by Megan Derr
He wondered if any of them were suitably grateful for the fact that he could not read minds.
At last free of the aggravating layers of clothing that society required be donned, Rae returned to Benedict's arms. Though Benedict was every inch a prince, with the sort of schedule and preferences that only the rich and seemingly idle could afford—he had long ago learned that Benedict was far from the idle sort. When not doing his family's bidding, Benedict had often escaped into hunting or riding, even swimming.
The physical activity had given him a fine, trim and muscular form that much of the nobility lacked. Rae never tired of the sight, of making the muscles ripple and strain beneath his amorous assaults.
Hands wrapped lightly around his hips, smoothing around to cup his ass, and Rae moaned low as he took another kiss, this one hard and hot, making the hands exploring him stutter briefly.
He bit down on Bene's bottom lip as he pulled away, feeling the faintest hint of stubble as he tasted Bene's jaw before exploring neck and throat, tasted one fine shoulder before dipping his head to nip sharply at one nipple, then licked it slowly before moving to repeat the torture with the other.
"Rae," Benedict gasped his name, long and slow.
Smirking, Rae continued the assault, pausing only to gloat—but it came out a startled hiss instead as a hand wrapped firmly around his cock, tugging hard, and when he was able to speak again he glared. "Behave."
"No," Benedict said with a mischievous grin, stroking him slowly, free hand running up Rae's thigh, his side, splaying across his back to hit the spot there that always made Rae shudder.
Swearing, Rae leaned down and bit him hard on one shoulder, making Bene yelp, his hand falter.
"Behave," Rae repeated, and was able to twist free enough to reach the bedside table, fumble with the glass jar there.
The scent of amber, already heavy, thickened even more, oil glistening on Rae's fingers as he returned, shining wetly on Bene's thighs as Rae spread them wide and settled between them. He teased lightly along the length of Bene's cock, oil mingling with the wet proof of Bene's passion. Rae's own breathing grew heavier as he rolled Bene's sac, the sounds that elicited more necessary than air. He tore his eyes from the sight of his hands on Bene's cock only to look into the pleasure-glazed eyes staring back at him, a hungry need on Bene's face that was Rae's alone to feed.
Making a low, rough noise, Rae leaned forward to kiss him, loving the soft lips that moved beneath his, the tongue that tangled with his own, Bene as greedy for his taste as he was for the prince's.
He reached blindly for more oil, hearing it spill but not caring as he had managed to get enough, pulling away from the kiss only to push Bene's thighs far enough apart to strain, liking the way it made his legs tremble with the effort, liking even more the way Bene grasped the headboard and rolled his hips, eagerly riding the finger that Rae slipped inside him, crying out when one quickly became two.
Yes. Such tight heat, such fine hunger and need. Lord L might be the favored beau, and highly sought after—but it was Rae whom Benedict had chosen, with Rae he stood in defiance, and Rae's name he was gasping in that low and needy voice.
Satisfaction and a burning need to claim thrummed through him, and Rae pulled his fingers out, quickly slicking his own cock before slowly pushing into that tight heat, groaning as Benedict pushed back.
Rae wasted no time increasing the fervor and pace, thrusts fast and hard and sure, Benedict moving easily with the demanding rhythm, eyes watching steadily throughout, burning with emotions they seldom bothered to name, never needing to. Rae leaned down and kissed him hard, the heady kiss matching the rhythm of their bodies, until he tore away to gasp for breath. He wrapped a hand around Benedict's cock and stroked it hard, fast. "Now, pretty bird."
"Hunter!" Benedict came, heat spilling over Rae's hand, across his stomach, body clamping down tight and Rae shouted his own climax, spilling deep into his prince's body. He collapsed with a long groan, moving only some indeterminate time later when Benedict slid away.
Grumbling disapproval, he looked up to express it when Benedict returned with a cloth to clean them up, and displeasure faded away entirely once they were once more tangled together in bed.
