Page 5 of The Marquess and the Earl (The Unlikely Betrothal #3)

Chapter 5

N ate had collapsed across his bed the previous evening. He fell asleep with a smile fixed on his face and woke up with the same smile. Even though it was sudden and quick, he wasn’t certain how he had been fortunate enough to find such a strong connection twice in his life, but he didn’t wish to take a moment of it for granted.

He almost knocked on George’s door and spent the night with him, but he reminded himself of the need to put some space between their emotional declarations and the physical aspects of being together. At least for one evening. After all that they had shared with each other, and better understanding the confusion George had lived with for much of his life, Nate knew George deserved unconditional love and affection. And not just the physical kind, although that would come quickly, so to speak, given how much they both wanted it.

Perhaps they could break away from the riding party and find a place where they could be alone. That might be better than having to maintain hushed whispers to keep from being found out. At least for George’s first time.

Nate grabbed a few things he thought they might need, then wrapped them up in the sheet that had been in his satchel before placing the sheet back inside. A knock sounded at the door, and he allowed Thompson to enter to help him dress. While he readied himself for the day, he came up with a plan for how they would separate from the group without raising suspicion.

Once he was dressed, he left the satchel just inside his chamber and departed to join the others in the breakfast room. He glanced at George’s door, wondering if he was inside or if he was already downstairs. Nate continued walking, knowing he would have his answer soon enough and could put the plan into action.

As soon as he reached the roar of the conversation where breakfast was served, he immediately saw George seated next to Lady Lily. He was freshly shaven, and Nate hid his frown. Although he still thought the man delectable, he preferred him with a bit of scruff. Hopefully, they might get away together somewhere for several days after the house party and forgo shaving. Nate enjoyed the roughness from the shadow of a beard that George sported the previous evening.

He’d have to quit thinking about it, at least until he was seated. Nate made several selections from the sideboard and took a seat across from George and Lady Lily.

“Good morning, my lady,” he said, opting to greet the young lady before greeting the person he cared the most about in the world. He hated he had to do so and be so mindful of their interactions. Perhaps they’d see a day in their society where that wasn’t the case.

“Good morning, Lord Demming,” she said, offering him a kind smile. “Are you joining the ride today?”

“I am, my lady.” He shifted his focus to George, his heart pounding when their eyes met. “And what about you, Lord Knox?”

“I believe I shall,” he replied.

Breakfast passed with various polite conversations and the other guests confirming who would attend the group ride and picnic by the pond. Not long after breakfast, everyone congregated at the stables and each guest claimed their horse to take on the ride. Nate mounted his horse and watched as George mounted his. He didn’t seem overly confident in the saddle but held his own.

Once the group started across the field, Nate caught up to Ockham. “I just remembered I have an important correspondence I must pen immediately. I shall catch up to the group as soon as I can.”

“I understand,” Ockham replied. “Will you be able to find your way?”

“Certainly. I’ll see if someone wants to return with me so I’m not wandering around alone in search of the group.”

Ockham nodded. “Very well. We are making our way to the pond. We shall see you soon.”

Nate turned around and rode up beside George, who eyed him curiously.

“I must get a missive out straight away. Would you be willing to return with me and then we shall catch up to the group?” Nate needed to ensure that if anyone was listening, they heard the same story he had given Ockham.

“Of course, my lord,” George responded, thankfully not asking any questions.

Once George turned around, they rode alongside each other.

“What are you doing?” George asked once they were out of earshot.

“Orchestrating a way for us to be alone. Just follow my lead.”

They arrived back at the stables and Nate climbed down and handed his reins to the groom. “Lord Knox is going to wait for me here while I pen a missive, and then we shall rejoin the party.”

The groom nodded, and Nate made his way back to his chamber. He picked up the satchel he had packed earlier and penned a quick missive to his estate manager to check in on things there. It wasn’t an urgent missive, but no one else needed to know that. At least if anyone should ask, he penned a missive and sent it out.

Nate departed his room with the satchel and the sealed missive. He found a footman and asked them to ensure it was posted right away, then made his way back to the stables.

“Thank you for agreeing to wait for me, my lord. I would hate to lose my way on my own,” Nate said, only for the groom’s benefit.

“It was no trouble, my lord. Did you tend to your missive?”

“Indeed. We can be off now.”

Nate climbed back atop his horse, and they trotted beside each other. They continued in the direction the group had departed until they were out of sight of the stables, just in case the groom paid attention to where they went.

“So this was your plan?” George asked, amused.

“There is surely a folly or cabin somewhere out here.” Nate suddenly came to a stop, looking at George, who also quickly stopped. “I expect nothing from you. You know that, right? If you only wish to talk and enjoy a few quiet moments without others around, that would be enough for me.”

George laughed. “If you don’t find us somewhere soon, I shall make you strip right here.”

Nate bit his bottom lip, his growing bulge becoming more uncomfortable in the saddle. “Very well, then. Let’s go this way.”

