A Promise of Tomorrow (26 page)

Kyle took a moment to come back to himself, but when he felt James attempt to disentangle their hands around his softening cock, Kyle tightened his grip, not letting him go. One of his lover’s dark brows arched in question when Kyle met his gaze again, and Kyle smiled shyly as he worked up the courage to pursue the next part of his idea. Cupping James’s hand in both of his, he reached down and slid themover his lover’s strainingcock, coatingit inhis spend.

James’s startled gaze soon turned to one of understanding, and that devilish smile spread over his lips, easing Kyle’s fears that his act might somehow offend his lover. “Clever boy,” James said with a chuckle. “You certainly have a way of getting what you want from me, despite my protests. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. But I have a feeling I may have to use a firmer hand with you in the future, lest I spoilyoutoo much.”

Before Kyle could absorb the meaning implied by those words, James slid his hands under Kyle’s knees and drew them up to his chest. He then slid his fingers through the slick fluid that had escaped their hands and fallen on Kyle’s belly, thoroughly coating them in it before reaching down to Kyle’s entrance. Kyle lay back and moaned as he felt James’s finger slide inside him, gently stroking several times before another finger joined the first.

The fingers moved in him, stretching him, opening him, slowly sliding over that wonderful place inside him, and he was lost in the sensation. Without the urgency of his own need distracting him, Kyle could simply give himself over to the pleasure of his lover’s gentle ministrations. James was so tender with him, exactly as he’d imagined he would be, that Kyle became almost drunk with the sensual pleasure ofit.

When James removed his fingers and rose up between his thighs, Kyle followed him with sleepy eyes. But the drowsy pleasure didn’t last long. He soon felt himself hardening again when his lover lowered himself into the cradle of Kyle’s hips and slid his thick cock alongside Kyle’s own. He watched with growing passion as James moved his cock through the last of the spend coating his cock and belly, grasping both their shafts in his large hand and pumping them together. When he was fully hard again and his hips were jerking against that hand, James released his hold and drew one of Kyle’s legs over his shoulder.

Kyle watched as James grasped his glistening shaft and shifted downward. He met Kyle’s eyes again, and in the bright light of day, he could see the passion and desire in his lover’s eyes as he felt the slick crown circle his entrance several times before being nudged forward. “Open for me, sweet. Breathe out and take me in.” James’s choked whisper drifted up to him, and Kyle relaxed and did as he was bid.

Kyle felt himself slowly being filled as James worked himself gently inside.
Yes!
This was what he wanted, what he needed. The last time they were together had been wonderful, but having James fully in command this time, taking charge of him, was all that he’d dreamed ofand more.

His other leg was drawn up on the opposite shoulder as his lover bent forward to take his mouth, and the feeling of being completely surrounded, filled, enveloped in the man he loved drew a moan from so deep within him it seemed born from his soul. James must have felt some of the depth of the emotion in that sound, because his own moan rumbled through both their bodies, adding to Kyle’s alreadyindescribable pleasure.

He reached out to capture James’s head in his hands and hold him close, and James responded by deepening the kiss and quickening his thrusts into Kyle’s body. He pulled back only enough for both of them to gasp for breath and pressed his forehead to Kyle’s. James then lifted Kyle further up with strong hands digging into his hips, and the new angle slid James’s fat cock over that glorious spot inside him with every thrust. Soon Kyle was lost to anything but that feeling and the need to meet each thrust with equal force.

He drew his hands away from James’s head and braced his palms flat against the head of the bed, arching his neck as the pleasure in him built and the blood pounded in his ears. He didn’t even know what the sounds that were coming out of his mouth were, but they seemed to inflame his lover, who began pounding him even harder, saying, “Yes, Kyle, singfor me. Let me hear you.”

He felt James’s big hand engulf his cock then, and his bollocks drew up tight against his body. He gave in to the pressure almost immediately, cried out, and spent, riding the waves of pleasure as his vision faded out. The clenching of his body must have been too much for his lover, because moments later he heard James shout, felt his hard fingers dig into his hips and his full weight slam against his arse, strainingagainst himas ifhe wanted to go evendeeper.

