A Promise of Tomorrow (19 page)

 

Smiling gently and settling himself more comfortably back on the cushions, he said, “Thenit willbe mypleasure to instruct you.”

He spread his legs further apart, saying, “Come and sit between my knees, facing me.” When Kyle obeyed, he added, “Drape your legs over mine and put your feet flat on the bed by my hips.” Kyle flushed and spread his leanthighs up and over James’s larger ones.

“Lovely,” he murmured as his eyes hooded and his cock came fullyawake again.

Inthat position, Kyle layfullyexposed before him, and the sight was breathtaking. In that moment, he was more certain than ever that he had never met a more beautifulmanand that evenshould he live to be a hundred, he probablynever would.

Taking a breath and clenching his fists in the restraints, he ordered, “Stroke yourself for me. I want you to imagine it’s my hand onyou, caressingyou, givingyoupleasure.”

The command came out a little huskier than he had intended, but Kyle seemed to react as much to the sound as the words. His eyes became heavy with desire, and his lips parted as he wrapped long, slender fingers around his shaft and stroked. He seemed tentative and shy at first but soon warmed to the idea of putting on a show for his helpless audience. Spreading his legs a little wider, he licked his lips and locked his eyes withJames’s.

“Put your fingers inyour mouthand suck. Make themgood and wet.” He continued watching, trying to control his breathing, and as Kyle obeyed, he had to clench his jaw hard to keep fromgroaning at the sight.

“Pull and pinch your nipples for me with those slick fingers,” he managed, and Kyle’s head fell back a little and his eyes closed as he complied. James let him continue stroking his cock and playing with his nipples for severalmoments untilKyle’s pace increased.

“Stop.” They both needed a moment, or they’d spend before theyeventouched one another again.

Kyle’s eyes flew open, flashing green fire in protest, and his swollen lips fell into a pout. The sight was so endearing that James almost didn’t want to continue, but he decided to take pity on them both.

“Grab the vial of oil from the night table, then lie back where youwere,”he said, noddingto his right.

Kyle clambered over him so fast James nearly burst out laughing, but he held it in for fear of offending his young lover. Kyle settled back between his legs, glass vial in hand, and looked back at James expectantly.

“Pour some into your palm and spread it over your cock.” Whenhe did, James had to swallow before he could continue.

“Move lower and cup your bollocks. Coat them in oil; I want to see them shine.” James’s breath was coming harder now as he watched Kyle flushagainand his hand move over himself.

Time to move things along
.

“Coat your fingers in more oil. Good. Now pull your bollocks up high and slide your fingers beneath,” he breathed. “Higher, show me where you want me. Show me your sweet pink rosebud. I want to see it openfor me.”

Sweat beaded all over James’s body as Kyle groaned and did as he was told, cupping his sac against the base of his shaft in one hand, pullingit taut, thenslidingthe other beneath.

“Now push inside, make yourself ready for me,” he panted. “Stretch yourself with your fingers so I can slide into that tight arse in one smooth, slick stroke.” Kyle’s crown flushed purple above his fist as the fingers of his other hand explored his entrance, sliding in and out, stretching.

“That’s right, sweet, deeper, go deeper,” he choked out as he watched the work of art in front of him. James knew when Kyle found his sweet spot because his lover jerked suddenly and another drop ofpearlyfluid slid downhis crown.

“Yes, sweet, that’s what I want. That’s what I want to do to you. I want to fill you, to slide my cock over that place deep inside you over and over until you spend around me.” Kyle was panting now as well, and James decided he couldn’t take anymore. He had to have Kyle
now
.

“All right, sweet, come to me, come and kiss me,” he commanded breathlessly, and Kyle climbed up his body, sealing their mouths together. The kiss was desperate, Kyle’s lips and tongue begginghimfor more.

Turning his head fromthe kiss, he whispered in his lover’s ear, “Now, sweet, you’re ready for me. Spread the oil over my cock and lower yourself onto me. Take me inside you. Go as slow as you need, but do it
now
.”