They started their horses through a grouping of trees and crossed a clearing. They were going in the direction opposite of where the party had gone, which should work in their favor. In a quarter hour, they came across a little cabin, which appeared to be used for hunting.

“Wait here,” Nate said, climbing down from his horse.

He peeked in the windows, and there was no one inside. At least if they encountered anyone, he could say they were lost trying to find their group.

He tried the door, and it was unlocked. The cabin had only two rooms. One room had a settee and chairs before a fireplace and the other room was a bedchamber with a bed, dresser, and fireplace. It appeared as if it had gone unused for a long time, which would suit their needs just fine .

Nate went back to the open door and waved to George. “Get your handsome arse in here,” he called out to him, enjoying the privacy they had alone in the woods.

He watched George climb down from his horse. George secured the reins of both horses and joined Nate in the doorway.

Nate grabbed his hand and pulled him inside, closing the door before pushing George up against it. He tossed his own hat onto the settee, then plucked George’s hat off his head and did the same. “What do you think?” Nate asked, then placed a stream of kisses along George’s jaw until he reached his ear, taking the lobe between his teeth. He loved the way George responded to him, pressing his bulge against Nate’s.

“It’s perfect,” George replied, wrapping his arms around Nate’s neck, releasing a soft whimper when Nate dipped his tongue into his ear. “Only because you are here.”

“Tell me what you wish to do,” Nate said, tugging at George’s cravat, so he could obtain access to his neck. Nate quickly removed his gloves so he could feel George’s skin beneath his bare fingers.

“First,” George started. “I want your clothes off your body. I am dying to see what you look like.”

Nate sucked and licked George’s neck and collarbone. “Are you going to help me?”

George removed his gloves, dropped them on the floor, then began working the buttons of Nate’s coat and pushed it off his shoulders. He set it over the back of a chair. They would have to help each other redress later to ensure they were presentable to join the group.

Nate did the same for George, quickly removing his coat and waistcoat. Their hands moved in a frenzy of unbuttoning clothing as George got Nate’s waistcoat off and they worked on each other’s shirts. Clothing stacked up on the back of the chair, in a matter of moments, they were both bare-chested, naked from the waist up before each other.

George placed his palms on Nate’s chest and ran his fingers through the smattering of hair across the taut muscles. Nate’s breath caught and he reveled in the way George’s hands explored his body. Nate gave him time to explore, letting him touch every inch of his torso, watching as George licked his lips—the action caused his cock to throb.

Nate ran his hands down George’s broad shoulders, down his smooth back until he clasped George’s clothed bottom and pulled him against his body. “Remove your breeches.”

Nate released him, and George worked to kick off his boots and socks. Nate did the same, not wishing to delay what they both wanted any longer. George stood before him in only his breeches, the only clothing keeping him from fully seeing him bared before him.

George caught Nate’s gaze and began unfastening the buttons, then pushed the fabric over his hips, letting them fall to the floor.

“You are so completely perfect,” Nate said, stepping closer so he could take George’s cock in his hand. He stroked it a few times before removing his hand to unbutton his own breeches. He stepped out of them when they hit the floor, grabbed George’s hand, and pulled him with him.

Nate picked up the satchel and led George to the bedchamber.

Once they were in the room, he kicked the door closed with his foot and walked George backwards until his bottom touched the bed.

“You must tell me what you want,” Nate said. “I don’t want to do anything you aren’t ready for.”

George wrapped his arms around Nate’s neck and brought their lips together. He dipped his tongue inside Nate’s mouth, and it tasted like heaven and a spot of tea. He would never tire of tasting the man.

George shifted his kisses to Nate’s neck and chest. “I want you inside of me.”

“Inside of you where?” Nate asked, needing him to be clear about what he wanted. “I will be happy being with you in any way you are comfortable. I just want this to be everything you want it to be. We have our lives to explore each other.”

George sucked and licked the hardened nipples on Nate’s chest. “I want your cock in my arse.”

Nate released a low growl. “Are you certain? It will hurt a bit, but I’ll do my best to prevent as much pain as possible.”

George stopped what he was doing and captured Nate’s gaze. “I have never been more certain. This is what I want. You are what I want.”

Nate gripped George’s bottom and lifted him to sit on the bed. He kissed him hard for several moments before breaking the kiss. “Lie back on the bed,” Nate instructed.

He grabbed the satchel and pulled out a jar of oil he had packed and set it within reach on the bed. He hadn’t been certain if they would need it but decided it would be best to come prepared.

Nate looked down and took in the sight before him. The man who worked his way into Nate’s heart more and more every moment lay across the bed with his firm body and his erect cock waiting for him. It was the most tantalizing sight he had ever seen. He lowered his head and took George’s cock all the way to the base in one movement, sucking and licking as he worked his mouth up slowly until he reached the head. He placed a light kiss on the tip and then flicked it with his tongue.

George moaned and gripped the blanket beneath him.

Nate spread George’s legs further and ran his tongue along the tight, puckered hole of his arse. The action alone might have made him spend. He pushed the tip of his tongue inside, stretching the hole wider.

