by Josie Dennis
When she entered the carriage house she saw the motor cars lined up and still. Resting, she presumed. She knew little about them, after all. This was Jared’s domain, so there were no grooms about or footman loitering. Still, she hurried toward the stairs and up to his rooms. The door was opened a crack, and she could hear their voices from within. Jared’s light brogue and Robert’s deep timbre mingled though she couldn’t make out the words. Raising her hand, she gave a knock on the wood panel.
Talk ceased inside and it was Robert who opened the door fully. He was in shirt sleeves, his jacket apparently discarded some time before. “Ah, Rose.”
There was so much in the way he said her name, warmth and want and a hint of affection.
“Hello,” she managed to say.
Jared came up behind him, a grin on his face. He was out of uniform as well. “Come in, sweet. We’re so pleased you’ve decided to join us.”
She caught his teasing tone and thought to return it. “Join you? Is that what I’m doing?”
Jared laughed. “Over and over again, if I have anything to say about it.”
He kissed her, his lips sweet and hot. Robert smiled at her and she was seized with all sorts of notions.
“You’ll have to show me the way of it,” she said to them.
The men exchanged a look of some import, and then Robert shut the door tight. “It will be our pleasure.”
“And yours,” Jared said.
They came close to her, Jared at her back. He unpinned her cap and ran his fingers through her hair. “Mmm, like silk.” As he nuzzled her neck she closed her eyes and let her head fall back. Robert’s fingers worked the buttons of her blouse free and soon she wore nothing but her chemise, stays and stockings.
“Ravishing,” Robert said. “Do you know your skin takes on the tone of your namesake when you’re aroused, Rose?”
She couldn’t say a word as his fingers trailed over the tops of her breasts. He slid them over one breast, his knuckles brushing over the nipple as he did so.
“Oh!”
Jared reached around and loosened her stays and soon her chemise was gone as well. He stepped around, his blue eyes hot on her. “You’re a pretty package.”
Robert murmured his consent and began to shed his shirt. She hadn’t seen him unclothed that day in his room. He was magnificent. Broad, strong chest sprinkled with dark hairs. Corded arms and a ridged belly. She glimpsed the thickness in his trousers and took in a shuddering breath.
“You are beautiful, Robert,” she said in awe.
“What of Jared?” he asked, his voice rough.
She turned to find Jared bare-chested as well. He was just as wonderful to look at as Robert. Not as broad but muscular and ridged in all the right places.
“Oh, he’s lovely, too!”
They shared that look again and then both of them grabbed her. Robert’s large hands held her waist as Jared wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Their scents mingled, spicy and fresh and delicious. It was a very good thing that they held her for her knees had turned to water at their nearness. At their touch.
As Jared kissed her Robert began to caress her breasts. His fingers were strong and sure and she shivered.
“Not cold, are you?” Jared asked, moving his beguiling lips to her neck. “We could warm you.”
“I’m on fire,” she gasped.
Robert bent his head and suckled her. His teeth bit down on her nipple and she moaned. He teased her other breast but only for a moment before Jared’s hot, wet mouth closed over it. They held her upright as their mouths drove her out of her mind.
“Oh, please,” she urged. “You’re both driving me mad.”
Robert’s fingers now dipped between her legs. She felt a rush of heat and moisture but couldn’t be embarrassed. Not when both of them were driving her toward the climax they were both so skilled at giving her. The two of them together would set her ablaze for certain!
“You’re wet, Rose.” Robert said against her breast. His tongue gave her nipple a long lick. “Delicious, I’d bet.”
“Lick me,” she gasped.
Jared chuckled, lifting his head a fraction. “Which one of us?”
She couldn’t answer. The truth was, it didn’t matter but how could she admit such a thing?
She was spared divulging that secret when Jared dropped to his knees and put his mouth on her. “Yes!”
Jared chuckled again then moaned. “Dear God, you’re sweet.”
