by K. Sterling
“I want to stay like this all night and wake up with you in the morning.” Ned whispered. Ash frowned as he kissed Ned’s shoulder.
“I know. Me too.” He said softly against Ned’s skin. Ash wanted that more than anything. “But if this all I can get, I’ll take it.” Ash murmured.
“I suppose.” Ned grumbled.
A few minutes later, Ned was asleep and Ash knew he wasn’t far behind him. He said a silent prayer of thanks for Ned and how happy he made him. Then, Ash prayed for time as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Chapter 13
It had been utterly divine. The weeks after Ash made love to Ned were filled with more pleasure than Ned had ever imagined possible. They tried everything. Once Ash had taken Ned, there were no barriers, nothing was forbidden. Anything Ned wanted, they did. And Ash was very creative and curious. The things he did to Ned’s body… Ned shivered and shifted in his seat.
Across the room, Ash was reading on the sofa, oblivious to Ned’s suffering. If he thought that the longing and anticipation was bad before he’d gone to Ash’s room that first night, it was nothing compared to what he endured after. “A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring…” Dear God, Ned wanted to drink. Now that he knew what it was like to feel Ash’s naked body against his, how delicious every part of him tasted, how incredible his mouth felt… And being inside of Ash… Ned grimaced as he reached beneath the desk and adjusted himself in his trousers. He’d never survive the hours until they could finally go to bed.
Ned frowned as he leaned over his desk and tried to focus on the page in his hand. The only thing that marred the blissful perfection of the last few weeks was the hiding. Ash had been right; having most of the night was better than nothing. It didn’t mean that Ned had to like that Ash was never there when he woke up or they had to wait until the servants retired before they could go to bed. Ned wanted to be able to take Ash to bed in the middle of the day, when his mind drifted and he couldn’t focus on a letter from his solicitor. He wanted to stay in bed with Ash until late in the morning, or not get out of bed all day. Though he knew Ash wouldn’t be able to stand it. He was an absurdly early riser and abhorred sleeping in. And he was very fond of breakfast. Ned knew there was no way Ash would ever take a tray in bed, if that were even a possibility for them. As meticulous as Ash was, it surprised Ned that he allowed spirits in bed. He’d been tempted to spill a little oil just to see how Ash coped. But he’d resisted, not wanting to take time away from more enjoyable activities. Ned suppressed a grin at the idea of a cup of tea spilled on the coverlet or a few toast crumbs on the sheets. Good Lord, Ash would probably come unhinged.
He’d never know. Ned felt like balling up the letter in his hands and hurling it across the room. There had to be a way. Between the two of them, they could buy a whole county. It shouldn’t be that hard for them to find a way to be free with each other. The idea that any man and woman could just have a home together and do anything they pleased while they had to sneak around frustrated Ned to no end. Ned wanted to run away with Ash, go someplace far away where no one could see them or get in their way.
But you wouldn’t have to go far away! Ned almost gasped. How had he forgotten about that? A plan was quickly forming and it was all so easy and simple. Ned’s heart started pounding as he got more excited. And his cock throbbed painfully as he started imagining Ash naked in the middle of the day and waking up in his arms. It would be beautiful. It would be perfect.
“Ned.” Ash rumbled. Ned looked up to find Ash closing his book. Ned felt his brows rise. Perhaps Ash hadn’t been oblivious.
“Ash?” He asked as he set the letter on the desk. Ash’s eyes flicked to the door.
“Why don’t you shut that and come over here?” Ash said softly.
Ned couldn't have jumped from his chair faster if it had been on fire. It only took him a moment to close the door and throw himself at Ash.
Because it was the middle of the day and they were in the study, they had to limit themselves to whatever they could achieve with their mouths and lips upon each other’s bodies and they couldn’t remove their clothes. Which wasn’t that much of a hardship, they had learned to accomplish quite a bit with their hands and mouths.
Once they were sated and recovered, Ned’s mind returned to planning. He would set everything in motion and surprise Ash tomorrow morning. It was quite clever, actually. Ash would love it. And Ned would finally have everything he wanted.