Benedict tugged on the cords that held the drapes open, leaving them in a dark, warm nest that smelled of amber and marzipan, salt and musk, faint traces of apple blossom and myrtle from Benedict's perfume. Rae breathed it in, and pressed a soft kiss to Benedict's jaw.
"We should go away for a while," Benedict said softly into the darkness, idly stroking Rae's back.
Rae snorted. "A nice idea, but I don't see it working." Benedict's family wanted him where they could attempt to take him back.
He felt the laughter in Benedict's chest before he heard it, but the mischievous tone to it caught him by surprise. "We could run away. Perhaps off to a nice, secluded place in the mountains. Maybe a hunting lodge that's fallen to neglect now it's become unfashionable…"
"Bene…" Rae stirred, sitting up slightly, tugging lightly at the hairs on Benedict's chest, frowning even though he knew Bene couldn't see the expression.
But gentle fingers unerringly found his lips in the dark, tracing them fondly, before sliding around to tug him back down to lie on Benedict's chest. He could feel a strong and steady heartbeat beneath the warm skin. "I've been quietly arranging it," Bene said softly into the dark. "All is ready; we could leave tonight if we wanted. If they want me that badly, maybe they'll learn to behave and stop upsetting you."
The heartbeat beneath him had increased to a furious pace, betraying the anxiety that years of training and practice kept from Benedict's voice and manner. Rae's beat just as quickly.
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Benedict was certain, but Benedict wouldn't suggest such a thing idly—and he'd apparently made all the arrangements.
To just leave it all behind for a time…no one to spark his temper other than Bene, no one judging and haranguing… He shifted, rose just enough that he could feel Benedict's breath, knew it mingled with his own. "Tomorrow," he said softly. "I can at least set your affairs in order for them."
"Tomorrow, then," Benedict said the words lightly, but he nearly vibrated with the same elation that was filling Rae.
Rae closed the remaining space between them and kissed Benedict with aching slowness, savoring every bit of it, dizzy with the knowledge that his pretty bird had contrived to escape—with and because of his Hunter.
One Summer Day
DECEIVED
"It's hot today," Rae said, wiping his brow. He tethered his horse and lightly stroked her nose before turning to look out over the lake.
They were about three miles or so from the hunting lodge, spending the day riding, Benedict showing him the area. Before leaving they'd packed a lunch, and as he looked out over the lake before Rae rather thought it was about time to eat.
"So what do you think?" Benedict asked, fingers touching Rae's hip lightly as he joined him at the edge of the lake.
Rae smiled. "Beautiful," he said. The lake was blue, the sky bluer still, all of it trimmed with the lush green of the forest. Lips brushed lightly over his throat and he laughed softly. "So I guess we'll stop for lunch here, then?"
He could feel Bene's smile against his skin, the chuckles warm breaths of air against his skin. "That depends on what I can have for lunch," Bene said, hands curving around Rae's sides to rest flat on his chest and stomach, the mouth at his throat becoming more intent.
"Hungry?" Rae asked, fighting a laugh. This was their sixth day away from the palace. Six days away from that stifling gilded cage. Six long, wonderful days in which they'd not had to hide from or fight Bene's family.
Never had he seen Bene happier, and seeing that made him the happiest man alive. Rae leaned back, tilting his head to grant Bene better access, thoughts of food vanishing beneath a hunger for something else entirely.
Bene pulled away, hand tangling with Rae's, tugging him along the edge of the
lake to a small ledge just hanging out over the water. "Do you like it?"
Rae watched Bene as he stared out over the lake. "Quite," he murmured.
Bene turned to smile at him—and caught him staring. "Oh," he said, looking almost boyish as he smiled. Rae had never seen his lover so light-hearted…he hoped from now one he would always see it.
Returning the bright smile, Rae dragged Bene down and kissed him deeply, intoxicated on the scent of amber and forest, the rich flavor of his lover.
"I don't believe I've ever seen you outside for so long, beloved," Bene said as he pulled back, chuckling, green eyes jewel-bright with mirth. "Are you certain you'll survive outside your office? With no paperwork?"
