up at the handsome young jock, his ripped body flexing as he drove his cock inside him. "You look so fucking hot, boy. Yeah, pound that ass."

Larry released Mike's wrists and bent down to kiss him. Mike reached up, curled his hands round Larry's lats and ran them down to his slim waist. When the kiss ended Mike braced his hands on the boy's pecs and pushed against them in a fake attempt to push him off, as if trying to escape the ferocious fuck.

Larry grinned, "I know, I know ... `Not that, anything but that, I can't take it.' I've heard it all before and it don't cut no ice with me. Your ass is mine, dude, and I'm gonna fill it with jizz. Damn I'm close ... your ass is so fucking hot ... here it comes, man ... fuck ... fuck yeaaah ..."

He howled as he drove in hard and Chad was dazzled by the look of pure joy on the older man's face as he felt the youngster's cock erupt and unload its warm, pent-up juice inside him. They stared at each other for long seconds, then erupted in jubilant laughter.

Pounding his cock Chad said, "They look so damn hot I think I'm gonna cum, Mark."

"Wait. You wanna show them how hot they look? Go over there and do it, they'll love it."

Chad realized what he meant and walked boldly forward, stroking his cock. By now Mike and Larry were lying side by side staring upward, their chests heaving as they regained their breath. "Hey Chad," Mike laughed, "you look like a guy who's about to lose his load. Feel free, dude – anything goes around here."

Chad groaned, "Fuck, that was hot. The sight of you fucking got me real stoked, my balls are fit to burst. Here it comes, guys ... aaagh." His cock blasted jets of semen that splashed down on their faces and chests.

"Thanks, doc," Larry grinned. "Best medicine a doc ever gave me." He and Mike licked Chad's cum off each other and then, wrapped in each other's arms, they rolled over together to the pool and fell over the side with a great splash.

Mark and Jamie came up to Chad who said with shining eyes, "Guys, watching those two make love made me realize what I've been missing all these years – joy, the sheer joy of living and loving. Damn I wanna find that."

<><> WHAT A SALES PITCH! <><>

"Come on, guys," Mark said. "Let's leave the lovers to enjoy their afterglow romping in the pool." They went back to the terrace of the house and Jamie brought beers from the kitchen.

They sat together and Chad said, "You know, I've spent so much of my adult life working at being a good doctor which, don't get me wrong, does bring its own moments of joy – like the moment the other day when Jamie opened his eyes after his long sleep. But I've missed out on that special joy of sharing my life with someone I love, like Mike and Larry obviously do, and you two as well. I'm at a time in my life when I need that."

"Ah, time, yeah," Mark smiled. "I sometimes think life is all a question of timing – like the accident of timing that brought us all to that bar today. What a coincidence. And I have a feeling, buddy, that your time for joy is just around the corner."

"Sir," Jamie said to Chad, "speaking as a red-blooded male I don't think you'll have any trouble at all finding someone to love. They'll be lining up."

"Trick is," said Mark, "to find the right one. It's a kind of crap shoot but it can be done. Hell, you talk about Mike and Larry and Jamie and me, but I could name well over a dozen couples who found each other and share their joy."

"Really? That many?"

"You met two of them already, doc – Randy and Bob, the two guys who came to the hospital to give me moral support. You will never find two men as crazy in love as those guys."

"Yeah I wondered about them," Chad said. "Damn they're a hot couple – the one who looks like a clone of Superman, and the spectacular gypsy with that incredible muscled body, those swarthy features and amazing blue eyes that could melt a man in seconds. I caught the way they looked at each other ... and at you too, Mark, if I'm not mistaken."

Mark chuckled. "Yeah, well let's just say there's a lot of love to go around in our tribe."

"Ah the tribe," came Mike's gravelly voice. "I wondered how long it would take you guys to get to the tribe." He and Larry dried off after the pool and sat with them

"What tribe?" Chad asked.

"Now you're asking, doc," Mark smiled. "It would take a whole book to tell the story of the tribe, and it would be a long book ... many chapters, some hard to believe. It was started by Randy and Bob – oh, not deliberately, it kinda grew up around them as time went by. Lots of men and their boys gravitated to them, but always with Randy and Bob at the center. I hope you get to know them – outside of the hospital, I mean."

