Page 177 of His Grace, the Duke
Tom held him by the hips, keeping him in place. “Burke, move. Take us,” he demanded.
Burke didn’t hesitate. Wrapping his own hands firmly around James’ hips, he pounded into him, making James let out a hoarse cry, all but falling atop Tom.
“Yes,” Tom cried, gripping James by the shoulders.
“I can’t,” James panted, eyes shut tight. “Oh, God—”
“Kiss me.” Tom pulled him closer. “James, kiss me.”
James sank atop him, meeting Tom in a hungry, open-mouthed kiss. He broke it with a strangled groan as Burke dared to smack his arse.
“Stroke Tom’s cock,” Burke demanded between thrusts. “Make him come.”
James pushed his weight off Tom with one hand, reaching for him with the other. Tom sighed with relief when James wrapped his hand around his hard length and stroked him from root to tip. Tom arched his hips, meeting his every touch with eager sounds while Burke chased his own release. James’ hand stilled on Tom’s cock as he gasped, his body going rigid.
“Come, Your Grace,” Burke growled. “Now.”
James gave a guttural groan, soon matched by Tom. Rosalie watched it all, completely enraptured, as James and Tom at last found their joy together. Two more thrusts and Burke broke, spilling himself inside James. All three men panted, breathing as one into the sacred silence that followed.
James moved first, slipping his hand off Tom and collapsing atop him, his cheek on Tom’s sweaty anchor tattoo, hislegs still pressed between Tom’s open thighs. Tom curled his arms around him, stroking his hair with one hand as he closed his eyes, utterly at peace. Burke gave James’ hip a soothing stroke before he pulled out and flopped down onto the bed next to them. It was odd to see him still fully clothed next to their naked forms. It was a stark reminder of where they were... or where they were allsupposedto be.
Rosalie glanced up at the mantel clock.
Five minutes to seven.
She got up from her chair and crossed over to them, smoothing her gloved hand over James’ bare back, up to his shoulder. “That was beautiful, my loves. You know, you all make me very happy.”
Burke and James each gave a response somewhere between a grunt and a sigh. Tom just gave her a sleepy, satisfied smile, his fingers still brushing James’ hair back from his brow.
“We’re going to be late,” James said, his words muffled against Tom’s chest.
“Of course,” Rosalie replied. “But I can think of no better reason to be late to a party we did not ask for nor plan.”
“Don’t worry, love. We will make sure His Grace is presentable,” Burke muttered, curling back up into a sitting position with a reluctant grunt. “Up, James,” he said, giving James’ arse another smack.
James groaned, seemingly unable to lift his weight off Tom. It was all he could do to roll himself to the side.
Rosalie just smiled, joy and contentment bubbling inside her. “The sooner you three ready yourselves, the sooner you can come celebrate with me as you ought.”
“Christ, are we expected to sing carols?” James muttered.
“Hell on earth,” Burke echoed.
Rosalie’s smile widened. “I’m sure we’ll do that too. But I’m thinking of another reason we have to celebrate tonight.” She’d been keeping this secret to herself for nearly a fortnight, and it was eating her alive. She’d meant to wait until actual Christmas day, but this moment seemed as good as any other. In fact, given the nature of their unique relationship, the timing felt perfect.
Burke glanced sharply at her, his eyes narrowing. The man’s ability to read her ran positively occult. “Rosalie...”
James and Tom sensed his tone and turned towards her as well.
Fighting the laugh that bubbled up inside her, she backed away from them, her smile spreading from ear to ear. “Make yourself presentable, husband. Then come downstairs and tell all your guests our happy news.”
She had their full attention now. All fatigue forgotten, James and Tom both sat up. Burke stood, his body coiled tight like a fox on the hunt. “Rosalie,” he repeated, a warning and a plea.
Backing away another step, she placed a gloved hand over her stomach. “Your duchess is with child.” Soaking in the shared looks of surprise and delight on their faces, she turned and darted away through the open door. Laughing out loud, her smile filling her face, she glanced back to see all three of them stumbling off the bed, eagerly chasing after her.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