His tongue was magic on her as his hands grasped her bottom. Robert continued his gentle assault on her breasts and it soon grew too much for her. Letting out a cry, she trembled as her climax took her.
Robert held her as she came back down from those incredible heights. “I could watch you come all day, love.”
His face was rigid, his own desires clear.
“Will you take me, Robert?”
He kissed her then shook his head. “Jared today, I think.”
Jared dropped a kiss on her belly and stood. “God, yes.” He undid his trousers and let himself free. He was hot and hard and she wanted him inside of her.
“Then do, Jared.” She licked her lips. “Please do.”
Robert carried her to the bed and she soon found herself on her back. He stretched out along her side, urging her legs to part. “Let him inside, Rose.”
She stared at him, he was so beautiful, and then she looked at the foot of the bed. Jared stood there, his trousers gone and his body on delightful display. His eyes were so hot on her body she felt scorched. He seemed a bit unsure but how could that be? He was always so cocky and sure of himself.
“Jared.”
The utterance of his name seemed to free him from whatever plagued him in that moment.
“Aye, Rose.”
He kissed her as Robert had, then covered her. There was no barrier this time. She was still so wet from what they’d done to her that Jared’s cock slid right inside. She felt full, as she had with Robert, but there wasn’t even a twinge of discomfort. Only the promise of pleasure in every beat of his heart so close to her chest.
“You feel incredible,” he rasped, burying his face in her neck as he began to move. “I’m not going to last.”
She reached up and held onto his shoulders, squeezing her eyes shut. He began to move faster, hard and quick and deep as she felt another orgasm threaten. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she arched toward him and let it take her over. Crying out as she came, she held on tight and bucked beneath him.
Jared cursed softly then swiftly pulled out to spill onto her belly as Robert had. “That was a close thing.”
Robert stroked her hair and when she opened her eyes she found him regarding her closely. “That was a thing to watch. That’s for certain.”
Jared blew out a breath and collapsed on the bed on her other side. “Rose, girl.” He brought his face to hers. “You were made for my loving.”
She felt shy in that moment. She was stretched out on the bed between the two of them after that amazing interlude and she felt bashful. Moving to sit, she edged toward the foot of the bed. Toward escape.
“Let me just clean myself up a bit.”
“Allow me,” Robert said, surprising her.
He came up on his knees and withdrew a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and wiped Jared’s seed off her belly. As he moved away from her, a look of pain crossed his features.
“Are you all right, Robert?” she asked.
He winced as he attempted a smile. “I daresay I’m in a bit of discomfort.”
“Bit of discomfort,” Jared scoffed. “You’re ready to burst, I’d say.”
Rose came up on her knees and touched him through his trousers. He was hard as the banister on the grand staircase!
“We can’t leave you this way, Robert,” she said, unfastening his trousers and holding his shaft in her hands. “Ooh, just look at that.”
Jared came up on one elbow. “Very nice.”
Robert shivered as she s
troked him. “Please.”
Rose bent her head and kissed his cock as she had Jared’s. And to similar effect, apparently. Robert sat back on his heels as she licked and sucked. Then, to her astonishment, Jared came close and licked him as well. She lifted her head in surprise.
“Let’s please him, eh Rose?” he said, kissing her lips before giving Robert’s cock a long lick.
She and he both roused Robert, using their tongues to swirl over his rigid flesh and their teeth to nibble on his shaft. They kissed each other more as well, and she loved the taste of both of them together.
“Oh my God!” Robert groaned. He chanted both their names as he neared release. His big body arched toward them and he began to tremble. He was close. She could taste it in the cream on top of the cock’s head. She could feel it in the tightening of his every muscle.
Jared leaned back and flicked his gaze to hers. Rose took him up on the unspoken invitation as she closed her mouth over Robert’s cock. Great bursts of seed flooded her and she swallowed down every bit of him.
Groaning, Robert turned and collapsed on the bed. “You two nearly killed me.”
