Page 70 of A Gentleman's Wager

He answered with movement, coming further up the bed, whence he straddled Lucerne’s chest, so that his knees were practically wedged in Lucerne’s armpits. “You know, I find I’m quite put out to learn she’s had such thorough command of your attention, whereas I’ve been denied so much as a kiss today.”

It was true that Lucerne had crept away in the early hours so that he’d woken alone in his own bed this morning, with no evidence of their night of passion present to disturb him, other than his usual morning rise. It meant that when they had finally both crossed paths, he was on the defensive. That Bella had been missing at the time, and the rain hammering down so hard several of the sash windows were leaking had added to the awkwardness. “I don’t know that I’ve yet forgiven your earlier remarks.”

Vaughan ran his thumb over Lucerne’s lips. “Flaunting your conquest of her isn’t enough?”

“That’s not what it was.” He’d meant to keep his promise to Rushdale, but he hadn’t accounted for Bella’s desire or her impatience. “She pleases me, Vaughan. I like her, quite a lot, as it happens.”

“Are you sure?”

Lucerne frowned. “What the devil is that meant to mean? Are you sure? Yes, I’m sure. I’ve no intention of giving her up, Vaughan.”

That was the crux of what this discussion was about.

“I see.”

“Do you?”

“Of course. This terrifies you. She makes you feel safe.”

That was one interpretation, another was that he genuinely desired Bella, and had no wish to choose one lover over the other.

“Safe,” he laughed. “Her brother will probably bray me to death with a billiard’s cue when he finds out.”

Vaughan didn’t join in his humour.

With a sigh, Lucerne tapped him upon the thigh. “Let me up. My valet will be along in a moment to dress me, and I’d rather not lose him because he finds you astride my chest.”

Vaughan didn’t move. He only smiled.

“Vaughan.”

“Up, you say.” He released his falls. “Yes, you’re right, I do appear to be risen. You’ll give it a little kiss now, won’t you Lucerne.”

“Vaughan, my valet!” he protested, while failing to tear his gaze away from Vaughan’s cock. He still wasn’t used to seeing such a thing up so close. It intrigued him. The splash of veins along the stem. The way the foreskin drew back forming a collar. How plum and inviting the tip seemed. And as for the pearls leaking from the slit. He recalled their taste. The muskiness.

Vaughan sensed the give in him, he was sure.

“Best make it swift.”

One kiss wouldn’t hurt. Lucerne bent his neck, but Vaughan simultaneously moved towards him so that instead of brushing a quick kiss against Vaughan’s crown and sweeping a few pearls into his tongue, Lucerne found his mouth invaded.

He dug his fingertips into Vaughan’s thighs, protesting the intrusion at first. It only caused Vaughan’s cock to further swell. He pushed deeper, threatening to make Lucerne’s eyes water.

“Swallow,” he instructed. “Now breathe. And again.” His beringed fingers tangled in Lucerne’s hair, guiding him. “That’s it. Again. And again.”

Lucerne fought the feeling that he’d choke. The challenge of taking so much of Vaughan’s cock thrilled him in a way that stiffened his own prick. He grew bolder, responding to the tiny thrusts Vaughan made. Exalted when he heard each croak of joy escape his lover’s lips.

He recalled that it was prudent to use his tongue. Sure enough, when he caught the underside of the shaft on each withdrawal, Vaughan arched and groaned. After only another half dozen strokes, he spilled his pleasure in thick pulsing jets, which Lucerne instinctively swallowed.

It still didn’t make sense to him why he found so much joy in such an act. It wasn’t as if he routinely dreamed of sucking other men’s pricks prior to doing it a day ago. But here it was, a new truth.

Spent, Vaughan levered back his hips. “I think a reward is owed.”

“You know what I want, Vaughan.”

Vaughan’s long coal-dark lashes brushed against his cheek. “Why would I ever agree to having a woman come between us?”

“Why the hell wouldn’t you?” Lucerne retaliated. He rubbed his mouth clean with the back of his hand.