The Englor Affair (34 page)

He lied about seeing the horse nearly run Dru and I down.” His voice sounded contemplative.

“What?”

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“Dru and I were nearly trampled in Hyde Park the morning after I met you.

Markham brought my horse back after he bolted and said he’d seen what happened. He couldn’t have seen it around a blind bend in the trail. The only way he could have known is if he’d planned it.”

That didn’t make Payton feel any better.
Okay, perhaps I’m a lot on edge.
Simon is
all right. He’s right here.

Payton shrugged, his neck muscles on fire. He hadn’t realized he was this tense until Si started massaging him. Why was it he was the one ready to torture answers from someone and his big bad Marine was willing to bide his time? Even now Payton wanted to lash out.

He heaved a sigh and tried to relax. If he were honest, his frustration stemmed from Si as much as the situation. Why couldn’t things be easy? Why couldn’t Si have married him because he loved him? So far Payton had avoided further talk about an heir, but he knew it was coming. Si was all about what was good for Englor. It was admirable, but it hurt. Payton hated playing second best to a planet and possibly a mistress and love child.

He felt…tired. He just wanted to sleep for a month and forget everything. Life was so much simpler on Regelence.

A kiss landed on the back of his neck. “I’ve got people watching Markham and trying to locate Baymo— er, Caldwell. They aren’t going anywhere. I’m going to get someone to go through Markham’s townhouse, his country estate and his office in the House of Lords. No one really knows where Bay— Caldwell resides, but we’ll find him eventually. It’s best to let them both think we aren’t on to them, until we get more evidence.” Fingers trailed over his shoulder blade, almost tickling, and another kiss caressed his neck. “You weren’t hurt.” It sounded like an accusation.

What?
Payton frowned and the anger he was attempting to let go of tried to make a resurgence.

Si ran his fingers over a spot above Payton’s right scapula. “The night I met you.

You had a bandage here and said you’d been cut with a sword.”

“Oh. That was my dog tag. Nate and Brittani got one for me to tape on.”

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“I’m glad you weren’t really hurt.” Si bit his neck. It was probably in reprimand, but it didn’t feel like it. A tingle ran up Payton’s spine and raised goose bumps on his arms.

His cock began to fill as Si laved the spot then bit it again. “I don’t want you hurt, Pay. I want you to stay away from Markham.”

A barrage of feelings overwhelmed Payton. Anger, happiness, hope and despair. He didn’t quite know how to deal with them. He didn’t like being told what to do, but the idea that Si cared enough to want him safe… Or did he just want him out of the way?

Tears welled up in his eyes, which made him even madder. “Si—”

Nibbling his way down Payton’s shoulder, Si wrapped an arm around Pay’s waist and pulled him closer. As he slid his other hand down and grabbed Payton’s prick, his erection nestled in the small of Payton’s back and the hair on his chest and legs tickled Payton’s skin.

Payton wanted to be mad, but his stupid cock hardened and his body relaxed, reveling in Si’s caresses. It felt good to be held. He leaned his head back on Si’s chest and let the hot water beat down on him.

“Want you, Pay. Love the sounds you make.” Si’s breath blew over his ear, making the goose bumps intensify as he slowly stroked Payton’s cock.

“Mmm…” Payton nestled his arse against Si’s thighs, the last of his anger leaving him. He wanted Si too. He wanted to feel Si inside of him and forget everything else. He wanted all the other things in his life to go away, at least for awhile. Nodding, he tilted his head, giving Si better access. “Yes…”

Si continued to kiss his neck and touch his body, in no hurry to move on. The water rained down on them, feeling like a caress. Payton became aware of the steam around them and the pitter-patter sound of water hitting the floor. All of it made him more aroused and more focused on his lover. After a few minutes, Si let go of Payton’s cock and explored, rubbing Payton’s thighs, cupping his testicles.

It was incredible, and Payton squirmed, enjoying the feel of Si’s cock pressing into his back.

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By the time Si’s hand made it around to squeeze Payton’s arse, Pay was boneless. He needed this.

