Chapter Six

For a split second, Craven wanted to bolt as he raised his hand to the knocker. The manor seemed more imposing than before if that was possible. Feeling waves of apprehension wash over him, and slightly dizzy, he heard footsteps approach from the other side of the door. Moments later, it opened and a man dressed in an ornate waistcoat trimmed in gold braid, short knee britches, and white gloves with matching stockings stood before him.

“Good evening, sir. How may I help you?”

Craven chewed on his lower lip to keep it from trembling. “I need to see Mr. Beresford, please.”

“Indeed, and whom may I say is calling?”

“Craven . . . Craven Saunders, sir.”

“May I ask what you require of him?”

“No, that is, I need to see him, speak to him personally.”

Dove gray eyes narrowed before he extended his arm with a flourish and directed him toward a bench in the foyer. “Wait here and I shall see if he’s accessible.”

Infinitesimal long moments passed while Craven waited, and curse the devil, the only thing he could think about while he waited was Dominic buried deep inside him. What if he’d forgotten all about him; thought it nothing but a licentious night of carnal lust that faded like the dew on petals? He toyed with the ruby pin in his pocket and remembered his reason for being there. Squelching a hysterical laugh and fighting the bile rising in his throat, he rose and paced the entry. Footfalls came toward him again and the same footman appeared.

“Master Beresford awaits you in his library,” he said with another wave of his arm toward a long corridor. “Follow me.”

Knees knocking, he followed the man until they came to a trio of doors, two on the right, and one on the left, the room Dominic apparently occupied. The footman rapped on the door, pushed it open and closed it behind him the moment Craven stepped into the room.

Heart thumping against his chest, Craven forced his gaze to linger on Dominic’s face. Sitting behind the mahogany desk with his feet propped up, he looked exceedingly virile. His memory had been lax; the man was more beautiful than he had remembered. Pulled back, his dark, sleek hair had been tied at the nape of his neck with a leather thong. Eyes the color of a mountain stream pierced through the distance between them, and the perfection of his mouth, his achingly erotic mouth, nearly brought him to his knees.

“Well,” he said, the deep timbre of his voice acting like a balm to his misery. “I imagine you’ve come to return the brooch.”

Craven retrieved it from his trousers and held it before him. “I didn’t steal it. I’m at a loss to explain its presence, but I swear, I didn’t―”

“Did you tend to your studies today?”

Knocked off his game, Craven faltered. “Yes, sir, I mean in a fashion.”

“Explain yourself.”

“I found it difficult to concentrate. This thing that happened between us, I-I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” Heat rose up his neck and flooded his face and his voice became a whisper. “If you want the truth. And then there is the conundrum regarding the brooch.”

Dominic rose from the chair and walked toward him. The elegant hand grazed his as he reached for the ruby pin, but it was enough to send a ripple of longing rushing through him. “I didn’t steal it,” he reiterated in quiet desperation.

Beresford captured his eyes. “I know.”

“You . . . you know?”

He nodded.

“How, how did it end up in my pocket?”

“I placed it there.”

The blood pounded through his ears in wild abandon. The proximity of him, his manly scent fogged Craven’s thinking and rendered him mute.

“Strangely, I had the same problem today. I found it difficult to stay on task.”

“You did?”

Another nod, and then his hand came out to yank Craven toward him, closing the last foot separating their bodies. Craven kissed him with a passion that shocked them both. Clasping his broad shoulders, he pressed his body into Dominic’s and groaned into his mouth.

Then the world melted away as Dominic turned him around and backed him toward the desk, their tongues parrying, their kisses desperate. Dominic broke from the kiss and with one clean sweep of his arm cleared the desk of papers and pushed Craven face down onto it. The ache inside Craven deepened, spread until he was mindless with need and only vaguely aware of the clothing leaving his body.

A groan tore from Craven’s throat when Dominic reached around from behind and found a nipple, twisting and kneading it until he grew mindless with lust. His warm lips nibbled at the tender flesh of his neck as Dominic kicked his feet out and spread his legs. Yes, yes, soon he would have the man inside him again. Not soon enough.

An animal-like sound escaped from deep inside his throat as Dominic probed his opening from behind. Unable to control his need, Craven pushed back and impaled himself on the throbbing cock. A strong arm encircled his waist just before Dominic buried himself into the tight heat of his insides. He held him firm, moving methodically, plunging in and out of him.

