CHOCOLATE, TEA AND THE DUCHESS (16 page)

Alex chuckled. "Yes,
Your Grace."

"Do you want me to punish you, Alex." Phillip had not stopped rubbing Alex's

ass, dipping into the cleft, teasing the tight muscle, then moving away.

"Yes." Alex's voice sounded strained.

"How?"

"I look forward to whatever you deem appropriate."

"I feel a rather harsh spanking would suffice, given the audacity you displayed in

your teasing."

"Yes, harsh." Alex's breath hitched.

Phillip used his hand to spank Alex with no mercy. The man groaned sensually,

gutturally.

Several minutes passed with Phillip's hand becoming redder. The sounds, not

only of Alex's reaction, but also of Phillip's own hand striking the man's skin, made his

groin ache with an unbearable need.

"Oh, God, Your Grace. Fuck me. Please, fuck me now."

Phillip could no longer force himself to tease or to seduce. He wished to feel Alex

beneath him, surrounding his cock with pulsating muscles, feel Alex's body turned over

to him, completely.

Phillip removed his clothing quickly. After he lubricated Alex's anus, he slipped

a finger inside, feeling Alex's immediate tensing.

"Relax," Phillip whispered. "Is this your first time?"

"No, it is not." The words were spaced, a huge breath taken between each one.

"Then you know what to expect, do you not?"

"Do I?"

"Point well taken."

Phillip replaced the one finger with two, fucking Alex slowly, despite his

desperate need to plunge inside the man. With three fingers, he stretched the tight

muscle, feeling Alex finally relax, despite the tension that appeared to remain in his

arms and legs. Phillip leaned down and kissed the reddened skin on Alex's ass, kissed

him all over, licking, feeling the heat on his tongue.

"You take a spanking quite well."

"I give as good as I receive."

"We will indeed investigate that prospect." His heart quickened.

"Please, Phillip, fuck me."

Phillip noted the familiarity and grinned.

Phillip positioned himself, though he was still finger fucking Alex. He pulled his

fingers out and replaced them with his cock, slipping the head in easily. He then stilled.

He closed his eyes against the sensations, wishing to memorize each one, each

nuance, each sound, each breath.

"My God man."

"Give me more."

Phillip held Alex's hips, clenching them tight, moving his own hips back, then

forward, then a bit deeper with each stroke. He rocked against Alex's ass, sure the burn

would add to Alex's pleasure.

The feeling was unbearable for Phillip, though he'd bear it over and over again, if

given the chance. Alex hissed with each stroke. Phillip grunted, emphasizing each

movement. He knew this wasn't just fucking. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew

he cared for the other man's pleasure. Beyond that, it was a world of sensations, clearly

delineated, sharp.

"Alex," he murmured, as he leaned over Alex's upper body, thrusting his hips

with purpose, deeply, each stroke punctuating his need for this man and this moment

in time.

He wished he understood why Alex was different, but he simply was.

"Fuck me, Phillip, fuck me hard."

His name on Alex's lips sounded like a benediction. He wanted to possess this

man's body, to own him.

Phillip stroked deep and slow, seeking Alex's soul. He would brand this man,

spoil him for anyone else.

He moved Alex's hips, changing the angle. Alex reacted immediately, increasing

his own backward thrusts. "Phillip, please."

He felt the rise of culmination, the tingle at his back, the tension building in his

legs, his ballocks, his cock. He wanted the release, but didn't want this to end. He would

reach a point of no return, and he strove for that, all the time hoping this wouldn't be

the last time.

The speed came on its own, the natural progression, the want, the need to get to

the end. He groaned and allowed himself to tumble over the edge. His hips slammed

into Alex, as Phillip held the man still, not permitting even an inch of movement. His

body stiffened, his ballocks contracted, his cock throbbed, and with a shout of ecstasy,

Phillip spent himself. His body shuddered, over and over again, waves of pleasure

washing over him. He thought it'd never end, relished each and every quake and

quiver.

Phillip leaned over Alex's upper body and wrapped his arms around the man's

torso. He wanted to say, "You are mine," but simply held Alex instead.

"I must come," Alex said.

Phillip released Alex, who took his own cock in hand and stroked savagely.

Phillip stood by, weak, breathless, wishing he'd brought himself to do the deed for the

man.

Within moments, Alex came with a roar. Phillip observed taut sinews, muscular

arms, closed eyes, gritted teeth. Had Haynes done those same things? He'd never paid

the slightest bit of attention, and yet, he couldn't tear his gaze from Alex.

Alex seemed embarrassed by his reactions, not meeting Phillip's eyes as he began

to come back to his own. Instead, he walked to the washstand and began to clean

himself. Awkward, Phillip thought.

Alex finished with the washing and began to gather his clothes, putting them on,

silently. A sense of panic washed over Phillip, making him wonder if he'd done

something wrong. If he had, he wouldn't be surprised.

He quickly washed and followed Alex's lead, slipping into his own clothes, sans

cravat.

"Care for another brandy?" He didn't want the interlude to end, not yet, not until

he'd said the myriad things that sat on the tip of his tongue.

"That would be nice."

Phillip turned his back and closed his eyes in gratitude. He'd been granted a few

more minutes.

"Shall we sit?"

They assumed the same chairs they'd taken before . . . .

Awkward. The only word Phillip could think of that described what he was

feeling—well that, and, "Might I see you again, Alex?"

Alex grinned, almost shyly. "Thank you for that."

"What?"

"I had no idea how to ask the same question."

A humorless laugh followed, from both men, dispelling somewhat the pall that

had fallen over them.

"I would very much like to see you again, Phillip." Alex sipped his brandy,

settling into the chair a bit more.