Kyle’s eyes were a bit glazed when they met his, but he nodded and moved to obey. James had to grit his teeth, close his eyes, and count to ten as Kyle’s hand slid over his shaft, slicking it withoil.

When he felt that hand grip the base of his shaft firmly, his eyes flew opento lock withKyle’s, offeringwhat encouragement he could. Kyle’s blush had spread all the way down his neck, and his lower lip was caught between his teeth as he positioned James’s crown at his opening and began to lower himself. James would have thrown his head back and moaned at the feel of Kyle’s tight heat surrounding himif he didn’t want so desperately to watch Kyle slide onto himfor the first time, to watchthat beautifulface change as he was filled.

At the first twinge of pain on Kyle’s face, James mastered himself enough to gasp, “Don’t rush, Kyle, we have all night. If it hurts, ease back a little and start again.” James hoped for both their sakes that it didn’t take much longer. He had reached the limits of his control. He’d already admitted to himself he wasn’t a saint, but if things kept up at this pace much longer, he might be a candidate for martyrdom.

Kyle rose up a little at his suggestion, then began rocking his wayback down, takingJames a little deeper eachtime. Whenhe was finally seated all the way, Kyle let out a sigh and stilled. James would have offered more advice or encouragement, but he couldn’t seemto form the words, and any desire to try was quickly swept away on a tide ofpleasure as Kyle beganto move onhim.

After gripping James’s shoulders for support, Kyle started a smooth, slow rhythm that had James’s eyes rolling back in his head and his mouth falling open in a moan. Kyle soon joined him, whimperingand gruntingwitheachpump and twist ofhis hips.

“Yes, Kyle. Oh lord, yes,” he panted. “Stroke yourself now, I want to feel you spend with me inside you.” He needed Kyle to hurry.

As he watched, Kyle gripped his shaft and pumped into his hand with each forward thrust of his hips. Near blind with need, James used the bindings onhis wrists as leverage and lifted his hips to meet eachdownstroke, and together theyset a frenzied pace.

It couldn’t last long, not for either of them, and suddenly, Kyle slammed down on him hard, grinding his arse against James’s hips, crying out and clenching around him. Warm seed spattered across James’s stomach and chest, sending him over the edge. Straining against his bindings, James stifled a shout and arched off the bed, his stomach and thigh muscles burning with the strain as he shot into Kyle’s hot channel. He froze trembling in that position until his vision cleared, thenlowered bothofthemback onto the bed.

Kyle fell against his chest, panting, and James dropped his cheek to Kyle’s damp hair, shaking and gasping. They stayed like that for onlya short time before James’s thighs beganto cramp.

He kissed the top of Kyle’s head and chuckled, saying, “Lovely, you can’t keep me like this all night. Will you untie me now?” Kyle looked up with a heartbreakingly sweet, sated, and sleepy smile, then kissed James tenderly while he fumbled with the restraints.

When his wrists were released, James slid his arms around Kyle and pulled him close, shifting enough to give his thigh muscles some relief.

“Beautiful boy,” he whispered against Kyle’s hair. “Sweet boy.” He didn’t fully understand the clenching in his chest and the lump in his throat, but he knew at that moment that he didn’t want to let Kyle go, not for anythinginthe world.

When he felt Kyle’s body become heavy and languid, he could tell that his lover was almost asleep in his arms. James had to admit he was almost there himself. Too many sleepless nights, combined with what had to be the most intense release he’d ever had, made sleep a foregone conclusion for both of them. He didn’t want the tender moment to end, and he knew they had much to talk about, but it would have to wait. Theybothneeded sleep.

He wiped themoff with his nightshirt and tossed it on the floor, thensettled Kyle against his side and put out the lamp before drawing the linens over them.

“Did you lock the door?” he whispered against Kyle’s hair. When he felt Kyle nod and heard a sleepy “mmhhmm,” he lay back and closed his eyes.

“Good night, Kyle,”he murmured before sleep claimed him.

