A Thief In The Night

by K. Sterling

  “What are we waiting for?” Quinn asked as he drank.

  “Ranulf MacEachern,” Roman said as he set his elbow on the back of the sofa and rested his cheek in his palm and enjoyed Quinn. He sat back and slouched just a bit as his arm stretched along the back of the sofa. Once again, he looked unimpressed and slightly impatient yet relaxed. Quinn looked like he knew he didn’t belong there. It was beneath him and there was the hint of a sneer as he raised his glass to his lips and took a sip.

  “Why are we waiting for Ranulf MacEachern?” He asked and Roman wished Ranulf would hurry as Quinn tilted his head back and emptied his glass. Roman was suddenly very tired of the ballroom, the gardens and the box. Quinn was so much more alluring and entertaining. Roman wanted to take him home and play with him in privacy. He never took men home but he liked the idea of having Quinn to himself and exploring him in the safety and comfort of his bed. That wasn’t an option, unfortunately, so Roman had to make the best of it.

  “I wasn’t here the night your brother went missing but Ranulf was. He isn’t in Town often but he sent a message that evening asking if he could borrow my box, if I wouldn’t be attending. I know Ranulf’s going to be here tonight and I’m hoping we can learn something new about what happened while I was away,” he explained and Quinn’s eyes became alert and searched around them as he reached forward and put his glass on the table.

  “You were looking for him the night I followed you,” he said as he sat back and Roman nodded as his finger traced circles and swirls on Quinn’s thigh. He was tense and restless as his eyes hunted.

  “I was but we can relax, Ranulf will come to us. He sent another message asking if I’d be here and if he could use the box if I wasn’t. I told him he could have it but I needed to talk to him first,” Roman said and Quinn did relax. Much of the tension left him as he became loose and bored again.

  “You’re letting him have it?” He asked as he frowned at the men writhing and moaning on the floor.

  “I didn’t think we’d be putting it to good use,” Roman murmured. “I imagined we’d enjoy ourselves here for a bit then move inside when we looked ready.” He paused and sighed heavily. “I did bring a deck of cards in case we were bored,” he admitted under his breath. “I was going to let him use it for the rest of the night, after we’d enjoyed a hand or two and could leave without giving ourselves away,” he said and Quinn’s eyes snapped to his and he wasn’t bored or nonchalant.

  “I thought you were going to try to seduce me and push me as far as you could in there,” he admitted softly and Roman clicked his teeth as he shook his head. Quinn was wary and concerned because he was expecting a battle.

  “I’m going to try to seduce you as long as I have hands, lips and a heartbeat and you look like that,” he warned. They both knew it wasn’t a matter of trying. Roman could overwhelm Quinn and have him whenever he wanted. “But that’s not really how this works and I’d rather wait until you’re more willing.” His eyes held Quinn’s until they slid back to the dancers.

  “They’re all staring. Why are they all staring at us?” He whispered and Roman chuckled as he refilled their glasses. He put the bottle back in the bucket and took a moment to check then nodded before he offered Quinn his glass then sat back.

  “Aside from a few new faces, I’ve had all of them,” he said as he pointed with his glass.

  “Are you trying to impress me?” Quinn asked flatly and Roman shook his head quickly then pressed his knuckle to his lips to hold back a laugh.

  “Not at all,” he said then held up a finger. “Though I’ve yet to figure out how. The only thing I’ve seen you swoon over was a sad book from a secondhand shop,” he complained and Quinn snorted as he shook his head.

  “It’s crazy how she figured it out but you don’t have to try to seduce anyone,” he observed then drank. Roman’s eyes flared and the glass almost slipped from his fingers. He was being bested by nurses. Quinn was turning out to be Roman’s first real challenge and his most worthy opponent was a perky girl who was just a scrape over four feet tall. You have got to get it together. Roman saluted Quinn with his drink then chuckled again as he raised it to his lips. He was definitely entertained. He sipped then sighed loudly.

  “It’s a good thing I don’t have to do the seducing,” he murmured and Quinn became wary again. Roman hummed as his pulse picked up and his body tightened. This was the part he’d been looking forward to. “They’re not staring at us, Quinn. They’re staring at you. They’re waiting to see how you get me into the tent.”

