by Josie Dennis
Suddenly tears sprang to her eyes. The truth struck her deep inside. “I love you, Grayson!”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Nothing can come of this.” She pulled her hands out of his grasp. “I’ll lose my position like I did before.”
“No.”
“Why not?” She sniffled and scrubbed her tears away with the heel of her hand. “Because Trevor said as much? He has no sway with the earl. In fact, when he leaves the manor we won’t be more than a fleeting memory to him.”
“You cannot truly feel that way.”
“I don’t. Not completely. I know he cares for you and that I mean something to him. What, precisely, I cannot guess.”
“Then why fret about this now?”
“Mrs. Holmes suspects something, Grayson. I don’t know how much clearer I can state that.”
“I don’t care. I cannot stop loving the two of you, Ivy. Can you honestly say you can go back to the way things were before?”
“With you coldly ignoring me and Trevor just a visitor? Not likely.”
Grayson smiled and the expression rendered him breathtaking. “Then trust him to keep us safe.”
“Oh, how I want to. I love you both.” Again she covered her mouth. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that!”
“Ivy, do you mean it?”
“I’m sorry, Grayson. I know this is just a diversion.”
“Not for me. I cannot speak for Trevor’s long-term plans but this is not just a diversion for me.”
Her heart beat slowly as she worked through Grayson’s words. “What are you saying?”
“I love you, too, Ivy. I think I love Trevor but, like you, I’m unsure.”
“You love me?”
He cupped her face with his hands. “I’ll keep you safe. If you lose your place I’ll go with you and we’ll find positions together.”
“The earl would never dismiss you.” She smiled at him through her tears. “You are a dear to make such a promise, though.”
He kissed her gently, which was such a departure from the storm that rocked them barely an hour earlier. “Then we’re all right for now?”
“For now, yes.”
“We will talk to Trevor the next time we’re together.”
That made her almost laugh. “We shed our clothes too quickly to do much talking.”
“Too true.” He wrapped his arms around her and she settled against his chest. “We’ll see what happens next, Ivy.”
“What happens next,” she whispered. “As good as your arms feel around me, I can’t help but miss his, too.”
She felt him nod his head but he said nothing in answer to her admission.
* * * *
“Ivy is worried, Trevor.”
Grayson helped Trevor undress two nights later, unable to keep his gaze from raking over his magnificent body. He smiled to himself. Ivy was right in her assertions. They did shed their clothes too fast to allow for much conversation.
“Worried?” Trevor shrugged into his robe and faced him. “Over what?” His eyebrows rose. “We’ve come inside of her. Damn.” He sank into the chair beside the hearth. “I’m a dolt not to see it earlier.”
Grayson’s stomach clenched. “I hadn’t thought of that. Well, if she increases it shall be my concern.”
“What the hell are you saying?”
Grayson tipped his head to one side. “Never say you would marry the girl.”
Trevor actually seemed to be considering such a thing, but that couldn’t be correct. Then his dark eyes flashed into Grayson’s. “The child would be a beautiful thing, you have to admit.”
Grayson started. “Nevertheless, that isn’t what she’s worried about.” He cleared his throat. “Although I admit, now I am.”
“Don’t be. If there is to be a child, it will be cared for.”
Grayson didn’t dare say what he thought to. That Hawk men all legitimatize their offspring but never stay to raise it. “Yes.”
“Grayson, what are you trying to tell me?”
“Ivy believes Mrs. Holmes is aware of something going on, Trevor. She’s worried about losing her position.”
“I promised her that would not happen.”
“And she…” He didn’t know how to say what he and Ivy had discussed two nights past. “She is unsure, is all.”
“Understandable,” Trevor said with a shrug. “Who knows where this leads?”
In that moment Grayson made himself a promise. As much as he cared for Trevor, should anything untoward happen to Ivy he himself would be the one to protect her. “Precisely.”
“Is our girl joining us tonight?” Trevor asked, working Grayson’s jacket off his shoulders. “You seem tense and I just know between Ivy and myself we can remove some of this starch.
