His wrist alarm rang and Warren set down the pad. “Let’s take a break.” He rose to his feet. “Walk around to get your blood flowing again.”
“Goodness, has it been thirty minutes already?” She rolled her shoulders and walked around his studio.
He poured both of them a glass of water and sank onto the sofa, desperately trying not to stare at her curved rear. She was more relaxed after their conversation. Her natural sensuality shone like a beacon.
Warren set the glass on the floor and rose from the sofa. “Let’s get back to it.” Usually he would give his model more of a break, but he needed something to drag his thoughts away from her seductive presence.
The artists needed to take over from the man.
She smiled and walked back to the spot she’d stood in before. This time around she was much softer.
He wanted to turn the conversation more private, learn about her wishes and dreams. This was only the first of many sessions to come and as much as he wanted to, he shouldn’t rush. He gritted his teeth, followed the line of her neck curving into her shoulder with the charcoal in his hand. “Have you had opportunity to travel?” he asked, returning to their previous conversation.
She laughed.
Warren looked up at the bitter undertone and lack of humor in her voice. It didn’t match her usually so melodic tones. For a second rage flared in her eyes, but then her expression returned to what he was getting to know as her polite face.
“No. Unfortunately my duties have kept me in the city. My father and I had opportunity to go to Sheffield a couple of times, but it was on business, not pleasure.”
He nodded and focused on his pad for a moment. He had a feeling there was far more to this than she let on. Patience, he reminded himself. Don’t ask questions that will only drive her behind her walls again. “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?”
Excitement lit up her face. “I would love to explore Japan and Hong Kong. I have heard so many exciting tales. India is another place that appears to be an amazing destination.” She chuckled. “I am reading all about South Africa. The Daily Telegraph has a wonderful series going at the moment.”
He chuckled. “You are quite the adventurer, Sarah, being drawn to far-off and exotic locations.”
The sparkle died and she looked down at her hands. Warren caught a glimpse of bone-deep longing, a need so deep and desperate it would have driven him to his knees if he hadn’t already crouched on the floor.
“We were speaking hypothetically. The possibility of it really happening is slim to none.” She met his gaze and her blue eyes held a sadness she tried to hide behind a fake smile. “I would also love to see Rome. That is somewhat closer to home and may even happen one day.”
He swore to himself right then and there that no matter what happened between the three of them he would find a way for Sarah to explore the beauty of Rome.
They chatted a little more about the major cities closer to home, but he saw the mood had broken. Her shoulders now held a defeated slump and her spine had curved as if under an unbearable weight.
He finished his preliminary sketches and then set down his pad and charcoal. “We are done for today.”
She raised her brows. “But we only had two sessions.”
He smiled. “As I said, an introduction to the process.”
She looked at his closed pad. “May I see?”
Warren couldn’t suppress a grimace. The sketches were nowhere near his regular standards. The battle between artist and man as well as his need to make her comfortable had deterred his focus. He did not feel comfortable sharing.
Sarah straightened her shoulders. Her lips curved into a soft smile. “Don’t worry, I understand. I won’t ask again. I know about artists not wanting to share a work in progress. My father is the same when he starts a project.”
He struggled with his need to keep his work private and the pain he saw in her eyes. He cleared his throat and shuffled the pages, not looking at her. “They are preliminary drawings—no, not even drawings. They are just lines and smudges, a way for me to get a feel for you and your body.” His grip on the pages remained firm.
She walked toward him, her goddess curves tightening every muscle in his body. She rested her hand on his, her touch flashing through him like lightning. “It is all right, Warren. I understand.”
He looked into the endless blue of her eyes and saw what he needed. Sarah really did understand the vulnerable first step of a new project, the seedling that needed to be nourished, not trampled with a harsh word. She did understand that this reluctance was all about him and had nothing to do with her as a subject or her as a woman. The pain had left her eyes.
Tension rushed out of him, leaving only his arousal behind. He clasped her hand. “Thank you.” He kissed the back of it, her silky skin soft against his lips. Then he turned it over and kissed the pulse at her wrist. Her blood raced against his lips.
For a moment their gazes met and it was like the world stood still. He wanted to pull her close, feel her against his body, explore her luscious curves and soft lips, but his wrist alarm rang and time moved forward again.
They released each other at the same time. She studied her toes and curled her arms before her chest as if cold. “I better get dressed.”
He could only nod, his voice still caught in that perfect moment. Warren watched as she stepped behind the screen, picturing her getting dressed. He exhaled and balled his fists, crumpling some of the pages he still held.
What the hell had they let themselves in for?
Chapter Four
Sarah’s hands shook as she attempted to button her dress. What in the world had just happened between Warren and her? Was this the desire her friend Beatrice’s books talked about?
More than once she and Beatrice had tried to imagine what it would feel like to desire a man, but neither had succeeded. At least as far as she was aware. Sarah had never let on that sometimes in the bath, when she touched her breasts or between her legs in a certain manner, tingles spread through her whole body.
But these were not just tingles. It was a Guy Fawkes bonfire racing through her body. Her tight nipples rubbed against the boning of the corset and she felt flushed.