"Do all these guys, like, live together?"

Kind of – in a big compound of houses and apartments, plus other houses close by. Jamie and I have a big apartment on the ground floor. Most of the men have their own boys, like me and Jamie, and they all have jobs, most related to the construction company where the money comes from." He grinned. "I guess your life is a bit different from that eh, doc?"

"I'll say. I live alone in an apartment close to Santa Monica hospital, but I don't spend much time there because of my crazy work hours heading up the Intensive Care Unit. So like I said, my personal life takes a beating. I eat on the run and the microwave has become my best pal."

"Ah," Jamie said, "that's where living with a tribe comes in. We have three chefs, two identical twins and their assistant Will, a freckle-faced young redhead. And Will caters for dinner parties and even individuals if they don't have time to cook. He'd get a kick out of cooking for you."

"Yeah I should eat healthier. I'm in shape now but I gotta find time to exercise more, maybe get a trainer.

"No need, dude," Mark grinned. "Randy is the best and toughest trainer around. He has morning sessions with several of the guys, and a guy named Grady, in our gym."

Mike jumped in. "Sounds like you need a lot of help, doc. – a whole tribe's-worth."

"You can say that again, Mike. My place, for example, it's a mess. I'm not the neatest guy in the world."

"Us neither, sir," Jamie said, "but we got that covered. One of the boys, Eddie, is the house manager and sees to all that, and a young Aussie called Nate has an independent house management service."

Chad said, "I didn't tell you that I've had a job offer up in your part of town. See, my specialty is treating sports injuries, like yours Jamie, and work-related accidents. An orthopedic hospital wants me to head up that department – more money and not such crazy hours as the ICU. It's real tempting.

"I even looked into buying a house near there in the Mt. Washington area –I think that's your neck of the woods. I loved it, it was just right for me – great views, big garden. Only problem is it's a fixer-upper, needs a lot of work and the garden looks like a jungle. I don't have time to deal with contractors and stuff, and financially I'm lucky if I can get my taxes done each year. I have no idea how much money I have." He grinned. "I suppose your tribe could fix all that too."

"Damn straight," Mark laughed. "That's Bob and Randy's territory. Bob is a money management expert and he could get your finances in shape and help with the purchase of a house. And Randy could work on fixing up the house – he's boss of our big construction company and remodeled most of the compound."

"And don't worry about the landscaping, sir," Jamie added. "We have two great young gardeners, Tyler and Finn."

Mark laughed. "So take the job, dude, and buy the house."

"Mmm, maybe. I'm an expert on the treatment side of it but administration is another matter `cos these days all medical and business records are computerized. I've always been great at writing notes by hand but I'm a techno klutz. I always joke that I need a fourteen-year-old to help me through the maze of new computer programs." He chuckled. "I don't suppose you have one of those hanging around."

"Not a fourteen-year-old, sir," Jamie said, "but a boy of nineteen, a Thai boy, Ryan who spent many lonely years with a computer as his only friend. He's a tech whiz, even dazzled City inspectors when Randy bid for a new contract, and Ryan helped clinch the deal. I'm his boss in the office and could sure loan him out to you when you need it."

Suddenly Mike roared with laughter. "What a sales pitch! Sounds like the tribe is just what you need, doc, to bring you back into the land of the living – I mean really living. And talking of living, how about eating? Don't know what it is but making love to Larry always leaves me hungry. Let's order dinner in – what'll it be – Chinese, Mexican, Italian?"

<><> ALL KINDS OF LOVE – MILD TO WILD <><>

They went for Italian and soon they were all sitting on the terrace, laughing and talking with their mouths full. And having talked so much about his career Chad was on a roll.

"See, I have a project. What I see all the time is that surgery and physical therapy can help heal a man's body and get him back on the sports field or back to work, but during the time of his forced inactivity he goes stir crazy, he's angry at himself, and needs emotional therapy to get him through it. Peace of mind, relieving his stress, would speed the healing process.

"So I'm looking to team up with a psychotherapist for that side of it – if I can find just the right guy." He saw smiles round the table. "No, don't tell me you got one of those too."

