Page 20 of Their Brazen Countess
Arthur followed suit and grabbed the decanter to refill their drinks. They quickly took refuge on the sofa in front of the roaring fire and proceeded to get soused.
It was sometime later—precisely how long he was not sure, for Linc had lost track of time. They sat there working their way through another bottle of whisky after having finished off the partially filled decanter earlier. He looked over at Arthur and couldn’t help but smile. The man was far too handsome for his own good. Dark to Linc’s own light, they were a study in contrasts. Whereas he was known for laughs and fun, Arthur was more serious. Whereas he went his own way and did as he pleased, Arthur tended to get along with everyone, ever the charming companion.
And despite all that, Linc found the man deeply attractive. He’d have never acted on it were it not for their interludes with Jo, but now he couldn’t but help but need Arthur. Need his touch. His cock stirred with interest.
Arthur sat low on the couch, sprawled in a slightly depressed but despotic pose that nonetheless held an air of command. As though he were a powerful man who had been thwarted. It was a rather enticing display, if Linc were honest with himself.
Suddenly, his companion lurched to his feet with a roar and smashed his glass into the fire. They had long ago shed the civility of their coats and waistcoats, sitting in their rolled-up shirtsleeves.
The man’s corded forearms pressed against the mantle as he rested his forehead on them. “We were too fucking slow! Too sure of ourselves and the outcome.”
Linc shrugged. “How were we to know her father was bastard enough to sell her out from under us?”
Arthur snorted. “Because she told us, you fool. She told us he’d threatened to use her younger sister in her place if she didn’t cooperate.” He cursed and spun around. “But instead of running for Gretna or riding directly to his house and demanding her hand in marriage, we made love to her together, we waited until the next morning to attempt to secure her hand.”
Linc unfolded from the couch. “I dare say we calmed down the distraught woman we care deeply for, and went to call on her father in a civilized manner. We played by the rules Society has. In this case, it was to our detriment.” He set his whisky on the mantle and laid a comforting hand on Arthur’s shoulder, trying to ignore the feel of the muscles playing under his fingers, the way they bunched and loosened as the clock ticked relentlessly in the background.
A hard glint came into Arthur’s glassy gaze. He swayed for a moment, not quite steady on his feet. “I’m done living by Society’s strictures. All it has ever brought me is heartache.”
Before Linc could say a word Arthur had reached for him, hauled him into his arms as their lips crashed together.
It was a heady kiss. A heady, drunken kiss—but for a few moments, Linc could say his heart ached a little less. Arthur seemed to feel the same way as he pressed the kiss deeper, his tongue exploring Linc’s mouth with a rapacious persistence that had his cock standing up and taking notice.
Linc moved his hands from Arthur’s waist to the front of his shirt, opening the buttons one at a time, very slowly. Once he finally had skin exposed, he reached inside to run his hands over the man’s chest. Linc enjoyed the softness of a woman’s body, but the feel of all Arthur’s muscles enticed in a very different way. Watching him chop wood had only highlighted how much he appreciated the differences.
Pulling his shirt off over his head, they barely stopped kissing. Linc took care of his own shirt as Arthur seemed too focused on exploring his mouth to manage any clothing.
Skin to skin, Linc pressed closer to him, letting their hard cocks—and they were both hard as steel—grind together. The friction was a delicious torment he could stand for only so long before he needed more.
Breaking their kiss, he dropped to his knees in front of Arthur and opened the man’s trousers. Reaching inside, he pulled out the man’s weighty cock and stroked it with one hand as he rubbed his own through the fabric of his pants. Arthur stood there with his head tipped back and eyes closed, clearly lost in the sensations.
“Arthur, look at me,” Linc gave the explicit command. He needed the other man to be with him in the moment. He refused to let him pretend this was someone else sucking his cock.
Arthur looked down and offered a small smile. The first he’d seen from him in hours.
Then Linc swallowed the head of Arthur’s cock into his mouth, taking the salty, sweet tang of the dripping pre-cum with it. He was greedy for more, never wanting this moment to end. Taking him deep into his mouth then his throat, he reveled in the masculine groan he ripped from Arthur’s chest.
“Oh, God Linc.” Arthur’s hand sunk into his hair as he palmed his head.
Satisfaction that his man understood who was loving him settled in Linc’s chest as he continued to work the baron’s length. Soon the man’s hips were thrusting into his face, matching the rhythm he’d set. Pushing Arthur’s undergarments down further, he exposed his balls and gently cupped them as he continued to suck his cock.
Then Linc pulled away, suddenly unwilling to end things so soon. He wanted more from him: wanted to feel him wrapped around his cock as he sank deep into his tight arse.
Rising to his feet, he grabbed Arthur’s neck and hauled him in for a kiss. Their tongues twined as they dueled for control. It was a battle of wills that he wouldn’t lose, not this time.
When Linc had wrestled him into submission, he finally broke off the kiss. Drawing his lips along Arthur’s stubbled jaw, he murmured, “I want to fuck you.”
Arthur’s breath hitched, but he didn’t respond.
For a moment, Linc wondered if he might be pushing the man too hard, that he didn’t feel what he did.
But then Arthur hissed his response, “Yes.”
Linc’s gut tightened in excitement. He’d thought about taking Arthur’s arse so many times as they’d all cavorted at The Market. Now he would have the opportunity to sink into him. “Here or your bedchamber?”
Arthur cast his gaze around the room for a moment before refocusing on him. “My bedchamber. I don’t think I have the needed supplies here.”
Linc nodded. “Lead the way.”