“Faster, harder,” Craven heard his own hoarse voice rasp.

His flesh burned with desire. Waves of scorching heat tore through him. Beyond pain or pleasure now, he whimpered like a school boy and exulted in the delirious sensations.

He wanted it harder, fiercer. He ground his ass against the intruder, seeking the relief that seemed so far out of reach. Cascading lights flickered and burned and so did his body, demanding more. He strained, gyrated and undulated beneath the wicked onslaught.

“Oh, God, I’m going to come,” he wheezed. Never had he felt anything so mind-numbingly blissful.

“Come for me, handsome boy,” Dominic whispered in his ear moments before he exploded.

Every muscle in his body clenched and his release manifested into an endless stream of hot liquid. Dominic circled his waist tighter and thrust again and again, finally pouring his hot seed into him. Craven felt a crushing weight and again the warm breath against his neck.

“Fucking marvelous,” Dominic whispered.

Collapsing onto the desk with his hands spread out, Craven closed his eyes and savored the dazed aftermath of fulfillment. Long moments later, Dominic pulled his cock out and helped Craven to a nearby chair, then settled in beside him in another.

With his heart beating erratically, he looked into Dominic’s eyes. “What now?”

A smile curled the corners of his lips. “What do you wish to happen now?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if you didn’t. What do you want, not anyone else, what do you want?”

“To be with you, that’s what I want.”

“You must remain in school; I insist you finish your studies.”

“I will, I promise. If I know there’s a chance for us to continue, I promise.”

“And you shall leave that ramshackle room they call a dormitory and move in with me.”

“In an instant.”

“What will your parents say about that?”

“Their major concern is that I complete my education. They have other sons to fret and stew over.”

Dominic looked at him and cocked his head. “I haven’t even asked you about your family, siblings, and so on.” He shook his head. “Quite crass of me.”

Momentarily unable to utter a word, Craven stared at him. If he continued down that road, he’d soon be lost in the fathomless depths of those eyes and begging him to take him again. After a lengthy time had passed, he said, “Trust me, my parents will approve as long as I remain in school. I am not from an influential family, and they struggle to assist me with coin for my education.”

“No longer,” Dominic said as if it were a forgone conclusion.

Craven studied the man’s unearthly beauty for a moment. Curious why Dominic had bothered to check up on him, he asked, “How do you know my room is a ramshackle?”

‘While you were at studies today, I convinced the steward to allow me to enter. I told him I was there to drop off coin for you.”

“You did? But why?”

“I had to know under what conditions you were living, and my suspicions were right. Now, what about it, will you live here with me at Beresford Hall?”

“What about the semi-monthly gatherings? I don’t think I could stand it if you were to still crave―”

“Those days are long forgotten. There will be no further need for my depraved associates to continue their forays into such dissolute undertakings at Beresford Hall.”

“You would give all that up?”

“With pleasure,” Dominic said, holding his gaze. “What say you?”

“Yes,” Craven replied. “Absolutely, unconditionally yes.”

“It’s settled then.” He rose and brushed his thumb across Craven’s cheek. “I have a confession to make.”

Holding his breath, Craven blinked. “All right, what is it?”

“I lied to you about the society.”

“You did?”

Dominic nodded. “I’m afraid your friend was correct. The society meets here twice monthly and is dubbed Carnal Cravings.” He grabbed Craven’s hand and placed it over his heart. “But I swear to you, I shall never withhold the truth from you again, and the society will be disbanded. Further, I shall never look at another man again.”

“What if you tire of me?”

Their eyes locked. “I’ve waited a long time for you, Craven. It’s not going to happen, I promise.”

Craven felt the soft cadence of Dominic’s heartbeat beneath his palm and knew the man spoke the truth.

~The End~

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Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of gorgeous woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening, she loves to commune with nature. A pair of barn owls returns to the property every year to birth their young and show them off in the high branches of the oaks. Nothing more adorable than these white fluffy babies with heart-shaped faces. A lifelong animal lover, Keta devotes her time and support to the local animal shelter. Emma LaPounce, a rescued feline, has been her furry companion for the last ten years.

Keta is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author who writes in several genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance. Occasionally, she writes Gay Romance. Her books have received numerous accolades, including RWA contest finalist, Authors After Dark finalist, Top Pick of the Month and Recommended Review from many top review sites, and Best Romance Finalist from The Independent Author Network.