When Kyle’s vision cleared and he’d relaxed his body onto the mattress, James leaned in and pressed their foreheads together again. They lay like that, panting, for several long moments before James chuckled, tenderlykissed his lips, and said, “What youdo to me….”

He received another heart-wrenchingly sweet kiss before James moved off him and lay back on the mattress, drawing Kyle partially on top of him. Kyle closed his eyes and rested his head on that broad chest as the sweet peace that he felt whenever he was in James’s arms stole over him. Though he wanted to savor the moment for as long as he could, the trials of the past weeks caught up with himagain, and he was asleep inmoments.

J
AMES
held Kyle’s sleeping body in drowsy contentment until the summer heat became too much for him. He slid out from under his lover as carefully as he could, hoping he wouldn’t wake. In the light of day, it was even more apparent that Kyle had not been eating or sleeping well since the last time they were together, and he wanted himto get as muchrest as he could.

He gathered his clothes fromthe floor and slipped down to the kitchen and out the back door. He drew water from the well and rooted around untilhe found a flannelto washwith. He experienced a queer sort of pleasure and pride in fending for himself, though he supposed that was rather sillyofhim. He was fairlycertainthe novelty would wear offquicklyenough.

A quick search of the kitchen revealed that there was no food to be had. The staff had been very thorough in closing up the lodge, so he and Kyle would have to return to the inn before their bellies could be filled. They would have to have their talk on empty stomachs, it seemed.

Brushing off his clothes as best he could, James realized they were in a frightful state, but there was little he could do about it. He would have to send Kyle into town alone to make arrangements for the food, as he really shouldn’t be seen in such a state. While he wasn’t a vain man, he did have a reputation to uphold, and he would draw the wrongkind ofattentiondressed as he was.

He washed his shirt and hoped the September sun would dry it quickly, then donned his trousers and boots and went to see to Percy, watering him and brushing some of the dust from his coat. Playing the part of a groomwas also a novelty, though his father had made sure he was taught proper care ofhis mount fromanearlyage.