"His name's Doctor Steve," Mark grinned. "He's sort of the therapist to the tribe. I knew him first when, as a police officer, I was sent to him for anger management – he had a contract with the Police Department. He sorted me out – got rid of my rage and frustrations, and then became a friend. He might be just the guy you need, Chad."

Chad looked pensive. "Damn, so many changes just round the corner, it seems. But you know, first I gotta get myself in a good space emotionally. Only a few hours ago I was standing in the corner of a leather bar wondering what the hell I was doing there – wasn't sure what I wanted or even who I was. Then you guys suddenly appeared and took over.

"And since then I've bared my soul to you, watched a cop and his boy make passionate love and then even fucked the boy myself, the first time I've ever even touched a man in that way. And, guys, it was so phenomenal there's no looking back. Then I watched you, Mike and Larry, show me how joyful love can be, sexy as hell and fun too. I mean, what's next I wonder?"

"Chad, my boy," Mike said, "there are as many kinds of loving as there are guys. It can be intense or lighthearted, rough or vanilla – like we say, mild to wild. In my time I've seen it all in the bar. I've even seen guys quarreling and that's part of their love-making `cos making up is such great sex – they have it down to a fine art."

Mark smiled, "Take it from this wise old owl, Chad, Mike's been around the block many times and back again. So far you've only got your toes wet. And you ask what's next? What's next is Hassan's house. Like I told you, that started years ago on the other side of the world in the heat and fury of battle. And even from that cauldron of pain and torture love emerged against all odds – it's a powerful force, dude. So what d'you think, Mike. Is Chad ready for the basement?"

Mike shrugged. "I don't think any man is ever ready for that basement, Mark. But if Chad wants to see different kinds of love, he should see that. I say go for it, guys."

<><> THE MONEY SHOT <><>

That night Mark invited Chad to sleep with him and Jamie, but he chose to sleep alone in the smaller guestroom. They understood his need to be alone, but what they didn't suspect was his main reason. He was starting to experience strong feelings for Mark, feelings he didn't really understand. He had never known what love feels like so he couldn't call it that ... but he suspected it was something like it – or the beginnings of love.

At all costs, he thought, he could never come between Mark and Jamie. They were such a loving couple that any intrusion by him on their relationship would have been unforgivable. He felt safer on his own – easier to control his emotions. Well, not entirely. When he was lying naked in bed his cock was hard and he needed to jack off, as he had done so many times before on his own.

But this time the masturbatory image was different. It was not the unsatisfactory image of one of his girlfriends or one of the nurses at work, which didn't rouse him enough for an easy orgasm without pounding his dick frantically, flexing hard and willing himself to cum. Now, for the first time, the image was a man – Mark.

Or images would have been more accurate: The handsome blond cop in his uniform by Jamie's hospital bed. His beautiful sculpted features glowing with joy when Jamie awoke. His smile when Chad had turned his head in the bar and found himself staring at Mark's smiling blue eyes. His magnificent body when he had stripped naked and dived into the pool. And of course when Mark had fucked Jamie – the passion on his face, muscles rippling as he pinned the boy down and power-thrust his huge dick inside him.

It was that last image that he settled on for the money shot. First he had a vivid picture of Mark dominating his boy. Then he fantasized ... himself fucking Mark on the bed, staring down at the stunning face and physique ... and then finally putting himself in Jamie's place on the bed, staring up at the powerful cop and feeling his cock driving in his ass. Getting butt-fucked by Mark, feeling him inside him, cumming inside him and ... "aaagh!"

He yelled out load as his cock exploded and spurted semen all over his shuddering body, in an orgasm that, unlike all the others in the past, was not a struggle. This was the real thing at last, the inevitable result of his homoerotic fantasy of the naked cop.

But it had been a fantasy. Nothing real could come of it, especially, he smiled to himself, the part about Mark's dick inside him. That would never happen, with Mark or any other man.

<><> A TALE OF TWO SOLDIERS <><>

In the morning at breakfast Mike could sense the sexual tension around the table. Mark was dressed not in his usual shorts but in beltless blue jeans and boots and a white tank top. Jamie was wearing boots, black jeans and a gray tank top that gave even the golden boy a slightly sinister look.