Rae pinched him. "I would if you would give me something better to do."
"Mm," Bene said. "I'll give you more than you can handle."
"Oh?" Rae said, smirking. "We'll see."
Narrowing his eyes, Bene bent and kissed him hard.
Rae immediately took it over, sinking his hands into Bene's soft hair, then wrapping his arms tightly around Bene's neck, holding him as close as he possibly could, possessing every last bit of that addictive mouth.
The world spun and then he was being pressed down upon the grass, legs spread as Benedict settled between them, a hard heat pressing against his own, making him groan because there was entirely too much cloth between them.
"So tell me, beloved," Bene asked, teeth grazing his throat. "How does it feel to go six days without throwing anything at someone's head?"
Rae bit at Bene's lower lip. "Four," he murmured, feeling his cheeks flush slightly. "I overheard someone at that first inn plotting to make you 'an offer you couldn't refuse'.
Bene paused in the process of undoing buttons to look at him—then threw his head back and laughed.
"Shut up," Rae muttered, and attempted to shove him off.
Instead, Bene merely kissed him again and went back to removing clothes.
Rae broke the kiss and began to help, groaning every time they pressed together. "We are far too old to do this in the grass like young bucks, Bene."
"Hmm, I disagree. Not when you look so very devastating spread out on the grass, beloved. I bet you'd look even better wet from a swim."
Shivering at the idea of a soaking wet Benedict, Rae pushed away the bothersome jacket and shirt keeping him from properly appreciating Bene's chest and shoulders. When the fabric was finally tossed aside, he immediately set to appreciating with mouth and hands. "I hope you brought something, if you're planning on giving me more than I can handle."
Bene rumbled low and attacked his throat, nipping hard and then lapping at the mark. "Of course," he replied, then licked at Rae's lips before taking a deep kiss
Rae moaned and took it over, even as he bent his legs to bring Bene closer, hold him tighter. Rare was the occasion Bene took the lead. He frowned when Bene broke the kiss and pulled back—but then the scent of amber blended with grass and trees and fresh water, making him moan all over again.
Warm hands smoothed over his thighs, then he felt the cool slick of Bene's amber-scented oil. It warmed quickly as Bene pressed one finger inside him, easing the burn to a pleasant ache. Rae groaned and tugged Bene back down far enough to put his mouth to one of those fine shoulders, nipping and lapping at the skin, eager for every taste of Bene he could get.
The heat of summer did nothing to help, making their skin slick with sweat, caused his hair to stick to his neck and forehead with a maddening itch. It wasn't, however, distracting enough to draw him away from the maddening skill of Bene's fingers as one became two, stretching him, making him need. "Bene…"
Bene bit down sharply on a nipple, adding a third finger, chuckling as Rae swore. He shifted to take a kiss, swallowing Rae's curses and feeding him laughter. "More than you can take, beloved?"
Rae dug his nails into Bene's back and rode the fingers torturing him. "Stop teasing or I will go for a swim and leave you here to take care of yourself."
"Mm, you'd probably watch," Bene said with a smirk.
"Shut up," Rae snapped, though it was true. "Now, Bene."
Bene grinned and obeyed, removing his fingers and slowly, torturously pressing inside, eyes fastened on Rae's face.
Rae gasped and dug his nails in deep, head falling back on the grass as he let his lover in, panting as Bene entered him fully and hot lips trailed wet kisses along his throat and shoulder. "Move."
"Always so bossy," Bene said with a laugh. "It's a wonder to me you are not the prince."
Snarling, Rae bucked up, making Bene shudder. "Now."
"Yes," Bene gasped out, then obediently began moving fast and sure. Rae sensed he would be quite sore when Bene was done because really they should be too old to fool around so carelessly in the open. But then Bene drove in hard and he forgot about everything but heat and movement, the site of his lover lost to both, moving above him, eyes fastened on Rae.