  “What?”

  “You got lucky last time. I was in a hurry,” Roman said. He didn’t want to be there that night and he could feel that he wouldn’t be able to stay long. “Normally, I find someone to join me here and the rest is in their hands or...” He raised his brows at him suggestively and Quinn’s eyes went to the dancers. “If I’m not sufficiently interested by the time I get to the end of that bottle, I usually move on or leave. They’re watching because they want to see if you’re really any good.” Roman waved his drink, letting Quinn know it was his move and saw his eyes narrow as he calculated. He was so smart and cautious but that curiosity and bravery… And that pride. Roman was counting on them to turn things in his favor. Heat swelled in his groin and the hairs on his arms stood as the anticipation grew. Then, it turned to anxiety as Roman glanced at the men across from them. Every one of them sat where Quinn sat and stroked and sucked and occasionally swallowed, if Roman was in the mood to get off twice. He looked at Quinn and he couldn’t image him doing something so degrading. He didn’t want Quinn touching him the way they did. He wanted it to be Quinn’s hand on his cock, making Roman urgent, not Jayce’s. He didn’t want it to be about Darlington. Roman drank and swallowed the acid tickling the back of his throat and reminded himself that he’d suffered far worse than a blow-job from Quinn, if his nerve carried him that far.

  “Huh.” Quinn grunted softly then reached for his tie. He loosened it and worked the top button of his collar free and Roman stifled a groan as he set his drink on the table. Quinn’s fingers plucked at the buttons of his shirt and things got worse as he pulled his belt through the buckle. Oh, Roman hated that. Nothing ruined his mood like watching a twenty-something year old slowly strip out of his older brother’s tuxedo. It didn’t happen often but every now and then one of Roman’s companions would decide it was their moment to shine because everyone was watching and they’d put on an awkward and very unnecessary striptease for him. They’d stretch and twist like they were trapped in their shirts as they stuck out their tongues and slobbered all over their lips and practiced their O face at him. They licked their sleeves and dry humped their pants and one even rubbed his socks on his nipples as Roman watched. Often in bemused irritation. It took goddamn forever and Roman was never sure what to do. He couldn’t not watch, he was supposed to be captivated. He did walk out on the sock nipple kid. Roman offered him a pained smile as Quinn unzipped and braced as he waited for him to stand. He prayed Quinn wasn’t planning to go too slowly, to stall. Quinn pulled his fly open and shifted his hips as he spread his legs, getting comfortable before he opened the halves of his shirt then fell back. He spread his arms along the back of the sofa then offered a drowsy, expectant nod, inviting Roman to begin whenever he was ready. You did have it backwards. He’s the prize. Quinn had outmaneuvered him and Roman was truly ensnared. It would be obvious to anyone watching and Roman didn’t care.

  “Remarkable!” He gasped ecstatically as he reached for Quinn and pulled his lips to his. They kissed and it only took a moment for the heat to catch and Quinn’s tongue washed through Roman’s mouth hungrily. Roman’s head spun, in a very good way, as his fingers trailed along Quinn’s jaw and down his throat. They spread and swept over his collarbone and Quinn moaned as he arched restlessly. His skin was so hot and smooth and his pecs flinched as he gasped against Roman’s tongue. It wasn’t pouty or provocative, it was shock and a flare of lust. There was sweat and
tremors under Roman’s fingertips as they pulled the need from his skin and learned the grooves and ridges of Quinn’s stomach. He reached the elastic waist of Quinn’s boxers and stopped. His fingers swept along the band, back and forth, delicately tracing as he waited for Quinn to tell him. Quinn’s abs jumped as he pulled his lips free.

  “Yes!” He begged as his hips strained toward Roman.

  “Maybe we should step inside the tent,” Roman murmured as his lips rubbed along Quinn’s jaw. They stung and his cock pulsed. He angled his head and bit into the side of Quinn’s neck and he was nearly desperate. He tasted so perfect as he pushed the front of Quinn’s boxers low and curved his hand around his shaft. It was thick and hard and so long, Roman nearly cried as Quinn shook his head.