Chad, in only his faded red board shorts felt under-dressed compared with those two so after the meal he went to his room and emerged in the brown Wranglers he had worn yesterday that hugged his slim hips, boots and a sleeveless black T-shirt stretched over his muscled torso.

Mike grinned, "Yup, you guys are ready for Hassan's house alright, even the basement – especially the basement. But be careful ... play nice."

"Don't worry, Mike, nobody's gonna get hurt – much. In any case there'll be a doctor in the house," Mark grinned.

The three men piled into Mark's truck, with Jamie sitting between the cop and the doc, and the tension actually lessened as they drove out into the desert. At first the conversation was light as Mark touched casually on the subject of healthy sex. Chad said, "I know where you're going with that, Mark, and don't worry – as a doctor I'm a great advocate for safety and I get tested myself regularly."

With that out of the way the tension lessened even more and Mark moved onto the topic on all their minds. "It's good you're with us, Chad, so you can see what I mean when I say that love can take root even in the most hostile ground.

"Like I said earlier, Hassan equipped his basement to resemble the desert dungeon where he interrogated me as a young U.S. Army lieutenant. He was an Arab/Asian mix serving in the enemy army's interrogation unit. Out there in the wilds of the Arabian Desert it was more or less no-holds-barred. No techniques barred either. It was rough but as he increased the pressure his methods turned sexual, and everything started to change. You'll see when you meet Hassan that he's a stunning guy, with his swarthy, exotic looks and powerful muscular physique.

"I had not ever considered sex with a guy up to then – that came much later when I met Bob and then Randy. But in that dank cell there was something about being at the mercy of this rugged soldier, even if he was the enemy, that turned me on. I felt something stir, we both did, and against all logic we strangely fell in love, of a macho alpha-male kind.

"He fucked me, with lust in his eyes, and I used that lust to escape. I turned the tables and fucked him, then pinned him down and left him in chains, the same way he had chained me. I got back to my unit and forgot the sexual stuff. When I got home and left the army I joined the police force.

"But Hassan didn't forget that sexual excitement and followed me to California, full of remorse and anxious to make things right between us. He bought this little house, miles from anywhere, set up the basement and lured me out here. I found him in the basement, in chains, waiting for me to do to him what he had done to me all those years ago."

"And that's what you want me to see, eh Mark? It's kind of an extreme example of what we call Stockholm syndrome where captive feels empathy, even love, for captor. I confess that I have never understood the psychology behind that."

"No, it's hard to describe or understand, you have to feel it. That's why I want you to watch a replay of it – and feel it for yourself, Chad."

Chad gazed out at the barren landscape, sand to the horizon on every side. Eventually Mark pulled off the small two-lane road onto a sandy trail and Chad got his first glimpse of the small house – remote, solitary, baking in the desert sun. "The electricity and water are still on," Mark explained. "Hassan sends Larry a fee to pay the utilities and check on the place once a month."

They bumped along the trail and eventually pulled up at the house, its white paint peeling under the hot sun. They went inside, Jamie grabbed three beers from the small fridge and Mark stood at the door to the basement. "You ready, doc?"

"Lead the way, officer."

<><> THE PRISONER <><>

At the foot of the dark stairs Mark pushed the door and it creaked open. The room was pitch dark until Mark turned up the dimmer switch and red spotlights illuminated the room, making Chad gasp.

The walls and ceiling were painted black except for the big floor-to-ceiling mirrors on all four walls and there were ropes, whips and sexual paraphernalia littering the room. Across the ceiling were support beams with hooks in them and Chad's astonished eyes focused on the middle of the room where chains hung down from two of the hooks, with manacles at the end.

Seeing Chad's startled gaze Mark said, "You don't have to stay if you don't want to, Chad, and we can stop at any time if it gets too much."

"No, I want to stay, Mark, and it won't get too much. This is part of your life, your history, and I wanna feel it ... feel what you felt."

They sat on benches drinking their beer for a while, soaking up the powerful and sinister vibes in the room. Already Chad envisaged the two young rivals – the handsome blond lieutenant and the muscular Arab soldier facing off. He could even feel the sexual tension in the room and his cock got hard in his jeans.