For a little while. Ned reminded himself. Shit. Just when he had solved one problem, another had to come along and ruin his excitement. Ned shook his head inwardly. He wasn’t going to think about Ash leaving. It was getting close but Ned wasn’t going to let it keep him from enjoying the rest of the time they had or his very excellent plan.
Chapter 14
“We’re going hunting!” Ned announced as he fell onto the couch. Ash looked up from his book and raised a brow.
“Hunting?” He rumbled as he set his book in his lap. Ned nodded decisively.
“Hunting: Stomping about the woods like a savage and killing woodland creatures.” He elaborated. Ash looked at him patronizingly.
“You don’t hunt, Ned.” He replied. Ned grinned mischievously.
“I might, while at my grandfather’s hunting cabin.” He looked at Ash pointedly. Ash nodded thoughtfully.
“Ah. You mean the luxurious, four bedroom cottage your grandfather kept his mistresses in when your grandmother wouldn’t let him sneak off to Town.” He mumbled. Ned winked and looked very proud of himself.
“As we speak, I’ve got people out there airing it out and stocking it with everything we need for at least a week.” Ned was about to recline when Ash sighed and stood up. Ned frowned as Ash buttoned his coat and made for the door. “Where are you going?” Ned called after him. Ash turned and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared down at Ned.
“To get the guns. Do you have anyone preparing those?” Ash looked at Ned expectantly. Ned cringed and rubbed his jaw.
“Right. We might need those. Because we’re going hunting.” He smiled sheepishly. Ash shook his head.
“Or were you intending to chase the woodland creatures down and kill them with your bare hands?” He raised his brows but kept the rest of his face straight. Ned’s face twisted.
“That’s barbaric. I’m going to take plenty of my finest scotch and lots of romantic poetry.” He jumped to his feet and went to the bookshelf. Ash snorted in disbelief and turned on his heel.
“No Shakespeare.” Ash declared as he strode from the room.
Chapter 15
Going to the hunting cabin was a brilliant idea. Ash admitted silently as he watched Ned chopping wood from the kitchen window. He’d stripped down to his breeches and boots and Ash was enjoying the view. He’d enjoyed it every day they’d been up there. An hour away from Elston and only accessible by horseback, the cottage was heaven. No servants meant they had to fend for themselves but it also meant they could walk around in various stages of undress and stay in bed, together, for as long as they pleased. God, did it please Ash.
He would wake up just before the sun with Ned draped over him or his body wrapped around Ned’s. They would make love, drowsily, before Ash would slip away to dress himself. He’d pull on breeches, a shirt, a greatcoat and boots then tiptoe from the room as Ned went back to sleep. Ash would grab a rifle and hunt for a few hours before returning to the cabin. Ash would wake Ned with his mouth or his cock and then they’d stumble into the kitchen.
“I think it’s marvelously clever that you can make coffee and tea.” Ned declared the second morning as Ash worked at the stove. Ash rolled his eyes.
“Neither are difficult. You could learn to make tea if you’d just pay attention.” Ash grumbled.
“But that would take the magic out of it. I like that it’s something that only you can do for me.” Ned grinned lazily as Ash set a pot in front of him on t
he table. Ash frowned at him.
“And your butler.” His tone was flat. Ned nodded as he reached for a roll and sighed dreamily.
“True. I’m inordinately fond of Fenworth as well.” Ned teased. Ash gave him a withering look as he took the seat across from Ned at the small table. Ash loved that everything was smaller in the cottage. It was easier to reach across and touch Ned’s hand when they ate. His finger stroked Ned’s hand as he stirred his tea. Ned hummed softly as he sipped from his cup. “We should live here.” Ned announced. Ash shook his head softly as he sipped then lowered his cup.
“You know that wouldn’t work.” Ash grumbled as he reached for the news sheet. The staff delivered a full hamper of food and a news sheet every morning. Ash would find it on the table and the stove would be lit when he returned from hunting. Ned would set everything out while Ash worked at the stove. The routine was so domestic and simple, it made Ash absurdly happy. Ned’s lips twisted as he pondered.
