Page 160 of Her Beast

The other man was quick to nod. “Yes—yes, of course. They’re the ones who came up with—”

“And the lad—Richard, his name is?”

Brian frowned. “Er, yes… about him. It was quite unusual that you mentioned that matter, Mal. As a matter of fact, Tommy—”

“So, should Richard get to keep that house?” Malcolm asked, amused by the flicker of irritation on Brian’s face at the interruption. “No, wait! I’m sorry”—Malcolm snapped his fingers. “I forgot that Tommy already signed Brookfield over to those hungry creditors. He’s just waiting until the girl falls in line and marries to toss the boy out.” He shrugged. “Well, it’s not as if Richard Harlowcareswhere he lives, is it? An asylum will be fine for the likes of him.”

“Er, I’m told he is too slow-witted to notice his surroundings,” Brian said, encouraged by Malcolm’s tone. “Actually, it would be a mercy to put him with his own kind.”

“You’ve been told? You mean you’ve not seen him?”

Brian frowned. “No, why would I?”

“Indeed, why,” Malcolm agreed.

Brian’s cheeks darkened and he swallowed again, his gaze flickering to Malcolm’s ruined face and then darting away, only to slide back again. “You agree then? About the girl and the house?”

“It’s always been hard to say no to you,” Malcolm said, his words deliberately noncommittal.

Brian smiled, clearly delighted. “Shall we seal our bargain?”

“Hmm? Whatever you wish, Bri.”

Elation vied with relief on Brian’s face as he stood and approached Malcolm with an outstretched hand.

Malcolm remained seated, his own hands on the arms of his chair. “I thought we might seal it in a more personal way.”

“P-personal way?”

Malcolm grinned and suggestively palmed his groin, grimly pleased when the other man flinched.

“Oh,” Brian said.

“Unless you’d rather not touch—”

“No, no! That is an excellent idea,” Brian hastened to say, his face a sickly gray as Malcolm spread his thighs.

“You needn’t go under the desk.” Malcolm barked a laugh. “We’re too old for such games.” He pointed to the floor. “Right here will be good.”

Brian sank clumsily, landing with a thump.

“Ah, you on your knees. Nowthatbrings back those good memories you were talking about, Bri.”

Brian’s eyes darted nervously from the left side of Malcolm’s face to the erection that tented his trousers. He swallowed yet again and managed another smile, although it was more of a rictus. “You used to love it when I knelt beneath your desk. I did, too—it was one of the most erotic things I ever did, Mal.”

Malcolm only smiled, willing to let Brian script this part of the play.

Brian inched forward on his knees and Malcolm spread wider to accommodate him.

“I’ve thought about you often, Mal—about this—” Brian said, warming up to his unexpected role. He reached for Malcolm’s placket. “To be honest, there have been many, many times I’ve wanted to come back to you, but—but I was afraid.” He gave a breathy laugh while his shaking fingers worked on the buttons. “Sukey was right about me—I’m hen hearted.” He reached the last button but Malcolm set a gloved hand over his fingers before he could open the placket.

Brian jerked his hand away and then hastily shoved it back, trying to cover his actions with a smile. “What is it, Mal?”

“You mean you’d consider coming back to me, Bri?” he asked softly, rubbing Brian’s hand with his thumb.

Disgust flared in Brian’s lovely blue eyes. “It has actually been my dearest wish for years, Mal,” he spoke softly, managing to put a lover’s adoring look on his face

Malcolm assumed a pensive stare as he held the other man’s jittery gaze. Finally, after he’d made Brian wait so long that he looked in danger of bursting into tears, he released his hand. “I’d like that very much, Bri.”

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