A Lover of Men (7 page)

“But you did say you were lovers.” She peeked out at him, her brow furrowed.

“I also said the physical was mostly incidental. We were boys, experimenting, then soldiers finding comfort.” Phineas felt it important to make the distinction.

“Yes, but I can see where Rafe would be so attractive.” She cleared her throat. “He’s quite vigorous.”

“Are you upset about the kisses in the parlor?” He had to know what she was thinking.

“No. No, we all got carried away.”

“I meant it, Lelia. Both times I’ve kissed you.”

She continued to stare at him, eyes wide. “Why?”

“Because you make me want to kiss you.” His body heated now, ready to prove it to her. Truly, it was as if she and Rafe had lit a fire in him that Phineas had no idea how to douse.

“Oh.” She wet her lips with her tongue, and Phineas groaned, reaching for her.

He simply couldn’t keep his hands to himself, not when she was standing there in her shift, her heavy, full breasts standing high and proud, her belly and hips rounded shadows under the thin fabric.

“Phineas. You needn’t prove anything to me—”

“Hush.” He kissed her because he did have things to prove. That she was a beautiful, sensual woman that he would be proud to call his wife. That he wasn’t pining for Ned, as much guilt as he carried about Ned’s death. That he and Rafe were not— Well, he couldn’t promise he wouldn’t do that again.

He pulled her up against him, pressing their bodies together. Phineas shaped his hands to her bottom, his cock rising to prod her belly through the layers of cloth between them.

Lelia broke the kiss, gasping for air. “Don’t toy with me, Phineas,” she warned.

“I’m not.” He stared into her blue eyes, bright with desire, letting her know where he stood.

“Well, then.” She took a deep, deep breath, her breasts swelling over the edge of the shift. “Teach me what you do mean to do.”

“Be very sure,” he warned her. “There will be no calling it off after this.”

“No. No calling it off.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Phineas lifted her, savoring her surprise. She was not a small woman, but he was a big man, capable of carrying her to her bed.

He laid her out, stroking a hand down over the front of her body.

Lelia watched him, her hands clenched in the coverlet. Her breath came fast already, her nipples hard little peaks under the thin cloth hiding her.

“Tell me you’re sure, Lelia.” Phineas reached down to grab the hem of her shift, intent on baring her to his gaze.

“I am.” She nodded, her chin dipping sharply. “Very well.” Phineas did not allow himself to think too hard. He pulled off her shift, her gasp gratifying.

She raised her hands to cover herself, but Phineas wouldn’t allow it. Lelia had a lush, curved body with creamy skin, the auburn hair between her legs a shade darker than that on her head.

He hummed, then touched her, stroking lightly from her throat to the tip of one breast, then pinching the nipple slightly.

Lelia arched up off the bed, her eyes flying open wide. “Oh! I didn’t know—”

“I do. Trust me, love.” Phineas pressed their lips together, marveling at her softness, a sharp contrast to Rafe’s harder masculine mouth. He closed his eyes, licking at her lower lip, really experiencing her flavor.

She touched him gently, too gently, but Phineas was proud of her willingness, her bravery. She stroked his shoulders, then tugged at his clothing. “I want to see you as well. It’s only fair.”

“That’s quite true.” He rose up on his knees to shed his coat and waistcoat, the sleeve of his coat separating a bit. The damnable clothes.

She helped him with his shirt, tugging at the sleeves after he pulled it off over his head. Then she paused, staring at his trousers, doubt creeping into her expression.

“I’ll do it.” He smiled, popping open the hidden buttons, then sliding the fabric down his legs, finding he once again had to struggle out of his boots.

“What’s so amusing?” Lelia asked when he was nude, her gaze racing over his form.

“The absurdity of clothing.”

She looked up, then laughed, her eyes dancing. “It’s more absurd to be unclothed with you. I never imagined how a man would look. You’re magnificent.”

He preened a tiny bit, flexing his muscles. Phineas worked with horses, practiced fencing. He kept trim.

Phineas pulled her up to her knees as well so they could explore, to kiss long and strong, his hands in her hair, tugging it free.

She tried to climb up his body, her thighs sliding out on either side of his, which put her fiery, wet center against his engorged cock. They both gasped, and his balls drew up tight against the base of his prick.

“Hot. Goodness, it’s so hot.” Lelia reached down to touch his shaft.

