Dulce Et Decorum Est (Naughty or Nice) (8 page)

Matthew arched convulsively, and George was forced to grab his hips with both hands to hold him still. The hard flesh in George’s mouth felt strange, too large, but the taste was salty and musky, and the thrill of it coursed through his veins. As he moved his head up and down, he chanced looking up—and was mesmerized by the sight of Matthew with his eyes screwed up as if in pain, and his hand stuffed into his mouth to muffle his cries.

Then Matthew looked down—and as their eyes met, George felt the flesh between his lips pulse, and suddenly his mouth was filled with jet after jet of viscous, salty liquid. For a moment George thought he would gag—but really, it was no worse than swallowing oysters, and George felt absurdly pleased with himself as he saw Matthew looking at him with awe.

“George….” Matthew reached down to urge him up. As George stood, Matthew pressed their bodies together and kissed him fiercely. The thought of him tasting his own seed in their kiss made George shiver. “That was wonderful, George. You’re wonderful.”

“No, you were,” George said, overcome.

“
S
HOULD
I call you George or Roger?” Matthew asked as they lay in his bed, George’s head resting on his shoulder as Matthew stroked his friend’s hair.

“George.” He swallowed. “Roger Cottingham’s dead—at least, he is to his family; he might as well be to the rest of the world.” He was silent a moment. “George is one of my middle names, and my father’s name was John.”

“So you really are a Johnson,” Matthew said with a smile.

“I suppose so,” George whispered. He sighed. “I should get back into my own bed,” he said reluctantly, not making any move to do so. “Someone might come in.”

“I think we’re safe.” Matthew’s arm tightened around him. “Mother made a point of telling me yesterday that she’d instructed the servants not to come into our room unless expressly invited to do so.”

“I’m not sure I shall be able to face her across the breakfast table tomorrow,” George said wryly.

“I’m afraid that’s not the worst of it. Do you remember when Father wanted to speak to me earlier today? He told me he’d been thinking about my living situation, and that if I wasn’t happy living in digs, he’d let me have the money to set up in a house of my own—either by myself or with a particular friend.” Matthew smiled. “I’ve always thought, you know, that he knew about me—and this rather put the tin lid upon it.”

“Good Lord! Doesn’t he mind, then?”

“Well, we’ve never spoken of it, of course, but I remember him a few years ago preaching a sermon about Sodom. He took particular pains to point out that the great sin of its citizens was inhospitality, and not what is usually supposed.”

George felt rather moved by this evidence of support from so unlikely a source as an ordained minister. “What did you say to him about his offer?”

“Well, I thanked him, of course, and I told him that I was quite happy living at Mrs. Mac’s for the present, but if I changed my mind I should let him know.” Matthew drew in a deep breath. “So what do you think, George—not now, I mean, but in the future, if we carry on getting on as well as we have—do you think you’d like to get a house together? Just us—and Marmaduke, of course?”

George found he had a pressing need to blink, repeatedly. “I think….” He cleared his throat. “I think I should like that very much indeed.”

The old lie:

Dulce et Decorum est, pro patria mori.

It is sweet and honorable, to die for one’s country.

—
Wilfred Owen
(1893-1918)

Have you been Naughty or Nice?

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About the Author

JL M
ERROW
is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read natural sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab again. Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.

When not writing she enjoys reading, martial arts, and surprising people who judge a book by its cover. Stories by JL Merrow have been published by Dreamspinner Press, Torquere Press, MLR Press, Reflection’s Edge, and Ravenous Romance.

Visit JL’s web site at http://www.jlmerrow.com/ and blog at
http://jl-merrow.livejournal.com
.

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Copyright

Dulce et Decorum Est ©Copyright JL Merrow, 2010

Published by

Dreamspinner Press

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Suite 244-149

Frisco, TX 75034

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Art by Catt Ford

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the Publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Released in the United States of America

December 2010

eBook Edition

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-754-2