  “Not the tent,” he panted as he bucked into Roman’s hand. “I thought I could go back in there but I can’t,” he admitted and Roman caught his lips and made a shushing sound as he eased Quinn onto his back. Roman looked down as his hand curved gently around Quinn’s erection and he moaned ecstatically. His eyes washed over Quinn and his heart ached, he was so beautiful. Quinn’s eyes were heavy and his lips were swollen and red as he licked them. His pecs rose and fell and his abs flexed and bunched as he fought to catch his breath. And his cock. Roman bit back a sob as it leaked and throbbed in his hand. It was so thick and long and the circumcised head was fat and glistened alluringly. He wanted to worship every inch of Quinn’s erection but he didn’t like doing certain things in front of an audience. He didn’t like having his back to the terraces and the dance floor, there were too many people behind him but he didn’t want to spook Quinn. And for once, Roman didn’t care about who was watching and he didn’t care about getting off.

  It was just about Quinn. His partners always had the night of their life and they definitely got off because Roman had a reputation to maintain. He was the master. But this was different. Roman needed Quinn to trust and want him and he needed his release. His lips and moans were so sweet and he was hard and slick as Roman stroked. He kept his grip tight and slow as he drank from his lips and begged him to let go. Roman never begged. Not since he was a child. Not since he learned he could take whatever he wanted. But he didn’t know if he could have Quinn. He could seduce him and have his body for a little while but he wasn’t sure he could steal what he really wanted. He wanted Quinn to truly desire him because of who he was when they were together. He didn’t want Quinn to think about Jayce or care that Roman was the worst person he’d ever met. He wanted Quinn to feel who Roman was when they were together and want him despite everything else. He wanted Quinn to stop holding back and give in to the heat that sparked between them when they touched.

  “I need to taste you. Let go,” he said as his lips bathed Quinn’s face. “I won’t hurt you, Quinn. I want to keep you safe and make you happy. I want to make you burn like me and I want you to come. Let me taste you,” he promised and begged breathlessly. “You know I never lie. You can trust me.” He would burn down the tent and set fire to the sofa and the house if it made Quinn trust him. Roman wanted to deserve Quinn and take his light and keep it safe but he didn’t know why. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to.

  “Roman!” It was a hoarse plea that was so full of awe, gratitude and ecstasy, it made Roman’s eyes water as Quinn’s cum landed in fat flecks on his stomach and spilled over his fingers. Quinn twisted and jerked as Roman sucked the breathy hisses and swear words from his lips before he slid down his body. He held Quinn down on the sofa and lapped the cum from his skin, claiming him and offering himself in return. He did it while everyone was watching and it became a declaration: he belongs to me. It would be shocking news and have the desired effect but it was also the truth and Roman couldn’t think of a better way to announce his retirement.

  “Let’s get you dressed, it’s almost time to leave,” he said as he licked the sweat from between Quinn’s pecs then kissed him.

  “What about Ranulf McCracken?” Quinn mumbled drunkenly as he threw his arm around Roman’s neck. It was limp and heavy as he clung to him. God, Roman really needed him in a bed.

  “Ranulf MacEachern,” he corrected as he gently eased Quinn upright then pressed a quick kiss to his lips before he sat back and waved. “He’s Just arrived.” Ranulf skipped loosely down the terrace steps then strode past the bar. His bright red hair and Viking beard made him easy to spot from miles away in addition to his size. Quinn and Roman were of similar height, a few inches over six feet but Ranulf had a few inches on them. He was strapping and Roman knew he was pure muscle and brute strength beneath the exquisite tailoring of his tuxedo but he moved with a languorous grace Roman always found alluring. Quinn calmly but quickly rearranged himself as Ranulf waved in greeting and lowered onto the end of the sofa. He stretched lazily and offered Roman a knowing wink.

  “It looks like you’ve got yourself in some trouble, Roman,” he chuckled and Roman hummed as he grabbed his shoulder and gave it a shake.

  “The best kind of trouble, Ran. I was starting to worry about you,” he said and Ranulf’s lips spread into a wicked and very satisfied grin.