Suddenly Mark stood up and walked to the middle of the room under the central beam and faced Jamie and Chad. He stretched his arms up high and slid his hands through the manacles.

"Holy shit," Chad groaned, staring at the prisoner, his muscles stretched in chains, his white tank pulled up from the waist revealing a glimpse of his ripped abs. Chad's cock jerked in his pants and he grabbed the bulge.

Jamie stood up and picked a whip up off the floor, a cat o' nine tails with multiple leather braids, and walked behind the chained man. He grabbed the back of the tank and yanked it down. It ripped from his shoulders and fell in shreds round his waist. Chad gasped again, staring at the musclehunk stripped to the waist, his bulging pecs and eight-pack abs flexing in anticipation of what came next.

He didn't have long to wait. The whip fell across his back, making him groan and pull against the manacles. Chad saw the magnificent body shudder and the face grimace in pain. Jamie took on a more ominous appearance in his black jeans and gray tank as he lashed the shirtless cop's muscular back again and again.

In truth Jaime was not whipping him hard enough for more than a painful sting. Mark had already given him instructions on what part to play, and they had acted out this scene before. But Chad was already fantasizing on the story Mark had told of being chained and tortured by the Arab soldier.

Now Jamie moved round and whipped Mark's bare chest that flexed hard to withstand the blows, and Chad stared at the veins etched in the bulging pecs and abs as the lash fell across them. Mark looked magnificent and Chad pulled his raging cock out of his jeans and stroked it close to orgasm.

Jamie stopped and left the prisoner, his whip-striped body sagging from the chains. Chad had never seen anything more erotic and would have cum if Jamie had not approached him and said, "No sir, not yet. See, Hassan realized he couldn't break the American with a whip ... so he did something to Mark that he had never felt before. He fucked his ass. I could do that, but ..."

Mark raised his eyes and stared straight at Chad with a penetrating gaze that made Chad flinch. He knew what the look meant ... he knew what Mark wanted ... him. He stood up, walked close to the prisoner and ran his hands over his chest and abs, then punched his abs, making Mark pull back with a groan. Chad said, "Whipping and gut punching would never break a man like you, stud. Hassan knew that and that's why he turned to the ultimate weapon – his cock."

Mark stared at him silently and they both knew what came next – and they both wanted it. Chad ripped open Mark's jeans and pushed them down to his knees. He walked behind him, spat on his own cock and stroked it. He looked down at the white globes of the chained man's ass then glanced sideways at the mirror and saw himself and his rigid cock pointing straight at that ass.

"Damn I wanna do this," Chad murmured and looked in the mirror, watching his wet dick slide into Mark's ass. He felt it too, the exquisite sensation of a physical and sexual union with the man he had unknowingly lusted after since the day they first met. He reached up, grabbed the chains above Mark's wrist, his body stretched upward like the captive's. He pressed his chest against Mark's back as his hips moved back and forth and his cock drove in his ass.

Mark's groans excited his lust even more as he felt what the swarthy Arab soldier must have felt when he abused the chained blond American. Chad kissed the back of Mark's neck and fucked harder until his cock became a piston driving relentlessly in the prisoner's ass. Mark was groaning as he had groaned in that desert dungeon when Hassan and been the first man ever to torture his ass.

That had finally broken his spirt and made him submit to the Arab. And now, in a different way, he surrendered to this other man, a man he had just met and already lusted for. He looked in the mirror, saw Chad pressed against him and felt his rod driving deep in his ass. He couldn't hold back, just as he had been unable to resist Hassan.

"Fuck you, man. Aaah ... you're gonna make me shoot. OK, I submit ... I give up ... I'm gonna cum ... aaagh!" His body shook and Chad saw Mark's cock shoot a stream off semen across the room.

Last night Chad had masturbated conjuring up erotic images of Mark, but nothing like this. This was real, pornographic, and with one last deep thrust he howled as his cock explode in the ass of the chained man whose cock kept pumping jizz until finally his body slumped, hanging from the chains, his captor's cock draining in his ass.