His body tried to curl around hers, all of his muscles clenching. “Too fast, love. I need to—” Phineas stretched her out again, forcing himself to take his time and not hurt her. He petted her, his hands feeling big and rough on her, but he couldn’t stop touching.

Exploring led him to her breasts, which he weighed against his palms, then bent to lick, sealing his lips around one nipple to suck.

She pushed up against his mouth, her hands sinking into his hair. She tugged, then pushed as if she wasn’t sure if she wanted more or wanted relief from the pleasure.

Chuckling, Phineas closed his teeth gently around the tiny bit of flesh in his mouth, rubbing back and forth.

“Phineas! Oh. I can’t bear it.”

He glanced up at her. “There’s more, love. Breathe for me.”

Lelia’s legs moved restlessly, sliding on the bedclothes. “I’m trying. This is extraordinary.”

A soft chuckle escaped him, and he watched goosebumps rise on her skin in its wake. “It is. Wait until I touch you here.” Phineas slid his fingers between her legs, searching for the elusive pearl he knew he could find there. He wanted to watch her come apart in his arms.

Her breath caught, and Phineas circled that spot with his fingers over and over, plucking at it.

Lelia shook for him, staring at him, her swollen lips open on a moan. “What is this, Phineas? How…”

“This is what the marriage bed should be and rarely is.” He smiled into her eyes, watching as he pressed and pushed, driving her higher. He wanted her to fly.

“Kiss me.” She tugged at the hair on his chest, his nipples anything she could grab, the tiny stings making his cock jerk.

“Yes.” Phineas kissed her while he slid one finger into her, his thumb still working her tiny button. He spared a moment of gratitude for the buxom camp follower who had taught him that trick. Ned had been horrified.

Legs drawing up, Lelia moaned, breaking the kiss so she could thrash her head back and forth. Her soft, silken hair spread out around her, red as fire. She was the very portrait of a woman in the midst of her pleasure.

Utterly lovely.

His cock ached to be inside her, but she had to be ready, had to have her little death first.

“Please.”

“Yes. Just let it go, Lelia. Feel everything.” Phineas pushed two fingers into her, opening her for his attentions. He worked her, his thumb rubbing, spreading her wetness, until she gripped his upper arms and cried out, her breast bouncing as she rode his hand and shook. He felt every contraction of her muscles from the inside.

“Phineas…” She surged up to kiss him, and he nearly spent right there. He wanted to be inside her too badly to let it go that easily.

The kiss went on and on until they both had to gasp for air. Then he spread her legs, pulling his hand free. “Hold on, love. Hold on to me and let me in.”

She frowned the tiniest bit, clearly trying to understand, but her frown cleared when Phineas pushed between her legs and pressed the tip of his cock to her opening. She spread wider, her thighs cradling him, and he slid home, his breath leaving his chest with a whoosh.

Phineas gritted his teeth, his body on fire, his ass clenching. He needed to move, had to move, but he wouldn’t hurt her for the world. So he waited for her to rock against him, taking him deeper.

“Lelia. I need to—”

Her nails dug into his shoulders, stinging him deliciously. “Yes. Yes.”

So he moved, backing up, then pushing in. Slick, tight walls closed around him, and Phineas knew he would lose all control soon. Lelia was generous, giving, and adventurous, never hesitating.

He worked his hips, his buttocks clenched with the force of his thrusts. Phineas wished he had more finesse, but all that was gone now as he drove toward the finish. He grunted, his balls pulling up even tighter, and when Lelia reached down with both hands to grip his ass, Phineas lost his hold on the tiny thread of his control.

He shot inside her so hard his teeth rattled.

Panting, he held himself above her, his arms shaking. Lelia was the one to pull him down so he rested against her, stroking his back, up and down.

“What an amazing thing. Why on earth would a woman want to avoid this?” Lelia asked.

Phineas huffed out a laugh. “Well, not all married people are as well suited to this as we are. It can be rather uncomfortable. You can imagine.”“No.” She laughed, the sound big and joyous. “Not after that. What about Rafe?”

Oh, she had to toss cold water at him. “What of him?”

“Are you toying with him?” She petted his hair, then lifted his head by a hank of it to stare into his eyes.

“I have no idea. I rather think he’s toying with me.” Rafe confused him, excited him, but Phineas thought he was nothing more than a diversion for the man.