At least Percy will look respectable
, he thought as he allowed Percyto graze inthe field next to the lodge.
His shirt was stilldamp but he decided that it would have to do as he couldn’t continue to roam around half-clothed. To give Kyle a little longer to rest, he took a short walk around the lodge, enjoying the air and letting his protesting muscles relax with the exercise. The air was fresh and the sun a comforting warmth on his shoulders now that he was out of the house. He felt truly happy, despite lingering doubts as to their future together.
After another hour had passed, he decided he had given Kyle as much time as he could and returned to the lodge. He didn’t want to wake him yet, but they really needed to make a start. There was much to do and talk of, and truth be told, he couldn’t wait any longer to hear Kyle’s answers to the questions he wished to ask.
As he entered the room, he was struck again by how lovely Kyle was. His lean body was stretched out on the bed, linens tangled about his legs, and his black curls were tumbled over his forehead. James knew he would never grow tired ofthat sight. Insleep, withhis thick eyelashes fanned across his cheek, he looked evenyounger than he did awake, and the rush of desire he felt at the sight made James feel a little like a despoiler of innocents until he remembered the ferocity of Kyle’s responses the night before and let the feeling go with a chuckle. If Kyle was being despoiled, it was because he wanted to be.
Grinning, James sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in to wake his lover with a kiss. He drew back to find those green eyes gazingwarmlyat himand a shysmile playingabout those soft lips.
“Good afternoon, my sweet,” James said as warmth bloomed inhis chest at that smile.
“Good afternoon. Have I slept too long?” Kyle replied with a yawn.
“No. In truth, you need more than you’ve had. I would love to keep you in bed all day”—he paused a moment to waggle his eyebrows and watch the blush creep over Kyle’s cheeks before sighing dramatically and continuing—“but alas, I fear we have much to discuss, and we need to find something to fill your belly before a strong breeze carries you away from me.” They both laughed as Kyle’s stomachchose that moment to make its wishes known.
“I see what youmean. I fear I have not eatenwelloflate,”Kyle replied.
“You should take better care of yourself, Kyle,” he said, sobering. “But as I am here now, I will do it for you, at least today. We shall make a start soon, and I will find food for us both, but first there is much I would say to you and much I would ask, if you’ll allow it.”
Kyle’s smile faded to a worried frown as James took a breath and took both of Kyle’s hands in his before starting the speech he’d been preparing all morning. “Forgive me, but I am no great speaker, Kyle. I can only speak frommy heart and hope it proves enough. So much has happened in so short a time I can hardly credit it. We’ve barelyspent more thana few days ineachother’s company, and yet I feel so strong an attachment to you that it frightens me. In short, I believe I have fallen in love with you, Kyle. I think I fell the moment I saw youwalk throughthe doors ofmyHall.”
He watched as Kyle’s eye widened and his mouth opened in apparent shock. Squeezing Kyle’s hands more tightly, he pressed on. “The days you were in my home were the happiest and most torturous days of my life. I spent a good deal of time at war with myself because of you. I knew I wanted to have you there with me, forever if I could, but I could not reconcile that wish with the demands ofmyhonor and myfamily, so I said and did nothing.”
He pulled Kyle’s hands to his lips, kissed each one, and held themthere as he continued. “But you were brave enough for both of us the night you came to me. You were so sweet, so passionate. I knew I was lost, and I cannot tell you my pain when I heard you had gone.” He paused and took another breath, letting Kyle absorb what he was sayingand watchinghis reactions.
“After receivingyour letter, I convinced myselfthat your leaving was for the best, that what I wanted was impossible and you would be happier here. But now, I think perhaps I was wrong. If I am, please tellme, for I ammore than willing to face any difficulty to have youinmylife, Kyle, inanywaythat I can, ifthat is what youwant.”
Kyle wasn’t looking at him now, he was staring at the linens coveringhis lap, and tears were slidingdownhis face.
“Kyle? Won’t you speak to me? Tell me what you’re feeling?” he said over the lump of fear in his throat. Perhaps he had misunderstood.
He watched with trepidation as Kyle breathed deeply and withdrew his hands fromJames’s grasp. “Oh, James, I don’t deserve you. I’m so ashamed of myself it hurts. Of course I feel the same. How could I not? But you don’t know all that happened. You don’t know… and ifyoudid, I fear youwouldn’t want me.”
An image of Kyle crouched naked on the floor crying next to Weir’s body flashed in his mind, and his stomach twisted. “Oh, Kyle, I didn’t even think, forgive me. Yesterday, did he… did Weir hurt you?”James’s stomachroiled, and his rage returned.
“No, no, nothing like that. I hit him before he could hurt me again. I’m ashamed because of before, because I let him do those things to me.” Kyle looked up with anguished eyes. “I never tried to stop him, not once. I let him make decisions for me, let him argue with my father for me, let himdress me, tell me what to do, all of it. I never fought him. Even that night, the night he… hurt me. I didn’t fight. I didn’t do anything but… let him. What kind of man does that make me? How could you possibly love someone who is such a coward?”
“Kyle, you are
not