“She will come. She said as much.”
Trevor unbuttoned his shirt. It was novel to have a man undress him after serving others for so many years. Novel and arousing, as he knew just where this disrobing was leading. His cock hardened and he simply enjoyed Trevor’s skilled hands on his bare chest.
“You are a beautiful man, Grayson,” Trevor said, cupping him through his trousers. “I think Ivy and I will both love you tonight.”
“God, yes,” Grayson groaned.
He heard a soft scratching at the door and blood surged to his groin.
“There she is,” Trevor said. “I’ll make certain she has no worries tonight.”
He watched Ivy walk toward him. She was so lovely, heat simmering in her eyes and her full lips parted. He saw no evidence of the upset from the other night and sharp relief mingled with the lust swirling through him.
“Ivy,” he said.
She reached up on her toes and kissed him. “Grayson.”
Trevor began to undress her as he had him, throwing him a wink. “Our man here is quite starchy tonight, Ivy,” he said. “What say you and I do our level best to make him lose control?”
She smiled, a siren’s smile which promised to turn him inside out. “Yes, Trevor. Let’s.”
“You are to do nothing, Grayson,” Trevor said, smacking him on his ass and then rubbing away the sting. “Stand there and let us love you.”
Grayson was quite adept at following orders, and these were quite intriguing. He nodded as Trevor finished undressing Ivy. The three of them were soon naked and, although he wanted to touch Ivy’s silken skin, to feel Trevor’s broad chest, he kept his hands at his sides. He was soon rewarded for his restraint.
“You are beautiful everywhere, Grayson,” Ivy said, running her delicate fingers over his chest. Her nails scratched over his nipples and he sucked in a breath. “I love…touching you.”
He knew what she was trying not to say and it only made him burn hotter. Trevor began to caress him from behind, teasing his hole and cupping his balls. Hot licks of want brushed over him with ever-increasing intensity. When Ivy pressed her body against his he couldn’t keep a moan from escaping his lips.
“Ivy, please,” he rasped.
Trevor leaned over his shoulder as Ivy tilted her head to kiss him. Grayson watched their tongues touch and it was nearly as potent a sight as their naked bodies pressed against his. Then she kissed him and began to run her lips over his chest and belly.
“Are you ready for me, Grayson?” Trevor asked, his voice rough. “I want to take you but if you’re not ready…”
“Take me, Trevor.” He swallowed thickly. “Take me.”
Ivy gazed up at him from her position on the floor in front of him, her hands clasped in her lap. “Oh, I want to see that.”
“You will, love,” Trevor said. He grabbed onto Grayson’s hips and rubbed his rock-hard cock in the seam of his cheeks. “This will be a hard ride.”
His words sent a shaft of desire through Grayson. Ivy began to kiss him all over again, adding her delicate hands to the sensual torture. Trevor slid two fingers into him and Grayson felt himself tighten. There was some sort of cream on his fingers to ease his way, which help
ed him relax. He breathed in and waited for Trevor’s next move. It didn’t disappoint.
The scalding tip of Trevor’s cock replaced his fingers and Grayson braced himself. Slowly, slowly, Trevor sank into him.
“God, that feels good.” Trevor growled.
Ivy made some sort of sound of delight and Grayson waited for her to touch his cock. He was throbbing in rhythm to Trevor’s gentle thrusts, aching for relief.
“Ivy, touch me.”
“Ah, no,” Trevor answered for her. “Ivy, get on the bed.”
Ivy clasped her hands again and perched her rosy little body at the edge of the bed. She watched with wide eyes. “You’re both so lovely together,” she breathed.
Trevor groaned and turned them both slightly so they faced her. “I take it you like what you see, love?”
Ivy nodded, visibly trembling. “Grayson, you look done in.”
“It feels incredible,” Grayson admitted. “I need you to touch my cock.”
She nodded and reached for him but again Trevor made her stop.
“Spread your legs, Ivy.”
Ivy blinked, then did so, leaning back slightly on her hands. “Oh, I’m so prickly.”