<><> SHARING PAIN & PASSION <><>

Slowly Chad eased his cock out of Mark's ass and walked round to face him. Mark's head sagged forward and Chad put his hand under his chin and raised his face up to look at him. A faint smile came to Mark's lips ... and Chad kissed him, their tongues sliding against each other in their open mouths.

"When at last they pulled back Chad said, "I wanna feel it, Mark. I wanna feel what you feel ... I need to understand."

Mark smiled, "Not getting fucked in the ass, man, you're not ready for that. But we can share a different sensation, the one that made me fall in love with Hassan. He looked over Chad's shoulder and said, "Jamie ..."

Jamie had been watching the whole scene of course and he knew what Mark wanted next. He picked up a pair of leather wrist restraints and buckled them round Chad's wrists. Chad stretched his arms up and Jamie clipped the restraints to the chain at the same level as Mark's manacles. Jamie grabbed the back of Chad's black muscle-T and ripped it down, just as he had with Mark. The men were standing bare chest to bare chest gazing into each other's eyes.

Jamie pulled down Chad's jeans as he had Mark's ... and then added the final touch. In a few minutes he stood back and admired his work – two men doubly joined together more securely than before. Jamie had put tit camps on both men, joined by a foot length of chain. Their balls also were connected with a thin cord coiled round their scrotums. The clamps and the cord were not painful unless they pulled back and the chain and cord tightened between them.

The men stared into each other's eyes, then Mark winced as the whip again landed across his back. Chad had wanted to feel the same sensation as Mark, but he was new to this so when Jamie whipped them both in turn he landed lighter blows on Chad, but enough to sting painfully.

Both men at first jerked back when the whip fell, resulting in pain to their chest and balls as the chain and cord jerked tight. Feeling identical jolts of pain they howled in unison but after more lashes they pressed hard against each other and forced themselves to move in sync with each other. Their faces were close and their mouths came together in a grinding kiss as the whip stung each man in turn.

It was a union of macho resistance between two rugged men bound together, each feeling the same pain but not daring to pull apart, their muscles flexing hard against each other with each blow of the whip. Chad had never felt so close to a man, so intimate, chained together, sharing his pain ... and his lust. Later Chad would realize that was the moment he fell in love with Mark.

As their mouths and their bodies churned against each other, so did their rigid cocks that pressed upward between them, grinding together, building to their climax. Their bodies tensed at the same time and Chad pulled his face back and stared into Mark's blue eyes. "I gotta cum again, man, it feels so fucking incredible. I can't hold back ... it's my turn to submit ... I love you, man ... I fucking love you ... aaagh!"

They howled in unison and came in unison as cum spurted up between them, soaking their abs that slid against each other in the final eruption of homoerotic lust and passion.

<><> JAIME'S TURN <><>

Jamie quickly released both men and they stood for long moments locked in each other's arms and finally sank to their knees on the floor. Jamie had played his part as he pre-planned with Mark, and it was an exhilarating experience, unlike any scene he had acted out with Mark here in this sinister room.

Needless to say his cock was rock hard throughout the spectacle and he now took his turn to relieve the pressure. He pulled off his tank top and stood over the kneeling men. They looked up at the young jock, shirtless in black jeans and boots, pulling out his stiff cock. "OK, guys, I've chained you and whipped, and now it's time for me to get my rocks off. Open up."

Their mouths sagged open and it took Jamie only a few strokes before his cock bulged and jizz spurted out and splashed down on their faces and into their mouths. As he shook the last drops of cum on them they faced each other again and kissed, sharing Jamie's from mouth to mouth.

They stood up and pulled Jamie into a muscular triple embrace. "Well done, man," Mark smiled. "You made a great jailer – a blond jock version of the Arab soldier. And Chad, maybe now you see why Hassan fell in love with his prisoner."

"Seeing it made me believe," Chad said, though he didn't mention that the scene had had the same effect on him. And he wasn't at all sure how that would play out.

<><> A PAINFUL DECISION <><>

Back at the house canny old Mike sensed right away that they had acted out the `Hassan scene' as he called it, and that the effect on Chad had been intense. And Mike too was unsure what effect that would have on the trio, but he knew better than to interfere. They were all adults and tangles like that were best left to them to unravel.

The rest of their stay was a festive mix of rest, play, good food and wine – with lots of laughter.