“Fuck,” George moaned, causing Nate to grin at the reaction he had already pulled from him. He had barely begun.

Nate licked and teased a few moments longer before lifting his head and taking the jar in his hands. “Do you wish for me to continue?” Nate asked, mostly teasing, since he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

“God, yes,” George replied.

Nate removed the lid and dipped a finger inside, coating it in the oil. He rubbed the oil around the tight hole, which was about to be stretched as it never had before. Nate pressed the tip of his finger inside, shifting it deeper slowly, knuckle by knuckle, allowing George to adjust to him. He withdrew his finger and slid it all the way back inside in a single, fluid movement, reveling in George’s ragged breathing. Nate continued in that way, his own cock throbbing in response to George’s moaning and panting .

He withdrew his finger and dipped two fingers into the oil that time, then inserted them both with the same slow care he gave the first time. Once he allowed George to adjust, he worked his fingers in and out. Nate ached with each movement of his hand, imagining what his cock was going to feel like in place of his fingers.

He hooked his fingers and put added pressure on the area he knew would bring George even more pleasure, and he was rewarded with a steady stream of moans and profanities. He twisted his fingers, opening and stretching George’s arse as much as he could.

“I’m going to use my cock now,” Nate said, removing his fingers.

“Yes. Please, Nate,” George pleaded.

Nate loved how much George wanted him and that he was the one introducing him to the pleasure they would share together.

He dipped his fingers in the oil again and rubbed a line of it along George’s cock. “Stroke yourself,” he said.

George did as instructed and worked the oil around his shaft.

“That’s really good,” he groaned.

Nate covered his fingers again and applied it to himself that time, giving his length a few quick strokes as he coated his shaft, realizing just how little it would take for him to spend .

Nate put the lid back on the jar and set it aside. He hooked his arms under George’s bent knees and pulled him closer so his arse hung just over the edge of the bed. He positioned himself at George’s opening, teasing it with the head of his cock, which he was certain was driving himself madder than it was George.

He pushed the head of his cock inside, pausing to allow George to adjust to him. He moved another inch and paused again. Nate continued with the agonizing slowness until he was ballocks deep.

“Are you alright?” Nate asked when George’s hand stopped stroking his cock.

“Yes.” George sighed. “I don’t want to spend yet.”

Nate licked his lips and moved inside of George’s arse. He pulled out and pushed himself back in. He did so again, forcing himself to make slow, controlled movements.

“Harder, Nate,” George cried out. “I’m not going to break.”

Unable to control himself any longer, Nate thrust himself hard against George’s arse. He withdrew and thrust with quick, hard strokes, pounding into him. George began stroking himself again. “Fuck, that is so good,” George ground out. “Don’t fucking stop.”

Nate turned feral from George’s command and thrust with such intensity, gripping George’s thighs so hard, he might leave a mark. Nothing had ever felt so good or as intense as it did with George. He longed to fill George with his seed, possessing the man as his own.

After a few more hard thrusts, George moaned Nate’s name when he spent, covering his toned stomach with the proof of his climax. Nate shoved himself as deep as he could, spending deep inside George’s arse, moving in small pulsations to extend his climax and work every drop of the warm liquid from his body.

Nate withdrew slowly, trying to catch his breath. It had been the most vivid, powerful climax he had ever had, and it had knocked him off his axis. Everything about George had him thinking and feeling things he never thought he’d feel again, let alone with such intensity.

Fighting to get his thoughts and vision back, he reached into the satchel again and pulled out a couple of cloths he had packed. He wiped George’s stomach clean, glancing up to find George propping his hands behind his head to watch him.

Wiping away his seed that had leaked from George’s arse, he already couldn’t wait until he could take him again. After tossing the cloths on top of the satchel, he helped George shift further onto the bed and climbed in beside him, both of them lying across the bed with their feet hanging off the side .

Nate wrapped his arms around George and held him close.

“I had no idea,” George whispered. “I never even imagined.”

“Does that mean you are satisfied?”

“Quite. I am going to need you again soon.”

Nate laughed. “Not too soon, handsome. You are going to be sore. You might have to settle for me sucking your cock for a day or two.”

George pretended to pout. “I suppose that shall suffice.”

“Although you might hate me when you have to get back in the saddle.”

George placed a sweet kiss on his lips. “It shall be my reminder that I am yours and you are mine.”

Nate’s heart raced at George’s words.

“If I do my job right, you shouldn’t need so many reminders,” Nate said, kissing George’s brow, pressing his cheek against it as he held him tighter.

“I hope it’s always like this,” George said, his words almost a sigh.

Nate grinned. “I hope so, too.” He would do everything in his power to make it so.

“What happens when we leave at the end of the house party?”

Nate sighed and urged George to get up from the bed, even though he’d have lain there with him for days if he could have. “That is a conversation for later as we must rejoin the group,” Nate replied. “We have been gone far too long. We shall have to pretend we got ourselves lost and hope we don’t accidentally do that very thing.”