Page 8 of The Cordial Bride

Ian was humbled by the observation. “Consider it your toy. Do as you wish with it. Although let us at least swim first. I need the cooling down or I fear my desire for you will overtake my reason.”

“As you wish, my lord.” Calan scampered up the rest of the path, obviously something he did routinely. At the top of the rock, he looked back at Ian over his shoulder before diving into the clear water below.

Ian didn’t hesitate to follow. The bracing water cooled his blood the moment he hit it, yet the first thing he did was open his eyes and search out his quarry.

* * * *

Calan swam under the water in his usual way, except this time he knew he wasn’t alone. Someone chased after him, and knowing who it was turned it into an enticing game of cat and mouse. When long, hard arms encircled his waist, he was ready for it. He twisted within the slick embrace until he was face-to-face with the count. Even through the curtain of water, he could see the hunger in the man’s eyes. His lungs burned with the need for air, yet he was tempted to kiss his captor. Ian didn’t stop him from pressing their mouths together but kicked them upward while they meshed their lips.

They broke the surface with a mutual sputter. Then Calan was being held tightly against Ian, their mouths once more crushing each other. They kept on kissing while Ian kicked them over to the shore. Calan wrapped his legs around the man’s waist, letting him do all the work, certain that he could. The count’s strength was as impressive as any laborer Calan had ever seen. And his cock? Well, that was the stuff of dreams. Calan had seen lots of men naked before. From what he’d dared peek at, none had the kind of manhood that Ian sported. The thought of it entering his body made his hole clench. It would be hard to take, but he had brought some cream to ease the way. That was assuming the man would mount him that afternoon. Perhaps not. Ian’s obvious concern for him meant he might take matters more slowly than that.

Damn it.

Ian still held him, nibbling his mouth, jaw and even his earlobe as he walked out of the lake. Without the cool water to impede their dicks, they had both become fully aroused by the time Ian sat down on a large, flat rock. Calan straddled his lap, surprised by his own boldness. He was normally reticent around others, but there was something about Ian that broke through his barrier of wariness of getting close to someone else. It felt right and natural to be here, in this man’s arms with their hard cocks brushing each other. The sparks of pleasure made him shiver and moan. He clenched his fingers into Ian’s heavily muscled shoulders and tried to press as close to the man as he could.

The count eased his efforts by cupping his ass with both hands and lifting him up and down in a slow ride that mashed and ground their dicks together. It took only a few times before Calan’s control broke. He came with a rush that had him crying out loudly enough to startle birds from the trees. Ian crushed his mouth with a deep kiss, swallowing his howls while continuing to hump their bodies. Within seconds more, Calan felt a splash of warmth against his belly and a deep growl echoed down his throat. The count shuddered from his climax—a movement that left Calan feeling oddly powerful. I did that to him. It was his first sexual experience with another person, and he hadn’t been prepared for how overwhelmingly emotional it would be.

Ian abruptly ended the kiss and parted their bodies. “What’s this? Are you all right?” He brushed his thumbs under Calan’s eyes. “Tell me why you’re crying.”

Calan fluttered his eyes open and saw worry in the count’s gaze. “I-I didn’t know I was.” He batted his lashes as more tears leaked out. “How very strange.” He threw himself at the man’s chest and hugged him tightly.

Ian wrapped his arms around him in return and rocked him gently, although this time there was nothing sexual about it. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. It was too much too soon, I’m afraid.”

Calan shook his head. “No. No, it was wonderful. I’m just being a ninny. You’re my first, you know—for everything. These are happy tears.”

Ian ran his palm in slow circles around his back, a soothing gesture that would have been parental if not for the way it made his cock start to harden again. The count was also becoming aroused, his large dick swelling against Calan’s hip. They might have repeated the dry humping except Ian stood abruptly and walked them both into the chilly lake water. Then the man lowered Calan to his feet and forced them apart, although he kept one hand on his waist while washing cum off them both. When he was done, he led Calan back to the shore.

“I think it’s time for luncheon and a talk.” Letting go of Calan, he squatted by the basket and opened it. He pulled out the thin quilt that was intended to serve as a blanket. “You thought of everything, I see.” He tipped his head in Calan’s direction. “Do you want to sit on the grass or the rock?”

Feeling a bit shy, Calan tucked his loosened and wet hair behind his ears and stared at the ground. “The grass, please.”

Ian spread out the quilt with a quick snap of his wrists and smoothed it with his hands before waving Calan to take a seat. He knelt beside him and peered into the basket. “Let’s see what we have.”

“It’s nothing much.” The council had gone to great lengths to feast their Moorcondian visitors with opulent food. Normally, they ate plainly, and he worried now that his choice of food would pale in comparison to what the count was used to having.

“I beg to differ.” Ian pulled out thick sandwiches of ham, smothered with a strong mustard that Calan had made himself. “This is the perfect meal after so much exercise.” He winked at him.

Calan knew he blushed. This playfulness after intimacy was a bit stunning. He didn’t seem able to control his emotions. “There’s cider to wash it down and stalks of celery and apples.”

Ian laid all the meal on the quilt, then pulled out a small pot. “Is this a condiment?”

Mortified, Calan lunged to snatch it from his hands. “No. It’s not. It’s, um, nothing.” He put it behind his back. His cheeks were on fire, and he dared not look at the count.

Leaning toward him, Ian cupped Calan’s chin and forced it up. “My dear, you need not ever be embarrassed in front of me. I applaud your forethought, although regrettably, we’ll not be in need of any lubricant this afternoon.”

Disappointment overrode his awkwardness. “Why not?”

“Because you’re not ready.”

Now Calan frowned. “I am so. I’ve been ready for a while and only lacked the opportunity. I want you.”

The count’s face broke out into a smile. “A delightful confession, and I can assure you that I am of the same inclination. However,” he added, rising with his cock once more thickening, “you’re first time being breached by a man must be done with care. Not something to be done in haste outdoors.” He walked over to his clothing and impressively stuffed his legs and his dick back into his trousers. “And as you’ve already seen, there is much pleasure to be had with other, less…invasive ways.” He smiled so charmingly as he sat across from him that Calan couldn’t help doing the same.

“I suppose you’re right. It was amazing what you did for me. I’m sorry if my tears gave you the wrong impression.” He frowned again as he handed a sandwich over to Ian. “I guess I was overwhelmed by the experience. I’m not used to being close to people,” he confessed before taking a big bite of his own sandwich.

“You spend a lot of time alone, don’t you?”

Calan swallowed his mouthful before answering. “It depends on how you see it. I’m always with the animals of the forest. They are good company.”

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