Mark and Jamie were completely untroubled by what had happened as they both considered their relationship solid as a rock. But Chad was less sure of himself as his lust and affection for Mark grew. Like the previous night, he elected to sleep alone in his guestroom. He knew that sharing a bed with Mark would only highlight his desire for him and could drive a rift between Mark and his boy.

He trod carefully for the rest of his stay and tried to dampen overt displays of affection. But when he occasionally went too far and got overly intimate with Mark he thought he glimpsed a shadow of concern pass over Jamie's face so he backed off.

Mike and Larry were perfect hosts and whatever risky undercurrents Mike sensed he kept to himself. Jamie spent considerable time with his old pal Larry which often left Mark and Chad alone. That demanded even more self-control for Chad and his strong desire to throw himself at the handsome cop. Of course, this was the first time he had ever felt anything like this for a man and it's a well-known fact that a man's first love hits hard and can throw him off-balance.

The time for their departure arrived all too soon and Mike gave a few last subtle words of advice. "Welcome to the group, Chad, you fit right in. Self-discovery like this can all be a bit overwhelming at first so take it easy, buddy. Don't get carried away."

And Mike said privately to Mark and Jamie. "I never have any fears for you two ... I've rarely seen any man and boy so much in love. But never forget how attractive and desirable you are. That makes you strong and the onus is on you to keep an eye on other men's emotions. They may not be as solid and sophisticated as yours

Mike's advice stayed with all three men as they drove back to L.A. Jamie drove with Mark, of course, and Chad drove his own SUV to his home. It was decided that after Chad got to his apartment he would then come across town and have dinner with the tribe. Mark was eager to introduce him to everyone, so they exchanged addresses and it was set.

In Mark's truck he and Jamie felt closer than ever, especially after the scene at Hassan's house. "Chad's a great guy, don't you think, kiddo?"

"I like him a lot," Jamie said, "he's way sexy. And I think he's fallen hard for you too, sir."

"You OK with that, buddy?"

"Oh sure, no problem."

"Yeah, that's the way of the tribe eh? Look at Randy, Bob and me. Like I said to Chad, there's a lot of love to go around ... and around. Sharing the affection and respect we both feel for Chad has actually made our relationship stronger than ever. After all, you and me, we share everything. That's one reason I love you man ... that and the hottest ass in town," he grinned.

Meanwhile, in Chad's car following them, the feelings were far less optimistic. Now that they were apart for the first time Chad could take a more detached view of the situation. As a doctor he was trained to deal with issues dispassionately, using facts and not emotion. The fact was he was in love with Mark. Having never felt love before he was sure that this was it.

But he was new to all this, with no idea where it was headed. In the description Mark had given him of the tribe those guys were open to anything, any combination of men and boys loving each other.

But he was a traditionalist. When love came along it was faithful and forever – you didn't share it. But how could he do that with Mark who had a loving relationship with his boy? It was inevitable he would come between them – and that was unthinkable. He wouldn't start this new life of his by breaking up a beautiful couple like that.

He looked at the truck up ahead, imagined Mark behind the wheel and wanted to be there beside him, his arm round his shoulder. But Jamie was beside him, which was as it should be. There was no room for him – in the truck or in Mark's life. And with that gloomy thought he slowed down a little and watched the truck pull away from him, disappearing into the distance and out of his life.

<><> BOB STEPS IN <><>

When Mark and Jamie got home they were surrounded by men and boys eager to know what had gone down at Mike's place. "You'll never guess who we met in Mike's bar," Jamie said, then paused for effect letting the suspense build. "Chad! The hunky doctor who treated me at the hospital."

When the hubbub died down Mark explained, "Seems he's been questioning his sexual identity for some time and finally took the plunge by driving out to Palm Springs and going to a leather bar he found on Google. Mike's bar – I mean, what are the chances of that? Anyway we got together, Mike invited him to stay and I tell you, that man is into guys. I let him fuck Jamie and we even went out to Hassan's house and, you know, did all that desert dungeon trip."

The excitement mounted but Mark signaled for quiet. "Cool it guys, I'm not gonna tell you any more, I'll let the doc speak for himself ... `cos he's coming to dinner. If you chefs can fit in one more. What d'ya think?"

