Page 12 of Inceptive (Ingenious #3)

12

WILL

W ill awakened with chapped lips, bruises, and a sore dick from a night of hungry mauling. He lay on his stomach on a towel. What an incredible night.

Both had abandoned the excuse of a birthday wish. At some point, there was no questioning that coming together was anything but willing surrender to a deep mutual need to own and be owned by a partner they desired. Their mouths and hands had explored, but no anal play and no cock sucking from Zach.

Will had, however, bitten off the end of a vine pod to slick Zach’s thighs, and they’d learned how to thigh fuck each other. Riding once was enough for Will. Zach had wakened him twice before the spooning settled into an exhausted sleep.

Will nudged a foot to the side to rub up and down Zach’s leg. The space was empty. He barely had the energy to open his eyes to see steam rising from a tub. A fragrant tea steeped on the stove. Where had Zach found the energy?

He stepped into the tub, the heat soaking into his muscles.

“Good morning.” A towel knotted around his waist, Zach entered the cabin carrying two pails of water. His body glistened from a rain shower. He smelled of grassy soap, and his eyes sparkled with affection. His lips were chapped from all the kissing.

Will absently stroked his cock. He winced. The poor thing was limp and sore.

Zach’s affectionate sparkle faded as he noted the bruises and whisker burns on him—a body that was undeniably male. “I’ve spent the morning thinking about us.”

Will braced for the inevitable guilt. “Is this where you tell me you’ll erase the best night of my life from my memory in the steam lodge.”

“Last night was wonderful. Our time together will end. Just not yet. You can’t live in Fort Hope. I can’t live on your Island. You aren’t a shameful secret to me. If I could, I’d court you for a husband. But our people would suffer by losing the clinic and the soil trade.”

“Are you trying to say no more sex?”

“I’m saying that if you and I are dedicating our lives to our people, we damn well deserve the next few months with each other. But what if you’re given drugs to cure your amnesia? The truth could accidentally be revealed during questioning, and ambitious politicians will use the information to blackmail me while I’m mayor. Fort Hope would execute me if the truth were revealed. The vapor in the steam lodge is powerful, especially if you’re willing to turn what we share into memories of harsh conditions that led to us becoming friends.”

“I’d rather sit in the steam lodge and forget you than spend the rest of my life grieving that I was responsible for your execution. You have my permission to manipulate my memories and plant my original excuse of a fall and amnesia as truth. But, Zach, three more months in the cabin means a bucket of memories to erase.”

“The vapor can safely erase six months. I’ve participated for many years in providing details of dreams to substitute for reality. Just tell me what you wish to rearrange.”

“Heh. That we hadn’t played a game of wishes.” He lifted a leg and soaped the crusted cum.

“I tasted my seed on your thighs while you slept. You deserved a bath for swallowing.”

They rested their bodies in anticipation of the coming night. Will flirted throughout the afternoon, and Zach seemed to revel in the touching and admiring leers.

Preparing for the night, Will leaned out the window and cut four vine pods. Zach was insatiable and curious and demanding and possessive, and oh, what a night awaited Will.

Will heard two plops and the skitter of feet on the front porch.

Zach grabbed a spear and net and dashed outside. “If it’s edible, I’ll skin and roast it. Don’t watch.”

Will grabbed the skillet for a killing blow.

A dead pair of plump hares were under Belle’s cage. Bloody footprints shaped like X feet led to the edge of the porch. Will searched the sky and whistled for her. He thought he heard a faint whistle answer him.

Belle was alive and had found a mate to guard her clutch while she hunted. She’d brought him and Zach a treat to supplement their supplies and to let them know she’d found her home. Still, it stung that she refused to show herself. He wished she would bring her chicks when they learned to fly.

Then again, wild chicks learning to talk and dropping gifts everywhere… maybe no visits. Plus, he wanted privacy with Zach.