Her amateur attempts on her own were nothing like the feelings raging through her here and now, tearing at her control. She needed to decide if she liked these new sensations. Her body no longer followed her instructions. Sarah was uncertain if she could accept that.
With a small growl she closed the last button and thrust her foot into her boot with so much force she had to jump after it. “Drat!”
“Everything all right?” Warren called out.
“Yes, I am fine.” She took a deep breath. “Thank you.” Sarah needed to rein in her emotions. She had to work with Warren for at least another three weeks. Snarling at him might help her overcome the flames blazing through her, but it would not be conducive to building a relationship.
With her body calmed down she straightened her sleeves and picked up her purse. Sarah stepped out from behind the screen, a polite smile on her lips.
As soon as she saw Warren lounging against the window bathed in sunlight, the wooden coverings pulled up again, her heart stopped and passion flared once more.
He smiled.
Her nipples hardened.
He strode toward her, his movements sinuous and sleek.
She swallowed.
“I believe we’ve made a good first start. What time will you be back tomorrow?”
“Morning.” She coughed, attempting to remove the raspy tone in her voice. “Mid-morning, if that is convenient for you.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “I am at your service. No matter what time, day or,” he kissed her fingers, “night. Whenever you are ready and available, so will I be.”
Sarah nodded, part of her wanting to run out of the room and the house and never return. Another part wanted to lean closer and discov
er how his soft, full lips would feel against other parts of her body.
She needed to make up her bloody mind.
With an abrupt move she yanked her hand out of his, spun around and marched to the door. She tore it open and continued on until she reached the front door. Jennings appeared out of nowhere, holding her coat, gloves and hat. Sarah tried to smile as she put everything on, but the sound of a door opening behind her distracted her.
She didn’t turn to the two men at her back until she’d tugged on her gloves. “I will see you tomorrow. Good day.” She nodded at Jennings, who opened the door for her.
“The coach is waiting and ready to take you wherever you wish to go.”
Sarah cursed herself for her mistake. In her haste to get away she had forgotten to take the side entrance. For a second she wished for a veil, but that would only draw more attention. Instead she stiffened her spine and marched down the steps as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The automaton driver opened the door for her. She stepped into the coach and watched as the machine closed it. The coach dipped under its weight as it climbed on.
When they didn’t move she realized she hadn’t told the machine where to go. She looked for the sliding window that would give her access to the driver, but couldn’t find one. Instead a lamp flashed just beside a speaking tube. She picked up the cone.
“Hyde Park Corner, please.” The area was usually so busy one more coach wouldn’t draw undue attention and give her enough cover to disembark.
The light stopped blinking. The driver must have processed her words. The engine rumbled and hissed as the coach moved.
Sarah leaned back against the firm padding of the bench. She’d had opportunity to ride in steam coaches before, but none had been so luxuriously appointed. As the vehicle made its way, she gently rested her cheek against the smooth velvet. The light scent of man and oil filled her senses.
She closed her eyes.
For the first time in her life she was losing control over herself. Now she had to decide if she welcomed this new state or not.
* * * * *
Archer leaned against the doorframe, but his relaxed posture was a fake. Tension coiled in every muscle. How did it go? Why did Warren get to see her naked first? What if she linked to Warren, but not to Archer because he wasn’t there in the beginning?
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. Jealousy had no place in this relationship. If it took root, their trio would never be successful. But he struggled to tear out that little seedling.
Warren walked toward him, his footsteps heavy on the wooden floor. Archer didn’t look up.
Warren cupped his cheek. “I didn’t see her naked. To make it easier on her she kept her underwear on.”
Some of the weight lifted off his shoulders.
“Tomorrow we’ll move on to the next step and you will be there from the beginning.”
Archer found himself caught in the inferno in his lover’s eyes. Warren was at the edge of the abyss of need.
He enveloped his partner in his arms and pulled him close. Warren’s scent, beloved and familiar, surrounded him. But the hint of honeysuckle wrapped around his cock like a hand. She was with them even when she was not.
“I need you.” Warren’s whisper struck Archer like lightning. His lover never held back, never worried about expressing his emotions. He took Archer’s hand and tugged. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Archer stopped him. “Too far.” He dragged him into his office.
The gold in Warren’s eyes blazed. He followed Archer and kicked the door shut behind him.
With his free hand Archer flipped the switch and the window coverings rattled down. He hated that they had to hide their love, even when it was highly unlikely anyone could see them, but he would never put Warren at risk.
He pulled his lover against his chest and kissed him. Their tongues dueled, but there was no loser. Archer struggled with Warren’s shirt buttons, his hands shook too much. At the same time Warren yanked on his waistcoat. With a growl he stepped back and peeled off waistcoat and shirt. The growl turned into a groan when Warren cupped Archer.
For a second neither of them moved.
Then Warren ripped open the trouser buttons and curved his fingers around Archer’s dick. He massaged the hard flesh, moving the skin back and forth. Archer clung to Warren’s shirt, but that only lasted a few seconds before Warren sank to his knees and sucked Archer’s rod into the hot, wet heaven of his mouth.