Phillip wished to be, well, Phillip, taking charge, planning, controlling. He

sensed, however, that this situation called for patience, a commodity he lacked in

spades.

"A week from tonight, this room?"

Alex gave him a toothy smile and stood. "Yes, a week from tonight. I shall be

here."

He finished the last of the brandy in his glass, bowed, and went to the door.

Phillip already began counting the hours and the man hadn't even left his sight.

"I'll arrange some supper. Eight o'clock?"

"Eight o'clock it is."

The door closed quietly and Phillip felt oddly bereft.

Chapter Sixteen

Phillip met Alex at the Sapphire Club once a week for the next several months.

The attraction had grown to something more than just a good thrashing and a great

fucking, though those were certainly a part of the entire package. They had meals

together, talked politics, a shared interest, as well as travel and Alex's interest in

anything to do with India.

The friendship that ensued was one of only a few Phillip had ever experienced in

his life. Though he called Prentice Hyde and Lucien Damrill friends, they really only

had the club in common and rarely, if ever, saw one another outside the confines of the

St. John's Wood estate. No, it was within the boundaries of
friendship
that he thought of

Alex. They shared sex, but they also shared other interests. Each man enjoyed a rousing

discussion, making their points loudly at times, learning to disagree amiably, while

respecting the other man's point of view.

Phillip learned that Alex lived alone, tended to stay clear of his family, lest the

marriage conversation be the only commonality of their visits. Yes, Alex wished to be

married one day, but like Phillip, he wasn't willing to deny his profound need for a man

in his life as well.

"It is too bad my wife doesn't have a sister." Phillip chuckled to himself.

"You say she understands your need?"

"Indeed she does."

"An extraordinary woman, you are a fortunate man."

"I have come to realize that since our marriage . . . ." Phillip smiled, silently

congratulating himself on his fine
choice.
"You must meet her one day."

"I would very much enjoy that, Phillip. She is who I share you with, is she not?"

Alex's statement struck Phillip profoundly. Indeed, under the strictest terms,

Phillip not only shared his time but also his body with both Felicity and Alex. A

thought began to foment, one that began to take root before he could caution himself

against it.

"Yes, she certainly is, Alex. She is very important to me, though, as I've told you,

I hadn't seen myself married before she came along. Didn't see myself married to
her

either, but, well, you know that story."

"I would say you did well." Alex's placed a hand on Phillip's thigh and patted, an

intimacy Phillip truly enjoyed.

"She would like you, I believe, and you her. With your leave, I shall arrange

dinner next week, for the three of us. It is time you met each other. It's been, what, six

months since
our
meeting?"

"Six months, next week, as a matter of fact."

"Keeping track, are we?"

Alex's eyes turned dark, heavy-lidded. "I count the hours between our meetings,

Phillip. Always have."

Phillip was unsure how to react, lest he give away his own feelings. He cleared

his throat, finding his emotions difficult to swallow. When he was sure his voice

wouldn't betray him, he said, "Well, I do believe I am in need of a good thrashing."

The night ended with both men sated, having fallen into a rhythm that satisfied

each of them. Phillip had learned to give pleasure and rather enjoyed giving Alex the

oral gratification he so craved.

He'd never allowed Alex to fuck him and Alex never seemed to mind. He had no

doubt it would happen, one day, but it took more trust than Phillip was capable of

mustering, even with Alex. He wished to explore the growing relationship with Alex

before he submitted himself in that way.

Though he arrived at his home well past midnight, he had the uncontrollable

compulsion to talk to Felicity. He smiled when he saw light under the adjoining door

when he entered his bedchamber. His thoughts had taken on a life of their own. With

his heart in his hands and fear in his heart, he knocked, and waited for her to admit

him.

"Come in," she said, her voice as sweet as ever.

He cracked the door open slightly and saw she'd been sitting in bed, reading.

"Good evening, my dear. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine. Just reading Byron's latest. How was your evening?"

"It was fine. As a matter of fact, I wish to tell you something, but I wish you to

hear me out before you comment or throw a vase at my head."

"All right, but do I get to choose which vase?"

He laughed. "I suppose I could hide the really solid ones."

When the joviality calmed, he took her hands and put forth his most serious

mien.

"One week from tonight, I wish for you to join me at the club."

"Really?" She patted his hand. "And what, pray, have you in mind, Your Grace?"

"I have arranged for you to meet Alex." He had told Felicity about the man he

met every week, but had given her little but his name and the fact they seemed

compatible.

Felicity's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You wish me to meet him?"

"I do."

"Why?"

This was the most difficult part of the conversation. Acknowledgement of

feelings for another, especially to someone to whom he was pledged for a lifetime,

seemed somehow unfair, yet, she'd always been so understanding.

"Over these past months, Alex has become a friend as well as someone with the

same interests. You are my wife and I wish to have you know one another."

She seemed to be thinking about what he'd said, and he noted she wasn't

searching the room for porcelain projectiles.

"If you wish it, Phillip, I will be happy to meet him."

He finally expelled a breath. "I am happy to hear that. Now, one thing I wish you

to know is that he has an interest in men
and
women."

Her mouth fell open, just before she covered it with her hand. "Much like you?"

"Yes, dear. I have concluded that Alexander and I are very similar in that regard.

I am nothing if not attracted to you and your myriad charms." His gaze raked over her,

then he lifted her hand and placed a kiss on each knuckle.

Felicity sat up straighter, raising her knees, which Phillip then wrapped in his

arms.

"What does this all mean?" she asked.

"Well, without going into details, I have begun to feel a connection with Alex that

I've never felt with anyone, other than you."

Again, Felicity's mouth dropped and she gazed at him with more than

inquisitiveness. "You feel a connection with me?"

"Please don't look so surprised. You have to know that my feelings for you are