The tip of Si’s prick trailed down Payton’s back as he put a little distance between them. He hated even the small separation of Si’s body even though he could still feel Si against him.

“Shh… I’m not going anywhere.” One finger found Payton’s crease, sliding up and down, as Si’s other hand squeezed Payton’s cock. He pressed inside as he licked a long line up Payton’s neck. “Can’t wait to be inside here.”

Payton moaned and Si pushed deep, hitting that spot that felt so nice. Si barely let him catch his breath before he inserted another finger and began to stroke Payton’s cock again. Teetering on the edge of ecstasy, Payton writhed between the two sensations. It was hard to determine which felt better, but finally he decided it didn’t matter as long as Si kept doing both.

By the time Si got around to replacing his finger with his cock, Payton was near begging. Already he was close to orgasm. His cock throbbed and his testicles were tight.

When he felt Si press the tip of his cock against his hole, Payton shoved back, eager for the feel of it.

Simon hissed out a breath. “Bloody hell you’re tight.” The hand that had been working Pay’s cock faltered in its movements.

Si’s prick entering him burned a little, but Pay knew how good it was going to feel.

He bit his bottom lip and relaxed, letting the stretch become sensation rather than pain.

He wasn’t disappointed.

“Galaxy, Pay.” Simon’s voice rumbled in his ear and his other arm wrapped around Pay’s waist. Simon fucked him in long slow strokes, hitting his prostate, and continued to work Payton’s cock.

Nodding, because it was the only thing Payton was capable of at the time, he pushed back, making Si go deeper.

They both gasped.

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“Love the way you feel in my arms, wrapped around my cock.” Si hugged Payton closer to him with the arm around Payton’s waist, then he kissed Payton’s neck.

Keeping his eyes closed, Payton turned his head and searched blindly for his consort’s lips.

Payton found himself pushing back into all of Si’s thrusts, panting, “Harder.” Simon gave him exactly what he asked for, fucking him with fast vigorous jabs.

In seconds pleasure overwhelmed Payton. He squeezed tight and thrust into Si’s fist twice more before he exploded into climax. Payton opened his eyes and yelled as semen splashed onto the tiles in front of him only to be washed away by the water.

Si followed him, stiffening behind him and letting out a strangled moan of his own.

Releasing Payton’s prick, Si pulled him closer, his head falling onto Payton’s shoulder.

Payton closed his eyes and dropped his hands to his sides.

For several seconds they stood there propping one another up, listening to the water fall and the sound of their labored breathing. Payton was so relaxed he could almost fall asleep where he stood. He ran his hand over Si’s wet hair. “Thank you.”

Turning his head, Si kissed Payton’s neck. “My pleasure.” He kissed Payton’s hand too before pulling away and allowing his cock to slip from Payton’s body.

Payton shivered.

Si patted his arse and retrieved the soap from the ledge by the showerhead. From the sounds of it he was washing himself. After a few moments, his hands touched Payton’s shoulders.

With his bones melted, he stood there and let Si wash him. It was nice, Si’s calloused hands on his skin. He could be so gentle or he could be rough and he seemed to have an uncanny ability to tell which of those Payton needed at any given time. Maneuvering Payton under the spray of water, Si kissed his nose.

Payton grinned. He probably looked ridiculous but he didn’t care.

Si chuckled and turned the water off. “Stay right there.”

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When the door opened a breeze hit Pay, but instead of being cold it felt good. He heard Si come near again, then a towel ruffled his hair. It slipped down his body, drying every inch of him.

Si swept Payton into his arms, cradling him against Si’s chest.

Payton groaned, unable to decide how he felt about being carried. It seemed so girly, but he had to admit it was also nice. Besides, he wasn’t sure his legs would work.

“Stop frowning and indulge me, will you?”

Resting his head on Si’s shoulder, Payton allowed himself to be carried to their bed.

After settling them both, Si ran his fingers through Payton’s damp hair. It was nice, relaxing.

Payton felt better than he had in days. The underlying tension between himself and Si the last few days had pretty much vanished. He was feeling much less like a second choice for a spouse, even if Si did spend more time with his advisors than he did Payton.