Archer’s legs trembled. He fell backward against his desk, grasping the edge in an attempt to remain upright.
“Lord, Warren, so good.”
Warren had his hand wrapped tightly around the base of Archer’s dick and licked the rest like his favorite treat. He rubbed his thumb along the thick vein running the length of the hard member. Archer groaned when Warren hollowed his cheeks with the power of each suck.
Archer’s arms nearly gave out.
Warren released Archer’s cock and wet a couple of fingers with his mouth. He grazed his lips against the hard length, the hand at the base never still, but constantly moving along the sensitive rod. His free hand moved between Archer’s legs and caressed the perineum with delicate strokes.
Archer dug his hands into the hardwood of his desk, his attention focused on every move Warren made. When the two wet fingers found their way to his anus, his back bowed and his dick swelled.
With superhuman strength he straightened. “No. I want to be in you.”
Warren looked up. With a final knee-weakening caress around the edge of his pulled-back foreskin, his lover rose and opened his trousers.
Archer stumbled to one of his shelves and opened a narrow wooden box. Camouflaged in between machine oil and grease was a small bottle of lubricant. He squirted a dollop on his fingers and rubbed it along his pulsing dick.
Warren, naked and resembling an ancient god, rested on his elbows on the edge of Archer’s desk, his legs spread. Archer stepped behind him and leaned down to bite into the luscious arse presented to him. He could never get enough of the firm, round cheeks, but today he wanted something else.
He poured more lubricant on his fingers and prepared Warren. Each groan and moan increased the need inside him. “Do you think she will enjoy watching us?” Warren responded to his whispered words like he did to the lash of a whip. “Can you imagine her sitting in my chair while I fuck you, rubbing her wet quim right before us?”
Warren groaned and pushed his arse back.
Archer gave another bite and slapped the other cheek before taking Warren’s right arm and raising him. Their eyes met. “I want you face-to-face.” He kissed his lover. “How else can I bite your nipples in the right moment?”
Warren’s whole body tightened and his head fell back.
With no care and consideration to his work, Archer pushed all the papers off his desk and turned to his lover. Warren pulled him close for a deep kiss, their chests meeting and their hard dicks rubbing against each other. Archer pushed him back until Warren sat, the desk a perfect height. Archer leaned forward and licked across Warren’s nipples.
Warren groaned and wrapped his legs around Archer’s waist. “Stop playing, you bastard. It was hard enough to cling to control while in the same room as our Sarah. No more teasing.”
Archer met his gaze and curved his hands around Warren’s arse. He kissed him. As he thrust his tongue into Warren’s mouth, rubbing and caressing it, he pushed his throbbing member into Warren. His lover growled. Archer nipped the exposed neck lightly with his teeth, careful not to leave any marks. He continued his slow and powerful thrusts while working his way down Warren’s neck.
Warren arched his back and leaned back on his hands. Archer dug his fingers into the sweet curve of Warren’s behind as he increased his speed. Every time he moved, his cock rubbed against Warren’s balls. Archer leaned forward and bit Warren’s nipples. In instances like this Archer wished he had more than two hands. He didn’t want to let go of Warren
’s arse, but he also wanted to play with his nipples and his dick.
Warren’s dick lay heavy against his stomach. Archer tried to adjust his position so his abdomen rubbed against Warren’s rod with each move, but the desk wasn’t the best place.
“Can you imagine her?” Warren asked, his hoarse voice rubbing across Archer’s senses like a touch. “Can you see her soft hand stroking my cock every time you ram your hard dick inside me?”
Archer groaned, the image tightening every muscle in his body.
Warren moved, holding himself upright with one arm only. He gripped his member with his free hand. “Can you imagine it? Her sweet scent surrounding us, her fingers holding us, her lips sucking me while you drive home?”
Warren moved his hand from his cock and cupped Archer’s balls. Archer hissed and increased the power of his thrusts.
They both moaned. Archer’s balls pulled up. Warren whimpered when Archer scraped his teeth across a tight nipple. He shoved his hand into Archer’s hair and pulled him hard against his chest. “Please.”
Archer ignored the demand and gently licked the other nipple, but strengthened his grip, his nails digging into the muscular behind. He thrust harder, pushing Warren farther onto the desk.
Warren sank to his elbows and tightened his legs around Archer’s waist. “You bastard,” he said. “Watching her in her underwear was torture enough. Give it to me.”
Archer plunged deep, his balls slapping against Warren’s arse. “Why do you think I’m punishing you?” He sucked on the base of Warren’s neck, gave it a quick nip, but nowhere hard enough for what Warren hungered for.
“Bloody hell. You could have been there if you wanted to.”
Both of them panted. Sweat ran down Archer’s back and face. “Not this first time.”
Warren growled. “That was your choice.”
“It was.” Archer gave one last mighty thrust and dug his teeth deep into Warren’s chest muscle. His lover roared and streams of come pumped across his abdomen. Archer exploded in ecstasy, his knees buckling as all strength left him.
Warren’s legs dropped from his waist. He slumped against the desk, his eyes closed, his light-brown hair a mess, sweat sheening his well-muscled torso.
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