  “I was detained. I heard you’ve been looking for me and I got your message,” he said expectantly. Roman planned to ask Quinn to wait in the tent or over by the bar but he didn’t want him near the tent anymore and he knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d go. Roman wasn’t keen on the idea of leaving Quinn unattended after their performance either. He cleared his throat to ease some of the tightening in his chest. He didn’t expect Ranulf to tell them a happy tale and he preferred to hear it first then relay it gently to Quinn.

  “I have some questions about the last time you borrowed that box,” he said as he pointed at it and Ran looked over his shoulder and squinted at it for a moment then snorted.

  “And I have a feeling I know what you’re going to ask me,” he said and Roman ducked his head in agreement, signaling for him to continue. “I was…entertaining someone when we were very rudely and loudly interrupted. At first, he tried to have me thrown out, he swore you were going to be there soon. When he was assured I was in my assigned tent, he became desperate. He begged me to tell him where you were or how to contact you but I told him to get lost. He took a swing at me.” He stopped when Roman laughed. Quinn might have a chance with Ran but Jayce only appeared to be in good shape. He had an addict’s energy and coordination and he wasn’t athletic or trained to fight. Ran would have destroyed him easily.

  “Jesus, Jayce,” Quinn whispered and Roman squeezed his thigh supportively. Ran leaned forward and his brows pulled together as he studied Quinn.

  “I’d tell you to ask him about it but…” He shook his head. “I’d swear that’s him but it definitely isn’t,” Ran said and Roman nodded.

  “Twins,” he explained then waved his hand so Ran would finish.

  “Ah,” Ran said then hissed as he stretched toward Roman conspiratorially. “It’s probably better that you weren’t here because he was fairly certain the two of you were going to…” He looked at Roman pointedly and he nodded again.

  “No, I had him first,” Roman said and Ran grinned.

  “A set! Well done!” He declared as he clapped Roman on the knee.

  “Kill me. Have Mr. Bishop kill me on the way home,” Quinn groaned as he slouched and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Shhhhh…” Roman rubbed his thigh and winced at Ran.

  “It’s just fine,” Quinn said sarcastically and Ran’s head snapped back.

  “Sounds like you picked the right brother!” He sobbed and Roman offered Quinn an apologetic smile.

  “I regret that deeply, in hindsight,” he said and Quinn snorted.

  “No, you don’t,” he muttered and Ran cackled as he failed to get himself under control. He used to be one of the few people Roman liked from university…

  “What happened after he completely lost his mind and tried to fight you?” He asked dryly and Ran nodded as he sobered.

&nb
sp; “He would have been on his way to the hospital but two friends grabbed him and drug him off. By friends, I mean people he didn’t seem pleased to be leaving with. I heard him promise everything would be straight if he could just talk to you. I hope I did the right thing,” he said then slid Quinn a tight nod.

  “I would have done the exact same thing,” Roman said and Ran exhaled loudly as he relaxed.

  “I knew you would have been there, if you told him you would be. You’ll die before you go back on your word. I also know you don’t give anyone your number but he’d know how to contact you if you wanted him to,” he stated absolutely and Roman pointed in agreement.

  “Can you tell me anything about his friends?” He asked and Ran nodded.

  “Aye, I knew one of them was a dealer but I couldn’t remember his name. I asked around, in case you wanted to know what happened. The one lad had a big shock of white hair and was a real cunt. The other was swarthy and they said he usually sells around here. Dash and Jones,” he said and Quinn sat forward and grabbed his glass as he spat a string of curses.

  “Was there anything else?” Roman asked and Ran shook his head.

  “I’ve thought about that evening quite a bit but there’s nothing else. Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked as he gestured at him and Quinn. Roman took a moment to consider.

  “No. But I appreciate the offer. If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. And you contact me, if you find yourself detained again,” he replied then gave Quinn’s shoulder a shake. “I think we’ll be off,” he said and Quinn nodded as they stood. Ranulf rose and offered Quinn his hand.

  “I hope you find your brother,” he said and Quinn gave him a wry grin.