“And wet, I take it,” Trevor said. He gently teethed one of Grayson’s earlobes. “Look at her pussy, Grayson. Isn’t it lovely?”
Grayson’s eyes devoured her swollen flesh. He moved back as Trevor moved forward, taking all of him as he watched Ivy react.
“Ooh, I need someone to touch me,” she sighed.
“Can you not pleasure yourself?” Trevor asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Touch yourself,” Grayson said. “Place your fingers on that beautiful pussy.”
She did so, making a soft sound of delight as her fingers played with her damp, pink flesh. Grayson thought he would come from what they were both doing to him. Trevor began to move faster, causing him to moan.
“Trevor…” Grayson struggled to hold onto his control. At any moment he would simply spill his seed on the carpet. Still, he couldn’t stop watching Ivy finger herself. “Ah, Ivy.”
She moaned, then dropped her hands to the bed. “I’m going mad!”
“Fuck her, Grayson,” Trevor said in his ear. “Put that big, beautiful cock deep in her pussy and we’ll ride her together.”
Grayson didn’t believe any such thing could be done but he wanted to try. God, he wanted to try.
“Lean back, Ivy,” he said as Trevor danced them even closer to the bed. “I have to be inside of you.”
Ivy nodded, biting her lip. She was clearly as close to climax as Grayson was. Trevor’s motions became a bit rougher and he suspected he was close as well.
Lowering himself slightly, he let his cock stroke over Ivy’s flesh. She was drenched and he was ready. Without another thought of impossibility, he placed his hands on either side of her hips and drove into her pussy.
She cried out, grabbing on to his wrists as he began to move. Trevor surged forward and Grayson did likewise. In short, hard thrusts he took her, taking everything Trevor did to him as he in turn rode Ivy. She was sobbing now, so close to release.
“Touch yourself, Ivy,” Grayson told her.
“Pinch your clit,” Trevor said.
She nodded and placed her hand where they were joined. A second later she came hard around him, bucking against the bed as Grayson began to pound into her.
“I’m coming,” Trevor groaned. “Come, Grayson.”
Grayson nodded and shuddered as he pressed forward into Ivy, clutching the bedclothes as he squeezed his eyes shut. Trevor shook behind him, spilling hot seed as Grayson poured himself into Ivy.
Trevor kissed his cheek and withdrew, making a sound of intense satisfaction. Grayson held himself deep inside of Ivy, bending down to kiss her.
“Oh, that was amazing,” she sighed. “I never imagined such a thing.”
Grayson reluctantly pulled out of her and sank onto the bed. “I was turned inside out. I swear it.”
Trevor returned and reclined on the bed. “I don’t think I’ve ever come that hard.”
Ivy and Grayson shared a smile and each crawled up on the bed to stretch out beside Trevor. He wore an expression Grayson couldn’t decipher, but he was too exhausted to puzzle it through. Tomorrow would be soon enough.
Chapter 9
Trevor was silent beside his two lovers. It had been incredible, riding Grayson as he rode Ivy. The three of them were perfection together and he wasn’t lying when he said he’d never been so satisfied.
“That was heavenly.” Ivy yawned. “Just heavenly.”
Grayson made a sound of agreement and held her in his arms between them. “I can only imagine what it will feel like when both of us take you, Ivy.”
Trevor knew it would surpass even what they’d just experienced. He couldn’t seem to say anything to them, however. His usual glib manner was decidedly absent.
What he’d just shared with the two of them surpassed anything he’d ever done in his long and varied sexual life. Ivy staring up at Grayson and him as if she could eat them both alive. Grayson fitting him perfectly and then moving in accord with every one of his thrusts as he sank into Ivy’s eager flesh. It was too much.
“I don’t know precisely when that will occur, I’m afraid,” he said at last.
He kept his gaze trained on the ceiling but he could sense their close regard.
“And why is that?” Grayson asked, his voice clipped.
Trevor wasn’t surprised the man took the lead. When they’d discussed Ivy before this latest encounter his close regard for the girl was in his every look. They’d talked about a possible child, for God’s sake!
