Page 4 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

It was the greatest moment of Leo's life.

Prince Leovar had never felt such wild passion from a lover, nor for a lover. Riding Xander had been magnificent, but when Xander lost control and took Leo as he had, it released things inside Leo that he hadn't known were there. Needs. Desires. Compulsions.

He had to have Xander again. Over and over. The feel of those big hands on his hips, of that huge cock driving into him, was something Leo knew he'd never be able to live without. It was primal. Like animals mating. Instinct simply couldn't be reasoned with. Leo was already getting hard again.

But then Xander fell onto the blanket and pulled Leo down beside him.

He curled around Leo, pressing his face into the curve of Leo's neck, and sighed.

That's it. Nothing masterful. No courtly teasing.

He didn't even speak. And yet, it changed Leo's mood in a moment.

He went from raging need and swelling cock to calm and so satisfied that all he could do was wriggle back against Xander's chest. Was this what it felt like to want to snuggle?

Leo had always wondered how anyone could find pleasure in just lying beside someone.

Now, he understood. When you went through something like Leo had just gone through—sex that shook him long after his climax ended—you needed to cling to someone who understood.

To the person who went through it with you.

“I have to go inside soon,” Xander said. “I don't want to, but someone will notice my absence. ”

“I don't want to leave either,” Leo said. Then he turned to face Xander. “So, you liked it?”

Xander grinned. “You couldn't tell?”

“Yes, I absolutely could. But I wanted to hear you say it.”

“I loved it.” Xander stroked Leo's cheek. “You are so beautiful.”

“Me?” Leo asked.

“You don't know? You seem like a man who would know your own worth.”

“That's the nicest way I've ever been called a narcissist.” Chuckling, Leo turned his face into Xander's touch and kissed his palm.

“I suppose I used to think I was attractive, and then . . .” And then Leo realized that everyone told him exactly what he wanted to hear.

He had stopped trusting people, especially when it came to compliments.

But he couldn't say that to Xander. So, he finished with, “And then I lost interest.”

“You lost interest in the way you look?” Xander smirked and nodded at Leo's clothes, still dripping over the stall wall. “Those pants are rather fine for a man who doesn't care about appearances.”

“It doesn't matter. I'm just glad that you think I'm attractive.”

Xander sat up. “I don't see how that matters either. We won't see each other again.”

“What?!” Leo sat up and grabbed Xander's arm. “Why not?”

Xander's brows rose. “I assumed you'd go back to whoever you were fucking earlier.”

Leo grimaced. “You're observant. ”

Xander shrugged and stood up.

Leo lost his train of thought for a few seconds, so entrancing was Xander's body. All those muscles on sleek display, no hair covering his chest, just a sprinkling over his lower arms and legs. And then there was that firm, thick ass. On the front side, that monstrous shaft.

“Leo?” Xander pulled on his pants.

Suddenly, it was easier for Leo to think. He shot to his feet and took Xander's hand. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but I genuinely like you, Xander. May I return tomorrow?”

“You want to come back?”

“Yes. May I? I'll bring us lunch. How would you like that?”

Xander stared at Leo long enough to make Leo nervous. He needed to see Xander again. If he refused, Leo wasn't sure what he'd do. He might offer to pay him. But he had a feeling that Xander wouldn't take that well. Maybe he'd beg. How does one beg? Leo would figure it out.

“I'd like that.” Xander glanced at the stable door. “But I don't know when I'll be free.”

“I'll wait!” Leo blurted. “I'll come here and wait in this stall.”

“You can't be seen. If someone sees you, I'll be in trouble.”

“I'll be careful. I promise.”

Xander sighed, his stare traveling down Leo's body.

“Oh, don't look at me like that. You'll have me hard again.”

“Already?” Xander shifted closer .

Relief flooded Leo. He recognized victory when he saw it, and Xander was giving in. “Yes, already.” Leo pressed himself against Xander and slid a hand up Xander's chest to grab the back of his neck. As he pulled him down into a kiss, Leo added, “You could harden me with a look.”

Xander groaned into their kiss, and Leo took that as another sign of his win.

He grabbed fistfuls of Leo's hair and angled his head the way he wanted it.

Leo wasn't surprised to feel a fresh wave of lust crash over him.

This man was genuine, powerful, and wild.

Leo had unleashed the passion inside Xander, and he intended to claim it all for himself.

There was no chance that he'd allow another man to take this treasure away from him.

“Asher!” someone screeched.

Xander jerked away from Leo.

“Asher!”

“I have to go,” Xander muttered.

“Is she calling for you?” Leo frowned from Xander's red face to the stable door.

“Yes.” Xander headed for the door. “Could you please leave as quietly as possible?”

“Hey.” Leo grabbed Xander's hand.

“Asher!”

Xander jerked his hand away. “Go!”

“I'll be here tomorrow at noon,” Leo said. “But I'll wait as long as it takes.”

Xander finally looked at Leo, his stare wide and wounded. “Sure.” And then he slipped out of the stable.

Leo went to stand at the door and peered through the crack.

Xander hurried across the garden to the manor's back door.

A woman dressed in velvet stood there, scowling at him.

She might have been beautiful once, but age and bitterness had left their marks on her face. She looked sour. As sour as a lime.

“Where have you been?!” She struck Xander across his face.

Leo flinched, shocked to his marrow. He was even more shocked when Xander bent his head and did nothing, only mumbled a response.

“Bring in the firewood! Now!” the woman shouted, even though Xander was standing right before her. “Our fire has nearly burned down to cinders. And the only person in this house who enjoys ashes is you!” She spun around and stormed back into the house.

Xander looked over his shoulder at the stable as if he knew Leo was watching.

Leo could see the despair in his stare, even at that distance.

He wanted to march over there, take Xander's hand, and take him away from that house forever.

But Leo knew the bonds of society better than most. If he wanted Xander, he'd have to go about this carefully.

First things first—he needed to find out who Xander was.

And why that woman called him Asher.