He let out a
harrumph
as he set his shaving kit on the washstand. “I feared the
carriage would be stuck on the side of the road forever, and I'd have to walk the rest of
the way. Traveling is severely overrated.”
Thornton quirked one dark eyebrow. “That it is,” he replied, with a familiarity
that held a hint of their old friendship.
A pang of regret gripped Arthur's heart. Thornton had been a good friend there
for a while. They now moved in vastly different social circles, frequented different
haunts, though sometimes they happened upon each other on the street or at a club.
Occasionally he saw Thornton at his father's house, lurking about, when Arthur paid a
business call. But the days of meeting him at a tavern for a drink were long gone.
Perhaps this holiday together could be a way to rekindle their friendship? No, no. What
was he thinking? They had nothing in common except a shared attraction to those of
their own gender.
“So, that nightcap… Yes or no?”
“Thank you, but no.” Arthur closed his empty trunk. “Do you think the weather
will hold tomorrow?”
“It should. The sky was clear last I looked. I take it you want to be out with a
firearm in hand before dawn.” A grimace flicked across Thornton's face.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No. I can drag myself out of bed at such an ungodly hour…for you.”
The
click
of a lock sliding home reverberated in the room. Thornton pushed from
the door and crossed to Arthur. Thornton didn't walk; he prowled with a distinctly
leonine grace. Head tipped down, the edges of his lips curved in a knowing smirk that
left no doubt as to his intentions.
Convincing Arthur
13
Arthur stiffened. While he wouldn't deny a strong physical attraction to Thornton,
he also could not deny the trepidation leaching back into his stomach. He hadn't
expected to be buggered within minutes of arrival.
Thornton slowed as he came nearer, as if giving Arthur the opportunity to voice
his refusal or bolt for the door. He didn't take it. He held his ground, the attraction
crackling in the air between them, lighting up his senses in a way he had never
experienced before. His breaths came short and shallow, his chest suddenly working
under the force of them.
Thornton took one more step, closing the last remaining distance, his gaze locked
with Arthur's. He placed a hand on the dresser beside Arthur, blocking the path to
escape, and slowly, ever so slowly, leaned even closer. So close Arthur could make out
the midnight blue flecks in his heavily lidded gray eyes. The faint scents of whisky, the
enticing spice of cologne, and clean male skin wafted around him. Warm breath fanned
Arthur's parted lips: teasing, tempting. A tremble of anticipation rocked him.
“You refused supper. You refused a nightcap.” The words were low, a mere
rumble of sound. Thornton's mouth barely moved. Then he dipped his head at the last
moment before their lips touched.
Disappointment began to crash through Arthur when a hand palmed the placket
of his trousers, long fingers wrapping around his hardening prick.
Thornton looked up at him through his black forelock, his eyes blazing with lust.
“Is there
anything
I can tempt you with tonight?”
14
Ava March
Chapter Two
Arthur opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Anything?
And Thornton meant it.
But…what to choose? The possibilities… Arthur knew of a few, but he was certain
there were more. Many more. Thornton's experience radiated from him. An
intimidating force. The confidence of that hand wrapped around his cock, the easy self-
assurance behind every move he made. The man had knowledge of carnal pleasures
that went beyond anything Arthur could imagine.
Though what he really wanted was a kiss. To taste those full, red-tinged lips. To
feel the soft skin. To sweep his tongue inside the hot depths of Thornton's sinfully
gorgeous mouth.
But surely a man like Thornton would find such a request much too tame.
“Perhaps not?” Thornton murmured. Those long fingers loosened their grip as the
man began to ease back.
At the hurt finding its way across Thornton's beautiful face, he blurted, “Yes. I-I
mean, no.” He let out a short, frustrated grunt, struggling to find the words. Hell, it was
hard to concentrate with another man's hand on his prick. Thornton squeezed lightly,
Convincing Arthur
15
then feathered his fingertips along Arthur's length, robbing him of his wits anew. “I-
I…I want…”
Don't say it; he'll think you a bore.
Thornton arched a brow. He rubbed his jaw against Arthur's; their day's beards a
rough yet tender scrape. “Shall I guess?” he whispered, hot breath tickling Arthur's ear.
Arthur nodded once.
A wink was all the warning he received before Thornton dropped to his knees. He
felt the tugs as Thornton made short work of the buttons on the placket of his trousers.
In the next blink of an eye, his suspenders were unhooked from his waistband, and his
trousers and drawers were at his knees. One swipe of Thornton's hand tucked his
shirttail under his waistcoat. He barely detected the brush of cool air on his erection
before a hand wrapped securely around the base and moist heat surrounded the head.
“Ah…
damnation
.” Arthur gasped, his eyes closing against the most intense
pleasure. By God, the man knew what he was about. Bobbing along the length, sucking
hard enough to almost pull the orgasm out of him. It had been over a month—hell,
almost two—since he'd been the recipient of such a favor. And never had the favor been
bestowed with such blatant, unabashed skill.
Thornton pulled back until only the crown was held between his lips and then
pressed the tip of his tongue against the highly sensitive slit. A jolt of pure sensation
shot down Arthur's length to his ballocks, his knees threatening to buckle, his eyes
flying open.
Arthur grabbed the edge of the dresser and held on tightly as Thornton picked up
a luxurious rhythm that brought him closer and closer to the edge. Before he was aware
of it, his other hand was threaded in Thornton's soft, thick hair, palm cupping his skull.