“I’m called back to Heatherton House.” The lie sat bitter on his tongue. “I leave in the morning.”
He waited for something to come from them, and finally risked a glance in their direction. Ivy gazed up at him, hurt clear in her eyes.
“Tomorrow morning?” she asked, her voice very small.
He steeled himself from the answering tenderness worming its way through his chest and leaned up on his elbows. He flashed her a smile. “Yes, love.”
“Tomorrow,” Grayson said. “Yet you said nothing to me earlier.”
Trevor winced at the sharpness in his tone. “It’s unavoidable.”
They stared at him, looking mussed and lovely in his bed. Grayson all smooth muscles and Ivy all rosy skin. He ignored the urge to snuggle down with them and sleep the night away. He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t risk it. That might lead to a forever he didn’t dare strive for.
Grayson was the first to make a move to leave. “Then let me see to your things.”
“Grayson, please.” Trevor sat up. “There’s no need to work at this late hour.”
The look in his gray eyes was chilling. “Thank you, my lord.”
“My lord?” Trevor repeated.
“I must to bed,” Ivy said, her voice thick.
Trevor spun to face her. “Ivy, please.”
She held up one small hand. “Do not trouble yourself, my lord.”
Frustration tightened his belly. “Christ, don’t you ‘my lord’ me, too!”
She began to don her clothes, her face very pale. Grayson assisted her and they both faced him. They each said nothing, standing very close as they lifted their chins. It was clear they were a unit. The truth of their connection smacked Trevor hard in the face.
They didn’t need him for their happiness, and he had no one to blame but himself. Summoning his heretofore brightness, he shrugged.
“I suppose I’ll see you when I return to Hawksfell, then.”
Grayson snorted and Ivy let out a small sob. Then they both left him. Trevor cursed loud and long, falling back on the bed. His eyes stung with tears that he ruthlessly scrubbed away. He wouldn’t cry. He never cried. No. He smiled. He laughed. He fucked. That was the truth of his life.
A knock at the door woke him some time in the morning.
His throat was raw and his eyes burned. Christ, had he been crying all night? What the hell?
“Come,” he called, clearing his throat.
A servant he vaguely recognized from his arrival at Hawksfell walked into his room.
“Hugh, Lord Heatherton. I’m first footman.”
“Hugh,” Trevor said with a nod. “Why are you here?”
“I’m afraid Grayson is otherwise engaged this morning. Mr. Carstairs instructed me to see to your packing.”
Grayson was still angry, then. Trevor couldn’t blame him.
“Very good, Hugh,” he said. “I thank you in advance for your assistance.”
By noon he’d said his good-byes to Gabriel and was on his way. The earl had eyed him quite closely during their exchange but, as was Trevor’s custom, he’d merely smiled and thanked him for his hospitality.
For the whole of the ride back to Heatherton, he couldn’t dismiss the hurt expression on Ivy’s sweet face. And Grayson’s anger had been palpable. He’d fleetingly wished the ride was longer, so he could wallow and brood like a true Hawk. He was miserable. Why should his comfortable ride be otherwise?
He would just do his best to set his guilt aside. He knew they were far better off without him. As Heatherton House came into view, he struggled to set aside his odd mood. He was the sun, his mother and aunts often declared. He wasn’t dark like the other Hawks or his father was. Or as he’d been told he was.
He stepped out of the motor and strode up to the house, plastering a wide smile on his face for his family. Maybe if he faked that sunshine it would warm his heart just a little bit.
“Ah, maudlin,” he grumbled. “There’s a bit of Hawk I seemed to have missed until now.”
He took a breath and stepped into the parlor.
“Trevor!” the Heatherton ladies said in unison.
“We weren’t expecting you back so soon,” his mother said. She kissed his cheek and squeezed his arm. “I trust you had a pleasant time with your Hawk relatives?”
Trevor’s smile widened. “It was very enjoyable, yes.”
Aunt Patty peered closely at him, her shrewd stare unwavering. “What happened, Trevor?”