 

Chapter 10

 

K
YLE
woke to the pale glow of predawn coming from the windows and the feel of his lover’s warm breath against his neck. James’s large, muscled body lay curled around him, his arm draped over Kyle’s waist, and he had to close his eyes as the rush of emotion he felt caused his chest to swell painfully. He could still hardly believe James had allowed him into his bed… and the things he’d done to him there…. James had been passionate and kind, strong and gentle and more wonderfulthanKyle could have imagined.

So different from Victor… even in the beginning.

He shook his head. He didn’t want to think about Victor at a time like this, but he had been the only other man Kyle had ever lain with, and he couldn’t help the comparison.

There is no comparison.

Never in his life had he felt so cherished and wanted. How a man could be so masterful and commanding yet tender and giving all at the same time Kyle didn’t know, but he was nearly overflowing with gratitude for it. He stared at his lover’s face for long moments, committing every line and curve to memory. This man embodied everything he could possibly have asked for, and he couldn’t bear the thought that their time together would end.

But it must
, he thought, clamping his eyes closed on the tears that threatened.
The dream has to end sometime, and it will be easier if it happens now.

There was no future for them. Lord Warren was a respected peer of the realm, so discreet it seemed that Kyle had never once heard even a hint of a rumor about him. If such a rumor had existed, he felt sure Victor would have known about it. Victor and his friends seemed to thrive on that sort of gossip, and never once had Victor mentioned the viscount’s name.

A man like that couldn’t afford to keep someone like him around. He couldn’t stay at Kentwood. It would be out of the question. James lived alone, had always lived alone, and though the servants seemed quite loyal, Kyle knew a man like James wouldn’t risk rumors startingonhis ownestates.

You’re assuming that he’d even want you for more than one night. Just because the man let you sleep in his bed and made you feel lo—how he made you feel, doesn’t mean he wants to keep you. You’re the one who insisted when he tried to refuse you.

Kyle shook his head, gritted his teeth, and opened his eyes. He was just avoiding the inevitable with his woolgathering. Even if, by some miracle, James actually did want him, there could never be more thana short holidaytogether.

Perhaps a few short months if he wanted me enough to set me up somewhere.

But that would leave him back in the same situation he had been with Victor, and he couldn’t do that again. He couldn’t have his life so completely dependent on the whimand regard of another. The fact that he had to go grovelingto his aunt was bad enough.

No, no matter how wonderful the night before had been, he knew he had to let go and face the real world again. There was no other choice. He had to leave now. He knew himself well enough to know that if he allowed himself to taste more, to dream of more, it would onlytear himto pieces.

He felt so brittle even now, and the passion he had had for Victor was a pale, sickly thing in comparison to what he felt for James. He was certain he wouldn’t survive if he allowed himself to acknowledge the depthofhis feelings for this manand thenlost him.

Easing away fromJames’s sleeping formand getting out of that warm, soft bed was the hardest thing he’d ever done. Looking down at his lover’s handsome face, he positively ached with the need to forget everythingelse and kiss those firmlips again.

Swallowing the desire, he turned and searched out his trousers and shirt, making his way to the antechamber. He dressed as quietly as he could and, after listening at the door for any noises from the hall, stepped out and made his wayback to his room.

After washing and dressing himself for his journey, he decided he wouldn’t disturb any of the other servants. He would simply go to the stables himself and wait for them to saddle Gwinny. He would saddle her himself if he had to. There was no point in delaying, and if he waited muchlonger, he’d weakenand lose his resolve.

The sunhad barelycrested the horizonwhenhe trotted past the gatehouse toward the village. He would inquire at the inn as to the best roads to travel and perhaps have something to eat, though he changed his mind whenthe thought offood made his stomachturn.

Looking back at the Hall, he couldn’t help the pain that tightened his chest. He knew he would be back that evening or the next day. He had to return the horse and say goodbye to everyone, to James, face to face. He owed him,
them
, at least that much. It would be incredibly wrong and ungrateful of him not to, but he couldn’t help but feel his heart break a little with each step his horse took.