Page 32 of Inceptive (Ingenious #3)

32

WILL

S haking, Will looked at the burning torches greeting them at the meeting hall. Farmers tipped hats. Women wore their best scarves and skirts. Standing on the ivy-entwined portico were Astrid and a white-aproned barber.

The barber led Will and Zach inside the meeting hall where a reclining chair with a basin attached to the headrest stood where the podium had been.

Zach crunched his body to fit the recliner while people filled the first floor and gallery.

Astrid loosened his shirt and rolled down the collar. “Can’t say I understand your attraction to a man. But the commander warned if we disrespected the treaty of same-sex wedlock, his husband would incinerate Fort Hope.”

“May I have the honor, Mister Ex-mayor?” A curvy brunette, whose up-tilted lips and round cheeks matched Zach’s description of Maya, wrapped a hot, damp towel around Zach’s neck and face. “You look happy, Zach. If you’ve found true love, seize it. I’m glad you were honest with me.”

The town elders escorted Will to the honeymoon suite, which had a wreath on the door that smelled like pie spice. “Who’s the wife,” one asked, all eyes everywhere but on Will.

“We’re equal husbands,” Will corrected him.

“We weren’t sure. There’s a nightgown, wipes, towels, and a jar of grease. If you have questions, we got no answers.” They stumbled over each other, squeezing out the door. Probably rushing to the steam lodge to whisper who did who and how.

Will laughed softly. He could hardly wait to see his Zach. The nightgown on the bed was thin, whisper soft, and with a blue bow on the demure neckline. One tug and the nightgown would drop to the floor. Miss Glorianna would approve. Or Will could buck tradition and wait in bed naked with the sheet to his neck and watch Zach strip. His Zach. All his. Including the face beneath the whiskers, which he knew hid a strong jawline and wide square chin. He already knew the lips were full and defined, and the cheekbones were high. The nose was strong and straight.

Sweaty after his performance, Will bathed, cleaned, and stretched. He’d have to pace himself and loosen Zach’s virgin channel. He was breathless, bursting with anticipation, and rock hard when Zach knocked.

He finished tying the bow and posed. “Come in.”

Zach entered wearing a nightshirt with an attached hood pulled low over the face. The nightshirt had a ruffled yoke, cuffs, and hem. Will stifled a giggle. This was a sacred moment when a husband’s bare face was revealed.

“The barber held a mirror for me to look,” Zach said, his voice gruff. He pulled the hood back. His bangs were gone, and his long hair was combed back behind nice ears tight to his head. “Beau cracked a rib laughing after I put on the nightshirt.” Blushing, Zach waited for the verdict.

Shaving showed off a strong nose, jutting jaw, square chin, high cheekbones, and muscular neck. A nice face—not handsome, but oozing strength and sensual drama. Will licked his lips. “I approve.”

Zach smiled, and Will’s heart thrummed—dimples! He’d never expected to see dimples.

“I’m supposed to recite something nice, then turn down the lamp and undress you. I’m not good with words like you.” Zach clenched his hands at his sides. “William van Diehn, you warm me like sunshine breaking through a cloudy day.” He cleared his throat. “That’s all I got. Just know that when I’m with you, it’s as if I was born to love you, and rules don’t matter, and I will love you all the days of my life.”

Someday Will would put those words into a ballad. He looked down at himself. “They gave me a bridal gown.”

“Tradition doesn’t understand same-sex wedlock. A bride wears a blue bow. A groom wears ruffles.”

Will hugged his sides, laughing at the tradition that ruffles suited a groom.

Zach unbuttoned the yoke of his nightshirt, and it dropped to the floor. Will stopped laughing. His breath hitched. From head to big feet, his husband was perfect. Will stood on tiptoe and kissed him, then untied the bow, and the gown slithered to the floor. “I haven’t come in days, so this will be a mercifully quick fuck for you. But… have you… stretched… or prepped?”

“Every night since the pool, thinking of us. I swore, whatever it took, I would be your first. I loved sinking into your ass. But mine’s meaty. You’ll be disappointed.” Zach got on all fours in the middle of the bed and tipped up his ass. “Turn off the lamp before you spread my cheeks.”

Will gripped the base of his dick to stop from coming. “Already seen and lusted after your pucker and imagined how you’d keen when I fucked you.” Probably a poor choice of words to relax a virgin’s pucker, but he couldn’t believe they’d survived the hardships, defied their heritage and prejudices, and could have a new beginning with each other.

Will positioned himself. “Damn. I need a pillow to prop my knees. It’s like lining up to fuck a pony.”

“I recite poetry. You spout filth.”

“Tell me if it hurts.” Will stretched with one, then two greased fingers and scissored. He heard Zach gritting his teeth. “Sorry. It’s better when we have plenty of time to work each other into a fever pitch.”

“Wedlock states three days for us to reciprocate. The barge offers no privacy. We should take turns tonight and pass the exam tomorrow.” Zach looked over his shoulder. “I will fantasize having my turn with you to ease the discomfort.”

Will worked his cockhead past the tight sphincter, then eased inside. He’d dreamed of his first time. How hot, how slick, how his partner’s hips would thrust back in rhythm. He lasted four thrusts before the gathering tingles flash-fired his spine. He keened as he shot deep. Drained, he collapsed atop Zach without the strength to pull out and clean up. He should ask if Zach was okay, if he wanted mouth or hand or his turn for ass.

“Was it good for you?” Zach asked as calmly as if they were sipping tea by the stove.

Will murmured unghhuh and fell asleep.

Will woke on his stomach with thick sticky fingers working his ass. “Did you come on me while I slept?” He yawned and enjoyed the fingering.

“It’s morning. I jerked off and worked my seed inside you. No damn medic will deny our wedlock.”

There was a knock on the door, and Will yipped as Zach yanked his fingers out. Neither had locked the door, and a six-armed bot from the Triangle’s medical unit rolled in. Its red eyes scanned them with the sheet drawn to their chins. A drawer in its mid-section opened. Its hands picked up swabs. “Please uncover and assume a desired position.”

“What if this doesn’t work?” Will muttered, then lay on his belly and spread his thighs.

“I am qualified,” the bot reassured him.

Will squealed as cold metal digits spread his cheeks and swabbed, the exam taking seconds.

“Coitus confirmed for William van Diehn.”

The bot swabbed Zach face down, and Will bit the pillow to check his laughter at fooling it.

“Coitus confirmed for Zach Braxton. Congratulations and best wishes from the Triangle. Wedlock will be registered. Air shuttle to the sanctuary for sanitizing leaves in thirty minutes.” It rolled out.

Will and Zach laughed and cleaned up. The future belonged to them. If anyone dared question their union, Will would sic Belle on them with an aimed gift.