It was quite crowded in the bed now, with both men so close to her. Still, she found herself growing sleepy as their heat surrounded her. Cuddling between them, she let her eyes close and floated away on their delicious scents and warm bodies. If only she could have the both of them forever. Holding her and loving her until she wanted nothing more than to spend her life with them.
Sadness crept up on her, so she hid her face in the crook of Robert’s shoulder.
“Are you all right?” he asked, brushing the hair away from her face.
She couldn’t look at him. He was even more attentive than Jared, and that man could see straight through her bravado time and again.
“I’m fine.”
Thankfully he didn’t say anything more but she could all but feel his gaze on her.
“Rest, Rose,” Jared said at her back. “We have a long night ahead of us, I wager.”
That roused the shadow of a smile and she happily looked forward to what they would share tonight after the family’s needs were taken care of.
She might not have them forever but she would take advantage of everything they offered. For now.
* * * *
Robert sat at the table, feeling a bit more open to conversation that he was usually. Matthew Hawk’s wife sat beside him. Posy, whom he’d heard rumored had been a maid at the manor. She was a delightful woman, bright and bubbly and a lovely dinner companion.
“So how are you finding Hawksfell, Robert?” she asked.
He turned slightly, finding a sparkle in her blue eyes. “Very well, thank you. I’m having a lovely time.”
“I can see that,” Michael Crowley put in from across the table. “Word is you spend quite a lot of time down at the carriage house.”
Robert kept his features even. “Oh?”
Michael nodded as he sipped his wine. “Have a thing for motor cars, it’s said. Much like myself.”
Robert let himself relax. “I’ve seen your motors, Michael. Very nice, indeed.”
“Gabriel likes to keep me amused.” He winked, lifting his chin toward the countess. “Pleases Millie. That’s for sure.”
The earl rolled his eyes, but otherwise kept his usual patrician demeanor. There was love between Gabriel and his wife’s cousin. That was clear. Robert watched the countess for any sort of indication that she was put out by the teasing but she only seemed pleased. In fact, she appeared quite smitten with the both of them.
“Motor cars.” Posy sighed. “I’d rather spend my time riding than driving.”
“Posy refuses to let me teach her to drive,” Matthew Hawk said from Michael Crowley’s right.
“I have no need to drive myself about.” She beseeched the countess. “Tell him, Millicent. Tell him how we ladies enjoy being carted everywhere.”
“Like luggage?” Lady Hawksfell said. Her hand rested on her belly, which Robert thought showed a bit of the baby he now knew she carried. “At least you don’t have a tagalong.”
Pride and love showed on her face and Robert grew silent once again. This family was an odd collection of people. He’d heard that not only did Matthew Hawk live with Posy on the property but that one of the earl’s former valets also lived with them. Did he share their marriage as well as their house?
“My sister sends her regrets that she didn’t get to meet you on this trip.”
Robert attended Michael Crowley once again. “Your sister?”
“Madeline Crowley, as was.” He winked. “Madeline Hawk, as she is now.”
“She married my other brother, Robert,” Gabriel put in. “Stefan.”
“Astounding,” Robert couldn’t help but say.
“Why ever do you say that?” Posy asked. “This house has become a love nest. Hasn’t it, Matthew?”
Her husband smiled indulgently at her. Robert could see her appeal, and that her husband was quite in love with her.
“Posy, not every Hawk welcomes such things as love,” Matthew said. “You know that.”
She snorted and waved a hand. “Oh, pooh. You used to insist on love being the furthest thing on your mind. And now look at you.”
They exchanged a look that spoke of heat and affection.
“Yes,” Matthew said. “Now look at me.”
Robert grew quiet again. Ever since he and Jared had Rose in the carriage house that afternoon, he’d been unable to shake the feeling that had struck him afterward. Holding her close, having Jared there with him on that bed, was something he’d never expected. The comfort and warmth had been unexpected as well. It was frightening and he thought that maybe he should leave before he ended up hurting them both.