He dragged Bene down for a kiss, taking control of it even as Bene controlled the pace of their fucking. He came hard screaming his lover's name, feeling the rush of wet heat as Bene followed him. He shuddered in the aftermath, Bene hot and sweaty on top of him.
With a grunt he rolled them, forcing Bene to lie on the grass, nibbling idly at his shoulder as he settled on top of Bene. "That wasn't more than I can handle," he said with a smirk when he trusted his voice to obey him.
Bene's laughter rumbled in his chest. "The day isn't over yet, darling." He turned Rae's head to kiss him long and slow—then shoved him off and stood up.
Swearing, Rae stood up beside him. "What is your—"
"There's an island in the center of the lake," Bene said, pointing. "I bet you'd look wicked on all fours in the center of it."
Rae smirked, immediately following Bene's thoughts. "Not if I beat you to it," he replied, as Bene had known he would—then bolted to the ledge and dove into the water, barely noticing the shocking cold of it as he raced Bene to the island.
A Pale and Distant Star
FROM AFAR
Dearest Pierce,
You steal my breath.
These are words I'm sure you hear every day from persons far brighter and closer than I, yet I can only speak the simple truth. So many duels have I witnessed, and not one of those duelists has ever displayed a portion of the fire which fills you.
It intoxicates me, the way you move, the way you push yourself to greater heights, drive your opponents back, taking no quarter and claiming your victory.
Such beauty stirs my blood to feverish levels. The effect you have upon me is hard to confine to mere words upon a page. I watch the way you move, see the exertion that soaks your clothes to the point that fine body is almost indecently revealed, and wish I was closer. Even at a distance I can see the fire that flashes in your eyes, and I wonder if I would burn should I manage to close the space between us.
To be the reason for that fire…ah, for a single night such as that, I would give up all I possess. I see you duel, see you claim your victories, and wish that I could show you how it stirs me, the passion and affection that are yours alone.
Such a fine thing it would be to return to your chambers, to lay bare that fine body you have honed to perfection and explore every bit of it. To put my hands upon you and feel the hard muscle, the warm skin, the desire I wish I stirred in you…to replace hands with mouth and begin my explorations anew, tasting the sweat and musk of happy exertion…
What would you feel like beneath my touch? Is your skin soft, or roughened from all that time you spend outdoors? Are the muscles beneath firm or hard as stone? Would you lay beneath me, content to be ravaged after claiming victory in your duel? Or would you prefer to take me in yet another victory for the night?
The thought of being buried inside you leaves me hard and aching; it is difficult to pen these words when I want only to take myself in hand, imagine how you would look consumed by passion, wishing I was there to see it, that you would call my name as you found release
in my arms.
Better still, however, is the thought of being the one taken. To know you want me, want to claim me, that I stir in you a fire greater than even that brought on by a rapier…
That would be perfection.
Alas, I will have to content myself with imagination, and saying your name as I bring myself off.
Have my words had any affect upon you? Do you bring yourself off thinking of me? I like to think so. I wish I could find out for sure, but I fear I am destined ever to remain—
Watching From Afar,
A Pale and Distant Star
The Other St. Rose
FROM AFAR
Silver frowned and scratched out the last sentence he had written.
This bloody paper was not cooperating with him at all.
Of course, if he were going to be honest, it was entirely his own fault—he would much rather think of the fact that once Pierce returned from his duels they would be heading out on his yacht for a week at sea.
None but the two of them, and thinking of it ruined any chance he had of finishing his paper for the day. With a sigh he set his quill aside and fussed with his notes.
Only a few weeks ago he had assumed he would be spending his summer locked away in this very library, putting the finishing touches on the paper he would be presenting to the academy. He had fully intended to do exactly that, deviating only occasionally to gaze wistfully at the yacht that would either be leaving or returning to port, catching snatches of Pierce here and there.
Now his sister was engaged to Seymour and Pierce had made it very clear what he intended to do once they were finally alone—nobody yelling at them to go for yet another fitting, no friends to come and ask if it was true Pierce had finally put the question to his sister. He was going to kill whoever had started that rumor.