“No. The woods would be empty of all the woodland creatures within a few months. It’s remarkable, the number of dead animals you’ve sent back to Elston.” Ned mumbled as he reached for the marmalade. Ash shrugged.
“We’re both supposed to be hunting. I have to make it look convincing.” He closed the sheet and reached for the ham.
“Don’t be too convincing or else we won’t have a reason to come back.” Ned winked as he took a bite of his roll. Ash couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from turning up at the idea of returning. Ned saw it. “I had no idea you were such an ardent fan of hunting, Ash.”
Ash grinned as he pushed away from the window when Ned set the ax down. He went to the door and stepped out as Ned picked up his shirt and turned toward the cottage. Ned smiled as he saw Ash approach.
“Go for a swim?” Ned asked as Ash drew close.
Ash nodded as he pressed his hand to Ned’s chest. It was glistening with sweat. He let it glide down over Ned’s stomach and stepped closer. He inhaled and his cock grew hard as the smell of Ned’s slick, sun warmed body filled him. He loved everything about Ned’s body. He’d always been athletic, they fenced and rode regularly at Elston and Ash knew Ned rowed most mornings when in Town. Ash knew Ned was beautiful but he hadn’t been prepared for how magnificent Ned looked when he swung the ax as he chopped wood or as his body moved through the water when they went swimming in the small lake behind the cottage. Ash lowered his head and his lips brushed Ned’s neck. He licked his skin and groaned softly as the ache in his groin grew. Ned tasted divine.
“Ned.” Ash raised his head and found his eyes.
“Ash?” Ned’s smile was teasing, it made Ash harder.
“Run.” He growled. Ned’s eyes flared and he bolted for the woods.
They raced through the trees, attacking their buttons and laughing as they broke into the clearing at the shore. Ash crashed into Ned and they fell to the ground. Their hands tore at clothes and boots, tugging, pulling and pushing as their lips and tongues dueled. When they were finally naked and panting, they stumbled against each other and fell into the water. Their bodies slid together as they made their way deeper into the water until it was up to their chests.
They kissed hungrily as their hands gripped, rubbed, and slid over each other. Ned pulled Ash’s legs around his waist and his finger slid into Ash’s hole. Ash hung onto Ned’s shoulders and moaned in delight as he relaxed. Ned slid a second finger in and worked it in out of Ash’s tightness until he was desperate. He prayed Ned’s name as he felt the head of his cock press in past the tight ring. Ned gasped as he closed his hands around Ash’s waist and pulled him down on his rigid length.
There was a brief moment of pain as Ash stretched to fit around Ned’s long, thick cock that was quickly replaced with blinding pleasure. Ash shut his eyes and let everything fall away until he was nothing but where his body clung to Ned’s erection. Ned continued to bounce Ash against his thrusting hips, filling Ash with long, deep thrusts.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck…” Ned moaned. Ash could only nod as he felt his cock throb. He was going to come so hard. And soon. Ned started pulling harder. “Oh, God, Ash!” His breath started hissing in and out and Ash could feel Ned’s cock swell. Ned pulled Ash hard upon him as he flexed his hips forcefully. Light flashed behind Ash’s eye lids and he felt heat flooding him as Ned started to arch and convulse. Ash shattered. The pressure was so strong and it shot from his balls and up through his erection so fast and with so much force he screamed as his seed erupted from the head of his cock. Ned laughed deliriously as he pressed his mouth over Ash’s. His arms closed around Ash and pulled him close as Ash’s legs fell from around Ned’s waist.
They floated, caressed and kissed lazily until they started to shiver. Ash led Ned back to the shore and they collapsed on the grass. It was warm and soft and the sun heated their chilled flesh making them drowsy. Ash held Ned’s head to his chest and brushed his hair with his fingers until it was dry. I never want this to end. Ash felt a frown tug at his lips as reality started to weigh upon him. He tried to push it away as his lips pressed against Ned’s hair.