Thornton let out a moan that sounded distinctly like approval. Aggression, raw
and stripped bare and completely unexpected, rushed to the surface. Growling low in
his throat, Arthur thrust his hips in counterpoint, fucking Thornton's mouth. Thornton's
16
Ava March
hand, gripping tightly at the base, fell away as he took the entire length of Arthur's
cock. As he let Arthur use him for his own pleasure.
A distinctive sound drew his attention down beyond the decadent sight of
Thornton's hollowed cheeks and full lips wrapped around his length. The other man
had his own trousers unbuttoned, cock in hand. The flushed head poked through the
top of his clenched fist with each rapid stroke.
The climax barreled upon Arthur. His senses narrowed, focused only on the heat
and suction and wonderful, blissful slippery wetness surrounding his prick. And then
his world exploded.
Arthur gritted his teeth to keep the roar inside as he came down Thornton's throat.
Thornton didn't pull back or snap at him for getting a mouthful of seed. The man
swallowed it all, sucking hard as the last tremor shook him, until it became suddenly
too much, the sensations overwhelming his senses.
“Enough,” Arthur gasped, tugging on Thornton's hair, desperate to get him to
stop.
There was a wet popping noise. Then Thornton shot to his feet, his lips slanting
harshly across Arthur's mouth. The hunger and pure need in that kiss… Arthur thrust
his tongue boldly inside, sweeping the hot recesses of Thornton's sinfully gorgeous
mouth. Beneath the salty flavor of his own release and the spicy hint of whisky was the
unique taste of Thornton. Lust flared, igniting his senses once again. With a tug on
Thornton's hair, Arthur jerked the man closer, unable to get enough.
He was vaguely aware of Thornton's arm moving between them: quick,
determined, and furious. Thornton's labored breaths puffed against his cheek, scorching
his skin. Tension gripped Thornton's sleek body. Then he groaned into his mouth. Heat
splashed onto Arthur's prick.
The kiss softened, slowed, lulling Arthur's senses with the heady mix of smooth
lips and the scrape of stubble. His flingers unclenched, slipping out of Thornton's hair,
Convincing Arthur
17
his hands shifting to gently cup the man's jaw. He felt the rigidity ease from Thornton's
body, heard the soft murmur of contentment as the man sank into kiss.
And for Arthur didn't know how long, he simply kissed Thornton, soaking up the
feel of the man's body against his, the taste of him, and the sounds of his sighs.
With a nip, Thornton pulled back enough to break the contact of their lips. Could
he be any more beautiful? Full lips, stained rose red from their kisses, tousled black
hair, and flushed cheeks. His features were so patently aristocratic, so fine and sharp
while at the same time approaching femininity.
Long, thick lashes swept down. Then the corner of his mouth quirked. A little jolt
shot up Arthur's spine as Thornton dragged a lazy finger through the remnants of his
climax coating Arthur's cock.
“I do believe I shall have to take care of that.” Thornton dropped to his haunches,
took hold of Arthur's bare hips, and lapped up the seed, licking him clean.
The caress of his tongue on the highly sensitive skin was…oh,
God…
decadent. It
was the only way to describe it. Lush and luxurious, the height of depravity, and the
most erotic thing he had ever beheld.
Blood rushed to his groin, his drained ballocks drawing up tight as his prick
swelled anew under Thornton's careful attention.
“More?”
Thornton's voice barely penetrated the fog of lust. Arthur gave his head a shake to
clear it.
More what?
Those plump lips briefly engulfed his crown, answering Arthur's unspoken
question. So tempting to answer in the affirmative, to give into the need drumming
through his veins and burning in Thornton's eyes, but…
18
Ava March
Christ, he had just arrived. Less than thirty minutes, and already Thornton had
brought him to climax once. The knowledge hit him like a splash of ice-cold water,
harder and harsher than the sharp bite of lust that had gotten him to this point.
Serious and searching, Thornton's gaze swept his face. Arthur resisted the impulse
to shift his weight, to avoid those far-too-perceptive gray eyes.
“Perhaps not. It
has
been a long day,” Thornton said, as casually as if they were
sharing a drink at a tavern, and Arthur didn't have his trousers and drawers shoved
down around his knees.
As if reading his thoughts, Thornton made to pull up his trousers, but Arthur
leaned down, his hands fumbling over Thornton's. “I can manage it,” he mumbled.
Thornton tipped his head, relinquishing the waistband. Arthur tugged up his
trousers and after a couple of attempts managed to button the top clasp. His drawers
were bunched around his hips and his shirttail still tucked under his waistcoat, but he
didn't much care.
Buttoning the placket of his own trousers, Thornton stood. The few quick snaps of
his wrist to right his shirt, waistcoat, and coat indicated a familiarity with the routine
that did not sit well.
“Good evening, Barrington. I will see you again before the sun rises.”
With that, Thornton turned on his heel and left the room.
Arthur stood there, staring at the closed door for a long moment.
“Well, you wanted to forget Randolph,” he reminded himself.
At the first sound of Thornton's voice, all thoughts of his last lover had vanished.
Gone, as if the man had never existed. Even the taste of Randolph's kisses had been
erased from his memory, wiped away by the hot brush of Thornton's tongue against his
own.
He let out a heavy sigh and set to work removing the nut brown coat and cream
waistcoat that Thornton hadn't bothered with. The two men could not be more
Convincing Arthur
19
different. Randolph was very much like himself, hence why they had rubbed along so
well together. Well, he liked to believe Randolph was like himself, but lately he hadn't
been so certain. Ever since they had parted ways, he had been more aware of the
rumors. Or more accurately, he had grown adept at listening between the lines.
At least with Thornton he knew exactly the type of man he was dealing with. One
who subsisted on carnal pleasures and not much else. One who was damn good at