“I shall have to speak sternly with him,” Lelia said, a tiny smile playing about his mouth.

“You will. Do you feel better about your choice, now?” he asked.

“I do.” Her smile faded. “No we must needs find out who is trying to harm us.”

“If anyone can do that, it’s Rafael Gaudi.” Phineas said. “He has an even stronger reputation than I do.”

Rafe knew when he left Lelia’s home that it was time to stop playing and do the job he’d been hired to do.

After talking with Lelia’s cousin, Rafe felt that they’d been looking in the wrong direction. He thought the danger lay in Phineas’ past, especially since Phineas knew nothing about his former lover Ned’s family.

So that was the direction he would go.

Lord Edmund. Phineas had called Ned’s father “Lord”. Rafe would start there. He needed to assume appropriate attire and go to his club for lunch, perhaps.

Perhaps an hour later Rafe entered his club, checking in on the betting book before making his way to the tables where a man might dine. There. Nicolas Marner, a minor baron he knew, sat in splendid solitude at the end of the room by the windows. Nicolas knew more about the elite of society than anyone Rafe had ever met, thanks to his ties to a certain London bank.

“May I join you?” Rafe asked.

Nicolas glanced up, blue eyes lighting up. “Rafe! Always a pleasure. Please do. I’m bored unto death.”

“Thank you. What’s on today?”

“Some sort of fowl.” Nic rolled his eyes. “You’re looking a bit worse for wear.” When Rafe raised a brow, Nic nodded at him. “Your chin is bruised.”

“Ah. Yes, well, I was attacked.” A suited waiter came to attend him, and Rafe ordered his lunch. “Have you heard of Sir Phineas Moore?”

Nic’s gaze sharpened. “War hero. Lost his best friend at Corunna. Made his fortune here at home on buying properties and charging reasonable rents.”

“Gracious. You know more than me and I’ve spent a goodly bit of time in his company. The best friend. Ned? Where is his family now?”

“Where they’ve always been, I suppose. They own a large estate in Devonshire. His father was Edmund Cheney, Lord Mattheson.”

“And who inherited? Phineas tells me Edmund expired on news of his son’s death.”

“A bastard son. Much younger than the one who died.”

“Hmm. Did anyone get cut out because of that?”

“Not that I know of. The heir is in Town, I believe, though he frequents White’s rather than this place. Richard, his name is, I understand.”

“You are, as always, a font of information, Nic.”

“Thank you.” Nicolas inclined his head, his expression ironic. “What do I get in return?”

He grinned, thinking how he and Nic had rewarded each other in the past in some sweaty and energetic ways. “I will treat you to a meal if you like.” He couldn’t promise anything else. Not until he knew what Phineas and Lelia were doing. He felt oddly tied to them, reluctant to give them up.

“Mmm. I think I could eat.” Nic chuckled. “Since you do not want to skip to dessert.”

“I’m sorry, Nic.” He was, in many ways. Nic was an exciting lover, and a beautiful man. Rafe normally would never turn him down.

“You know very well I think regret is a waste of time.” Nic reached out to touch the back of his hand. “Good luck with whoever it is.”

“Thank you.” His food arrived, and he waved the waiter to stay. “Whatever my friend would like, please.”

“Certainly, Mr. Gaudi.”

“What are you up to these days, Nic?” Rafe asked, needing to stop thinking of that last kiss he’d shared with Lelia while Phineas watched.

“You don’t want to know right now, Rafe.” Nic winked. “Just make small talk about something else.”

“Ah. Be careful, then. I will want to have someone to sit with at the club.”

Nic opened his mouth, no doubt to snap out a smart reply, but he didn’t get the chance. The window nearby shattered, the panes falling into shards on their table. A large brick landed against the edge of the table, then plopped to the floor.

“Down!” Nic shouted, and thank God he did. The next volley was not a brick. It was a pistol shot.

Shouts of alarm sounded around them, and Rafe rolled toward Nic, grabbing on and yanking them toward the back of the room.

“The kitchen!” Nic yelled, and Rafe agreed.

The kitchens would have more weapons, if nothing else, and only two entrances. They could make a stand there if need be.

“Fire! Something is on fire!” The new cry rang out, and he and Nic exchanged an incredulous glance.

“Someone really wants to get to you,” Nic said.

“Trying to smoke me out now. God.”