Chapter 16
Primitive and Elegant. How does he manage both? Ned wondered as he watched Ash striding toward the cottage. He had a rifle over his shoulder and was leading Sleipnir. A deer was tied to the saddle and something that might be a fox. Ned had woken early, missing Ash and thirsty. Naked and alone, Ned had started to regret not learning to make tea. It was a magical and suddenly vital skill. He passed the time rooting through the hamper that he’d found on the table. He’d foolishly hoped for a carefully wrapped pot of tea or coffee and had to settle for fresh biscuits and scotch. Ned chewed grumpily as he stared out the window until he saw Ash. Then, he watched impatiently as Ash dealt with Sleipnir and the dead things. Ned nearly opened the door and yelled for Ash to hurry as he went to the pump and washed his hands and face. As soon as Ash turned for the house, Ned rushed to the table and grabbed the news sheet. He reclined and threw his feet on the table just as Ash pushed the door open. Ned smiled casually over his shoulder.
“Good morning! How did it go?” He asked cheerfully as Ash tossed his greatcoat onto a chair. Ash’s brow raised as he took in Ned’s nakedness. He blinked several times before he shook his head softly.
“Fine.”Ash replied as he bent to kiss Ned’s cheek. Ned tilted his head and smiled. Ash’s lips lingered then drifted to Ned’s ear. Ned pulled his head away.
“I need tea.” He demanded. Ash stood and scowled down at Ned. Ned used his most rakish smile. “I’ll be really grateful.” He drawled. Ash cleared his throat as he went to the stove.
For some reason, Ned’s cock started to get really hard at the sound of the boiling water. A few minutes later, Ash set the pot on the table. Then, two cups, saucers, spoons, sugar and milk. Ash dropped into his seat and looked at Ned pointedly as he poured. Ash’s eyes never left Ned as he stirred his tea and then drank. Ned raised his cup in salute and sighed contentedly as he sipped. Ash’s fingers tapped against the top of the table as he watched Ned drink. Ned took his time.
“Are you hungry?” He asked over his cup. Ash nodded.
“Very.” He rumbled. Ned’s smile was coy.
“Would you like to have breakfast?” He asked innocently. Ash’s eyes flashed.
“No.” Ash’s eyes held his and Ned shrugged as he drained his cup.
“Very well.” Ned set his cup on the table.
“Ned.” Ash’s eyes narrowed. Ned grinned teasingly.
“Ash?” Ned raised his brows expectantly.
“Run.” Ash growled as his chair scraped and fell as he stood.
Ned laughed as he sprung from his seat and ran into the sitting room. He jumped over a chaise and slid into the hall. Ash had ducked into the hall from the kitchen and was on Ned’s heels as he sprinted for the bedroom. Ash tackled Ned in the doorway. Ned made a weak effort to break free as Ash crawled along his body. He shivered when he felt Ash’s lips brush his shoulder
and he had to smother a shriek when Ash bit the back of his neck. Ash was ruthless, biting and licking his way down Ned’s body. Ned was panting and begging by the time Ash pushed Ned’s thighs apart and forced his knees up to his elbows. Ned had to bite his lip to keep from calling out as he realized how open he was as Ash’s face pressed against his ass. Ned hissed as Ash’s tongue slid down the cleft of his bottom, all the way to his sack. Then, it pressed against Ned’s soft, puckered hole and Ash became ravenous. His hands held Ned spread and opened as his tongue licked and laved and probed into Ned’s tight hole. Ash’s teeth pulled gently at Ned’s flesh before he pressed his lips against him and sucked.
“Ash! For Christ’s sake!” Ned gasped as he reached beneath him and grabbed his cock. He couldn’t stop his hand from stroking, he was in pain.
“You shouldn’t tease me when I’m hungry, Ned.” Ash growled. Ned’s eyes went wide as he heard Ash suck on his finger.
A moment later, Ned gasped as he felt Ash’s finger sliding into his tightness. His eyes rolled back into his head when he felt Ash’s tongue lapping at his hole, around his finger. The tingling and warmth that slid down his thighs and into his cock made Ned groan in delight. Then, there were two fingers and they were rubbing firmly against the spot that had recently become Ned’s very favorite part of his body.