The twins grinned at Will. "How about it Will. What do you say?"

The freckled face beamed. "If a gorgeous doctor who's into guys wants to come to dinner – I say let's get cooking."

The boys cheered and gathered around Jamie, hurling questions at him. Bob and Mark disentangled themselves from the throng and Bob said, "Randy's not home from work yet, so why don't you come to our place, have a cocktail and tell me all about it?"

A few minutes later they were sitting in the den upstairs in Bob and Randy's house sipping martinis, and Bob said. "I know that look in your eye, Mark. I'd say you've got it real bad for this handsome doctor."

"Bob, it's great to watch a guy like that discover himself. I mean, you met him at the hospital He's not only drop-dead gorgeous and built like a brick shithouse, he's bright, articulate and adventuresome. Man, in the few days we were out there he did pretty much everything, including a real hot session in Hassan's basement – chains, whips the whole shebang. Only thing he ain't done is get butt-fucked. He's a natural top – it'll be a while before he does that."

"And, er, you and Jamie?"

Mark got serious. "Bob, I'll tell you what I told Jamie. This don't change a thing between him and me, and the same goes for Randy, you and me. We're all rock solid. Oh, it's pretty obvious Chad is infatuated and thinks he's in love with me, but you know how that goes when a guy first has man-on-man sex he falls in love with the first guy he fucks with.

"Don't get me wrong, he and I could have a real hot time, but never at the expense of what I feel for Jamie or you guys." They talked a while longer until Mark's cell phone rang.

"It's him, Chad," Mark grinned. "I'll put it on speaker so you can hear him. Hey, Chad, what's up? You on your way?"

There was a silence, and then they heard what was clearly a tearful voice. ... "Mark, I'm not coming. Listen, don't say anything, I'll make this quick. Mark, I'm in love with you. I felt it coming on from the moment I saw you in the bar and it grew and grew until that incredible scene in the basement, and that clinched it.

"But I can't do it. I can't come between you and Jamie, you're such a perfect couple. And I know you would never give up Jamie for anything or anyone, and I would sure not want that, it would be unforgivable. So it wouldn't work out, Mark, there's no way. The only thing for me to do is stay away. Oh, maybe sometime in the future we'll get in touch and we can be friends, but right now that's not possible."

"But Chad, wait, we have to talk about this. There's so much ..."

"No, Mark. The fact is I'm too in love with you to ever hurt you and Jamie. So give my love to your beautiful boy, and I'm sorry I won't get to meet the tribe. They sound like a great bunch of guys, but I ... I can't ..." And the phone went dead.

Mark started to call him back but Bob restrained him. "Wait, Mark. You'll never convince Chad right now ... you heard his voice. It was the voice of a man who's discovered something wonderful but thinks it's out of his reach. He feels love for the first time but doesn't understand it. To him it's all black and white, and if he can't have the white then it's fade to black."

"I'll go to him, then, and make him see reason."

"That's about the worst thing you can do, Mark. He would see you, his heart would leap, and the pain would be all the more unbearable."

"But Bob, I can't sit here thinking about that great guy all alone and miserable in his apartment, and me knowing I caused his despair. I can't leave him there like that Bob."

Bob sighed. "No, you're right, Mark. That would be cruel and unfair." He paused and looked Mark in the eye. "So ... let me go. Do you have his address?"

"You, Bob?! Sure, he gave me his address but I don't think ... I don't see how ..."

"Mark, I can be logical and impartial. I have no stake in this so Chad won't feel threatened or cajoled. I'll be an impartial go between, just a mutual friend who can maybe make him see things differently. It's worth a shot."

Bob stood up and Mark gazed at him, looking gorgeous as ever with that muscular body and chiseled superman features, dressed in his usual blue-jeans, loafers and white V-neck T-shirt that clung to his perfect torso. He imagined Bob walking into Chad's apartment and ...

"Yes, you're right, Bob. You're the only guy who might be able to do something." He stood up and hugged Bob. "Help me out if you can, buddy."

Bob smiled. "That's why I'm going, Mark. Because I love you."

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 491

Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.

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