a coward,” he said, reaching forward and cupping Kyle’s chin in both hands. “You stood up for yourself yesterday. You thrashed the villain soundly. That is not the act of a coward. As for before, you are young, Kyle. That is the only crime you could possibly be accused of, and it’s a small one, at that. Weir took advantage of your innocence. You trusted him, and he betrayed that trust. That is not weakness or cowardice. It takes a great deal of courage to trust as youdid.”
Kyle still wouldn’t look at him, so James tried another tack. “You remember what I told you before, in London and at Kentwood? That if you could not trust your own judgment, that you should trust that your friends would not choose so poorly? Trust in me, Kyle. Trust that I have the discernment to know a good man whenI see one. I would not fallinlove witha coward, mysweet.”
Kyle looked up then. There were still tears in his eyes, but James read hope there as well. James smiled and leaned forward to claim Kyle’s lips before pulling back and resting their foreheads together.
“Tell me you can trust me enough to prove to you that I am right. Give me that chance.” He looked into Kyle’s eyes until the youngmannodded, thenleaned back. “I know it willtake time, Kyle. All I ask is that you give us both that time. There are still many things that we will have to overcome, but as long as we both want this, I believe we mayfind a way.”
“I want that verymuch,”Kyle replied.
“Good. Now, today we need only decide where you would like to go. Weir willno longer trouble you. I have seento that.”
At Kyle’s shocked look, James chuckled. “Never fear. Much as I would have liked to, I did no harm to the man. I only delivered himto those he has harmed. He is this moment on his way to London to answer charges of fraud and larceny. And though he has many friends, I believe few of them will come to his aid in this. You may return to your life in Bury St Edmunds without fear, if that is your wish. Is that what youwant?”
“No, I don’t want that. I don’t really have much of a life there. My position, I fear, may be already lost,” Kyle said. “As I amnot at mydesk this morningand have sent no word, mynew employers may have already decided to terminate my contract. If that is the case, I fear my aunt will have no more to do with me. I don’t wish to sound ungrateful to her, but she made it clear that her generosity would extend no further thanit had alreadygone.”
“I’msure your employer would understand if we explained that youwere unwell, Kyle. I hardlythink theywould sack youfor missing one daydue to illness,”he tried to reassure Kyle.
“Well, that may be true, but….” Kyle lowered his head and paled a little, makingJames worry. “I would rather not go back there, if it’s all the same. I… I didn’t like it there, and Mr. Baxter is not a nice man. He, well, he makes me uncomfortable.”
James’s hands tightened around Kyle’s, and he asked, “What is it he did that made youuncomfortable, Kyle?”
When Kyle wouldn’t look at him, James’s stomach knotted and he reached for the lad’s chin to raise it, forcing Kyle to meet his eyes. Kyle looked pained, bright spots of color showed on his cheeks, and his mouthtwisted ina grimace as he replied, “He touches me all the time, and yesterday he offered to raise my wages if I went with him to his office to ‘discuss’ the matter. I left the office as soon as I could after Mr. Clarke came in and distracted him. I don’t want to go back there.”
“Nor shall you. If that’s how it is, there’s no way I will allow youto go back there,”James said, almost growlingthe response. The thought of someone with his hands on Kyle set his temper simmering. “We can still visit your aunt, if you wish, and try to explain things to her.”
“No, it would not help to see her. She ordered me not to see any of you again, believing that my spending time with people above my station led me down paths of temptation that I could not afford. She won’t be softened by a visit from you, I think,” Kyle said, shaking his head. Then he smirked, and some of the humor James had seen far too rarely showed in his eyes as he said, “And perhaps she’s right, though I don’t believe she knew what kind of temptation yourepresented.”
James smiled at Kyle’s attempt at humor and said, “Well, I suppose that means you’re allmine then, doesn’t it?”
Kyle sobered and looked questioningly into his eyes as he whispered, “Yes, onlyyours… ifyou’llhave me.”
James pulled Kyle into his lap, kissed him soundly, and said, “Of course I’ll have you.” They stayed like that for several moments, fussing and cooing over one another, untilthe touches became heated and theywere bothbreathingheavily.
“Enough for now,” James panted, pulling back. “We’ll have plenty of time for that later. Right now we need to head to town and gather your belongings. After we procure some food from the inn, we’ll hire a horse for you and ride for Kentwood. I’ll send a servant for your trunk, and we can figure out what to do next after we’ve bothhad time to rest and think onthe matter some more. You
should
at least write to your aunt. Perhaps in time she’ll forgive you and accept your decision. I would not wish for you to lose all connection to your family, Kyle.”
Kyle sighed against his chest and said, “I suppose you’re right. I will write to her as soon as we arrive at the Hall. I can at least promise to pay her back for the expenses she incurred securing me that position, evenifI hated it.”Kyle tipped his head up and captured James’s lips againbefore whispering, “Canwe go home now?”
He couldn’t help the little leap of his heart at Kyle’s use of the word “home.” Though he didn’t know how they would manage it, he dearly wanted for himto be able to callKentwood that for the rest of his days.