“I want to go with you to the parliament when you go to speak against the merger.”

“Why do I have a feeling it’s not to watch me win over the House of Lords?”

Payton chuckled. “Well that too.”

“But?”

“I want to go through Markham’s computer.”

Stiffening slightly, Simon groaned. “I told you I’m going to have someone else do that.” He caught Payton’s chin, forcing him to look Simon in the eye. “It’s dangerous.”

“Yes, but just being myself at this point in time is dangerous. I’m trying to stand in the way of the IN, and I’m not exactly the consort Englor imagined for their king. And Caldwell has no doubt realized who I am now. He knows I can identify him.” He rose up on his elbow so he could see Si better. The sooner things got solved with the IN the better off they’d all be. “It’ll be perfect. You’ll be there talking to Parliament, making sure Markham isn’t in his office, and I’ll let myself in and highjack his computer for a few minutes.”

Simon pulled him forward, planting a hard kiss on his lips. “No.”

Anger welled up inside Payton and he tried to sit up, but Si held him down.

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“I don’t want you hurt. How many times do I have to tell you that? It’s my job to keep you safe.”

Of all the arrogant—
“I don’t need you or anyone else to protect me. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.” Once again Payton tried to sit up, only to have his head held against Si’s chest.
Damn it.
Si and his strength were ruining Pay’s pique.

“Pay, please.” Si kissed his forehead. “For me.” Stroking Payton’s hair, Si kissed him again, and again.

Of all the dirty tricks…
Payton felt like pouting. Si was using Payton’s feelings against him. It wasn’t fair. Knowing it would do no good, Payton let the argument melt on his tongue. He could practically hear his father’s voice in his head saying,
“Pick your
battles, Payton.”
He relaxed and stopped fighting Si to sit up. “Fine.”

“Really?”

“I said fine,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.

Si kissed his forehead. “Thank you.”

Lacking the energy to fight, Payton closed his eyes. He couldn’t help but wonder if Si were trying to protect him or keep him out of the investigation, but for now he chose to believe it was what Si claimed, to keep him safe. Did that mean Si did love him…just a little?

Payton sighed and rubbed his fingers through the hair on Si’s chest. Si needed his help and he was getting it, like it or not. Payton
was
going tomorrow. It was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

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Someone should tell Roc that yellow and black makes him look like a bumblebee.

—from the journal of Payton Marcus Townsend

From where he sat in the balcony of the meeting chamber of the House of Lords, Payton gave one last glance down at the assembly hall, making sure Si wasn’t looking his way. It was almost a shame to leave the view. Si looked so commanding and powerful down there in his Marine uniform, speaking to the Lords of Englor.

Not only was the view nice, but Payton had learned quite a bit about Englor’s government, just by watching. Similar to Regelence, Englor had a unicameral parliamentary system where Si, as King, acted as the executive branch of the government.

To feel completely comfortable with his new home, Payton still needed to learn more, but now was not the time.

Giving his consort an admiring look, Payton stood. As interesting as it was, he had work to do. He made sure Markham was still in his seat, then leaned to his left and whispered to Roc, “I’m going to the water closet. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh okay.” Roc stood.

No, no, no. What is he doing?
A sinking feeling settled in Payton’s stomach. “Where are you going?”

Roc ushered him out of the row of seats onto the purple carpeted stairs. “I’m going with you.”

“Why?” Payton kept walking up the stairs, his mind working furiously on how to get rid of Si’s friend.

Roc shrugged and kept walking, coming up alongside Payton. “I’m supposed to watch you.”

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Bloody hell.
Fury bubbled up inside of Payton, making him clench his jaw tight. Si had told Roc to watch him. Si didn’t trust him. Payton straightened his spine and kept going. Then he realized Si had good cause not to trust him and his anger deflated. It wasn’t fair for him to be mad at Si, since Payton
was
going to search Markham’s office computer and had planned on doing so all along.

Payton reached the top of the balcony, then began the descent down the stairs to the ground floor. He looked over at Roc and grimaced.