The people gathered around the table didn’t seem to notice that he wasn’t taking part in the varied conversations going on. It was much as it had been for nearly two weeks now. He felt like an outsider for the most part, despite any overtures the family had made. Oh, now and again he shared a brandy or chatted before dinner. But he never felt a connection like he did when he and Jared were together. Not just when they pleased each other, although that was beyond incredible. Being in the other man’s company was becoming to mean more to him than that.
And Rose. Ah, sweet Rose. She was a dear thing. As outspoken as Posy and just as beautiful. More, actually. Her thick hair, shining and filled with her scent. Her skin. Smooth as silk and slick under his tongue. She was cheeky and lovely and more than enough woman for him and Jared.
It was a pity he couldn’t be the one for them. They served the earl. He was used to being alone. After this interlude, neither of those matters would change.
He sipped his wine, smiling at something Michael Crowley said, and kept his maudlin thoughts to himself.
Much later, he found himself once more at the carriage house. He rapped on Jared’s door and it was soon opened.
“Good evening, Robert.” Jared seemed to anticipate him, for the glasses were on the table and the brandy bottle at the ready. He was in shirtsleeves and looked quite at his ease. “Have a seat.”
Robert settled down on the couch, keeping his eyes from the bed where they’d shared so much that afternoon. “I take it Rose is otherwise engaged?”
“She has duties up at the house.” Jared poured the brandy, then handed Robert one of the glasses. “After what happened today, I told her she should take the evening to herself.”
“Yes, she was quite done in.”
“What has you troubled, man?”
Robert arched a brow then shrugged. “I cannot pretend around you.”
“Why would you need to?”
“Hmm?”
“Just what are you pretending?”
Robert took a long drink then sighed. “To belong.”
Jared’s eyes widened a fraction, but his easy manner soon took over. “Well, you belong here. With me and with Rose.”
“Yes, but for how long? I have to return
to Waltham Hall some time. And this dalliance will be over.”
“Dalliance?” Jared’s smile faded. “Yes, I suppose it will be.”
“What have you discussed with Rose?”
“Nothing. It’s not as though I had the opportunity.”
“You see her in the servants’ hall, I’m sure.”
“Yes, but our girl is loathe for anyone to learn of our dalliance, as you put it.”
Robert winced. “I didn’t mean to belittle what we share.”
“I know.” Jared took another drink. “You just have a knack for it.”
“Now see here. I won’t be made the villain in this piece.”
Jared held up his hand. “You have the right of if, of course. You’ve never been anything but forthcoming. It’s just that, holding Rose this afternoon. Pleasing you with her and then stretching out in our ease? It was unexpected.”
“Robert rubbed a hand over his face. “I know. I’ll miss it.”
Jared was uncharacteristically quiet, so Robert slanted him a glance. His face was fixed, and then he smiled his familiar grin.
“You’ll miss it,” he said flippantly. “Aye, I will, too.”
“It’s a pity I can’t bring you both back to Waltham with me.”
Jared snorted. “As fine as your motor cars are, I don’t think I could work for you. Not now. And you have a need for a lady’s maid, do you? Trouble with your stays and the like?”
Robert tried to see the humor in his words but they just had a ring of truth to them. He had no cause to expect Jared and Rose to leave their enviable positions at Hawksfell.
“My stays are manageable, thank you.”
Jared stared at him. “Making a joke, Robert? I daresay I’ve rubbed off on you.”
“Ah, I’ll never have your cheek.” He drained his glass and refilled it. Jared waved the bottle away when he offered to top off his drink. “Speaking of, I sat next to Matthew Hawk’s wife,” he said, setting the bottle back down. “She’s quite the cheeky miss.”
“So I’ve noticed. Her husband wants to teach her how to drive and brings her around now and again.” Jared smiled. “She’s having none of it. Says the motors frighten her.”