Page 40 of Mr Winterbourne's Christmas

Lysander clutched the backs of Adam’s thighs, holding him wide and open as he fucked him, watching Adam give up everything to him—all his pride and his control. Adam rarely submitted to Lysander like this, but when he did, he did so fully and completely, and it filled Lysander with awe every time. Awe and gratitude and yes, downright lust.

Lysander bent down to kiss Adam, crushing their mouths together and simultaneously rubbing his lean stomach against the man’s hard, leaking cock. And that did it—moments later, Adam was coming between them in warm pulses, and Lysander was following an instant later, their cries of pleasure stifled by their shared kiss.

***

LATER, LYSANDER TURNEDhis head on the pillow to meet Adam’s gaze. The fire had reduced to little more than embers, but his eyes were used to the dark now, and he could see his lover’s face reasonably well. Could see that Adam’s eyes were warm, full of trust and love.

“You said you loved me,” Lysander whispered. “When we were on the terrace.”

Adam quirked a smile. “I do love you.”

“I didn’t know you felt that way,” Lysander said hoarsely. “Did you?”

Adam frowned. “Did I what?”

Lysander swallowed. “Know that I feel the same way? That I’m in love with you.”

“Are you?” Adam’s face lit up and it made Lysander feel joyful and sad all at the same time—joyful that this made Adam so happy and sad that he’d withheld that joy from him, because of his own cowardice.

“I am,” Lysander said urgently. “I should have told you so, but I was afraid. When we first met, you needed a steward and it was helpful to have an excuse to spend so much time together. But after a while, I began to wonder whether it was really me that you wanted, or if it was just a—a convenient arrangement.”

Adam’s eyes were soft, his smile warm. He lifted a hand to gently brush back a lock of hair from Lysander’s forehead, an affectionate gesture Lysander had grown used to.

“I was afraid too,” Adam admitted. “I fell in love so quickly and it was terrifying, feeling so much, so soon—more than I’d ever felt for another person. And then—well, I had the same worry as you, really, not knowing what was more important to you: me or Edgeley Park.”

“That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard.” Lysander said, scowling at the idea that Adam could think his position meant more to him than Adam.

“No less idiotic than what you were thinking,” Adam replied, grinning.

Lysander groaned, remembering. “Oh, you have no idea just how idiotic my thoughts were at times.”

Adam inched closer, his grin deepening as he urged, “Tell me.”

“I began to wonder whether”—he felt his cheeks warm—“you had a harem of other lovers you visited when you were away from home.”

“What?” Adam gave a bark of astonished laughter. “You didn’t seriously think that?”

Lysander laughed shakily, more relieved by that reaction than he cared to admit. “Not really. Well—maybe once or twice, in my more absurd moments. It’s Jonny’s fault for putting the idea in my head.”

“He told you I had a harem?” Adam looked equal parts astonished and furious.

Lysander laughed softly. “No, he just said you had one before we met. But once he’d planted the thought in my head, my imagination got the better of me.”

Adam relaxed. “You idiot,” he said fondly. “As though I could want anyone else when I have you.”

“Ah, so you don’t deny you had a harem at one time,” Lysander teased.

“Oh, I wouldn’t call it a harem precisely,” Adam said with a wicked grin. “Just a few very good friends.” He moved in closer, till his hard body was flush against Lysander’s, rolling them both so that he was on top, Lysander flushed and laughing below him.

“Do you have stories?” Lysander asked, canting up his hips, making Adam groan as their cocks brushed. “Will you tell me them?”

Adam dipped his head, till their lips just barely touched. “How about I show you?”

Lysander gave a happy sigh. “That would be very agreeable.”